Light had not yet broken through the darkness. All around the abbey, Elwynn was silent. It was an hour or two before the birds would begin chirping and morning would break over the trees. He had not slept since returning from the northern continent but he felt no touch of fatigue, invigorated as he was with a sense of purpose...

( for the rest, see VIII. Recompense )

...my commission with the Argent Crusade, I have found my dealings with the Ebon Blade become more frequent. After a brief tour in which I reported directly to Highlord Fordring in Icecrown, I was sent aboard the Alliance airship, the Skybreaker. It was there that I encountered Thassarian. It was clear that he carried the stench of the Scourge with him, but there was something else... an air of propriety. Certainly I'm no fool, it was fueled with a thirst for revenge, that I know. However... there was more to this one. He had a purpose, and regardless of his motivation, his cause was just. After my dealings with Thassarian both aboard the Skybreaker and previously in the Borean Tundra, I know that this man is no blackguard and is worthy of my trust. Surely if others may be the example of the worst these Death Knights can present, Thassarian must be the example of the more upstanding.

I find it remarkable that so many, of such varied backgrounds, have come to stand together throughout Northrend to take the battle to Menethil and his forces. Alliance, Horde, the Argent Dawn, the Zandalar (as represented by Hexxer Ubungo at the Argent Stand, who I had the distinct pleasure of aiding against the Drakkari) and the Ebon Blade. I know now, through the travels that my commission has requested of me, that while we all might not share the same reasons for taking up arms, our goal is the shared. We stand together, we fight together.

This is what the Order is meant to represent: varied individuals standing together against our common enemies, tolerant of our differences and mindful of the uniqueness that our unity provides. This is more important than ever, as Wrynn has renewed his personal enmity against Thrall, commanding his forces to spend time and resources foolishly battling the Horde of Orgrim's Hammer when Menethil's battalions lay, growing and strengthening, just beneath them. I have requested a break in my service from the Crusade long enough to get back to call a meeting with the Council. Our previous decision must be overturned. Intolerance is a tenet that the Order must not practice. I know that our initial request for caution (and I whole-heartedly believe what was done then was the best decision made, given what was known at the time) has been met. Enough is known now.

Commander Kunz has granted me leave. I travel back to Dalaran tomorrow for three days. After some personal business, I intend to call another Council meeting. I can only pray that the recent result of my deliberations are not mistaken for indecisiveness.

...that I was more than just a touch reluctant when asked to seek acquaintance with Vadu at Ebon Watch. However, I was not inclined to argue with Crusader Lantinga at the time. I am, after all, currently under commission for the Argent Crusade and I'm certainly no fledgling recruit. Orders are orders. Vadu was much as I expected. The mere sight of his visage elicits revulsion and he exudes the stench of death. He is Scourge through and through, and of that there is no doubt. Though... the irony of my situation is not lost on me. The disposition within the Order has grown tumultous of late over these creatures... these Death Knights. Ones like Vadu.

I know that some of my Knights believe that I hold some steadfast hatred against these things, a loathing so intense that it has become blind intolerance. They do not understand that I broke free of the foolish, stubborn inclinations of my youth long ago. I seek only to fulfill my position with a balanced hand, tempered with caution. In this, I understand that it is my duty to learn all I can about these Scourge Death Knights, to know for certain whether a disallowance of their presence within our Order is as unjustified as some believe it to be... or if it would be the act of perilous imprudence that my instincts swear it to be. I have been wrong before... but this is not the time for acquiescence simply for the sake of morale.

Vadu. For now... I will aid him as the request of the Crusade and so long as his means remain justifiable. I find it interesting how much he proclaims to despise Menethil and how his intimate knowledge of his ranks lends an effectively vicious insight unto dealing with his minions. We shall see where that takes us. For now... I will listen. And I will learn what I can of this Ebon Blade.