(2023-06-30) Meeting the Pageant Mistress

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Author:	Alli
Summary:	Sylvie leaves Amberpine and goes to a meeting with her newest handler (Kaela Mondragon). Information and objects are delivered, and Sylvie receives her next mission.
Rating:	T for Teen

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Sylvie Sullivan rides out of Amberpine Lodge with new worries filling her mind. Cobalt Company in her path again, and a Westwind. Do they know? How can they know? It all seems entirely too convenient to be coincidence. She shakes her head, trying to set all of that aside. She needs her wits about her, for what's coming next.

The horse huffs and slows as she approaches the vrykul outpost. One of the guards raises a shout, but perhaps the lone woman is such an oddity they don't attack immediately. Or maybe they're expecting her.

With shaking hands, she pulls out the paper with the rune and holds it up in front of her, squeezing the horse with her ankles to coax it into walking forward into the camp. She breathes in short, frightened gasps as she moves into the camp, but no one moves to harm her.

A small, hooded woman sits by the fire, tending to a blade lined with runes. She glances at Sylvie as she enters the camp, her glowing blue eyes sharpening at the taste of fear. An amused sneer slides across her face, and she returns her attention to the blade, projecting an air of I could help, but why?

Another hooded death knight stands near a small building. This one is taller, but he keeps his eyes hidden. When he sees Sylvie, he points to the building beside him in silence, as if instructing her to enter.

Sylvie nods, and hastily puts the note away, dismounting the horse. For a moment, she looks at the horse with concern, but then she shrugs and just tucks the reins up in the saddle. The horse is on its own.

She clenches her hands and takes a breath, heading to the building the taller death knight indicated. She pauses at the entrance, trying to calm herself. Then she says meekly, "I'm here to report. And I brought the things you wanted."

"Enter," says a voice from within. The voice is undoubtably female, but somehow completely devoid of emotion.

The taller death knight twitches as Sylvie passes him, muttering under his breath, "Traitor…"

Sylvie flinches at the word, and turns toward him as if she might protest. Instead, she wisely snaps her mouth shut and moves into the building as instructed.

Kaela Mondragon sits at a table inside, with a map laid out in front of her. There are three other open chairs, and she gestures to the one across from her. "Have a seat." Her tone has warmed slightly, but her expression is icy and unreadable. "You have what I requested?"

Sylvie nods, sitting lightly in the seat across from Kaela Mondragon. She looks down to rummage in her pack, and pulls out Mevlin's insignia. She holds it up for Kaela to see, and then sets it down softly on the table, on the edge of the map.

"As you asked," Sylvie says politely, resting her hand on the insignia for a moment longer, and then shifting to withdraw it to her lap. Then she adds, "The woman went through a portal to Shattrath. I was told not to follow, but… I wasn't the only one following her."

"Shattrath?" Kaela's eyebrows lift in faint surprise. "That is on another world entirely, if I understand correctly." She reaches for the insignia, cradling it in one hand. "She was followed by a man, I assume? A death knight? If so, that is within our expectations."

"Yes, an entirely separate world. I did some work there on behalf of-" Sylvie cuts herself off. "I'm sorry, that's not important. Unmistakably a death knight. I would describe more but he wore a cloak and hood. Did they…? Are they the ones who took this?" She glances down at the insignia.

"She may have taken it," Kaela replies. "But if you're asking whether or not she killed him, based on Sami's reports, I doubt it. The other one…it's likely he was present, at least." She takes her eyes off the insignia to focus on Sylvie. "I would like to thank you, for indulging Mevlin's hobby. As I understand it, you transported some of his creations to Dalaran in his place?"

Sylvie swallows nervously at the attention, but meets Kaela's gaze. "Yes, that was me. I've built something of a cover reputation trading that sort of thing. And his creations… were very clever. They were always appreciated, in the toyshop. I'm sorry we lost him."

"He is with his family now," Kaela says, tucking the insignia away. "It wasn't too difficult to obtain, I hope? Ralaea Westwind is the cautious type."

"Not too difficult," Sylvie shrugs. "She left it in her room, and then she left her room. Maybe she let her guard down, feeling safe in Dalaran. A tendency you might make more use of later, if she doesn't correct it."

"If her guard is indeed lowering in such a significant way, things may be progressing better than I had imagined." A tiny smile graces Kaela's face, but only for a moment. "You might have heard from Sami that there is another member of Cobalt Company we are currently watching?"

"Yes, she mentioned that… another woman?" Sylvie sits back. "I don't have any details about the second yet."

"Her name is Jenzelle Halveris, and she is currently providing aid to the settlers in and around Fort Wildervar. But I need her to…relocate." Kaela pauses to study Sylvie.

Sylvie does her best to hold up under the scrutiny, keeping her manner composed. "I've been to Fort Wildevar. It's a relatively new settlement, always in need of something or other. Where do we want her to move to?"

"Anywhere would do, but I want her alive, so…" Kaela glances down at the map. "Amberpine Lodge would be the most convenient. How you convince her is of little consequence, only that you do. If you are concerned about being discovered, you do not need to approach her yourself."

"There are… some complications for me, with Cobalt Company," Sylvie admits reluctantly. "But there are so many of them and there's really only three that might recognize me, and Jenzelle Halveris is not among them. It's a risk, but a low risk. It would be simpler if I approached her myself, and… I am not an assassin." Sylvie flushes as she realizes the audacity of her words, and adds in a nervous rush, "Not that I'm saying you're not perfectly informed as to my uses, but I… I just wanted to be clear. I build networks of people. I make deals. I am the right person to do this."

"Then allow me to be clear as well." Kaela's expression is serious. "I do not sacrifice subordinates due to haste or unnecessarily risky plans. Cobalt Company is aware of my interest in both Ralaea Westwind and Jenzelle Halveris. It is not only possible, but likely that she is being watched by them. If you still feel safe and able to confront her in person, I will trust your judgement."

Sylvie takes a few breaths to try and regain her composure, the flush fading. "That's the only drawback I have, so I think it's worth the risk. I don't think anyone's watching for me, and I… I just met her boyfriend, if I read his reactions right. Ralaea's brother. So I have a natural reason to reach out to her in friendship, should I happen to meet her." Sylvie's gaze drops down to the map for a moment, and she adds, "If it helps to know, for strategy, the ones who might recognize me are Ben Hazan, Ismene Hazan and Sil Silentstep."

"That is important information. All of it. I will limit your proximity to Ralaea, in that case. Ben Hazan happens to be her squad leader, and they seem fairly close." Kaela folds her hands together, gazing at the map. "If you do happen to meet Jenzelle while Brendol Westwind is present, you might see if they will go together. I will take them both."

"I will do my best." Sylvie shifts in her chair. "May I ask a question?"

Kaela nods once. "Ask."

"You want to take Ralaea, Jenzelle, and Brendol…. alive," Sylvie frowns. "Why? I don't think they'll serve the Scourge willingly."

Kaela leans back in her chair. "Any one of them alive can be used to bait the others," she says. "Once I have them all, they will join us in death. I do realize that Cobalt Company will likely try to interfere…but will they risk it if I have a captive? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, it will be interesting, don't you think?"

Sylvie smiles, a sharp-edged, nervous expression. "I don't doubt it will be interesting. But… is there something particular about those three that you would want in your subordinates?"

"It's a sense of familiarity. Jenzelle and Ralaea were my subordinates in life, as was Mevlin, and those two you may have seen outside. I know their strengths, their weaknesses, and how best to utilize them. Brendol, admittedly, would be most useful as bait, at least until he assimilates into our unit." Kaela's expression remains void of emotion, though she watches Sylvie as though analyzing her.

Sylvie considers this and then nods slowly. "I've only spoken with him once, but Brendol seems to be the sort that's good at assimilation. Especially if you have the other two, I expect he'd try."

"That is good to hear. Do you have any other questions?"

"I don't think so," Sylvie says, raising her gaze to meet Kaela's. "Is there anything further you want from me?"

"Only that you keep me informed if you learn anything of interest," Kaela says. "And…if you run into trouble and are still able to contact me, do so. I will help how I can."

Sylvie looks a little startled at that last, but she nods. "I will be sure to inform you of anything relevant."

"Then you are dismissed." With that, Kaela returns to her study of the map, as if she is moving pieces in her head.

Sylvie rises and, after a moment’s uncertainty, halfway bows to Kaela before backing out of the building.