Kalecgos suddenly looked uneasy. Jaina thought she knew why. Gently, she placed a hand on his arm. “You are a dragon, Kalecgos,” she said. “You don’t need to be involved in this. Especially since you are a former Aspect who is already preoccupied with tracking down a stolen artifact.”
He smiled gratefully. “Thank you for understanding, Jaina. But… I would see none of you come to harm.”
“Lady Jaina knows what she’s doing,” said Kinndy. “The Alliance will come to protect its own.”
Kalecgos shook his head. “This is more than a scuffle or a raid on a small village. If the Horde succeeds, Garrosh would not be overconfident to assume that he could indeed control Kalimdor. I… will need to think on this before offering my aid. I’m sorry, Jaina.”
He looked into her eyes, and she knew with perfect understanding how much this was tormenting him. Their hands, seemingly of their own volition, met and clasped. Jaina found herself reluctant to let go, but she had time only for the defense of Theramore right now.
“We need to take steps immediately,” she said. “I’ll go contact Varian. Pained, you go among the soldiers, both here in Theramore proper and those stationed along the roads. If Sentry Point is without at least one horse, get them one. They need to be able to ride swiftly to inform us if the Horde approaches.”
The night elf nodded, saluted, and left at a running trot. “What about the civilians?” asked Kinndy. “Should we tell them?”
Jaina considered, her brow furrowing in thought. “Yes,” she said finally. “Theramore was originally a martial city. Those who choose to dwell here know its strategic position. We’ve been fortunate ere now. They will understand and obey our orders.”
She turned to Tervosh. “You and Kinndy start going door-to-door informing the citizens. No more ships are to set sail from this port. We need every single vessel we can muster. Those civilians who wish to leave may, though I believe they’ll be safer here than in the marsh with the Horde approaching. The gates will be open until sundown, at which time they will be closed and not reopened until the danger has passed. I’m also putting a curfew into effect at two bells beyond sundown.”
“Why not at sunset?” Kalec queried.
“Because they are people, and they need to feel like people, not trapped animals. Two hours past sundown will give everyone the chance to have a meal at an inn with their family, or a drink or two with friends by the fire. Such simple things will remind them, when the fighting does come, what they are fighting for: not just an ideal or even their own survival, but also their homes, their families, their way of life.”
Kalecgos looked surprised. “That… had not occurred to me.”
“And two hours isn’t really enough for anyone to get into trouble,” said Kinndy. “Good idea.” Jaina gave her a bemused glance and wondered how she knew about such things.
“Thank you, world-weary one,” Jaina said, smiling as the gnome rolled her eyes. “Any questions?”
“Nope,” said Kinndy. “Come on, Tervosh. I’ll go down to the harbor; you go talk to the soldiers at Foothold Citadel. While you’re there, find out what supplies Dr. VanHowzen is going to need to treat the injured. I’m sure there are many civilians here with first aid training who will be glad to help.”
Tervosh suppressed a grin. “Yes, boss,” he said as Kinndy waved absently at Jaina and Kalec and started descending the stairs at a brisk pace. Shrugging, Tervosh followed her.
“Your apprentice is most self-assured,” Kalecgos said.
“A quality I have no desire to see her lose,” said Jaina. “Few things are more dangerous than an insecure mage. Indecision at a crucial moment can cost lives.”
He nodded. “Very true. Now… what can I be doing to help?”
“I will let you know. First, I need to contact King Varian,” she said, adding apologetically, “I’m not sure he’d be particularly glad to know there is a blue dragon here.”
“Ah, yes, I can quite understand that,” said Kalec. “I will return to my quarters until you send for me.”
“No, you can come,” Jaina said. “Just don’t stand in front of the mirror.”
He looked at her, baffled, and she smiled.
Kalecgos followed Jaina as they went from the library, which of course housed hundreds of books, to her parlor, which probably only housed dozens. Jaina stepped up to one shelf and touched three books in what struck Kalec as a very precise order. He was not altogether surprised when the bookshelf slid aside to reveal a mirror, oval and not elaborately framed, hidden behind the books. Kalec blinked. In the mirror, he saw Jaina’s reflection and his own.
“You did mention a mirror. I assume there is more to this than a way to discreetly tell me I need to shave?” he joked.
“Much more,” she said. “It operates using the same methodology, the same math”—she bowed slightly—“that a portal does. Except it’s much simpler and more basic. Portals actually have to be able to physically transport someone somewhere. The mirror just allows viewing of a different place and, if the timing is right, other people. I’m going to use this to contact Varian. Let’s hope he’s nearby, or we will have to try again.”
Kalec shook his head, again marveling at the wonderful lack of complexity of the younger races and their spells. “I know of this sort of spell. Very old, and very simple. Just like the ‘costume’ spell the thieves utilized to hide the Focusing Iris from my detection.”
“Yet your flight doesn’t use such things?”
“Most would think it beneath them to use a garden-variety spell like this one,” he said, adding quickly, “but I think it’s brilliant.”
“I’m trying not to be insulted,” said Jaina. She said the words lightly, but her brow had furrowed again.
“I,” said Kalec, reaching for her hands, “am both clumsy and rude. I do think it’s brilliant. We dragons…” He struggled to explain the mentality of dragonflights, especially that of the blues. “Dragons seem to think that the more complicated a thing is—the longer it takes to perform, the more ingredients it has, and the more people it requires to participate—the better it is. That goes for clothing, meals, magic, art—everything. They would rather sit down for days and design a laborious spell to teleport a thing directly to their hands than simply get up and fetch the saltcellar.”
That got a smile out of her, and Kalec was glad. “So, you like that I’m simple and uncomplicated?” Jaina queried.
All the humor fled him. “I like you,” was all he could say. “I’ve seen you be simple, and I’ve seen you be complex, and it all suits you. You’re Jaina. And… I like Jaina.”
She did not let go of his hands; instead she looked down at them. “That is high praise, coming from a dragon,” she said.
He placed a finger beneath her chin and tilted it up so that she looked into his eyes. “If that is praise, then you have earned it.”
Color suffused her cheeks and she stepped back, releasing his hands and smoothing her robe unnecessarily. “Well… thank you. Now, please, move all the way over into that corner. You should be out of Varian’s line of sight there.”
“I obey, my lady,” he said, bowing and retreating to the corner she had indicated.
Jaina turned to face the mirror. She paused for a moment to tidy a stray lock of hair and inhaled a deep, steadying breath. Composed, she murmured an incantation and waved her hands. As Kalec watched, her face was bathed not in the ordinary hues of lamp or sunlight, but in a soft blue tint.
“Jaina!” said Varian. “It is good to see you.”
“And you, Varian. Although I wish I were contacting you to ask how Anduin’s studies are going.”
“It sounds as if I should be wishing that too. What’s happening?”
Succinctly she informed him of the situation. Word had not yet reached him about the fall of Northwatch Hold. Varian remained silent as Jaina spoke, interrupting only occasionally for clarification. She told him she had received a warning that the Horde’s reach far exceeded its current grasp of Northwatch.