(2023-09-22) Traitors to the Royal Apothecary Society

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Author:	Saaron
Summary:	Sometime around February, Aszera and Briyanthe help the Royal Apothecary Society recover important artifacts stolen by traitors and help them harness more power. Oh no.
Rating:	T for Teen

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censored language, some talks about the meaning of life and death, and religion

Aszera stumbles a little as she moves through the town of Tarren Mill, covering a yawn with one hand.
Briyanthe: Are there any other… tasks for me? See, I was trained as a healer specifically, and I reckon I'm not up to this task you're suggesting here… *Briyanthe stands straight in front of the magus, putting a strand of hair behind her long ear.*
Aszera draws up short at the sound of a familiar voice.
Magus Wordeen Voidglare says: Do you wish to help, or not?
Aszera turns toward the hut and rubs at her blindfold, like that might make her see better. It's probably the missing eyes, Aze.
Aszera: What's going on? I know you… or something.
Briyanthe: Oh! Greetings. You do seem familiar. I am Briyanthe of House Roseshine. You are?.. *She seems just as tired, with bags under her eyes, which Aszera might have too, but you know… blindfold.*
Aszera: Where do I know… Roseshine… were you at the thing yesterday? No, no, that's not it. It was…
Briyanthe perks up. "The party! That was quite some time ago, was it not?"
Aszera: Party… the… the dancing, right? With Rann and Geth and Elowel.
Aszera: What are you doing here?
Briyanthe: Well, I'm uncertain if some of those names help distinguish which party we're talking about, but yes. This dancing precisely.
Aszera relaxes a little, the familiar voice recognized. "Right. You didn't seem the type to like real parties. Though, you know, if you wanted to try…"
Briyanthe: I was attempting to use the Light to further our bonds with our allies. Unfortunately, the work they're offering is… I am not really suited for it. *She says, holding her left elbow.*
Briyanthe: Oh absolutely not. I'd rather fight an entire camp of human mages to avoid those… parties. Which is what I am about to do, it seems.
Aszera: Fight a camp of mages? *Aze perks up a little* That sounds fun. Are there any warlocks?
Aszera: I'm kind of here by accident. I could've sworn I said the Bulwark, but I don't know. These f#$#ing bats."
Briyanthe: I believe not. I'm not sure if this sways your decision one way or another. Perhaps we should ask the Magus over here!
Aszera: Yeah, sure, why not?
Briyanthe: Then if you come with me, it means the Light brought you here today! You were meant to come here!
Aszera: Because the Light is really f@#ing concerned with my destiny, sure. *Aze grins and switches to Orcish* Hey, magus, any chance there's demons to kill on this mission of yours?
Briyanthe: Excuse me, sir? May I ask you to repeat what was the task you offered me to my friend, her— We— well, that.
Magus Wordeen Voidglare looks at Aszera up and down. "No. No warlocks. This is about traitors and the Kirin Tor, and at least the latter does not recognize the kind of power the Fel can bring.”
Aszera lets out a sigh. "Fine, okay, I can kill traitors too. Why are we doing this?"
Magus Wordeen Voidglare says: You see, four Forsaken fled the Undercity a few months ago. They turned their backs on their brethren, but what's worse… they stole from the Royal Apothecary Society.
Magus Wordeen Voidglare says: These thieves broke into a secure vault and stole four artifacts, items our apothecaries required in… certain studies. We would have these artifacts returned.
Briyanthe: The issue is; I am not a fighter. You seem to be, however! *She nods at Aszera's blades.*
Aszera raises one eyebrow, and turns a little toward Briyanthe. "That sounds pretty bad. I mean, knowing roughly what the R.A.S. gets up to. Probably don't want that stuff to get out of hand."
Magus Wordeen Voidglare says: Indeed.
Magus Wordeen Voidglare says: The thieves fled the Undercity to Dalaran before it left for Northrend, and those wizards quarantined them in the Lordamere Internment Camp, where they still reside. Go get our artifacts.
Aszera: I am a fighter, yeah. Veteran of… stuff. A lot of stuff. You're what, then? A healer? With the Light talk and everything.
Briyanthe brightens up. Talking about the Light is her whole shtick! "I am, indeed! I aim to help the world with the Light guiding my path, and to heal heroes whose time still has not come!"
Briyanthe: … perhaps one day I shall purge the world of all evil using holy fire, but that hasn't come yet. Fighting isn't… my strong suit.
Aszera: Then you're pretty sure this is helping, right? Light's guiding your path and all that?
Aszera: If you're sure, then I can bring the violence.
Briyanthe: I mean… I… *She nervously places a strand of hair behind her ear again.* It's better for the Horde to be in possession of those alchemical artifacts than to have them in the hands of traitors who may wish harm upon us…
Briyanthe: Plus, two elves helping the Royal Apothecary Society… this is sure to strengthen the relationship with our two people, does it not? It would show our goodwill to those who may still distrust us.
Aszera: So you're sure? *Aze is focusing on her intently.* If you say yes, I'm all in.
Briyanthe clearly looks like she's trying to convince herself more than Aze.
Briyanthe: I'm… chosen by the Light itself. I don't believe it would lead me astray.
Briyanthe: If I was here today, and you were too, to help on this task, then it was the Light's doing.
Aszera: Okay, let's trust the Light then. Let's go kill some traitors.
Aszera: And recover artifacts. That too.
Briyanthe: We will be sure to come back with your artifacts.
Briyanthe bows before Magus Wordeen Voidglare.
Aszera gives a dainty bow that is just short of mocking, and turns to head out with Briyanthe.
Briyanthe whistles to call her blue hawkstrider.
Aszera whistles for her black one.
Briyanthe: I believe the camp is… west from here!
Aszera: Lead the way, Light-wielder.
Aszera: So are you like, full-time healing heros or whatever?
Aszera: Or what do you do on your off-time?
Briyanthe takes a deep breath, her shoulders dropping ever-so-slightly. "Well it's… complicated. I know it is my destiny, but I am tied home for now, which is why I don't venture far away from Silvermoon yet."
Briyanthe: What about you? Do you often join missions to kill like today?
Aszera: That's… one way to put it.
Briyanthe: Forgive me, but I'm not sure I caught your name earlier!
Aszera: Aszera of House Sunstrike. Or you can call me Aze. And I'm just messing with you, that's not a noble house.
Aszera: Should I call you Lady Briyanthe? *She sounds faintly amused*
Briyanthe 's ears perk up at the mention of a noble house, then they droop. "Preferably, yes. That is my title!"
Aszera: What about Lady Bri? Or Lady Yanthe?
Aszera: Like, what if I need to tell you to duck, but you get hit by a fireball 'cause that's way too many syllables.
Briyanthe: Well… in case of an emergency, I suppose… Bri could do.
Aszera: Okay, Bri it is. *Aze nods*
Briyanthe doesn't seem to notice an emergency right now, and sighs silently.
Briyanthe: Shall we?
Aszera: Yeah, let's get to it. I'll move in first, you follow?
Briyanthe nods at Aszera.
There is a mage guard who attacks them immediately, sending what looks like undead wraiths at them. They kill him.
Aszera: You okay? That looked like necromancy.
Briyanthe drinks from her bottle. "Give me a second… to catch my breath…"
Aszera: More proof we're doing good stuff.
Briyanthe: It seems so, yes. I thought the Kirin Tor above this kind of practice.
Aszera: What is that? Wine?
Briyanthe: Wha-? No! Water. … Do you ever hydrate yourself?
Aszera: …Wine is liquid.
Aszera looks a little disappointed. "I guess water is better while we're exercising."
Briyanthe looks in horror at Aze. "You require more than wine as a liquid to live!"
Aszera waves her to silence and points at a walking corpse nearby.
Aszera: That one of our traitors there?
Briyanthe: I suppose so. I can't imagine the Kirin Tor would keep many Forsaken around her for any reason.
Briyanthe looks sadly at Ricter.
Aszera: Kirin Tor. *Aze sniffs* At least Dalaran's gone.
Aszera stabs Ricter.
Aszera: Wait, were we… supposed to talk to him?
Briyanthe: Dalaran having left may be why that one mage used necromancy. When the cat is away…
Aszera: …the mice practice death magic. Yeah. Common saying.
Briyanthe: I… Mean, maybe? Many in the Horde don't take too kindly to treason, however… I don't know if it would have changed anything in the end.
Briyanthe still kneels to pray for Ricter's salvation.
Aszera taps her foot.
Aszera: All prayed up?
Briyanthe: I am! *She doesn't spot the sarcasm.*
Briyanthe: I see another Forsaken here.
Aszera: Traitor the second.
Aszera moves in to attack without hesitation.
Aszera: You know, it's been years since I've been over this way.
Aszera: Oh hey, third traitor dead ahead.
Briyanthe: Over this way?
Aszera: Dalaran, Silverpine, this whole… I fought here, during the Third War.
Briyanthe: Oh! So you know this land, at least a little? I was… way far south, when that happened.
Aszera: South? Not in Quel'thalas? Why?
Briyanthe: Well I was near Stormwind. My family sent me to study the art of the Light with humans, to deepen our bond with Stormwind nobility.
Aszera: You were in Stormwind? Huh.
Aszera: Well, good place to ride out the fall of our homeland, I guess.
Aszera: I've never been to Stormwind. I have friends there, though.
Briyanthe: Not Stormwind, exactly, but… an abbey, nearby the city I was training as a priestess.
Aszera: Wonder if that's where Mordecai practiced.
Aszera: He's one of my human friends. Also a noble. I have a lot of friends in the nobility. *Aze might be aiming for humble bragging, but it doesn't quite land*
Briyanthe frowns, a little embarrassed. "I will let you know you I came home as soon as I heard of what happened to Quel'Thalas. I was only a child back then…"
Briyanthe: Really? Then perhaps I've met him!
Briyanthe: I've forgotten most of the names of the people I've met back then, it's been… a long time.
Aszera: You were a kid? Back… wait, how old are you?
Briyanthe looks embarrassed again. She nervously run her fingers through her hair. "I'm only 18."
Aszera raises both of her eyebrows. "I'm like your elder. I guess that means you have to respect me."
Briyanthe: Well if anything, I believe I have up until now!
Aszera: …and continuing on. Right?
Briyanthe: I am, yes!
Aszera: Good. I won't lead you wrong, Bri. Lady Bri.
Aszera: Or at least, I'll stop people from trying to kill you.
Aszera: Like a good mentor would.
Briyanthe chuckles.
Briyanthe: So you don't… mind putting your life in the hands of someone as young as me?
Aszera considers. "Is that what I'm doing?"
They come up to the last traitor, who has a mage guard.
Briyanthe gets sheeped.
Briyanthe: How dare-!
Briyanthe: To go back to your question… I don't diminish your skills, but we are in enemy territory.
Aszera: I guess we're both doing that? You don't mind putting your life in the hands of someone like me? *Aze touches the side of her blindfold*
Briyanthe averts her gaze, but shakes her head. "I trust any ally the Light places on my path."
Briyanthe: This is something I told Death Knights as well. I am meant for great things, and who am I to reject children of the Light like we all are, no matter our state?
Aszera stiffens. "I'm nothing like a death knight. But I take your meaning. Hope your rose keeps its shine, Lady Bri."
Briyanthe smiles slightly. "It will, thank you."
Aszera: I think this is the last traitor. You ready?
Briyanthe nods at Aszera.
Kegan Darkmar attempts to run away in fear!
Kegan Darkmar says: You can't bring these to the Society they'll- *He dies.*
Aszera nudges the Forsaken with her boot. "What are you talking about? Ugh. Can you resurrect him?"
Briyanthe: I- I've never tried any resurrection spell on a Forsaken! On anyone!
Aszera: Isn't that a Light thing? You could give it a go?
Briyanthe kneels and begins praying over the man's body.
Briyanthe seems frantic, unsure of her prayers. She stumbles on Common words. The light forms a halo around the man's body, but it doesn't bring him back, and it slowly fades away.
Briyanthe: I… I couldn't.
Aszera: Ah well. Probably it was just traitor ramblings anyway.
Briyanthe: … You're right. They would do anything to save their lives, like betraying their own people…
Aszera: Yeah.
Aszera pats her on the shoulder. "You'll practice up I bet, resurrect better next time."
Briyanthe: I will. *She smiles gently at Aze, with her tired eyes.*
Briyanthe: … About earlier. I didn't mean any offense by speaking of the Death Knights. I only meant to show good will to work with… anyone, really.
Aszera: It's a good sentiment. Just be careful. Not everyone's trustworthy.
Aszera: That's some good mentor advice for you.
Briyanthe: I believe you, I've met a fair share of people who are not to be trusted. But I believe I am kept from them, so long as I keep working towards my goal.
Aszera: You're… kept from them?
Briyanthe: People who are not to be trusted.
Aszera: Is this a 'by the Light' thing?
Briyanthe: … Yes. Yes it is a 'by the Light' thing.
Aszera: You know the Light is not like a person, right?
Aszera: The blood knights could use the Light just fine, and they were torturing a naaru for it.
Briyanthe: Of course I do! It's an entity. A higher power, living in all things! Waiting to be called upon.
Aszera: But it doesn't like… judge people.
Briyanthe scoffs. "Well, those blood knights were twisting the Light. Anyone can do that. It takes a special kind of person to truly understand it!"
Aszera: One of my closest friends was a priestess, and she was like the opposite of all this holy stuff. She just… I guess she had faith or something.
Aszera: She was special. *Aze's face goes more serious for a moment.* Really special. But she wasn't very innocent, like you.
Briyanthe: But see, the Light has laid a path for each of us. It decided our fate long before we were born! So, although it doesn't judge, it knows who to put on whose path. *She smiles shyly at Aze.*
Aszera: I don't think that… *A flicker of pain goes across Aze's face* A lot of people's paths ended, and for no good reason. Just because the Lich King wanted a Sunwell. I can't think the Light wanted that.
Briyanthe: I understand the sentiment, really. But I choose to believe the Light's focus was on those who survived, not on those who sadly passed. That's how we should see it- we are still here to remember, and pray for those countless deaths.
Aszera: Sin'dorei. *Aze says with a sad smile, humming a few bars of a familiar song* Let's go in.
Briyanthe smiles at Aszera.
Aszera lets it drop.
Aszera: Ready to go report our wild success?
Briyanthe nods slowly, looking at the bloodstones in her bag. "Yes… I'm ready."
Aszera: Magus, we got your artifacts. The traitors are dead.
Magus Wordeen Voidglare says: You have done a great service for us Forsaken, elves. These artifacts have been sorely missed.
Briyanthe hands him the bloodstones.
Magus Wordeen Voidglare says: And it is good to hear that Kegan and the other betrayers have found justice. Hopefully more of our enemies will follow suit.
Aszera nods. "Death to all who oppose us."
Magus Wordeen Voidglare salutes to that.
Briyanthe nods politely. Death or like… slightly annoying things to all who oppose us.
Magus Wordeen Voidglare says: Before you go…
Magus Wordeen Voidglare says: The wizards of Dalaran constructed a vast, magical dome around the heart of their city. Some believe it was for protection from the violence of these times, while others say they merely wanted solitude, to study and plot.
Aszera mutters "Kirin Tor". It sounds derogatory.
Magus Wordeen Voidglare says: I don't care what the reason was. Now that they’ve left and abandoned their old home, the dome has left ruins, which may hide forgotten magical treasures.
Magus Wordeen Voidglare says: But the area is patrolled by wizards and their elemental slaves, looking for said treasures.
Magus Wordeen Voidglare says: So hunt them, and return when their numbers are sufficiently reduced.
Aszera: Got it, taking out treasure hunters.
Briyanthe: More… murder. *She looks to Aze to see if she's in.* Very well, then.
Aszera: I really shouldn't be so hard on the Kirin Tor, maybe. I do know a guy who stuck with them through everything, and he's pretty great.
Aszera: Sin'dorei, obviously.
Briyanthe: Really? You appear to have a lot of connections!
Aszera: Oh, wait, you've met him too! Sort of. He was dancing. Gethennis Jadelight,
Aszera: And I do have a lot of connections. Because I'm just so easy to get along with.
Briyanthe: Ah yes! I do know of him. We just don't have the… pleasure to be acquainted yet!
Briyanthe: From what I've seen, I will not contradict you on this!
Aszera: Just make sure you're in your best dress, when you meet him one day. I bet he'll think you're adorable.
Briyanthe looks at her mother's clothes - which are not old-fashioned, just vintage- that she had to tailor herself. "… Very well."
Aszera: They really left this place a wreck.
Briyanthe: I can't believe they took… all of this to Northrend.
Aszera: They have plenty of power, when they decide something's important.
Briyanthe: Good thing paperwork seems to be very important to them.
Aszera: Paperwork?
Briyanthe: Well I've heard it's difficult for them to act sometimes, as they have whole processes to go through before they do anything.
Aszera: Not good at responding to a crisis, then.
Aszera: That tracks with my history.
Briyanthe: Yes, but at least there's hope that if they do act, it will be a good decis- your… history?
Aszera waves one hand dismissively. "Just that one time they stood aside while a bunch of humans decided to execute me for no reason."
Aszera: I'm over it. *She's not over it.*
Briyanthe: Hm. I for one am glad these humans have not gone through with it, it seems.
Briyanthe: I promise you, many can be terribly kind.
Aszera: Count me in that, too. I didn't really want to be executed.
Briyanthe smiles at Aszera.
Aszera: And yeah, I know, I have human friends. I'm not blaming like… all humans. Not even all Kirin Tor. Like I said, I have a friend there.
Briyanthe: That's true!
Aszera: I think that's cleared the area out some.
Briyanthe: Are you more… neutral, then, in this conflict?
Briyanthe: I think we are done, yes! Let's warn the Magus!
Aszera: Which conflict exactly? There's a lot of conflict.
Briyanthe chuckles sadly. "Well, I meant the… Alliance-Horde one."
Aszera: Oh, yeah, that. *Aze sighs*
Briyanthe looks at her, cringing a little at the thought that she may have asked something wrong.
Aszera: I guess I'm kind of hazy on why the lines get drawn like they are?
Briyanthe: What do you mean?
Aszera: Last time I was out this way, we were pretty much Alliance, now I come back and we're Horde. Who knows what we'll be next year? It's all a bunch of words.
Briyanthe chuckles. "Well, I reckon it isn't just words keeping us from Alliance cities."
Aszera: No, it's still a bunch of words. Maybe next year, their leader will say 'Actually, let's welcome the sin'dorei back', and then we can go visit again. See?
Aszera: I think it's stupid, honestly. We're fighting the Lich King, right? We're all on the same side. I mean, not us, obviously, we're doing whatever down here in Hillsbrad.
Aszera: But we should probably be fighting the Lich King.
Briyanthe pauses and thinks. "Perhaps, yes." She sighs. "I wish it were to become true. The Alliance has the most wonderful churches and masses."
Aszera: Yeah, awesome churches I bet. *Aze's voice is a little dry*
Briyanthe: I… wish I could go help in Northrend. But what about you? What's stopping you?
Aszera: There's this problem with the portals. They're not stable. Something about dragons.
Briyanthe nods. "Being far from home is also my issue with this, so I fully share your pain."
Aszera: Yeah, that's it. *Aze says evasively.* Rough situation. You're kind of tied to home, you said? Why?
Briyanthe: Well… *She thinks about it for a second, trying to decide if she's ready to talk about all this to Aze. She takes a deep breath.* When Quel'thalas was ravaged by the Scourge, my older brother and I were the only survivors of house Roseshine.
Aszera winces. "That's rough. I know how that feels. It was just my sister and me, of the Sunstrikes."
Briyanthe: I'm sorry about you and your sister. I hope she's well.
Aszera: She's dead now. But sorry, you were talking about your family.
Briyanthe: … oh. My condolences. I will say a prayer and light a candle for her tonight.
Aszera: Thanks. How's your brother?
Briyanthe: Well, you might have heard all of this from your friends from high society, but he was brutally wounded, and has been in some… coma, since then. I am tending to his injuries and to the House's duties while he recovers.
Aszera: Ah. *Aze shifts uncomfortably.* So it's just you, too.
Aszera: They think he'll wake up?
Briyanthe: I have faith he will! In the meantime, House Roseshine is ridiculed by other noble houses due to being led by a young elf more familiar with human customs than her own people's… I hope there will still be a House Roseshine for him to take over when he awakes.
Briyanthe joins her hands on her belly, looking down at the ground.
Aszera: People like to look down on the young. Don't let it get to you too much. You're just as much sin'dorei as anyone else.
Briyanthe smiles. "I won't. I know it's only a temporary position anyway. And no matter what anyone says, I will stay loyal to my people."
Aszera nods. "That's what matters, for the most part."
Aszera: Let's go report in?
Briyanthe smiles, although her smile doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Yes! Let's."
Briyanthe: Magus, your task has been completed.
Magus Wordeen Voidglare says: Very good. Those ruins should now be safe enough to search, if one is careful. Thank you, Elves.
Aszera: You're welcome. *Aze nods*
Briyanthe: I should probably return to my duties in Silvermoon. Thank you very much for your aid in those tasks, Aszera.
Aszera: Glad to help. Do you… want to do something later?
Aszera: I don't really do big parties these days, but if you want to meet some people, get them on your side…
Briyanthe passes a hand on her face. "Well, once I checked on my brother I was supposed to clean up the…" She stops, rubbing her eyes. "Well, it can wait! I would be grateful to meet your friends."
Aszera: Great. *Aze nods* I'll meet you in Silvermoon, then?
Briyanthe: I shall see you there! *She smiles.*
Briyanthe bows before Aszera.
Aszera bows back, a faint smile on her face.
Briyanthe turns to the Magus. "I will have to take my leave for today. I will be back soon!” She bows to him as well. He nods back.
Briyanthe takes her hearthstone and disappears back into Silvermoon.