A Letter of Acceptance

Biara sighed, shaking her head and setting the parchment down on the writing desk before her. She reached out, her delicately manicured hand scooping up a goblet of fine wine which she sipped as her fel green eyes ran over the contents of her desk once more.

It had been several days now since the Blackhearts had been ordered to assemble an expeditionary force to aid the Horde war effort, and in that time Biara had come to some stark realizations over the position of House Sunfire within the grand workings of Quel'Thalas.

They were low on manpower.

Not just low, bereft. The fall of Dayfire Spire had slain many House Dayfire supporters, and even with the money Kyliska had provided from her own coffers to found House Sunfire, they had only been able to assemble a small military force. What was worse, House Dawnsea had ALMOST claimed control of the Blackhearts military company while House Dayfire was in decline. Only the presence of House Moonblade forces in the mix, combined with the new House Sunfire's tenuous grip on outlying properties liberated from House Dawnsea allowed Biara to even command a fraction of the force. As a result, when the call had gone out for troops to be supplied to Quel'Thalas, it had forced a round of negotiations as the Magistrix tried to find a way to supply those troops without draining House Sunfire's forces at a crucial time.

And thus, the letter and papers sitting on Biara's desk. And the reason for her headache.

Biara took another sip of wine before setting the goblet down, a golden bracelet on her wrist sparkling in the magical lights that surrounded her. Although the negotiations were not entirely favorable, things could have been worse she supposed. Maybe. Her gaze came to rest once more on the letter before her.

Magistrix Sunfire,

Greetings and salutations! I pray that this letter finds both yourself, and your sister Kyliska in excellent health. I was pleased with our recent discussions over the future of Quel'Thalas and the need to meet the Warchief's demands for troops and materials of war.

As we had discussed, let this letter mark my official and joyous acceptance of your offer for a military alliance between House Sunfire and House Sunhaven. I believe that between us and the other Houses already included in your military company, we can gather the appropriate soldiers and materials needed to meet our obligations to our nation and to the Horde as a whole.

As we have previously discussed, I am henceforth dispatching four companies of House Sunhaven soldiers to our mutually agreed upon muster point. Please see the attached appendices for a complete list of the capabilities of these companies. As per the laws I am enforcing upon my own House, we will not be providing you with magical support or materials, as we no longer retain any Sin'dorei with such capabilities. 

Please also note that the Blood Knights I am dispatching alongside the above noted companies have been given their own command structure. Their role on the battlefield is that of healer and they have been ordered to engage in no bloodshed during any engagements that we may participate in. I am aware that your sister Kyliska already commands her own formidable assemblage of Blood Knights, and must remind you that my men are not under her direct command and have been ordered to ignore any orders contrary to my own during any deployments. As we discussed, I believe your sister is quite capable, but her methodology does not correspond with the edicts of House Sunhaven, and I would prefer if my men remain under the disciplinary guidelines we have in place for them.

I hope that we may work together towards a brighter, healthier Quel'Thalas where our people can once again live in peace and harmony with our ancestral lands and where we can, with a group effort, finally heal ourselves from the ravages that magic has left upon our bodies and minds.

I will be undertaking a journey over the next few months in an effort to learn more of our allies and the events that have transpired in the world. For too long I have remained secluded here, and it is time that I leave Quel'Thalas for a while to learn firsthand what has happened since the restoration of the Sunwell. During my absence, all requests may be routed through my seneschal, who will be more than happy to assist you with any issues that may arise. With luck, I will return in due time and the gates of Quel'Thalas will open for one who has gained some wisdom.

I wish you well, Magistrix Sunfire, and hope that these arrangements are pleasing to you. May your path be green and golden. 

Sincerely yours,
Alleriel Sunhaven
Scion of House Sunhaven
Former Magistrix of the Whispering Grove

Biara sighed, shaking her head again as she reread the words. The alliance was necessary to maintain the balance of troops within the Blackhearts, and would help to ensure that House Sunfire didn't fade in power as they recruited more Sin'dorei to their cause. She could only hope that Lady Sunhaven was less irksome to deal with than the other Houses already included in the fragile alliance. Time would tell.

Her headache was getting worse.

"I swear this will be the death of me," the Magistrix murmured as she arose from her chair. "Miscalculations and defeats have forced us to this point. Let us hope that we can rise above the need for such things one day."

With that she walked from the room, heading towards the armory. She had much business to complete before the day was done, and the work was vital to the growth of House Sunfire.