Disclaimer! I don't own Wow. Blizz does, and your soul too.
*** Quel'thalas – Silvermoon City ***
Even before reaching Silvermoon City, the golden spires reaching out to the skies were impossible, especially with the carved intricate runes that glowed with arcane power. Instead of stopping in front of the city as I assumed, Alleria and the others flew directly into the city to a dragonhawk aviary I did not know existed. It was a shame since I would have liked a tour of the city to see if it matched my memory of its game version. However, I was able to recognize the area we landed near, with its distinct buildings. Sunfury Spire was the seat of power of the Sunstrider family after all.
Below us was a circle structure that reminded me of a Roman coliseum. It was about three story tall and with large alcoves carved into them, big enough for a single dragonhawk to rest in. As for the field itself, it was filled with dragonhawks and their trainers, all of whom had stopped whatever task they were doing in order to watch us.
"We're landing, Callan," Alleria told me as she banked to the dragonhawk's left. She then commanded it to retract its wing before dropping us straight down.
I tightened my grip on Alleria's waist even as my stomach lurched. However, before we could hit the ground, the dragonhawk opened its wing, greatly slowing the descent before landing gently.
Alleria turned and gave me a teasing look. "Do you not trust my skill?"
It took me a moment to realize she did that dead-dropped landing on purpose to fuck with me. "You...that...well played, milady Alleria."
Alleria smiled as she hopped off the dragonhawk and then extended her hand to me. Oh now, she was taking it a bit too far. With an eye roll, I took her hand and jumped off the creature.
"Tell me, do you have any other tasks after you meet with King Sunstrider?" Alleria asked a bit coyly as she brushed a strain of loose blonde hair behind her ears.
"Ah not quite," I chuckled nervously. "It-"
I stopped when I saw a blond elf with a single eyepatch walk into the dragonhawk aviary.
"Ranger Captain, I see our scouts were correct, and you have made it back promptly," the one-eyed elf stated before he turned to me. "You are Thoradin's heir?"
"Knight Captain Callan Lothar actually, but yes I am also called Thoradin's heir," I said with a straight face but inwardly, I felt a bit weirded out. After all, the man who was addressing me was the future regent of the Blood Elves, Lor'themar Theron. A man whom I helped kill many times for some obscure reward that I couldn't even remember.
"Lord Lothar or do you prefer Lord Callan?" Lor'themar asked curiously. "I understand your father is still among the living?"
I smiled. "Just Callan, but if you have to be formal, I guess Lord Callan because, as you have said, my father is still alive and goes by Lord Lothar."
Alleria turned to the air as the other dragonhawks arrived and eased into the aviary. My men instantly got off the flying creatures with unsteady feet, some even had sickly green faces.
"While this is abrupt, the King will see you after Ranger General Lireesa makes her report," Lor'themar said in an apologetic tone. "But fear not, you will be allowed to attend court while Lady Windrunner makes her report."
"And my men?" I motioned to my people who had recovered from their airsickness.
"You are allowed two to accompany you," the future regent said with a nod. "The rest of your men would be put up in the Farstrider Square and are free to explore the city."
"I see." I nodded before I turned to my party. "Nestle, Haylea, you're with me."
Nestle looked excited at the prospect. I guess, as a magic user, he wanted to see the birthplace of magic. Haylea, on the other hand, took on a professional demeanor and became stone-faced. I had a feeling she defaulted back to her royal guard days.
"Lor'themar." Lireesa arrived and let a stable-hand elf handle her dragonhawk. "Have you heard back from all our outposts?"
"Yes, Ranger General." Lor'themar stood up straighter before the Windrunner matriarch. "There were no further attacks reported yesterday and all patrols have reported in."
"Then, he knew I was going to be there somehow," Lireesa mused.
"Ranger General...the king is still waiting..." Lor'themar reminded the woman before he hesitated. "Though, he is not alone. The prince has returned."
"Oh?" Lireesa raised an eyebrow. "Is he still trying to court my daughter?"
'Wait, what? Kael'thas is here?' I looked up to see Lor'themar shaking his head.
"No, Lady Windrunner," Lor'themar answered. "He is said to have brought urgent news for the kingdom, but the king had dismissed his claims."
"The prince did not take kindly to that, I presume?" Lireesa sighed. "Knowing him, he's trying to subvert his father's edict."
There was history there, I could tell. Of course, they weren't going to clue me in on Kael'thas past history and background and honestly, they didn't have to. I was already well aware that Kael'thas and his father didn't see eye to eye, hence his preference for slumming it up in Dalaran. His presence here might actually work out in my favor as Kael'thas was very much pro-humanity.
"Let us be on our way," the Windrunner matriarch said before she nodded to me. Wordlessly I followed her even as the one-eyed elf took the lead.
Exiting the aviary and entering the city proper, I got my first glimpse of Silvermoon City. Fancy; that was the only word I could use to describe the elven home. The little sections I got to see show immaculate buildings with no sign of aging of any kind. Elves were going about their daily routine, but it was the casual magical use that caused Nestle to gawk. Self-moving brooms could be seen sweeping the streets, moving around any pedestrian that came near them. Mops could be seen moving unaided within buildings that looked suspiciously like restaurants. Flying missives were delivering themselves to houses even as new missives flew out. There was even a fountain that had water that not only flowed out but shaped itself into a flower before raining into its basin.
We made a quick pace up a long series of steps for the Court of the Sun if I remember correctly. Two rolls of armored elves in green with gold trimming lined up on either side of the steps. They had their large kite shield, designed with elven aesthetic, and one-sided sword at the ready. I could feel their eyes on us, assessing us.
"We are entering Sunfury Spire, the throne of the Sunstrider family," Alleria whispered to me as she also traveled alongside us quietly. "Tread carefully, not all elves believe you are who you said you are."
I was surprised that Alleria had remained so quiet, but she and Vereesa had stuck to each other since we left the aviary. Perhaps it was their mother's presence that made Alleria behave, she was always been portrayed as more rebellious. Looking at the Windrunner's mother again, I realized she was not the same woman I read about in the novel sources. It made me wonder what else could be wrong about what I read.
The tallest spire in the city and the seat of the Sunstrider family loomed over us all as we entered it. I heard the people before I saw them, elven nobles and magisters were seated in two rolls inside the large room. However, it was the person at the head of the magister seat that took my attention. Sitting there–young, blond, and handsome–by any standard was a very familiar prince. Kael'thas Sunstrider, the future leader of the blood elves. His eyes were on me before anyone else, and I saw him give me a small nod before turning his attention elsewhere. Behind him was a large balcony of sorts that extended inside the room on either side, filled with elves who didn't dress like the nobles or magister. They were probably lesser nobles and lords if I had to take a guess.
However, at the end of those two rows was a single large seat that was elevated, at least five feet high from its dais, and on that seat sat an old elf with white hair. Though the elf did not have wrinkles, he had a hardened weathered face that spoke of what he had seen in his long life. Like the soldiers, he was also in green plate armor of elven design and wore a silver leaf crown on his head.
Lor'themar and Lireesa took the lead and stopped short of the throne to kneel before their king. Meanwhile, Alleria and Vereesa had quietly broken away from us and gone into the crowd of observers.
"King Anasterian Sunstrider," Lireesa said in a respectful tone. "I present to you, Lord Callan Lothar, Thoradin's heir, and my savior from the warlord Zul'jin."
Taking my cue, I stepped forward a couple of steps and pounded my fist to my armor, just before I gave a low and respectful bow.
"Hail and well-met ruler of the Quel'dorei," I said loudly in a respectful tone. "On behalf of King Llane Wrynn and my father, Anduin Lothar, I respectfully greet his majesty, King Anasterian Sunstrider."
The elven king's ageless eyes bored into my own. I could feel his power and overwhelming presence focus on me. However, I stood my ground. After all, he was not my king, so I wasn't going to kneel. It didn't help that in my previous life I came from a republic that loved spitting in the faces of royalty. So, after my respectful bow, I stood proudly in front of him. It might have been the wrong thing to do as I could hear murmurs of dissatisfied elves. Though to my surprise, Kael'thas was not one of them. He merely raised an amused eyebrow.
"Hmmph," the king sounded as he leaned back on his intricately designed throne. His eyes shifted to Lireesa. "Report what happened, Ranger General."
We were offered no seat and were made to stand there while Lireesa recounted her tale, starting from when she received the king's order to when she was ambushed. There were gasps from the elves in attendance with several of the bolder ones leaning closer to listen in rapt attention to Lireesa's tale. When she finally got to the part where I fought Zul'jin and killed him, that earned me more than a few appreciative gazes. In particular, a very handsome elf shot me a grateful look.
Finally, she got to the part I was half dreading but was prepared for: the mass resurrection. That caused a bit of a commotion among the elves. Kael'thas was blinking rapidly as he listened, and even Anasterian gave me a hawk-like gaze before he turned his attention back to Lireesa's report. Eventually, she finished and the whole room became silent as they waited for their king to speak.
After a few minutes, the King waved his hand and dismissed Lireesa and Lor'themar. The two got up and retreated to the side, leaving nothing between the king and my party. He stared at us for a few more moments before he exhaled. A waned smile graced his face.
"Callan Lothar," the king of the elves finally said. "You not only share his looks but also his skill in killing trolls, it seems."
There was soft muttering as some elves were shocked that their king essentially confirmed my lineage.
"After all these years, why have the blood of Thoradin's appeared before me now? Is it related to my son's news?" King Anasterian asked grandly. "Or is it about my promise? If so, you need not worry. I will honor it."
'Bullshit!' I mentally rebutted. I saw how the prince's face twisted as if sucking on a sour lemon, confirming my thoughts. 'Oh, I know how exactly you're gonna honor it. With just twelve fucking destroyers!'
However, this was it, the moment of truth. If I let it go now, he will just settle on just twelve destroyers, no matter what. It was time for my gambit. With that, I turned to Nestle and held out my hand. The conjurer placed a blue orb filled with spell work into my hand. The king, Kael, and the elven magisters saw through the object right away, though not its content. I saw the king waving the kingsguard back, who must have been sensitive about the magic of the object in my hand.
I knew that there were no words of my own that I could say which might convince the elves to help us, but perhaps, I could borrow some. With apologies in my heart to one of the greatest writers from my previous world and a prolific director, I moved forward a few steps while holding the blue orb chest high.
"King Anasterian Sunstrider," I said in a solemn tone as I held the sapphire orb up before him. "I would like to show you a story, a memory of sorts if you'd allow it?"
That's right. Show, not tell.
The old elven king wasn't expecting that, and the fact that I was going to 'show' a story with no acting troupe piqued not only his interest but many of the people in attendance as well. He locked eyes with me for a moment before he gave a single nod. With that, I activated the orb in my hand and unleashed the complex spellwork that Nestle and his assistants worked on painstakingly.
Ribbons of purple arcane energy filled the room before intertwining together above me. Slowly, the color changed to green and grew larger before taking on a shape. When it was done, the shape displayed before us–in a way similar to a hologram–was that of the eastern kingdom. There were some curious murmurs, and even the king looked to me when nothing else happened. However, that was only for a moment; before long, a familiar voice spoke up.
"No baanoas medo mijae." Despite it being soft whispers from a female voice, the words reverberated clearly throughout the room for all to hear.
"The world has changed," a regal human female voice said, speaking in the common language.
Some of the elves frowned at the translation of Thalassian to Common for the exact same phrase. Sure, the voices were different, but the meaning was the same. From the corner of my eye, I saw Lireesa's face take on a red tinge as it was her voice that spoke the Thalassian portion. Only Nestle and I knew that it was Queen Taria who was the voice behind the common narrator. Now, came the changes I made to the familiar dialogue.
"A thonin alorsh ni ahar no iebalam," the elven female whispered again.
"You can feel it in the water." Again it was translated into common, but this time, there was an almost tired feeling to the voice.
"A thonin alorsh ni ahar no telore."
"You can feel it in the earth," the female stated, this time with a bit more strength to her voice.
"A thonin fero ni ahar no ardor."
"You can smell it in the air," the voice sounded sturdier now as if waking up from a long slumber. "Much that once was is now lost, for only one still lives that can remember."
And that was when, with Lirath's help, the background music began to play. It was from the unforgettable trilogy, Lord of the Ring from Earth. With my humming and direction, Lirath was not only able to create the score but improved on it. However, my elven audience, who had been confused before, suddenly became a lot more interested when the music began to play. Even King Anasterian's brow furrowed as he briefly looked at me, and then at Lireesa before turning back to the changing image.
The map of the eastern kingdom began to zoom north to a more familiar territory for the elves.
"It began in the north with the elves of Silvermoon." Suddenly, the magic twisted and formed elven shapes in robes and dresses above the map. The featureless magical silhouette animated as if they were talking and laughing with one another even as the queen's voice continued her narration. "Eternal, wisest, and fairest of all beings."
The curious elven audience was now officially intrigued, some even tried to hide their smiles. King Anasterian even gave me a raised eyebrow as if asking me what I was up to. I merely turned my eyes back to the arcane show in the center of the room as the green map zoomed out. It moved quickly to another area on the map.
"In the south were the dwarf lords," the queen narrated as the map formed the shape of dwarves. Some were standing with pickaxes while others were hammering various weapons on their anvils. "Great miners and craftsmen in their mountain halls."
The map's point of view changed once more as it sped northwest.
"And in the west, were the humans—" The shape that formed was simply a group of humans standing together, but with the old Arathi flag flying in the background. "Who, above all else, desired peace.
Anasterian caught sight of the flag, but he remained motionless as the map zoomed out again.
"Each of these races flourished and grew under their wise leaders," the queen continued as the camera angle panned over the map. Gold, brown, and blue colors stained the map with the territory of the races that were just introduced in that order. Each race's respective influence could be seen spreading outward. "For the three races were too far apart to ever come into conflict with one another, but... they were not alone."
Suddenly the score went from ambivalent to sinister as the camera drifted further east past the human and elven lands. The tonal shift made more than a few elves sit up straighter and even those who were trying to act disinterested were now riveted to the arcane show.
"For there was another race." Taria's voice took on a warning tone as the camera moved further east to a larger territory stained in red. "Deep in the Amani Empire, in the dark temple city of Zul'Aman, the brutal Warlord Jintha created in secret, something that the foul dark troll gods calls Loa's."
The image was now hovering over the pyramid city of Zul'Aman and the shape of a savage-looking troll could be making weird hand gestures as if casting a spell. Anasterian tried to hide it, but I saw his eyes harden when he saw the shape of Jintha. Some of the elf's nobles who probably never fought trolls seem taken aback by seeing the shape of one even as the score begins to turn even more sinister.
"And into these Loa's, he poured his cruelty, malice, and hatred for all living things," the queen's voice spoke to the audience as if trying to warn them. Other images of beast-shaped creatures formed in the background, standing next to Jintha. "Dark gods strong enough to destroy them all."
The map vanished and was replaced with a flat nondescript village that was on fire and under attack. Elven female shapes could be seen holding onto their crying children while running away from the savage trolls' silhouettes. The scene morphed into another one, this time of human females also running away with their children from the troll raiders. I saw more than a few elven men balling their fists at the scenes.
"One by one, the free lands of Azeroth fell to the power of their Loa's." For that one moment, the queen sounded as if she had lost all hope as the red color of the trolls began to stain the eastern kingdom. "But there was some–"
At this, the scenery disappeared for a second before forming into a group of uniformed human soldiers.
"—who resisted." With this, the camera seemed to slowly pan out as the group of humans doubled, then tripled, and then quadrupled as the sound of marching metal plates hitting the ground could be heard. "A desperate alliance of humans and elves marched against the armies of Zul'Aman—"
The elves could now see that silhouette of the human and elven army marching down a mountain to fight a massive force of trolls.
"—and at the foot of the Alterac mountains, they fought for the freedom of Azeroth." With that, the elves finally saw the full picture of the entire battlefield: the mountains of Alterac as best as we could get it and the tide of darkness that was Jintha's army.
I had color-coded the army; the trolls' army was red, the humans blue, and the elven were gold. Like the movie, I highlighted the troll's brutal savagery and played it up with their snarls and growls. I heard a few frightened gasps from the audience, but it was Anasterian's reaction that I most wanted to gauge. Sure enough, his eyes were as hard as flint, and if his hand gripped the throne's armrest any harder, it would break. The rest of the scene played out as the musical score came in.
I had no idea what was being sung during that movie's opening sequence, but the church choir of Lordaeron got me something close with their chants. Lirath further refined it.
The audience was being given an up close and personal look at the Troll Wars from their past. They watched as blue-colored human archers fired volleys of arrows into the enemy, barely making a dent. The scene then changed from that to a bird's eye view of the alliance lines and those of the troll forces.
It was plain for all to see that the red silhouette of the trolls severely outnumbered the allied forces. Yet, even still, walls of blue human figures marched bravely to meet their savage foe. However, while the human spirit was noble, in the very center of that formation was a wall of golden shape. They were easily identified as elven, and they too marched forward, unafraid of their bestial enemies.
The alliance lines halted just before engaging the troll army. The camera zoomed into the elven line where a single elven figure stood out from the rest. The figure was clad in silver and could be seen facing down the troll horde charging at him. Even without a voiceover explanation, all in the room knew who that was, and I saw several elves turn in the direction of their king.
"Dazaal no daararon!" Anasterian silhouette shouted in a commanding tone.
The golden elves locked their shields and raised it high even as the archers surrounding Anasterian nocked their arrows.
"Oorarom no jaeneianes!" Upon hearing his command, the archers let loose their arrows with pinpoint accuracy that went between the individuals of their front line and straight into the charging trolls.
Thousand of troll silhouettes could be seen jerking back when struck, but their numbers were too great. Despite the arrows being fired quickly into the enemy's lines, the trolls' forces crashed into the alliance lines as the battlefield became a mix of gold, blue, and red. The battle was zoomed in at certain points to showcase the elves and their human allies' bravery. Anasterian's figure could be seen killing trolls left and right, and in the human line, a white figure with a great sword was doing the same. The battle scene carried on for a few more seconds before the queen's voice could be heard.
"Despite fighting courageously for over three days," the queen narrated, even as the battle continued. "Victory was still out of reach."
The uplifting score that had played at the beginning of the battle slowly turned sour as humans and elven figures on the battlefield could be seen staring at something in the distance.
"The strength of the Loa's proved to be much more powerful than they could have ever anticipated." The queen was able to add a tone of dread to her narration.
A massive creature that looked like a half-troll, half dinosaur formed on the battlefield. It was Jintha, the troll warlord whom I made sure to make his silhouette taller and larger than the rest of the humans and elves. Letting out a mighty roar, the Loa-infused warlord began to wreak havoc on the alliance forces. Humans and elves were sent flying from a single swipe of the troll god. The butcher of the alliance forces continued for a few more seconds to showcase how unstoppable the trolls were at the time.
"It was in this moment when all hopes were lost that Thoradin, king of the humans—" From the blue human lines the white human figure could be seen turning to the mountain slopes of Alterac and lifting his sword high. "—raised his sword and unleashed the final weapon of the alliance."
Clouds started to form over the troll's silhouette and Jintha's figure could be seen looking up just before a massive tornado made of fire crashed down onto him. Moments later, a storm of fire rained down on the trolls as the massive fire tornado swept through their lines. The red-colored figure was swallowed up by the firestorm before we cut to an Amani troll's helmet falling onto the ground with a noisy crash, empty and visibly charred.
"Jintha, the enemies of the free people of Azeroth, was defeated," the queen stated in finality.
The scene morphed into one of the golden elven figures mingling with blue humans, cheering in victory. Overlooking it was a form in silver, standing shoulder to shoulder with the white figure. The two could be seen talking and nodding, though no words were heard.
"In the aftermath of the war, King Thoradin and the elves swore a pact of eternal friendship." The scene changed to that of the silver elf, his golden army behind him, with his arm clasping the white figure's arm, who had his blue army behind him. "The two sides promised to come to one another's aid if it was ever needed."
The silver figure could be seen returning to a forested area before it cut to the white figure sitting in a stone castle.
"However, the lives of humans were short and as time passed, their kingdom divided and struck out on their own." The figures disappeared, revealing a map of Lordaeron, but this time, it was marked with five human kingdom symbols on it. "And some things were thought to have been lost forever."
A fleet of ships flying the old Arathi flag could be seen setting sail from the southern coast of Lordaeron. The group of blue ships sailed around the dwarven kingdom of Khaz Modan before bumping into the northwestern part of the southern continent and vanishing.
"But they weren't," the queen stated as the music became hopeful. The ships had disappeared, but slowly, the image of Stormwind lion's head formed on the land. "They merely found a new home."
With that, the arcane spell came to an end and dissipated and retracted back into the orb in my hand.
Silence was all that greeted me when the 'show' ended. I let my eyes scan the room and saw more than a few elves looking at me while others were contemplative. Kael'thas, in particular, was looking at his father with a worried expression. The king whose fierce demeanor now exuded a stormy aura that he was barely able to reign in. It looked like I succeeded in making him remember, which was both a good and bad thing. Now, it was on me to finish it.
Exhaling as if I was tired, I looked at the king who was looking at me with unreadable emotion dancing in his eyes.
"King Anasterian," I addressed him in a soft tone of voice. "Did you know that the people of Lordaeron called your pledge of friendship and loyalty a blood debt?"
The king narrowed his eyes at me before answering with a sharp nod.
"Yet, if it was a blood debt, why did my line not call upon it when our empire was crumbling around us?" I asked him. "Your mere presence would have bolstered the loyalist faction, yet they still did not ask for your aid."
Anasterian brow furrowed as he realized what I said was the truth. However, my question also managed to garner other elves' attention, and more importantly, their curiosity. Kael'thas resemblance was made evident as I saw his brow furrow in an exact replica of his father.
"Even when our people faced suffering in the new lands, fought off the savage gnolls, and even discovered a southern troll empire, we never called upon you for assistance." I made eye contact with him then. "Do you want to know why?"
My silence was deafening, and I could feel the tangible curiosity in the room. The king's eyes never broke contact with mine before he answered.
"Why?" the powerful voice half demanded.
"Because it was a pledge of loyalty and friendship, King Anasterian," I stated as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. I saw him blink first and pressed my attack. "King Anasterian, my line sire regarded you as a true friend. I hope that it was the same for you."
"I call Thoradin a friend and a brother," King Anasterian said as if offended that I would presume anything else.
"I meant no disrespect, King Anasterian." I bowed my head to show my contrition. "However, that was exactly why we never called upon the Sunstrider for aid. You were our friend. We would not squander your valuable friendship on something so petty."
Now, it was time for me to take some creative license.
"Our friendship and mutual pledge of loyalty meant that only when we truly needed you would we ask," I told him with as serious an expression on my face as possible. "Even if our family was falling, we could move elsewhere to make new homes. When we fought the Gurubashi trolls, we still did not think it warranted asking you for help."
Which was bullshit. Had the Arathi remembered the debt in the first place they could have totally called the elves for help settling the new land, Heck the elves might have settled side by side with the Arathi. The, thus far, undiscovered Twilight Grove in Brightwood would have more than enough magical energy leaking from its metaphysical tits for the elves to suck on. It came from Nordrassil after all, which was grown using the same shit as their Sunwell. Shaking my head to stop my thoughts from spiraling, I broke eye contact with him and looked around at the enraptured audience before turning back to the king.
"I, Callan Lothar, last in the line of Thoradin's unbroken line, is standing before you now, asking for help." I held up the orb that showed the Troll Wars earlier. "I am not asking this as a debt repayment, but in the spirit of friendship that our families pledged to one another long ago. For I tell you true and swear upon Thoradin's grave, the enemies that we faced now dwarf Jintha's empire by several magnitude."
There was an audible gasp in the audience as having just been reminded of the troll wars, I was now claiming that there was an even stronger foe. I got them; now to go all out.
"However, unlike Jintha who made a pact with dark gods, the orcish horde consorts with demons." I powered through more gasps but noted that Kael'thas attention was completely on me now. "My father was there when a fel doglike beast was summoned by their foul warlocks."
The king's eyes hardened upon hearing about the felhound.
"But that was only the first," I continued in an ominous tone. "There were giant demons that were twice a man in height, winged demons with cloven hooves that took great pleasure in inflicting pain, squat imps that threw green fire spells while laughing gleefully, and finally, fel beings armed with cruel barbed weapons."
Every time I named a Burning Legion demon, I saw the king's face turn even sterner. He wasn't the only one as more than one elven magister looked alarmed. Several of them glanced at Kael'thas who nodded as if to confirm their thoughts.
"King Anasterian," I spoke up again. "Like before, a threat unlike any other is coming for us. Already, the human kingdoms are banding together to face this threat. You know that we humans have only once ever united together like this."
I lifted the orb to remind everyone once more about the Troll Wars.
"As Thoradin did all those millennia ago, I am asking for us to combine our forces together and save Azeroth once more." I lowered the orb and stared directly into Anasterian's eyes. I tried to convey my conviction of how utterly fucked we were if the elves did not join the nascent Alliance like before.
"King Anasterian," I spoke up softly to finish my speech, rolling the dice. "There was once an alliance between elves and humans to save all of Azeroth..."
The statement hung in the air, but I could feel the elven court's attention fall onto Anasterian. The old king gave me a hard scrutinizing look before his eyes glanced once more at the orb. The silence hung for what felt like an eternity before the king stood up and walked to me.
"There was such an alliance, yes," King Anasterian said in a neutral tone before his hand fell onto my left shoulder. "And there will be one again."
Stunned silence cut through the room. Before long, someone began clapping, starting a chain reaction that ended in thunderous applause.
"The full might of Quel'thalas will stand together with the humans of Stormwind and their allies," Anasterian declared in a booming voice that, if I was not mistaken, sounded like it was being broadcast to the entire city.
'Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuckkkkkk!' I wanted to collapse right there on the spot. I did it. The elves are on board without a dragon attack.
"It's been so long." The king turned wistful as he watched the elven court. "You were right that I'm the only one who remembers what it was like back then."
I didn't know what to say to that as the king seemed to be more lost in his memories than paying attention to his surroundings. However, when that was done, the old elven king turned back to me with a soft smile on his face.
"For a moment there," the old elf began in a fond tone. "When you were addressing me, I could have sworn Thoradin's shadow was behind you."
'Really?' I thought. Thoradin's shadow? Here? I was pretty sure his shadow was still in the Whispering Forest. My confused and pensive look must have been funny to the elven king as he let out a genuine laugh.
I ducked my head a bit in embarrassment, but for once, I allowed myself to feel relieved.
"In the meantime, you are free to enjoy my city for the next few days." Anasterian appeared amused by my surprised expression. I thought we were just going to leave as soon as possible. "It will take a few days for me to put together a delegation to represent our interests. I hope that is not too much of an inconvenience?"
"Uh, not at all!" I hurriedly replied. Looks like I was traveling with the elves back to Lordaeron.
"Good. I shall have to gather my generals."King Anasterian nodded as if I had answered as he expected. It was only then that he looked at me with a serious expression. "When we have time, I would like to talk with you about some of the spells Lireesa claimed you used. My own priestly order does not show such aptitude or abilities."
'Oh...shit.' But what else could I do but bow my head in agreement? I didn't even know they had priests in Quel'thalas! Once again, my meta knowledge was failing me which made it more unreliable to depend on.
"Before that, father," a smooth familiar voice cut in. To my surprise, Kael'thas had the same voice that he did in the game. "Perhaps, you should formally introduce us?"
"Kael'thas." The king frowned at his son but gave him a curt nod. "Callan Lothar, this is my rebellious son, Kael'thas, an 'Archmage' of Dalaran."
I nearly laughed at the pure derision he had for the title of Archmage. Maybe it was because of my presence, but Kael'thas held his tongue and shifted his attention to me instead.
"Well met, Callan Lothar," Kael'thas said as held out a hand to be shaken. Clearly, he was familiar with human etiquette and customs. "I hope we can continue the friendship our sires started all those years ago."
"Well met, Prince Kael'thas." Instead of shaking his hand, I clasped his arm like a warrior instead, taking him by surprise. "I too hope for the same."
King Anasterian turned around to call for his generals, but I caught that brief smile he had. I wasn't the only one as Kael shared a matching grin with me.
"Now, tell me, is what Lady Aegwynn wrote true?" Kael suddenly asked as he lowered his voice to a whisper. "About the incident with the Guardian?"
'Hoo boy...' I mentally sighed.
+++ Silvermoon City - Chapel of the Sun +++
Liadrin, one of the few priestesses of the Light in Quel'thalas, could not believe what she had just heard. She had been tending to the weekly list of elves asking for blessings when High Priest Vandellor showed up at her office, slightly out of breath. Even though they didn't share any similar features, the two were father and daughter. The reason for this was because she had been adopted by the High Priest when she was very young. It was through his care that she grew to love the Light and wield it in service to her fellow elves.
Many of her childhood friends had gone on to try and become a Farstrider. They often told her that she had talent in the martial pursuit and was wasted on what they considered fringe and unreliable magic. Others felt that with her beauty and natural affinity for magic, she was better suited to take the magister path. Of course, she wasn't sure how attractiveness had to do with arcane arts, but her friends were often driven crazy by the fact that she merely kept her appearance simple and humble. Even her hair was woven into a plain ponytail while her friends molded theirs into a variety of eye-catching styles.
Liadrin stared at her father's slightly winded form and got up to help lead him to a chair. Her father was tall and handsome as all quel'dorei were gifted to be. However, where many of her male brethren had a haughty demeanor, her father's expression was gentle and welcoming. It was he who taught her how to let go of her hatred of the trolls, to not let it poison her soul.
In time she succeeded, however, because of a disastrous quest involving Magister Dar'khan, she found the old scar he mended, beginning to fester in her heart anew. Now, with the news that her father had brought, that very same scar and its accompanying hatred became muted.
"Truly?" She let out the breath she did not know she was holding. "Zul'jin has been slain? And by a priest of the Light no less?"
The torture she suffered at his hand alongside her apprentice, Galell, and Magister Dar'khan haunted her. It was also the only time she had ever called upon the Light to hurt another living thing, something that was against her adopted father's teachings. The guilt that she felt at using something so pure and gentle to hurt another living being was something she could not forgive herself for despite his assurances.
Until now.
"Liadrin." Her father saw her expression as he closed the distance between them and laid a warm hand on her shoulder. "I confess that hearing of young Lothar's feat and learning that they have priests that wield it in the same way… Perhaps, my understanding of the Light was flawed."
"Father?" Liadrin made to come to the elder elf's defense, but the man merely held a hand to still her.
"He used the Light to fight and even kill according to the Ranger General. Yet, even after such wanton violence…" Her father paused as if scarcely believing what he was going to say next. "The Light not only answered his call to heal, but it even brought some back to life."
"R-resurrection?" Liadrin said with wide eyes. "I-isn't that supposed to be a myth?"
"It should have been," her father said thoughtfully. "The magisters have taken those who were resurrected to their studies to examine."
"Why..." Liadrin began before she stopped when it hit her. "They suspect necromancy?"
"At least, some form of it," Vandellor confirmed with a short nod. "However, they will find naught. I was able to meet those rangers in passing and as you know, necromancy leaves a foul stench on a person's spirit."
"And you sense no such foulness..." Liadrin said in wonder. "A true resurrection..."
Many of the tomes of the Light in Stratholme were copied by the smaller churches in Quel'thalas. There were many fantastical stories of how the Light could be wielded. Tales of warriors of Light who fought demons and shadows long ago. Yet, she knew that only required faith and conviction to exorcize demonic possession, not martial violence. You could not win against those fel creatures through mere force of arms.
Other accounts wrote of how the Light could burn people both guilty and innocent. Liadrin found that hard to believe since the Light was gentle and warm. All of her fellow priests and their human counterparts spoke of it as such. Finally, there was the story where the Light could even bring people back from the dead. Necromancy was a foul practice, and the church had its share of run-ins with such incidents. The Light rejected such filth and burned them from the world, as was proper.
Yet, the old tomes claimed that long ago, when the human ancestor stood taller than even the tallest elf, they could revive the dead by calling upon the Light. There were some miracles here and there throughout the centuries where a priest supposedly brought back a person from the dead. Yet, those miracles supposedly only happen once every few centuries and were never fully replicated.
"I want to meet him," Liadrin said immediately as she stood up and brushed the front of her robes to straighten them. If resurrection was real, she wanted to learn it. Perhaps, her family would still be alive had it been known back then.
"You will find it difficult to see him today, my daughter," the elderly elf said with a wry smile. "The young heir of Thoradin caused quite the commotion with his...hmmm..."
"His…?" Liadrin prompted her father as he suddenly took on a pondering expression.
"A memory? A play?" the High Priest said with uncertainty before he shook his head.
"He performed a play for the king?" Liadrin asked incredulously. Was Thoradin's heir an actor?
"It's something you have to see for yourself," her father said with a helpless shrug. "Before I left, I saw that the prince had gotten Thoradin's heir to let him have the object. With the magister's talent, I say all of Quel'thalas will soon see what we witnessed in today's court."
Liadrin was curious, but if her father told her to wait, then she'd wait. Her father must have seen her expression since he smiled at her.
"Fear not, my daughter," Vandellor began with a reassuring smile. "We will seek him on the morrow. The king had given me permission."
"The king did?" Liadrin tilted her head questionably.
"While our people are masters in the arcane arts, even our magisters never brought someone back to life in such a pristine manner," Vandellor smiled genially. "Imagine if our priests could learn it?"
"The benefits would be immeasurable," Liadrin answered immediately. However, some self-doubt crept in and she wondered if she was up to the task of acquiring it.
"Daughter." Her father must have seen her expression since he spoke up softly. "You are our most skilled priestess and have an understanding of the Light in ways that many, centuries older than you, fail to grasp."
Liadrin flushed in embarrassment at the proud tone in her father's voice. The two fell into a comfortable silence before something occurred to her.
"What did you say Thoradin's heir name was again?" She didn't want to greet him disrespectfully after all.
"Ah, yes, how forgetful of me." Vandellor shook his head. "His name is Callan Lothar."
Tbc…
AN:
And so, Callan plan is revealed.
First of all thanks to Icura for helping me edit as always even though he has his own stories to work on! Much appreciated!
Secondly thanks to all my patrons, you guys rock on so many level!
Finally. We have to to the chapter itself. I know what I did, but I will say here and now, as a kid I watched the shit out of that scene so much that I could recite that first four minutes by rote decades later. It might not be exact details but close enough. I actually wrote that scene blind and then double checked to see how much of it matched. Another SI might have been able to come up with their own speech to properly motivate the elves. Callan is not that SI, but he does have all of the history of earth he could remember to help him.
Now, this scene can come off as very bad or very awesome. Whichever the reaction, I have my flame retardant suit on standby. My body is ready!
As always thanks you for all the discussion and reviews that liven things up. I find it very funny that the biggest take away is Callan love life and the Windrunners. As Yoda would say...begun the ship war has!
Once again, as always, comments, criticism, reviews and discussion are welcome. Enjoy!