Here it is, the long overdue chapter. Now I am sorry for the delay, I had hoped to get this done last week but I was unfortunately delayed because I had to rewrite this chapter twice to get it perfect. It is alright now, but I really had to put in the hours to get this done. It was fun to write but also very difficult to get across, and I have to say that I am pleased with how it turned out.

I plan on finishing this arc off with two more chapters, after that I plan to move onto Are We Alone for a bit to get that back in order. I am doing a rewrite for it but I will continue with the current story up until Liara is recruited and hopefully by then I can post the rewrite a little later.

For now enjoy the chapter.

Transcendence

Chapter 77: Negotiations

Darnassus

The Night Elves had a very unique way of living with nature, compared to the other members of the Alliance and almost any race on Azeroth. While they were masters of carving wood and stone, able to build immaculate and massive structures rivalling any other race, they opted to minimize their footprint on nature.

They preferred to build in concert with nature, living alongside it without causing any disturbances. It was symbiotic in a way, instead of one being displaced by the other they existed in perfect harmony.

Many villages or outposts were like that, blending in with nature and keeping any obstructions and new buildings to a minimum. Even here in their capital they kept it as light as possible, the only thing that could possibly diverge from that norm was the massive temple at the very edge of the city's limits. That was their destination.

"Thanks for providing an escort for us." Ichigo said, looking to Shandris who was leading them through the city.

When the entire spectacle with Adelina being charged with treason, he had decided to get in contact with someone he could trust. Someone that he knew would have his back in spite of being technically on the opposite team.

"The less problems caused the better, your presence will surely cause friction within the Circle considering how you left the Druids at Stonetalon Peak." Shandris said.

He wasn't doubting that, before Shandris had arrived in Theramore she had been informed of the situation by Tyrande Whisperwind herself and also given orders to secure Adelina for questioning. Luckily for them he didn't need to convince the Sentinel General to help after she arrived, it seems that she had also figured out something was amiss with the charges. Not so strange, she had been there when said events regarding Adelina's treason was shown, she knew she was innocent. She was even more willing to help after hearing about what the Masters of Stonetalon Peak had done to Adelina, and seen the harm they had caused.

"If you can keep them off Adelina while I discuss this with Lady Tyrande then I will owe you one." Ichigo said.

"Just remember, while I agree that there is something amiss with these charges, I cannot help you if my Lady orders me to detain her. So, if you want to help her, make sure you are prepared, you won't get another chance."

Ichigo nodded, he knew he was asking a lot from her, considering what happened in Ethel Rethor and his aid in creating a ceasefire didn't make him that many friends amongst the Night Elves. The Horde were not exactly the most trusting of others, and considering the cold reception he got in Eldre'thalas after showing off a bit of power he knew that they took their neighbors seriously if they had the strength to be a threat.

He had helped give the city to them, and while it was open to Shamans and any wishing to learn the teachings of the Primal Spirits it didn't exactly mean it was open to the Alliance. The Horde had a monopoly on Shamanistic practices compared to the Alliance, because of that Ethel Rethor was a Shaman city now, and therefore the Horde owned it. They could use it as a port or as a safe haven, or even a military staging ground for potential invasion in Feralas or Ashenvale.

"I only need to meet her, trust me, I'll fix things."

He knew he was saying that, but he just hoped that everything went smoothly, if there was any resistance, he was looking at a lot of bloodshed in the future. Along with his closest friend in this world being on the firing line for crimes she did not commit.

They came to the bridge leading to the Temple, even from the end of the large marble stone road he could see the lower half of a massive statue situated at the heart of the temple. They certainly like venerating that goddess of theirs. Inside one could see the vibrant shades of blue and purple within, it looked mesmerising even at a distance and seemed to want to draw you in.

"I have no doubt." Shandris replied, giving a nod to the guards at the door of the temple. "This is Ichigo Kurosaki, take him to Lady Tyrande."

They nodded and gestured towards a large set of stairs just inside the door, Ichigo gave it one look before turning back to Adelina. Putting a hand on her shoulder and giving a small smile, one she shyly gave back.

"Don't worry, I will be back soon."

The air was clear this night, enough that she could see the rays of the White Lady shining down from the heavens and bathing Mount Hyjal in its brilliance. She could see the shadow of the World Tree upon the mountains summit, Teldrassil, smothering most of the peak in darkness with its colossal canopy. Normally it would be impossible to see the World Tree, despite its staggering size and height, but when perched upon another World Tree it just became possible.

Despite seeing such a beautiful sight, she could only imagine the horror of seeing those forests cut down and the World Tree burning. That was a fear she was dreading coming true, recent events have made such an unlikely occurrence more of a reality.

The news of Ethel Rethor had sent shockwaves through their people's hearts, learning of the Highborne's survival and their reckless use of magic had nearly doomed this continent to oblivion. In spite of being defeated and their leadership splintered, they are still alive and protected within the walls of their risen city. Free from reprisal for their actions, which were still be felt all across central Kalimdor.

Word had reached of the Centaur marauding through Feralas and Thousand Needles. Along with the displacement of the ogres and demons from Eldre'thalas this has only exacerbated the situation in that ancient forest. She had been trying to deploy more troops to the region as of late but the Warsong activity in Ashenvale as forced her to put such measures on hold. Shandris was fighting a war on many fronts with very few troops to perform.

But with the Hordes recent capture of Ethel Rethor, apparently allying with the Highborne it seems. Worse than that it would seem that the many Great Trees planted within the Desolace were now connected to the Emerald Dream, giving the Horde access to their sacred realm. This only further added to the tenuous peace that their people had with the Horde, one that was for all intents and purposes about to break.

"Yet others seek to prevent it."

There were many of her people who believed that peace was impossible, herself included. After the chaos that came from the Highborne's resurgence along with the capture of Ethel Rethor by the Horde it could be seen as the tipping point needed to ignite a war. Tensions have been rising for years, and if the Horde begin using that city as a naval base they may have no choice but to strike to remove them.

Although not all believed that this could end that way, some had voiced the possibility of peace, Jaina Proudmoore amongst them. As much as she trusted her, she would not risk the safety of her lands on her assurances, not when the Horde has proven themselves to be as aggressive as they have been.

But she was surprised, to hear that someone was coming here to negotiate with her, one who has the support of the Queen of Theramore but also her own Sentinel General. She had heard about him from many officers and influential members within her army along with the Circle, he certainly has made an impression.

Ichigo Kurosaki, a supposed God of Death, a ferryman to the souls of the departed, was coming here to try and negotiate on the behalf of Adelina Oakwalker and attempt to secure peace in the Desolace.

She would have scoffed at the idea, a deity of death caring for peace did not seem to be within the norm, and yet the stories she had been told showed it to be true. One of the few reasons she accepted to speak with him was to get a measure of the man that had seemed to gain her surrogate daughters respect, along with the majority of her officers in such short a time. More than that he also seemed to have been instrumental in ending the threats posed by the mad Highborne nobles along with the threat within Terramok.

Another reason was because she trusted her Sentinel General, if she said he should be listened to than she was not going to question it too deeply. If he wished to make an attempt, she would give him a chance.

The door opened, stepping inside were two Sentinels, both standing at attention and between them was the man who was on her thoughts. His orange hair and deep scowl immediately making him recognizable from the retellings of this man. He was human in appearance, as the saying goes, and young as well, the idea he was a deity of some sort did not seem likely.

"Welcome to Darnassus Ichigo Kurosaki, please take a seat."

He stepped forward and took the chair offered to him, she followed suite and sat opposite of him.

Tyrande has met many people over her ten thousand years of life, fought beside many warriors and worked with many aristocrats. She knew all amongst her people, every great warrior, leader and scholar there was, they were all known to her.

Even amongst the Humans of the Alliance and many of the other races that make up the Alliance, she has met many of their leaders and influential members. Only some amongst them she could say have earned her respect, Jaina Proudmoore being foremost amongst those people. If only due to their previous cooperation during the Battle of Mount Hyjal.

But before her now was someone she did not find at first glance to have anything resembling leadership qualities. Unruly hair, a permanent scowl, and mannerisms that shows he was unaccustomed or didn't care for formalities – from what she had been told that was one of his more prominent qualities. Yet he has had more impact on her nation and its people than any other member of the Alliance in the last four years.

He sat in the chair stiffly, he had a good posture and kept his shoulders square, yet it appeared her was accustomed to it, as if he had been trained to do so. His gaze focused solely on her and looking almost like a glare, she was reminded slightly of Fandral Staghelm. Although there wasn't any disdain in his gaze from what she could see, but he looked determined, resolute on his reason for being here.

"Before we begin, I would like to thank you, your support on many of the delicate matters for my General is appreciated. Your aid in repelling the Hatecrest Naga from Feathermoon Stronghold has saved many lives. While your support during the conquest of Eldre'thalas and Ethel Rethor would not have been as successful without your support." Tyrande said, giving a small smile as she looking him in the eye. "Although I must warn you that despite your aid you will find that your actions and aid will not carry any weight here, you are any ally and while your actions and support have been beneficial to us it will not serve you any good. My stance on this matter won't be changed just because you have a few victories to your name, you hold no sway or support in this government, so do not try to use that to gain any sympathy from me or anyone else here."

She watched him closely, waiting to see what he would do, this was a crucial moment where she needed to see if he could hold his own. She wanted to test the legends behind him, see who this man is herself and see if he lived up to the tall tales spoken of him. His infamy would not influence her decision, it would only serve to be a hindrance until he proved himself every bit of the man he was.

He didn't even blink, his expression did not change and neither did his posture, he listened to what she had said and nothing more.

"Yeah, don't care." Ichigo replied. "What happened then doesn't matter here, all that matters right now is changing your views on the matter regarding Adelina and the Highborne."

"My stance regarding the Highborne is a matter of necessity and law, what must be done is nothing short of annihilating them before they cause further calamity. Along with taking that city before the Horde can begin using it." Tyrande replied.

"For someone who says that I can tell that this is more personal than she is admitting." Ichigo replied. "If you actually had half a clue on what was going on, I am willing to bet you would see things a lot clearer. But if you are not going to apply logic in this than knowing anything wouldn't do any good."

Tyrande did not take his tone lightly, an insult as clear as day. It would appear another one of his famous traits is being shown to her now, his inability to apply subtlety to his tone of speech. It had been the source of much aggravation to those who knew him, it was a wonder how any of them could say anything redeeming about the boy with how brazen he could be when insulting others.

"I will remind you to be very careful with how you speak to me, what I am doing right now is a courtesy. Continue with your disrespectful behavior and I will end this meeting here and now. Am I understood?" Tyrande said.

He looked at her for a moment, and then signed. His posture changed, he leaned back into his chair and sagged into his seat, that proper posture was gone and his expression morphing into a dull expression. All that air of strength and confidence was gone, he now looked the epitome of laxity as compared to the more imposing and firmer stance a few moments ago.

"Sorry in advance, usually I have to argue with someone to get my point across." Ichigo replied. "Politics are not my thing, I tend to just speak how I feel."

So, he attempted to behave like an aristocrat? A poor attempt at best, although he certainly showed himself off well enough when he entered, but it fell apart when he started speaking, it showed he was obviously not prepared for this kind of negotiation.

"Then speak plainly." Tyrande replied. "Your attempt back there was not exactly endearing, do not try to be something you are not."

"Fine. To start I want the charges against Adelina dropped, they are fabricated." Ichigo said.

Tyrande raised a brow, straight to the point and already making bold accusations. She was at a loss to say that it was a good quality of his character or not, as he was making a bold accusation right now. He was claiming the charges levelled against the Druid were false, that they had been made to incriminate her, that is a dangerous thing to say. To accuse the Circle of fabricating something like this is not wise, not without proof, nor without any support.

Even she would not be that brazen.

"I am not in any way involved with the inner machinations of the Circle, you may have brought this up to me but I have no way to confirm or deny if they are true or not. This is a matter for the Circle to handle, I am already bogged down with preparing for war with the Horde." Tyrande replied.

"Yet you sent someone to collect her, from what I heard the charges for treason were handed down by you and Fandral Staghelm." Ichigo replied.

"Correct, I handed them down with him when I was informed of her crimes, I would have been present for judgement and sentencing but this is still a matter for the Circle as she is a Druid in their ranks." Tyrande replied.

She would have only wanted to have her interrogated to discover what she knew about the Highborne and to discover if her actions could give the Horde and Highborne an edge against her people. But in truth these actions fall within the Druids sphere of influence and she is unable to do anything about it, she was content to let them handle this while she prepared for war.

Although after Ichigo took her from Stonetalon Peak, harming many druids in the process, there had been calls to have him tried for his actions. Tyrande had decided to not to press the matter right away, but confer with Jaina at a later date to come to some sort of agreement regarding the boy. If he was as powerful as she had heard and was willing to use violence to protect the druid she knew that confronting him was not going to do them any favours. He had shown no deposition to working with the Alliance or Horde, last thing she wished was for him to side with the Horde on the cusp of a war.

But to her surprise he had come here personally to speak with her, to negotiate.

"Considering your involvement with taking Adelina Oakwalker out of the Circle's custody and attacking the Masters of the Peak I am within my rights to have you detained for your actions. Had Shandris not escorted you here, I suspect that you would have been apprehended by them." Tyrande replied.

"I did what I did because they had it coming." Ichigo replied, there was fire in his eyes now and his words carried a dangerous edge. "The reason they are framing her for this is because they hate her, this has nothing to do with Ethel Rethor, this is just another attempt to tear her down and hurt her."

"What do you mean?"

"When Adelina was detained, she was repeatedly beaten by her captors, they tortured her until she was covered in bruises and her own blood. Instead of sending her to Darnassus they dragged her to the peak and humiliated her in front of every druid present and claimed it was a just punishment." Ichigo said. "This is nothing more than an attempt by the Masters of the peak to have her killed, these charges are just a made-up excuse to see her dead."

Tyrande was surprised, the girl had been tortured? That could not possibly be true, her people would not stoop so low as to torture another being, let alone one of their own people? He was claiming that all the masters of the peak, or at the majority of them, had taken part in the beating of a single druid seemed extreme in her eyes. While the Circle was something she had little knowledge of and their inner workings she knew that they would not openly attack or harm another sentient being in such a hideous way.

But the way he spoke, that fire and hate in his words, she had no doubt it was genuine. This had happened, as he had described, and looking back she had heard Fandral mention the name many times, hissing it as if to curse it as well. Adelina Oakwalker was hated by Fandral, that was for certain, who was to say others were not also so inclined.

"I will need to look into this further then, if what you say is true than she is obviously someone who has enemies within the Circle. Is she perhaps a prominent druid? An opponent to Fandral Staghelm perhaps?" Tyrande asked.

She knew all of the influential members of the Circle and the Sentinels along with the many prominent families of the Kaldorei, although Adelina Oakwalker was not a name she was familiar with. She would not claim to know all the Druids, but if there was someone within their ranks so despised there had to be some evidence of her existence.

"She had only been a druid for the last few years, technically she is still an apprentice." Ichigo replied, his scowl returning as he glared into her eyes. "This torment has been going on for years, ever since she joined, they have had it out for her for a long time."

That didn't make much sense to her, why was she being victimized if she was a simple apprentice, there had to be more to this. While she would doubt his words on the matter, she could not ignore the passion in his words as he told her of this young druid's torment at the hand of the Masters. He was genuine in his anger, and likely in his actions on the peak if she suspected this was true.

"I will look into the matter, but as I said before my influence within the Circle is limited, there is nothing I can do. While I may be able to look into their actions and possibly expel these charges if they prove to be false, I have no power to compel the druids to do as I say in their treatment of Adelina." Tyrande replied.

Fandral has a firm hold over the Cenarian Circle, she had no way to influence it or usurp his authority, all she could do is question him on the matter. Even if she found out these charges were false and that the Druids had overstepped, she could do nothing, only watch from afar. True she could make his life hell from a political standpoint but even then it could only do so much damage, he had many who were loyal to him and saw him in a favourable light.

The Circle liked to keep things close to the chest, and she doubted if she revealed that they tormented an innocent woman it would become nothing but rumours with little evidence to support it. There was little to gain from doing so, it was possible it could also harm her own reputation as well.

"There is little I can do, these affairs are outside my authority and by all right not my concern." Tyrande replied. "It is best that she withdraw from the Circle and try to seek sanctuary in Theramore if these charges are proven to be false."

"That's it? I tell you about someone suffering and the best you can say is that you don't care?" Ichigo asked, glaring at her openly. "Guess it is a given, you aren't so different than those bastards on that peak."

Tyrande narrowed her eyes, she offers sympathy and he responds with insults? Being compared to someone who tortures one of their own kin is not something she took lightly.

"I am not some brute who takes pleasure in the torment of others, I do not create ways to help me kill someone who is innocent." Tyrande replied.

"Really, then what the hell do you call your plans to commit genocide against the Highborne for simply existing." Ichigo barked back, glaring right back at her. "You victimize them and want them dead no different than the Druids want Adelina gone. You judge those people because of their forebears, going out of your way to find any excuse you can to go there and murder them."

"I have no need of excuses; their actions are more than enough to give me cause to see them put to the sword." Tyrande replied. "They follow the same destructive practices as their ancestors and as usual they gave no concern to the harm it would cause the other races of Azeroth or the very world itself."

"Yeah, and how many of those people are in that city right now? None, Mildreas and his allies are dead, Mordent, Maluineth and Tylarwin are in Shandris' custody back in Eldre'thalas. You know who is left? A bunch of scared people who have lived under the heels of the tyrannical bastards that tried to see the world turned into a barren wasteland." Ichigo replied.

Was he trying to say these Highborne were innocent bystanders? That was laughable. He was blind to the truth of things; he did not know the true face and nature of the Highborne and what they were capable of.

"You think any of them are innocent? Their practices and entire outlook on life is nothing short of conceited, they view all others beneath them, if you are not a Highborne you are nothing but a lower species." Tyrande replied.

"I don't think that, and I am sure they don't ever." Ichigo replied.

"And why is that?" Tyrande challenged.

"You think you're going to be killing some mad king or deranged noble, but you're wrong. You are killing people that have suffered through starvation, purges and living under the whims of leaders that will kill them simply because its suites them. These people are not a threat." Ichigo replied, he was likely referring to the living conditions of the populace that had served under Prince Tortheldrin.

Tyrande had heard some details regarding Eldre'thalas and the methods that the Highborne had used to survive following the Sundering. To actually use demons to satiate their thirst for the Arcane, disgusting and horrific, it only proved the depths of the madness that they had fallen towards.

"You say that it was only the nobles who orchestrated this event? What of the soldiers that fought with them, their mages who dug up and used those artefacts that nearly destroyed Kalimdor? Are they innocent? Are they free of blame because they obeyed their leaders?"

Ichigo seemed to deflate at that, he had no argument to give there.

"I am not condoning it, I know that not all of them did the right thing in the end, but saving the majority of the Highborne in that city is what I am trying to do. You must at least sympathize with that? With the people who had no idea of what kind of monsters their leaders were. Who didn't know what they were capable of?"

"Why would I sympathize with them?"

"Because you have been in their shoes before. You were just as unaware of your former Queens actions as they were." Ichigo replied.

Tyrande was surprised for a moment, not expecting him to go there, but it only further exacerbated her temper. He was trying to compare the War of the Ancients to the events in the Desolace? The proportions were vastly different and the nature of the events were even more diverging.

"You have some nerve trying to compare those events, my people and our actions during that war are nothing compared to now?" Tyrande replied.

"The Highborne saw their leaders for what they were, power mad despots that wouldn't shy away at murdering their own people if it meant gaining more power. They rebelled against them, fought against them like everyone else, turned away from their old roots and are now free." Ichigo replied. "They made a choice, they took a stand, and in the end, they did what they thought was right. How can you say they are so different than you?"

Tyrande narrowed her eyes, he was quite arrogant to think he could bring up those days and compare them to now. He wasn't there to suffer through what the Kaldorei did, he wasn't present to fight or see the brutality of Queen Azshara and her supporters. Thousands died in mere moments when the Legion attacked, families and friends lost in an instant to the demons onslaught. All because of the arrogance of their Queen who cared for more power than anything else.

"If you think you can rouse some form of sympathy from me by bringing up my people's past than you surely are mistaken." Tyrande replied.

"No, I am not doing that, I am just using the same excuses you were." Ichigo replied.

"Pardon?" Tyrande asked.

"You are the one who is holding onto that time, using the events of the War of the Ancients to decide what happens now. You are using what happened ten thousand years ago to dictate what you do with these people, ignoring everything else and simply opting to kill them all because they aren't you." Ichigo said. "You held onto your hate, thinking them no different than the people you fought against all those millennia ago and not even once considering that any of them might be different. That they might after all those years, through these struggles, changed and actually decided on a better path."

Tyrande wanted to argue back, but she was not given a chance to do so.

"They are not the same people you fought against; they are not the power-hungry nobility that would stoop to any level to gain power. These are the serfs and subjects they trampled over to get where they are. They turned away from their leaders, away from the arcane, they are free from their addictions and are now seeking a new path to call their own." Ichigo said. "You say they can't change? What about you? What made you so special that you were the only ones that had the right to say you turned away from being a Highborne?"

Tyrande was silent, unable to really form a response. A part of her felt angry, for he had not only challenged her convictions but also her pride as a leader. This boy certainly was living up to the legends around him. He threw facts at ones face and often challenge anything anyone did or said, if he was lucky he would actually make a lot of headway. Shandris had said it was how he had convinced her and many of her officers, he had challenged their beliefs and forced them to see things from a different perspective.

He gave no evidence to support his claims that the Highborne had actually changed, but she knew what he said was true, she had no cause to doubt him and she knew that if she presented this to her General, she would likely agree. But what had been said was certainly giving her much to consider, and loath as she was willing to admit she was now actually considering his words.

It was a truly magnificent ploy, lulling her into a false sense of superiority, she thought she could lead this negotiation and not be outmaneuvered by the less experienced individual. She had fooled herself, and look at where she was, having lost an argument that had given her legitimate reason to question her actions and motives.

Her hate had been a major factor in her desire to destroy the Highborne, it had guided her more than she would be willing to admit. Now she was forced to reflect on her behavior after a stern reprimand form a young human who was barely a fraction of her age. It certainly felt humbling.

"I cannot confirm what you say is true, but I will confer with my General and see if there is any validity to your words." Tyrande replied.

She had no choice but to accept, this matter was more complex than she realized, it was apparent that she was not aware of all the facts. How that was possible simply eluded her but she would get to the bottom of this and make sure her judgement was sound. Last thing she wanted was to label a girl a traitor if it was false, and commit to mass murder on old hatreds.

"While you're at it maybe you should also see about speaking with some of the Highborne. You seem to have forgotten what they are actually like." Ichigo said.

"I do not need a reminder." Tyrande replied.

"I think you do." Ichigo said. "You got three prisoners in Eldre'thalas, go and have a chat with them, it will certainly be an eye opener. Might be what you need just so you don't fall back to your old way of thinking."

Tyrande could almost sense a tinge of humor in his words, mocking maybe, or perhaps he was poking fun at her lack of ability to put aside her emotions. That annoyed her slightly, perhaps that as the point.

"I will consider it." Tyrande replied.

She said it more out of pride than anything, it felt as if he was challenging her, telling her that she would be changing her tune soon. Maybe she thought he was right, or perhaps she had enough pride left to say she wanted to prove him wrong and dismiss his disrespectful words. The latter was more likely, he was leading her on for sure, that is what she realized too late.

Without her even realizing, he was starting to convince her.

Ichigo had stayed for only a few more minutes.

The details had been minor, luckily, she had not been misled by another one of his triages, that was something she was thankful for. He had been free to depart; she had decided to withhold any action on detaining him until she could straighten out the matter regarding the incident at Stonetalon Peak.

It had become obvious to her that the main reason he had come this way was to expel any doubt on the Druids motives in growing a Great Tree along with giving the Highborne access to the Emerald Dream. But what she had learned only a few minutes ago had shattered all that she thought to be true.

She had called for Shandris, along with several of her officers to testify on the events in Ethel Rethor. What she had been told now had been in sharp contrast to what she had been told days before, along with much of it being new information.

"So, what he says is true then." Tyrande muttered.

Ichigo had no lied about the Highborne, key details have been revealed to her that greatly alter the flow of events as she had been originally told. Much of what she had heard from Shandris and Iyeana was not what she was expecting, especially word of a temporary alliance between their forces and some Rebels led by one of the surviving leaderships within the Highborne.

More than that said man had convinced the remaining Highborne leadership to surrender to Shandris after the conflict was settled. The remaining Highborne populace having been treated for their magical addictions with a Draught and also seem intent on learning Primalism instead of continuing their arcane practices. While currently leaderless it is obvious that they are being guided by the Primal Spirits and protected by them.

Along with that, events had been exaggerated over the truce between the Horde and Sentinels following the capture of Ethel Rethor. It had not been as tense and strained as first implied. The Tauren had willingly surrendered all artefacts to the Sentinels as a sign of good faith. While this did not change the fact that the city was still a crucial port that the Horde could exploit events regarding its capture had been altered. This may not change the outcome but it could have formed the basis of a possible peaceful negotiation, had it not been derailed at Stonetalon Peak.

Given the charges made against Adelina not so long before the Tauren delegation was to arrive she assumed that perhaps that was the point of the subterfuge.

"I was given false information." Tyrande said. "Whom did you send this information to? Was there anyone else aside from myself that would have come in contact with these missives?"

"Lord Fallowmere, I worked alongside him in compiling the information, as he is close with the Druids, I left it with him to write the final reports. But I doubt he would withhold information from you, this must have come from another source."

Fallowmere she did not doubt, but she was having doubts about the Circle, from what Ichigo had told her to recent interactions between her and Fandral she was starting to think he had planned this. He was wholly against the idea of a summit and peaceful negotiations, often claiming that the actions of the Horde and Highborne are more that enough reason to launch a preemptive attack.

She had only been convinced after the reveal of the Great Trees and their connection to the Emerald Dream, and the possible danger that it would present to their people if left unchecked. Perhaps the reason that Adelina was targeted was to force a close on the summit before the Tauren could arrive and discuss events. She likely was labelled a traitor as a convenient excuse and also since she was not well liked they would have no qualms in sacrificing her.

"Fandral is likely the culprit, he has been whispering in my ear for some time now and recently he has been quite forthcoming with information pertaining the Ethel Rethor." Tyrande said.

The Archdruid was attempting to goad her into attacking, using the Highborne's presence as an excuse to launch an attack on Ethel Rethor to take the city and secure it from the Horde. Even knowing of his duplicity in this matter it was still a solid reason, although now she was having second thoughts on the validity of her reasoning to follow through.

This had been nothing more than his attempt to force a conflict between the Kaldorei and the Horde, it was no secret he had little love for the Horde. His animosity towards other races was something many were aware of, but she did not think him brazen enough to try and manipulate her into getting his way. Sadly, he had just done that, had she not been made aware of this she would have played right into his hands.

"Had Ichigo not gotten involved things might have spiraled out of control." Shandris said.

"No, more likely had Adelina Oakwalker not been persecuted by the Masters of the Peak than he would not have had reason to get involved." Tyrande replied, she knew Adelina was his only major concern in coming here.

He may have put up a fight to protect the Highborne but she knew he was here because of her, she was dear to him and had Fandral or any of his conspirators not gone after her he never would have come. She did not know if it was fortunate or not that he did, because it certainly revealed to her many unseen truths.

Although Adelina herself was an anomaly in all of this, the charges of treason against her were obviously void given what she had learned. Adelina had grown a single Great Tree, not even that was true, she had simply reawakened it from a deep slumber. It was Ichigo who had opened the way to the Dream, she was innocent of all charges, but what truly confounded her was why do this? Why incriminate her? She was a convenient patsy but why target her specifically?

"What is her standing within the Circle? I was told she was an apprentice but surely she could not receive such scorn simply for joining." Tyrande asked.

She might have not always been a druid; she could have been part of another order or there was a grudge one Druid held against her and turned the rest to despise her. But still that begged the question as to why she did not leave the order if she was under such scrutiny.

"She is quite young my Lady. As for the reason they are unknown to us." Iyeana stated.

Tyrande was perplexed, she could be only a few centuries old and is somehow hated by most of the masters in the order. She narrowed her gaze, she wanted to meet this girl immediately, Ichigo wanted her to speak with Adelina and she was going to do just that.

Tyrande had thought of what kind of woman Adelina Oakwalker was.

She had thought her potentially arrogant and smug, being one of the first female Druids in the order. Given how Fandral spoke ill of her she assumed she had done something to spite him personally, that she was some rising power within the order. A political opponent that was gaining too much influence for him to deal with, that he was growing wary of her rising popularity and sought to dirty her name.

After the deception was revealed her suspicions had not changed, that she was a Druid who was gaining influence and power within the order. That this attempt to try her for treason was simply an attempt to remove an obstacle to his control over the Cenarian Circle.

The girl sitting before her now, was not what she expected.

When she had come in, she had her head covered and face obscured in shadow, bowed and unwilling to look up. Tyrande had bade her to reveal her face and it had shocked her is so many ways to see her face, the bruises and small cuts that marred it was shocking to see. They had faded somewhat but were still noticeable, the blotches of purple and blue were quite telling and showed she had been subject to a severe beating.

But what truly shocked her was Adelina's age. This girl was young, very young, Tyrande had thought her to be several centuries old perhaps a millennium at least. No, this girl was barely over a hundred, not even a century old. There were very few elves that age in the world, in fact it wouldn't be false to say Adelina was probably one of the only Night Elves in her age bracket.

Tyrande narrowed her eyes, there was no reason whatsoever in her mind for a young girl like her to be subject to a beating. She could barely look her in the eye, too shy and frail to really be any sort of powerful or mighty druid. This was a scared girl that had been subject to torture and abuse and it had left a lasting impact.

'Ichigo had said something about forebears, perhaps he was speaking on her behalf as well.' Tyrande mused, but what could her family have done to make the Circle hate their daughter?

"I had not expected a young girl, I thought perhaps a powerful druid or even someone from an aristocratic background, yet your family name holds no familiarity to me." Tyrande said, but she did not seem to react, only continuing to avoid eye contact.

Tyrande almost didn't want to continue, just meeting the girl had already confirmed that she was not the treasonous woman she had been led to believe. But she wanted to at least discover who she was and the cause of this hate, if only to know what led her people to lose all sense of reason.

"I want to ask you about your involvement in Ethel Rethor, specifically revolving around the Great Tree and how you regrew it." Tyrande asked.

"What is it you wish to know?" Adelina asked, a whisper that barely could be heard.

"Look at me child." Tyrande said, gently as to not scare her.

Adelina finally looked up; it was not a pleasant thing to see. Those pained and worried eyes looking up into her own, the bruises adding to sorrowful image before her. Tyrande felt not small amount of pity towards this poor child, to see her so wounded like that made her even more intent on finding the cause of this strife and snuffing it out.

"Do you deny growing the Great Tree?" Tyrande asked, trying to resolve herself to see this through.

"No, I grew the Great Tree, I helped in restoring it back to its former state." Adelina replied.

"Why did you do so?" Tyrande asked.

"I didn't do it for any altruistic reasons… I owed the Primal Spirit for her help…" Adelina replied, before she lowered her head. "But… I also thought maybe if I did this it could be of benefit to creating peace, the Spirits said it would help ease the tensions… I was wrong."

"Why is that?" Tyrande asked.

"It is just like General Shandris had said in Ethel Rethor, we gave the Horde the city and allowed them greater access to Ashenvale and Feralas because of it." Adelina replied. "We are on the war path now; the Sentinels and Horde are poised to fight and I played a hand in it."

Tyrande felt something was amiss, this was not the words of someone who wasn't accepting guilt but accepting blame.

"You also helped in giving the Horde a potential weapon as well, because of your aid in empowering the Great Tree it can now connect to the Emerald Dream. With that power in the Hands of the Horde there is likely to more death." Tyrande said, noticing how Shandris shifted beside her, only for a moment.

Adelina lowered her head, her eyes looking shallow and dead, as if she had lost what little strength and determination she had left.

"What do you have to say?" Tyrande asked.

"There is nothing I can say, I failed… and now it will cost our people more lives because of it…" Adelina replied.

Tyrande narrowed her eyes, she was not liking what she was hearing right now. This girl knew she wasn't to blame, she knew she had no part in the Great Tree's empowerment, she was accepting this because she said it so. This went beyond her being victimized, she was actually accepting of the lies and didn't even try to defend herself.

"I think we both know that you didn't have a major part in this." Tyrande said, her words serious. "You did not empower the tree, Ichigo did in your place, and from what I have been told you have been subject to a great deal of torment. Specifically, at the hands of the Masters of Stonetalon Peak."

Adelina looked up, surprise lighting up in her eyes, as if someone coming to her defense and proving these accusations false was not what she expected. It only served to make Tyrande move to press her for details on her torment so she can use it to find some excuse to interrogate those master's and see them punished in whatever manner she was able.

"Can you tell me as to why you are being attacked by them? If you tell me I might be able to help you." Tyrande said.

This had become less about establishing her innocence as it was gathering any information on her abusers, there was no way she could let her leave here. If she wasn't attacked again, she might be killed, and she was not letting some young girl be murdered while in her care.

"It was my parents… their actions caused much strife and pain… I suffer in their place." Adelina replied.

'So, I was right.' Tyrande mused.

"Were your parents Druids?" Tyrande asked.

"My father… Khardamyr Oakwalker, he was the Burrow Protector of Ashenvale." Adelina replied.

Tyrande took a moment to recall that name, and she could not believe she had not remembered his last name. She should have realized from the start, this young Druid was the daughter of the Burrow Protector, the sacred defender of the many Burrow Downs throughout Ashenvale. She had heard from her love, Malfurion Stormrage, of how they had been ransacked by the Legion and all of its occupants slain.

Malfurion expressed his sorrow and pain, and merely mentioned the Druid's name for a moment, cursing him and his own foolishness for not choosing another for the task.

"That explains the Druids hatred, your father was responsible for many Druids dying during the Hordes and Legions invasion." Tyrande replied, she did not speak any further, this was not something she was overly familiar with. While she empathized with her love, she could not claim to know their loss, not could she say that this girl deserved to suffer in her father's place. "But what of your mother?"

It was sudden, the change in the air around the young druid, Adelina was no longer smothered by a gloom of shame. Now fear was in its place, the way her eyes dilated and how tense her muscles became. But what surprised Tyrande most was that she was directing all that fear towards her, she was afraid of saying anything to her now.

The reason why was easy to discern, she was afraid of revealing her mother's identity. Adelina must have believed that had she said her name that it would earn her the ire of the High Priestess, did she think she would hate her because of her mother?

It was infuriating to think she would be just as base and cruel as those that had tortured her, did she think just because she knew about her mother, she would be subject to some humiliation or torture? Tyrande calmed herself as she remembered what kind of torment she has gone through; all this pain and suffering was because of her parents. It was obvious that she would be afraid to mention her, especially if she believed that she knew the woman in question.

"Your mother, who was she?" Tyrande asked, keeping her words light.

"Thy…"

Before she could finish the door burst open, Tyrande looked up in alarm and towards the Sentinel standing there. She was not part of the guard unit on the Temple, and her armor showed her to be an officer, a Commander in fact. Her face soon became recognizable, she was the recently promoted Commander of the Ashenvale Sentinels, Haldrissa Woodshaper.

"Haldrissa, what are you doing here?" Shandris said, her words low but holding enough authority that it would cow even a seasoned officer.

Tyrande watched as Adelina quickly raised her hood and sunk into her chair. That answered the question, Haldrissa was here because of Adelina, although she had no idea if it was for good or ill. With how she tried to hide herself, Tyrande had to wonder if this Commander was involved in some way with the treatment she had endured.

"I apologize High Priestess, General, but I must speak to you." Haldrissa said, stepping forward and looking to Adelina. The young girl turned away and pulled down her hood, making sure to keep her face hidden, there was a slight tremble in her shoulders. "Please. This cannot wait."

Tyrande looked on and seeing the senior officers concern drew her attention, perhaps she was mistaken about the intent, this was personal. With a motion of her hand she rose up from her seat and moved for the balcony.

"I will return shortly." Tyrande told Adelina, who could only whisper a quite 'yes' in response.

Tyrande stepped onto the balcony, moving around the edge and far out of earshot from the entrance. Haldrissa had certainly done something brazen, although given her character it was not surprising. Haldrissa was a skilled leader and military strategist and often led dangerous missions and engagements herself, she was highly skilled and resourceful and one of her best Sentinels. Although that reckless behavior of hers was not earning her any commendations now.

"There best be a reason for your presence Commander, leaving your post unannounced along with bursting into a private meeting is not something I can overlook." Tyrande said.

"I am here to beg you to rescind these charges against Adelina, they are false." Haldrissa said, not flinching under her glare.

"You came to ask for amnesty for her?" Tyrande asked.

"Adelina would never do anything that would put the Kaldorei or our nation in danger. There is no possible way she would commit treason, he entire reason for becoming a Druid was to try and clear her parent's names." Haldrissa said.

Tyrande raised a brow, her actions were influenced by her own family, that was a given. But she wondered how much of her life revolved around her parents, given that the Druids of the peak beat her simply for that relation it is likely her parents were the reason for all of her actions and motivations.

"I have heard the detail regarding her father, Khardamyr Oakwalker. While I cannot ignore his dereliction of duty, it is something that has passed, and I cannot condone the torment she has endured because of it." Tyrande replied.

"Torment? Was she hurt?" Haldrissa asked, looking surprisingly concerned.

"She was beaten some days ago after the charges were levelled. And before that she endured years of abuse at the hands of the Druids of Stonetalon Peak." Tyrande replied, watching as the Commander's expression turned to one of horror.

"I never should have let her go… I should have kept her in Astranaar." Haldrissa said, bringing a hand to her brow and trying to cover her pained expression. "Who was responsible? Are they being questioned?"

"I have little authority to question them, even in matters such as these." Tyrande replied, honestly, she was already trying to devise a way to see if she can do something about them.

This kind of behavior and the fact they likely are complicit in framing Adelina only made her more determined in making sure they are made to answer for their actions.

"But I am curious as to who her mother is." Tyrande said, she noticed how Haldrissa seemed to twitch as the statement, looking mildly concerned. "Do you know who she is and what she was charged for?"

"Yes… she was my predecessor, Thycina Sunshade…" Haldrissa replied, some reluctance in her tone, and now Tyrande knew why.

It was apparent now why Adelina and Haldrissa were wary of mentioning her, because right now she was not pleased to know who this was. She did not need to confirm with the Commander of her identity, being her predecessor and given the excuse presented to her regarding the fall of their borders to the Warsong Clan all those years ago she was right to be angry.

Thycina was one of her best, not unlike Khardamyr was her loves best, having been chosen to protect their sacred borders from invasion. And just like the Druid she had failed her duty, eloping somewhere with her lover and leaving their forces leaderless. Tyrande would have wished she lived to answer for her foolishness, but she perished at the borders following the death of the Demi-God Cenarius.

But her passing was not much of an atonement for her mistakes, more punishment than anything else. Now not so far away is her child, the one she sired and likely ran off to live with in spite of her duty.

"So… that is why she was afraid to say anything." Tyrande said, as much as it made her temper flare she couldn't hold onto that anger for long.

Thycina was dead, having passed, leaving behind only a daughter. One that was being tormented because of her familial relations, something she herself had found repugnant and twisted. She couldn't allow herself to hate the girl because of her father's and mother's actions, it would be cruel and only reinforce this self-loathing she seems to hold over herself.

"I understand that this might change your opinion, but please she has done no wrong to…" Haldrissa started, likely knowing where her mind had gone with the revelation.

"Be at peace, I will not hold any ill will towards her for her parent's mistakes, I would only be agreeing with those Druids who hurt her. And I will never allow myself to be seen in the same light as them." Tyrande replied.

"Then you must see that this was nothing but an attempt to hurt her, to spite her in place of her parents!" Haldrissa said.

"Of that we can agree." Tyrande replied.

It was without a doubt the reason for all this, maybe not the tension in the Desolace or the attempt to halt any peace summit, but definitely Adelina was the scapegoat to this little trial. If she had been interrogated, she would have admitted to all charges without restraint and then they would have 'definite' proof of the events in Ethel Rethor. She had to wonder if she had been conditioned for this, or perhaps she had suffered so much that they knew she wouldn't deny anything they said.

"Can you free her? Remove these charges?" Haldrissa asked.

"I need to finish speaking with her, along with hear her side of the story to confirm what happened in Ethel Rethor." Tyrande said. "You may remain, but do not speak."

Haldrissa nodded and said not another word, both of them returning to the chamber. Tyrande took her seat and noticed the short glances Adelina was giving Haldrissa, obviously concerned about her present.

"Would you please remove your hood." Tyrande said.

It took her a few moments to do so, when she did, she noticed out of the corner of her eye how Haldrissa shifted on the spot. Surprise was a definite, but Tyrande was impressed with how she held her tongue and didn't even utter a murmur. But perhaps she wanted to say something, express her horror at the many bruises and cuts on her face.

"Tell me, truthfully, what happened when you were within Ethel Rethor. I want to know the details of your time there, leading up to when you reawakened the Great Tree." Tyrande said, leaning forward and listening.

Most of it fit the details she had been given by Shandris along with her officers, the accusations set against her were false. Adelina Oakwalker was innocent in her eyes, and she would make sure that she would be cleared of any wrongdoing.

"Given what you have said now, which matches the testimonies of my general and her officers, I believe I have good cause to have these charges against you dropped." Tyrande said.

She did not get the reaction she was expecting however, where she thought Adelina would at least be relieved at no longer being considered a traitor she looked as morose as ever.

"You do not appear relieved by the news, is something amiss?" Tyrande asked. "With these charges dropped you are no longer under scrutiny, and I promise that I will look into the master's at the Stonetalon Peak to see them punished for their actions."

"It won't matter…" Adelina replied.

"It won't matter. What do you mean?" Tyrande asked.

"Facts and truths don't hold sway here, not anymore, it doesn't matter if I am innocent or guilty, nothing has changed. What they believe won't change. I am still where I was before, trapped with no way out." Adelina replied.

"I doubt that is the case, I will look into the Circles conduct and make sure that they answer for their actions. They did more than just harm you, they attempted to use you to push their agendas forward. That is something I will not overlook." Tyrande replied, despite her reassurances Adelina did not appear to accept her words. "Why do you not think this will not mean anything in the end?"

"What do you think of me because I am Thycina Sunshade's daughter?" Adelina asked.

Tyrande was surprised by the question, out of the blue and most certainly not something she found relevant to this life of conversation.

"That does not matter here, who your mother was does not matter here."

"But it does… I saw it just now when I mentioned her name, you are angry." Adelina replied, her words low as she spoke, Tyrande did not expect that.

Tyrande could see where this was going, she needed to defuse this.

"I am not angry with you…" Tyrande replied.

"But you are angry with what she did, abandoning her position, leaving behind her duty to go off and live with my father and raise me… but now that she is gone, I am the only one left to bear that anger." Adelina replied.

"I will not blame a child for her parents mistake." Tyrande said, feeling some heat come into her words, she would not be compared to those druids.

"Even if it was her fault for them making those mistakes?" Adelina asked, looking up into her eyes. "Everything I have ever done since joining the Circle is try and find a way to make up for what happened to them, to try and redeem them and make right the wrongs they committed."

"How did you hope to do that?" Tyrande asked, it sounded childish to try and make up for the mistakes of her parents.

Their sins were quite heavy, with many lives lost because of their negligence, absolving them would not be something anyone could do. It was an impossible task, especially if it was only one person seeking to do it.

"I thought about it a lot actually, that maybe if I did something spectacular that it would make up for everything. If I performed well in my training, if I took part in an event that saved Kalimdor, if I proved myself as a competent druid. Maybe… just maybe I could have risen above the slander that was cast at my family." Adelina replied.

It sounded so childish, it was fitting for someone her age really, it only made it harder to listen to this poor girl speak on her desires.

"This was never your burden to carry, you should have moved on when you had the chance. You are not your father and mother; you are not responsible for their mistakes. Not responsible for their failings." Tyrande said, she could not be angry at this girl, not with how much she had suffered trying to do something to remove the taint against her family's names.

"I am responsible… Had I not been born things would certainly have been different." Adelina replied. "My presence changed the path of two great people, for the worst, I tore them away from their duty and it was because of me that it led to their ruin and the suffering of many of our people."

She didn't look away.

"It doesn't matter if it is true or not, this isn't about the truth, it is what others believe. And they believe that I am as much to blame as my parents for their mistakes, that had I not been born that those who had died would still be alive." Adelina continued. "I have to hold this burden, not only because I want to, but because others believe I am meant to carry it in place of my mother and father."

She lowered her head.

"I am not a fool; I know that realistically I am not at fault… I was young and ignorant of everything that happened during the invasion, I couldn't have known the damage my presence had caused. But that doesn't change what everyone thinks of me, as the reason and cause of my parent's failure. I have no choice but to accept that is what everyone thinks of me, I have to move forward and redeem them regardless. Because it is the only way I can prove that I deserve to be here, despite my parent's many mistakes, my existence wasn't one of them."

That was… more horrible to hear than she had imagined. Tyrande could only look on, unable to form words to express the sheer dread that ran through her at the idea of having such an existence. To have such an outlook on one's own life, that she had to prove to all those that hated her she deserved to live.

"Haldrissa, would you please escort Adelina out, she has a friend waiting for her on the level below." Tyrande said, her words low as she gave the order.

Adelina rose from her seat and Haldrissa escorted her out, a hand falling on her shoulder as the young Druid was embraced by the Sentinel Commander. As soon as they left Tyrande sagged back into her chair, raising a hand to her brow and letting out a tired breath.

"That was more draining than I thought it would be." Tyrande said, not even the news of Ethel Rethor reaching her ears and the discovery of Fandral's subterfuge could leave her so fatigued. "Listening to her express how sorrowful her life is was more wrenching than anything I could compare it to."

Tyrande truly could not begin to go over the kind of outlook that girl had, how terrible her life had been over these last few years to make her views so twisted. Or perhaps it was others views that had twisted them so.

"We cannot let her fall into the Circle's hands, Fandral's especially." Tyrande said, there was no way she would let Adelina within arm's reach of any druid of the circle.

"That will cause problems, Fandral will likely seek to have her imprisoned all the same, especially when evidence is revealed of his deceit." Shandris said. "Time will be of the essence, if we wish to help her it would be now."

"Sadly, with the tension rising in the Desolace I do not know if the time can be dedicated to helping her." Tyrande said. "Although, considering what I have been told already I do not think I will have to worry about any danger from the south for the time being."

"My Lady?" Shandris asked.

Tyrande smiled, she figured it out.

There was a reason Ichigo had brought Adelina here, he could have easily sorted this entire debacle out without having to put her in danger. But instead he brought her here for the express purpose of not only proving her own innocence but also that of the Highborne.

'You actually were able to convince me. Well done.'

"I am impressed. You are certainly living up to the legend the Sentinels preach, but even I did not expect you to be so shrewd a negotiator."

Ichigo strolled forward and leaned on the balcony railing, standing next to him was Tyrande and Shandris. The meeting between her and Adelina was over, he had been called back just a few minutes afterwards. He only had enough time to make sure Adelina was alright after the questioning before he had to get back into the room.

"Can't really take any credit, Jaina taught me a few things and I basically stopped using that stuff after you threatened to stop the meeting." Ichigo replied. "After that I just went with my gut."

Honestly the negotiation tactics he had been taught by Jaina and Caren were not that hard to grasp, although put into practice was not easy. He technically had to lie and pretty much trick whoever he was negotiating against, in this case he had to convince Tyrande into seeing things differently than what she normally would.

Not easy, she was quite stubborn, so he had to actually feign strength and superiority at the beginning – not sure he pulled it off right. Then when she threw her weight around, he would drop into a more submissive state and let her think she had the upper hand, and lowering her guard around a much less experienced negotiator.

That was the plan really, the only one he cared to remember and stick too. Everything else was all him.

"You certainly know how to make a convincing argument." Tyrande replied, giving a small laugh. "You have given me much to consider, and I applaud your methods as well, you certainly have a cunning mind."

"I just saw it as similar, if I could see it, I am sure you could as well." Ichigo replied.

It wasn't that far off to say that the hatred Adelina was enduring was not so different from the Highborne. While the reasons may be different the main similarity between them was that they were blind hatred that was being placed on those who had done little to no wrong. Ichigo thought that maybe if Tyrande saw the suffering Adelina went through she would see that irrationality of the druids and their hate towards her.

It worked.

You can't exactly keep hating the Highborne when you have a girl who is being victimized for the offenses of her long dead parents. Not that different than the Highborne being labelled as evil as those that fought in the War of the Ancients. It would be near hypocritical, something that he was lucky he was able to convey to Tyrande.

"While you have gained my attention and brought some light to the situation there are still issues that need to be addressed." Tyrande replied. "I want to know if you have a plan for that."

"I do, but to do that I need to meet someone in Moonglade." Ichigo said.

"You plan to go to the Circle's seat of power? Who do you intend to meet there?" Tyrande asked.

"Romulus, he technically owes me a favor or two, if that can get me there and talk with him, I can convince him to help us." Ichigo replied.

He knew that the only way to help Adelina and sort the mess out in the Desolace he had to meet the Son of Cenarius, it was the only way to fix everything. If he could gain access and speak with the Keeper than it could be done, but he needed access and Tyrande was technically the only one that could help him in that regard.

"You intend to usurp Fandral Staghelm's authority, smart move." Tyrande said.

"He is the only one that can help Adelina and put the issue with Ethel Rethor to bed, if I get him to help, I can stop this war from happening." Ichigo replied.

"I will need time gain access, arriving unannounced is not something anyone can do." Tyrande replied. "Give me a day and I will see you are given access."

"Thanks."

Looking back over the sea and the slopes of Mount Hyjal in the distance he couldn't help but think that this was not going to be an easy fix. They had planned this out as best as they could, with Jaina's help they had at least figured things out enough where they could at least delay any conflict down the line.

It was more than they could ask for, but most of all he wanted Adelina safe. She was the reason he was here, and above all else he would make sure no harm came her why while he had the power to stop it.

There you have it, the long awaited next chapter, planning to get into the next two chapters soon and get them out for you all to enjoy. Until next time.