World of Warcraft: The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm Page 0,106

Jaina,” he said, returning the hug and then pulling back. “My father … can I talk to him?”

“Of course,” Jaina said. “Come with me.”

The walls of Jaina’s small, cozy room were, not surprisingly, lined with books. She stepped up to one shelf and touched three of them in a particular order. Anduin gaped as the bookshelf slid aside to reveal what looked like a simple oval mirror hanging on the wall. He closed his mouth as he caught a glimpse of his own reflection; he looked rather idiotic staring with his jaw open.

Jaina didn’t appear to notice. She murmured an incantation and waved her hands, and the reflection of Anduin, Jaina, and the room disappeared. In its place was a swirling blue mist.

“I hope he is nearby,” Jaina said, frowning a little. “Varian?”

A long, tense moment passed, then the blue mist seemed to take on a shape. A topknot of brown hair, features in a lighter shade of blue, a scar crossing the face—

“Anduin!” cried Varian Wrynn.

Jaina could not help but smile, despite the direness of the situation, at the love and relief in Varian’s voice and expression.

Anduin was grinning. “Hello, Father.”

“I’ve heard rumors. … How did—of course, the hearthstone,” said Varian, answering his own question. “Jaina—I owe you a tremendous debt of thanks. You may have saved Anduin’s life.”

“It was his own cleverness that made him remember to use it,” Jaina demurred. “I just gave him the tool.”

“Anduin … did that witch of a dwarf hurt you?” Varian’s dark brows drew together. “If she did, I will—”

“No, no,” Anduin hastened to assure his father. “And I don’t think she would. I’m too necessary to her. Let me tell you what happened.”

He filled his father in on all that had transpired, quickly, concisely, and accurately. They were almost the exact same words he had used earlier to Baine and Jaina. Not for the first time Jaina found herself admiring the cool head on the young man’s shoulders, especially given the fact that he—along with Jaina herself—was operating on very little sleep and under extremely tense circumstances.

“So you see, her claim is legitimate,” Anduin finished.

“Not that of empress,” Varian retorted.

“Well, no. But princess, yes, and queen, once she’s had a formal coronation. She doesn’t have to be doing this … trapping everyone like this.”

“No,” the king replied. “No. She doesn’t.” His eyes flickered to Jaina. “Jaina, I’m not about to tip my hand to Moira and let it be known that Anduin escaped successfully. Let her stew for a bit. That means I have a favor to ask.”

“Of course he can stay here with me,” Jaina replied before he could even voice the question. “No one’s seen him yet, and the few who will are completely trustworthy. Whenever you’re ready for him to come home, just let us know.”

Anduin nodded. He had been expecting such a decision, but Jaina saw a flicker of disappointment cross his face. She didn’t blame him for it. Anyone in his position would have wanted to go home and be done with all this.

“Thank you,” said Varian. “And of course I’ll continue to publicly appear as baffled as she wants me to be.”

“As will I. We’ll let Moira think she’s succeeded in hiding her coup. And in the meantime—”

“Don’t worry.” Varian smiled coldly. “I’ve got a plan.”

And with that, his face vanished. Jaina blinked at the abrupt dismissal.

“He looked angry,” Anduin said quietly.

“Well, I’m sure he is. I was angry when I heard about all this, too, and the danger you were in. And he’s your father.”

Anduin sighed. “I wish there were something more I could do to help the people of Ironforge, or the tauren.”

Jaina resisted the urge to ruffle his hair. He wasn’t a child anymore, and although he was probably too courteous to protest, she suspected he wouldn’t like it. She contented herself with giving him a reassuring smile.

“Anduin, believe me when I say that, somehow, I’m certain you’ll find a way.”

Anduin was surprised but pleased when he learned that Baine Bloodhoof had actually requested his presence at the next night’s meeting with Jaina. Although the sitting room where they had spoken last night seemed a strange place for such weighty negotiations, Anduin didn’t object when Jaina suggested it again. And neither did Baine, although it was obvious that nothing in the room was ever intended for one of his bulk. Anduin wondered if somehow Baine, too, sensed the comfort of the room, even though it was so far removed from what Anduin