"The council recognizes Dame Esere Dawnsinger, Vice Captain of Suncrown's Guard." The Council Voice's bored words drew no attention to the Knight as she moved to take the podium. The Senate was still reeling from the fall of one of its senior members, and their members were more concerned about re-securing their political 'friendships' than the Sindorei woman.

Shallow breaths steadied her as she stood in the center of the Council chamber. There were a hundred or more senators in attendance along with the members of their retinues, all perched above her in perfect circles, making it like she were participating in some sort of spectator sport. Maybe it really was.

"I stand before you this morning to report that Avenal Lightbearer, Imperiator of Aeturnas Trinitas, escaped from capture on the eve of her execution." Silence flooded the room as all attention shifted to her. Esere let the quiet draw on for a heartbeat longer, cutting off the Council Voice as he started to question her.

"Last night, we received word that the members of her warband would seek to free her from her bonds. I called up fellow members of my guard to prevent the zealot from fleeing Silvermoon justice. A messenger came not long after we arrived. Thrall, Warchief of the Horde, has agreed to take on the charter of Aeturnas Trinitas."

The gathered Senate cried out as one, demanding that there be answers for this. Her escape, Suncrown involvement, the Warchief barging in on Silvermoon affairs. The angry tone of the Council Voice cut in above the commotion, attempting to bring the Senate back to order. Esere continued, letting their curiosity silence them in time as she spoke. "Impassioned by the news, she fought with surprising ferocity, fighting off those that would stop her. She rode through Silvermoon, maddened and self styled martyred, to take the translocation orb to Undercity."

"Let us not forget, Dawnsinger, that you were once suspected similarly of Lightbearer's crimes," came a voice from the back of the room. "Aiding Kael'thas' theft of the Naaru and betraying the Sindorei. Perhaps you let your co-conspirator escape to rejoin her cause yourself."

Smirking, she brushed dark strands of hair from her eyes. "If the Council wishes, they may question the Silvermoon assigned guard that stood over Avenal on the night of her execution. To report their versions of the escape.

"But more importantly, I ask that the Silvermoon Council pardon Vithrial for any past involvement with the rogue band of Aeturnas Trinitas. It was he that got word to us of her potential breakout. He fought valiantly to stop her, as the guard will also report. All for the betterment of Silvermoon."

The Council Voice gazed over the Senate floor. The members of the Silvermoon Council spoke to one another in hushed whispers. "We shall consider it. But first, what is to be done about the escaped prisoner?"

"I have contacts in Ogrimmar. Aeturnas Trinitas will be found, and Avenal Lightbearer brought back to Silvermoon to face execution." She bowed low to the Council, stepping down from the podium without another word.

Avenal winced as she tested the degree her shoulder could rotate. Her knights had come through for her in the eleventh hour, and while freed from the clutches of the Senate and their enforcers, the cost of her freedom had begun to weigh on her.

Her backers in the Senate had long since been silenced, either by blade, poison, or political pressures. She had been out maneuvered in the Senate, but moreover, the player in the game she had assigned to ensure her support in the Senate, the entire time, had been working against her.

"Curse you, Vithrial," she hissed.

"Imperator?" asked Sadeena, glancing up from her own wounds.

"Nothing," remarked Avenal with a shake of her head.

Her scouts emerged from the thickets in the Ghostlands and came to report.

"Silvermoon has yet to dispatch forces to intercept," said Dannien with a sharp salute. "I think it best if we continue on. No reason to stall. Thrall will be expecting us for deployment soon."

Avenal removed her shoulder plate epaulets. The dent that Esere had left in it would need a good smith to smooth out.

"This re-chartering you brokered with Thrall, there's something you're not telling me," said Avenal as if distracted with something more important.

Dannien cleared his throat before speaking.

"As a military charter under command of the Horde, Imperator, there will need to be some changes, yes. Namely, the mercenaries under Diazmok's banner will be rolled into the rank line proper. Admittedly, Diazmok used this re-chartering to ensure co-command of Aeturnas Trinitas."

Avenal had counted on that, and was not at all surprised. She looked up from under her brow and leveled an even gaze on to Dannien, prompting him to continue.

"And... as a military order of the Horde, Thrall has commanded that we no longer discriminate against trolls in our ranks. That if we are to fly beneath Thrall's banner and swear loyalty to him, we embrace the principles of the Horde. "

Avenal looked as though her anger would erupt at any moment.

"My lady," pressed Dannien. "You must realize that by acquiring our Charter, Thrall has agreed to grant us clemency from Silvermoon while we remain in his service. He cannot extend protection to Silvermoon, but Silvermoon would be taking a large risk in pursuing you while you fly Thrall's colors. Concessions had to be made."

Sadeena spat.

"Trolls," she murmured. "So that's it then. Our cause is lost. Kael'Thas is as much an enemy of the Horde as he is to Silvermoon. If we continue to support him in any way it will be found out, and then we will have no shelter."

Avenal stood and belted her armor to her charger. As she swung into the saddle she gave one final long look towards Silvermoon.

"We are stronger than our circumstances," said Avenal. "We will meet our calling. One way or another."

She glanced quickly to Sadeena.

"But for Vithrial, and the traitorous House Suncrown," she said quietly, "They've begun something that they lack the capacity to see through...."

Sadeena smiled.

"To Ogrimmar then!" shouted Avenal as she spurred her mount, her knights charging behind her.