Chapter 10: Planning for future

The two had their eyes wide open from shock, but the after-reactions of the two were completely incomparable. Lireesa blushed with shame though her reddened face wasn't so obvious after going through a strong strenuous exercise. She tried to push away from Sena, but her frail hand couldn't exert a slight meagre force.

In contrast, Sena's mouth turned into a curve. She smirked like she had succeeded in her secret. She didn't hug Lireea any closer, but disallowed any struggles from Lireesa. Lireesa now wanted to dig her head into the ground, although the outsiders wouldn't really know. It would definitely arouse suspicions and thoughts.

Sena knew what's enough was enough. Any further aggressive behavior might disgust the other person. She might as well control the rhythm. Lireesa had no idea what her friend was thinking. Even if she did, it definitely wouldn't increase her disgust, but merely some apprehension. She liked beautiful women, and anything what they did as long as it wasn't too much, and broke the moral and conscience of hers, they could be forgiven to some extent.

People always fancied beauty, and physical appearance determined the reaction of the other party and affected their judgement because most thought the prettier the look, the kinder the person would be.

Cough, Cough.

Sena let out a cough to relieve some embarrassment, because the atmosphere here before was really stagnant. The two visitors seemed shocked to speak. She turned her head toward them and discovered Ella and Alleria. Because they were really familiar with her, she figured out to somehow forgive their disturbance.

Although Ella was her companion, she really couldn't try to like her. Ella's behavior could beyond doubt make people mad and want to cry. She would always lecture whenever she found someone breaking some rules that she deemed very essential part of Windrunner. If it wasn't for her surname different, Sena reckoned she was a true Windrunner.

Ella's full name was Ella Trueseeker. Her parents were old friends of Lireesa's mother who also lost her husband in the war against trolls. When Ella's parents had an accident, Lireesa's mother took her in as her daughter, but Ella always strictly demanded herself as someone who must repay her benefactor and abide by her responsibilities.

She was actually 100 years older than Lireesa and typically served as an elder sister, teaching her noble etiquettes. Except for combat training, everything else was managed by Ella. Lireesa respected and feared her, but the current one felt Ella should be treated as a friend even if one might have to act cheeky. Otherwise, Ella's seriousness might lead her to collapse someday.

Ella was appalled by the sight that she lost her speech, tremblingly pointing the finger at the two performing mortifying behavior, while Alleria beside her was baffled not understanding how her mother got into such performance. She looked back and forth between Sena and Lireesa, wondering what secrets the two had. Frankly, Ella wasn't angry at the two friendship or even possibly love. She was actually annoyed that the two didn't pay attention to the occasion and worried they might tarnish the reputation of Windrunner. Amongst Lireesa's friend, Ella was only the possible person who wished Windrunner's honor to be maintained for an eternity.

After regaining some of the energy, Lireesa now could spare some to make some movement and conversation. She looked toward Ella and Alleria and moved her hand to let them sit down in front of her first.

Afterward, she glanced at Alleria and asked, "It seems you've rested very well. How're you feeling?"

"Well rested, mother," Alleria replied with a blank face. "Mother, what happen to you?" Alleria face showed some worries.

Although nothing happened right now, she was a bit scared. Lireesa comforted her with her eyes and told her the reasons why her situation became such embarrassment. Of course, she omitted the part where she was ravaged and played like a doll. Alleria signed in relief as soon as she heard the cause, Ella also had a similar reaction, but she still glared at Lireesa as if asking she didn't completely believe it.

"Is that all what leads to what you are now?" Ella skeptically asked. "I highly doubt you are not saying anything." Her eyes obvious showing sarcasm as if telling, come'on keep on lying. I wanna see how far you can go.

Sena interrupted her chain of thoughts, "Of course not, our Lireesa obviously will not be limited to retraining all her strength. After her recovery, she will surely step into the realm of Legendary rank. The first Legend rank amongst the Windrunner family will be born."

Lireesa wrinkled her forehead and had no place for protest. She bitterly thought, who's your Lireesa. I'm me. I belong to myself.

Alleria and Ella faces brightened instantly, never expecting such good news to celebrate for the Windrunner families after all the bad things coming through. Still, they turned their head toward Lireesa asking for her confirmation.

Lireesa nodded explicitly and added: "Not only just entry, I feel that I can still get stronger and strength breakthrough will be limitless."

Lireesa stared at Alleria for a moment with complicated thoughts. In Azeroth where she wasn't there, the first Windrunner to become a Legendary ranger was her daughter in front. Her anger and thirst for revenge had driven her to the peak, many powerhouses dreamt off, but she never ever had a happiness. Alleria had always wished, she rather had her family back than to become a Legend.

"Where're your sisters?" Lireesa asked. "Are they still asleep?"

Alleria paused and hesitantly said, "They're still asleep. But I guess they're very tired yesterday" She prayed for her other sisters because usually her mother's wrath will be frightening whoever failed to stick to their rules. Even if their mother had promised to change and was trying, previous strong aura from the past still remained. Surprisingly, her mother just nodded to show she knew and never expressed her anger.

"Let'em rest. It's better to remember you should wake them up before lunch." Lireesa calmly said. "It's fine for a day or two to not train. But you must remember and tell yourself, you trained to survive and save yourself when in danger. If you want to help your mother, this is the best. During crisis, sometimes I might not be able to help. I don't want any of my daughters to become like your father, understood?"

Alleria could merely agree. At first, she was puzzled why her mother didn't seem to bother about their strict rules and requirements. She didn't even scold or swear a word. Alleria looked up to see if the sun rose from the west. But it appeared the trauma still existed that she feared for their safety.

Lireesa turned toward Ella and asked, "What'd brought you here Sister Ella?"

When Ella was about to speak in a formal way, she received a stern gaze from Lireesa. As her lord, Ella believed the best way subordinates could help the master was to act like one. It dawned on her now, Lireesa really abhorred the required etiquettes and reminded her of her promise yesterday.

"Lireesa, I came to you this morning to know about your situation," Ella stated, not being slightly used to the free way of speaking. "I didn't find you and only met your eldest daughter who was having a meal. I asked her about you and she said you went out to train. She and I have some discussions while having meals. Together we come here to look for you. I never expected such good news from you. First, congratulation in advance my sister. …Speaking of it, Lireesa what's in with Sena."

Lireesa's eye rolled around awkward not knowing what say and pretended not to hear the question and quickly introduced a new topic, changing the focus of the group's discussion.

"I've already told Sena. Now that you're here, I guess you better listen to my plans and explanations. Don't interrupt no matter unbelievable ideas you heard."

Except for Sena, Ella and Alleria were deeply puzzled why Lireesa suddenly got serious. In any case, their faces became solemn preparing for whatever significant new orders they might receive. In essence, Lireesa was still the Head of Windrunner family and her edict meant all the followers and family members must abide by.

For, Sena, all of these were nothing new and she now recalled these subtle pleasantries she had with Lireesa prior to those two outsider's interruption. She even raised her hand to sniff any scent possibly left behind by her Lireesa.

"I'm convinced, with regards to frequent incursions by trolls and attack on Verath, the trolls must be planning something ahead." Lireesa said. "We must raise our alert level to the highest and prepare for War if needed. It's impossible for Silvermoon Council, to approve going to war, as much as I want it to happen. Sadly, there will be war sooner or later. At that time, Quel'Thalas's reaction is too late and might need to recover from damages for a long time."

All of them agreed and felt Quel'Thalas didn't want war to happen. And the more it was against the war, the more aggressive trolls tended to become. It's possible to glimpse at the future where border clashes will be more and more severe. Naturally, they were amazed by the vision shown by Lireesa to just assume the probability based on her husband's assassination. Actually, Lireesa despite the fusion would not be able to predict the nation's future this long with her mere judgement and political skills. Lireesa remembered how Quel'Thalas was reluctant to enter the Alliance which was preparing for war against the foreign orcs. The reason they gave out was the previous war with trolls had caused tremendous casualties and required some time to recover from damages.

The actual reason was they favored the secularism law, where isolation from other civilizations could maintain mystery and raised their sense of superiority on other races. But it became clear by the higher council's decision for showing reluctance, really meant Quel'Thalas national strength declined because of trolls' war, and it appeared this war wasn't small, it must be by far the largest since 1000 years ago. Contemplating about upcoming war, Lireesa quickly became worried the damages suffered the most by the Windrunner family. She could possibly lose those beautiful and sweet guards who served around her. Her heart shattered every time she thought those girls would become rotten corpses after seeing their smiles and hearing their laughter. Her heart sublimated and desired to protect and cherish her servants. It now seemed all the servants of the Windrunner family were her children, her relatives.

"So, we must first increase the number of windrunner guards starting from now." Lireesa continued her topic. "The existing guards must upgrade their skills and levels as soon as possible. It's better to have every ranger lieutenant achieving the quasi-legend rank. These two are priorities." As soon as she finished, Sena, Ella and Alleria completely blown up. Raising the level of the combat power, not only required talents to be very high, but also needed immeasurable resources piled up to produce a powerhouse. It would definitely take half of the Windrunner's resources just to produce one quasi-legend not to mention mass production. Lireesa's requirement had even reached the point of impossibility.

Of course, Lireesa was aware of such problem and would never make minor mistakes without considerations. She had confidence in herself to develop and increase Windrunner's finance and resources. She raised her hand to calm them down and comforted, "I have my own solution to this problem, you just need to prepare details for this plan."

The other three looked at each other and signed. Regardless, they would try their best even if it just was a sudden idea. They still didn't believe Lireesa could come up with a solution. This problem itself wasn't simply finance and resources; there were more complexities to come. Lireesa knew they didn't trust her ideas and were completely skeptical of it, because ideas were beautiful but realities always contrasted.

Ella interjected, "There is another problem with regards to increasing the number of troops. Even if it can be hidden, they might become a handle for the Silvermoon Council to suppress our family. Asking for permission from the King is also impractical. No monarch would allow such move."

Lireesa agreed with her statement and nodded her head. She said, "We must try even if there is only a slight chance. Because the upcoming war with trolls will not be that dangerous. What I'm preparing for wasn't all because of trolls. Trolls just make up 20 percent of the decision. You will really understand why I'm in such a hurry. The remaining reasons was because our Windrunner family might possibly face a catastrophe in the futures to the brink of our family's extinction. "

"Family's extinction!" Exclamation sounded and their eyes went wide in disbelief.