Waiting for her ride

Adjacent to Lireesa's office was a tiny room, where she stored all dressings relevant to combat. Staying in the manor, Lireesa usually wore a simple gown or tulle dress when she wasn't in a combat state. During the systematic training period, Lireesa only put on some simple leather armor, leggings, and green cloaks similar to the rest of the ranger's outfit. If the Windrunners were not too familiar with their lady's style and temperature, no one would realize their matriarch just passed through them. Lireesa tried to stay ordinary most of the time and avoided extravagant dressings. Perhaps after going through many battles in the past, she preferred to stay quiet and meek.

Her preference for simplicity never meant Lireesa didn't have huge collections of attires. In the wardrobe inside this particular room, Lireesa saw several ranger costumes with different colors. There were blue, green, red, and even yellow. Although most rangers favored the green color more to blend in with nature, leadership roles must have differences. Otherwise, the subordinates would suffer confusion during the battle when they couldn't even find their own leaders. It was also one of the reasons why in ancient times, generals wore colorful clothes with bright embellishments to announce their presence to the rest of their armies. Windrunners didn't require such immense decorations because their eyesight was better than humans and as long as the leaders dressed distinctly, most were able to find them. Besides, every leader learned Wind spell where their order went directly to the ranger's ears, not requiring a messenger to pass on the order during the chaos.

Since Lireesa planned to fight today, green seemed the right choice. Lireesa's eyes were on the color but it appeared too plain to Lireesa. She chose a silver cloak, worn by the original predecessor in her mind when she first transmigrated. The edges of the cloak were covered with golden linens. A golden headdress with some crystals embedded was on the head part, signifying the ranger-general rank. In this coming battle, Lireesa wanted to initially hide herself before she fought with the Legend or she was sure the Legend wasn't there. She decided to stay in the air and robbed the mount of the coming scout. Lireesa didn't think about her scout's emotions. Wasn't theirs also hers?

It seemed her costume design didn't matter for the current scenario when she stayed in the air. Silver was her favorite as it suited her aesthetic and her likes appeared to have changed since the day she transmigrated. Sometimes she wondered if she was still her and not affected by this body subconsciously. It was just a sudden thought and she never dove deep since the reason was meaningless to her.

She picked the exclusive ranger-general armor, which wasn't solely leather like the rest of the rangers. It also consisted of a breastplate covering the chest area, some leather protection on her waist for some protection and dexterity, and skirt armor made of leather. The complete attire was the compromise between protection and agility. After Lireesa carefully dressed the armor herself, she placed one of her legs on some heights to wear a shin guard and knee guard. The other leg underwent the same process. Next was the silver cloak she selected before and the beautiful bracer composed of the same color as the golden linen on the cloak. Completed her dressing attire, she was now set. Afterward, her left hand picked Thas'dorah and her right hand carried the quiver over her shoulder.

She strode out with confidence and elegance, capturing the eyes of others in the manor. Even if the spectators were women, they were still enthralled, especially when their superb lady wore battle attire. The silver color really enhanced her splendor and the background blurred in many eyes. After a slight pause from being dazed, everyone paid respect to her and Lireesa nodded back. A whole crowd of women waited for her, as soon as she left her house. Ella, Sylvanas, and her sisters were all prepared, waiting for her. Lireesa's intent was so strong, many had taken note of it. They guessed their lady was also going to war when they observed her attire. Strange because today was supposed to be a trip to the capital where there shouldn't be a war.

"Everyone ready?" She asked Ella to confirm the list of staff going to Silvermoon for their business. Receiving a nod from Ella, Lireesa said aloud. "Today, we'll be leaving for Silvermoon and you girls would stay there for a long time. For a lucrative business in the capital, you've trained a long time; so, let's see the result and try it out in Silvermoon. Remember, you're all contributing to the cause of Windrunners, even if you aren't fighters. I and the rest of Windrunners appreciate your effort and your support. Now relax and enjoy the trip. All board your carriages."

Cooking staff and some other required workers all paced toward their transports outside the manor, where they had put everything in it. There weren't a lot of them, probably in a hundred. But the trip required escorts for sure. It hadn't been long before one of their members was assassinated; Lireesa's heart would be heavy if she sent them solely, believing the safety of Quel'Thalas. Not to mention, her daughters would be on the trip too.

Many had left for their carriages but her daughters, Ella, and some guards responsible for the trip awaited her words. She called one of the guards, who led the guards personally responsible for Lireesa's security. Or bodyguards different from the private guards among nobles. Her name was Noire Freefaith who would command the escorts. VIP protection services wouldn't be the wrong word to describe them, although they would never understand what it meant. "Noire, how many of the guards will be there to safeguard the convoy?"

"100 rangers, milady." Noire reported the number. "With your ladyship plus our guards, there're no threats to our convoy. Any offenders are merely looking for death."

Lireesa had wrinkles on her forehead. She knew her bodyguards were proud, but despite it seemed to be true, why were they not at least humble about themselves? Yet, they were still not arrogant to the point they wanted to challenge everything. She should feel lucky about it.

"Increase the number to 400. I want all armed to the teeth." Lireesa's order caused a change of light in Noire's eyes who thought it was unnecessary. She didn't change her expression and nodded in compliance, even if the orders were strange, she must oblige. However, Lireesa's next sentence changed her face into surprise. "I'll not be following on this trip, since I've other works to do. Noire, you'll be in charge of the whole convoy. Can I trust you to complete this mission?"

Even though Noire desired to know the reasons why Lireesa wasn't following, she still didn't ask aloud and merely replied: "Yes milady. You can count on me. I can guarantee with my life."

"Good! The safety of the entire group and my daughters are in your hand." Lireesa patted Noire's shoulder and squeezed them gently. Lireesa examined Noire and discovered she was also a beauty perhaps not comparable with her daughters, but if she was placed on Earth in a previous life, Lireesa reckoned she might win a modeling competition. She had red long shaw hair, distinctive from the rest. Her body appeared tall and slim but possessed strong muscle on her long attractive legs, firm waist, and her arms. Her cyan eyes and round face looked stern. She was a warrior deep inside out. Underestimating her would be hell for the opponent because she was level 8 peak just a step away from entering the next stage—Quasi-Legend.

"I've known you for long and I trust you. You don't need to swear on your life or something. Now you can go and continue your post." Hearing the dismissal from her lady, Noire ran off to summon more guards for the convoy.

Lireesa's eyes stayed on Sylvanas and Vereesa, whose ears already listened to her previous conversation and she discovered apart from Lina, the two daughters' face didn't look well after knowing their mother wasn't with them. "My darlings, I'm not leaving you alone. Just give me two or three days and I'll come back."

"Is the frontline doing okay?" Sylvanas asked her doubt. She worried since her mother was personally involved, the battle was probably fierce.

"It's alright, but there're some bugs who think too much of themselves and need my teaching in person." Lireesa's hand reached out to Sylvanas's hair and rubbed them off, annoying Sylvanas to transfer away her focus. Sylvanas was relieved after hearing her elder sister wasn't in trouble. Lireesa continued her sentence. "Sylvanas, you're now the eldest in this group. I expect you to be in charge of your sisters. You must be responsible for them and listen to sister Noire who will be accompanying you. Do you hear me?

"Yes, Mom." Sylvanas gave a meek nod. Receiving Sylvanas's response, Lireesa's eye focused on Vereesa who also gave the same reply and patted her chest for assurance. Lina was still jumping around, if not for her both hands being held by Sylvanas and Vereesa she would've dashed away.

Lireesa squatted down in front of Lina and said, "Sweetheart, you must listen to your sisters around you when I'm not there. Can you promise?"

"Okay, Mummy. I will listen to you but you must come back. Pinky promise." Lina showed her pinky finger, warming Lireesa's heart. Since she played along with her youngest daughter, she introduced this behavior from the previous life and Lina was very happy to jest around. Whenever she made a promise, she used her pinky fingers. Lireesa chuckled and also pinky-promised, satisfying Lina.

The two elder daughters brought their sister to their own carriage and glanced back, smiling at their mother. Lireesa also returned the smile and turn her head at Ella, who remained silent since the beginning. Ella was already aware of what Lireesa planned to do and since Lireesa herself wasn't panicking, Ella believed the frontline was doing well and just required some adjustment. Or else she would mobilize the entire guards and march to the frontline. Since Lireesa emerged from the house with full kits, especially the mythical bow in her hands already foretold she was going to war.

"I'm waiting for the flying mount sent by Sena to help her out. She guessed there's a Legend staring at them and the next battle requires my participation. I think after this one, we'll stop the previous plan because I'm gonna give them hell so that they have some memories." Lireesa's voice didn't bring any slight changes in Ella's expression. Her stoic features twitched Lireesa's lips as she didn't know whether she really heard Lireesa. "As backup, I need you to mobilize the whole guard units to prepare for the worst and react to my command. Although I have confidence in myself, it's never wrong to have an emergency plan."

Ella gave an imperceptible nodded and answered: "Anything else?... Our friends, Sariria and Tarilia should come back from their honeymoon and arrive here on another day. So you don't need to worry about the home with 3 level 9s guarding your march(fief)."

Lireesa's heart went down from her throat. This was good news to her. All that remained was to anticipate her flying mount. Lireesa turned her sight toward the convoy—everyone busy and rumbling around. Noire appeared later with more guards and saluted her. She raised her hand in reply and watched as the group began to leave for Silvermoon. Was she relieved of her daughter's safety in someone else's hand? Nope, but she had no other choice. Anyway, she had provided additional 400 guards to protect them, even then if missteps occurred, only Sunwell could help them because her guard's size was already an overreaction—400 high-level professionals were extravagant to anyone, including the royal family. She didn't believe her enemies would dare act on this size of a convoy.

Soon Lireesa's ear twitched and heard a rumble across the horizon. She saw a tiny shadow from the south, moving in the sky. She said to herself, there's her ride. She even imagined what would be the rider's expression when Lireesa cheated the rider's mount. She was definitely looking forward to it.