Loyalty

_{Now open for business: Lady Summerflame's Glorious Fabric Shop!  With selection of the finest fabrics from around Azeroth, we spare no expense to offer any luxury material you could want!  Don't wait any longer, get your hands on these fine materials now and appreciate the best life has to offer!}

Jhur's eyes tightened as he read the scroll again, a slight scowl on his face.  With a scarcely audible sigh he rolled the parchment tight once and tucked it into a belt pouch before turning his eyes to Aellynne once more.  She lay in her bed, her sheets tossed a bit as -true to her word- she'd struggled a bit to fall asleep.  Familiar with the torments of bad sleep, Jhur had decided to wait a while after she'd finally dozed off to make certain she didn't quickly shock herself awake again.  He was fairly certain she'd drifted off about half an hour ago, and after only a little tossing early on it seemed she had settled into a restful slumber.

Rising from her couch, he stepped over to her bed with silent footfalls.  Taking her sheets in hand, he gently pulled them up to her shoulders before running his fingers through her hair to sweep her bold auburn locks off her cheek.  Standing tall again he watched her for another minute before turning and making his way to the door.  As his hand touched the handle, he blinked feeling eyes on him.  Turning to Aellynne first he paused when she was still asleep before looking to Thorian. He'd almost forgotten the massive cat sleeping just a foot from the door this whole time - and sure enough one golden eye was wide open and locked on Jhur.  The elf sighed as he let go of the handle and knealt down before the cat.  "I promised to stay until she fell asleep," he whispered softly, "but you and I both know this isn't where I belong.  Not yet at least."  The cat shifted his haunches but remained in his lazy, sleepy position.  Jhur smirked slightly as he spoke once more.  "I know I don't have to tell you but... take care of her for me."   Thorian huffed slightly as his eye lulled shut again, his tail flicking once before he became as still as the night itself. 

Jhur stood again and opened the door.  A moment later the soft click echoed the room and the crimson haired man was gone.

The night was cool and crisp and only a soft breeze welcomed Jhur as he stepped out of the barracks.  His hair and cloak danced in the wind as he made his way past the training grounds and into the Royal Exchange.  As he was passing one of the hedges he stopped very suddenly and spun on his heels as he drew his silly magic stick from his belt like it were a real weapon.  The tip of the branch poked into the nose of a blonde elf who had been hiding in the shadows.  Jhur's voice was low and carried a sharp edge as he spoke in Zandali.  "Careful who you spy on, Talviris."

The other elf with short blonde hair swept into a wild mess around his ears smirked as he pushed the stick away from his face and shook his head.  His own speech was far calmer, to confident, but also spoken in Zandali.  "Well, if you would answer your mail maybe I wouldn't HAVE to spy on you, idiot."

"You shouldn't be sending me mail."  Jhur nearly spat as he stabbed the stick back in his belt.  "I made it clear I was done."

"So you say," Talviris began as he marched around, his brown armor strapped with small blades all over and speckled with soft gold paint.  "But we've heard this song from you before, Jhuran'thalas."  The blonde gestures wildly with as he shifted to a weepy voice.  "Oooh, I don't want to do this anymore.  I need a break, I'm going to find my sister, or I'm going to settle down finally."  Turning his chin the elf spits near Jhur's foot with a cold glare in his eyes.  "You're weak.  Too weak to do your work and then too weak to stay away.  Same song over and over."

Jhur was a flash of crimson as was atop the man in an instant, one arm holding the blonde's collar with a hard grip and his other hand pressing the sharp of a dagger against Talviris' neck.  His voice was nearly a growl as his jade eyes burrowed into the younger elf's stare.  "Keep talking.  Go on.  I'll see to it your bosses have to replace TWO employees."

Talviris took a moment to choose his words carefully, his eyes slightly wide but his body surprisingly relaxed considering his position.  Gritting his teeth he spoke.  "They didn't send me to start a fight.  They want to talk to you.  They have work-"

"Not interested."

Talviris frowned as he tried to read Jhur's face.  The blade's edge scraped lightly on his flesh as he swallowed.  "Fine.  They told me you'd say that.  They know you'll come back, so they're not going to force your hand."

Jhur's eyebrows lifted just a hair, and with a shove to Talviris' collar he created space again.  Spinning his knife in his hand he tucked it back into a hidden holster in his leather tunic.  "I'm not coming back."

Talviris made a face suggesting he had a retort he'd love to offer, but thought better of it.  Sighing he shrugged.  "Whatever.  They expected you to be stubborn so they wanted me to remind you to be careful who you ally yourself with.  If you insist on playing with the Farstriders like you did tonight..."

Jhur waved a dismissive hand.  "I was doing you a favor.  You don't think I made certain to see to it that Captain wasn't one of yours?"

Talviris' laugh was cold and hollow.  "So you say.  Go ahead, play war games with the archers if that makes you happy."  The blonde smirked as he set his hands on his hips with a boastful stance.  "I don't know why, but they're giving you plenty of rope.  Honestly, I hope you hang yourself with it."

It was Jhur's turn to smirk as he turned his back and began walking to the Inn once more.  Calling over his shoulder he spoke loud enough to hear.  "I killed a man with a stick today, Talviris, but when the time comes for you I plan to use my hands."  Raising a hand to wave back he finally switched from the speech of Trolls to Thalassian again.  "Goodnight, Gold Prince.  Sleep well."