would be injured by the collision, but Malfurion managed to put his free hand between him and the trunk.
The archdruid ceased swinging. As Jarod watched in wonder, the tree to which the spell still held him stretched its branches down to its roots. With precision, two smaller branches removed another stone from near the roots, then crushed it between them. Malfurion gently dropped feet first to the ground.
Jarod, eyeing the stone in his palm, marveled at both the act and the strength, but wondered why the tree had not done so sooner. Malfurion seemed to expect such curiosity and quickly said, “The trees do not see the world as we do or think exactly as we do. They wanted to help, but were not certain what they could do that would not harm me, since I could not communicate with them because of the trap.”
“My sister is nothing if not thorough.”
The archdruid stared at the dead sentry. “Maiev and her Watchers. I still cannot believe it.” He peered around. “We had best watch out for Neva. Of all Maiev’s Watchers, she is the most fanatical and dangerous.”
“Neva is dead.” In answer to Malfurion’s curious gaze, Jarod shrugged, adding, “I killed her after she and others slew Genn’s man Eadrik and another worgen.”
“Why them?” Malfurion asked in some shock.
“Eadrik suspected her but doubted anyone would believe it. He and the other died protecting me. Maiev wanted me alive as a dupe; Neva trusted me better dead.”
“And the Highborne will be next if we do not find her.” The archdruid raised his hands to the trees. Although he seemed to simply stand there afterward, Jarod had to assume Malfurion now communed freely with the forest.
A breeze came out of nowhere. Above them, the crowns of the nearest trees gently shook.
Lowering his hands, the archdruid confidently said, “I know the path! Come!”
They rushed through the forest toward their destination, Jarod at first fearing that another trap set by Maiev might do them in before they could reach her. However, he soon noticed that Malfurion constantly looked up as much as ahead. It slowly dawned on the other night elf that the archdruid was now in constant communication with the trees and other flora.
It seemed to take forever, but at last Malfurion bade him halt. The archdruid’s eyes narrowed as he studied the path ahead.
“Two of Maiev’s Watchers ahead.”
Jarod could see no one but took his companion’s word. Malfurion crept forward a few steps, then gestured.
There was a slight rustle of leaves, followed by a soft grunt.
“Hurry!” Malfurion whispered.
Curious, Jarod followed. He kept watch for the two sentries, but even when he and Malfurion reached the area where Jarod assumed they should be, he saw nothing.
Aware of the other night elf’s confusion, the archdruid muttered, “Look up.”
The veteran soldier did and saw the figures in question dangling high above. Branches wrapped them as if burial shrouds. They hung very still, and Jarod knew immediately that they were dead.
“They left me no choice,” Malfurion murmured as the two moved on.
Jarod nodded his understanding. Even though a veteran soldier, he would have preferred no more bloodshed, but did not shirk from the necessity. Maiev and her Watchers would not show them any mercy.
Barely had they gone a few yards farther when Jarod heard a voice ahead. He knew his sister instantly. She seemed to be proclaiming something, but the words did not carry well. Maiev had chosen a location where even if she spoke loudly, no one very far away would hear.
Malfurion guided him more to the east. His expression grew more concerned as they went.
“What is wrong?” Jarod finally asked.
“We need to move faster, but if we do, she will notice us sooner.”
As he spoke, there came a low sound that Jarod finally determined was someone else protesting. Although he could still not understand a word, there was a hint of desperation in the tone.
Desperation from a Highborne? Jarod grimaced. He could only imagine what Maiev might have done to bring one of the spellcasters to such a strait.
Ahead of him, Malfurion uttered a low, angry oath. The archdruid picked up his pace.
They came near enough to at last not only better hear but catch a glimpse of what was going on. Even then, Jarod was slightly confused at what his sister had set into motion.
“Now,” Maiev almost cheerfully called, her helmet propped in her arm. “Who is next to be judged? You, I think.”
Neither night elf could see to whom she spoke, but once