Humans certainly can't tame murlocs, but dragons might be able to.
Onyxia, who is skilled at manipulating hearts, is very familiar with this. If she can make a complex and fickle race like humans dance to her tune, what more a simple-minded murloc?
Lordaeron.
Arthas walked on the pristine cobblestone path, with the populace on both sides cheering loudly for their crown prince's triumphant return.
He held Jaina's hand tightly. This handsome and beautiful couple advanced along the King's Road, step by step, into the royal palace.
Council Hall.
Today was not only the crown prince's day of triumph but also a day for important Alliance discussions.
Given that Arthas had already demonstrated his ability to stand on his own, he was specially permitted to attend the meeting.
From the second-floor councilor's balcony, his brother-in-law, Dereck, winked at him, very pleased to see his sister and him so affectionate.
The high elf council seat had a newcomer. Sylvanas, after absorbing the power of the Shadow Orb, had fallen into a coma and was being cared for by Priest Liadrin, thus she was absent.
When the new councilor saw Jaina holding Arthas' hand, his expression was a mix of awkwardness, anger, and a hint of helplessness.
This person was none other than Kael'thas, a member of the Kirin Tor's Six, a Grand Magus, and the crown prince of Quel'Thalas!
He had met Jaina when she was studying in Dalaran and developed a liking for this human princess with astonishing arcane talent, thus embarking on a passionate pursuit.
It was even a much-talked-about romance in Dalaran. Who could refuse a handsome and elegant high elf?
Especially when the other party was a member of the Kirin Tor's Six and an elf prince. Any other woman would have been moved.
But Jaina was completely indifferent to him. Her heart was either set on her first love, Arthas, or on studying magic. She truly wasn't interested in this elf prince.
To be honest, as long as Arthas was alive, it was impossible for Jaina to ever fall for someone else.
If Kael'thas knew that his seemingly aloof goddess was, in private, utterly devoted to Arthas, compliant to his every whim, and daring to try any position, would his worldview be shattered?
Though the truth is cruel, sometimes that's just how it is.
The weak observe appearances, the strong walk their own path.
Arthas, quite maliciously, nodded slightly in greeting to him. Both were princes, but this one was no better off than himself.
At least he could become the Lich King, but Kael'thas?
The Avenger impaled by Fel crystals?
If it comes to that, Kael'thas also has something to say, 'I have a storyline in the Shadowlands, and eventually became a public servant. You only have 35 anima, no storyline, didn't even show your face. How can you compare yourself to me?'
Dalaran's envoy was Modera, one of the Six.
Stromgarde had fallen, and only one lord came to attend and seek aid.
Gilneas sent Lord Darius. Ever since the Greymane Wall, which blocked the human kingdoms, was built, Gilneas had withdrawn from the Alliance.
Now, it returned because the undead Scourge was raging, having reached their city walls, and the entire kingdom was in peril, forcing them to rejoin the Alliance for aid.
Most of Lord Darius' territory was outside the Greymane Wall. Didn't the isolationist policy at the time harm his interests?
It was only because he had always been close to the Alliance; otherwise, Terenas wouldn't even have let him through the door.
Stormwind Kingdom also sent an envoy, none other than Grand Marshal Bolvar, who was manipulated by Onyxia and would become the third Lich King.
Yes, the poor wretch who was thrashed by Sylvanas and had the Helm of Domination torn apart.
Ironforge's ambassador was none other than Muradin bronzebeard, who was supposed to be exploring Northrend and was also one of Arthas' mentors.
He was the dwarf King's brother, and having tutored the crown prince, his status and position were very prominent.
The gnomes also sent someone, but he didn't look well, likely also seeking aid.
"Gentlemen, my son Arthas has quelled the plague in the north, which is a significant contribution to the Alliance. Please welcome our hero with applause!"
Terenas was the first to applaud. Nothing was more gratifying than seeing his son grow up.
Scattered applause followed, all out of respect for the Alliance leader.
"Your Majesty, please allow me to speak."
Kael'thas did not want to see his rival in such glory, even if it was just his unrequited love.
"Quel'Thalas is currently under attack by the undead Scourge. Our ranger-general is in a coma after helping Lordaeron deal with the raging plague."
"We have fulfilled our utmost responsibility to Alliance affairs. Now that Quel'Thalas is under attack, we ask the Alliance to send troops to assist us."
Nearly 150,000 undead had withdrawn from Stratholme, with close to 50,000 slain. The remaining survivors were less than 10,000, scattered and hiding in cellars and other places, thus escaping disaster.
Some who survived were driven mad with fear.
Others defected to the undead. There weren't many truly decent people left.
Terenas was displeased and not keen on sending troops to aid these pale-skinned long-ears, but he was bound by the Alliance treaty and couldn't openly refuse.
"Although the plague has been resolved, the undead are still rampaging in the north. Lordaeron still needs to send troops to clear and reclaim its territories, so we cannot dispatch many forces."
Hearing this, Kael'thas grew anxious, forgetting his noble demeanor, and shouted somewhat out of control.
"My people have given their all for the Alliance. Is the Alliance going to abandon us now?"
Terenas was very annoyed and also raised his voice.
"To my knowledge, Quel'Thalas only sent less than a thousand reinforcements this time, and no actual mages were present. This sincerity is not enough."
The high elf kingdom possessed the Sunwell, and every elf was a natural magic-wielder. If not for strategic needs, some would have become rangers and warriors.
Presumably, the entire kingdom would be mages. Such a powerful kingdom sending only rangers and priests to aid an ally, without even dispatching a single mage, not even one!
Elven arrogance was innate. Their longevity combined with their magical talent, and with mages being a noble profession, they had always been so negligent.
If Lordaeron hadn't sent troops to assist during the orcish Wars, they would have long since withdrawn from the Alliance.
Especially after the orc internment camp plan, which they funded and contributed to, failed, they became increasingly distant, almost explicitly stating their withdrawal.
"Prince Kael'thas, you are only suffering an invasion, but our Stromgarde has been destroyed!"
"Our King is dead, and the prince is missing. Now our kingdom's people are displaced and must face the omnipresent undead Scourge."
"Even if troops are to be sent, it should be to rescue Stromgarde. You haven't reached a moment of critical survival!"
Stromgarde's ambassador also had something to say; they were suffering.
The undead plague that erupted overnight destroyed the entire kingdom in one fell swoop!
If Arthas hadn't fallen for it, the Lich King would have activated a backup plan, abandoning his elaborate scheme and exposing himself early to gather more forces. Stromgarde might not have been annihilated.
Only Stormwind Kingdom in the south remained unscathed, benefiting greatly from this turmoil.
Bolvar looked at the chaotic situation, watching the Stromgarde ambassador and prince Kael'thas bickering, feeling like he was losing a lot of hair.
It seemed the Alliance was not so harmonious after all, and being a leader was not easy!