Chapter 31

Chapter 31

And here is the cavern that the enclave intends to use for storing food, said Krivax, gesturing towards a massive cavern completely covered with insect-filled webs. While neither Lordaeron nor Dalaran had a shortage of delicious shellfish, it was nice to have access to the insects hed grown used to over the past few years.

Krivax turned to look at the two individuals who Dalaran had sent to evaluate the enclave's ongoing construction.

I see, said the citys guard captain, a middle-aged human man. This is really impressive. Its hard to imagine such large tunnels were dug out in just a month.

Quite, said his mage companion, an elvish woman responsible for evaluating the nerubians magical defenses. The wards are very well constructed as well, and fall within the agreed upon regulations.

While Dalaran didnt mind giving the nerubians their own portion of the city to live inthe high elves already did after allthere were obvious limits to what they could and could not do, which included the construction of certain wards. After all, the first priority of any government would always be its own safety.

Of course, Magistrix Autumnsinger, Krivax said diplomatically. Every part of the enclave's construction falls well within the regulations we agreed upon with the Council of Six.

That wasnt even a lie, thankfully. Azjol-Nerub was not currently interested in invading Dalaran and was more than willing to honor the agreements it made so long as doing so remained in their best interest.

Im glad to hear that, said the elvish woman, turning to send an uncomfortable glance at a skitterer as it passed them by. Have there been any difficulties building the tunnels around the Underbelly?

No, we havent had any problems with that, Krivax said truthfully as he began walking down the cavern to continue their tour. We sent a few of our warriors to properly map out the Underbelly and Worm Handler Crutzok has done a good job directing the jormungar away from its tunnels. Our people have more than enough experience in such matters, so theres no need to worry.

After the first time there was an accident caused by Dalarans map of the Underbelly not being completely accuratesomething which was blamed on the slums residents illegal tunneling and expansionthe delegation had decided to scout out the sewers tunnels themselves. Krivax hadnt hesitated to take advantage of the situation by asking Masruk to learn as much as he could about the slums residents, and more specifically the local goblins.

Krivax was hoping to find someone willing to do some discreet work for the right price.

Although he had been willing to act more patiently before while Azjol-Nerub solidified its diplomatic ties and he gradually increased his own magical ability, the signs that the Second War was close to entering full swing grew larger and larger by the day. Communication with Khaz Modan was nearly nonexistent by this point, and people were expecting to hear news of refugees fleeing north across the Thandol Span at any moment.

All of this meant that Krivax would need to make preparations if he intended to interfere proactively in the war.

The rest of the tour went fairly well, with Krivax showing them every part of the tunnels, including the various sleeping quarters separated by caste, a cavern filled with half-constructed structures which would eventually serve as a site for magical experimentation, a cavern just for the jormungar and other nerubian beasts. and an exclusive area meant to hold the enclaves local queen and possibly a fewexperimental eggs.

There were also some more mundane sections such as the main government building representing Azjol-Nerub and a guest area for those non-nerubians who choose to stay overnight in the enclave.

There were likely lots of little things he was missing too, but he didnt know the ins and outs of every single room in the enclave; that would be up to those living and working here.

The tunnels running throughout the enclave were lined with arcane lights and glowing fungi for light, along with webs made of silk more solid and inflexible than what Krivax was used to in Azjol-Nerub. This was mostly for the convenience of their non-nerubian guests, who would have found it much more difficult to walk on the silk they usually used. Not to mention the need to make use of fewer non-vertical surfaces since non-nerubians couldnt easily just climb a wall or ceiling to get around.

Eventually, they reached the last part of their tour, which was a large cavern that would eventually house the enclaves ziggurat. However, there wasnt much to see yet, with only a few Weavers and skitterers laying down the building's foundation.

It didnt take very long after that before Krivax was waving goodbye to the two inspectors, who were both more than eager to leave the subterranean enclave the moment their work was concluded.

As soon as they were gone, Krivax allowed himself to relax and let out a sigh of relief. He hadnt been wrong to assume that his days were going to grow busier after the opening of the portal to Enkilah, but things had gone surprisingly well so far and Krivax couldnt help but feel glad.

Just as he was about to return to his room to reward himself by snacking on a particularly delicious breed of scorpion native to the Howling Fjord, Krivax was suddenly interrupted by a nervous voice coming from behind him, Vizier Krivax?

Turning quickly at the sound of his name, Krivax relaxed when he saw that it was just one of the Initiates sent by the Circle to learn in Dalaran.

Yes, Initiate Selmet? How can I help you? asked Krivax.

I would like to request your assistance in finding the classroom for my scheduled lesson, said Initiate Selmet as he fidgeted nervously.

Krivax knew that most Viziers would never deign to assist an Initiate with something so small, but he had gained a certain reputation for being different.

Youve been in Dalaran for a while now, why are you still having trouble finding your classes? Krivax asked patiently.

I find it difficult to adjust to the surface, said Selmet after a moment of hesitant silence. The layout of their city makes no sense to me, and the sun and the sky can be overwhelming.

That was a feeling common to many of the nerubians who had no experience with the surface, much of the delegation was the same at first even though they got over it fast, so Krivax found it hard to blame the Initiate. After all, he knew more than most that getting used to a new situation drastically different from what you were used to before was not easy.

Of course, Initiate, said Krivax in his best patient mentor voice, ignoring the fact that the Initiate was likely biologically older than him and had probably been studying magic for longer than him as well. I was just about to start making my way to Runeweave Square anyway, so youre welcome to join me.

That was a lie, but he should probably actually start making his way there given that Krasus lesson in Advanced Polymorphic Transmutation was scheduled to start soon. Aside from the lesson being an excellent opportunity for him to stalk Krasus back to his lair, he was also quite interested in listening to the Archmages lesson itself.

Dragons possessed a natural talent for shapeshifting magic, so Krivax wouldnt be surprised if Krasus knew more about the subject than anyone else in the city.

With a relieved nod, Selmet skittered to his side and the two of them began making their way up into Dalaran, the surface entrance to the enclave being located near the edge of the city proper. As Krivax led the Initiate to Runeweave Square, he glanced at the surrounding pedestrians and felt a hint of wonder at how quickly the people of Dalaran were growing used to the giant spider people among them. Most still gave a short stare and shared some quiet whispers when they saw them, but it was growing less and less each day as they simply became a regular sight in the city.

It didnt take very long before Krivax was ushering the Initiate into a classroom in which an elvish mage was giving an introductory lecture on enchanting. Many of the students turned to stare at them, but Krivax ignored them as he waved Selmet goodbye and left to begin making his way to the portion of Runeweaver Square dedicated to more advanced lessons.

Let's see Advanced Elemental Abjuration, Foundational Construct Conjuration, Tangible Illusion Construction Ah! Advanced Polymorphic Transmutation by Archmage Krasus Cinderdepth.

Krivax paused for a moment as he realized that this was the first time he ever read anything about Krasus having a surname. It wasnt something that he had ever thought about before, simply assuming that the people who wrote Warcrafts lore were too lazy to give last names to all of their characters, but it stood out to him now that it had been brought to his attention.

Does Antonidas have a last name? Does Kelthuzad? I know Kaelthas and Ansirem have last names but does everyone else? Is this just some kind of weird mage thing?

Krivax forcibly pushed these thoughts away and stepped into the classroom, he could always look into it later when he had the time.

While most of the previous classrooms he had seen in Dalaran reminded him of some of the lecture halls hed seen during college, this one was much smaller in comparison, likely due to the smaller number of mages attending the advanced class.

The students themselves seemed older and more mature than the ones he had seen in Arcanist Flametrails class or any of the introductory classes hed seen over the past month. Several of them were likely fully-fledged mages who were simply looking to learn a new skill from an Archmage.

I appreciate it, but there's no need to go out of your way to indulge me for such a small thing, said Krasus, shaking his head and smiling at him with good nature before quickly changing the subject. How did you enjoy my lessons? Did you have any problems understanding anything?

At the Archmages question, Krivaxs expression immediately lit up and he quickly retrieved his notebook from his spatial bag, Actually, yes there were. If you wouldnt mind answering a few questions, there are a few things that I could use some help understanding.

Of course, said Krasus, smiling gently. I wouldnt mind at all.

Krivax didnt hesitate to question the Archmage about everything that confused him about transmutation. Krasus was just as patient answering his questions in a private setting as he was during the lecture, and Krivax could feel his admiration for the dragon grow the longer he spoke with him.

A part of him wanted to just come out and tell Krasus everything that he knew about Deathwing and the many threats that Azeroth would face in the future, but Krivax knew that he wouldnt be able to bring himself to do so.

Even if Krivax considered himself to be a relatively kind and empathetic person, he knew that he was not a trusting one.

It had taken him several years before he had even considered sharing his metaknowledge with his closest friend, so there wasnt much chance of him spilling his guts to a relative stranger. Even as kind as Krasus seemed to be, Krivax simply didnt know him well enough to extend that kind of trust if other options were available to him.

But as long as Khaz Modan had still not yet fallen and Alexstrasza was not in immediate danger, he still felt like he had enough time to share information with Krasus in a way that would hide his identity.

Was it paranoia? Most likely, but considering how he was technically a part of a secret organization that had hidden in the shadows for thousands of years that is probably a good quality to have.

Are you sure that theres nothing else you need me to explain? asked Krasus after Krivax finished running through every question written down in his notebook.

Yes, Archmage, Krivax said gratefully. Thank you for your time. This has done a lot to help me understand some of the more difficult parts of the polymorph spell.

And it was true. Although Krivax had already had a bit of success in learning how to cast polymorph, the spell was incredibly nuanced and there was a lot about it that he still had to learn.

Im glad that I could be of assistance, said Krasus. Your people have done a lot to breathe a breath of fresh air into this city. For many reasons, Dalaran has a tendency to stagnate, so the introduction of new magic and ideas into the city is far more valuable than a few moments of my time.

Krivax thanked the man again for his time and began making his way out of the classroom while checking through his telepathic connection that the flyer he had brought with him to Runeweaver Square was still where he left it.

Back during the conversation that he had with Hadix right before his first meeting with Trixie in Moaki Harbor, the Vizier had mentioned that a flyer had been surveilling the village for signs of visitors from the Eastern Kingdom. At the time, Krivax had wondered how the Vizier had been able to find out what the flyer saw so quickly, but he had saved his questions until later.

He didnt get a straight answer on the matter until after he officially joined the Order and learned exactly what magic they had used.

Krivax didnt pause as he cast the spell which would split a part of his mind to look through the perspective of the flyer hiding on top of one of the roofs in Runeweaver Square, waiting for Krasus to appear. Aside from being relatively small and hard to spot, the flyer was also being hidden from notice by a lesser version of the same spell that Hadix usually used to sneak around, an Abjuration based spell that caused people not to pay attention to things under its notice.

Given that it was a spell cast by Krivax, it would naturally not do much against a mage as powerful as Krasus if he was being vigilant, but it didnt need to. All it needed to do was make sure that none of the other pedestrians noticed the flyer as it followed the dragon back to his lair.

Krasus had no reason to be particularly worried that someone would be following him, so as long as nobody was pointing and screaming at the flying spider bat, then it was unlikely that he would notice a thing.

Krivax calmly started walking back to the enclave as the flyer began stalking the dragon once he left the classroom.

It would really make my life much easier if an Archmages address was public information. Please just go home, Mr. Dragon. I really dont want to follow you all day as you do your chores.

As Krasus failed to make his way to the residential area and instead started heading to the section of the city that held the Violet Citadel, Krivax felt his hopes start to fall.

The Archmage did indeed go to several locations that were obviously not his home as Krivax immediately isolated himself in his room the moment he reached the enclave.

At least the magic is doing its job.

A part of him had expected to immediately fail, resulting in him being confronted by an angry dragon wizard, but Krasus had not shown any signs of noticing that he was being followed.

Of course, that didnt exactly guarantee that the dragon hadnt actually noticed, but Krivax was choosing to be optimistic.

The flyer continued to follow Krasus for the next thirty minutes until he eventually reached a nondescript house near the edge of the district. Feeling curious, Krivax extended his magical senses through the flyer to inspect the building, only for him to feel as if his heart jumped out of his chest after noticing that Krasus immediately stopped moving once he did so.

Fuck! Did I just reveal myself? Ive never heard anything from Hadix about mages being able to notice another mages magical senses!

Krivax felt himself stop breathing as he waited for an angry wizard to teleport right next to him and ask him why he was following him.

After what felt like an eternity, but was more likely just a few tense moments, Krasus began moving again as if nothing was wrong and calmly entered the building. The moment the Archmage was out of sight, he quickly directed the flyer away from the building and instructed it to fly back to the enclave.

Only then did Krivax allow himself to start breathing again.

Although his quest to find out where Krasus lived was seemingly successful, he wasnt completely sure how to feel. A part of him was convinced that the dragon had noticed something, but if so then why didnt he do anything about it?

After spending a few minutes thinking over the matter, Krivax decided that he didnt know enough about Krasus to come up with an answer.

I hope that it was just my imagination.

Still, now that he knew where the Archmage lived, it wouldnt be particularly difficult to arrange for a letter to be sent anonymously to the location. Even if the wards made it impossible for someone like Krivax to approach the building undetected, a little bit of gold to serve as motivation and a few clever uses of magic to hide his identity would be enough to make the arrangements.

Feeling cautiously optimistic, Krivax plucked a Howling Fjord scorpion from the Frostweave in the corner of his room and rewarded himself for a job semi-well done.

Just as he was finishing his meal and was about to begin planning out exactly what he intended to write in the letter, Krivax was interrupted by a skitterer frantically running into his room and delivering a letter before immediately running back out.

Not hesitating to push aside his previous plans, Krivax opened the letter and began reading.

Although the letter was short and the details it contained were sparse, its contents were enough to completely change many of his plans. After all, now that most of Khaz Modan had been conquered by the Horde and what refugees that had successfully fled the region were saying about Ironforge and Gnomeregan being under siege he didnt have very much time left to wait.

It was now or never.