The fellow known as Jon Chess was sitting int he Pig & Whistle tavern, away from his usual table. The Pig & Whistle was exceptionally busy, and every table on the ground floor was occupied. Jon was just as happy to ascend to the upper story to in some measure escape the chaos and noise below while he wrote the final sets of bills and client reports before he metaphorically shut the doors to his private investigation business.
Rumors of war were rife, and anyone with half an ear to the ground was nervous. The defeat of Argus in Antorus had resulted in Sargeras plunging the sword Gorribal into Azeroth as he was sealed away from Azeroth forever. Gorribal landed in Silithus and destroyed most of the region - not that Jon would miss the open camps of the Twilight Crusade nor the hives of the giant insects.
Jon had joined a small army of operatives assembled by Mathias Shaw, the head of SI:7 and Jon had been part of a team that had - in Jon's case, gladly - killed Bilgewater Cartel goblins and used high explosives to destroy their shredder units to stop them from obtaining Azerite.
Champions had worked with the carbonized Magni Bronzebeard, and pulled the corruption from Gorribal at the Wound - the place where the sword entered the world. The immediate threat was contained.
Now both the Alliance and the Horde were preparing for war, lest either side use Azerite make a weapon that would make the Mana Bomb that had destroyed Theramore look like a cheap Goblin firecracker. The Alliance was once more on a war footing, and Jon's old boss had asked him to return to his service as an intelligence agent and provocateur. To become a spy... an assassin... to dust off his old uniform as the Rook... to become once more an Agent of Cheese.
And one did not say "No" to Elling Trias, once the leader of SI:7 and since his "retirement" the shadow head of a co-ordinated espionage force for the Alliance. Jon had recruited his former fiance Lynesia Deh'lorei as his partner in this, introducing her to the spy service - with her at his back, Jon would be much safer.
He just hoped it wouldn't get her killed.
A Ren'dorei sat down at the table behind him, and the slur in her voice indicated that she had already indulged in the drinks available at the tavern. Jon recognized the voice, which sounded distressed and disturbed; it belonged to Countess Thessalia Dharkgrove. Jon had canvassed her fro another case, and she had been courteous and chipper at the time. Jon had checked her SI:7 file - Shaw had given orders that Jon was to be given access as an Agent of Cheese, as a professional courtesy, and as a reward for helping Shaw clear the demonic imposter who had imprisoned Shaw and impersonated him. Her family had been scandalized when their perfect priestess had been discovered studying Shadow magic and had concealed her real name when she was exiled from Silvermoon as a Ren'dorei.
Jon rose from his chair went to stand beside her at her table. "You are Countess Thessalia Dharkgrove, yes? You sound distressed."
"Mr. Chess? How did you find out my full name?"
"SI:7 has files on every Ren'dorei - they are very nervous that a few Horde spies might slip through hidden among you."
"I have a file? How interesting..." she responded. "And yes, I am a little...disturbed. I think someone is trying to kill me, Mr. Chess."
"Why do you think that?" Jon asked. Perhaps he might do one last bit of good, to end his career as a private detective on a high note before wading back into the sewers of espionage and assassination for Trias.
Thessalia sat there for a moment trying to think on how to describe the feeling she's had. Biting her lip then brushing her hair behind her ear, she swatted at the void tendril that clung to her fingers. "Ever wake up in the middle of the night and feel like someone was watching you? I've looked all through my room in the inn and there's nowhere one could hide. I don't even have that big of a window."
Jon nodded, refraining from telling her that for him, paranoia was a lifestyle choice. He noticed that Lynesia was coming up the stairs, and called over to her. "Lynesia, join us? I may have one last case." Jon turned to Thessalia. "Countess Thessalia, my partner, Lynesia Deh'lorei" Jon turned back to Lynesia. "Querida, the Countess thinks someone is trying to kill her..."
Thessalia turned towards Lynesia, and noted her style of robes. "Greetings Magister," she said, nodding her head politely.
Lynesia spoke a short spell under her breath and conjured a cup of tea to drink. "Good evening.. and is that so? Ah.. well. Do not let me interrupt."
Jon turned back to the Countess. "Well, if someone is trying to kill you, let us see that we give them an irresistible opportunity? Do you ever go to Darkshire, Miss Thessalia?"
"I've been there once, it reminds me far too much of what's now the Ghostlands." Thessalia shuddered at the memory of the undead that infested part of her homeland.
"Well, maybe Lakeshire, then... Lakeshire is perfect." Jon looked over to Lynesia. "Do you want to be hammer or anvil, partner?"
"Lakeshire is lovely," Thessalia nodded, laughing a little and taking another sip of the liquor she had bought herself.
Lynesia took a sip of tea, and looked thoughtful, considering. "Hammer," she said confidently.
Jon smiled. "Excellent. I will be the Anvil, and escort the Countess to Lakeshire, then. I will get a ...something-tronic shield from Phred ...no, two of them.
"Hammer, yeah that might be a better way to off me," Thessalia mumbled.
"No, Thess... to quote a very wise fellow - who taught me the tactic - "You musr either hammer or anvil be". Jon refrained from mentioning that Jorach Ravenholdt has probably stolen it from someone else. "Will tomorrow be soon enough?"
Thessalia had no idea about which Chess was talking, but nodded. "It may very well be good enough."
Chess nodded. "Good. Shall we meet at 6? Lynesia, is that good for your teaching schedule?
"Ah, wonderful." Lynesia finished her tea and recrossed her ankles, sitting up tall like the noblewoman she was. "I am able to reorganize things as required, this will take priority, sir."
Jon chuckled. "..sir? You do me too much honor, mi Encantada."
"This is your misson, darling," Lynesia said, nodding at him before looking at Thessalia.
"Wait I know this "sir." thing. Military talk," Thessalia nodded, having heard several men in her family called that.
" Countess, meet me at the bank fountain at 6. We will move fast, and head for Lakeshire. Let anyone - and everyone - at the inn know you intend to be in Lakesire shortly after 6. Make no secret about it." If there was an assassin, the would welcome the news that after traveling under the trees of the Elwynn forest, that their target would be exposed. "I will see you upon the morrow."
Thessalia nodded absently watching the waitress rush past their table with hardly a pause to see if they needed more drink. "6 will do. Good lord that woman moves fast some days."
Jon chuckled. "In the Pig & Whistle, it is best to be a moving target to keep your ass from being bruised..."
Thessalia laughed. "Reminds me of the tavern in Murder Row!"
Jon noted Lynesia faintly smile at the memories the mention invoked. He did not mention that he was also familiar with that street in Silvermoon... and had taken many Blood Elf pawns off the chessboard there.
"Countess, there are preparations Lynesia and I need to make. Good night, and be ready tomorrow"
Rumors of war were rife, and anyone with half an ear to the ground was nervous. The defeat of Argus in Antorus had resulted in Sargeras plunging the sword Gorribal into Azeroth as he was sealed away from Azeroth forever. Gorribal landed in Silithus and destroyed most of the region - not that Jon would miss the open camps of the Twilight Crusade nor the hives of the giant insects.
Jon had joined a small army of operatives assembled by Mathias Shaw, the head of SI:7 and Jon had been part of a team that had - in Jon's case, gladly - killed Bilgewater Cartel goblins and used high explosives to destroy their shredder units to stop them from obtaining Azerite.
Champions had worked with the carbonized Magni Bronzebeard, and pulled the corruption from Gorribal at the Wound - the place where the sword entered the world. The immediate threat was contained.
Now both the Alliance and the Horde were preparing for war, lest either side use Azerite make a weapon that would make the Mana Bomb that had destroyed Theramore look like a cheap Goblin firecracker. The Alliance was once more on a war footing, and Jon's old boss had asked him to return to his service as an intelligence agent and provocateur. To become a spy... an assassin... to dust off his old uniform as the Rook... to become once more an Agent of Cheese.
And one did not say "No" to Elling Trias, once the leader of SI:7 and since his "retirement" the shadow head of a co-ordinated espionage force for the Alliance. Jon had recruited his former fiance Lynesia Deh'lorei as his partner in this, introducing her to the spy service - with her at his back, Jon would be much safer.
He just hoped it wouldn't get her killed.
A Ren'dorei sat down at the table behind him, and the slur in her voice indicated that she had already indulged in the drinks available at the tavern. Jon recognized the voice, which sounded distressed and disturbed; it belonged to Countess Thessalia Dharkgrove. Jon had canvassed her fro another case, and she had been courteous and chipper at the time. Jon had checked her SI:7 file - Shaw had given orders that Jon was to be given access as an Agent of Cheese, as a professional courtesy, and as a reward for helping Shaw clear the demonic imposter who had imprisoned Shaw and impersonated him. Her family had been scandalized when their perfect priestess had been discovered studying Shadow magic and had concealed her real name when she was exiled from Silvermoon as a Ren'dorei.
Jon rose from his chair went to stand beside her at her table. "You are Countess Thessalia Dharkgrove, yes? You sound distressed."
"Mr. Chess? How did you find out my full name?"
"SI:7 has files on every Ren'dorei - they are very nervous that a few Horde spies might slip through hidden among you."
"I have a file? How interesting..." she responded. "And yes, I am a little...disturbed. I think someone is trying to kill me, Mr. Chess."
"Why do you think that?" Jon asked. Perhaps he might do one last bit of good, to end his career as a private detective on a high note before wading back into the sewers of espionage and assassination for Trias.
Thessalia sat there for a moment trying to think on how to describe the feeling she's had. Biting her lip then brushing her hair behind her ear, she swatted at the void tendril that clung to her fingers. "Ever wake up in the middle of the night and feel like someone was watching you? I've looked all through my room in the inn and there's nowhere one could hide. I don't even have that big of a window."
Jon nodded, refraining from telling her that for him, paranoia was a lifestyle choice. He noticed that Lynesia was coming up the stairs, and called over to her. "Lynesia, join us? I may have one last case." Jon turned to Thessalia. "Countess Thessalia, my partner, Lynesia Deh'lorei" Jon turned back to Lynesia. "Querida, the Countess thinks someone is trying to kill her..."
Thessalia turned towards Lynesia, and noted her style of robes. "Greetings Magister," she said, nodding her head politely.
Lynesia spoke a short spell under her breath and conjured a cup of tea to drink. "Good evening.. and is that so? Ah.. well. Do not let me interrupt."
Jon turned back to the Countess. "Well, if someone is trying to kill you, let us see that we give them an irresistible opportunity? Do you ever go to Darkshire, Miss Thessalia?"
"I've been there once, it reminds me far too much of what's now the Ghostlands." Thessalia shuddered at the memory of the undead that infested part of her homeland.
"Well, maybe Lakeshire, then... Lakeshire is perfect." Jon looked over to Lynesia. "Do you want to be hammer or anvil, partner?"
"Lakeshire is lovely," Thessalia nodded, laughing a little and taking another sip of the liquor she had bought herself.
Lynesia took a sip of tea, and looked thoughtful, considering. "Hammer," she said confidently.
Jon smiled. "Excellent. I will be the Anvil, and escort the Countess to Lakeshire, then. I will get a ...something-tronic shield from Phred ...no, two of them.
"Hammer, yeah that might be a better way to off me," Thessalia mumbled.
"No, Thess... to quote a very wise fellow - who taught me the tactic - "You musr either hammer or anvil be". Jon refrained from mentioning that Jorach Ravenholdt has probably stolen it from someone else. "Will tomorrow be soon enough?"
Thessalia had no idea about which Chess was talking, but nodded. "It may very well be good enough."
Chess nodded. "Good. Shall we meet at 6? Lynesia, is that good for your teaching schedule?
"Ah, wonderful." Lynesia finished her tea and recrossed her ankles, sitting up tall like the noblewoman she was. "I am able to reorganize things as required, this will take priority, sir."
Jon chuckled. "..sir? You do me too much honor, mi Encantada."
"This is your misson, darling," Lynesia said, nodding at him before looking at Thessalia.
"Wait I know this "sir." thing. Military talk," Thessalia nodded, having heard several men in her family called that.
" Countess, meet me at the bank fountain at 6. We will move fast, and head for Lakeshire. Let anyone - and everyone - at the inn know you intend to be in Lakesire shortly after 6. Make no secret about it." If there was an assassin, the would welcome the news that after traveling under the trees of the Elwynn forest, that their target would be exposed. "I will see you upon the morrow."
Thessalia nodded absently watching the waitress rush past their table with hardly a pause to see if they needed more drink. "6 will do. Good lord that woman moves fast some days."
Jon chuckled. "In the Pig & Whistle, it is best to be a moving target to keep your ass from being bruised..."
Thessalia laughed. "Reminds me of the tavern in Murder Row!"
Jon noted Lynesia faintly smile at the memories the mention invoked. He did not mention that he was also familiar with that street in Silvermoon... and had taken many Blood Elf pawns off the chessboard there.
"Countess, there are preparations Lynesia and I need to make. Good night, and be ready tomorrow"
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