Chapter Text
The cell was cold and barren, offering little comfort and even less hope. A faint ray of light attempted to filter down through the trees, but it was weak and struggled to overcome the heavy canopy of branches that projected distorted shadows across Sylvanas's face. She knew she was somewhere natural, somewhere with life, but only because her senses offered her the information. Tyrande had been less than forthcoming in answering any of Sylvanas's questions. Days had passed. At least three, possibly four, if Sylvanas's monitoring of time was correct. By now Jaina knew she was gone. Did she know the means? The truth? Had she figured out one of her guards had betrayed her?
Sylvanas didn't know, but she did feel Jaina was intelligent enough to know Sylvanas had not left of her own accord. Not after everything they'd been through the last several months. Not after they'd found each other again and fallen in love despite all the odds.
There was something larger afoot, something occurring within the Night Elf population that could spell disaster. Tyrande had known Sylvanas was in Boralus, but who had given her that information? Was there a hidden alliance working against Jaina and Vereesa and Liadrin and all the rest? When Sylvanas had been the leader of the Forsaken, she had often had plans and contingencies for her plans and contingencies. She'd tried to prepare for everything, every possibility or betrayal. There had been a benefit to that, naturally, a sense of being prepared for anything but there had also been an isolating and suspicious quality that had ended up only hurting those Sylvanas had tried to protect.
Still, she found her thoughts trying to trace recent events in an effort to understand Tyrande's road to her. It was easy to know the priestess's motivations. She wasn't operating with a full understanding of everything that had happened since Sylvanas's return from the Maw. All she had to go on was the fact that Sylvanas, the woman responsible for the near total decimation of her people, was free. Sylvanas could forgive her that, even overlook it. But there were bigger things at stake than grudges and retribution.
Something terrible was still out there. It wasn't over. It couldn't be. Though she had managed to somehow stop the initial threat, Sylvanas felt the same way Jaina did. Everything had been too easy. Too tidy. Their enemies had not revealed their true might. And what of the strange power Sylvanas had manifested? Where was it now? She'd tested her confinement at first, looking for any weaknesses she might exploit, but eventually she'd come to see that escaping would only send Tyrande after her again.
It went against her nature, but Sylvanas had come to believe she needed to wait on Jaina to find a diplomatic solution if at all possible. Jaina was the diplomat. She'd find a way to negotiate Sylvanas's release, and then perhaps they might bring Tyrande into the fold. A united Azeroth was what would be needed. Conversely, however, Sylvanas felt that if diplomacy failed, she would do whatever was required to get back to Jaina.
Nothing would keep them apart ever again.
But first she had to give diplomacy a chance.
Metal grated somewhere down a long and echoing tunnel. Fresh light spilled down the hallway. Sylvanas squinted her eyes and held a hand up to shield her face. Footsteps sounded, long and balanced. Tyrande, she knew. The light was impeded by the tall elf's muscular body. Sylvanas knew Tyrande was either bringing her food or coming to question her again. She didn't know how many more times she could tell Tyrande the same things.
The priestess came to stand before the vine wrought confines of her cell. The mix of metal and nature hinted at a place where elves and perhaps dwarves lived, but as of yet Sylvanas had not been able to determine her exact location. The vines were controlled by a druid who pulled them back to allow Tyrande to enter. At the begininng of her time here, several guards had grabbed ahold of Sylvanas, looking for any excuse to hit her or inflict bodily harm if she even looked like she might escape.
Sylvanas still had bruises on her stomach and back and a black eye for attempts she'd never made. This time, however, Tyrande entered alone. Sylvanas remained where she was, sitting on a flat mat used for sleeping. She was leaned against the hardpacked dirt wall that made up her cell, one knee bent.
"Windrunner," Tyrande greeted coldly in her heavily accented Common.
"Whisperwind," Sylvanas responded in a tired voice. "How many times are we going to do this?"
"Until you tell me the truth! How did you escape the Maw? And what magic gave you back your life?" Tyrande placed a tray of fruit, cheese and pine nuts on the floor before Sylvanas. She'd learned quickly enough Sylvanas's aversion to meat and had adjusted her diet accordingly.
Sylvanas sighed and shook her head, staring down at the food. "I have spoken the truth. If you need corroboration, then send word to Jaina Proudmoore, Lor'themar Theron, or your own daughter. You are working against your interests, Tyrande, all to satisfy a need for revenge. I have paid for my crimes. I fulfilled the task you set before me. All of your questions can be answered, but not while I am held as your prisoner. You risk angering the most powerful mage on Azeroth by doing so."
Tyrande smiled wickedly, lowering to a squat to study Sylvanas. Even in a kneeling position she still towered over Sylvanas. "And why should Jaina Proudmoore care what becomes of you? She may have sheltered you upon your return, but she is known for her soft-heartedness."
"That's for you to find out." Sylvanas looked away from Tyrande and crossed her arms over her chest to ward off the chill. "You would not believe me even if I told you. Send word to Shandris. There are others who can verify what I have told you. I was released from the Maw after completing my work. I spent centuries doing as you asked. My return to life is a whole subject and conversation unto itself. Events have been taking place that you are unaware of, but if you reach out to those I have mentioned, your curiosity might be sated. There is nothing else I can say to you."
Quiet settled about the small cell. A cold wind blew causing the leaves on the branches outside to shiver. Tyrande stared daggers at Sylvanas, her eyes glowing eerily in the low light. "You are changed."
Sylvanas didn't respond. She didn't even look at Tyrande. Her statement was probing at best.
"I will have my answers, Windrunner." Tyrande stood back up and left without another word. The vines that made up whatever passed as a door for her cell regrew rapidly, tightening into a knot of intricate strength and depth. Sylvanas tracked the fading sound of Tyrande's long-limbed strides before they disappeared out the way they'd come. She had to find some way to get word to Jaina. They were soul-bonded. There had to be something she could do to let Jaina know where she was.
But being in a prison again was making it difficult to concentrate. It felt like quicksand forming at Sylvanas's feet, pulling and attempting to drag her down. Fighting too much or too quickly would only hasten her eventual suffocation. She stood up and looked out the narrow window of her cell. Like the doorway, elaborate vines made up the structure and prevented any attempt Sylvanas might make at an escape. The thick vines made it difficult to see anything conclusive, but the fresh air and the openness just beyond the window, made her feel less claustrophobic.
She let the cold air hit her face and sighed as her eyes closed. She'd rather bear the cold if it meant any hint of nature could be felt upon her skin. Accepting any warmth seemed like an acceptance of her circumstances.
"Find me, Jaina," she whispered out into the nighttime air.
-Boralus, Kul Tiras-
"Jaina, you can't just go marching into every capital city demanding to inspect their holding cells or stockades."
"Watch me," Jaina protested as she moved about the room she shared with Sylvanas. It had been four days since she'd discovered her girlfriend was missing. Four days since the news had nearly dropped her to the floor when she'd realized Sylvanas was nowhere in Proudmoore Keep or the borders of Kul Tiras at all. In those four days, Jaina had closed the harbor and grounded all ships. Regardless of whether or not they were Kul Tiran traders or not. Even gnomish, goblin, and orcish ships had been denied leave. Every single person in Kul Tiras was being held with impunity.
It wasn't the wisest course of action but then again Jaina wasn't thinking the clearest lately. Tensions were rising. Riots were starting to sprout up in the markets. The guards had their hands full trying to contain the chaos. It had only been that morning that Jaina had finally sent word to Vereesa and Alleria, informing them of their sister's absence. Vereesa was trying to calm Jaina down, while Alleria appeared worried but thoughtful.
"Jaina, this could undo all our attempts to unite Azeroth against whatever is out there," argued Vereesa.
"I don't care. Someone marched into my city and stole my girlfriend. That's an act of war and aggression against Kul Tiras, Vereesa."
Behind Vereesa stood Liadrin. She was still a little worn from her near death during the recent battle, but she was strong and determined. Apparently, she and Vereesa were official and sorting out the start of an honest relationship. Any other time, Jaina would have been pleased to know that. Vereesa deserved to be happy, to find love again after Rhonin. But right now, all she could think about was Sylvanas. Liadrin watched Jaina and Vereesa, her auburn hair thrown into a high ponytail which showed off the elegance of her bone structure.
"You have to care, Jaina! You can't be hasty here. I'm worried for Sylvanas, too, but we have to think this through. Our enemies could have engineered this. Starting a war would work in their favor, don't you think?"
Jaina noticed a smile tug lightly on Liadrin's lips at the comment. She stopped only long enough to consider Vereesa's argument. Causing infighting between the factions again would definitely work to advance whatever goals their enemies had. But keeping Sylvanas and Jaina apart also accomplished that goal. Sylvanas's weird and unknown power lived inside Jaina, whatever that meant. If they were apart could Sylvanas still access it?
"We must do something our enemies do not expect." This from Alleria, who up to that point had been silent in the corner. She had left before the final attack and had only shown back up when receiving word of Sylvanas's kidnapping. Where she had been or what her thoughts were could only be guessed at. Jaina still didn't know if she fully trusted Alleria, but she was Sylvanas's sister and Vereesa wanted her involvement. Jaina had to take what allies she could.
"What do you suggest then?" she asked as all eyes turned to face the oldest Windrunner.
Alleria, who had been leaning against the door leading into Jaina's rooms, uncrossed her arms as she stared back at each of them. Her face was a mask of unknown emotions and motivations. "Tell the world Sylvanas is alive and returned. Put whoever took her on the spot. It sheds light where our enemies do not wish it. In the meantime, I will hunt down whoever took Sylvanas. It is what I do best. While the world deals with the news you bring, I search for the one or ones that are responsible. It is a two-pronged approach playing to our individual strengths."
Jaina looked at Alleria, stunned. She shook her head but couldn't produce a good counterargument. "That's... that's actually brilliant. I use diplomacy and the power of information to steer people toward the truth of what's been going on. With Liadrin's help, along with Velonara's and Lor'themar's we can control the narrative for the Horde. Vereesa, Shandris, Anduin and Tess can add weight for the Alliance side of things."
Alleria nodded. "Exactly. We get ahead of what's coming and use the revelation to put heat on whoever took my sister. I will find her, Jaina. I always find my target."
"This could blow up in our faces," pointed out Liadrin.
Vereesa walked over to join the tall elf and shushed her. "If it does then we can control the blast radius."
"Goblin metaphors?" asked Liadrin. Vereesa shrugged. The fact that they could joke when Jaina's life was falling apart had to be a sign that things weren't as bad as they seemed. Right? They all - Alleria, Vereesa, Liadrin and Jaina herself - had been a small part of the group who had pulled off the impossible. That mattered. That was hope. Horde and Alliance, family and friends, had all come together, worked together, and overcome a terrible threat. They'd all managed to speak as allies, many beginning to heal who had been impacted by Sylvanas's actions as the Warchief.
Sylvanas was out there. Jaina would find her. Alleria's plan was solid.
"Okay," Jaina said trying to calm herself down. "But if this doesn't work, I'm getting Sylvanas back one way or another. Even if I have to start a war to do it."
No one argued with her. Jaina was level-headed except when it came to Sylvanas.
"Let's go tell the world Sylvanas is alive and their only hope for survival."