King Llane Wrynn

King of Stormwind

[archmage--khadgar]

“If you were waiting for the opportune moment, that was it.” - lightoflions

Khadgar slumped his shoulders, defeat washing over his face as several different swears in different languages came to mind. "I don't suppose you've got a bronze dragon hiding on your person? Or, perhaps, YOU have secretly been a Bronze dragon this entire time?" @lightoflions

[lightoflions]

The dark haired king simply raised an eyebrow at the younger man. “I’m afraid not,” Llane simply answered with a slight bemusement to his lips. He took pity on the mage, understanding how much he wanted to impress a mentor.

Though how and why, he did not know. Only that Medivh’s apprentice wanted to and had asked him for advice.

Llane placed a ringed hand on the apprentice’s shoulder and gave a reassuring squeeze. “Fret not,” he continued sagely, “there will be other opportunities tonight I’m sure. The Midsummer festivities have only just begun after all.”

[lightoflions]

@archmage--khadgar

[archmage--khadgar]

“If you were waiting for the opportune moment, that was it.” - lightoflions

Khadgar slumped his shoulders, defeat washing over his face as several different swears in different languages came to mind. "I don't suppose you've got a bronze dragon hiding on your person? Or, perhaps, YOU have secretly been a Bronze dragon this entire time?" @lightoflions

[lightoflions]

The dark haired king simply raised an eyebrow at the younger man. “I’m afraid not,” Llane simply answered with a slight bemusement to his lips. He took pity on the mage, understanding how much he wanted to impress a mentor.

Though how and why, he did not know. Only that Medivh’s apprentice wanted to and had asked him for advice.

Llane placed a ringed hand on the apprentice’s shoulder and gave a reassuring squeeze. “Fret not,” he continued sagely, “there will be other opportunities tonight I’m sure. The Midsummer festivities have only just begun after all.”

[lionofthelight]

The defeated Magus stood on his knees surrounded by his best friend and student, and several knights of the Brotherhood. Swords were drawn and pointed at him, one perilously close to his own heart, ready to be run through should he attempt a spell. "A trial? No one will believe the boy, old friend," Medivh tells Lothar, looking up at his friend with a sad look. "Do what must be done to traitors, kill me. Death is preferable to imprisonment."

“There is proof enough that it hasn’t been you. Khadgar himself supplied us with that. The Kirin Tor can provide further proof of it. I am not asking for you to be imprisoned. You are not evil, Med. I know that. Llane knows that. Khadgar knows that. There is a resolution.”

Anduin Lothar wanted no other hands to deal with this mess, but considering where they were and that they had Medivh, for the moment, subdued, it had come to this. His blade did not waver. His eyes remained hard on Medivh and his hands, Khadgar’s eyes darting between hands and eyes on the Magus.

One wrong move…

He was shocked at Khadgar’s position, his eyes gone cold as he glared down his mentor. It was his blade resting at Medivh’s heart.

“They can extract the truth from his mind. Using that sympathy thing here. Med. There is hope. Let us help you.”

@medivhthecorrupted

[walkingdisasterofamage]

“Done. How far out?” He looked down at the map, and Khadgar moved up, his eyes darting over it. “How many can you spare for an escort?”

“I can help,” Khadgar found himself offering it once. “I can cover more distance with portals, and I will give all I have. Granted, I… I don’t know how much that is… Right now…”

Anduin frowned. “If Medivh is right, a night’s proper sleep and a couple of good meals should get you recovered. Mobilizing before dawn tomorrow wouldn’t be possible anyway.” His mind was already working. Each hour had just become precious, and the rest of this day was essential for planning, Khadgar’s recovery… And whatever they were going to do about Medivh.

Anduin looked at Llane, then the commander, then back at Llane, pointedly. He had an idea. One that may hit two murlocs with one arrow.

[medivhthecorrupted]

King Llane listened to the two offer suggestions and then raised an eyebrow at the look he received from Anduin, “What are you thinking, old friend?” he inquired, hoping that he wasn’t going to regret whatever brilliant and reckless idea he had come up with.

But what choice did he really have? They were getting to the point where desperation was going to be the go-to plan if they didn’t stop the orcs before they reached Stormwind.

[walkingdisasterofamage]

Anduin looked at Khadgar, measuringly, then back at Llane.

“Medivh,” he said simply, as though it was obvious. “With two mages, how can this plan go wrong at all?” He looked back at Khadgar.

The old-looking younger mage frowned, his lower lip between his teeth as he thought. “A possibility, yes.” It was clear there was more to it, however. “The only problem is - I… What if I’m wrong? What if we’re wrong? I mean - I know what he’s said. I know I backed it. I know his capabilities. But… damn it all what if I’m wrong?”

Anduin sighed, running a hand over his face.“If we’re wrong, what’s the worst that happens? We lose those we can’t get here in time, hopefully get others into hiding or far enough away to be too much of a bother, wind up under siege and if everything goes to Hell in a handbasket, we evacuate. Best case scenario, we managed to pick them off on the approach, and maybe they won’t have enough to do more than look stupid when they reach Stormwind. Either way, we can evacuate everyone within that two day distance, or more if we’re fast, easily with the two of you.”

The range of emotions on Khadgar’s face was almost comical, had he not been so serious. There was fear, shown in the silver of his eyes. His pursed lips betrayed that his mind was working overtime. His very posture screamed ‘insecurity’. Though he found he couldn’t blame the poor mage, considering his entire life had been turned upside down in the past week and a half. He had gone from a quiet apprenticeship to battling a demonic Titan, and now was in charge of an investigation of his mentor, who Anduin still suspected he harbored feelings for.

Light what a mess. He looked back at Llane. “It also would bring home some of the things we’ve found out,” he said softly. “If there was doubt, having Med with us would certainly wipe out any doubt there. Wouldn’t it?”

[lightoflions]

King Llane listened and although he very much wanted to prove Medivh’s innocence and loyalties, he could not in good conscious allow his friend to aide them. It was Medivh, after all, who had unleashed the orcs upon the kingdom. He glanced to the commanders present and gestured, “Leave us. Speak nothing of what you’ve heard thus far concerning the Guardian.”

The men nodded and quietly left the privy council chamber, some of them giving Anduin and Khadgar curious glances. Once they were alone, Llane turned his attention to his champion and Medivh’s apprentice. “What have you learned about Medivh’s involvement with the orcs? Was there an insane plan behind all of this? Is he still our friend?”

He desperately wanted to know that they could rely on Medivh still and that the man was still their friend despite all that had happened and been done by him. The notion that a demon had possessed the Magus still mind-boggled the King and put a little bit of fear into his soul. If the Guardian, someone as powerful as Medivh, could be controlled by a demonic force…

Llane shook his head of the thought and focused on what the others had to say in answer to his questions. “Well?”

[walkingdisasterofamage]

Khadgar looked down at his notes. Then back up at Llane. “He had a plan,” he said softly. “I wanted to go over these with him first, but… I left him a copy, so if he has changes…” He offered the small stack of parchment he’d been writing on, complete with ink blotches and the torn page when he had become upset before continuing anew.

“The circumstances don’t really allow me to go back at once and copy them out neater… and it’s all things you need to know for this.”

Anduin bit his lip. Then gestured to Khadgar. “He took down everything we spoke of.”

“As well as some side notes from things I observed while we were in Karazhan.” Khadgar sighed. “I personally think that he was fighting all this time - though he has told us several times that he was responsible for some of what happened, and also that his own thoughts paralleled that of the … the demonic entity.”

“He told us something bigger is coming. That bringing these orcs here was a plan to strengthen Azeroth as a whole to defeat this something bigger.” Anduin sighed. “Llane, I want to believe in him, but - as I did when Khadgar and I left here, I don’t feel that… I think there is something wrong, but I can’t figure out what it is.”

Khadgar shrugged. “I spent time enough with him. He has been very strange, even from when I first arrived, but I think it was because he was losing that battle - which is why he tried to kill me, then tried to keep Garona and me from escaping with the truth. Now he feels very different. It’s almost like… almost as if he’s given up on himself, despite …” he gestured at the stack of notes. “All that.”

[lightoflions]

Llane took the notes from Khadgar and sat down in a chair to give him time to read through them comfortably. He was glad that he had sat down for what he read unsettled him to the core. Who was the man down in his dungeon if all of this were indeed true?

The King closed his eyes in quiet remorse and set the papers down on the war table next to him. “If all of this is indeed true, then…” He couldn’t bring himself to say the words of condemnation. “I need more than this, Khadgar. Words alone will not be enough to prove his innocence or guilt, if anything, this is a confession of his guilt.”

He shook his head and looked up at his oldest friend, “Unfortunately we do not have time to investigate this further. I need you both to aide in the evacuation of the farmlands and Goldshire before this horde reaches the city.”

[walkingdisasterofamage]

“I think I have the proof we need, Sire. And it is not going to go away while we deal with the evacuation. It will prove it was not Medivh who did these things, even if it was his body.” Khadgar sounded almost defiant at the king’s words, though he acknowledged there was a more urgent task at hand.

Anduin hoped whatever the young mage had, it was solid, for his sake and his master’s. If not, they may both go down in flames, and he wasn’t sure the lad deserved that. He looked up at Llane, a note of pleading in his own eyes, though his mouth held nothing of that plea. “Where do you need us? How many should we take? I can have runners split off to get word to those farther north to prepare for evacuation as we go.”

[lightoflions]

“I believe you, lad,” the King acknowledged with a little hope in his voice. He had to hold out hope for their friend but the leader that he was knew that he had to prepare himself for the likelihood that Medivh was a traitor and would abandon them to the wolves howling at their gates. He hated being King some days and this was one of those moments where he wished he was nothing more than a simple noble or warrior.

He took Anduin’s question as an opportunity to distract himself from the depressing thoughts of losing his childhood friend–a man he may never have ever had known at all if what was said about him true–and focused on the threat to his kingdom. “The Westbrook Garrison is falling back to the city and evacuating people along the King’s Road from the garrison to Goldshire. I need you to take what remains of the 7th Legion and evacuate from Eastvale to Goldshire.”

As he spoke he moved figurines from the map to where he needed forces and where they were heading, and what civilians were in danger the most. “Scouts reported warbands appearing near Eastvale and Grand Hamlet, and the farms outside of Raven’s Hill in Brightwood have been raided once already. Most of the people of Brightwood are fleeing to Elwynn, but if the orcs are starting to show up in these lands…”

Llane ran a hand through his hair, upsetting the crown he wore and showing how much this conflict was affecting him. “Save as many as you can. Get them to leave everything behind, Stormwind will provide.” He looked up at his commander and his friend’s apprentice.

@lionofthelightt

[lightoflions]

@lionofthelight

[lionofthelight]

The defeated Magus stood on his knees surrounded by his best friend and student, and several knights of the Brotherhood. Swords were drawn and pointed at him, one perilously close to his own heart, ready to be run through should he attempt a spell. "A trial? No one will believe the boy, old friend," Medivh tells Lothar, looking up at his friend with a sad look. "Do what must be done to traitors, kill me. Death is preferable to imprisonment."

“There is proof enough that it hasn’t been you. Khadgar himself supplied us with that. The Kirin Tor can provide further proof of it. I am not asking for you to be imprisoned. You are not evil, Med. I know that. Llane knows that. Khadgar knows that. There is a resolution.”

Anduin Lothar wanted no other hands to deal with this mess, but considering where they were and that they had Medivh, for the moment, subdued, it had come to this. His blade did not waver. His eyes remained hard on Medivh and his hands, Khadgar’s eyes darting between hands and eyes on the Magus.

One wrong move…

He was shocked at Khadgar’s position, his eyes gone cold as he glared down his mentor. It was his blade resting at Medivh’s heart.

“They can extract the truth from his mind. Using that sympathy thing here. Med. There is hope. Let us help you.”

@medivhthecorrupted

[walkingdisasterofamage]

“Done. How far out?” He looked down at the map, and Khadgar moved up, his eyes darting over it. “How many can you spare for an escort?”

“I can help,” Khadgar found himself offering it once. “I can cover more distance with portals, and I will give all I have. Granted, I… I don’t know how much that is… Right now…”

Anduin frowned. “If Medivh is right, a night’s proper sleep and a couple of good meals should get you recovered. Mobilizing before dawn tomorrow wouldn’t be possible anyway.” His mind was already working. Each hour had just become precious, and the rest of this day was essential for planning, Khadgar’s recovery… And whatever they were going to do about Medivh.

Anduin looked at Llane, then the commander, then back at Llane, pointedly. He had an idea. One that may hit two murlocs with one arrow.

[medivhthecorrupted]

King Llane listened to the two offer suggestions and then raised an eyebrow at the look he received from Anduin, “What are you thinking, old friend?” he inquired, hoping that he wasn’t going to regret whatever brilliant and reckless idea he had come up with.

But what choice did he really have? They were getting to the point where desperation was going to be the go-to plan if they didn’t stop the orcs before they reached Stormwind.

[walkingdisasterofamage]

Anduin looked at Khadgar, measuringly, then back at Llane.

“Medivh,” he said simply, as though it was obvious. “With two mages, how can this plan go wrong at all?” He looked back at Khadgar.

The old-looking younger mage frowned, his lower lip between his teeth as he thought. “A possibility, yes.” It was clear there was more to it, however. “The only problem is - I… What if I’m wrong? What if we’re wrong? I mean - I know what he’s said. I know I backed it. I know his capabilities. But… damn it all what if I’m wrong?”

Anduin sighed, running a hand over his face.“If we’re wrong, what’s the worst that happens? We lose those we can’t get here in time, hopefully get others into hiding or far enough away to be too much of a bother, wind up under siege and if everything goes to Hell in a handbasket, we evacuate. Best case scenario, we managed to pick them off on the approach, and maybe they won’t have enough to do more than look stupid when they reach Stormwind. Either way, we can evacuate everyone within that two day distance, or more if we’re fast, easily with the two of you.”

The range of emotions on Khadgar’s face was almost comical, had he not been so serious. There was fear, shown in the silver of his eyes. His pursed lips betrayed that his mind was working overtime. His very posture screamed ‘insecurity’. Though he found he couldn’t blame the poor mage, considering his entire life had been turned upside down in the past week and a half. He had gone from a quiet apprenticeship to battling a demonic Titan, and now was in charge of an investigation of his mentor, who Anduin still suspected he harbored feelings for.

Light what a mess. He looked back at Llane. “It also would bring home some of the things we’ve found out,” he said softly. “If there was doubt, having Med with us would certainly wipe out any doubt there. Wouldn’t it?”

[lightoflions]

King Llane listened and although he very much wanted to prove Medivh’s innocence and loyalties, he could not in good conscious allow his friend to aide them. It was Medivh, after all, who had unleashed the orcs upon the kingdom. He glanced to the commanders present and gestured, “Leave us. Speak nothing of what you’ve heard thus far concerning the Guardian.”

The men nodded and quietly left the privy council chamber, some of them giving Anduin and Khadgar curious glances. Once they were alone, Llane turned his attention to his champion and Medivh’s apprentice. “What have you learned about Medivh’s involvement with the orcs? Was there an insane plan behind all of this? Is he still our friend?”

He desperately wanted to know that they could rely on Medivh still and that the man was still their friend despite all that had happened and been done by him. The notion that a demon had possessed the Magus still mind-boggled the King and put a little bit of fear into his soul. If the Guardian, someone as powerful as Medivh, could be controlled by a demonic force…

Llane shook his head of the thought and focused on what the others had to say in answer to his questions. “Well?”

[walkingdisasterofamage]

Khadgar looked down at his notes. Then back up at Llane. “He had a plan,” he said softly. “I wanted to go over these with him first, but… I left him a copy, so if he has changes…” He offered the small stack of parchment he’d been writing on, complete with ink blotches and the torn page when he had become upset before continuing anew.

“The circumstances don’t really allow me to go back at once and copy them out neater… and it’s all things you need to know for this.”

Anduin bit his lip. Then gestured to Khadgar. “He took down everything we spoke of.”

“As well as some side notes from things I observed while we were in Karazhan.” Khadgar sighed. “I personally think that he was fighting all this time - though he has told us several times that he was responsible for some of what happened, and also that his own thoughts paralleled that of the … the demonic entity.”

“He told us something bigger is coming. That bringing these orcs here was a plan to strengthen Azeroth as a whole to defeat this something bigger.” Anduin sighed. “Llane, I want to believe in him, but - as I did when Khadgar and I left here, I don’t feel that… I think there is something wrong, but I can’t figure out what it is.”

Khadgar shrugged. “I spent time enough with him. He has been very strange, even from when I first arrived, but I think it was because he was losing that battle - which is why he tried to kill me, then tried to keep Garona and me from escaping with the truth. Now he feels very different. It’s almost like… almost as if he’s given up on himself, despite …” he gestured at the stack of notes. “All that.”

[lightoflions]

Llane took the notes from Khadgar and sat down in a chair to give him time to read through them comfortably. He was glad that he had sat down for what he read unsettled him to the core. Who was the man down in his dungeon if all of this were indeed true?

The King closed his eyes in quiet remorse and set the papers down on the war table next to him. “If all of this is indeed true, then…” He couldn’t bring himself to say the words of condemnation. “I need more than this, Khadgar. Words alone will not be enough to prove his innocence or guilt, if anything, this is a confession of his guilt.”

He shook his head and looked up at his oldest friend, “Unfortunately we do not have time to investigate this further. I need you both to aide in the evacuation of the farmlands and Goldshire before this horde reaches the city.”

[walkingdisasterofamage]

“I think I have the proof we need, Sire. And it is not going to go away while we deal with the evacuation. It will prove it was not Medivh who did these things, even if it was his body.” Khadgar sounded almost defiant at the king’s words, though he acknowledged there was a more urgent task at hand.

Anduin hoped whatever the young mage had, it was solid, for his sake and his master’s. If not, they may both go down in flames, and he wasn’t sure the lad deserved that. He looked up at Llane, a note of pleading in his own eyes, though his mouth held nothing of that plea. “Where do you need us? How many should we take? I can have runners split off to get word to those farther north to prepare for evacuation as we go.”

[lightoflions]

"I believe you, lad," the King acknowledged with a little hope in his voice. He had to hold out hope for their friend but the leader that he was knew that he had to prepare himself for the likelihood that Medivh was a traitor and would abandon them to the wolves howling at their gates. He hated being King some days and this was one of those moments where he wished he was nothing more than a simple noble or warrior.

He took Anduin's question as an opportunity to distract himself from the depressing thoughts of losing his childhood friend--a man he may never have ever had known at all if what was said about him true--and focused on the threat to his kingdom. "The Westbrook Garrison is falling back to the city and evacuating people along the King's Road from the garrison to Goldshire. I need you to take what remains of the 7th Legion and evacuate from Eastvale to Goldshire."

As he spoke he moved figurines from the map to where he needed forces and where they were heading, and what civilians were in danger the most. "Scouts reported warbands appearing near Eastvale and Grand Hamlet, and the farms outside of Raven's Hill in Brightwood have been raided once already. Most of the people of Brightwood are fleeing to Elwynn, but if the orcs are starting to show up in these lands..."

Llane ran a hand through his hair, upsetting the crown he wore and showing how much this conflict was affecting him. "Save as many as you can. Get them to leave everything behind, Stormwind will provide." He looked up at his commander and his friend's apprentice.

@lionofthelightt

[skorgu]

[mylordshesacactus]

[id: tweet by @pervocracy 

“it’s easy to have the courage of a lion, they’re gigantic and have claws and no natural predators

have the courage of the guinea pig, a two pound meat potato with zero offensive or defensive abilities, that will scream at an ape 100 times its size if their lettuce is too wilty”]

[lionofthelight]

@lightoflions HEY LLANE! Don't call me The Lion of Azeroth anymore. I'm now The Guinea Pig of Azeroth.

[lightoflions]

Light help me. I don’t have the patience to deal with this dolt right now.

[sigurdjarlson]

I gotta say it

Taria 100% is the boss in and outside of the bedroom with her and Llane

[lionofthelight]

"Of course she is! She's a Lothar!"

[lightoflions]

“I can confirm.”

[lionofthelight]

"I DID NOT NEED TO KNOW THAT, LLANE."

[lightoflions]

“Then don’t talk about my wife like that.”

[lionofthelight]

"She's my sister! I don't go on about your relatives!"

[lightoflions]

“She is my relative by marriage, so you are!”

[lionofthelight]

*opens mouth*

*closes it*

"Well I'm better in bed. Just ask Med!"

[lightoflions]

“Are you implying that I do not satisfy your sister?”

[lionofthelight]

"NO! I never... SHE never..." *sticks fingers in ears* "LA LA LA LA LA LA"

[lightoflions]

Llane pulls Lothar’s hand away and leans in to whisper, “She may be the boss, but it is my name on her lips.”

[lionofthelight]

Lothar smacks Llane's hand. "It better not be anyone else's! I mean. Unless you share if that's your thing but it sure as fuck better not be mine!!"

[lightoflions]

The King laughed, “I certainly hope not either.”

“Potentially could be mine,” a quieter voice piped in from over by the lion statues and Llane turned to throw a glare at the man nonchalantly leaning against one. Medivh spread his hands innocently. “I mean, out of all the men she deals with, I am the only other she has personally known for decades now.”

“Med,” Llane ran a hand over his face. “We are not discussing my wife, please.”

“Just saying.”

[lionofthelight]

Lothar chuckled. "He has a point, Llane. Taria had to grow up with us, remember. She has dealt with our idiocy longest. And. Well. You tell me if you were of the inclination, that you could ignore Medivh's.... Assets.... Any better than the rest of us?"

[lightoflions]

“I could and would,” Llane shook his head in denial. “So would Taria.”

“Hmm,” Medivh hummed, a mischievous grin on his face. “So you believe.”

“Medivh! For Light’s sake, Taria is not one of your… your party guests!” Llane gestured desperately at the mage and then looked to Anduin for help. “You’re not going to let him suggest your sister would bed him if given the opportunity?”

[lionofthelight]

The look Lothar gave to Llane was enigmatic. Finally he sighed and rested a hand on his brother's shoulder, his expression turning sympathetic "Llane, had she not fallen for you so early, it is very likely. But you know her; once she has her heart set on something it takes the gods themselves to pry her away. But, even she is not immune to Medivh. Had he gotten there first, it is a likely possibility she would have. Now?"

He looked up at Medivh. "I'm afraid her heart, and thus, the rest of her, belongs to one Llane Wrynn. I'm afraid you'll have to content yourself with only one of the set, Med."

[lightoflions]

Medivh laughed softly and smiled fondly at his friends, “Fear not, Llane. Taria is more likely to neuter me first before bedding me should I ever try to seduce her to my bed. I like to keep my bits, thank you.”

The King frowned, understanding that his two friends were teasing him. “You two are incorrigible. Especially you, Med.”

“You still love me.”

[lionofthelight]

"Captain!" one of the castle guard called as he hurried down the sloping grand hallway. He slid to a halt when he finally reached Anduin and saluted. It took him a moment to catch his breath before he could speak, "King Barathen has ordered for your presence immediately, sir!" Whatever it was, it had to be important to involve him.

Lothar sighed at the first cry, turning to look at the guard, and then waiting for him to catch his breath. As soon as he had saluted back and thanked the man absently, he turned and sprinted for the throne room.What is it THIS time? Gnolls in Goldshire? Murlocs taking over Crystal Lake? Grand Hamlet changing its name? Or could something serious have happened to Llane? Or Medivh for that matter. Damn it all.

He skidded to a stop before he actually walked into the room as composed as he could be. He saluted the king, then bowed. “You sent for me, Sire?”

[lightoflions]

The King of Stormwind acknowledged Anduin Lothar with a curt nod and then silently held out an unsealed wax scroll bearing the Proudmoore anchor, “This just arrived from Kul Tiras.”

It contained a second scroll within which confirmed the contents of the first:

King Barathen,

My deepest apologies for the failure of my House in regards to the safety of your son, the Prince Llane Wrynn. We have recently received the enclosed ransom note for the safe return of your son in exchange for a sizable amount of gold. My agents have confirmed this to be genuine and that the Prince is being held in Freehold by a group of pirates. I have already begun taking steps in securing your son, however, I thought it would be best to inform you of the situation first before taking any drastic measures. If you wish to pay the ransom, of which I advise against, I can make arrangements to carry out the exchange. If you do not wish to pay said ransom, Kul Tiras is at your disposal in retrieving your son safely.

Deepest Apologies,

Lord Admiral Daelin Proudmoore

“Daelin is young and new to his throne, so I am not begrudging him for this mess,” Barathen informed the young captain. “However this mess needs to be resolved swiftly and with my son’s safe return. You are to fetch Medivh and head for Kul Tiras. There you will work with the Lord Admiral in rescuing Llane. Do not return without him, Captain Lothar.”

[lionofthelight]

The moment Lothar finished reading, his eyes closed. Anduin knew he was going to have a headache before long. Pirates. Well. If this doesn’t just put the cap on his day then…

He drew a long, slow breath. He rolled the scroll again, looked up at Barathen, and nodded, gravely. “Am I to assume that this is covert, and only myself and Medivh will be going?”

With just himself and Medivh, it would be slightly easier to coordinate; they could fit themselves in however they had to. However, if it was not, he had to decide who to take, and how many would be discreet enough to trust on such a deployment.

Gods of Light and Dark… Llane…

No. Not now. He could throw a fit and scream later. Right now, he had to think. His eyes never left the king’s, and his face had not showed a single iota of his internal thought process - or his panic. He awaited the answer to his question so he could get his plans in order, and get out of here.

Ugh. Sea voyages were not the most fun. But teleportation wasn’t all that fun either. I’m doomed. Either way, I’m doomed. Fine. As long as Llane gets back here I can just die somewhere and all will be fine.

[lightoflions]

King Barathen knew the simplicity of having few people involved in a rescue. It meant plans were less likely to go awry, but it also created the chance that it would anyway simply because there wasn’t enough involved. It was one of the reasons why he summoned his guard captain rather than the commander. Anduin Lothar and Medivh Aran were long time friends of his son and they would do everything in their power to get him back.

“You will go alone,” he confirmed with a nod and gestured with a ringed hand for a servant to step forward. The young scribe offered Lothar a sealed letter with the king’s seal upon the blue wax. “This letter will bear the authority of this throne. The Lord Admiral will provide you with whatever you request, be it additional men and armament or to stay out of the way.”

He then gestures for Lothar dismissal, “Go. Bring back my son and make these pirates pay the price for kidnapping him.”

@lionofthelight

[sigurdjarlson]

I gotta say it

Taria 100% is the boss in and outside of the bedroom with her and Llane

[lionofthelight]

"Of course she is! She's a Lothar!"

[lightoflions]

“I can confirm.”

[lionofthelight]

"I DID NOT NEED TO KNOW THAT, LLANE."

[lightoflions]

“Then don’t talk about my wife like that.”

[lionofthelight]

"She's my sister! I don't go on about your relatives!"

[lightoflions]

“She is my relative by marriage, so you are!”

[lionofthelight]

*opens mouth*

*closes it*

"Well I'm better in bed. Just ask Med!"

[lightoflions]

“Are you implying that I do not satisfy your sister?”

[lionofthelight]

"NO! I never... SHE never..." *sticks fingers in ears* "LA LA LA LA LA LA"

[lightoflions]

Llane pulls Lothar’s hand away and leans in to whisper, “She may be the boss, but it is my name on her lips.”

[lionofthelight]

Lothar smacks Llane's hand. "It better not be anyone else's! I mean. Unless you share if that's your thing but it sure as fuck better not be mine!!"

[lightoflions]

The King laughed, “I certainly hope not either.”

“Potentially could be mine,” a quieter voice piped in from over by the lion statues and Llane turned to throw a glare at the man nonchalantly leaning against one. Medivh spread his hands innocently. “I mean, out of all the men she deals with, I am the only other she has personally known for decades now.”

“Med,” Llane ran a hand over his face. “We are not discussing my wife, please.”

“Just saying.”

[lionofthelight]

Lothar chuckled. "He has a point, Llane. Taria had to grow up with us, remember. She has dealt with our idiocy longest. And. Well. You tell me if you were of the inclination, that you could ignore Medivh's.... Assets.... Any better than the rest of us?"

[lightoflions]

“I could and would,” Llane shook his head in denial. “So would Taria.”

“Hmm,” Medivh hummed, a mischievous grin on his face. “So you believe.”

“Medivh! For Light’s sake, Taria is not one of your… your party guests!” Llane gestured desperately at the mage and then looked to Anduin for help. “You’re not going to let him suggest your sister would bed him if given the opportunity?”

[sigurdjarlson]

I gotta say it

Taria 100% is the boss in and outside of the bedroom with her and Llane

[lionofthelight]

"Of course she is! She's a Lothar!"

[lightoflions]

“I can confirm.”

[lionofthelight]

"I DID NOT NEED TO KNOW THAT, LLANE."

[lightoflions]

“Then don’t talk about my wife like that.”

[lionofthelight]

"She's my sister! I don't go on about your relatives!"

[lightoflions]

“She is my relative by marriage, so you are!”

[lionofthelight]

*opens mouth*

*closes it*

"Well I'm better in bed. Just ask Med!"

[lightoflions]

“Are you implying that I do not satisfy your sister?”

[lionofthelight]

"NO! I never... SHE never..." *sticks fingers in ears* "LA LA LA LA LA LA"

[lightoflions]

Llane pulls Lothar’s hand away and leans in to whisper, “She may be the boss, but it is my name on her lips.”

[lionofthelight]

Lothar smacks Llane's hand. "It better not be anyone else's! I mean. Unless you share if that's your thing but it sure as fuck better not be mine!!"

[lightoflions]

The King laughed, “I certainly hope not either.”

“Potentially could be mine,” a quieter voice piped in from over by the lion statues and Llane turned to throw a glare at the man nonchalantly leaning against one. Medivh spread his hands innocently. “I mean, out of all the men she deals with, I am the only other she has personally known for decades now.”

“Med,” Llane ran a hand over his face. “We are not discussing my wife, please.”

“Just saying.”

[sigurdjarlson]

I gotta say it

Taria 100% is the boss in and outside of the bedroom with her and Llane

[lionofthelight]

"Of course she is! She's a Lothar!"

[lightoflions]

“I can confirm.”

[lionofthelight]

"I DID NOT NEED TO KNOW THAT, LLANE."

[lightoflions]

“Then don’t talk about my wife like that.”

[lionofthelight]

"She's my sister! I don't go on about your relatives!"

[lightoflions]

“She is my relative by marriage, so you are!”

[lionofthelight]

*opens mouth*

*closes it*

"Well I'm better in bed. Just ask Med!"

[lightoflions]

“Are you implying that I do not satisfy your sister?”

[lionofthelight]

"NO! I never... SHE never..." *sticks fingers in ears* "LA LA LA LA LA LA"

[lightoflions]

Llane pulls Lothar’s hand away and leans in to whisper, “She may be the boss, but it is my name on her lips.”

[sigurdjarlson]

I gotta say it

Taria 100% is the boss in and outside of the bedroom with her and Llane

[lionofthelight]

"Of course she is! She's a Lothar!"

[lightoflions]

“I can confirm.”

[lionofthelight]

"I DID NOT NEED TO KNOW THAT, LLANE."

[lightoflions]

“Then don’t talk about my wife like that.”

[lionofthelight]

"She's my sister! I don't go on about your relatives!"

[lightoflions]

“She is my relative by marriage, so you are!”

[lionofthelight]

*opens mouth*

*closes it*

"Well I'm better in bed. Just ask Med!"

[lightoflions]

“Are you implying that I do not satisfy your sister?”

[sigurdjarlson]

I gotta say it

Taria 100% is the boss in and outside of the bedroom with her and Llane

[lionofthelight]

"Of course she is! She's a Lothar!"

[lightoflions]

“I can confirm.”

[lionofthelight]

"I DID NOT NEED TO KNOW THAT, LLANE."

[lightoflions]

“Then don’t talk about my wife like that.”

[lionofthelight]

"She's my sister! I don't go on about your relatives!"

[lightoflions]

“She is my relative by marriage, so you are!”

[sigurdjarlson]

I gotta say it

Taria 100% is the boss in and outside of the bedroom with her and Llane

[lionofthelight]

"Of course she is! She's a Lothar!"

[lightoflions]

“I can confirm.”

[lionofthelight]

"I DID NOT NEED TO KNOW THAT, LLANE."

[lightoflions]

“Then don’t talk about my wife like that.”

[sigurdjarlson]

I gotta say it

Taria 100% is the boss in and outside of the bedroom with her and Llane

[lionofthelight]

"Of course she is! She's a Lothar!"

[lightoflions]

“I can confirm.”

[walkingdisasterofamage]

"Khadgar, can you turn them into Bud Light for me?" King Llane requested, gesturing to Anduin and Medivh as they argued.

Khadgar blinked. Blinked again. Stared at Llane. “With all due respect, Majesty, are you certain you want to do that to the two men you grew up with, friends you love so dearly? If I do this, it cannot be reversed, especially if someone drinks them…”

[lightoflions]

Llane groaned and covered his face in palm again, “I didn’t need to hear that, Khadgar.”

Medivh stared at the pink trousers he was given and frowned, “Seriously, Khadgar?” He changed the color to a dark red and put them on. “When we get back to the tower, I will have a long list of things for you to do, Young Trust.”

“Don’t be too hard on him, Med. I did ask him to do this to you and Anduin,” the King tried to reason with his friend, knowing how vindictive Medivh could be when the man felt he was truly wronged.

“Oh I won’t be too hard.”

[walkingdisasterofamage]

Khadgar sighed. “Yes, Master,” he acknowledged, lowering his eyes. He was in trouble. He knew he was in trouble. And yet….

Oh it was worth it.

Anduin slapped Medivh on the back. “Gotta admit, your protege has some talent. And a healthy sense of humor. Go easy on him. You did start this whole thing.” He looked up at Llane. “I personally will take the Apprentice’s advice to heart. Nothing calms Med down like a good romp.” He winked at Khadgar. “Might convince him to shorten that list hmm?”

Khadgar kept his eyes down, but tried to smile. “Perhaps.”

[lightoflions]

“I am not a sexual deviant, Anduin,” Medivh huffed. “Just because I throw a few parties with erotic elements or have a giant bed doesn’t mean I crave sex.”

Llane rolled his eyes, “Could have fooled us.”

[walkingdisasterofamage]

"Khadgar, can you turn them into Bud Light for me?" King Llane requested, gesturing to Anduin and Medivh as they argued.

Khadgar blinked. Blinked again. Stared at Llane. “With all due respect, Majesty, are you certain you want to do that to the two men you grew up with, friends you love so dearly? If I do this, it cannot be reversed, especially if someone drinks them…”

[lightoflions]

Llane groaned and covered his face in palm again, “I didn’t need to hear that, Khadgar.”

Medivh stared at the pink trousers he was given and frowned, “Seriously, Khadgar?” He changed the color to a dark red and put them on. “When we get back to the tower, I will have a long list of things for you to do, Young Trust.”

“Don’t be too hard on him, Med. I did ask him to do this to you and Anduin,” the King tried to reason with his friend, knowing how vindictive Medivh could be when the man felt he was truly wronged.

“Oh I won’t be too hard.”

[walkingdisasterofamage]

"Khadgar, can you turn them into Bud Light for me?" King Llane requested, gesturing to Anduin and Medivh as they argued.

Khadgar blinked. Blinked again. Stared at Llane. “With all due respect, Majesty, are you certain you want to do that to the two men you grew up with, friends you love so dearly? If I do this, it cannot be reversed, especially if someone drinks them…”

[lightoflions]

King Llane considered the warning and then drew his attention to the two arguing men. “You are right,” he sighed in resignation. “Turn their clothing into Bud Light for me then.” That should silence them long enough to give him some peace and quiet.

[walkingdisasterofamage]

Khadgar blinked, yet again. He opened his mouth to protest, looked at the two arguing, then back at Llane with an evil grin. “That I can do.”

He turned, giggling to himself, and cast the spell, leaving a pile of Bud Light cases stacked so the two arguers were trapped within them. He watched, waiting until one of them realized what he’d done. The cases jiggled a little, and Anduin’s voice shrieked “What the FUCK?!” from within them.

[medivhthecorrupted]

Llane was amused and pleased all at once, “Serves you right, the both of you!” he shouted at them from his throne. “Well done, Khadgar!”

“You do realize we are naked underneath these, right?” Medivh’s voice pointed out, it sounded mildly amused. “You have a bottle for a cod piece, Anduin.”

[walkingdisasterofamage]

“I think that was the point,” Khadgar grinned. “Is there anything more I can do?” I mean, I could move those over to the alcove over there and let them slink out.”

Anduin simply shoved the things aside and opened the bottle that had once been covering his dangly-bits. “I’m not about to complain,” he said to the room at large. “Though you started this whole thing, so this is all your fault,” he said to Medivh, gesturing with the bottle in his hand before drinking from it.

Khadgar’s grin faded a little, and he turned back to Llane with a look that was both sympathetic and exasperated.

[lightoflions]

“My fault?” the Magus blinked at him incredulously and then pointed at his best friend. “I’m not the big, stupid oaf who thinks he can tell me a thing or two about magic.”

Llane covered his face with a palm and groaned. “Turn them into Bud Light for me, please!!”

“Wait what?” Medivh stopped arguing with Anduin to stare at their king. “Why on Azeroth would you do that?”

“Because you two won’t shut up!” Llane snapped and then gestured wildly at them. “Khadgar, do something, please!”

[walkingdisasterofamage]

Khadgar sighed, gave Medivh a long look, then turned his gaze to Anduin - who instead of arguing back at Medivh was staring at Llane with a look of shock.

“We won’t shut up? You mean he won’t shut up!” he pointed at Medivh, pointing with his bottle.

Khadgar gestured, and the bottle hit the ground with a crash. And Anduin, now a floofy blue lamb, began bleating at the top of his voice, before that too, with another gesture, was silenced. The young mage looked at Medivh, his hand raised giving him a look that pleaded with him not to force him to do the same thing. Though truthfully, he did have to wonder what color lamb Medivh would turn.

[lightoflions]

Llane’s expression froze when his commander was polymorphed into a sheep. Medivh also stared with a bit of shock in his eyes before bursting into laughter. “Well, I suppose its better than beer,” the king snorted bemusedly.

“Bah bah, blue sheep, do you have any mead?” Medivh teased his friend and chuckled. The Magus looked over at his student and waived off his need to polymorph him as well. He grinned at Anduin, his back turned to Llane and Khadgar, “Thank you for silencing him, Young Trust. Perhaps now he’ll stop arguing with me.”

Llane gestured at Medivh, eyebrow raised at Khadgar.

[walkingdisasterofamage]

Khadgar gave Llane a look, and sighed. Medivh was going to kill him for this.

But, he did it anyway. He gestured. And he heard the telltale ‘poof’ of the spell hitting as he closed his eyes, waiting for the reproach before casting the silencing spell right after.

“Forgive me, Medivh. His Majesty’s orders.”

[lightoflions]

The black sheep bayed at them before he too was silenced by Khadgar. Llane sighed in relief as silence finally filled the throne room, “Peace at last. Thank you, Khadgar.”

Medivh head butted Anduin, angrily bleating in silence.

[walkingdisasterofamage]

Khadgar sighed, giving Llane a look of pure sympathy. Even silenced, they were still arguing.

Anduin was now trying to chew on Medivh’s ears in retaliation for the head-butt, also bleating in silence.

“Do they ever stop?” Khadgar finally asked, pondering whether he should just teleport them both out and into the lake.

[lightoflions]

“Eventually,” Llane leaned back in his throne, legs stretched out and head in a hand exasperatedly. “Usually when one of them finds a distraction or something important comes up.”

Medivh silently bleated at them before bounding forward and butting Khadgar in the leg with enough force to get his attention but not enough to hurt or topple him. He kicks out at Anduin to make him stop chewing on his ear as he does.

“To be honest,” Llane continued, watching the two sheep with a little amusement. “An ale works on Anduin and sometimes a book or problem works on Medivh. Sometimes.”

[walkingdisasterofamage]

Khadgar looked down at the sheep butting his leg. He shooed Anduin away, and reached down to scratch Medivh’s head. “I find that Medivh responds to a little distraction delightfully well in raven form. Crackers usually, though this often works.”

Anduin stared for a moment at the attention Medivh was getting, and moved to nudge Llane, looking up with a hopeful expression.

[lightoflions]

“I don’t think crackers will work this time,” Llane replied, well aware of the fits Medivh likes to display as a raven when he doesn’t get crackers. “Though sometimes I wonder if that bird form has gone to his head half the time. He behaves more like a raven than a man.”

Llane looked down at the sheep begging for his attention. He raised an eyebrow, “You’re serious?” He rolled his eyes and leaned forward to give Anduin a scratch behind the ears.

Medivh caught Khadgar’s sleeve in his mouth and tugged.

[walkingdisasterofamage]

Anduin sighed in content, his eyes closing, leaning into the scratching, one ear twitching a little.

Khadgar looked at Medivh, lifting an eyebrow inquisitively. “I think he just have that much of an affinity with ravens,” he replied, still scratching Medivh’s head. “Inquisitive, likes shiny things, likes to be petted, preens even as a man if he thinks he has someone to impress…” He smiled at the black sheep.

“If I turn you two back, will you behave?”

[lightoflions]

Medivh gave a silent bleat in response and then nodded his head.

“He is quite the charmer when he wants to be,” Llane agreed with the younger mage. “I would advise keeping your distance if you’re going to turn them back.”

[walkingdisasterofamage]

“If I have to keep my distance, I won’t turn them back. Besides, this was on your orders, Majesty,” Khadgar reminded the room at large. He gave both sheep a look, then gestured at each in turn.

Anduin, now standing beside Llane, began shouting - but found he was still silenced. He turned on Khadgar, his face red.

“I said I would turn you back, not lift the silence yet.” The younger mage smiled at Anduin, then his mentor, with a sweet and charming smile that he clearly learned from Medivh.

[lightoflions]

Medivh returned the sweet and charming smile with his own, but there was clearly a mischievous glint in his eye. Khadgar would have no chance to defend himself as an arm extended and his hand pointed at the younger mage.

The Guardian didn’t need words to spellcast as the polymorph swirled around the Archmage and in a flash, Khadgar disappeared. The sound of splashing water outside the Keep can be heard.

Medivh grinned triumphantly.

“What did you do?” Llane asked but sighed when he remembered Medivh couldn’t speak. The Magus gave his king a helpless shrug in reply.

“You, go find Khadgar and help him if he needs it,” Llane gestured to one of the royal guard along the wall. The armored warrior nodded and headed out in search of the mage.

[walkingdisasterofamage]

Khadgar’s eyes had time to widen in shock before he realized what Medivh intended to do. Or at least… part of it. He expected the sheeping. But did not expect the sudden warmth of sunlight on his woolly body and then the plummet into the much cooler lake.

Rather than bleating in protest, he had the presence of mind to suck in a swift breath… and then panicked as he wondered whether sheep could actually swim. (He found he could, and awkwardly - and with the guard’s help - managed to get back to shore and back into the Keep.)

Anduin snagged a beer, then offered one in silence to both Medivh and Llane, laughing in silence. He gave Llane a look that said clearly ‘You started this.’

[lightoflions]

Medivh tasted the beer and made a disgusted face before taking another sip. It was better than nothing. He waited patiently for Khadgar’s return and when he finally did, he removed the polymorph spell and then gestured at himself for the silence spell to be removed.

Llane took the offered beer and sat back lazily with it in hand, “If you two hadn’t argued like two old crones, I wouldn’t have asked him to.” He nodded to Khadgar for him to unsilence them and gave the younger man an apologetic smile.

“Someone get them some trousers, please. Before my children show up and see their uncle like this,” the king commanded when he realized they were both still stark naked.