Chapter Text
Aethas Sunreaver was not often at a loss for words.
“You can’t be serious,” he finally said flatly.
“Deadly serious,” Archmage Khadgar answered him, his gaze steady. “She needs an apology, and she needs it from someone who wronged her. Since the most egregious candidate is dead, you would be the next in line.”
“She tried to have me executed. Killed. She locked us up and had us wait for death.”
“Because you and your organization betrayed her,” Khadgar said. “She saw you as a threat to her city. Given all that has happened to her, did you really expect her not to respond?”
“In the first place, I did not betray her. It was a renegade band of Sunreavers who-”
“Stole a potential weapon of mass destruction on behalf of Garrosh Hellscream, which you knew about, and did nothing to stop.”
“And did you expect me to go against the will of Hellscream, inviting certain death for my people? Which brings me to my second point. She is hardly the only one who has had losses, hardly the only one who has seen their city destroyed and their lives ruined. Why are we walking on eggshells around her?”
“Because we need her,” Khadgar said. “Because her losses may not be the only ones experienced, but they are still devastating. They leave her vulnerable. We have all seen what vulnerability to suggestion and loss of hope can do to people. A vulnerable and angry Jaina Proudmoore is the last thing that this planet needs right now.”
“You act as though she is the most powerful mage on Azeroth,” Aethas muttered. And she may very well be, he thought, but was not about to say.
“You have seen her power. She almost obliterated Orgrimmar. Do you wish to allow her rage to build to that point again?” Khadgar said, his voice lowering.
“So we need a loose cannon. Is that what you’re telling me?”
Khadgar shook his head. “I have no time for this argument. I have been spending my days convincing scores of mercenary adventurers that they are the One True Savior of Azeroth, and coordinating others to maintain that lie, just so that I have boots on the ground. You would think they would realize by now that they are all carrying replica weapons and holding identical titles of leadership, and yet, they come back for more every day.”
“Yes, I have been a bit busy myself with the fire mages,” Aethas replied. “By the way, Lyandra Sunstrider is asking for an increase in pay. She says that acting out her own death all day long causes undue psychological stress.”
“Give her whatever she wants,” Khadgar said, waving a hand dismissively. “We’ve already buggered the economy thoroughly, what’s a bit more conjured gold to us? Back to the matter at hand. I have tried apologies. I have tried pleading. She will not answer my letters. I would not ask this of you if there were another way, but we are running out of options.”
“And Kalec?” Aethas raised an eyebrow.
Khadgar shook his head again. “He won’t even speak of her. I doubt he knows her whereabouts, and I would rather not get involved.”
“If he does not know her whereabouts, exactly how am I supposed to find her?”
“We have a lead,” Khadgar said. “A lead from a somewhat unlikely source, but the most reliable one we have.” He pushed a map in Aethas’s direction. “I would urge you to depart for Orgrimmar immediately after sundown. Whatever it takes, get her to come back with you. You are our best hope, hero.”
“Fuck you, Khadgar,” Aethas muttered under his breath, but took the map and turned to go.