It's hard to imagine that a mage would spend an entire day in such a cold and high place as Alterac Valley. Since arriving here yesterday, Leylin has been constantly sensing his surroundings, probing the movement of people throughout the Alterac Mountains.
This is a snow-covered mountain, and there are no humanoid creatures around. But Leylin is like a hunter who has been lying in wait for a long time; his patience compels him to wait here for his prey to appear.
Alleria stayed by Leylin's side. For her, this aimless waiting was far too tedious. Rangers don't wait aimlessly like this. Alleria is used to accepting a task and then carrying it out. Although this process is troublesome, at least it convinces her psychologically.
"Did you see that?" Alleria's eagle-like eyes were fixed on a white creature moving in the valley.
In this icy environment, it was very good at disguising itself. Wearing white makes one less easily spotted by other creatures.
Leylin nodded and said, "Yeah, it's a human. Grab him."
Giving Alleria a look, Leylin cast a [Slow Fall] spell on her. They slid down from the top of the valley. Leylin controlled their speed in the air, and the descent wasn't slow.
The human who appeared below the valley had been walking with his head down, completely unaware of a mage and ranger approaching from above.
Suddenly, a biting gust of wind swept in. From above, he then noticed a mage and a ranger who suddenly appeared.
The human in white said with a shifty expression, "No creatures frequent this place year-round; it's rare to see you here."
Sensing the tension in his voice, Leylin looked at him and said, "Don't be nervous, friend. You can try releasing your hands that are blocking your chest."
Sensing danger, his trembling hands slowly descended to his waist. Suddenly, he touched the exquisite longsword at his waist, swiftly drew it, and slashed at the human mage before him.
However, the young and beautiful ranger quickly dealt with the matter, swiftly punching the human's sword-wielding arm joint. The stranger, wincing in pain, dropped his sword onto the smooth snow.
Leylin bent down to pick it up, calmly saying, "You should be thankful that you encountered a human in Alterac Valley, not a bloodthirsty orc chieftain. So, you understand what I mean."
The stranger's breathing quickened, and he involuntarily took a few steps back, saying, "Who are you? That's not something you should be concerned with."
Handing the exquisite golden longsword to Alleria, Leylin's hand glowed with a purple magical light, arcane energy swirling within it.
In just a second, the stranger's white, fur-lined coat fell away. Leylin raised his hands, and a letter floated into his grasp.
"Release that letter! Are you going to make an enemy of our entire Alterac Kingdom?" the stranger shouted almost frantically.
Leylin lightly flicked the seal of the letter bearing the insignia of the Kingdom of Alterac, a rather natural movement, and pulled out the blank paper inside.
"Put on your clothes first, messenger."
A pass plus a seemingly egalitarian agreement. Had King Aiden Perenolde been on the throne too long, or was it because of his noble birth, accustomed to a life of extravagance from childhood, that he didn't even understand the principle of mutual dependence?
"What does the letter say?" Alleria tilted her head, looking at the letter's contents alongside Leylin. Incredulous, Alleria refused to believe that a human kingdom would betray its allies at such a crucial moment.
"This isn't what you foresaw, is it? You've surprised me quite a bit," Alleria praised Leylin.
Leylin smiled and said, "However, we've only received the letter now. The important things haven't been done yet."
The messenger clenched his fist; he knew what this mage had taken meant.
"Didn't you hear my warning, Your Excellency Mage? This pass might cost you your life." A loud voice echoed through the valley; he didn't want to betray the king like this.
"To be an enemy of the Kingdom of Alterac? Or to be an enemy of your nobles who control vast resources and gold? You have betrayed your people, sir messenger." Leylin's words carried an accusatory tone.
Leylin hadn't intended to speak to this messenger; these words should be heard by King Aiden Perenolde.
The messenger shook his head vigorously, glaring angrily at Leylin. "I don't know if you're a mage from Lordaeron or Dalaran, but I know the Horde's war hasn't reached your kingdom. You may not fear defeat, but we do. Victory is fine, but if we lose, will you bear the consequences of this war?"
Such absurd words sounded utterly ridiculous to Leylin. "Can one's submission bring true peace? Sir messenger, you can leave now, but I cannot give you the letter." Leylin waved his hand dismissively.
After keeping the letter back into his bag, Leylin and Alleria blew the whistle to summon the gryphons.
Two gusts of wind accompanied the powerful body of the male gryphon to Leylin and Alleria.
"By the way, messenger, I must warn you, if you return to Alterac without a word because of the mission's failure, the Horde will still attack you. Compared to this failed plan, you know the mission you now bear," Leylin reminded the messenger.
Reluctantly, the messenger took the longsword Leylin gave him and walked dejectedly towards the Kingdom of Alterac.
His mind was in turmoil; he didn't even question where this mage who had suddenly appeared had come from.
Riding the gryphons of the Wildhammer dwarves, Leylin and Alleria traversed the western part of Alterac Valley. The gryphons were incredibly fast; in less than two hours, a vast, ancient city came into Leylin's view.
They had arrived in Lordaeron.
The soaring gryphons descended swiftly, their talons gripping the stone parapets of Lordaeron's formidable capital. As they touched down amidst the hustle of soldiers and couriers, Leylin and Alleria were led through the bustling streets to the heart of the city—Sir Lothar's command post, a stark, commanding hall dominated by a single, massive round table.
Without hesitation, Leylin and Alleria strode directly to Sir Lothar's seat, where the legendary commander sat, eyes sharp and alert. A soldier approached silently, extending a sealed letter. Lothar took it with a steady hand, breaking the wax seal with swift precision.
He unfolded the letter, scanning its contents with growing intensity. His expression darkened as he read, and suddenly, he slammed his fist heavily on the round table, causing a loud echo through the hall.
"Sir Gavinrad," Lothar's voice was firm and commanding, "you stay here and deploy the battlefield. I'm going to Alterac myself!"
The words hung in the air, thick with urgency and determination.