Dedicated to @ea_carter with thanks for taking me on a beautiful journey in her stories

Camnath quietly observed the exchange between his sweetheart and the affluent stranger. So this is the commander of the Crimson Blade. He was everything he'd expected. And equally dreaded.

As the company went through the motions of polite introductions with the usual niceties, he could not deny the man had a presence.

It was hardly surprising, right enough, being the leader of one of - if not the - best assassin guilds in the Eastern Kingdoms. Their reputation spanned a substantial number of years, and from when Tiene's parents were members of the Blades no less.

Their services were mostly unaffordable to the more lowly citizens of Azeroth, but they were renowned amongst nobles and noteworthies for doling out their swift methods of justice and vengeance with the utmost discretion.

Kings hired them when they required the assassins' skills of stealth and espionage to aid in their feuds with other disgruntled nobility. Or racial enemies - the most recent example being the Horde, orcs and trolls.

Strange, how an organisation such as the Crimson Blades could be so famous for their unique abilities yet were never held accountable, never brought to justice themselves.

Camnath smiled inwardly; it was therefore slightly amusing that both he and Tiene had chosen a career in something which, by all accounts, was anything but honourable. Yet it was held in high esteem by some and sought out by many.

And it paid well, going by the unimpeachable tailoring apparent in both Sauren and Brett's attire.

Camnath imagined their headquarters would be quite exorbitant, for he had the impression Sauren Nightflame would be a man of impeccable taste. He imagined this individual possessed an excellent ability to present grandeur, without it being prone to flamboyance, which so quickly turned to crassness.

Talking of which - he thought, as the irritatingly familiar voice of the magister followed close behind. Camnath forced down a snarl and remained quiet, curious to see how these two alphas interacted.

Dar'khan had toned his extravagant garb down just a shade for this evening's festivities. He looked almost like any other guest. No wide-brimmed hat with its pristine feather, no red and gold robes or flamboyant swirling cloak, just a smart, well-tailored suit. Still, this Sauren had style the likes of which the magister could only dream. The evidence of said comparison glinted clearly in Dar'Khan's eyes as he neared the party.

Camnath, unashamedly, took pleasure in seeing a pinch of uncertainty on his arrogant face.

*

Yathas initiated all the introductions. Dar'Khan offered a small bob of his head as a greeting to Brett and Sauren, though his eyes lingered longer on the guild master.

He soon reverted to the usual proud peacock that he was, as Sauren addressed him. "Ah, Magister Dar'Kahn Drathir. Your name is familiar. Is it true you played a large part in the construction of Quel'thalas?"

"Indeed it is," the magister replied, never one to be remotely modest. "It was a huge undertaking and one I am rather proud of."

"Hmm," the Guild Master said, seemingly unimpressed. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back again. "I would imagine you must have received much glory and commendation for this achievement?"

An uncomfortable silence befell the group. Those aware of Dar'Khan's embittered feelings towards the magisters on Quel'Danas uncomfortably awaited the response.

Perhaps the evening with all its splendour and gaiety was at fault, but oddly, Tiene felt sympathy for Dar'Khan. He was irritating - Oh yes - and he'd infuriated her with his earlier interruption - without argument - but she had the distinct impression everyone was laughing at his expense right now. And she knew only too well how that felt.

"Dar'Khan has all of our appreciation, for we would not have such a beautiful home if it had not been for his contribution," she said quickly.

Her father stared at her in disbelief. Then his face softened as he realised what she'd said was not, in fact, a lie nor any exaggeration.

Camnath stared too; notably stunned. Tiene acknowledged his gentle disposition, and lightly, brushed her fingers against his hand while she inched closer. Through that small gesture, Camnath understood she defended the magister from compassion, not affection. He curled his fingers tenderly around her hand and wore a crooked smile. He felt a pang of shame for gloating over the guild master's remark. It didn't want to make him kill him any less, though.

Dar'Khan, for once, was speechless. He looked at Tiene with a rare, humbled expression.

"Well, the gratitude of a nation is indeed a worthy accolade," Sauren said. "Now, young man," he continued, instantly dismissing Dar'Khan and turning to Camnath. "Would you permit me to have one dance with your lady and my future pupil?"

Camnath nodded, appreciating the fact that the guild master sought his permission. "Certainly, but it is, of course, Tiene, who should decide."

The men were very gentlemanly and gallant, but Tiene still felt a bit like a prize hawkstrider at auction.

She smiled a little uncertainly but accepted Sauren's hand, and allowed him to lead her down to the plaza where guests whirled around in the spirit of dance and laughter.

As he swept her around in a waltz, she was acutely aware of the young guild master's hand on her bare back. "I have heard some excellent things about you," he said suddenly.

"Oh? Was my father trying to impress that I will be a good pupil?" She attempted to come across unfazed by the leader of the Blades, but there was no denying it was difficult not to be affected by this rather affluent individual.

He smiled at her, and she became aware of his perfect teeth. "Indeed he was, naturally. But I also did my homework."

"You did?" She was surprised, and now a little unnerved.

"As I am sure you are aware, rogues have a tightly woven network in which all guilds can relay information and news to each other?"

"Yes, I am aware." She smiled as it triggered memories of Nerisen instilling such information through the endless book supply he gave her.

"Then it should come as no surprise I enquired about your abilities with the Students of Shadow."

"It should be no surprise, and yet, oddly it is. I hope, nevertheless, you received an encouraging report?"

Sauren's laughter was as gravelly as his speech. He held her a little tighter. She suppressed a gasp. "Indeed, otherwise, you would not be coming to Lordaeron."

His eyes explored hers as if searching for something which she could not comprehend. The charismatic smile spoke volumes. He considered her to be a promising student. His next words confirmed it. "I foresee a formidable assassin in you, Tiene. And I have no doubt you will achieve great things."

The music soon ended, and he offered his arm. Sauren led her back to Camnath, who had watched them like a hawk all the time. After delivering her back to her beau, the guild master bowed his gratitude to the young couple.

Inaris and Duthan had since rejoined the group, having seen their sister dancing with the moneyed stranger. More introductions followed. A brief discussion followed between Sauren, Yathas and Brett. Then the guild master announced he had to depart. He had to return to Lordaeron to ensure everything was ready for his latest batch of students arriving the following day.

He thanked everyone for their welcome and hospitality. With one last kiss on Tiene's hand, he turned and left with Brett in tow.

It was late evening, and time for the Firefurys to head home also. The next day would be busy ensuring everything was ready for Tiene's journey to Lordaeron. Dar'Khan obliged again by providing the portal to Silvermoon.

Camnath was once more mildly irritated when Dar'Khan suddenly asked him if he might have a private word with Tiene. It seemed Sauren's impeccable manners had rubbed off on the bothersome spell-wielder, but he was no more likeable.

"I promise I will not keep her long," he assured the suspicious young elf. Camnath looked at Tiene, seeking her consent. She nodded with a smile, and after throwing a warning look at Dar'Khan, the young elf passed through the portal.

The magister looked a little lost for words, but eventually, he found his voice. "Thank you for earlier," he said. "No one has said such a kind thing about me before."

Tiene studied him, trying to gauge if this unexpected gratitude was the real reason he wished to speak with her. A moment's silence passed, and satisfied that his intention was genuine, she smiled. "We do not underestimate the power you possess, Dar'Khan. You've truly achieved great things. But you do not need some churned-out title to prove it; it is, after all, merely a name. It won't change what you have done, nor will it make you more powerful."

One corner of his mouth curled up. "You are very wise for one so young, Tiene. And do not doubt me when I say, your words mean a lot to me. But it is in my nature to seek more - I hunger for recognition. Perhaps it is the curse of learning magic."

"I certainly hope not," she said. "I would not wish for Inaris to think his spell mastery was affirmed only by a pompous title."

Briefly, Dar'Khan's eyes clouded before he forced a smile and acknowledged her words with a curt nod. "Good luck in Lordaeron, Tiene," he said, tightly.

Noting his shift in mood, Tiene smiled a little hesitantly before slipping through the portal to rejoin Camnath and her family.

Music: I am The Fire by Halestorm

The Crimson Blades headquarters lay within the sprawling grounds of Capital City in Lordaeron, on the banks of Lordemere Lake. It was very much like a small fortress, with its single entrance through a portcullis opening into a vast central area which was used predominantly as training grounds. The complex also accommodated stables, a forge and a myriad of outbuildings, which stored everything from food supplies to armour and weaponry.

In each corner of the courtyard stood large turrets, each constructed on three levels, the upper floors being home to Crimson Blades elite and the Guild Master himself.

Student quarters ran all around on the lower floors, housing up to two hundred pupils, segregated further to reflect their various skill levels. Adjoining the said turrets were the main halls, which accommodated an office, a strategy room, a library, a dining hall and the kitchens.

As the leader of the Crimson Blades approached with his right-hand man, Brett Hornsby, the portcullis opened. Sauren slid effortlessly from his saddle and a stable boy quickly grabbed the reins and that of the second-in-command.

Immediately, Sauren strode towards the turret housing his quarters. Removing his gloves, he slapped them to the chest of a pageboy who'd scurried out of the building when his master neared.

Sauren barked orders to Brett over his shoulder as he walked, "Brett, you will see to it the room next to mine is made ready."

"The one next to yours? That is your wife's room."

Sauren stopped abruptly and turned on his heel. His lips curled in a sneer. "Yes, I know. But she is no longer here, is she?" His tone, bitter.

"No, sir, she is not," Brett replied, his voice duly lowered. It was still a sore subject. Apparently.

Piper Alston was Sauren's estranged wife. She now lived in Duskwood with her family. Due to her affiliation with the trolls, she'd produced no heirs for the master of the Crimson Blades. Her fate was sealed for the treachery. Association with the high elves' foremost enemy carried a high cost. The girl had been lucky that her spoiled brat of a husband didn't have her executed. Or dropped on the doorstep of Zul'aman.

Sauren had been bitterly disappointed - angry even - and she was sent home to her family, looked upon as a failure of a wife in several aspects.

The Nightflames were the nobility of assassins, and Sauren's reputation had already reached far and wide, so the Alstons did not contest his decision. Piper agreed to return home quietly, without fuss, and there was never any mention of the circumstances. Any discussion which might open speculation on Sauren's fertility would be frowned upon and result in a high cost to her family.

Surprisingly, Sauren had continued to provide for Piper and her parents, albeit minimally, but even by Sauren's standards, it still afforded the Alstons a very comfortable lifestyle in an otherwise dark and deprived area of the Eastern Kingdoms.

Occasionally, the young guild master called upon Piper to attend any official events where being seen with his wife would be deemed appropriate, especially amongst the nobility. After such occasions, he would claim his 'husbandly rights', before sending her home again.

It was one of the things Brett loathed about the young commander, but he had made a promise to the boy's father, Sat'hemar, as he'd lain on his deathbed. He swore he'd stay to help build and protect the guild and aid Sauren in becoming a tenacious leader.

Sa'themar had known his son had particular interests- many of which he didn't approve - but he'd believed wholeheartedly in his son's ability to lead the guild in future years, securing its reputation as the most successful rogues' guild in the Eastern Kingdoms. Perhaps in all of Azeroth.

Brett could not deny that Sauren certainly had ambition, coupled with a fierce determination to succeed.

"So - prepared for what then?" Brett asked tentatively.

"Not what, Brett. Who!" The commander's brown eyes flashed a warning at his second in command.

"Who then?" Brett asked. He'd already guessed, but, for some reason, needed his fears confirmed.

The leader of the Crimson Blades stepped closer and smiled in an all too familiar and unsettling manner. "Tiene Firefury." Her name slid easily from his lips, like honey, and his mouth curved, licentious, showing his perfect teeth.

Brett inwardly fumed. He believed in monogamy and honouring your marriage vows were part of being a good man. Estranged wife or not. He himself had now been widowed for five years, but still he remained loyal to the memory of his late wife, Mary.

And considering the young man was - albeit just technically - still married, Sauren's nocturnal habits were something else which Brett strongly disapproved.

He fought to keep the distaste from his voice. "Forgive me for saying, Sauren, but do you think it's wise to have Tiene in the main tower, next to your chamber?"

Sauren took two steps closer. His elven build and height made him tower over the older man. "Would you rather I placed her amongst the hungry, wild bucks in the student quarters?" he said, waving his hands towards the dormitories.

"No, sir! But the girls' quarters..."

Sauren's voice took on a sharper tone. "Are inadequate for such a young lady. Now see to the room!"

"But - " Brett knew he would not dissuade the commander, but he felt driven to try.

The leader of the Blades glared at the old assassin through strands of his platinum mane. "She is a Firefury, Brett. Born of two of the most deadly and impressive assassins to have ever been trained by my father. She is possibly even a match for the Nightflame dynasty. She deserves the best."

The older rogue took a deep breath. In context, he could not deny what Sauren argued, but it was his intentions which worried him more than anything.

Sauren waited long enough to ensure his second-in-command was not going to counter his response.

Satisfied there was nothing more forthcoming, he hissed his order for the final time. "Now see to the room!" Then he turned and with three long strides entered the hallway, before bounding up the stairs to his quarters.

Brett scuffed the dirt with his boot, annoyed, frustrated. Worried. His concerns were not without reason.

There was no denying the young pup could be charming - he had more than competently demonstrated that this day at the wedding. He was handsome too, turning many a young girl's head in the passing. But Sauren had an appetite. He was insatiable. Not only did he frequent whore houses, but he also used his position to lure women to his bed, not excluding those in the complex, be they students or staff.

Some stupidly thought it would further their careers, and they went all out to catch the eye of the handsome yet morally weak leader.

Brett huffed. He'd always thought Sauren could be, potentially, a swine. A spoiled brat for sure. Although he had no evidence of any questionable practices, he was confident it wasn't for the lack of trying. Sauren had to have very cleverly covered his tracks. And that of his two henchmen, Don Stanton and Reed Hale.

And although disappointed there was no heir, Sauren would not tolerate a possible bastard child either. Only Don and Reed were believed to be privy to what happened to Piper's handmaiden Heidy. It was, nevertheless, suspected that the young maid had fallen foul of Sauren's methods of discipline. That particular subject was never discussed. Speak of it, and one lost their tongue. Or worse.

Brett shuddered.

Yet, to be fair, Sauren had not always been the confident, self-assured and calculating man that he was today. As a young boy, he'd undergone some hateful treatment at the hands of people who were against the union of elves and humans. The boy was considered filth, a freak, lower than a snake's belly.

He bore it all in silence for years, burying himself in books and his studies. He excelled in all he did, even against the odds and the constant bullying.

But Brett had always suspected a darker side to the boy. There was still time for those traits to surface.

Sadly, Sauren was nothing like his father. Yes, he'd loved the man deeply and never wanted to disappoint him, right to the end. But Sa'themar had been an honourable, decent man who believed his rogues were professionals to be respected and honoured. Equally, they were expected to show the same high regard for others in return.

Sa'themar had his faults, but there was no other leader, to Brett's knowledge, who'd built such a commendable reputation for himself and his guild as Sa'themar Nightflame.

In Brett's opinion, Sauren rode his way through history on the back of his father's enviable reputation. He was cunning and brilliant; he knew how best to exercise his power, and Sauren basked in the privileges such a position merited.

Now, Brett could only feel a sense of dread concerning the arrival of this season's recruits.

Tiene Firefury was particularly special, and that was undeniably due to her parentage. She was the daughter of the very couple Sauren himself had idolised when he was a young boy. They were also Brett's colleagues of earlier years, and Yathas remained his closest friend. A few individuals within the guild had also worked with Tiene's parents, although some had retired or moved on to a different life.

But he genuinely feared Sauren would try to seduce Tiene. When Sauren was introduced to her, Brett swore there was a look in his leader's eyes the likes of which he'd never seen before. That worried him all the more.

From what he had gauged at the wedding, Tiene was very fond of Camnath, the young elf who accompanied her. And by all accounts, the young elf was clearly smitten with her.

If Sauren were to have his way with Tiene, it would destroy her and Camnath's future; their chance of happiness. It would also risk fracturing the bonds of friendship between Brett and Yathas.

Nonetheless, an order was issued. Brett Hornsby ushered the page boy to find the staff for the task ahead. When they all arrived, he told them what was required, and they ran off immediately to carry out their duties.

He headed towards his rooms, housed in a different turret to Sauren's. Thoughts flooded his mind. How he wished he'd just torn up Yathas' letter requesting his daughter join the Blades.

Regrettably, it had instantly caught Sauren's attention. When he'd read the name Firefury, he demanded to see the letter immediately.

As a young boy during Yathas' and Lina's time with the Blades, Sauren had been hugely inspired by them. To be truthful, Brett believed the boy thought of Lina as a surrogate mother. She'd been very fond of him. Possibly being around him made her think of her two sons. She encouraged Sauren in the ways of the rogue, ensuring he showed basic skills as well as fussing over him on occasion.

Brett frequently caught Sauren watching them from between the balustrade spindles in the inner halls as they trained, or from windows overlooking the courtyard.

The Firefurys were exceptional, no doubt about that. Sauren was instantly fascinated by how they moved, swiftly, agile, synchronised. Choreographed in a manner he'd never witnessed in any others in the guild. The boy once expressed that he wanted to be like them.

Sauren loved his father, idolised him, in fact, but the Firefurys were unique.

How he'd cried on the day Lina died. He was devastated. And following her demise, Yathas, filled with grief, decided the role of an assassin was no longer for him. So he'd resigned and stayed in Silvermoon to look after his family. To live a more sedate life.

Now his daughter was due to embark on the way of the rogue. With a heavy sigh, Brett opened the door to his chambers and then closed it quietly behind him.

He feared for Tiene. If only I had torn up that letter, he thought.

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