Ask Not
"No," he said plainly, looking away.
"You must," Saber replied, stepping forward.
"I am an adult, I have no need to follow that. You are defected from the Duskwatch, so you are not my superior, either."
Saber swallowed hard. "You knew I would request this of you, so why did you come, Cathiir?"
Cathiir considered a moment, then looked over to Saber. "I want a sigil and an assignment, I want to help the rebellion. Consider it all I owe you repaid in full."
Saber closed her eyes, her voice cracking as she spoke. "Risking your life is far beyond payment for a couple of missed lessons, Cathiir."
"Asking me to leave Elodine to suffer is far beyond a couple of missed lessons. Fine, if it's too much, you can do something for me: find Lady Aslyssa and shelter her."
Saber widened her eyes. "They exiled Lady Aslyssa? No, no that can't be right."
"I saw it with my own eyes, Captain," Cathiir said, not bothering to correct himself. In a situation like this, his instinct was to refer to her title as he knew it. It did not faze her all that much, either.
Saber looked quite disturbed, though she stood unwavering. He saw the look before; it meant something went wrong when it was supposed to be right. "It can't be..."
"A giant demon, armored and with a mace covered in bones organized it himself. He threatened all around us, saying that the same fate -- or worse -- could happen if we choose the same path as her. What do you know, Saber?"
She hesitated, sitting quietly for minutes, even. She sat on a rock near to the pillar, and had looked over its design. Cathiir knew well enough to not rush her. Saber was considering whether or not to speak more. If she did, she would involve him in what she originally intended to keep him from.
She turned her head to look to his face. He ended up standing beside her, looking over the pillar himself. He was pretending to be patient; she knew it was one of his illusions, though. Patience was never the virtue he embodied, it was always cunning. She wondered if it was futile to try to keep him from all the fighting. If instead, it was wise to set him up for success.
"We have a leak," she said, finally. "Aslyssa was quite active among the festivities after the demons had taken control, for all the celebration was ran by some of the fiercest supporters of the invaders."
"Had it not been for her help," Saber continued as she rubbed her hands nervously, "for sure, those men may have had the proper voice to make the demons appear as saviors rather than murdering conquerors. There was only one within that was aware of her purpose: to expose them, and through conspiracy, ensure their exile."
"And that person is responsible for Aslyssa's exile?"
"Correct," Saber replied, she then looked down. "Aslyssa knew the risks, though."
"So what are we to do?" Cathiir turned towards Saber, as if he was to receive orders.
Saber wanted at first correct him, that 'they' would do nothing, but she would. Though she locked in her choice the moment she revealed such affairs to Cathiir. In times like this, one was either friend or foe. She hoped, and expected the former out of him.
"We handle the leak," she said. "He walks around with a dusk lily as a farce. He can use it to expose more of those who resist."
"And where do I tie into all of this?"
Saber paused for a far shorter time. She was firm in her tone as she said, "For now, nothing. Soon I will have something for you, though." The firmness to her tone suggested there was no attempt to keep him from it all. Cathiir had not read that entirely at first, his arms crossing in doubt.
"Saber..."
"Cathiir, I will hear no more of this. You know too much already. If I had wanted to keep you from it all, then the only thing I'd have to do is withhold all I've just said. Had it not been for you I may have not heard about the leak until weeks, maybe even months later."
"Aslyssa was always one to keep a secret."
"It was both the best and worst advantage."
"Why did this one know, and only him?"
Saber hesitated again, mainly because she thought in hindsight. "Because he seemed trustworthy, and Aslyssa felt wrong being the judge alone on who deserved their fate."
"Then he will be removed from hindering the rebellion."
Saber grabbed his arm and held him there. "You will wait for my word. I may have a better plan than you going crazy over it all. Meet me here in two days, and I will tell you your part."
Cathiir had shaken her grip from him. With a hint of defiance to his tone he said, "Fine, but please Saber, don't keep me from this. I'm not going to hide in a fight that determines whether or not Suramar has a future."
He left her there with those thoughts. All the while, intending to craft his excuse for stepping out of the city's bounds. And imaging ways he would help the growing rebellion.
Sildor leaned onto his staff, doing as he usually had at this point in the day: supervise the transport of goods through the canal. Of course, morally ambiguous work as far as the Duskwatch was concerned. After all, they were transporting arcwine to a safe stashing point. All to transport it to those who needed it, naturally.
Though today was far different. A child once under his protection had come to visit him, and for what purpose, he could not pinpoint. She had approached and stood beside him, watching the activities that, if she were anyone else, Sildor would have had to engage in diversion or charismatic measures to get her away. Though he did not have to worry, so he instead continued to look over the three young shal'dorei as they loaded a gondola with crates of arcwine.
"Elodine," was all he said.
"Sildor, it is good to see you're still doing... this." Elodine had a hood on, though there was little effort to keep the baggy cloth over her head. She pulled it down, and looked over the three individuals loading up the gondola. She knew each of them. Melris, Kearia, and Cynyssea, all were once children Sildor had sheltered, they were among Cathiir and Elodine.
They often worked in a trio in numerous petty crimes. Often it was pickpocketing and spying, though as they came of age, Sildor put an emphasis on teaching them how to fight. Before all of that, only Kearia knew how to fight; she was considered the defender of the trio. Melris plotted, and Cynyssea often executed the plans. With the newly arrived demons, though, they applied what they learned to something different, and gained a bit of a reputation.
Elodine had even heard it. Three masked figures were spotted in many different locations: the vineyard, various parties and noble manors, and even at stands. If they were spotted, it was certain that arcwine went missing, and those who were withering on the streets would have a way to sate their hunger, even if for a short time.
At first, their work satisfied all those who needed it. Though recently they have had to work full time to even possibly satiate half of those who were in need. Both because of how difficult it was becoming to gathering the arcwine needed, and also because of the rising population of those at risk of being exiled simply for being near insane from withering. Their operations even were rumored to extend beyond the city itself.
Rumors of arcwine cargo being seized off runners who transported it from the city to hideouts for the rebellion were strong. Those who knew Sildor had suspected him, but the past couple of years, all that could be truly proven was that Sildor was a man who cared about the future of Suramar: its youth, and imparting valuable skills to them.
A lie, for sure, though not entirely. He was not exactly teaching them a trade skill, but how to be defiant.
It was why Elodine was here. She wanted to confirm his connections and offer her aid. And hopefully hear word on further help with Aslyssa's exile.
"I am simply having my workers move some... hm, water to those who have not had the chance to gather it themselves."
"Water, huh?" Elodine said teasingly. "Noble work, the moving of water."
Sildor scoffed. "Ever try to catch water with just your hands? So much slips through your fingers. This is anything but noble." He finally looked firmly at Elodine. "You do not come to me for idle chat, ever, child. And so I ask finally: why have to come to me in the middle of delicate business, and further, how have you found me?"
"You always had a bad habit of not switching up your places of business." She started, looking around.
This part of the canal was rather advantageous, on either side, there was no vantage for spying. Likewise, the actual dock was severely underused. It offered the least aesthetic of arguably any portion of the canal on this side of the city. It was quite close to the vineyard, too, needing only a walk of no longer than twenty minutes to reach. The vineyard, however, was not their main target. It was often houses near the vineyard. They were the ones who would partake the most.
Elodine stared at them loading up crates and counted each one as it was hidden. She counted only a dozen and a half. She was not certain of how far it would go, but judging by how the trio handled some of the crates, everything was not even filled up entirely. The gondola still had plenty of room for another two dozen or so crates to be hidden.
They had a bad catch, she concluded.
"And so you're here to criticize?"
"I'm here to offer help."
"We aren't looking for dancers." Sildor shifted holding steady with both his hands on his cane. He seemed a bit pained, his right leg seeming to lose strength by the second. It made him sound more agitated, and far less patient.
Elodine tried to understand as he inhaled sharply. "I can do more than dance, Sildor, you know that."
"Aslyssa might have something for you to do, have you tried asking her?"
Elodine swallowed and hesitated. Though she inevitably said, weakly, "Aslyssa was exiled."
Sildor tried, then, to conceal his shock. His eyes widened, then returned to a neutral form. He though quickly, then barked out, "Alright, alright, get the hell out of here and move the goods! I want you back here within an hour, no longer."
The trio nodded their understanding, Cynyssea waved at Elodine and pipped up with, "Tell Cathiir I said hi, oh, and Melris would say it to you but he's too busy-- hey!" Melris had yanked her off the dock and onto the gondola, then started bicker. He kept it short, and glanced back Elodine, shrugging nervously. Kearia, the better of the three, simply untied the gondola and worked on getting it moving.
"We will be back in fourty minutes tops, boss." She bowed in respect at Sildor, and nodded a farewell to Elodine.
Sildor was emotionless as he watched them float along the canal, trying their damnedest not to draw attention to themselves. Sildor was not worried. Stealing arcwine was the hard part. Transporting it was the easy part, not many among the Duskwatch had thought to check the gondola's, expecting a far more intricate part with a rebellion led by the First Arcanist. Those who caught on turned a blind eye.
"I was not aware."
"Why?" Elodine asked.
Sildor turned and started to step away from the dock, taking little time to consider his words. "She was deeply involved in a conspiracy, I suspect."
"To?" Elodine was getting rather impatient by her tone, wanting Sildor to come out with it all at once.
Sildor kept his patience intact, though. He figured she deserved answers. Aslyssa was a mother to her, after all. "Some of the richest of Suramar support the rebellion. Though most, they support the Legion. Not all are clear on which is which. Thing is, inevitably, the Legion-supporting ones, they celebrate their new leadership quite..."
Sildor cleared his throat. "Open. Parties dedicated to the future of Suramar. Showing off what the Legion is capable of, often in disturbing ways. Some petty independent rebels are captured and slain by the likes of demons at these parties. Though sometimes they just come out with political support and the donating of bodies to the Legion's cause."
"Skilled mercenaries, experts in magic... we don't know what the demons intend to do with them, but in essence, they are traded off in return for favor from the Legion." Sildor stopped, then sighed. "Aslyssa worked to become well-respected in those communities, even hiring herself out to dance for them-- you know she had not been a actual performer in years. All to confirm what was suspected, and expose them to the rebels. Who then organized their assassination, or conspired to have them exiled."
"How do you know this? And how did she get exiled?"
"I don't know it, it's a theory if anything." Sildor nodded his head. "Though it makes sense. I had managed to hear some bearing loyalty to the dusk lily talking of a Lady supporting them. Who, though, I could not be sure. Until I heard what she was doing."
Sildor moved a hand to rub the shadow of hair that grew on his face. He looked a mess, as if he had not slept in days. After hearing all this, he suspected he would get no more. He looked as shaken as he could be, which seemed to be very little. Everything Sildor truly expressed was lackluster at best, it made him hard to read.
"If I had to guess," Sildor said, "she was betrayed." He had shaken his head shamefully. "Hell if I know, Elodine. Any bastard over there is perfectly capable of selling out their own people and working with the Legion. Even Cathiir."
Elodine lowered her head and rubbed her forehead with both hands. She was feeling a rather sharp pain. Both at what she was believing to be a futility in aiding Aslyssa, and at Sildor's comment concerning Cathiir. He had to be wrong. All she could say was, "I want in."
"To find Aslyssa?"
"Yes," Elodine replied, looking to Sildor, now. "And also to avenge what they've put her through."
Sildor considered a moment. What could she do, he wondered? Thieving was certainly helpful, but it became work that Sildor only entrusted to those who have been doing it since the beginning of his plot. However, something more ideal dawned on him.
He met Elodine's gaze and asked, "How fast can you run?"
Cathiir had waited and waited. Time could not pass fast enough. He sat idle in his room, writing up agendas for him to engage in. Often reminders of doing his various responsibilities; even with invaders in the city, he still had work to do. It was all, now, an act to assure that he was undoubtedly not involved in activity concerning the rebels, however.
He sat, writing reports on paper, all concerning the situation with Nelaris. It had been near two weeks since then, but some among the Duskwatch were hoping to find a lead on Saber. As if on cue, a presence entered the doorway of Cathiir's room, calling to him with a firm, somber voice.
"Son."
Cathiir shook in a bout of surprise, getting too engulfed in writing. Perhaps rather the crafting of lies. His father stood at the door, posture only slightly wilted from an injury sustained from the aforementioned; an attack from Saber as she left the city. It still had not fully healed, and every time Cathiir was reminded of that injury, it left him wondering what precisely had happened. Saber seemed unwilling to talk about it, and his father even less.
"Father, I am working on the report that was requested of me, to find Saber."
"You may as well throw it out, son. I've made it easier altogether, a representative from the Duskwatch who is now newly dedicated to tracking Saber will hear your report in person."
It should have fazed Cathiir, but it did not. "And then?"
His father laughed quietly. "Then you enjoy yourself, be at ease. You seem like you need it, son."
"What happened was quite... well, surprising, I suppose it has not fully left my mind." Cathiir lied, but only in a half lie. He was not talking about Nelaris' death, but rather what came after. He wondered what purpose he would serve in Suramar's salvation.
"Which is why I expect you to find a way to distract yourself. You can't be expected to get anything done if only work is on your mind."
"Could say the same for you, father." Cathiir smirked while standing from his seat.
Lord Starsunder crossed his arms, and inhaled heavily. "You could, but then I would retort with that fact that I'm at the point of my life where there's little time for rest." He then exhaled a wary sigh. "So to you, I say enjoy it all while you can. Consider it an order."
Cathiir gave a salute, and while it was for a not-so-serious situation, it seemed genuine enough. "Of course, sir. I'll get on it."
He started to walk away, calling out as he left.
"I heard Lady Elodine is going to a gathering tonight. Not sure of the reason, but... I'm sure you can make an excuse."
Cathiir heard that, and absorbed it. He sat at his desk again, and thought on his father's suggestion.
A party did not sound so bad.
It always surprised Cathiir to see how deeply rooted the demons were in the city. Their numbers seemed endless, and their forces were far more powerful than the average shal'dorei, even some of the most proficient in combat would find themselves in a tricky situation with even one demon. They were capable of rooting out treason with ease.
What surprised him even more was how rooted the rebellion itself was. They managed to slip past the most expert hunters of the weak-willed. So it came as a surprise when Cathiir met in private with a Captain Earion, in a building at the front of Suramar, and the man presented himself so bluntly.
Cathiir offered his hand, and it was shaken. Earion looked at Cathiir up and down, then sighed. "By the Goddess, Saber is trying to get you killed, isn't she?"
"P-Pardon?" Cathiir swallowed.
"Listen, you don't have to pretend in here. You think I would give a shit whether you wrote a report or came straight to me? No, I merely had something to deliver to you." Earion sat at a desk littered with numerous papers. There was a ashtray with a lit smoke; wrapped tightly, and it looked hastily made. It smelled sweet, rather pleasant, though.
Cathiir reluctantly sat down. He was unsure of what to say, and his first instinct made him think that Captain Earion was trying to root out his treason, as the demons might. He was tense. Earion, however, was shuffling through his disorganized bunch of papers. He grabbed his smoke and had taken a drag, then decided to simply hold it between his lips.
"You are quiet as could be, that's good," Earion said, now gathering a batch of papers.
"Sir, I would never do any--"
"Oh shit," He looked up at Cathiir. "Oh you think... you think I'm messing with you, don't you?"
Cathiir was silent, he did not offer an answer.
"No, look kid," He put out his smoke, and gestured his open hands as he spoke. "You met with Saber a day ago, discussed some stuff, blah blah, I know all about that, you see me pulling out arcane chains and such? No, no, I'm a friend."
"You..." Cathiir was in utter disbelief. "And you're... you're dedicated to hunting down Saber?"
"You think I'm making good on promises? If not for Nelaris' death I would be out wrangling beasts for the wrong side. Then they come to me saying they've got a better idea." He tapped his head, and leaned back in his chair. "See, I'm of the right mind to agree with them. It's a good deal for the rebellion and all."
"You're so... nonchalant about all of this." Cathiir swallowed hard again.
"Huh. Oh, I am?" He shrugged, then gestured around. "They gave me a goddamn office, no prying eyes or suspicious ears, said my mission's of the 'utmost importance,' no one else can be involved."
"Does my father--"
"Let me stop you there -- no, he doesn't know. And you're to not say a word to him about it." Earion's gaze express a cold seriousness.
"My mission is of the utmost importance, but not for the reasons they mentioned. Actually, it's because with me running this, those who go in and out of the city are far more safe. Call me the blind man, because I am not seeing a thing, and I'll be playing fake swordplay with Saber for the next couple of months."
"Furthermore," Earion continued, laying papers out before Cathiir, "I'm to deliver this to you. Details some locations and such on what you're to be doing, and uhhh..."
He dug around the pile of papers, then snapped his fingers. "Right, I've got it right here." He reached into a pouch at his side, then as Cathiir was reading over the documents presented to him, he was interrupted by Earion throwing a sigil onto the paper.
A dusk lily. Cathiir leaned back, and a bout of paranoia struck him as he looked back to see if anyone had seen this. No one was there, and the door was shut. It was dead silent, just these two.
Earion leaned over glancing at the papers, refreshing his own memory on the contents, as well as ensuring he had the right one. "Some outlanders will be your aid. Figure a way to use them properly. Discretion is necessary. His name's Lord Manabloom -- pompous twat, it sounds like."
Cathiir looked over the papers himself, skimming, only stopping here and there to take in some things to his memory. Earion worked at a pace where he suspected Cathiir to glance over what he was talking about.
"Two days is his next party. He intends on exposing more people, and this time, the demons seem hellbent on killing over exiling. As far as we know, the next people his grubby little fingers have been investigating are not even actively rebelling."
Cathiir held a hand out to stop Earion, his eyes closing.
"Elodine is listed here."
"Saber said that'd interest you. Lord Manabloom suspects the daughter's like her mother. Thinks she's a loose end. Hasn't expressed it yet, but if given a week to ruminate, he most certainly will put her on the chopping block."
Cathiir rotated his jaw, then folded up the papers, four in all, and placed it into a pouch at his side. The sigil went in the same pouch, hidden between the folded papers, as if under a tent.
"Woah, woah -- aren't you going to read the last page? It's all strategy, what you're supposed to be doing."
"I already know what I'm doing, Captain."
Earion stared at him expectantly, and Cathiir met his gaze. They were silent, until finally Earion, with as much poise as he had shown the entire time spouted, "Well, spit it out?"
"Just tell Saber it'll be done."
Cathiir left, and the moment he had, he breathed out. He gripped the hilt of his blade, and made his way out. He knew what had to be done.
And simply exiling the man was not enough. He had to die.