I straightened my gray hair, pulled my hair back into a neat ponytail, and triple-checked all my belongings. For the first time in decades, I actually cared about how I looked and how I looked in the absurd cloak.
There were many things I hated about the current elven society, like their stupid oppressive hierarchical society, their blatant xenophobia, and the way they enslaved any weak and primitive race or exterminated those who dared to challenge their power, they are, in essence, the Nazis of fantasy. But what he hated the most was their absurdly imposed fashion.
-You look purple - A charming voice for anyone who heard it, sounded behind my back.
Immediately, my neck felt strangely stiff, as if my own body refused to discover the identity of the speaker. But there was no need to have such a feeling, unfortunately my mind already knew, and didn't like it either.
-Shouldn't you be by the queen's side, I would assume that the headmaid would always be by her side.
-Our queen enjoys her privacy as much as any of us," she replied with leadership, "As her faithful subjects we must make sure we give her the time she needs to feel comfortable. -Lady Vashj, daughter of Matron Lestharia Vashj and one of Queen Azshara's personal maids.
Even before becoming what she would be in the future, she had always been an obnoxious woman, raised in the pinnacle of high society, surrounded by privilege and power, but her life took a turn when she met her beloved queen, since that day the only thing she had wanted was her attention. Something you could tell by how everything about her seemed to be made for Azshara's liking, from her demeanor to her tone of voice.
We had worked together before, albeit tangentially. My academic career so far could be described as a scholarly form, though in my defense, whoever belonged to the magic guild tended to share the same traits, so most of my life has been behind a book, but to access the important knowledge of magic, you needed connections and House Vashj was apt. Unfortunately for me that led me to meet Lady Vashj on a regular basis.
-It's good to know that our queen is in the best of hands. -Although she was still my superior, there was one thing that always worked with elves, and that was compliments.
-Please, Isen, spare me the empty compliments, we both know we are not here for that," her smile was polite, but her eyes revealed a calculating coldness, "My mother informed me about your plans and ordered me to support you in any way possible.
-I assume that's the reason why you called me so urgently to the capital- I didn't like this place even if its beauty was exuberant, feeling the power of some monsters could frighten anyone.
-The southwest border," he said, as if that explained everything, "Soon a squad of slayers will be sent to the southwest border of the empire, apparently some groups of insurgent trolls are wreaking havoc.
For nearly four thousand years, High Elven society remained relatively calm, however, as they settled their civilization and consolidated their nation in Ordered Azeroth.
Map of Ordered Azeroth.
Ancient enemies like the trolls watched from the shadows with resentment and rancor, these descendants of the mighty empire never forgot that the elves had taken their ancestral lands. for centuries the Amani trolls regrouped, gathering strength and waiting for the right moment to retaliate, starting a great historical conflict. although this did not last long, the trolls were defeated and with their empire reduced to ruins, had no choice but to accept the reality, they could not defeat the elves. however, the elves knew that completely eradicating the trolls was an impossible task and that a constant war would only weaken their reign in the long run.
So instead of completely annihilating the surviving Amani trolls, the elves offered a truce, a pragmatic decision that also sought to avoid further losses.
Unfortunately, this was not to the great liking of many trolls, although the agreement was good for them in terms of survival, the reality was that the high elves had secured their dominance in the region and with it taken many lands, some of them sacred to their people. Some troll tribes over time have declared the agreement illegal and have raided the borders of the empire, attempting to reclaim their sacred lands.
-I thought Prince Tortheldrin was in charge of protecting that side of the empire.
-The prince cannot afford to leave the city of Eldre'thalas, by direct orders of the queen herself, so it is necessary to send a capable squadron," he paused before adding what really mattered, "That is why you will leave with them, the rumors about your ability to master magic have gone far and many consider that you deserve to be given a proper place at the top, but there are others who believe that they are more than an exaggeration and consider your skills as mere rumors.
-So I'm going on a mission to prove my ability, it's a test imposed by the higher-ups.
-You can look at it that way, it's the most I can do to help you," he waved his hand, as he seemed to fix the collar of my shirt, "from now on, it will be up to you to prove that the efforts that House Vashj has put in you have not been in vain.
The air between us thickened with a tense silence. Lady Vashj's smile did not fade, but her gaze hardened, assessing me carefully.
- don't worry," she continued in her silky voice, "i have no interest in seeing you fail, isen, if my mother thinks you're worth supporting, I'm inclined to trust her judgment.
I didn't need Lady Vashj's approval, but I needed her influence, without it, getting the backing of the aristocracy would be practically impossible.
-Your family owes me more than you might think, Lady Vashj, as I recall our relationship.
It was not easy to obtain the support of the great houses and less that of a princess, but I had made sure to create enough profits for the house Vashj, to get some favors in return. Something necessary if I didn't want to pledge allegiance to any of the other houses.
Normally I wouldn't bring them up, but Lady Vash was taking my head out of the game for a reason.
Vashj laughed softly.
-You have guts, but don't be delusional my poor Isen, house Vashj has the power to take what it wants from simple beings and not be affected, the only reason we decided to go along with your games is because my mother sees some potential in you. - His mocking and haughty tone achieved its goal of annoying me even more.
I pursed my lips; and crossed my arms.
- remember that it's not only your prowess in a battle that is in question isen, it's also your loyalty, so be careful what comes out of your mouth," his threat was accompanied by a malicious smile.
- Do you really think I don't want the best for our people? -
- I don't think we share the same ideals of what is "best" for our people - he leaned slightly towards me and caressed the fabric of my tunic with a distracted air - but that doesn't mean that we can't... benefit each other.
there was what I had hoped for, I knew exactly what it meant, success on the border would help me consolidate my influence.
-Very well isen, soon you will leave for the border so when you return we will talk about your reward, we expect great results, not inexplicable losses," he smiled again in an ironic way.
I'd better keep silent. I was just a simple mage, there was no need to get into an argument with her, and I would probably only get a quick death. Although I could feel how my hands seemed to stiffen at the smile on that pretty face.
It was annoying to have someone tell you the truth to your face, especially a self-centered pretentious one, but at times like these, it was always comforting to know how they ended up and how low they would fall.
-I would love to continue our conversation, but unfortunately, I have to go, show up at the training arenas, and meet your next team. - he said dryly as he walked away towards the upper chambers.