Tiene stood at the edge of her window watching as Sauren and his two henchmen rode out from the complex. Finally, she had some breathing space.

He had come to her rooms earlier to tell her he had some business to tend to, which meant he would not be returning until the following evening. He'd gathered her in his arms and held her, quietly, delicately, like a flower. Nuzzling against her hair, he'd whispered how much he cared for her, wanted her.

At first, Tiene had been rigid, her emotions betwixt loathing and anger, but she was formulating a plan. This 'relationship' or whatever it was, had to be approached like a mission. So, she yielded to his embrace, although it was not without considerable effort. His kiss was deep, warm, passionate - but still, it was not the one she wanted. Dwelling on that, however, would not enable her to do what needed doing.

Of the recruits who had stayed for the previous night's celebrations, most had now gone home to be with family, and only a handful of trainers and advisors remained in the grounds. Tiene intended to go home later in the day - her father would wonder what was wrong if she did not spend some time with her family during Winter Veil. But she needed a little time to work things through in her head.

It was mid-morning and with the grounds being relatively quiet, only one sitting would be held for any meals. Tiene was pretty sure she had missed breakfast. It was probably for the best; she would not have been able to face others in the dining hall - she still felt somewhat 'exposed', raw. But, she had to eat, and she was hungry now, so she headed down to the kitchens.

Dressed in plain cloth trousers, tunic, soft-soled boots with a scarf to hide the light bruising on her throat, she ventured downstairs. It was strange with the halls and rooms being empty of chattering and laughing trainees. A skeleton staff were busy still cleaning up from the festivities of the night before. They went about their chores without so much as a glance in her direction.

Initially, when she'd first crossed the hall from Sauren's chambers to her rooms, a feeling of paranoia had gripped her. She'd visualised everyone sneering or laughing at her, imagining a sign above her head stating loud and clear she was 'Sauren's New Pet'. That ludicrous thought, however, dissipated after she'd bathed, cried, and started to formulate a plan.

Sauren had made it clear; she was the one he wanted above all others. He desperately wanted her to feel the same way about him. That would never happen. Her heart was secreted away, in Camnath's care, but whether he chose to look after, or discard it, she would never know. Nevertheless, it did not change the fact it was in his possession and his alone. Even if he no longer believed in her, she would always carry a torch for her ebony-haired love, until she was no more.

But as far as her current situation was concerned, she would play the part. There was too much at stake for her to do otherwise.

First, and foremostly, her family could never know what had happened. They would no doubt come to see that she was with Sauren, in time, but she would shield them from finding out the circumstances. The last thing she wanted was her brothers coming riding into the grounds seeking vengeance for their sister's brutal deflowering.

In the bigger picture, she came to realise her stolen virginity was not that important. She was still breathing after all, and relatively unscathed.

Neither did she wish her father to feel somehow responsible for her predicament. She would not allow for his faith in the guild and what it represented to become besmirched over this incident. Everything her family held dear and believed in would appear untainted.

Secondly, she had a team to consider. Sauren had pointed out they would follow her; they had - for some reason which she could not quite comprehend - appointed her their team leader. They were good people, friends even. The harsh truth of last night would not be divulged to them either.

They had to see Tiene as she was before their Guild Master violated her. She would ensure she lived up to their expectations. In return, she would expect their loyalty.

Thirdly, however long it took, she would ensure Sauren paid the price for his actions. She wasn't quite sure how, but she would see it through. He could have her as often as, and any which way he wanted - she didn't care - it was just her body. Physically, it was not difficult to do, but perhaps convincingly, might be an area she would have to perfect.

Finally, she had to devise a plan which would leave the guild unscathed while ridding it of its leader. Being no mean feat, it was something which, at this precise moment, eluded her. But, she was determined to make him suffer for what he did to Camnath and her. Somehow, she would ensure the end to Sauren Nightflame's leadership of the Crimson Blades.

A man like that was bound to have shady dealings somewhere, and she would root them out. She only knew of one thing which had put him slightly on edge and that had been something the old man in Karazhan had said when they were about to enter the portal. He mentioned a name — Kel' Thuzad.

She knew not who this was, but Sauren's reaction implied there was something untoward about the individual named and his connection to him. Perhaps this Kel'Thuzad had been the very client for whom they had entered Karazhan?

She needed an ally, someone who would be willing to help her. An individual she felt she could trust.

That, someone, had to be Brett Hornsby.

The dining hall was quiet, the remaining staff and stray recruits having already been fed and watered. Tiene moved down through to the kitchens.

In a cupboard, she found eggs, bread, cheese and ham. She decided to throw together an omelette. A small smile played on her lips as she recalled her cookbook, courtesy of Nerisen and the library at Ravensholdt. As she whisked the eggs, chopped up the ham and grated the cheese, she was as close to feeling like her 'old' self again - unspoiled, clean.

"That looks real tasty," a voice said from a darkened corner. Tiene dropped the whisking fork, instantly alert. Her eyes scanned the corner the voice had come from - something telling her that voice was familiar.

"So, he got you after all," it said.

Yes! She knew that voice. "Lexie?" Tiene moved around the table as a hooded figure materialised in front of her. Pushing the hood back, Lexie looked at her friend.

Tiene threw her arms around her and Lexie returned the warm gesture. They stood for a long time just hugging each other.

"I thought you had disappeared off the face of Azeroth," Tiene said, pulling back to look at the girl in front of her. Lexie seemed so grown-up, more robust, resilient.

"I almost did - when Sauren's henchmen came after me."

"What?" Tiene pulled up a chair for Lexie to sit then she proceeded to crack more eggs, preparing to make breakfast for the two of them.

"I knew he would send them, although, I thought he'd come after me himself."

"Why, though?"

"Because of what I told you. I knew it was a risk telling you what I did, but you needed to know. I gathered Sauren would coax it out of you."

Tiene stopped whisking and looked up, her eyes wide. The library! "I'm so sorry, Lexie. I told him what you said because I was scared. I didn't think he would come after you, though."

"It's alright, Tiene. I knew what I was doing when I told you." She watched as Tiene resumed making breakfast. "He would not be happy that I scared his Golden Girl."

Tiene looked up, unsure of how to interpret that. Lexie smiled at her. "I don't mean anything against you, Tiene. I'm just trying to convey how much I know you mean to him."

Tiene nodded then huffed. "Yes. I mean so much to him, alright. He lied, he was devious, he hurt me..."

"So I gathered," Lexie said, pointing to Tiene's scarf.

"No," Tiene shook her head. "I'm not referring to this," Tiene said, adjusting the material around her neck. "Although it did hurt a bit, yes." She smirked, not quite knowing why. "No, I meant the way his whole plan of making me his new pet, was carried out. So underhanded..." She sighed and continued preparing the food.

Lexie watched her closely.

Sensing her penetrating gaze, Tiene looked back at her. "He hurt my Camnath..." she whimpered. A tear fell, and quickly she wiped it away, defiant - she'd promised herself she would not cry any more.

Her friend reached over and placed a consoling hand over hers. Tiene smiled wanly. "Anyway," she said, once again focusing on preparing the food. "How did you get in here? Weren't you worried about him, or his bulldogs seeing you?"

The renegade rogue chuckled. "No, I watched them leave. Other staff couldn't care less, I reckon, but I kept myself stealthed to be sure. I was watching for you."

Tiene smiled and turned to the stove. She shook the ham about in the pan, enough to warm it, then added the eggs.

A noise from the kitchen door alerted both girls. Tiene signalled to Lexie to go back into stealth. She didn't need telling having already vanished by the time Tiene finished gesturing.

A shape loomed from the doorway.

"Brett!" Tiene said, slightly relieved but still concerned for Lexie.

"Aye lass, it's just me. Do you mind?" He indicated a stool at the table.

She glanced where Lexie had been sitting. "Erm, no. Would you like some breakfast?"

Brett smiled, sitting himself down and leaning on the table. "That would be grand if Lexie doesn't mind that is."

The human girl dropped her concealment. "You always knew when I was around. How come?"

"From the soap you use," he laughed. "You only get that kind around Redridge as it's local produce. That and the fact, I was on my way over when I saw Tiene come in and I overheard you both." He looked at them both. The girls relaxed and Tiene continued adding more ingredients to the pan on the stove.

"I'm truly sorry, Tiene. I wish I could have stopped Sauren but..." Brett's voice faltered.

Tiene faltered, just for a moment, but kept stirring the ham and eggs without looking at the second in command. "There was nothing you could have done, Brett, so don't worry," she said, her voice strained, controlled.

"But I do, Tiene. That beau of yours, Camnath he's a good lad. I hated seeing what Sauren did to you both last night."

Tiene turned and looked at the burly rogue. "Camnath is good. Too good for me, so he's better out of it." She looked away and busied herself finding utensils for the three of them to eat breakfast.

"Why on Azeroth would you think like that Tiene?"

She placed forks and knives but avoided her companions' eyes. "Because it's true, Brett. A nice girl would pack her bags now and run off to Kalimdor to find him. But I'm not going to do that. I'm too hell-bent on revenge!"

Then she looked at the two people she called friends. "I will make Sauren suffer. He must pay the price for jeopardising everything - my father and mother's reputations, my family's pride in me for getting this far, my team members' respect, and for humiliating Camnath.

"My running away would not be punishment enough for Sauren; he would see it as part of the game. And supposing I eluded him like you have Lexie? What good would that do me? Life on the run? With or without Camnath, that would be no life at all."

Lexie shifted a little uncomfortably.

Brett spoke softly. "But Tiene, Camnath loves you..."

Tiene picked up the chopping knife and threw it across the room with such force it was embedded in a wooden spar, the blade vibrating and singing. Both Lexie and Brett flinched. "Then why did I see the doubt in his eyes when I pleaded with him not to listen to Sauren!" Tiene shouted.

There - she'd said it. The one thing which had niggled all night in the back of her mind but she'd dared not voice, for fear it proved Sauren right - that Camnath couldn't have felt very deeply for her after all.

Lexie glanced at Brett before turning her attention to Tiene. "So now you doubt him?" she said. "Is that how it goes, Tiene? Tit for tat?"

Tiene snapped her head up and glared at Lexie then Brett. After a moment, she calmed. "I don't know, Lexie. But, I will see this through, supposing it takes years - I will make Sauren suffer the consequences." She turned to the stove to find the eggs overdone. "Sorry," she said, with a heavy sigh. "I forgot about these." She held out the burnt-offerings with a look of vexation.

Brett and Lexie moved around the table and hugged Tiene, making light of her failed attempt at breakfast. Brett insisted the two girls sit - they had things to catch up on after all, and he took charge of the cooking, scraping away Tiene's effort before whisking more eggs.

Over breakfast, Brett let Tiene know he had spoken at length with Camnath before he'd left the night before. She listened quietly, as Lexie squeezed her hand in a show of support. Tiene smiled a little, bittersweet, fighting back the sadness knowing her true love was hurting but fearing he may eventually forget about her. She did not comment on what Brett told her. Instead, she nodded and whispered, "Thank you."

Brett mentioned he had also voiced his concerns about Sauren's suspect business dealings to Camnath. The lad agreed to take the information to his Guild Master, Belaen Bloodbane. He was sure The Sigil of Shadow would help to co-ordinate other guilds in any investigations required.

He continued to tell the two women, several individuals within the network also had suspicions about Sauren's 'secret meetings'. Some had expressed not only the reputation of the Crimson Blades guild was at risk through his dealings, but the rogue community as a whole.

He then explained about Caer Darrow and the suspected connection with an eminent mage.

Tiene then spoke about the old man in Karazhan - of the name he'd spoken. She asked if either Brett or Lexie had heard of someone called Kel'Thuzad. Brett nodded. He told them Kel'thuzad was a member of The Six, the High Council of Dalaran. However, his alleged interest in necromancy did not sit well with the council. He was an extremely wealthy man, with money to burn, and a hunger for power. He thought it was feasible that he was the mage Sauren had been seen meeting with, but he would need it confirmed.

The three rogues then made a pact - to work together in bringing Sauren down. Brett reassured Tiene that there were loyal followers of Sa'themar still in the guild and they had never warmed to his son.

Tiene asked him to be very careful in selecting those who could be trusted, for she knew how easily Sauren could sway things to his advantage. Brett nodded, understanding.

Finally, Tiene said she needed to go to Silvermoon and the best time was now while Sauren was away. She asked Brett if one of the mages would oblige and keep her visit secret. He knew the very man, he said.

Lexie agreed to remain in Capital City - she had friends too who would help. Any correspondence required would only be to and from Brett, who, for now anyway, still had Sauren's trust. Brett would, in turn, pass any letters on to Tiene, if so necessary.

Tiene was encouraged to have a plan in place with two good friends on board. She was under no delusion that it would take time - possibly longer than she cared to admit. But she promised herself that none of that time would be wasted. She would excel in every single trick of the Rogues' bible. Sauren Nightflame's days of glory were numbered.

Having just seen one of her best clients off the premises, Aledine collected the money from her employee before gliding back to her chamber. She secreted the money in a small lockbox then stored it in her desk.

With the mornings' takings securely put away, she moved to the small table of magical pots and powders where she proceeded to freshen up, ready to greet an esteemed regular who would be arriving shortly.

One of her working girls, Zalaya, called through from the doorway, letting Aledine know she was taking in her next client. The madame nodded and laughed as she saw the man grab the working girl's butt and squeeze it playfully.

Aledine turned back to the mirror. Moving closer to her reflection, she started to paint her lips with a glossy ruby red balm.

But, she was not alone. She gasped, dropping her lip brush, as a face materialised behind her out of thin air.

"You once told me my body could be as good a weapon as any dagger," her visitor said.

The blonde hair and impish face were very familiar. "Inaris' sister?" Aledine whispered. "Tiene?"

"Correct, Aledine." Tiene smiled.

The madame nodded, having recovered from her surprise. She looked at the blonde elf in the mirror, curious; this was not quite the same innocent young girl she met just over a year ago. Here was a woman who possessed much anger, yet plentiful passion within her. This woman was deadly, indeed.

"What can I do for you, Tiene?" Aledine smiled.

"Teach me," the blonde said. "Teach me all."

Thank you for reading!!!

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