Sounds. Strange sounds. Like noises filtered underwater.  Voices. Familiar voices... 

Tiene's eyes flickered open. The world was blurry, but she could make out two shapes close to her.

"Tiene! Can you hear me?"

The world brightened and became clearer, though it felt like it took an inordinately long time. And that voice? Inaris!

"She hears you. Just give her a moment or two." Her father's voice.

With eyes finally focused, she saw her brother and father beside her. Automatically, she tried to lift her right arm. Sharp pain reminded her she had fallen from a great height. She'd been lucky, though; the safety net had broken her fall. The ground, unfortunately, was not so forgiving; it had broken her arm and dislocated her shoulder, and she was now strapped up. Other than aches all down her right side, she wasn't aware of any further damage.

Her eyes slowly scanned the room; it looked like the complex's infirmary, the one place she had hoped not to end up, but here she was, injured. 

"Baby sis, you had us worried," Inaris said, patting her left hand.

Her voice was a little slow and slurred. "You were worried? Think about how I felt when I saw the ground rushing to meet me," she laughed but flinched from a spasm of pain. Moments passed. She settled. "So, how are you here?"

"Sauren got word to us. We came as soon as we heard," her father replied. "I believe you were going to come home for a couple of days? I honestly feel you would be better resting here until you feel able to get up and about anyway."

"But, Camnath is going home, and Sauren arranged for..."

Inaris looked at her sorrowfully. "Change of plan, I'm afraid, Tiene. Camnath won't be able to make it; his father let us know. He is on a few missions."

Initially gutted for not seeing her beau, she was then stunned by what Inaris had just told her. "Missions? So soon?"

"Aye, he is excelling at everything, way beyond the other students at his level. Don't worry though, I don't think they're dangerous missions, still early days after all. They're more in line with field training."

"He's doing well," Tiene said, a soft smile playing on her lips. But there had been a little flush of envy. Short-lived, but it had still washed over her. Their competitiveness had not dwindled, even though they studied at different guilds. "I knew he would be great."

"Oh, are you talking about me?" a gravelly voice said. The guild master appeared from behind Tiene's visitors. He stopped beside Yathas and greeted both him and Inaris amiably. They returned his greeting, thanking him for being so quick in letting them know about Tiene.  

Tiene was still fixed on his question. "No, I was talking about..."

"Her sweetheart," Inaris laughed. Tiene playfully swatted his arm.

Sauren's face remained impassive. "Ah, yes. The boy from the wedding."

"Camnath," Tiene reminded him. "And he's on missions already." She couldn't hide the envy in her voice. Sauren noticed.

"I see. Well, you will be too. Once that arm heals in a few weeks. And I will be your mission partner on some of them."

"Really?" Tiene brightened.

Sauren's mouth curled at one corner. Her enthusiasm was encouraging. "Really," he confirmed.

"You must get completely better first, though," her father said. "I know you, and your impatience leads you to do things before you're ready."

Tiene frowned. "Weeks, though?"

Sauren agreed. "Your father is correct, Tiene. I will not take you... unless you are one hundred per cent fit and able." He grinned.

Inaris's eyes shifted. There could have been an allusion in there - if he didn't know better.

"Listen to your guild leader," Yathas said to his daughter, who still had a slight pout on her lips.

"Hi!" a female voice joined them now. 

Lexie. 

The girl glanced a little uncertainly at Sauren, but soon adopted a smile for the others. 

Tiene was happy to see her friend and beckoned her closer. Lexie slid in past Yathas and stood next to her friend.

"Hello," Inaris said. "And who might you be, young lady?" The smoulder was there.

Lexie blushed. She recognised him from the first day Tiene arrived. "I'm Lexie," she said, not daring to look at Sauren.

Sauren eyed her carefully. "Come to say your goodbyes, Lexie?" he said.

Inaris looked round at Sauren, then back at Lexie. "Oh, you're leaving?"

Lexie sighed. She looked back at Tiene, then very carefully she said, "Yes. I don't please the master anymore, so I have to go." She couldn't hide her disappointment. Her eyes lined with silver.

Sauren's eyes bore into her, but he preserved his poise and dignity. Nevertheless, he wasn't about to let Lexie have the last word on the matter. "Sadly, Lexie did not make it through this afternoon's trial. It was her third and final attempt. Part of our rules. I have, however, ensured a glowing reference goes to all other guild masters who may have a placement available for Lexie. We are, perhaps, more stringent in our methods than others. Lexie has, however, exceptional skills in many other areas."

Her eyes met his this time. She hadn't expected that. Even though her time with the Crimson Blades was over, he still showed her a courtesy she did not expect. She smiled wistfully. He returned the smile and afforded her a small nod.

"Now, gentlemen," he said, "shall we go for some refreshments and let these ladies have their girl talk? We can discuss some more business perhaps, Yathas?" Tiene's father nodded. "You can, of course, see Tiene again afterwards."

Yathas kissed his daughter's forehead and smiled at Lexie. "Nice to meet you, Lexie. Good luck with whichever guild you enter."

"Thank you, sir."

"The name is Yathas, my dear."

She smiled, a little coyly. 

Inaris kissed his sister on the cheek and whispered, "You didn't tell me you had such a cute friend." 

Lexie overheard, and a light flush coloured her cheeks. 

"I'm Inaris, by the way," he said, looking at her.

Lexie stood, hands in front, fingers interlaced, looking decidedly coy.  

Sauren cleared his throat. "Shall we?" No one sensed the irritation in his voice. Except for Lexie. But she didn't react. 

Yathas nodded and, after another brief kiss on Tiene's forehead, turned and left with Inaris and Sauren.

Once the men were out of earshot, Tiene smiled and said to Lexie, "Ignore my brother; he is a terrible flirt. A ladies' man."

Lexie laughed, although it was a little bittersweet. "Is he now? I would never have guessed."

They both smiled. 

Then Tiene suddenly looked sad. "I'm so sorry to hear you're leaving, Lexie. I wish you could stay." She was, after all, the first real female friend Tiene ever had.

Lexie sat on the edge of the bed, gently patting and stroking Tiene's hand. She took a deep breath, then looked at her friend. "There's something I need to tell you, Tiene, and it may shock you when you hear it."

Tiene felt a little apprehension; Lexie was so serious. "Okay," she said, drawing the word out.

Lexie swallowed; this wasn't easy. "Remember the day we started training? When I wore a scarf?"

Tiene nodded.

"I told you it was due to an allergy. Well... I lied."

Tiene grinned. She'd deduced that much. But nothing prepared her for what followed.

"It was Sauren," Lexie said in a hushed voice.

Tiene's eyes widened. "What? He - he tried to strangle you? Why?"

Although she'd been dreading telling her the truth, Lexie still couldn't help but giggle a little at Tiene's take on it. "Well ... yes. And no."

"Lexie! I saw the marks! I gathered they were fingers. But, Sauren? Our leader?"

"I was his lover," Lexie said quickly.

"What?" Tiene's face paled. Lexie allowed her time to absorb what she was being told. "But - but he hurt you!" Tiene exclaimed, shifting in her bed, uncomfortable.

Lexie believed she'd be scornful about her lover, but when it came to the crunch, she couldn't bring herself to say awful things about him. "He plays rough, but he is -was - amazing!"

Tiene's cheeks flushed, and her mouth went slack. Part of her wanted to hear Lexie's story, but she felt guilty - and embarrassed.

"I'm telling you this because I need to warn you, Tiene," Lexie continued. 

"Warn me?"

"He wants you."

Tiene flinched, the movement causing pain in her arm to flare. She winced. "No! That's not possible. He knows my heart is for Camnath..."

"Wake up, Tiene! Our leader is an alpha male with an insatiable appetite. He has had many a young woman pass through his door, not just me. Have you not been woken in the night by sounds from across the hall?"

Tiene's face flushed. Then she nodded, hesitant. She'd even peeked through the keyhole one night and seen a figure pulling a sheet around themselves, sneaking down the stairs. Now she wondered if that figure might have been Lexie. She didn't ask. Couldn't ask.

Her friend looked at her, compassion blurring her heartbreak. "And as for your heart, that is not the part of your anatomy he's interested in."

Tiene felt the blood drain from her face. "No! He wouldn't. He won't..."

Lexie smiled and stroked Tiene's hair to calm the blonde. "You are a Firefury. You show such promise as an assassin and will quite possibly even best your parents, Tiene. I've seen it in you. Greatness! Some individuals may shine, but you are dazzling!"

Flattered although she was by Lexie's words, she was still in the grip of panic. This all seemed so... impossible.

"I believe Sauren will allow you to exceed in your abilities first and foremost; he genuinely does care about all his recruits' progress and - if they're not like me - their success."

Tiene squeezed Lexie's hand. She felt the pain under the brunette's words.

"The fact you are a Firefury plays a huge part in why he desires you. You are from rogue royalty, after all." She smiled. No envy. No hate. Just truth. Acceptance. "But you will, one day, mark my words, become his... lover."

Tiene furiously shook her head.

Lexie continued with a sad, resigned smile. "Hear me now, my friend. Do not fear him." Her eyes became a little misty. "Perhaps it's wishful thinking, but I believe there is a tender heart underneath the steel exterior. I really wanted it to beat for me... but I was kidding myself. I knew he lay with others even when I shared his bed. But listen..."

She clasped Tiene's hand in both of hers and looked deep into Tiene's eyes.  "Once you see him, in all his magnificence, and feel him, you will not resist. When he takes you, you will succumb to his charms. You will want him. And you will want him again and again..."

Tiene continued shaking her head, and she swatted Lexie's hands away. "No! Never! I will speak with my father..."

Her friend's eyes narrowed, but they didn't lose their kindness. "No, Tiene, you will not. Do you know why?" She paused. Tiene held her gaze. "Because you are a Firefury. You are driven to succeed. You will not want your father to know about this, because you won't want him to worry. And similarly, you don't want his history with the Blades to feel ... tainted. Besides, what could he possibly do anyway? He is a retired assassin, and for all he is a Firefury, he could not take down the mighty Sauren. Not now."

Tiene considered her friend's words. Then her jaw set, mouth became a thin determined line. "I can leave and join another guild. I'll come with you..."

"Not for five years, you can't. That is the standard contract, a legal and binding document between your father and Sauren. Different if you fail - as I did. Then and only then will the contract be nullified, still at a high cost though. And you cannot, will not fail. Will you?"

Tiene couldn't believe what she was hearing. She'd believed Sauren was a gentleman through and through. Now and again, she'd sensed something dark about him, but he'd only ever been polite, helpful and understanding toward her. Now it seemed, he had an ulterior motive.

The fact he'd a continuous line of lovers did not surprise nor bother her; after all, she had two amorous brothers whose reputations with the ladies were also notorious.

What worried her most was Lexie's conviction that the guild master would take her to his bed. The only man she wanted to be intimate with was now in Kalimdor.

But Lexie had made a valid point. As a Firefury, the Crimson Blades meant something to her. It was in her blood, and although the leadership had progressed a generation since her parents' time, what the guild stood for remained constant. 

Out of respect for her father and mother, both legendary Blades, she would see this through. She would deal with the oversexed leader if and when the unthinkable were to happen, though she prayed it would not.

Lexie stood up. "I best be leaving now."

Tiene sighed, sorry to see her friend go. "Good luck out there. I won't forget you."

Lexie kissed her forehead, bade her farewell and good luck, promising she would keep in touch.

By the time Yathas and Inaris returned to check on her, Tiene was sleeping again. Exhausted. Her father needed to return home for work but intended to return the next day. 

Inaris decided to stay overnight after being offered Tiene's rooms by their very gracious host. He was relieved he would be able to check on his sister first thing in the morning. 

Sauren also arranged for dinner to be taken to the rooms, and Brett would be on call if Inaris needed anything else. The guild master then excused himself; he had some business to attend.

Brett accompanied the warlock to Tiene's rooms as planned. Inaris was suitably impressed, although he did find it strange such luxurious accommodation would be made available to a recruit. Clearly, his family name was held in high regard, but to put his sister in here? Was there something more to this? 

After settling into the room, he asked Brett to join him for dinner. He liked the man, and as he had a history with his parents, he was looking forward to getting to know him a little better, perhaps hear some stories of their times together in the guild. Brett accepted, delighted by the invitation, and planned to return when dinner was ready.

Inaris familiarised himself with the luxurious abode. Sitting on the bed, he opened the little cabinet next to it. Inside, he spied the letters from himself and, he assumed, from Camnath. He swithered. He shouldn't pry really. No! He would resist; it was private, between Tiene and Camnath. 

It would be very naughty of him to read them, he thought, as he slowly unfolded one of the letters.

"Darling Tiene"

Inaris, chewed a knuckle.

"Things are going well here. The trainers and the recruits are all very friendly. Come to think of it, I may have ended up in a better guild than those I tried in the Eastern Kingdoms. Oddly enough, I hear they are taking on trainees again.

Belaen Bloodmane, my guild master, is encouraging, fair and also very funny. I told him you were with the Crimson Blades, but I'm sorry to say, he does not seem too keen on your guild gaster. He claims Sauren is nothing like his father, even though he has managed to maintain the guild's flawless reputation. I told Belaen, all that matters is that he is kind to my girl."

Inaris smiled. Camnath was a very nice young man and most definitely in love with his sister. He was happy for Tiene.

"I long to see you, Tiene. Now that we seem to have passed that awkward stage – all thanks to your brother's intervention the day you left -"

Inaris blew on his fingertips and rubbed them on his robe - well pleased with himself. Then he read,

"I'm hoping we can perhaps take things a little further?"

Okay, now would be a good time to fold the letter up and put it back, Inaris told himself - as he kept... on... reading.

"I want to hold you close, cover you with kisses. I will not do anything you do not wish me to, but I would love to -"

A loud knock at the door prompted Inaris to quickly refold the letter and pop it back into the drawer. He leapt off the bed, straightened the covers, then answered the door.

A young woman came in holding a tray with two covered platters, a bottle of wine and two glasses. 

She smiled at Inaris and moved into the room toward the table near the window. Inaris offered to take the tray from her, but she smiled sweetly and shook her head.

Inaris sat at the table, watching as she first placed the cutlery, then the platters on either side of the table, followed by napkins and then glasses. She glanced at Inaris. He sat smiling at her, adopting his best smoulder.

She giggled quietly, a blush creeping up from her neck.

"You're very pretty," Inaris said. "What's your name?"

The woman smiled but didn't answer; she merely continued trying to open the wine bottle.

"Please. Allow me," Inaris said. He took the bottle from her and opened it with ease. Pouring a little in the glass, he offered it to the young woman. She shook her head suddenly nervous and backed away. "I won't tell anyone," he said, smiling, moving toward her. The woman looked alarmed.

Inaris backed off. "I'm sorry. I - I didn't mean to frighten or offend you."

The woman stood, holding his gaze and gradually she started to relax. She took a step closer.

"I am Tiene's brother," he offered. "My name is Inaris. I am only staying here tonight as Tiene is in the infirmary..."

"I know," she said quietly. "I mean, I know she is in the infirmary."

"Ah. So you do speak," the warlock said with a smile.

"Yes," she blushed. "My name is Ellariah."

"I am very pleased to make your acquaintence, Ellariah."

"Likewise. Most people call me Ella."

"I like that even better." The smoulder had returned.

The door opened, and Brett walked in. Ella shrank back a little, head bowed. 

Inaris noted her reaction; he thought it strange.

"You can collect the dishes later, Ella. Thank you. Leave us for now, please."

The woman backed towards the door. She glanced once more at Inaris and smiled. He winked at her, and saw her blush once more before she quietly closed the door behind her.

"Are all the servants as frightened?" Inaris asked casually.

"Frightened?" Brett asked, grinning. He poured himself some wine and topped up Inaris's glass. "Oh, Ella? She's not frightened, Inaris; she is merely respectful and rather shy."

"Really?"

Brett looked at the high elf. Handsome lad, and observant. Just like his father in his day. "Well, perhaps she is a little frightened. It's not every day your brother gets hauled into the cells for shooting a dart at one of the young recruits."

"Oh!" That explained it. Tiene's attacker was Ella's brother.

"She's worried about her job now."

"And her brother no doubt?"

"No, not him. He was a little bastard, even to Ella."

"Oh!" Inaris shook his head. Oh was all he seemed to be saying at this moment. "Poor woman," he added, trying to break the monotony of his responses.

"Aye, she's a nice lass. Anyway, come, let's eat." They sat down and removed the covers on the platters. Inaris was well impressed. A generous helping of roast meats, sweet potatoes and carrots all dressed in a rich gravy awaited his palate.

"So what happened to her brother then?" Inaris asked, reaching for his wine.

"That's why Sauren is away just now. The boy will be dealt with, I assure you. Most likely ousted from the guild with notification sent to all guilds that he is not worthy of membership."

"Is that done here, in the grounds?"

"No. Sauren has taken him somewhere outside. He is waiting for the boy's family to take him home. He didn't want to do it here because of Ella."

"So she has nothing to worry about, I mean with her job and all?"

"Nothing at all. She is well-liked by everyone and she works hard." Brett chuckled. "She was worried about coming up with our meal, though."

"Why?"

"She knew you would be here, and I guess she thought you knew about her brother. That you might judge her because of it."

"Oh." Inaris cringed at his answer again. "Is she... married? Courting?" Inaris braved.

Brett's mouth became a tight line. "Not another one," he muttered under his breath. He hoped the young elf was at least a bit more restrained than his boss.

Inaris looked at him questioningly. "Another what?"

Brett froze. He hadn't meant to speak the words aloud. He thought quickly. "All the young men like Ella," said the old rogue in a rush. He blew out a breath and took a little after a sip of wine. "But, no. She is not currently involved with anyone."

"Good," Inaris said with a smile. 

Brett merely smirked and continued eating.

The conversation revolved around Tiene's training and progress so far. Inaris wasn't surprised to hear she was doing well; he'd always known she had tremendous potential.

The rogue also spoke of the days when Yathas and Lina were in the guild, and he seemed to enjoy reminiscing about the old days. He was careful, though, when mentioning Sauren. Torn between wanting to warn him about Tiene's safety, but not wishing to cause alarm, he decided to limit mention of the guild master.

All in all, a pleasant evening was shared by the two men who enjoyed an excellent meal and good conversation.

A short distance from Southshore, crumbled stone and broken wood littered the floor of an old farm building. Its roof had only a few splintered rafters remaining, allowing the bright, silvery rays of the full moon to filter into the circular room.

Two giant black rats scurried around the debris, squeaking and chattering to each other as they searched for a tasty morsel.

One raised itself on its hind legs to sniff at a pair of leather boots which hung mere inches from the rubble-covered floor, swaying slightly.

The second rat was sent scurrying away in fear as the curious rodent suddenly screeched and toppled over - impaled. 

A shadow fell over the vermin's corpse.

Sauren bent down to retrieve his anelace from the twitching furry carcass. As he straightened, he grinned at the owner of the leather boots.

A young man, suspended in chains looped from two wooden beams, flinched. His terrified eyes watched as the guild master of the Crimson Blades cleaned his knife on the young man's shirt, smearing it with the rodent's blood. 

With wrists and ankles shackled, the steel links rattled as the boy trembled. A cloth wrap was tied around his mouth, muffling any sound he made.

Sauren's bodyguards, Don and Reed, stood with hands clasped in front, quietly observing. The guild leader resumed his tour around the room, eyeing the boy as he played with the sharpened anelace. The blade glinted in the moonlight, emphasising its keenness; each flash making the young man flinch.

Sauren stopped in front of the suspended figure. "Carus, isn't it? Carus Lightstrider?" His brown eyes looked black in the soft rays of the moon.

The young elf nodded — fear seeping from every pore.

"Did you enjoy today's trial, Carus?"

The boy nodded.

"Oh, you did?" Sauren's voice was as sharp as his anelace.

The elf rapidly started shaking his head, and a muted sound of panic came from behind the cloth gag.

"Hmm," Sauren started to pace back and forth in front of him. "You showed promise, Carus. You were destined to be quite a skilled assassin. However, it is strictly prohibited for you to use your skills on your fellow students. You do know this, I take it?"

The elf whimpered and nodded his head. Sauren continued pacing, kicking a small stone around as he moved. He looked up at the young man. Now his eyes were fierce. "And yet you shot a dart at the Firefury girl today. One you laced with a sedative. Am I to understand that the sedative was to somehow lessen the pain when she hit the ground?" Sauren's voice roared at him.

The boy was frantically shaking his head, his eyes rolling in panic like a spooked horse.

"So, it was to make her lose consciousness, and therefore fall to her death?" His voice lowered; its timbre sounded more threatening by the second.

The young elf was trying to speak, plead his case. The guild gaster stepped closer - his moves like lightning, causing the young elf to wriggle in his bonds. The chains clattered and clinked.

Sauren put his ear close to Carus' mouth. "I'm sorry - what was that?" He smirked as the boy struggled to speak through the gag.

Sauren brought the tip of the analace to the gag and pulled it down just enough for Carus to speak.

"I – I'm sorry," he stammered. "It was just a stupid prank. I won't do anything like that again, I promise!" The gag was replaced immediately.

Sauren sneered. "Oh, I know you won't, Carus. By the way, your sister says hello."

The young man went rigid. Sauren tapped the tip of the blade to his lips and looked deep in thought. "Or did she say – goodbye?" The perfect teeth glinted in the moonlight.

Sauren discovered Carus had always bullied Ella since she was a child and took pleasure in humiliating her still. Pranks such as tripping her up when she carried trays of hot food or pushing her out of the way as he passed her in the hallways, calling her demeaning names were regular pastimes.

Everyone liked Ella. Sauren liked the girl too - not in the way he did others, but she had been a dutiful little housemaid and took great pride in her work. It mattered not to him what someone's station in life was if they carried out their duties well. He admired hard work and dedication in all walks of life.

In Carus' case, however, his bullying trait - something which triggered painful memories for Sauren - had seriously crossed the line. And when he fired the dart at Tiene...

The old rickety door to the building creaked open. Sauren smiled. His invitation, it seemed, had been accepted. "Good evening, Kel'Thuzad."

"Sauren," the mage replied, closing the door behind himself. He stepped in front of the chained figure, looking him over carefully. "So, what did he do?"

The guild master sighed as if burdened with a hefty responsibility. "He almost killed one of my new trainees."

"Almost? Was it a duel?" Kel'thuzad guffawed.

Sauren's eyes narrowed. "No. It was cowardice and the act of a bully."

Kel'Thuzad grunted, a smirk playing on his lips. "Ah. Say no more, Sauren."

The platinum-haired halfling crossed to the far side of the room close to his bodyguards. "So," he said, facing the mage once more. "Would he be useful for your – brand of magic?" 

Carus flinched, causing the chains to sing once more. His fear escalating moment by moment.

The mage studied the chained figure before him. "Oh, I think he would do very nicely - except for one tiny, thing." He stepped away from the terrified young man and crossed to where Sauren stood with Don and Reed. 

"And that is?" Sauren enquired with a grin.

"Well," the mage said with a dramatic hand gesture. "To use necromancy, one needs victims to be - dead."

"Urg!" Came Carus's muffled sounds from behind the gag. He struggled violently against his restraints and continued to mumble incoherent pleas, his eyes widening even more as panic turned to pure fear.

A cruel grin spread on the guild master's mouth. 

With speed, not even his bodyguards could track, Sauren spun and threw the anelace at the suspended elf. The blade penetrated Carus' skull, knocking his body back, the chains clanking and clinking before they fell silent.

Moments later, the young boy's head lobbed forward. With the blade still embedded, his body finally stilled.

Sauren slowly rubbed his hands together, then grinned as he faced the mage. "Problem solved. Wouldn't you say?"

                                  ______________________________________________

Thank you for reading!!!

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