people of Darnassus. Malfurion had already had to step in once to stop bloodshed.
Even Mordent no longer had much patience. He and Malfurion stood at the edge of the Highborne encampment, separating after three fruitless hours of debate on the best course of action.
“I have tried to restrain the younger ones, like Var’dyn, enough, Archdruid. I find I no longer care to stop them.”
Malfurion remembered all too well how close Var’dyn had come to unleashing his magic on the night elves angrily surrounding him. They had not taken kindly to his imperious questioning and not-so-subtle threats when he had been asking after the two murders. “We are doing the best anyone can. Maiev—”
“Had better show results. I understand her reputation. I fail to see anything that supports it. She has badgered us over and over on a variety of leads, some of which infer that perhaps the assassins are among our own. If this is the best she can do for this matter—”
“She has been questioning everyone, Mordent. No one could be more thorough.” Malfurion sighed. “I will talk with her and see if there is anything else.”
“At least her brother has some tact, not that he has been any more efficient. Still, he shows proper respect.”
The archdruid refrained from commenting. Jarod did indeed have more tact. “We will solve this.”
“As you say,” the Highborne concluded, his tone doubtful. “Fare you well.”
Malfurion nodded, then headed toward Darnassus. However, he had not gotten far when he sensed that he was again not alone. He glanced over his shoulder but saw nothing. Malfurion turned his attention back to his trek.
The armored figure that now stood in the path ahead had her cloak drawn around her, turning her into a dark, ominous image that surely even Illidan had found daunting at times.
“Archdruid Malfurion,” Maiev greeted him.
He glanced over his shoulder at where he had left the Highborne. Malfurion and Maiev were uncomfortably close. “What reason brings you out here?”
“A question or two concerning the assassinations that I need Var’dyn or his master to answer. I think it might clear something up in my mind.”
“You have found something?”
She exhaled. “I would rather not say until I know how it turns out.”
Malfurion accepted that, but was still uncertain as to the wisdom of her current intentions. “You must speak with them?”
Maiev chuckled. “Have I been annoying them?”
“This is no laughing matter.”
Jarod’s sister sobered. “No. Not where the Highborne are concerned. You are right.”
“Is this questioning necessary?”
“I do nothing without reason. And you need not fear that I will upset them so much that they will go running into Darnassus. I heard about Var’dyn. That one is going to be a problem.”
“He will be fine if this all gets settled.”
She frowned, but answered, “Yes, I suppose he will.”
“Be cautious, Maiev.”
“I will be.”
With a slight bow, Jarod’s sister moved on. Malfurion watched her for a few seconds. Maiev did not look back.
He shook his head. Driven by duty, even if it means walking into danger.
Malfurion was suddenly struck by immense guilt. It was in great part due to him that she had become so obsessive with her tasks. She had watched over his brother for millennia because Malfurion had shown Illidan mercy. The archdruid felt tremendous responsibility for Maiev; he did not want to see her suffer more than she already had in her life.
And if she baited the Highborne too much while questioning them, there was a very good chance that she would suffer greatly.
Alone again, Malfurion welcomed the tranquility of the forest. The urge to simply settle down somewhere and meditate—even go to the Emerald Dream for a time—grew stronger.
But not strong enough. The Cataclysm had created many situations requiring the druids’ efforts and Malfurion was needed to guide those efforts. More important, however, was the fact that Tyrande even now moved to lead the night elves and their allies against the Horde. If there was even the slightest chance that she might need his help, Malfurion was willing to sacrifice himself, if necessary.
The local trees greeted him. They were grateful for his appearance, in great part due to the Highborne living so nearby. The spellcasters made the forest wary; the trees especially could sense the inherent danger in their magic.
The archdruid calmed the trees as best he could. However, there was little he could tell them other than that the Highborne would not be casting great spells around them. Malfurion had promised to treat Mordent’s people with respect, and part of that meant allowing