Chapter 45

Once Varrus had sorted everything out with Kael, he had rushed back home to set up the meeting with the Convocation. 

He was currently relaxing on the veranda overlooking the square in front of his home. 

Deciding to enjoy some starlight, Varrus had set up a long table, and prepared several devices in advance that could Muffle the area. 

Some of his guests had already arrived, and were either asking his crafters questions, or Thaladred's case, silently brooding at the far end of the table. 

Since the island city on Quel'Danas was destroyed, Varrus in the letters he had sent to his fellow councilors members, told them to meet up at his residence. 

The Vandercross Estate would play host to the Convocation until things could be rebuilt, and the tedious work of clearing out the Scourge was over. 

Varrus could have very easily commandeered the central chamber within the Royal Palace, as Kael was hardly using it, however, Varrus wanted to make it clear that the Convocation was divorced from Royal decree. That they operated under their own rules, and guidelines. 

Plus, call it petty, but Varrus was tired of always having to make the trek to other people's dwellings if he wanted something from them. It was nice to have other people answer his summons than the other way around for once. 

And so, Varrus had made sure that the various crafting halls were operating at full capacity, and that the reconstruction efforts around his home were underway. 

In a sense, he almost felt like a young man, touring his parents around his first apartment, or house. 

Varrus planned on working together with these people for a long time. By demonstrating the efficiency of his House, Varrus hoped to showcase his dedication to the cause. 

They had seen him rise from playboy to genius magician, then rise as a powerful combatant. But those qualities hardly spoke of Varrus' civil leadership capabilities. 

Earth history was rife with famous figures that could govern well, but were shit at warfare. Or vice versa, such as men like Ghengis Khan/Alexander who conquered a quarter of the world, but couldn't manage it. 

Varrus had no illusions that he was some grand administrator, but at the very least he wanted to present the veneer of competency. 

Fake it till you make it was a motto that had gotten Varrus in over his head many a time, but it had its place. 

Varrus had no skills that would suggest he could run a country. But he had the name, he had the followers, and he had the accolades. 

Who would call him out on his bs? 

"The cookies are a sweet treat, but the brightly polished House Vandercross banners are a bit tacky, don't you think old friend?" Tae'thelon said, levitating besides Telonicus. 

The former school master was decked out in a rich red robe with black and gold undertones. His monocle shined alongside the rays of the setting sun. 

"It is inefficient to prioritize flags over building materials." Telonicus said, then placed a cookie within the gap of his horned helmet. 

The Royal Engineer was direct, and matter of fact when commenting upon the state of Varrus' decorations. 

"It is always about functionality with you, Telonicus. Can something not simply appeal to your artistic sense of, hmm, as the Humans of a long dead civilization put it, je ne se quois?" 

"The cookies are impressive. The symmetry between each chocolate chip is a work of art." Telonicus added in rebuttal, his voice remained level throughout the exchange, and due to the helmet, Varrus couldn't tell if he was trolling or being serious. 

"Ahck! Beware Vandercross, a murderer hast stained thine floors red with the blood of the scholarly." Tae'thelon dramatically said, recoiling away from Telonicus like he was a leper. 

"This is why I refrain from social gatherings." Lor'Themar said as he scaled up the wall, and took a seat across from Varrus. 

Varrus raised an eyebrow at the older Elf, but the Ranger General ignored him in favor of snagging a cookie off a nearby platter. 

Shortly after Lor'Themar arrived, Koren came flying in on a dragonhawk, and Lady Liadran on a holy steed similar to the one that paladins could summon in game. 

Koren was looking haggard, and worse for wear, however, he still came up to Varrus, and offered up a grin as well as a short bow. 

"I hope you can find the kindness in your heart to forgive my brother, he is…misguided. I know I can convince him to recant his stance." Koren said, much to the general interest of the crowd if the sudden silence was anything to go by. 

"We shall determine his fate after the proceedings have gotten underway. But all I can say for now, is that I have no plans on executing him, you can rest assured." Varrus said, holding up a hand to forestall any further argument, and gestured towards a seat next to him. 

Koren furtively glanced at the other members of the Convocation, then sat down. He puffed his chest up in an attempt to make himself appear confident. 

Varrus wanted to place a hand upon his forehead and sigh at his companion's posturing. 

"Do not trouble yourself over this matter Koren, what is done is done. Focus now on what we can do for our people, on our mission." Varrus consoled. 

"Yes, you are right. There is nothing more important than the revival of the Sunwell! I am sorry Highlord, I simply forgot myself in sorrow for a moment." Koren replied with a sunny smile. 

Varrus felt grim at such a response, but chose to remain silent. 

"No need for titles at this grand event my boy, we are all councilors here, all with equal standing. Why, even those of us who never held a leadership position sit upon this table, Isn't that right, Thaladred?" Tae'thelon said, gesturing towards the statuesque plate of armor that was their council's warrior representative. 

The silence became ice cold, and it felt like a darkness was brewing deep within Thaladred, as if he would unleash violence at any moment. 

"I'm not late, am I?" Liadran said, as she emerged from the stairs, and was the only member of the Convocation to have entered the venue like a normal person. 

"Haha, welcome, welcome Lady Liadran, of course you are right on time! We are all acquainted with one another, but perhaps an introduction is in order. Why don't we begin with you, madame?" Varrus smiled, and clapped in an attempt to draw everyone away from Tae'thelon's instigation. 

Once everyone came to sit at the table, Varrus activated the wards, and no noise could escape the area. 

"Well, my name is Liadran, and I was a priestess for centuries before becoming a paladin. I don't understand why I of all people was chosen to sit on the Convocation, I think there are priests or paladins much more worthy than me to be here…but since you all have welcomed me, I hope to work well with everyone, and see Azeroth, and her people healed." Liadran said bashfully, and a little nervously at first, but as soon as she spoke of healing others, she spoke with passion and care. 

The red headed paladin was a beautiful woman, one who Varrus initially chose due to her future role in Canon as leader of the Blood Knights, Silvermoon's premier paladin organization. Now, however, he appreciated that-at least so far-she appeared to be a well balanced, genuinely caring person. 

If they were to govern the country, having someone with compassion on the council would do well to counterbalance some of the stereotypical Blood Elven sense of smug superiority. 

"A fair maiden such as you belongs here, do not be shy, own the moment. Bravo!" Tae'thelon clapped, to which Varrus, Koren, and Lor'Themar joined in. 

"I saw you prioritize creating bubble shields, and healing the wounded during the war on the beach. Without you, Liadran, we would have lost well over a thousand troops. You belong here the same as everyone else." Lor'Themar comforted with a smile. 

"You have pretty hair. I, I mean, red is hot when flapping in the winds, it is a valiant color symbolizing strength and unity!" Koren stuttered out. 

"Thank you, all of you, you are too kind. I look forward to helping each and every one of us pull this country out of the depths of despair. I especially have to thank you, Highlord Vandercross." Liadran bowed graciously as she took her seat.

Varrus idly noted Tae'thelon frown at the address, yet was to shocked by what Liadran said to pay it much mind. 

"I'm sorry? I'm a married man, Lady Liadran." Varrus was quick to play defense, and waved his hands in front of him like he was warding off a swarm of bees. 

"Haha, you are funny too! No silly, I, and many practitioners of the Light were in awe of your devotion. We had never seen healing like what you had done." 

"It's not that impressive." Varrus waved her away, and grabbed a cookie to distract himself from the praise of a beautiful woman. 

'There are only cookies. My wife baked them for me. I am not interested in this red haired beauty! There are only cookies. My wife baked them for me. I am not interested in this hot chick's booty!' Varrus mentally said as a mantra to keep himself focused on the one and only love of his life. 

"No, it is. Healing all of Silvermoon…it was inspiring. The Abbot and I, all the faithful really, would love to hear you speak. You must come to the church for a sermon!" Liadran spoke with a sparkle in her eyes. 

Good Lord, there was a second one! 

Varrus glanced at Koren, expecting to see the same hero worship in his eyes that he saw in Liadrans, but instead he was greeted with hostility! 

What the hell man, keep your emotions in check! 

"Ahem, I'll think about it, I am very busy these day, but we can see if my schedule frees up some time…" Varrus said vaguely, and caught an elbow to the side under the table from Lor'Themar. 

'Seriously old man, piss off! You're how old and engaging in this juvenilism?' Varrus mentally screamed as he gave the Ranger General the stink eye. 

"Yes, yes, we're all very busy, my name is Koren Vongstag, leader of House Vongstag, as well as the Knights of the Hawk. I fought besides the Highlord, and together, we secured all of the Western Capitol. My base of operations is Sunstrider Isle, where not one single soul was lost to the Scourge!" Koren proudly spoke, firing off his self accolades like a machine gun, all the while staring at Liadran like a puppy begging for a treat. 

"..." 

Silence met Koren's enthusiastic outburst, and no one spoke up for an awkward amount of time. 

"Riiight. Koren here is a valuable asset, and is a genuine Hero of the people. He sacrificed his longtime companion, and personal dragonhawk to blind the Void creature, Kith'ix. His bravery, and support of Prince Kael'Thas saw us win the skies over the battle of the beach. A round of applause for Sky Marshal Koren." Varrus said, inventing a new title, and boosting up Koren's prestige amongst these ancient Elves. 

Everyone, bar Thaladred, politely clapped along at the end of Varrus' speech. 

Koren sat back down, cheeks running flush, yet he shot Varrus a grateful look. The blonde twin to Dakar was handsome for an Elf, and probably accustomed to women falling for him. 

It amused Varrus that Liadran either ignored him, or was oblivious to his ques. Whatever the case, Varrus had had to stand up for his boy. 

"Headmaster Tae'thelon, why don't you go next?" Varrus suggested. 

"Me? Oh very well. I was an educator, as everyone is well aware, but I much prefer to be known as the High Examiner. My pursuits in Titan archeotech have elevated me beyond such mundane pursuits as teaching academia. I find learning directly from research is much more fulfilling than having it handed to oneself." Tae'thelon said, whilst floating three inches above the cushion of his seat. 

'Pretentious prick.' Varrus thought to himself as he nibbled once more on his wife's delicious cookies. 

"A thousand years of research for a half finished golem that must be operated from the inside, and not remotely or autonomously. Truly, Tae'thelon, you have elevated yourself." Telonicus said dryly. 

"Telonicus! You of all people have no right to criticize my methods. How long have you been working on that Void-whatsa-convertor?" Tae'thelon bit back. 

"For the sake of efficiency, I will assume the Headmaster has finished introducing himself. My name is Telonicus, Royal Engineer." Telonicus simply stated, much to the ire of Tae'thelon, if the scholar's twitching face was anything to go by. 

"Ah ha ha, Thaladred the Darkener, how about you? I see you haven't touched a cookie yet, take a bite, and share a little bit about yourself." Varrus spoke up to cut through Tae'thelon's feud. 

"The cookies are a lie." Thaladred rasped. 

Thaladred then shakily pushed the platter away from himself as if they held some dark secrets only he was privy to. 

What a fun and engaging team this was turning out to be! Varrus would easily lead the Sin'Dorei out of their slump with leaders like this. Not! 

Varrus felt like banging his head into the table, and vomiting at the same time. 

It didn't help that the Ranger General sitting besides him held a perfectly demure poker face at all times. However, the side eyed glances, and frequent elbow bumps Varrus had been receiving throughout the evening gave away the old Elf's amusement. 

'Prick.' Varrus thought for the umpteenth time that night. 

When Varrus was going to speak up, and ask the Ranger General to speak, Lor'Themar beat him to the punchline. 

"We all know who we are. You know who I am, and what I've sacrificed. You know who the boy is, and all his baggage. None of that matters now that we share this table. Now that we're here, let's get down to business." Lor'Themar growled, commanding the table's occupants to all snap their attention toward the grizzled war hero. 

Woah. He knew getting this guy would work out! 

"First Seat, what is the day's agenda?" Lor'Themar questioned. 

"Ahem, there's a lot to go through, so prepare yourself for a long night." Varrus said, and began handing out folders containing pictures, numbers, and other details. 

The first true meeting of the Convocation had officially begun. 

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