An excerpt from Blizzard's new Sylvanas novel! Not really, but it is a late Noblegarden commission! This is a continuation of sorts to my Dark Proposal story. Been awhile since I've written a festive themed story but I hope it's better than the others. As a bit of trivia, Sylvanas apparently smells like wilted roses so I included that in here. Enjoy.
Nick stomped through the Forsaken capital, the dark stone pathways cool against his padded feet. The sewer-city was cold, damp and worst of all it smelled atrocious—like death, decay, and sewer sludge that hadn't been cleaned since the dawn of the third war. With his enhanced sense of smell, it was times like this that his worgen curse was truly a curse. He hoped his escort would soon deliver them to their destination. It was Noblegarden and eggs as well as other festive adornments decorated the glum city. They were oddly out of place with their bright colors and artistic designs. He didn't particularly care for the holiday himself, though in a way it was why he was here in the first place. He looked over at the guard acting as his guide. The skeletal man hadn't said a word—then again maybe he couldn't speak. At the very least his jaw was still attached which was better than some Forsaken could say.
Nick received some odd looks but for the most part the undead seemed to ignore him, uncaring as they went about their business. Other than him there weren't too many members of the living within the sewer-city, but occasionally he did see some orcs and some blood elves hurrying about. The orcs didn't seem to mind the stench as much as the elves who were no doubt used to the cleanliness of Silvermoon. All of them except the undead elves, of course. His silent escort finally stopped in front of a massive arch shaped hole in the wall which lead into a twisting hallway filled with guards clad in red. Standing in the middle of the hallway with arms crossed and head tilted in boredom was the attractive dark ranger he had first met in Quel'thalas.
Anya frowned when she saw him, her eyes darting down to the bag he was carrying and then back up to him. It wasn't an unfriendly look, but one of curiosity. She did not perceive him as a threat.
"A gift," he said, noticing her inquisitive expression and raising the bag a bit so as to allow her a better look. She couldn't actually see the contents of it, but the friendly gesture was enough.
The dark ranger nodded and turned around, motioning for him to follow. The hallway was longer than he had previously thought, and the royal guards eyed him much more warily than Anya or the other guards had. The stench lightened as he was led farther and farther away from the main city and the repulsive slime encircling it until eventually the duo stepped into an empty throne room. He looked around the circular room, it was brighter than the rest of the city with an uplifted platform in the center. A simple throne made of stone sat upon it but Sylvanas was no where to be seen.
"Come." Anya proceeded towards the back of the room, her boots clicking on the cold stone. Behind the round platform in the middle of the room was a sturdy looking door previously hidden from sight unless one walked all the way around. She stopped in front of the door and nodded her head towards it.
"The mistress is waiting for you in there." Always quick to the point, she turned to walk away, her boots clicking a few more times before she spoke up again. "And try to keep it down, I have to wait out here."
Nick nodded even though her back was turned towards him, watching the undead elf as she climbed the steps of the platform and melted into the throne as if coming home after a long day of work. Once Anya was seated he turned his attention back to the door to what he assumed were the Dark Lady's personal chambers. It was made of a solid dark wood and he beat his fist against it to make sure Sylvanas could hear him. Her ghostly voice immediately responded from the other side of the door, ushering him in with her words but not opening the door herself. Eager to get down to business, Nick hurriedly opened the door and stepped inside.
The room was larger than he had expected and lit by dim purple lights in typical Forsaken fashion. Likewise, an intricate purple rug with Forsaken imagery graced the floor, covering much of the stone underneath. Across a square table rested a number of unfurled scrolls and a map of Azeroth was pinned to the wall above it, red markings scrawled over it at strategic locations. There were weapons, odd trinkets and other such things littered around the room, but the only thing Nick was truly interested in was a grandiose bed on the far end of the room. A bed Sylvanas kept even though she had no need to sleep.
Connected to this room was an adjacent room shaded by blood red drapes and it was through this room that Sylvanas Windrunner stepped out of, book in hand and head bowed as she read through it. She stood still for a few seconds as she finished her page, placing a feather to mark her spot before closing the book and looking up at Nick for the first time. The queen of the Forsaken was clad in her usual armor, the mix of plate and leather doing nothing to hide her thunder thighs or toned feminine abs. Her silver-blonde hair framed her hooded face and her bright red eyes glowed as they gazed into his own. There was a depth to them and though he wasn't certain, she seemed happy to see him. Not that she would ever admit as much, even if she was using him for pleasure.
"My lady," he said, voice sarcastically formal.
"Don't be cute, it doesn't suit you." Sylvanas took a step forward and held out her hand. "I assume that bag contains whatever depraved outfit you would have me wear?" She smelled of wilted roses, an antique smell but oddly pleasant and fitting.
