*Light spoiler warning for Legion*

So I had an idea floating around in my head after seeing some of the Legion content for our class, especially the class hall. I started to wonder after seeing the Assassination artifact questline why Shaw would be so resistant to our characters helping out in Stormwind after how much we did in Draenor, especially if they were Alliance. I got to wondering what could possibly be a reason for a split between a player Rogue and SI:7 (think how much we helped out in Jade Forest!).

Coupled with that, it seemed that some of the main characters that make up the Uncrowned we really haven’t seen much of, especially Tess Greymane. So I threw together a short story that presents a situation where we get some introduction to Tess and delves a little into why we’d get the cold shoulder in our own home city. Of course, it’s strictly my own work, so it’s not like its canon or anything. But I like to write for fun so I thought I’d share this here for my fellow rogues to enjoy! It takes place just before the pre-patch events (so I wanted to get it finished quick before Tuesday!).

It's titled "A New Recruit"

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As Tess Greymane crossed the bridge into Stormwind proper, she turned her gaze to the statues flanking the path. The Valley of Heroes always put her in a reflective mood. Statues of the finest champions the Alliance had to offer stood before her, proof of the strength and sacrifice required to secure the land from threats. Glancing from one to another, from Turalyon to Khadgar, until her eyes narrowed as they fell on Alleria Windrunner. Not through any fault of the woman who had given everything to seal the Dark Portal during the Second War, but rather due to the familial connection with her sister Sylvannas who had taken away almost everything Tess loved.

Tess still felt she had abandoned her homeland when she fled with her parents across the sea to Darnassus. Between the rampaging Worgen and the lightning-fast assault of the Forsaken, her kingdom had been brought to ruin. The Banshee Queen and her minions had overwhelmed the defenses of the city and even managed to make an attempt on King Genn Greymane’s life, only to be stopped by her brother throwing himself in the path of Sylvannas’ arrow to prevent her father’s death.

However, the Valley of Heroes still showed what the Alliance was able to accomplish when its factions worked together.

“It may take a while,” she thought, “but Gilneas will be restored.”

With her resolve steeled, Tess turned her attention back to the reason she had come to Stormwind: to meet with Spymaster Matthias Shaw and request a position with the intelligence and special operations section, SI:7. While her family had ran, her friend Lorna Crowley had been left behind in Gilneas and had been instrumental in defending what was left of their homeland. The example Lorna had set wasn’t lost on Tess and she had learned to fight and become rather skilled herself in tradecraft.

“The next time I won’t run. I owe my people more than that. With Liam gone, it’s my responsibility as heir to protect Gilneans now.”

Looking around, Tess was surprised her feet had already led her into the twisting alleys of Old Town. This was the part of Stormwind where she felt at most home. A forgotten corner of the city, it had always reminded her of Gilneas City. After the Worgen curse had afflicted her people, it seemed that even the very air had become shadowed. The once-cheery buildings became looming and dark. With Genn’s decision to wall Gilneas off, the kingdom itself was a forgotten corner of the world.

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Tess stepped through the door of SI:7 headquarters and motioned to the agent guarding the door, “Spymaster Shaw is expecting me.”

“Lady Greymane, he is finishing up some business with the Commander that was sent to Draenor to counter the Iron Horde. If you wouldn’t mind waiting in the reception outside his office he’ll be with you shortly.”

Tess made her way upstairs and took a seat. She could barely make out the discussion being held in Shaw’s office and closed her eyes to concentrate on what was being said.

“Commander, while I acknowledge what you’ve accomplished in Draenor, it is simply not possible to develop a front-line combat division. SI:7 is still reeling from losses sustained in the conflicts we’ve been part of over the past few years. ”

“Master Shaw, with all due respect, there’s been more and more stirrings about a potential return of the Legion. Some of what we encountered in Draenor leads directly to that conclusion.”

Shaw began to sound frustrated, “But you have no hard evidence. And we’re already spread thin enough without spending manpower on a wild goose chase.” It seemed to Tess that they had been going around in circles for a while. “We were barely able to get track down the cultists during the Cataclysm and it’s become apparent that what the Alliance is really missing is information. SI:7 is shifting to a primarily intelligence gathering role. That means spies in enemy camps, it means keeping tabs on Horde forces and providing King Varian with the intelligence he needs to make decisions. It does not mean taking half our active operatives and waiting for an invasion that may never happen!”

“Never happen? The Legion does not rest. It does not forget. When they arrive…”

“IF. If they arrive.”

“When they arrive, we’ll need all the help we can get.”

“If I see proof, I’ll do what I can,” Shaw sighed, “Until then I’m going to have to limit your access to SI:7 operations. You’ve taken too much of a visible role and I can’t have your unorthodox methods jeopardizing the agents we currently have in the field. Dismissed, Commander.”

The Commander sounded shocked, “You’re joking. There’s never been a more important time to ensure that information is shared…”

“I said, you’re dismissed,” Shaw burst out.

“Fine. I’ll have to look for those who will listen elsewhere.” The Commander swept out of Shaw’s office and turned away from Tess toward the stairs. She glanced up as the Commander left; it’s not every day you get to see a living hero and she had heard some of the tales of adventure from Draenor.

“Lady Greymane, please come in,” Shaw called.

Tess strode into his office. “Spymaster Shaw, thank you for taking the time to see me. I’ve been studying under Erion Shadewhisper and Loren in Darnassus. I’d like to request a position with SI:7. I’m confident that my skills are up to par, and I’m willing to take any challenge you set before me. ”

Shaw put his hand to his forehead and pushed back his hair. “How much of that did you overhear?”

Tess blushed, “Enough…”

“Then you realize the position I’m in. It’s not a matter of skill. At this point, we’re only taking recruits who can infiltrate and pass information back to headquarters. The most important thing is to rebuild our spy network.”

“I understand, and it’s fine. I don’t mind staying out for long periods of time. Anything that I can do to help the Alliance”

Shaw shook his head, “No, you don’t. First off, you’re too recognizable. Lady Greymane, you’re the crown princess of Gilneas. There’s few of our own soldiers who don’t recognize who you are, and any place we’d put you amongst the Horde would have individuals who know you by sight. Moreover, if you were captured, or worse, it would be a great victory for our foes. It will sound callous, but an important part of being a spy is our expendability. It’s not something I’ve done lightly, but if it will serve the Alliance more to sacrifice one of our operatives…we’ve all known that when we signed up.”

Tess looked down at her feet. “But surely there must be something…”

“I’m sorry. I can’t take the risk of granting you a position here. I’m sure you’ll be able to find something else,” Shaw turned back to his desk, “Lady Greymane, would you like an escort out?”

“I’ll manage.” Tess started back downstairs. It wasn’t fair. Erion had said that she had a gift for stealth and she wanted to use that gift to benefit her people. There had to be another place she could be of use, she’d heard rumors of a Hidden Circle in Ironforge. If SI:7 was so shorthanded, she thought they would be jumping at the chance for new blood. Shaw’s reasoning made a certain amount of sense, but it didn’t make her feelings of disappointment any less.

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“That didn’t go as planned, did it miss?” came a voice in her ear.

Tess whirled around to see who had spoken and caught something flying at her out of the corner of her eye. She slipped the dagger she carried out of her sleeve and threw to deflect the missile.

An apple, pierced neatly through the center rolled to a stop at her feet.

“You’ve got good reflexes at least. Jorah sure does know how to pick ‘em.” A man wearing a rakishly perched red captain’s hat stepped from behind one of the training dummies in the courtyard.

“Do you know who you’re talking to?” Tess snarled

He made a dismissive gesture with his hand. “Titles are rather irrelevant to the organization I represent. Fleet Admiral Tethys at your service,” he said, sweeping his hat off in an exaggerated bow. “I know who you are. We’ve heard that you’re looking for a place that could use someone of your talents. I happen to know of some individuals who plan to work together to take a more…offensive…role in fighting the enemies of this world. Something big is coming, and it won’t wait for the Alliance or the Horde to get their footing.”

Her interest piqued, Tess gave a tentative smile, “Tell me more…”