Shannin hobbled through the park and up the stairs. Blood trickled down her leg, leaving the watery trail behind her tinged with pink. People were starting to steal strange looks at her. I need to be another face.
Tucking her shoulder low, Shannin collided with a tall gangly Kaldorei who had been watching a bird in the sky.
“Bleeding thumbs.” He muttered in surprise.
“Crows!” She barked, as she rolled away from him, peeling his cloak off as she went.
She whipped the worn green cape around her shoulders, pulled the hood up, and burrowed in deep.It smelled of damp moss and turned dirt after rain. Not unpleasant.
The young woman chose her path to the Gallina Winery carefully. Her footfalls were without purpose, and she was sure to make a few decoy stops before reaching the desired destiny.
Soon enough, the fruity smell of wine filled Shannin’s head while a variety of warm colored cheeses danced in her eyes. Ignoring the scents and sights, She sought out Suzetta Gallina.
“What wine wins new friends?” Shannin asked.
Suzetta straightened up at that and turned knowing eyes on the girl. “The better question asked, is what wine mends old enemies. Do you have an enemy?”
“Time may turn new friends into old enemies and old enemies may become new friends. But wine with time will ever be fine. So I will take a glass for myself alone.”
Satisfied with the expected reply, Suzetta disappeared behind the counter for a moment, then returned with a key in hand.
She pressed the key into Shannin’s hand and leaned in to whisper. “He is home and will be expecting you. Take the horse tied out front.”
Some Time Later
“You were certain that the insane warlock was the key to dismantling the Court.” The white haired man stood staring out the window. At his feet, a young girl with golden curls sat playing with a dainty puppet princess.
Shannin, uncertain where to look, kept her eyes fixated on the delicate puppet as she continued on.
“Yes. And I’m still certain. When I found him at the Crossroads in Elwynn, it was evident that he is reliant on cinderbloom and who knows what else to keep him straight.”
The man tilted his head, still refusing to look at her. “And yet, your snail debacle yielded no fruit.”
“We were within the public’s eye, he summoned his demon. He was so close to snapping. Then the druid showed up. She knew how to use teeth, claws, and daggers. There was also the worgen. Then the City Guard was called for. I didn’t have the ti-”
A hand was lifted up, silencing Shannin. “The details are flies in my ears, Shannin, flies. Noise unwanted. Let me give you some details that are worth using breath for.”
He finally turned his aged, yet handsome face. “The Court of Falling Stars is increasingly gaining reputation in Stormwind, even outside of it. Their growing repute threatens the rhythm of my hidden kingdom within the city. As you know, Shannin, if threats are at the gates of my kingdom, they are at the gates of yours as well. I need that Emporium to be shut down, vacated, and made anew with my name behind it. The Court has to crumble. And I am no longer certain that I have chosen the right candidate to make it fall.”
Shannin took a couple steps closer to the man. She swallowed, struggling to find words. “You...you have chosen the right candidate. Jerimoth Shadowblood will be the downfall, he is unstable, he will soil their name, he wi-”
“Shhh, shhh Shannin.” The man turned his steel gaze from Shannin and bent down to pluck the puppet from the child’s hands. He patted her golden hair lovingly and motioned for her to go outside. The little girl grinned widely as she skipped out the door.
The pretty puppet began to dance in the old man’s hands as he spoke.
“No. Leave the warlock be for now. Let that cool. There are others within the Court whose strings can be pulled. Look for their weaknesses, their secrets. Choose another puppet. Let them do the work for you.”
The puppet danced about wildly as the man manipulated it. Shannin could nearly feel strings pulling at her own limbs.
“And Shannin. Be more efficient this time. I want for us to work well together.”
