Muddied Waters

Biara sat in a high-backed chair, a large table spread out before her with several maps of Quel'Thalas laid over it. Upon the maps were a number of notations, troop placement markers, and depictions of various assets of all of the four Houses included in the Blackhearts alliance. The purpose of the information was to show the Magistrix exactly how the now-increased company was deployed within their homeland and where it could best be put to use if deployed outside of Quel'Thalas, such as the groups that had already been sent on to Pandaria with Kyliska's battlegroup.

As she looked over the map, Biara sighed, making a few new notations on the document before pausing to glare critically at the entire pile of documents. There was no mistaking the situation; with four Houses now included in the alliance and several of them deploying men and materials to Pandaria, the delicate balance of power within the city was on a knife's edge. If any House depleted their forces too far, they would be weak within Quel'Thalas and one of the other Houses could use the opportunity to snatch up undefended assets. On the reverse point of view, if any House withheld too many resources, they would lose face in the overall political background of Silvermoon's elite as they would appear to be less loyal. It was a tricky situation indeed.

Biara's thoughts were interrupted as a servant approached, sealed letter in hand. The servant placed the letter on the table before offering the Magistrix a bow and quickly retreating. Biara audibly groaned when she saw the seal gracing the letter's exterior. The lack of magic on the parchment had been enough of a hint but seeing the emblem of a sun rising between two trees embedded in the wax let her know it was another letter from House Sunhaven. With a rolling of her eyes, Biara picked the document up and broke the seal, reading swiftly.

Magistrix Sunfire,
 Greetings and salutations! I am writing to you in regards to several important points that have become a topic of deep debate between myself and several other members of our alliance. I wished to make my sentiments on these matters abundantly clear since there has been rumor and hearsay flying about like loose mana on the wind. It is always best to address such matters directly and with integrity to avoid future complications in my opinion.

The first matter I wished to address is the issue of Theramore. Although I am currently traveling, I have been corresponding with my seneschal as well as members of some of the other Houses involved in our alliance. It has come to my attention that House Dawnsea has recently made statements abhorring the abominable acts that were committed at Theramore by Horde forces. In direct contrast to this, it is my understanding that you yourself have made direct declarations condoning this historic event and hailing it as a great achievement of our people.

It is my wish that the two Houses come together in some form of agreement upon this matter. While I do not believe we should go so far as to publicly condemn the act, I also do not believe that your own stance on this matter is entirely accurate, as I believe you would feel utterly different if such an act were to occur in Quel'Thalas. In fact, one could argue that the Deadscar is very similar to the damage done to Theramore's physical structure.

House Dawnsea is correct, in theory, that the use of such magics is abhorrent. We have seen more than enough suffering due to this force and we understand the danger it poses and the damage it can do to our beloved lands. Actively encouraging the development of such weaponry is absolutely unacceptable for any member of this alliance, and I urge you to consider strongly your words on this matter before expressing them publicly in the future.

That being said, in every argument there is a point of balance where the two sides agree more than disagree. I have come to see this in my travels, and even in this argument it is true. While House Dawnsea may be correct to condemn the act, they are not correct to say that the act was entirely unwarranted, and your point of view has some merit. Theramore was not entirely neutral as public opinion would lead one to believe. Fort Triumph, which was itself responsible for the destruction sewn amongst the Tauren, was being supplied from somewhere. It is highly unlikely and illogical even to think that the men and women of Fort Triumph landed on some desolate shore rather than at Theramore's docks. It is clear that this city-state was, in fact, supplying the Horde's foes for some time, facade of neutrality or not. Therefore, your argument that the attack on this city was justified is not entirely incorrect. The friend of my enemy is my enemy after all, yes?

Consider my words carefully for the future, I beg of you. Neither viewpoint should be taken to such lengths as to attempt to represent all of the Blackhearts company, for there are so many differing opinions that the waters have become too muddied to see through. 

My final point before I leave you to your work is to inform you that I have moved one half-company in support of your sister Kyliska. She should expect to see the arrival of our men on this new continent within a week's time, and I myself will be joining them once I have finished my contemplation and training. It is only fitting that I go myself, for your House has dedicated its own blood to the journey, and I hear rumor that House Moonblade's Scion has herself seen fit to depart for this distant land. A donation of blood will be met in kind, and you can be assured that I will do my part for our people.

I bid you farewell Magistrix. May your path be green and golden.
With warm regards,
Alleriel Sunhaven
Scion of House Sunhaven
Former Magistrix of the Whispering Grove

Biara let the letter fall to the table's surface, sighing heavily. A manicured hand came up to massage her temples as she tried to absorb the irritating words of her new ally. It was clear that House Sunhaven would only make matters more complex, and yet the forces it brought were vital to House Sunfire; that much was clearly spelled out on the map before her.

In some frustration, Biara looked around her war room and noted that Kyliska had left some of her training equipment stacked neatly in a corner. For a brief moment, she had the urge to pick up one of Kyliska's swords and take her irritation out on one of the training dummies in the practice yard. She could see now why her sister liked to beat the dummies into useless pulps some days.

Kyliska's methods might not be entirely inappropriate.

Biara sighed again, shaking her head and rising. She would go and read a book and try to put all of these thoughts from her mind for a time. In some ways, her sister was the lucky one; she'd rather be dealing with deadly creatures than having to read these inane letters constantly!