Demotion
Never before in her history in The Grim had Syreena been brought before the leader to answer for her actions. (Well, not counting the time Lascivious had her whipped for the trouble Cessily caused, but then, Lascivious was completely unstable at the time.) The main reason she’d never been questioned before, was that she’d never before been caught. She’d gotten away with much worse crimes than this over the years. But Awatu was more observant than some past leaders, and less likely to turn a blind eye.
Dread filled the little rogue when the Commander called her forward after mentioning that someone was to be punished. Images flashed through her mind, of another Forsaken being punished at Awatu’s command, arms being torn from torso. Without realizing it, Syreena clenched her arms to her sides as she stood before him, waiting silently under his hard stare to see where this would lead.
“While I did expect an assault against Sanctuary, I did not anticipate an unsuccessul attack,” Awatu began. “You failed to slay your target, and you were identified by the prey. Is this correct?”
The little rogue’s mind worked quickly. One after another, lies sprang to mind. She mistook the elf for Saphiara; after all, it’s not always easy to tell male and female elves apart. It wasn’t her; maybe it was her insane twin sister. There was no attack; Sanctuary was making it up to take the focus off of their own attack on The Grim.
Each lie was dismissed just as quickly. Awatu was, in her mind, a typical Grim Tauren. She decided truthfulness and to-the-point answers would give her the best chance of making it through this with all her limbs still attached.
“Yes, Commander,” she answered simply. “That is correct.”
She thought he looked calmer, but then he asked why she attacked the elf.
“He's Sanctuary. Sanctuary attacked us,” she explained. “I saw him, and became angry, and wanted to return the gesture.”
And then Syreena questioned her decision to tell the truth when Awatu unsheathed his axe and looked at it for a moment, considering.
“Anger,” Awatu stated. “Your judgment failed you out of anger.”
In that span of a moment, Syreena’s mind worked quickly once again, as she stared at the axe. Should she try to run to escape whatever punishment was in store for her? No, she had nowhere to go. She was Grim, and would remain so until her death. Besides, she was surrounded by Grims, and she had no delusions that every single one of them wouldn’t turn on her at the Commander’s word.
After what felt like an eternity, but was actually only a moment, Awatu reached his decision.
“Mm, this is not a punishment suitable for you,” he declared as he sheathed his axe once more. “You were serving the Mandate, and you are no danger to us. Unlike the other Forsaken who fell to Ordos.”
Syreena nodded, relieved, and assured him the she would always serve the Mandate.
“Indeed, and that is why your punishment will be... to no longer serve as our High Inquisitor. Instead, you will serve the Mandate in another way.”
Having narrowly escaped punishment by dismemberment, she was not about to argue.
“As you wish,” she responded simply. “How will I serve?”
“As we have seen with Sanctuary, the Horde has traitors hidden under its very nose. Your... ‘punishment’ will be to hunt down these traitors.”
“I understand, Commander,” she responded, bowing her head slightly in respect, in relief, in gratitude, in understanding. And to hide the grin that twisted her lips.
“We must cull the festering wound from within the Horde,” Awatu continued, and when she looked back up at him, Syreena thought she caught a brief glimpse of a grin on him too. “You will serve as an acute and precise dagger. Failure is not an option."
Syreena listened to the rest of the guild meeting, half paying attention, and half thinking about her "punishment." Although she was not too greatly disappointed in being removed from a position that required so much desk time, in favor of a position that required stalking and killing, she was embarrassed to have been demoted the way she was.
Resentment began to gnaw at her then about her public demotion. That resentment was directed, not at Awatu of course, but at the elf who, in her mind at least, was to blame. Kexti. She didn't think she could beat him in a fair fight. But then....since when did she ever fight fair?
Assassin for Peace
Re: Assassin for Peace
Attack at Warspear
The next night, Syreena found Lilly and Lupinum in Warspear, talking to a couple of Taurens. Konro was a grumpy, bragging, bully. Or so he seemed at first. And his female friend, Breygrah, kept up futile efforts to make him act more civilized.
After a while, Kexti rode past. Syreena threw a Grim banner down in his path. He didn't even acknowledge it.
He settled on a short ways away, and Breygrah went over to talk to him. Konro explained that Kexti had helped the female Tauren with something recently, but he didn't give much detail about it.
After Breygrah returned, Kexti and a Sanctuary hunter moved to the inn. Syreena followed, keeping to the shadows to listen.
The conversation was extremely boring, but eventually, Kexti said something useful. With a quiet grin, Syreena tucked that little tidbit away in her memory for future use.
And then the inn got crowded....
Lilly, Lupinum, and the two Taurens came in, Lilly acting all friendly to Kexti in an obviously exaggerated manner. It only took a few minutes before things got heated.
Kexti began to walk out. Syreena planted a Grim banner in his path again. He laughed when he saw her. He laughed at her! Then he told her a secret--that the person who taught him alchemy also gave him an extensive education on Forsaken physiology.
She read the threat between the lines, and so she was ready when he drew a sword and tried to stab her in the chest. She disappeared into the shadows, her hand reaching up to cover a slash in her chest that she didn't manage to completely avoid.
Lilly and Lupinum jumped forward towards the elf. Even Konro drew his two massive axes, prepared to fight, Syreena suspected, just for the thrill of the fight more than anything else. Threats and posturing occurred from both sides, and a crowd had formed around the group to watch the show. Syreena realized she had to put a stop to it if any of her plans were going to have a chance to work.
"You've already beaten me once," she said as she stepped out of the shadows towards the elf, but careful not to get too close. "I won't push my luck again. It won't get us anywhere, will it?"
He said he wouldn't forgive her, but they could end their petty quarrel. Then he stepped forward and offered his hand. A good liar can be a good actress, and she took his hand, seemingly sincere. She thought he believed her act, but he whispered in her ear that they could settle this later, if necessary.
They parted ways with no further hostilities, and the little rogue got to work that very night.
The next night, Syreena found Lilly and Lupinum in Warspear, talking to a couple of Taurens. Konro was a grumpy, bragging, bully. Or so he seemed at first. And his female friend, Breygrah, kept up futile efforts to make him act more civilized.
After a while, Kexti rode past. Syreena threw a Grim banner down in his path. He didn't even acknowledge it.
He settled on a short ways away, and Breygrah went over to talk to him. Konro explained that Kexti had helped the female Tauren with something recently, but he didn't give much detail about it.
After Breygrah returned, Kexti and a Sanctuary hunter moved to the inn. Syreena followed, keeping to the shadows to listen.
The conversation was extremely boring, but eventually, Kexti said something useful. With a quiet grin, Syreena tucked that little tidbit away in her memory for future use.
And then the inn got crowded....
Lilly, Lupinum, and the two Taurens came in, Lilly acting all friendly to Kexti in an obviously exaggerated manner. It only took a few minutes before things got heated.
Kexti began to walk out. Syreena planted a Grim banner in his path again. He laughed when he saw her. He laughed at her! Then he told her a secret--that the person who taught him alchemy also gave him an extensive education on Forsaken physiology.
She read the threat between the lines, and so she was ready when he drew a sword and tried to stab her in the chest. She disappeared into the shadows, her hand reaching up to cover a slash in her chest that she didn't manage to completely avoid.
Lilly and Lupinum jumped forward towards the elf. Even Konro drew his two massive axes, prepared to fight, Syreena suspected, just for the thrill of the fight more than anything else. Threats and posturing occurred from both sides, and a crowd had formed around the group to watch the show. Syreena realized she had to put a stop to it if any of her plans were going to have a chance to work.
"You've already beaten me once," she said as she stepped out of the shadows towards the elf, but careful not to get too close. "I won't push my luck again. It won't get us anywhere, will it?"
He said he wouldn't forgive her, but they could end their petty quarrel. Then he stepped forward and offered his hand. A good liar can be a good actress, and she took his hand, seemingly sincere. She thought he believed her act, but he whispered in her ear that they could settle this later, if necessary.
They parted ways with no further hostilities, and the little rogue got to work that very night.
Alts: Lirsha Deathwhistle & Ayidda
Re: Assassin for Peace
Alchemical Gift Ideas
Two days later, Syreena made her way to the garrison's alchemy lab. She nodded to the alchemists who looked her way, and went directly to the back of the lab and down the steps.
“How’s it going, Bernie?” she called, as she walked past a cage containing a blood elf captured from Tempest Keep. “Any progress?”
“Not much,” replied Bernard, as he preferred to be called. He didn’t bother setting down his vials and instruments as he provided an update on his current project. “It does kill the elves, but the part where it brings them back as undead still needs some work. And then, of course, it will need to be tested on the other races, if you still insist it doesn’t affect them in the same way.”
“Uh huh,” Syreena muttered absently, ignoring the sullen glares from the blood elf in the cage. Instead, she pictured Kexti’s face on the caged elf. She didn’t expect anything else from Bernard yet. He had been at a roadblock in his research for months, and she had more pressing matters on her mind. “Well, I need you to set that all aside for a little while. I need something else right now. Top priority!”
Now, reluctantly, the old Forsaken set down his work and turned to the little rogue. Syreena had spent a great deal of time since her demotion, plotting how to make Sanctuary’s life miserable. Awatu had given her two requirements for her new job: destroy all Horde traitors, and don’t be recognized. She had no intention of risking life and limb by failing him again.
There were some among Sanctuary that she knew she couldn’t kill, not in an open, one-on-one fight anyway. Kexti had made that much undeniable. She would have to weaken them first. Maybe, if she were really lucky, maybe some of them would even take each other out. They didn’t seem to be very unified, from what she'd observed at the cantina. Some Sanctuary joining in on insulting The Grim, while another one of them was apologizing to the waitress for the behavior of the more vocal Sanctuary people. In contrast, The Grim there had shown no such division. In fact, they rallied around any Grim confronted by anyone else, surrounding the outsider and prepared to defend their own.
Yes, it shouldn’t take too much pushing to stir up trouble. And she could do it in a way that made it extremely unlikely that she would be identified as the instigator.
“I want a drug, or preferably a disease, that has very special properties,” the Shadowblade explained to the older alchemist. “It should not act immediately, so the source is not so obvious. I want it to cause madness, hallucinations, irritability, even high levels of aggression.”
“I know just the thing,” Bernard said, steepling his fingers before his chin. “I will need some things I don’t have here though. Some fire ammonite tentacles, gromsblood, and ground teeth of a beast with the qualities the drug should imitate. Once I have the materials, it will take 48 hours to create the product.”
Syreena frowned. She was hoping to get it immediately. She would just have to be patient. Besides, she had another little gift to work on.
Syreena spent the better part of the next day gathering the supplies Bernard had requested, as well as something extra for her other little project. For the teeth, she had a small pouch filled with fangs from the corehounds in Molten Core. She felt corehounds had the characteristics she wanted her new potion to impart to its victims--they were extremely aggressive, attacking anyone within sight, they were loud and obnoxious, and they were also rather dumb.
Bernard approved the materials, and bid her to return in two days.
Two days later, Syreena made her way to the garrison's alchemy lab. She nodded to the alchemists who looked her way, and went directly to the back of the lab and down the steps.
“How’s it going, Bernie?” she called, as she walked past a cage containing a blood elf captured from Tempest Keep. “Any progress?”
“Not much,” replied Bernard, as he preferred to be called. He didn’t bother setting down his vials and instruments as he provided an update on his current project. “It does kill the elves, but the part where it brings them back as undead still needs some work. And then, of course, it will need to be tested on the other races, if you still insist it doesn’t affect them in the same way.”
“Uh huh,” Syreena muttered absently, ignoring the sullen glares from the blood elf in the cage. Instead, she pictured Kexti’s face on the caged elf. She didn’t expect anything else from Bernard yet. He had been at a roadblock in his research for months, and she had more pressing matters on her mind. “Well, I need you to set that all aside for a little while. I need something else right now. Top priority!”
Now, reluctantly, the old Forsaken set down his work and turned to the little rogue. Syreena had spent a great deal of time since her demotion, plotting how to make Sanctuary’s life miserable. Awatu had given her two requirements for her new job: destroy all Horde traitors, and don’t be recognized. She had no intention of risking life and limb by failing him again.
There were some among Sanctuary that she knew she couldn’t kill, not in an open, one-on-one fight anyway. Kexti had made that much undeniable. She would have to weaken them first. Maybe, if she were really lucky, maybe some of them would even take each other out. They didn’t seem to be very unified, from what she'd observed at the cantina. Some Sanctuary joining in on insulting The Grim, while another one of them was apologizing to the waitress for the behavior of the more vocal Sanctuary people. In contrast, The Grim there had shown no such division. In fact, they rallied around any Grim confronted by anyone else, surrounding the outsider and prepared to defend their own.
Yes, it shouldn’t take too much pushing to stir up trouble. And she could do it in a way that made it extremely unlikely that she would be identified as the instigator.
“I want a drug, or preferably a disease, that has very special properties,” the Shadowblade explained to the older alchemist. “It should not act immediately, so the source is not so obvious. I want it to cause madness, hallucinations, irritability, even high levels of aggression.”
“I know just the thing,” Bernard said, steepling his fingers before his chin. “I will need some things I don’t have here though. Some fire ammonite tentacles, gromsblood, and ground teeth of a beast with the qualities the drug should imitate. Once I have the materials, it will take 48 hours to create the product.”
Syreena frowned. She was hoping to get it immediately. She would just have to be patient. Besides, she had another little gift to work on.
Syreena spent the better part of the next day gathering the supplies Bernard had requested, as well as something extra for her other little project. For the teeth, she had a small pouch filled with fangs from the corehounds in Molten Core. She felt corehounds had the characteristics she wanted her new potion to impart to its victims--they were extremely aggressive, attacking anyone within sight, they were loud and obnoxious, and they were also rather dumb.
Bernard approved the materials, and bid her to return in two days.
Alts: Lirsha Deathwhistle & Ayidda
Re: Assassin for Peace
Sweets for Sanctuary
((cross posted on TNG))
A goblin, dressed in a simple courier’s uniform approached the Sanctuary garrison on a motorized tricycle. A messenger’s bag was slung over his shoulder, and a keg of ale was strapped to the back of the bike. The keg bore a symbol stamped on it in dark green ink, of two gryphon head silhouettes, with a hammer between them.
“A Love is in the Air present from the other side,” the goblin called cheerily.
The guards at the gate stopped him and inspected the contents of the bag. Inside, they found only a rather large, purple heart-shaped box, tied closed with a gold ribbon, and the sweet aroma of liquor-filled chocolates wafted up to their noses. After only half-jokingly threatening nobody in particular that there better be some left for them when they’ve finished their guard shift, they allowed the courier to pass inside.
The goblin set the box of sweets on a table in garrison’s inn, and, with much effort, rolled the keg inside as well. He adjusted the card on the heart-shaped box, and then he rode off on his trike.
The card, written in the neat script of a Booty Bay translator goblin, read:
“It’s effects are exactly what you requested, but also very unpredictable,” Syreena’s old alchemist had informed her when she picked up the jug of liquid. “It may affect different people differently, and some not at all. But in most, it should cause irritability, hallucinations, aggression, and in some cases, paranoia and even madness. The effects usually begin to be noticeable within a day or two of ingesting the product, and can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. As I said, it can be very unpredictable. It’s also tasteless and odorless.”
Syreena spent the better part of that night carefully injecting a dose of the drug into each chocolate, and then holding the sweets over a candle flame to melt the chocolate over the needle hole. When she was finished, she dumped the rest of the jug into the keg of ale.
((cross posted on TNG))
A goblin, dressed in a simple courier’s uniform approached the Sanctuary garrison on a motorized tricycle. A messenger’s bag was slung over his shoulder, and a keg of ale was strapped to the back of the bike. The keg bore a symbol stamped on it in dark green ink, of two gryphon head silhouettes, with a hammer between them.
“A Love is in the Air present from the other side,” the goblin called cheerily.
The guards at the gate stopped him and inspected the contents of the bag. Inside, they found only a rather large, purple heart-shaped box, tied closed with a gold ribbon, and the sweet aroma of liquor-filled chocolates wafted up to their noses. After only half-jokingly threatening nobody in particular that there better be some left for them when they’ve finished their guard shift, they allowed the courier to pass inside.
The goblin set the box of sweets on a table in garrison’s inn, and, with much effort, rolled the keg inside as well. He adjusted the card on the heart-shaped box, and then he rode off on his trike.
The card, written in the neat script of a Booty Bay translator goblin, read:
Inside the box were three layers of bite-sized chocolates, in several different flavors. Each chocolate contained one of several variations of liquor fillings. Unknown, to even the goblin who delivered them, each one also contained a strong dose of something else, as did the keg of Wildhammer Ale.
Dear Sanctuary,
Thanks for coming to our defense. Enjoy the ale and the sweets as tokens of our appreciation.
May justice and peace preside over the realm this Lovely holiday week!
Sincerely,
The Wildhammers
“It’s effects are exactly what you requested, but also very unpredictable,” Syreena’s old alchemist had informed her when she picked up the jug of liquid. “It may affect different people differently, and some not at all. But in most, it should cause irritability, hallucinations, aggression, and in some cases, paranoia and even madness. The effects usually begin to be noticeable within a day or two of ingesting the product, and can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. As I said, it can be very unpredictable. It’s also tasteless and odorless.”
Syreena spent the better part of that night carefully injecting a dose of the drug into each chocolate, and then holding the sweets over a candle flame to melt the chocolate over the needle hole. When she was finished, she dumped the rest of the jug into the keg of ale.
Alts: Lirsha Deathwhistle & Ayidda
Re: Assassin for Peace
(I can see Syreena having the patience to drug all the candies)
Re: Assassin for Peace
Don't Shoot the Messenger
The goblin's beady eyes were fixed on the little red pouch bouncing up and down in Syreena's hand. The sound it made had the distinct jingle of coin--the second half of his delivery fee, along with a bonus.
"You delivered the gifts to the Sanctuary garrison?" the little rogue questioned the goblin courier.
He nodded enthusiastically, barely restraining his fingers from reaching for the pouch. It was cold out here, around the bonfire of this garrison. He wanted to collect his fee and get a warm drink in the inn. "Oh yes! They were very pleased to get goodies this holiday."
"You didn't tell them where it came from? And you made sure you weren't followed?"
The goblin assured Syreena that he'd taken a very roundabout route to get back here, including flight by rylak to make sure he wasn't followed.
Syreena nodded, and tossed the little red pouch to the goblin. Her toss was a bit high, causing him to look up. He was so distracted by the promise of gold, that he didn't notice the orc hunter on the roof of the storehouse.
One of his eyes soon had an arrow growing from it, and the goblin slumped to the ground.
"Burn the body. Stash the trike in the stables," Syreena instructed to Jinka, as she dropped down from the roof to land lightly near the dead goblin. "He was never here."
The Shadowblade scooped up the pouch of coins and walked off. She could feel the orc's stare on her back. She knew Jinka didn't approve of killing the messenger, who's only crime was upholding his end of a business deal. Experience, however, had taught Syreena not to leave any unnecessary loose ends, and her hide was more important than her honor.
Sometime later, the air in the garrison was filled with the stench of burning meat.
The goblin's beady eyes were fixed on the little red pouch bouncing up and down in Syreena's hand. The sound it made had the distinct jingle of coin--the second half of his delivery fee, along with a bonus.
"You delivered the gifts to the Sanctuary garrison?" the little rogue questioned the goblin courier.
He nodded enthusiastically, barely restraining his fingers from reaching for the pouch. It was cold out here, around the bonfire of this garrison. He wanted to collect his fee and get a warm drink in the inn. "Oh yes! They were very pleased to get goodies this holiday."
"You didn't tell them where it came from? And you made sure you weren't followed?"
The goblin assured Syreena that he'd taken a very roundabout route to get back here, including flight by rylak to make sure he wasn't followed.
Syreena nodded, and tossed the little red pouch to the goblin. Her toss was a bit high, causing him to look up. He was so distracted by the promise of gold, that he didn't notice the orc hunter on the roof of the storehouse.
One of his eyes soon had an arrow growing from it, and the goblin slumped to the ground.
"Burn the body. Stash the trike in the stables," Syreena instructed to Jinka, as she dropped down from the roof to land lightly near the dead goblin. "He was never here."
The Shadowblade scooped up the pouch of coins and walked off. She could feel the orc's stare on her back. She knew Jinka didn't approve of killing the messenger, who's only crime was upholding his end of a business deal. Experience, however, had taught Syreena not to leave any unnecessary loose ends, and her hide was more important than her honor.
Sometime later, the air in the garrison was filled with the stench of burning meat.
Alts: Lirsha Deathwhistle & Ayidda
Re: Assassin for Peace
Death in the Snow
The evening started out quietly enough. Too quietly, in fact. Maybe that’s what caused the four of them to go looking for trouble.
Lilly and Syreena followed Kexti and Konro into the Warspear inn, joined soon after by Lupinum. Kexti seemed very drunk; he even bought Syreena a drink, which she accepted graciously and then promptly set down on the bar without taking so much as a sip. After asking if The Grim might have some sort of special grass he needed, the elf left, assisted by another Sanctuary person and leaning heavily on his staff. As if they’d give Sanctuary any of their supplies.
Somehow, the remaining four—Lilly, Syreena, Lupinum, and Konro—devised a plan (not a very good one) to lure Kexti out into the snow plains of Frostfire Ridge, steal his staff, and see if he would freeze in the snow, since he seemed to be having so much trouble standing on his own.
So the little group made their way out past the garrisons, and Konro took his armor off and laid down in the snow. The idea was that someone from Sanctuary wouldn’t be able to resist a cry for help, at least, for someone who wasn’t a Grim. Unfortunately, Kexti couldn’t be reached by Lilly, who was the one elected to summon him, since he seemed rather fond of her that night—hugging her multiple times before he left the inn.
So the four built a fire and sat in the snow, lamenting the fact that there was nobody around to pick on……in the middle of a snow plain in Frostfire Ridge.
Just as they were about to head to the Wyvern’s Tail, Lilly happened to notice a Sanctuary orc on a nearby ridge, and pointed him out to the others. Konro hurriedly laid back down in the snow and played dead, while Lilly rode up to the orc, pretending to be desperate for someone to help her friend lying in the snow.
The Sanctuary orc fell for it, of course, and rode over to the fallen Tauren. As the orc bent down to examine Konro, Syreena attacked, driving her poisoned blades into him several times, and then leaving him for dead. The four quickly rode away, and were soon at the Wyvern’s Tail, where they spent the rest of the evening.
((Thanks to Nazshakul for being a good sport!))
The evening started out quietly enough. Too quietly, in fact. Maybe that’s what caused the four of them to go looking for trouble.
Lilly and Syreena followed Kexti and Konro into the Warspear inn, joined soon after by Lupinum. Kexti seemed very drunk; he even bought Syreena a drink, which she accepted graciously and then promptly set down on the bar without taking so much as a sip. After asking if The Grim might have some sort of special grass he needed, the elf left, assisted by another Sanctuary person and leaning heavily on his staff. As if they’d give Sanctuary any of their supplies.
Somehow, the remaining four—Lilly, Syreena, Lupinum, and Konro—devised a plan (not a very good one) to lure Kexti out into the snow plains of Frostfire Ridge, steal his staff, and see if he would freeze in the snow, since he seemed to be having so much trouble standing on his own.
So the little group made their way out past the garrisons, and Konro took his armor off and laid down in the snow. The idea was that someone from Sanctuary wouldn’t be able to resist a cry for help, at least, for someone who wasn’t a Grim. Unfortunately, Kexti couldn’t be reached by Lilly, who was the one elected to summon him, since he seemed rather fond of her that night—hugging her multiple times before he left the inn.
So the four built a fire and sat in the snow, lamenting the fact that there was nobody around to pick on……in the middle of a snow plain in Frostfire Ridge.
Just as they were about to head to the Wyvern’s Tail, Lilly happened to notice a Sanctuary orc on a nearby ridge, and pointed him out to the others. Konro hurriedly laid back down in the snow and played dead, while Lilly rode up to the orc, pretending to be desperate for someone to help her friend lying in the snow.
The Sanctuary orc fell for it, of course, and rode over to the fallen Tauren. As the orc bent down to examine Konro, Syreena attacked, driving her poisoned blades into him several times, and then leaving him for dead. The four quickly rode away, and were soon at the Wyvern’s Tail, where they spent the rest of the evening.
((Thanks to Nazshakul for being a good sport!))
Alts: Lirsha Deathwhistle & Ayidda
Re: Assassin for Peace
((that was too evil - and weird luck! Poor Nazshakul!))
Re: Assassin for Peace
Angry Drunken Package Delivery
Syreena did not often drink in quantities great enough to hinder her survival or combat abilities. Especially lately, with the tensions between The Grim and Sanctuary, and a certain elf monk out to get her hide.
She didn't believe a single word of his promise of a truce that night in Warspear after he'd tried to stab her. Especially after she'd shown herself at a Sanctuary meeting, and their commander ordered Kexti to...do something to Syreena. She wasn't sure what, and she didn't wait around long enough to find out.
When she heard about what had happened last night though, that Khorvis of all people had let Kexti go, she was not happy. All she knew was that Konro had gotten into a fight with Kexti, Kexti was injured pretty badly, and Khorvis and Lilly escorted him back to Sanctuary's garrison.
Instead of killing him.
Instead of locking him up.
Instead of even saving her an ear!
When Syreena confronted Khorvis about it at the meeting, the Lasher implied that Syreena's issue with the elf was just a simple grudge, and that he wasn't going to do anything in Warspear with witnesses. Syreena made a rude comparison between Khorvis and Kexti, since Kexti had no such hesitation about attacking fellow Horde in Warspear, and then she stalked out.
She went to Warspear, hoping to find some entertainment at the inn there, but it was empty. So she drank alone. And drank. And drank some more. She was seething with hatred for Kex'ti for besting her in a fight when she attacked him, and for making her lose her job, and for being an elf, and for being Sanctuary. And she felt hurt and betrayed by Khorvis's actions; she'd always thought they were close. And she was ticked off that someone she thought was becoming a friend had told her to mind her own business.
While she was drunk, she remembered something she had collected, so she went to her bank vault and prepared a package, along with some tidbits of information she'd collected in Warspear during Love is in the Air, or "Fool's Week" as Kexti called it. Something about a Draenei woman he was talking about to another Sanctuary person. Syreena had caught the name and that she was last seen in Talador.
Soon after, a package was delivered to Kexti. The address was written in a wobbly, drunken hand, and there was no return address. The package contained a Draenei hoof and leg, tied together with a single perfect Talador orchid and a bunch of blood thistle. The card simply had the Draenei woman's name.
Syreena had no idea where to find the actual woman, of course, but she hoped the package would lead Kexti to believe it was the Draenei that seemed special to him.
...at least, she was pretty sure he mentioned the woman was a Draenei.
Syreena did not often drink in quantities great enough to hinder her survival or combat abilities. Especially lately, with the tensions between The Grim and Sanctuary, and a certain elf monk out to get her hide.
She didn't believe a single word of his promise of a truce that night in Warspear after he'd tried to stab her. Especially after she'd shown herself at a Sanctuary meeting, and their commander ordered Kexti to...do something to Syreena. She wasn't sure what, and she didn't wait around long enough to find out.
When she heard about what had happened last night though, that Khorvis of all people had let Kexti go, she was not happy. All she knew was that Konro had gotten into a fight with Kexti, Kexti was injured pretty badly, and Khorvis and Lilly escorted him back to Sanctuary's garrison.
Instead of killing him.
Instead of locking him up.
Instead of even saving her an ear!
When Syreena confronted Khorvis about it at the meeting, the Lasher implied that Syreena's issue with the elf was just a simple grudge, and that he wasn't going to do anything in Warspear with witnesses. Syreena made a rude comparison between Khorvis and Kexti, since Kexti had no such hesitation about attacking fellow Horde in Warspear, and then she stalked out.
She went to Warspear, hoping to find some entertainment at the inn there, but it was empty. So she drank alone. And drank. And drank some more. She was seething with hatred for Kex'ti for besting her in a fight when she attacked him, and for making her lose her job, and for being an elf, and for being Sanctuary. And she felt hurt and betrayed by Khorvis's actions; she'd always thought they were close. And she was ticked off that someone she thought was becoming a friend had told her to mind her own business.
While she was drunk, she remembered something she had collected, so she went to her bank vault and prepared a package, along with some tidbits of information she'd collected in Warspear during Love is in the Air, or "Fool's Week" as Kexti called it. Something about a Draenei woman he was talking about to another Sanctuary person. Syreena had caught the name and that she was last seen in Talador.
Soon after, a package was delivered to Kexti. The address was written in a wobbly, drunken hand, and there was no return address. The package contained a Draenei hoof and leg, tied together with a single perfect Talador orchid and a bunch of blood thistle. The card simply had the Draenei woman's name.
Syreena had no idea where to find the actual woman, of course, but she hoped the package would lead Kexti to believe it was the Draenei that seemed special to him.
...at least, she was pretty sure he mentioned the woman was a Draenei.
Alts: Lirsha Deathwhistle & Ayidda
Re: Assassin for Peace
Going Hunting
Syreena grinned as she read the note. His words verified the woman was indeed a Draenei. She tried not to think too much about just how an elf and a Draenei could be together. She made a face of disgust at the mental images.
So the elf realized it wasn't his Draenei's hoof, but he did realize the package was from her. Well, she would just have to try harder then, wouldn't she?
"Come on, Ber," she said to the worg runt, who looked up at her and wagged his tail. "We're going hunting!"
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The next day, she sent off a large crate from the Spire of Light in Shattrath City to the Sanctuary garrison, care of Kex'ti Dalendala. The crate was fully packed with Draenei hooves with a layer of blood thistle on top. The potent herb also lined the box and was stuffed here and there between the hooves.
A note on top read simply, "Maybe it's one of these?"
Do better research next time, Syreena.
You got the wrong Draenei.
-Kex'ti
Syreena grinned as she read the note. His words verified the woman was indeed a Draenei. She tried not to think too much about just how an elf and a Draenei could be together. She made a face of disgust at the mental images.
So the elf realized it wasn't his Draenei's hoof, but he did realize the package was from her. Well, she would just have to try harder then, wouldn't she?
"Come on, Ber," she said to the worg runt, who looked up at her and wagged his tail. "We're going hunting!"
-----------------------------------------
The next day, she sent off a large crate from the Spire of Light in Shattrath City to the Sanctuary garrison, care of Kex'ti Dalendala. The crate was fully packed with Draenei hooves with a layer of blood thistle on top. The potent herb also lined the box and was stuffed here and there between the hooves.
A note on top read simply, "Maybe it's one of these?"
Alts: Lirsha Deathwhistle & Ayidda
Re: Assassin for Peace
Preparation
Before that happened, however, she needed to train. The first time she attacked him, he was simply some Sanctuary elf. That battle, and the following encounters with him, compelled her to not underestimate him again. She knew, though she only admitted it to one person, that she couldn't beat the elf unless his sickness currently had him in a very weakened state. She needed to train.
Unfortunately, there were no well-trained monks within the ranks of The Grim. She would have to put her training, upon which her life depended, in the hands of an outsider. Or perhaps a former Grim would do. She sent a letter out that afternoon, offering a business proposition to one who formerly followed the Mandate. She had no idea what to expect in return, if anything.
A few hours later, at the Cantina, she met another monk, one who had once been Sanctuary, but had recently renounced his loyalty and had even tried to kill their commander. Without more than hinting that she could use some practice against monks, she got the troll to agree to spend some time sparring with her this week.
She spoke with the troll out in the open about Kex'ti, as he seemed to despise the elf as well. Syreena's seeming careless lack of discretion was intentional. Sure enough, she soon noticed an elf--surprisingly, the same elf the three cursed Grims had nearly killed the previous night--paying particularly close attention. The elf pulled out some paper and even began taking notes. Syreena pretended not to notice, but inwardly she was grinning.
With some hard training, and a fair dosage of luck, maybe the outcome of her next battle with Kex'ti would be different from the last. Maybe she'd even survive.
That's all she got to assure her that Kex'ti received the box of Draenei hooves. It was enough, for now. She would continue to haunt him, to draw him out, until she faced him again.
Rest lightly, Syreena.
Before that happened, however, she needed to train. The first time she attacked him, he was simply some Sanctuary elf. That battle, and the following encounters with him, compelled her to not underestimate him again. She knew, though she only admitted it to one person, that she couldn't beat the elf unless his sickness currently had him in a very weakened state. She needed to train.
Unfortunately, there were no well-trained monks within the ranks of The Grim. She would have to put her training, upon which her life depended, in the hands of an outsider. Or perhaps a former Grim would do. She sent a letter out that afternoon, offering a business proposition to one who formerly followed the Mandate. She had no idea what to expect in return, if anything.
A few hours later, at the Cantina, she met another monk, one who had once been Sanctuary, but had recently renounced his loyalty and had even tried to kill their commander. Without more than hinting that she could use some practice against monks, she got the troll to agree to spend some time sparring with her this week.
She spoke with the troll out in the open about Kex'ti, as he seemed to despise the elf as well. Syreena's seeming careless lack of discretion was intentional. Sure enough, she soon noticed an elf--surprisingly, the same elf the three cursed Grims had nearly killed the previous night--paying particularly close attention. The elf pulled out some paper and even began taking notes. Syreena pretended not to notice, but inwardly she was grinning.
With some hard training, and a fair dosage of luck, maybe the outcome of her next battle with Kex'ti would be different from the last. Maybe she'd even survive.
Alts: Lirsha Deathwhistle & Ayidda
Re: Assassin for Peace
Betrayal and Books
After the Cantina, Syreena went back to the garrison, to the little hut she'd claimed for herself when she was demoted from High Inquisitor. She'd never liked coffins or crypts that some of her kind preferred, so she sat on her cot. She went over the recent events that had her so angry the past few days as she sharpened her blades.
Konro, Malhavik, and Lupinum were all under the control of some possessed demon elf and could not be trusted. Khorvis had spared her enemy, someone Awatu had declared a traitor to the Horde, and had returned him to the safety of Sanctuary's garrison. And Lilly, in her often annoying habit of showing kindness to people who didn't deserve it, had aided that same enemy, returning to him the means to regain his strength.
The little rogue was starting to feel like there was nobody left she could trust, except her sister. Unfortunately, when Anaie wasn't busy fighting the Iron Horde, she was either recovering from the last attack or planning for the next one. Well, it certainly wouldn't be the first time Syreena had to be content with her own company.
The tedious but not unpleasant task of sword sharpening soon relaxed Syreena, and her thoughts turned from the betrayal of her friends to the curse. Ruuki had informed Syreena in no uncertain terms that she would have to give an account to the Commander of what she witnessed between the three cursed Grims and that evil elf. She was not looking forward to be questioned by the Commander again so soon, even if she was only a witness this time.
Something had been tickling her rotting brain since she first learned the curse had been here before. There was something familiar about the story, although she wasn't involved in the events seven years ago. She assumed it was familiar because she must have heard about it back then, that's all. The nagging feeling didn't let up, but she gave up trying to chase it down, which may be exactly why it suddenly came to her now.
Syreena dropped her swords and moved to a trunk along one wall. It was filled with papers and items, hastily packed when she was evicted from the HIgh Inquisitor's office. After digging through the chest, and scattering Supplicant reports through her hut, she found it--a Supplicant's Trial of Sacrifice report wrapped around two tattered books. The former High Inquisitor stared at them in her hand for a moment as if they must hold the answers to this Accalia problem. The thought also crossed her mind, again, of how much her demotion had cost her in the form of information and presents and favors.
She carefully untied the bundle and glanced over the report, before turning her attention to the books. She slowly returned to her cot and began flipping pages. The first time she'd read through these books, she'd only quickly skimmed through the first several pages, instead going directly to the parts that contained names she knew. She spent the next few hours carefully reading through the parts that were relevant now.
After the Cantina, Syreena went back to the garrison, to the little hut she'd claimed for herself when she was demoted from High Inquisitor. She'd never liked coffins or crypts that some of her kind preferred, so she sat on her cot. She went over the recent events that had her so angry the past few days as she sharpened her blades.
Konro, Malhavik, and Lupinum were all under the control of some possessed demon elf and could not be trusted. Khorvis had spared her enemy, someone Awatu had declared a traitor to the Horde, and had returned him to the safety of Sanctuary's garrison. And Lilly, in her often annoying habit of showing kindness to people who didn't deserve it, had aided that same enemy, returning to him the means to regain his strength.
The little rogue was starting to feel like there was nobody left she could trust, except her sister. Unfortunately, when Anaie wasn't busy fighting the Iron Horde, she was either recovering from the last attack or planning for the next one. Well, it certainly wouldn't be the first time Syreena had to be content with her own company.
The tedious but not unpleasant task of sword sharpening soon relaxed Syreena, and her thoughts turned from the betrayal of her friends to the curse. Ruuki had informed Syreena in no uncertain terms that she would have to give an account to the Commander of what she witnessed between the three cursed Grims and that evil elf. She was not looking forward to be questioned by the Commander again so soon, even if she was only a witness this time.
Something had been tickling her rotting brain since she first learned the curse had been here before. There was something familiar about the story, although she wasn't involved in the events seven years ago. She assumed it was familiar because she must have heard about it back then, that's all. The nagging feeling didn't let up, but she gave up trying to chase it down, which may be exactly why it suddenly came to her now.
Syreena dropped her swords and moved to a trunk along one wall. It was filled with papers and items, hastily packed when she was evicted from the HIgh Inquisitor's office. After digging through the chest, and scattering Supplicant reports through her hut, she found it--a Supplicant's Trial of Sacrifice report wrapped around two tattered books. The former High Inquisitor stared at them in her hand for a moment as if they must hold the answers to this Accalia problem. The thought also crossed her mind, again, of how much her demotion had cost her in the form of information and presents and favors.
She carefully untied the bundle and glanced over the report, before turning her attention to the books. She slowly returned to her cot and began flipping pages. The first time she'd read through these books, she'd only quickly skimmed through the first several pages, instead going directly to the parts that contained names she knew. She spent the next few hours carefully reading through the parts that were relevant now.
Alts: Lirsha Deathwhistle & Ayidda