Diplomacy 101 ch205

Arriving with the rising sun, Quel'Vanar hovered over Hearthglenin all its glory. 

The shining city of lights welcomed the floating fortress with cheers, and a parade. 

In response, Varrus had had Helios distribute extra food, and shipments of clothing, as winter was beginning to set in. 

Over night, storm clouds had entered the region, and deposited the first layers of snowfall of the season. 

All across the Eastern Kingdoms, the land was dusted with snow. 

All except the lands within Quel'Thalas-which were in a constant state of Spring thanks to the Rune Stones + the Sunwell-and curiously, Heathglen were snowbound. The city, shimmering with the constant flow and power of Varrus's Mana Stone domain was warm, dry, and full of happiness. 

Varrus had enjoyed the mirth, and celebrations, watching it from afar with Syra. They spent the night together simply enjoying one another's company, and the atmosphere. 

However, now that Quel'Vanar had arrived, that meant playtime was over, and it was time for business. 

Teleporting into the war room in the central tower, Varrus saw the usual suspects present. 

Lor'Themar, Nightsong, Liadran, and Kael were debating their next move, Jan'alai was munching on a cartoonishly large turkey leg, Telonicus was discussing theorem with some Human female mage, Tae'thelon was writing in a manuscript, whilst Koren & Tess were silently watching, and learning from the sidelines. 

Interestingly, Varrus noticed the handsome Sky Marshal was rather close to the young Queen. He was glad that Koren had heeded his advice, and had made time to grow closer to Tess. 

As for the young monarch, she looked rather solemn as she listened to the debate going on. She was quite the adorable young woman. Her eyes lit up as she saw both him and Syra, and the ghost of a smile played across her face. Tess had been hit quite hard due to Rho'dan's passing, as she had a bit of a crush on the masculine redhead. But it was nice to see that she could carry on with the weight and responsibilities of being Queen. 

Varrus nodded at her, and resolved to meet up with both Koren and Tess sometime for a double date. It would be good to strengthen his ties to Gilneas, as well as engender a closet bond with two of his closest supporters. It was easy to think ‘oh, Koren and Tess will always support me’ but Varrus knew that friendships waxed and waned.

 If he was going to make the Covenant into a permanent institution, it would be foolish of him to ignore the people who made it all possible. Just because he became more powerful, didn't mean he would cast aside all his friendships, and ignore the bonds of the people that helped him get to where he was. 

Loyalty was extremely important to Varrus, and since Koren and Tess had been so supportive of him, he would strive to keep them happy, heed their counsel, and act as a good friend should. 

Nodding at the pair, Varrus saw that Nightsong had noticed him, and slightly stepped aside to open a gap for him to stand in front of the map. 

“Ah, Varrus, welcome, we were just reviewing the data you sent us. Take a look at our battleplan.” Kael said invitingly. 

Leaning over the 3D map, Varrus took in their plan. 

“So you intend to use Quel'Vanar as a mobile turret, and bombard Andorhal as a distraction?” Varrus questioned. 

“It was the Ranger General's idea, it's quite ingenious.” Koren spoke up from the side. 

Varrus turned to the elder man, and quirked an eyebrow. 

“It is a bold plan.” Nightsong piped up before Lor'Themar said anything. 

Stroking his goatee, the Ranger General remained staring at the map as he addressed Varrus. 

“I intend to empty Quel'Vanar of all its manpower, and use it as a distraction. The armies of the Covenant are better tasked with the destruction of the statue, and the potential portal deep underground.”

“You read the report about Balnazzar's wily nature, and wish to draw the snake out of his hole. My mother is correct, this is risky, however, the shield surrounding Andorhal isn't going away anytime soon. By chipping away at the city while focusing on other objectives, we'll keep the Demon's attention split, and lose nothing. It is a bold plan, I approve.” Varrus nodded. 

“The enemy has no ziggurats, or floating structures that we know of, but information regarding Andorhal is lax. Is this truly an attack you wish to conduct without properly scouting out the enemy?” Nightsong pressed. 

“I do not wish to be a voice of dissent, yet I must concur with General Nightsong. My blunder at the battle of Stratholme has taught me a harsh lesson. There needs to be some security, or reassurance to safeguard Quel'Vanar whilst we galavant across the Westenlands. Splitting our forces-pitiful in number as they are-is precisely how this Dreadlord could seal our demise.” Kael rapped his knuckles across the edge of the map's table, and shook his head in denial. 

Varrus nodded his head, and looked to Kael with some empathy. The King had fucked up royally during that engagement, and had allowed hubris to lead to his downfall, as well as countless needless deaths. It was good to see that he was learning from his mistakes. 

“I share in the King's concerns.” Varrus announced his support. “I also have a solution to his query. I propose that my faithful hound, Omen, remain as the guardian of Quel'Vanar. Allow him to take up this burden, whilst the rest of us claim the glory.” 

“I too shall remain behind. Should any aerial attack take place, Quel'Thalas's Sky Marshal shall see the air free of gargoyles, and other vermin.” Koren declared. 

“I agree.” Kael nodded, then looked at Varrus with the ghost of a smile, and a bit of boyish roguishness. 

It seemed the King had sensed some of the simmering animosity Varrus had been feeling towards him ever since their fateful battle at Stratholme. Varrus didn't want to hate Kael, and could appreciate his willingness to mend bridges. Kael was a damaged man, and a youth within Elven culture. Whilst Varrus still held some suspicions that Kael may be predisposed towards madness, that didn't mean he couldn't help steer this troubled friend of his onto the right path. 

“I agree.” Varrus inclined his head. 

“It is agreed then. Next, we must decide how to divide the assault on the statue, as well as the attack on the school.” Lor'Themar announced. 

“The school is shielded, and is likely to be a meat grinder. It could possibly even be a trap. Gas, explosives, who knows what awaits us within those haunted halls?” Nightsong tapped a fingernail on an island in the southeastern quadrant of the Western Plaguelands, and said. 

“House Vandercross volunteers to destroy the portal. Syra shall be excellent within the narrow halls, and I have in my service the Vanderguard, and the Illidari, all experts at close ranged combat. Perfect fighters for a meatgrinder.” Varrus explained, giving his opinion on the matter. 

“Me too! Karwl go too!” Karwl excitedly jumped up and down. 

“My skills are also suited for dark environments.” Tess stepped forth.  

“Yes, my phoenixes and spells are best equipped for the wide open areas, such as the statue. I agree that House Vandercross should enter the school, but I believe you would do best to fight by my side, Varrus.” Kael suggested. 

Syra-who was silent up until this point-slammed her hand on the table, rattling it. 

“Ha ha ha.” Jan'alai laughed, and took an extra juicy bite of her meal as she leaned in to watch the show. 

“Peace.” Lor'Themar held up a hand. “The King is right. Send Nightsong into the crypts, along with Syra, Tess, Karwl, and Liadran. This lineup shall be sufficient.” Lor'Themar slowly put some herbs into a pipe, and lit it whilst he explained. 

Syra glared at him from across the table, but Varrus held her back. 

“Could you further explain your reasoning for separating me from my own personal troops?” Varrus asked. 

Personally, he wasn't necessarily against this move, but he felt like he had to ask for Syra's sake. 

“The statue is in a wide, open area. You're best suited for such an environment. The King is right to suggest such a course of action. Just as I, a Ranger shall take part in the assault against the statue due to my skill with a bow, it falls to people like us who can cause massive damage from a distance to topple this profane effigy.” Lor'Themar said between puffs of his pipe. 

“A logical estimation. The First Seat and the King need to reconcile their differences in tactics regarding the premature deployment during the battle of Stratholme. Their combined arms are unmatched in an open setting. One can only conclude that this is the most optimal path forward.” Telonicus interjected. 

Varrus facepalmed at the Chief Engineer's blatant disregard for social norms. You weren't supposed to come out and say that there was strife between the King and the Prime Minister. 

A pregnant pause enveloped the war room as all eyes fell upon the resident egg head. 

Telonicus for his part, nodded his head, and seemed proud with his part in the discussion. As if the silence was acceptance, that it was proof that he had succeeded in swaying the council of something important. 

….which in a way, he did, as Syra had taken a step back, and Kael looked highly uncomfortable, yet wasn't speaking up to deny anything. 

Bless his autism. 

It was then that Lor'Themar, chad old man that he was, moved the meeting along, and ignored any awkwardness, getting straight to business. 

“It's settled then. Telonicus, Koren and Omen shall hold down the fort whilst Quel'Vanar batters away at Andorhal's shields. 

House Vandercross minus Varrus, accompanied by Queen Greymane, Karwl, and Lady Liadran shall engage Scholomance. 

Meanwhile, myself, King Sunstrider, Jan'alai, Headmaster Tae'thelan, Highlord Vandercross, Knight-Lord Dranarus along with the Royal Guard-”

“And Helios.” Varrus interrupted. 

Lor'Themar took a drag on his pipe, and a look of deep thinking briefly crossed his face as Varrus spoke. 

“-and Helios, shall assault the statue.” Lor'Themar slowly exhaled. 

“My paladins shall venture into the darkness once more. I have no fear.” Liadran declared to the room at large, yet she glanced at Varrus, and clasped her hand in prayer. 

“Ah, very good. I had wished to test my newest creation. Innovation is lost on such simple minds. Telonicus, I do say, you should spend less time in that boiler room of yours, and engage in scholastic discussions with your peers sometime.” Tae'thelon turned up his nose, and then left. 

Telonicus, for his part, was deep in discussion with the Human Archmage, and didn't even notice a word Tae'thelon said. 

Lor'Themar, calm as ever, looked everyone in the eye, and dispensed basic, yet sage wisdom. 

“You have your assignments. Mobilize your troops, organize your potions, check the status of your gear, and double check that every unit has been equipped with winter clothing. Snow is on the horizon, and our aethermancers suspect a blizzard is due any day now. Be aware of your surroundings, and may the Light bless you.”