Tiene returned to the guild grounds, devastated. Three of her best friends' lives had been drastically altered - ruined - by none other than her Guild Master. The journey back to the compound had been the most difficult she'd endured to date.

The portcullis, still barricaded, suggested Sauren had not returned yet. For that, she was thankful. Still profoundly upset from finding Louvel, Fyn and Lexie as undead, her chest burned from trying to keep wracking sobs at bay. She needed time to compose herself.

First things first, though, she had to find Brett, and the trusted few who were aware of the investigation into Sauren's unsavoury dealings.

Using the magic concealment spell to ensure Sauren's elite would be unable to detect her, she made her way back to the halls.

The doors were still locked and once checking none of Sauren's elites loomed nearby she knocked in rapid succession. She heard movement behind the door. "It's me, Tiene!" she said, hoarse, barely a whisper.

The door opened, and an anxious-looking Brett greeted her. He signalled for the others to re-secure the doors, then he led her to a chair. Thil'las and Emmek joined them.

"Tiene, are you alright? Are you hurt?" Brett fussed, checking her over as diplomatically as possible.

She flapped his hand away. "I'm fine. Stop, please!" Her voice cracked, then the tears flowed.

Brett signalled to the night elf to find something for Tiene to drink and a handkerchief to dry her tears. Thil'las duly found some wine and poured a glass for Tiene then handed it to her along with a napkin. She thanked him, took a sip, and concentrated on composing herself before revealing what she'd found.

She told them everything - about the waitress and her son, little Billy, to Louvel, Fyn and Lexie, and the fact that they were now undead. Then she revealed Sauren's part in the whole horrid affair.

As the words spilt from her mouth, her distress returned tenfold. Brett tried to calm her, taking the wine and handing it back to Thil'las. He wrapped his arms around her, rocking her gently.

Gradually, her sobbing lessened until it stopped altogether.

"Thil'las, Emmek, gather the others. We need to devise a plan to overthrow Sauren - the bastard! And as soon as possible. Head to the missions room..."

"No," Tiene said, pushing herself up. She swiped at her eyes with the napkin.

"Tiene, I want you to leave, get passage to Kalimdor..."

"No!"

Thil'las and Emmek also tried to reason with her, but she refused, point-blank. "I will finish him," she said, absolute.

Brett gasped. "Tiene, the Sa'themar loyalists will handle this. We are finally in a position to overthrow Sauren for his deceit and betrayal. You must leave the grounds as soon as possible."

"I'm going nowhere, Brett. And I am going to be the one to finish him."

The older rogue was not giving in either. "You know his abilities, lass. As good an assassin as you are, Tiene, I don't think you will best him. I also know he would not hurt you; but, he may still exact a cost and a high one at that. Let us deal with him, please."

Tiene regained her poise, her determination. "Brett. I have one major advantage over twenty or more of you."

The burly man started to protest, but she held her hand up to silence him. "I know his greatest weakness, and trust me, your troupe are not equipped to deal with that."

Thil'las and Emmek stared at the floor, Brett, embarrassed, did the same. "Tiene, you do not need to ..."

"Yes! I do. He is mine!" She still saw doubt and concern in the old rogue's eyes. She knew he worried for her. Probably due to his friendship with her father, he somehow felt responsible for her too.

She exhaled. "Listen," she said, taking his hand in both of hers. "He has had me for a few years now. I'm not exactly new to it, so do not worry. Your men need to focus on his elite and once they are dead, burn the corpses. We don't want those coming back as undead."

The burly rogue placed his other hand over hers, patting it lightly. "Are you absolutely sure, lass?"

"Yes. It's the last thing he will expect."

One of the pageboys ran over to them. "They are clearing the barricade. They must be expecting the Master soon."

Tiene nodded and thanked the boy. She turned back to Brett and her two friends. "See to it the others are safe. Do nothing until I give you the signal."

Brett nodded slowly. "You should know as well, other guilds are making haste - but some may not reach us until tomorrow. Alaen is going to help with teleporting Belaen and his troops."

Tiene nodded. More allies were undoubtedly needed. It would be a hard fight against Sauren's elite; they out-numbered the loyalists now by ten to one. A thought, unbidden, washed over her. She shook her head refusing to dwell on the possibility Camnath would be among the rogues offering their help - now was not the time for such fancy.

*****

As Tiene readied herself for Sauren's imminent arrival, she reflected on all which happened over recent weeks, days and hours.

Sauren Nightflame, an ambitious man, could be brutal, possessive, jealous, cruel and full of rage. He could also be kind, tender, passionate, and almost loving.

But now he had truly done the unthinkable - murdering people who were very dear to her and then opening the way for Arthas and the scourge.

Her breath hitched as she thought of her three friends. The wonderful Louvel, a family man who Sauren had developed some insane, unfounded jealousy. Lexie, a former pet of Sauren's who had tried to warn Tiene of the future, but Sauren convinced her Lexie was nothing other than a scorned lover with an axe to grind. And poor dear sweet Fyn; the most innocent of them all, probably his only 'crime' was nothing more than being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The arrogance of the Guild Master was demonstrated beyond doubt when, as he cut her friends apart, he told them what he'd done - and what was yet to happen.

The jigsaw pieces all fell into place now. Sauren's association with Kel'thuzad, an influential mage from Dalaran was confirmed. Together they had started the ball rolling by purchasing the underhalls of Caer Darrow, Scholomance, where the mage set up a school for necromancers.

Added to the mix was the devious and embittered Dar'Khan Drathir on his perpetual crusade for more power. Acquainted with Sauren for many years, their 'friendship' nevertheless, seemed to sit on a low heat. But, they must have found common ground with Kel'thuzad.

Then there was Arthas Menethil, Prince of Lordaeron and the latest maniacal disciple of the Burning Legion. Connections again were with Dar'Khan, in this instance by pure chance during his visits to Dalaran, where the Prince had been courting another mage – a young woman called Jaina. They nonetheless, struck up repartee.

Sauren, when he was starting as a rogue himself, had reputedly had close dealings with Arthas' mother, Queen Liane, so he was at least familiar with the House of Menethil.

The Prince's subsequent plummet into madness following his visit to Northrend, indubitable dealings with the Lich King, the murder of his father and association with the scourge had to be irresistible to the plotting trio. Exactly at which point Arthas slot in was mainly supposition – although his involvement was undeniable.

Without doubt, however, all four of them were linked together for years, wearing their respective masks, biding their time and now creating havoc across the land.

It also gave rise to concerns for her home in Quel'thalas. Lor'themar had been friends with Dar'Khan for many years too. Tiene was well aware how devious the mage could be, and feared he might have duped Lor'themar into divulging information about the elven gates' – magical seals concealed even from the mage himself. They provided extra security to the elven kingdom - a barrier against attack. Dar'Khan's bitterness for unmet accolades could lead him to seek revenge if he acquired enough power to unseat the Magisters of Quel'Danas.

Yes, the snakes all wriggled together, Tiene thought, as she applied the finishing touches to her eyes. But, they would perish.

Sauren's deal with the mad prince, devious mage and the late, former Archmage, must have ensured the Crimson Blades impunity from the attack. It would partly explain why the complex had remained unscathed when the scourge ploughed its way through the city. And there was nothing like a bit of dressage in the form of barricades to try and fool the inmates - just for good measure.

But now the entire area was starting to fall apart. Races were shifting allegiances, and with Sauren's select few carrying out orders aiding the scourge, there was now rebellion brewing within the small stronghold with the Sa'themar loyalists rising.

Tiene paused to check herself in the mirror. She had to look her best. But, the face which stared back was no longer one she knew. She faltered, putting down her little lip brush. Doubts about her ability to carry out what needed to be done started to seep through the cracks of her tortured mind.

Sauren had to be dealt with, there was no ambiguity about that, and the only one who could do it was Tiene. So, why did part of her not want to do this? After all that he had done and still intended to carry out? Could she possibly harbour some feelings for him? Something which she had not thought possible?

"No!" she growled at her reflection.

But then her eyes misted over again. Sauren had become her addiction, her guilty pleasure. He was all she had known for years.

There was also no denying he had made her the best she could be - as a rogue. He had invested so much in her, both in time and training. He'd worked with her on missions, helped her enormously in honing her skills. Together, they had developed a kindred spirit, their thinking, choreography, and delivery in perfect unison. They had become a formidable team. And always, he'd watched her back - no-one and nothing was allowed to harm her.

Her heart hammered as inner conflict raged. She lowered her eyes, willing any uncertainty to the back of her mind. The man was evil on so many levels - he just sugar-coated things, expertly.

He had claimed her, deceitfully, ruining her dreams of being with her true love, who she still dreamt of to this day. Camnath, whose eyes, so full of hurt years ago, would haunt her forevermore. When he had walked out of her life that night, he took her heart with him, and all that was left was an empty shell, enslaved to an insatiable lover who became an addiction.

One tear threatened to spill, and she quickly dabbed it away. Taking a few deep breaths, she focused on her little pots of magic and continued with her lip brush.

An overwhelming need to see her family suddenly engulfed her. She desperately wanted to head home and ensure they were safe, but that would have to wait. The Guild Master of the Crimson Blades needed dealing with first - and she was the one to do it.

Finished with her make-up, she moved across to her bed and picked up the clothes chosen for the occasion - the scantiest red outfit she owned, thigh-length boots, and a full swirling, netherweave cloak, also red.

Methodically, she strapped her mother's daggers to her hip belt, and her favourite throwing blades she fastened to her thighs, wrists and upper arms. It always excited Sauren to see her sexy, but deadly too. His little protégé, his pet.

One last look in the mirror. Tiene had to compose herself. Visions of her three friends and all those poor souls in the city haunted her. But she had to push them out of her mind. Now, she had to play the part - a seductress soul-bent on pleasuring her lover. But with a hidden, deadly agenda. If he sensed anything out of the ordinary, the game would be over, and it could quite possibly result in Tiene's body which lay cold and still regardless of Brett's beliefs.

Tonight had to be her most magnificent performance yet.

At the sound of hooves echoing through the courtyard, Tiene's cue arrived. She was primed and ready.

It had been a long day, one filled with horror, fear and sadness, but from within the fog of despair, Tiene gathered her senses. Now she stood, balanced upon the walkway balustrade, focused, in control, detached.

Sauren dismounted and was met by Don, his appointed second in command. Together they crossed over the courtyard. Don was talking animatedly to Sauren who was striding ahead of him, hair flowing, a 'need' in his stride.

Tiene grinned - she knew what that 'need' was.

Don glanced up to the walkway and halted. A slow, lascivious smile crept on his face.

Sauren, suddenly aware his new right-hand man had stopped talking, turned to see what the problem was. Then he followed Don's gaze.

Tiene, stood, watching, with her hands on hips, a red cloak rippling in the updraft of the evening's breeze. Her outfit, showing more of her flesh than it actually covered, flitted into view now and again as the cloak buffeted out from her body. She was confident and provocative.

Sauren grinned, a low predatory growl vibrating in his throat. Without warning, he turned and punched Don square in the face, bloodying his nose. Don was stunned by the sudden attack but immediately averted his gaze from Tiene, apologising to Sauren. The Guild Master merely grunted a response before he took off at a run to the entrance to his tower.

Don chanced another glance up at the walkway. Tiene was still watching, her cloak now billowing out behind, her body on full show to all who dared look. Aledine would be so proud, she thought, before turning and disappearing inside.

Tiene was waiting for Sauren, resting her behind on the opulent desk he had beside his window. She traced its varnished surface with her fingers, a memory threatening to distort her focus. Taking a deep breath, she dismissed the memory and glanced at the drawer of sacred lilac elixirs. She took one, emptied it near the window then hid the bottle in her cloak and leaned back against the desk.

Sauren's footsteps neared, and then he burst through the door, his breathing heavy, eyes dark and wild. Casting off his riding coat, he strode purposefully towards Tiene, pulling his shirt out from the waistband of his britches and off over his head. He was almost upon her when he stopped abruptly.

Tiene's heel pressed into the middle of his chest. With her leg bent at the knee, she allowed him just a shade nearer, teasing, before she extended again, pushing him back.

His hand caressed her calf, feathery touches working their way to her thigh. She pushed him back again, breaking the contact.

A single laugh tumbled from his mouth as he rid himself of his shirt.

She fed his hunger by ensuring all he could see of her face was her mouth from under the hood of her cape. Her smile was seductive, glistening in a cherry red gloss.

He lunged forward, attempting to grab her but she swirled round, allowing him a tantalising glimpse of her scantily clad body as she dodged his hands. He groaned in playful defeat. After a moment he reached to the drawer in the desk.

"No need," she purred.

He stopped and looked at her, his face bearing surprise. A little hint of hope hung in his one-word reply, "No?"

Tiene held up the empty vial and gave him a sideways look. "Already taken care of."

"Ah." He closed the drawer. "I thought perhaps you had been thinking of our discussion a little while back." He edged around the side of the desk to meet her, but she turned and faced the other way, slinking back round to the other side.

"Oh," she said. "You mean about sons?"

"Yes," he breathed, leaning towards her, his fingers crossing the varnished surface. She inched back, out of his reach. The circuit of the desk had become almost a dance. "They would be fine, strong sons, Tiene," he said, his voice low, hungry.

"Something must come before they do, though," she said, smiling.

"Practice?" He grinned mischievously, tilting his head.

Tiene laughed. "Oh, we have had lots of that over the years, Sauren." She deftly dodged his hand as he tried to grab her again. Turning at the opposite side of the desk, her hands on the decoratively carved edge, she faced her ravenous Guild Master. She cooed. "Didn't you speak of - marriage?" She beckoned him with her forefinger.

His smile widened. "I did, and my proposal just needs an answer." He slid his fingers into the tight pocket of his britches and pulled out a gold ring. "I have this ready for you," he said. "We can be wed soon."

"Hold on to it for me." She smiled, her tongue running along the crease of her lips. Again, she beckoned.

Music: The Reckoning by Halestorm 

https://youtu.be/4UTZA2dK0dI

Clasping the ring in his left hand, Sauren then swept his arm across the desk; papers, seals, wax, quills and ink bottles flew from its surface. Tiene almost faltered - the act awakening the memory of their first night together, but with a deep breath, she maintained her poise.

Sauren crawled slowly onto the desk toward her.

"Lie down," she said.

Like an obedient puppy, he did as she bade, watching her closely as she continued her circuit of the desk until she arrived at his feet.

Tiene's eyes roamed up his leather-clad calves, to his thighs, and onto the ties of his britches, straining against his hardened organ. "Do you want me, Sauren," she said, fixing him with a smouldering look.

"Oh, yes," he replied.

Suddenly, she jumped onto the desk, a full body-flip, one foot landing dangerously close to his manhood, the other level with his waist. His eyes drank her in as the fabric of her cloak floated around her semi-crouched frame.

She smirked; he had not expected that move. Standing straight, she looked down at him, taking a moment to appreciate the serpent and dagger tattoo which covered his chest and ended just shy of his abdominal muscles. The serpent pulsed and heaved with his deep breathing; his anticipation practically tangible.

Their eyes met. For the first time, Sauren looked like one of the woodland creatures back home, mesmerised by the predatory lynx as it neared its prey.

She laughed lightly. "Are you enjoying this sexy little show, Sauren?" She slowly drew her fingers up over her bladed thighs then rested her hands on her waist.

He nodded. "Oh, yes. Very much."

"Am I ... superior?" She shifted her right foot, just a little, to torment him.

"Definitely," he breathed. One hand stroked Tiene's ankle. "Just watch where you step, please." He grinned guarding his manhood with his other hand.

She laughed. "Do I seem...dangerous?"

"Hopefully." His brown eyes dilated, turning them almost black.

"And do I seem ...powerful?"

"Absolutely."

Tiene unfastened the clasp of her cloak. She watched, with quiet satisfaction, as Sauren's eyes followed the fabric cascading down over his legs. He moaned, his protective hand fervently trying to undo the ties of his britches.

"I wonder..." she said, drawing his attention again. He looked at her questioningly, his perfect teeth glinting between his moist lips.

"Did they think you looked superior, dangerous and powerful when you stood over them?"

His brow creased. "What? Who?"

Once more, with her fluidity resembling that of a cat, she moved into a half-crouch, then leapt above him. Time froze; just as her good friend Louvel had described when he spoke of the Shado-Pan monk, Shing Windpaw when he'd executed the same move. She had time to see both Sauren's hands cover his 'precious loot' before she came crashing down, the heel of her right hand boring down onto his chest just below his breastbone. She vaulted off the desk and landed beside a now paralysed Sauren.

She studied his frozen face, mouth slightly open, eyes wide, disbelieving, his hands still protecting his crown jewels. Tiene laughed to herself; it wasn't just his manhood which was rigid now.

She leaned over his face to answer his question. "Louvel. Fyn. Lexie," she said. "And here's the twist in the tale - they still live!"

There was no denying fear was filling every nerve-ending of the Crimson Blade Master, yet he could not move, other than his eyes. Tiene took satisfaction knowing that inside his head, he would be roaring at her, defiant, screaming.

She leapt back up on the table and unsheathed her mother's blades from her hips before she crouched over him. She held the knives in front of his face. "You will take no more from me, Sauren Nightflame. You robbed me of my true love, you stole my virtue, and you tried to kill my friends. No more!"

His eyes darted frantically.

Her voice became bold, strong. "I am Tiene Firefury. I am seductress, lover, assassin and thief. I am friend to those deserving and enemy to those unworthy. I am vengeance, justice." A cruel but victorious smile crossed her mouth. "And I am the reaper outside your door."

She drove the daggers in - one into his heart, the other into the brachial artery under his arm. The blades jarred against bone, reverberating up her arms, but she forced the knives in up to their hilts.

Taking four small blades from her arm-wraps, she rammed two each into his neck and left temple. The sickening squelch as they entered the jugular almost made her gag, but she overcame, grinding the other blades deeper into his temple, causing his eye to fill with blood.

Paralysed throughout, the only movement in his body had been from her driving the blades home. Sauren bled out on his desk.

Once he took his last breath, a glint caught her eye - the gold ring he had wanted her to wear as his bride. She took it from his still fingers. Snot unexpectedly ran from her nose, and she wiped it away with the back of her hand, numb, confused.

With one last look at his bloodied face, she stepped down and lit the candle at the window to signal the deed was complete.

Music: Way Down We Go by Kaleo

https://youtu.be/0-7IHOXkiV8

A band of loyalists burst in several minutes later and found a butchered Sauren Nightflame sprawled on his desk. Partially covered by Tiene's cloak, his body and strands of platinum hair swam in the red fluid.

A gasp came from some of the men. "She made short work of him," one whispered.

"Not so powerful now, is he?" another laughed.

One of them lifted the cloak covering his lower body. "Nor as upstanding!" Laughter rippled among the men.

"It is no laughing matter! Now get rid of him. Burn him!" Tiene's voice shot across the room from the window, harsh, broken.

The men spun, startled by the ferocity in her voice. She remained in the shadows, but they could see the fresh blood on her skin glistening in the streams of moonlight through the window. The men lowered their heads and voices.

Brett arrived and signalled for the corpse to be removed. The rogues ripped down one of the drapes and wrapped Sauren's limp carcass within, then took it from the room.

Tiene turned, leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor, exhausted and numb.

Brett walked over and knelt beside her, removing his cloak to cover her modesty and stay the chill. She drew it round her shoulders as she continued to stare out of the window. Her mind played its usual trick; a ghost on the battlements was watching her, the flowing ebony ponytail, floating in the breeze. A simple blink and he was gone once more.

Her eyes drifted to the ring in her hand; it had been Sauren's final gift to her. Her emotions were all over the place. "Why! Why do I grieve for him, Brett? I should be rejoicing that he is gone." Her voice broke, the tears flowing free.

The burly rogue shook his head and sighed, heavy. "He was all you have known, for years, Tiene. He made you what you are today – strong, wilful, decisive - deadly. And he did, regardless of his traits and failings, truly believe in you and your skills as an assassin."

"Then, I have betrayed him?" She gulped, a wan smile trembling on her lips.

Brett put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "No Tiene. He betrayed you and the guild and everyone who has ever been part of Sa'themar's empire. All you have done is right a terrible wrong." He gave her a few moments to digest his words before speaking again. "The other guilds arrived on time by the way. They are taking care of Sauren's elite as we speak."

She nodded, but was suddenly very, very, tired and leaned her head against Brett's shoulder. Her eyes moved back to the desk. She watched as a few drops of blood still dripped to the floor.

A crippling realisation hit her; she would miss Sauren - for a while, at least. It would take time to rise from the well in which she'd lived for years. And it was a journey she feared, for she knew not what waited at the surface. She somehow dreaded that she would feel lonely without him, that she may even find herself regretting killing the monster who had manipulated and carved his way into her life.

But, he was no more, he was gone, and her new life, however uncertain, was about to begin.

"Shorel'aran*, Sauren," she whispered, letting the gold ring slip from her fingers. It bounced, tinging as it rolled across the floor before spinning a few times then settling under the desk where its owner had bled out.

Clasping Brett's tunic, her tears flowed freely, shoulders shuddering, as he rocked her gently, stroking her hair to comfort her.

Outside on the battlements, a figure stood with his back against the wall.

Tiene had almost caught him watching, but he thought he managed to stealth in time. Onas thuash d'aresh, alsu o'doreu; he had never forgotten what she had taught him.

He started hitting the back of his head off the wall, trying to rationalise why he didn't leap through that window the moment she'd driven the daggers into Sauren Nightflame's body. He had so wanted to grab her and pull her into his arms, assuring her all was well now. But he couldn't do it.

Camnath folded and sat hunkered, hands on knees, gulping a lungful of air. The death of the Crimson Blades' leader had been both immensely satisfying yet horrific to witness.

Worse, however, had been the look on Tiene's face when she turned to the window; haunted, tormented.

He was ashamed to admit he had doubted her ability to carry out the task she had assigned herself. When he'd saw the Guild Master stride into the room, and the scene started to play out, Camnath thought Tiene might crumble, that she would cave in and be unable to kill Sauren.

His doubt stemmed from his biggest fear - perhaps Tiene had grown to love the monster who had bedded her all these years?

But, he had learned in those crucial few moments, that Tiene Firefury's heart had never belonged to Sauren Nightflame.

It had instead - he hoped - remained faithful to him, the boy who once stole a kiss in stealth.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Shorel'aran - Farewell

Thank you for reading!!!

All comments, advice and suggestions are most welcome. Should you like this chapter, please be kind enough to vote, it would be most appreciated.