Chapter 185

Deep within the bowels of Quel'Vanar, Telonicus, Royal Engineer, and lead scientist of Quel'Thalas was busy with repairs. 

Staring blankly at the shattered Rune Stones, damaged support beams, broken tubing, and the mangled remains of countless Mana Stones, Telonicus's mind became a whirl of activity. 

Whilst he was inspecting the damage, he would tap on certain parts, and listen close, then write something down. Other times, he would scan the structure with a wave-like analysis spell. He could then recreate a 3D illusion of the damaged object, and make note of what needed to be replaced. 

Manipulating his scrying orb, Telonicus sent out orders to the engineering corp to procure countless materials. 

By his estimation, Quel'Vanar had sufficient power to float in place, and little else. 

He had a list of priorities to restore in this order: 

1) power supply

2) shield integrity 

3) flight 

4) teleportation 

5) turret fidelity 

Based upon his analysis, he projected that to repair all five key features would require 104 hours, 22 minutes, and 17.4 seconds of round the clock labor. 

Instead of despairing at the overwhelming amount of work that had been heaped on his plate, Telonicus felt a slight annoyance at the circumstances that had led to this in the first place. 

Telonicus knew he was no fighter or military mind, but Quel'Vanar was his creation, his pride and joy. He seldom cared for personal relations, or for the wellbeing of others, but he felt a connection to everything he built. 

When the Generals and Commanders in charge of this station failed to properly utilize the short range teleportation feature, Telonicus had just about gone into a seizure. 

Sometimes he regretted that he wasn't more charismatic. Then he could simply do as he wanted, and the Scourge wouldn't have a chance to scratch his baby. 

Telonicus exhaled heavily from his nose, and got to work mending the base structures whilst he waited for Varrus to supply more Mana Stones, and for the backup Rune Stones to be teleported over from Silvermoon. 

Slowly, gradually, Quel'Vanar began to become repaired. 

It was two days into his nonstop repair work that Telonicus received an unexpected visitor. 

“Hello teacher.” A familiar, mature woman's voice said in greeting. 

Having just finished installing a fresh pattern of Rune Stones, Telonicus was focused on the task at hand, and barely registered the voice coming from behind. 

“Leave me. I am at a critical stage at the moment.” Telonicus waved the woman off without looking back at her. 

His entire everything was focused on bringing the shields back to full power. He had run several experiments earlier in the day, but none of his spell matrices had satisfied him. His standard was high, only perfection was acceptable. Telonicus would leave the idea of ‘Good enough’ to the likes of Tae'thelon. 

“I saw the tests earlier. Have you considered using a hexagonal pattern?” The woman said, stepping closer. 

“Yes, but the connection broke early every time.” Telonicus frowned, and lamented once again his lack of charisma. 

Couldn't the lady detect his overt frown, and depart from these premises? Was he not sufficiently direct in his dismissal? 

“You mistake me, I meant a hexagonal prism. If arranged in such a fashion, I wager the connection would remain stable.” 

Telonicus, inspired by the words, pulled up his scrying orb, and searched through hundreds of documents of notes before he found his sketches and mathematics detailing the hexagonal pattern and shield fidelity. 

Adding a few different lines, as well as quickly drawing a test hexagonal prism, Telonicus discovered that theoretically, this shape should work. 

Eyes dilating, and breath picking up, Telonicus let loose with a manic grin. 

This! This was what he lived for! 

There was nothing in the world like being presented with a problem, then testing everything you could to try and solve it, or disprove it entirely. 

Glancing back at the one who had offered him the helpful advice, Telonicus blinked, and then recognized her. She was a blonde sorceress, and a student of Dalaran.

“You appear surprisingly young for a Human your age, Modera. There is no need to call me ‘teacher’ ‘instructor’ or any other such epitaph. I have held only one seminar at Dalaran in the last 50 years.” Telonicus remarked. 

“A teacher for a day, a teacher for life. Your approach to the scientific method, and Numbers Theory on Magic have shaped my entire career. By following your thesis, and following your publicly available texts, I have advanced to become a member of the Council of Six, and am a titled Archmage. Thank you, Telonicus.” The woman-Modera-smiled graciously in thanks. 

“...learning is its own reward. I am glad to have found someone who shares similar passions to myself. However, what is a student of Dalaran doing here?” Telonicus questioned. 

While he was appreciative of the advice she had provided, the bowels of Quel'Vanar were his domain, one not even visited by Varrus or his terrifying wife. 

“After myself and a group of fellow mages were rescued by some fellow named Varrus Vandercross, we were transported to Quel'Vanar. Asking if there was anything we could do, the gracious General Nightsong questioned us about our abilities, and she sent me here after learning about my expertise.” Modera explained. 

Telonicus stifled a laugh. Referring to Vandercross as ‘some fellow’ made him feel some joy. 

He didn't dislike the youth, but his flippant attitude, and iron fisted rule over the Convocation went against the ideas of what a council ought to be. 

On principle, Telonicus opposed this kind of behavior. 

However, he wasn't stupid, and wouldn't run his mouth off. 

Already, there had been several strange, coincidental disappearances around Silvermoon. Each and every one of them was a voice that fostered dissent against Vandercross. 

Telonicus didn't suspect the youth of that kind of foul play. The kind of tyrant he was, he would openly take care of business, and make an example out of his foes. No, Telonicus had pieced together that it was his wife, Syra, that was the true menace. 

He didn't want to believe in the rumors of Faedra or her daughter, but evidence was evidence. 

Turning to Modera, Telonicus held up a hand, to stifle any further babbling on her end. 

“As amusing as it is to hear the First Seat referred to as ‘some fellow’ please refrain from doing so in the future. It is not that I am personally defending him, but Varrus Vandercross is the second most-or most-powerful person on this continent, and is the leader of the Convocation.” Telonicus explained. 

“I was saved by the leader of Quel'Thalas's political body? Noted. Now about the structure. While you were busy pondering just now, here is what I came up with to reinforce it more.” Modera held out her scrying orb so he could get a better look. 

“Actually, why don't we share contact information, that way, we can keep in constant contact.” 

Telonicus nodded along, that made sense. 

However, why did it feel like he was stepping into more than he had bargained with? 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Between the border of Lordaeron and Quel'Thalas were the two major cities of Deatholme and Stratholme. 

Dividing these two nations was a large mountain range. 

During the occupation of both these cities, the Elven Commanders had realized that Undead were leaving these mountains from a complex cave network. 

Thus, an expert in caves, Karwl had been dispatched to deal with them. 

Acting as the Elven representative, Lady Liadrin went alongside the Kobold, and was accompanied by a small army as they moved to purge the marauding Undead. 

After camping in the misty mountains for several days, slaughtering swarms of Undead, the army group Candles Light had begun their advance into the primary cave system. 

Dim purple crystals lit the area, providing just enough light for the average Human to see shapes of things, but no real clear definition. 

As such, a large number of lanterns had been brought along. 

The subtle hum dripping water was a pervasive sound effect. If one strained their ears, they might even catch the soft whispers of ghosts or other things within the depths. 

Continuing their advance, the once wide corridor slimmed down, and only 3 grown men could just fit shoulder to shoulder. Additionally, a light mist rolled in, obscuring their vision. 

“It's cold.” A Gilnean man said to his mates, and shivered. 

“...” However, there was no response. 

Glancing to his left and right, the man raised his voice to scream in fright, yet he never did, as the cold claimed him. 

All throughout the cave system, various ambushes assaulting the back of the line took place, and none in the front or middle were any the wiser. 

The armor of the troops made such a ruckus, and nervous chatter was so pervasive, none thought it possible, or even imagined that a hundred troops-a full 10%-of their thousand man legion would disappear without so much as a shout, or even a whisper. 

Leading from the front was the pair of paladins, Liadrin and Karwl. 

Flush with long, crimson hair, Liadrin trekked forth with a heavy heart. 

For her entire life, she had been certain in her faith. That the Light would see her through any and all perils. That so long as she believed hard enough, that she put her everything into the church's guiding principles, she would never falter. 

The sacking of Silvermoon during the Scourge invasion had tested her resolve. Yet the revenge, and recapture of Quel'Thalas had only served to reinforce her beliefs. 

The universe had rewarded her dedication with a seat on the Convocation. 

Where she could serve the people, and temper her kinsmans lust for violence with compassion. The way see saw it, her purpose on that council was to reign in the overindulgence and arrogance with a viewpoint that focused on grace, serenity, and peace.

She was proud of the way she debated her fellow councilors, and happy that Vandercross had chosen representatives from across the spectrum of Elven society. 

While he was a tough character, his heart was in the right place. 

Liadrin had never seen anyone wield the Light like he did. His healing abilities, and refreshing aura were enough that she wanted to bow down, and take him as master. 

Yet his greed for material things, and lust for his wife went against many of her tenants, leaving her confused. 

The way she saw it, the Light had seen her confusion, and answered with another challenge, the Bronze Dragonflight. 

Savaged and mauled, she had been their prisoner. 

Never before had she faced such disgrace. 

It was humbling. 

To be saved, to have the Sunwell reignited at the same time. 

It was bittersweet. 

Glancing down at the happy-go-lucky Kobold that had been her student for the past 100 days, Liadrin envied his one minded dedication. 

His faith in the Light was rock solid, his passion and dedication, his loyalty and willingness to sacrifice were impeccable. 

To live such a short life, yet be so full of life, he truly was one of a kind. 

As Liadrin had been busy thinking, she belatedly realized that they had left the narrow corridor, and entered a wide, high ceilinged cavern. 

Webbing was strewn everywhere, and purple flowers of nightshade festooned the grounds. 

A large statue hung at the back of the room, it was humanoid, yet all Liadrin could make out were…spider legs coming out the back?

While she was making these observations, a sweet breeze passed through the air, causing Liadrin's nose to twitch. 

Long repressed urges, and strong emotions of lust suddenly assailed her. 

Putting a hand to her rapidly beating heart, Liadrin closed her eyes, and muttered a prayer. 

Working the Light, she barely managed to free herself. 

Opening her eyes, she saw that over 80% of her forces had stripped off their clothes, and had started to engage in copulation! 

“Stop this madness! I order you to get a hold of yourselves!” Liadrin commanded, and cast spell on the group, but it was to no avail.  

“Karwl say message master, need help! Situation same feeling as the Kobold mine! Use scrying orb, Lady Liadrin!” Karwl said in a panic, and urged. 

Liadrin ignored Karwl. 

This was a challenge set by the Light. 

She had to overcome this herself. 

As if to answer her call to adventure, the universe replied by sending a thousand Elite Spiders down onto them, with a pair of hungering Heroic Spiders the size of your average house lurking even higher up. 

The blood in Liadrin's veins became hot. 

‘Yes, this is what I'm looking for, this is a sign!’ Liadrin grinned as she drew her weapons. 

Karwl, meanwhile, had reached into her knapsack, and stolen Liadrin's scrying orb. 

Fiddling with it for a few seconds-which felt like hours-Karwl finally got it to work. 

[Master Vandercross, Karwl needs back up! Situation is just like the darkness the Lord cleansed to save the Kobolds. Karwl won't disappoint you, Karwl fight to the end!]

Ending the message, Karwl held his enchanted mining pick at the ready. 

Liadrin may be a little slow, but she was the kindest person Karwl had ever met. 

Such purity had to be protected! 

“Come, spiders! Karwl give you some!” Karwl taunted. 

Today was a good day to die. 

“For House Vandercross!” Karwl squeaked, and charged the enemy.