Blood Moon Ch. 06

Seraphita slouched in a little wingback chair at the table within Delanna's living room, an untouched plate of raspberry tarts in front of her. They were cast in the light of the crystal that hovered above the table, a striking green that had been changed from its original purple in the interim that she had been away.

After Vya'thaes' death and Ren's imprisonment, she'd been released from prison--although she was technically still a prisoner, only now confined to Delanna's home instead of a jail cell. Soon her conviction would be overturned after an appeal to what was left of the Council, but while her freedom was an inevitability, it would only be granted after Ren's trial was finished. By that point he may already be dead.

"You really should have told me about him sooner." Delanna sipped from a glass of blue wine, her eyes peering at Seraphita from over the brim.

"It seemed best to leave him out at the time. I wasn't even sure if I could trust you."

"That hurts," Delanna said, then shrugged. "But it is logical."

Seraphita's eyes were red and swollen from crying, her makeup less than perfect, her nose sniffling as if she might break into tears at any minute. The worst of it all was over. She was free now--or soon would be--but she was being forced to deal with the confusing reality that now faced her: Ren had been involved in the whole thing somehow. He had killed Vya'thaes, he had killed her fiancé, and now he was going to be killed, too, unless she did something about it.

Truthfully, she was angry. Angry and shocked that he had killed Halron, but also sad and anxious. But she wasn't conflicted. It was too late to turn him away, too late not to love him, to long for him and need him.

Apparently she had an odd expression on her face, for Delanna asked, "What's with the look?"

Seraphita swallowed, set her jaw. "Ren did us all a favor by killing Vya'thaes. He was scum."

Delanna pursed her lips, head tilting to the side. "I don't think I'm allowed to agree with that."

"Without him this may have never been resolved. Surely you can at least spare his life?"

"He killed Halron, Sera."

Seraphita deflated, her ears drooping. "I know," she whispered. "But he's--"

"Changed? Different now?"

"Yes!"

"I've heard that a lot you know." It was a simple statement of fact, firm but tender.

"He turned himself in. For me. Collected all that evidence. For me!"

"I know. You're right. He has exposed the Council's shame, but also helped fix it." She fiddled with a hooped earring. "I will advise against execution, but what his final punishment will be I cannot say."

Seraphita leaned forward across the table and grasped the other woman's hands. "Thank you! Thank you so much."

"You can thank me by eating a tart. I made them myself you know?"

She took one, chewed on it. She hadn't eaten much in the past twenty-four hours, but she couldn't get Ren off of her mind. If he wasn't to be executed, then what? Jail for life?

He wouldn't go for that, he'd rather die, I'm sure.

She swallowed and reached for another tart.

"What if..."

Ren wished he didn't have to attend trial. He had admitted to killing Seraphita's fiancé and even turned himself in, so what was the point of all this?

Pellar spoke from atop the judicial bench, very stately, very refined. Very boring.

"Ren Branson, you are charged with trespassing, vandalism, and two counts of murder, the first of which is against Vya'thaes Sunfury, and the second of which is against Halron Goldenheart. Do you understand these charges against you?"

"Yes."

"And you admit to them all?"

"I admit to killing Vya'thaes, but not murdering him." And vandalism? So he got a little blood on the monument in the park, big deal. "And I didn't vandalize anything."

"All right." Pellar scratched at his jaw and scoured his eyes over some of his papers. "Let's begin with Vya'thaes' death. You met Vya'thaes at Ruby Hill Park at around dusk to talk about this plot of his. He makes you fight his bodyguard to get back into his good graces, and when you win he takes you back to his home?"

"That's right, though I think he wanted me to lose that fight. I told him I wanted to renegotiate my contract. Eventually we came to the conclusion that he would provide me with information about who he worked with as well as documents incriminating me provided I kill both Seraphita and Delanna." Ren sniffed and added, "Apologies, Your Grace. I had no intention of actually going through with it."

"You have my forgiveness," said Delanna, unphased and all business. "Tell us what lead to his death."

"I let slip that Kaerys had already told me about Satheas and Tallaris, but as you all must be aware, Sera told you during her trial that Kaerys had told her the same thing."

"So you unwittingly placed yourself alongside Seraphita."

"Correct. He didn't much like that. Tried to fry me with a fireblast while I was walking out the door."

"And then?"

"Well, I ducked and hid. Threw my knife at him and nicked him with it. The poison on the blade did its job just in time, too."

"You turned yourself in right after?" asked Disiri.

"Yes, Your Grace."

The four councilmembers thought for a moment, wrote some things down on scrolls of parchment. "Naturally, if you struck first he wouldn't have been quick enough to dodge a fatal strike, and therefore wouldn't have been able to do so much damage to the room, as he did." Talina spoke loudly, as if she had something to prove. Likely she was still embarrassed from being mind controlled by Vya'thaes. Perhaps had a bit of a grudge, even. "Meaning he did, in fact, strike first, and you reacted accordingly."

"That's right," he confirmed, and they seemed content with his explanation. They didn't need much convincing to believe another instance of Vya'thaes being a snake.

The rest of the trial moved quickly, with little time spent on the charges of vandalism and trespassing. It was clear that what they were most interested in was the murder of Seraphita's fiancé, Halron.

"So Kaerys is the one who hired you directly?" Delanna asked.

"Yes. It was Vya'thaes' money, but Kaerys paid me."

"The evidence gathered from both of their homes confirms as much." She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned forward over the bench. "And what specifically did he instruct you to do? Other than to simply kill Halron?"

Ren gave it some thought before responding, "I was told to get rid of him. Didn't ask why, but the two of them wanted it done quick and they wanted it done in a way that made it look like Seraphita did it."

"So you used her dagger."

"So I used her dagger," he nodded.

"What of the claw marks? Why'd you hit him?"

"He moved right before I stabbed him. I don't know why. Could have been luck, could be he had a sixth sense. Some people have that you know, they'll see you even if you're invisible."

"Okay. You stab him and then what?"

"He lunges at me, I take a swipe at him. The dagger did its job after that. I had it poisoned, not that you could tell, but there's no reason to leave things up to chance with that sort of business, and poison all but guarantees things."

"Did you know about Satheas and Tallaris?"

"No, not until after I found out from Kaerys in Tanaris."

Delanna scribbled something on a piece of parchment, and her questions ended. There was no doubt that he murdered Halron, but the four councilmembers looked conflicted. They retreated behind a sound dampening barrier of magic that blocked their conversation from reaching his ears. He tried reading their faces: angry, uncertain, even sad at times. Ten minutes passed before their words suddenly reached him again.

Disiri was a small woman with short, brown hair and a delicate looking face, but when she turned to him she looked almost fierce. "Do you regret what you did?"

"In a manner of speaking."

"What manner, Mr. Branson?"

Ren looked down into his lap, wet his lips, then looked back up. "I regret the pain I caused Sera, and I regret not killing both Kaerys and Vya'thaes sooner... but I'm also glad that they chose me for the job. If it was someone else she might be dead by now." And I wouldn't have met her, he thought.

She looked at the other members of the Council but said nothing. They reviewed their papers, and then Pellar spoke again.

"If there are no more questions or further need for deliberation, let us begin the vote."

Ren already knew that he was a dead man walking, but he was hoping to at least get off on the vandalism charge.

Feather pen in hand, Pellar began to tally the vote. "On the count of trespassing?"

Four Innocent verdicts.

"On the count of vandalism?"

Four innocent verdicts. Victory.

"For the murder of Vya'thaes Sunfury?"

Four, innocent.

"And for the murder of Halron Goldenheart?"

Four, guilty.

No surprise, really.

Delanna stood up to read his sentencing. "For the murder of Halron Goldenheart you will be executed by a torpifying spell that numbs the mind until all function stops. Rest assured that it will be painless, like falling asleep."

Could be worse, he mused.

He'd be lying if he said he didn't shed some tears over his fate, but as he was led to his death--which would apparently be held within a little hospital room that was far more comfortable than his cell--his concern was primarily for Seraphita. He had been selfish; what if she got pregnant? She'd be a single mother, and there would be yet another child in the world without a father. His child. Sure she was older than him, but she was much too kind at times, and he would not be there to protect them.

You're an idiot Ren Branson.

It was the day after his trial, and elves were efficient if anything. His execution had been arranged for the morning, which suited him just fine. The sooner the better, really. But he couldn't help but feel an insolent spike of anger, dislocated from the chunk of anger he felt towards himself, generalized rather than directed towards a specific person. Oh, he was mad at Vya'thaes, sure, but if he had to choose some named being, an object of his anger, he would have to point the finger at Fate.

Fate, for giving him Seraphita then taking her away soon after. Or him away, as it were.

A guard eased him onto the singular bed within the hospital room. His hands were shackled in front of him, and he swung his legs up so that he was lying on his back. There was a pillow. No blanket. Shame, it was a little chilly outside of his worgen form.

For some reason the redheaded councilwoman was there. Likely because she would enjoy watching him die. No, that wasn't it. She didn't seem sadistic like that. She was the diligent type, probably just wanted to ensure that the job was done.

His executioner, a man in a robe not unlike that of the person who interrogated him, yawned. "Do you have any last words or requests?"

Normally such indifference to his state of affairs may have annoyed him, but Ren just closed his eyes, thought of Sera, and tried not to be too scared or too angry. If he tried hard enough, he could feel her skin against him, her body on his and that smile making his heart leap.

"All right. May the Light be with you then."

Immediately after the man spoke lethargy filled his bloodstream, and a groggy darkness ushered him away. Behind that velvety curtain of death or sleep or whatever it was, he vaguely registered a woman's voice near him, sharp yet oddly distant.

The hospital was a wide, three-story building that looked just as opulent and distinctly elven as the other buildings around it: pure white with a gold trim along the roof and doors, balconies that jutted from interiors of vivid cerise, and a golden monument of a woman with her arms outstretched stood at the very top between a pair of crimson tapestries embroidered with the emblems of Quel'thalas. Inside were rooms upon rooms and beds upon beds of patients, with doctors and priests and nurses rushing between. Sadly, one of those patients was Ren.

"It's done."

Seraphita clenched the hem of her skirt and looked up at the councilwoman, clean of makeup and eyes once again red from crying. Delanna on the other hand looked cold and unreadable.

"May I see him?"

"I suppose."

Delanna led Seraphita to a secretive room tucked away from the rest, ignoring the two guards standing watch as they entered. It was bright, with an arched window that looked out across green grass, a pond and some trees. The air smelled of flowers, crisp and slightly sweet. It was a pleasant little room albeit for the vague, clinical feeling that came with the fact that it was attached to a hospital.

She sat down next to the bed, eyeing Ren. His eyes were closed, his body still.

"It looks like he's sleeping."

"I suppose he is, in a way."

Seraphita reached for him, resting a dainty hand atop his much larger hand.

"It's not a painful spell, if you're curious. He basically just drifted off to sleep."

"That's good." Seraphita chewed at her lip and fiddled with a strand of hair. "You're sure it worked... properly? Really, truly sure?"

Delanna's eyes flickered towards Ren. "Quite sure. Vadris is an expert."

"I don't think I'd like to be an expert at such a thing," she whispered.

There was a long, respectful silence after that, and eventually Delanna retired to an adjacent room so that she could review some paperwork. Hours passed. Silent, grueling. She didn't think she had slept, couldn't even remember, but the anxiety within her kept her well enough awake. The sunlight coming in from the window changed from pale to orange as the day went on, painting the room prettily, almost nostalgically. At some point Delanna popped her head in, asking if she wanted something to eat, but she declined.

The birds quieted, the world felt still, but at last there came a noise.

A rustling from beside her.

A shifting of linen sheets.

A groan.

Seraphita was upon Ren immediately, leaning over the bed so that her face hovered over his. His fingers twitched, and then his eyes creaked opened.

"Sera?"

Tears stained her cheeks, but her face lit up with a sappy smile. "Hello," she said, choking up at the word.

Ren couldn't help but smile back. "Hey." He glanced around, clearly confused. "Am I--I mean, are we--"

"We're fine." Seraphita collapsed upon his chest in what was meant to be a hug, and Ren's hands wrapped around her, squeezing as if to make sure she was real. Tears rushed from her eyes, but this time they were happy tears, tears that felt good. "We're both fine."

Seraphita's third trial came and went, acquitting her of the murder of her fiancé and at last clearing her name. There would be no more running, no more worrying about assassins or someone recognizing her. It was amazing how quickly change could occur, for better or worse, and after her trial things had returned to the way they were before. The only problem was Ren.

Unlike what he'd believed at the time, he had not been sentenced to death, but the belief that he would be executed. It was a trick, a punishment that her and Delanna devised and the rest of the Council had agreed upon. Seraphita didn't like it, but it was better than the alternative.

For appearance's sake, a puppet was displayed outside of the Council Building, high up on a post and guised in illusory magic that transformed it into Ren's perfect doppelganger. Public displays like this were a common occurrence for high profile offenders, a spectacle designed to appease the masses.

However, as that was not quite enough, he had also been exiled and branded with a mark upon his palm, denoting shame and binding him to Seraphita who would act as his handler. Or, in other words, his owner. If he entered the boundaries of Quel'thalas at any point within the next five years he would be instantly killed. If he left Seraphita's side he would be killed. If he did anything to upset her she could activate the brand and send a bolt of pain throughout his body. This essentially forced Seraphita into exile as well, but she didn't particularly mind. Not if she was with him.

"Ready?" she called.

"Yes, yes, I'm ready," Ren mumbled. "It's not like we're in a hurry. She'll still be there even if we're three hours late."

"And what exactly would we do during those three hours?" Seraphita stopped at the doorway to the room they were staying in and leaned against the doorframe. She had her purple corset and skirt on, with thigh-high boots and fingerless gloves. A sly smirk adorned her face.

"I'd probably use at least two of those hours spanking you."

Seraphita laughed, openly and happily. "Remind me to buy a leash for you at the market later." She skipped out the door and waved. "Come on!"

Ren followed her out of the Golden Oasis and through the sandy streets of Gadgetzan. They'd arrived in Tanaris less than two hours prior on a ship from Stormwind Harbor, and she already had plans to go out. He would have preferred to stay inside, but truth be told he was happy to go anywhere with her.

When the familiar sight of Claudia's little hospital came into view, Seraphita hooked her arm through his and hurried inside. Claudia was tending to a patient when they entered, her back turned as she helped a troll woman drink some sort of sparkling teal liquid.

"One second," she said in a voice that sounded like a song.

They waited, and when she finally turned around she gasped.

"Seraphita! Ren!" Claudia was on them in a flash, hugging them both. She hugged Seraphita again, keeping a firm hold on her hands as she pulled away. "It's so so good to see you again!"

"It's good to see you, too," Seraphita said with a smile that went from ear to ear.

Claudia looked as if she was going to say something, but then she suddenly grabbed Seraphita by the shoulders and held her at arm's length. Her eyebrows rose conspiratorially. "You've got news for me," she said, looking down at Seraphita's belly.

Seraphita's smile somehow grew even brighter. "I'm fourteen weeks pregnant. Light, I'm going to be a mother! Can you believe it?"

"I certainly can!" Claudia laughed. "That's so wonderful! Though I promise it gets even better when the child is actually born... and what's that on your hand?"

Almost shyly, Seraphita held up her hand so that Claudia could see her ring. "We got married last month. Oh, it was amazing, Claudia. You should have seen my dress."

Claudia's lips twisted into a disappointed moue. "Someone didn't invite me."

"I'm sorry! It wasn't a very big wedding and I wanted to surprise you."

Claudia shook her head understandingly. "That's fine, what matters is that you did it. Really, I'm happy for you."

"You should be proud, too," Ren said, a little smirk painting his features.

"Why's that?" she asked, her blue eyes darting back and forth between Ren and Seraphita.

"She--Ouch!"

Seraphita lightly elbowed him in the ribs, exchanging a flirtatious glance before turning her attention back to Claudia.

"I resumed my healing studies and opened a little hospital of my own. It's not much, really, but... well, you inspired me."

" 'Not much' she says! She's so popular she barely has any time for me," Ren jokingly complained.

Claudia hugged her again, and this time when they parted they were both crying and laughing. "I am proud of you, Sera."

Ren wrapped an arm around Seraphita's shoulder, pulling her into him. She sniffled and returned the gesture with an arm around his waist. It was good to be happy, to be loved, to have friends. To have a future.

"We'll have to do something together!" Claudia said. "To celebrate."