Maiev was no major spellcaster. She knew how to adapt things to her needs, though, and over the millennia—and especially with regard to Illidan Stormrage—she had probably picked up several tricks. This had to be one of them.
Jarod remembered the trap that had almost killed him. Eadrik had freed him rather quickly. Maiev had needed traps that were strong but easily removed. She had used them to capture and subdue her victims, then no doubt had taken a more personal satisfaction in cutting their throats as they lay helpless.
For a moment Jarod hesitated and glanced up again at Malfurion, who could not see him from the current angle. This is your twin’s fault, the former guard captain could not help thinking somewhat angrily. She was never like this! You should have had him executed! He deserved that. . . .
He shook off the dark notions. Maiev had made her own choices in the end. She knew well enough what she did and found life valueless enough to kill as she desired.
Mouth set grim, Jarod inspected the tree and ground around it. That there had been a sentry made him certain that the spellwork itself had little in the way of other defenses. He just had to find the key, hard enough to do—
Something very tiny glittered in the bark near the roots. He gingerly brushed off some loose dirt.
He found a small stone the color of a pearl wedged into a gap in the bark. Jarod waved his hand over it, but nothing happened.
Thinking again of his sister’s need for expediency, Jarod simply plucked the stone out.
“Ungh!” Malfurion, his one side released, swung toward the tree on the opposing side from the one from which Jarod had removed the stone. Jarod feared that the archdruid would be injured by the collision, but Malfurion managed to put his free hand between him and the trunk.
The archdruid ceased swinging. As Jarod watched in wonder, the tree to which the spell still held him stretched its branches down to its roots. With precision, two smaller branches removed another stone from near the roots, then crushed it between them. Malfurion gently dropped feet first to the ground.
Jarod, eyeing the stone in his palm, marveled at both the act and the strength, but wondered why the tree had not done so sooner. Malfurion seemed to expect such curiosity and quickly said, “The trees do not see the world as we do or think exactly as we do. They wanted to help, but were not certain what they could do that would not harm me, since I could not communicate with them because of the trap.”
“My sister is nothing if not thorough.”
The archdruid stared at the dead sentry. “Maiev and her Watchers. I still cannot believe it.” He peered around. “We had best watch out for Neva. Of all Maiev’s Watchers, she is the most fanatical and dangerous.”
“Neva is dead.” In answer to Malfurion’s curious gaze, Jarod shrugged, adding, “I killed her after she and others slew Genn’s man Eadrik and another worgen.”
“Why them?” Malfurion asked in some shock.
“Eadrik suspected her but doubted anyone would believe it. He and the other died protecting me. Maiev wanted me alive as a dupe; Neva trusted me better dead.”
“And the Highborne will be next if we do not find her.” The archdruid raised his hands to the trees. Although he seemed to simply stand there afterward, Jarod had to assume Malfurion now communed freely with the forest.
A breeze came out of nowhere. Above them, the crowns of the nearest trees gently shook.
Lowering his hands, the archdruid confidently said, “I know the path! Come!”
They rushed through the forest toward their destination, Jarod at first fearing that another trap set by Maiev might do them in before they could reach her. However, he soon noticed that Malfurion constantly looked up as much as ahead. It slowly dawned on the other night elf that the archdruid was now in constant communication with the trees and other flora.
It seemed to take forever, but at last Malfurion bade him halt. The archdruid’s eyes narrowed as he studied the path ahead.
“Two of Maiev’s Watchers ahead.”
Jarod could see no one but took his companion’s word. Malfurion crept forward a few steps, then gestured.
There was a slight rustle of leaves, followed by a soft grunt.
“Hurry!” Malfurion whispered.
Curious, Jarod followed. He kept watch for the two sentries, but even when he and Malfurion reached the area where Jarod assumed they should be, he saw nothing.
Aware of the other night elf’s confusion, the archdruid muttered, “Look up.”
The veteran soldier did and saw the figures in question dangling high above. Branches wrapped them as if burial shrouds. They hung very still, and Jarod knew immediately that they were dead.
“They left me no choice,” Malfurion murmured as the two moved on.
Jarod nodded his understanding. Even though a veteran soldier, he would have preferred no more bloodshed, but did not shirk from the necessity. Maiev and her Watchers would not show them any mercy.
Barely had they gone a few yards farther when Jarod heard a voice ahead. He knew his sister instantly. She seemed to be proclaiming something, but the words did not carry well. Maiev had chosen a location where even if she spoke loudly, no one very far away would hear.
Malfurion guided him more to the east. His expression grew more concerned as they went.
“What is wrong?” Jarod finally asked.
“We need to move faster, but if we do, she will notice us sooner.”
As he spoke, there came a low sound that Jarod finally determined was someone else protesting. Although he could still not understand a word, there was a hint of desperation in the tone.
Desperation from a Highborne? Jarod grimaced. He could only imagine what Maiev might have done to bring one of the spellcasters to such a strait.
Ahead of him, Malfurion uttered a low, angry oath. The archdruid picked up his pace.
They came near enough to at last not only better hear but catch a glimpse of what was going on. Even then, Jarod was slightly confused at what his sister had set into motion.
“Now,” Maiev almost cheerfully called, her helmet propped in her arm. “Who is next to be judged? You, I think.”
Neither night elf could see to whom she spoke, but once more there was a protest. “I beseech you again to stop this insanity, Maiev Shadowsong! If you think we must be judged, then bring us before the people of Darnassus—”
“‘The people of Darnassus’? They will do anything the high priestess or the archdruid tells them! I am the only honest arbiter for this! I am the only one who can mete out true justice for your damnable crimes!”
“This way,” Malfurion whispered. “I want you to go by that tree, then wait—”
Jarod shook his head. “No. You will need a distraction. I will draw Maiev’s attention.” He paused, then added, “I would like to take her alive, but . . . do what you must. . . .”
The archdruid nodded. “As you must, I am sorry to say. Be wary, Jarod. At this point Maiev may consider you nothing more than another enemy to be slain. She let me live only because she wanted me not only to know I had failed to save the Highborne but also so that she could later tuck me into some foul prison and slowly torture me.”
The former guard captain’s expression grew cold. “Maiev will try to kill me. I know that.” Jarod’s eyes narrowed to slits. “For her sake, she had better hope she succeeds. . . .”
Without another word, he left Malfurion and headed toward his sister. Jarod straightened as he stepped out of the woods, one hand clutching the knife.
“Maiev . . . ,” he quietly called.
Without even looking, she replied, “Jarod. Have to say I am proud of you for finding me.” She peered over her shoulder at her brother. “Of course, that does not mean I will not make you regret it.”