A crowd gathered in the throne room, as the men to be promoted stood in front of Varian. Grogek and Jordan stood center, while Jerry, Louis and Mark stood behind them. The room had been decorated with full banners and honors, in recognition of the service the men held.
"I have gathered you all here to bear witness to the makings of our new Stormwind." Varian began. "The men before you have shown me great integrity, honesty, and above all, loyalty. It is with great honor that I give them the recognition they deserve. I start with General Grogek. The man that stands before you was once a terrible enemy. His ferocity and brutality belonged to the Iron Horde, training men under Grommash's command. Thanks to the actions of his lovely wife Elunara, he has been led into our hands instead. Since that time, he has taken our hardest and best trained men, and honed them into a weapon of destruction on the battle field. He has taken our weakest members and turned them into well armed soldiers, ready to do battle with any foe. I have the great honor and pleasure, of naming him General of the Army. May he transform his elite core into the fiercest warriors the world has ever known."
Grogek stepped forward and put his fist to his chest. "You honor me."
Varian pinned the medal. "You'll do us proud." He grinned. "Now, I turn my attention to General Jordan Shryke, also a man of many accolades. He has earned his place in my army as General through his quick mind and devotion to the cause. While some may fret over the position of Second in Command, Jordan has not once flinched against the title. He is well aware, and proud, of the fact that he is a compliment to any man he is positioned under, and quite frankly, I wish there were more men like him. As such, he takes his place as High General, and will lead our men to victory in the name of the Alliance."
Jordan stepped forward and accepted his medal. "I think we need a conversation about the wording of that speech..." He whispered so only Varian could hear.
"Sorry, I couldn't help myself." Varian grinned.
"You and Elunara are perfect for each other." He snorted.
"I take that as high praise." Varian winked.
Once both men returned to the crowd, Varian smiled. "No leader can be complete without men to lead. It is with great honor that I promote Captain Mark to Major Mark. I suspect he'll do the promotion proud." Once Mark moved away, Varian turned his attention to Jerry and Louis. "Since you two are a team, I promote you as a team, to Captains Jerry and Louis. May your skill and expertise benefit our youngest soldiers."
Loud weeping could be heard from the front row of the spectators.
"Kaileen, can you button it?" Elunara hissed. "You're embarrassing your son."
"But I'm just so HAPPY!" she wailed.
Elunara smacked a hand to her own forehead. She tapped the woman, who crumpled to the floor. Jerry made to step forward, but Elunara waved a hand. "She can nap through the rest."
"Thank you." Varian nodded towards Elunara. "I have one final promotion to make." He held out his hand. "Admiral Johnathan Renwa, please step forward.
Renwa blinked a moment before heading over.
"It is my pleasure, and honor, to appoint you Grand Admiral Renwa, to be my second in command, and have YOU to take over for me in any and all absences I may have."
"Me?" Renwa squeaked. Putting a fist to his mouth, he cleared his throat. "Thank you, sir, for this highest, and most esteemed, honor."
"Anyone who can put up with Elunara's antics, and stay sane, deserves it in my book." Varian whispered.
"You're telling me." Renwa laughed.
Afterward, Varian chuckled. "She's quite the drama queen."
Elunara watched Kaileen smother Jerry. "That she is." She yanked his ponytail. "I heard that, by the way."
"Would have been disappointing if you hadn't." He smirked.
"They're all going to kill the both of us when they realize what we're planning on doing."
"That they are." He chuckled.
"Ugh, that was so lame. The only people getting promoted were that bitch Elunara's fuck buddies." One soldier smirked.
"Well, she is marrying the king." The other soldier shrugged.
Elunara was down the hallway like a shot. Grabbing both men by the hair, she slammed them into the wall. "Since you dumbshits disagree with the politics in our fair city, you can both LEAVE." She jerked one back. "Believe me, you useless waste of flesh, I remember you from the first time I kicked your sorry ass."
"Whore." He spit.
"That IS my codename, yes." She rolled her eyes. "Allow me to escort you back to your houses so you can get your shit and be gone."
Varian shook his head. "I swear... she has a nasty temper."
"Try being on the receiving end." Zelinnia snorted.
"YOU?"
"Oh, yeah. It's ok, though. I deserved it."
"And it worked to my favor." Renwa winked. "Speaking of which, do you honestly think I'm capable of... all of this?"
"More than." Varian smiled and put a hand on Renwa's shoulder. "I trust your judgment in all things, and that has nothing to do with Elunara in the least."
"I'm deeply honored."
"Do me proud, old friend." Varian winked.
Days later, Elunara spun around as she looked at the decorated Keep. "Now this is spiffy."
"And this time tomorrow, it will be stuffed." Varian chuckled. "Studied all the exits yet?"
"First, I already knew them, second, not without you in hand." She winked.
He slid his hands across her hips. "Mine. And soon, they will ALL know."
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she purred. "They already do."
"Save some for the wedding night."
They both looked over. "Like you did?" Elunara winked at Renwa.
