魔兽世界官方领袖短篇英文版-VarianWrynn-BloodofOurFath

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VarianWrynn:BloodofOurFathers

SomethinghadawakenedKingVarianWrynrfromadeepsleep.Ashestoodmotionless

inthegloom,thefaintpatterofadistantdrippingsoundechoedoffthewallsofStormwindKeep.Afeelingofdreadwashedoverhim,foritwasasoundhe'dheard

before

Varianmovedcautiouslytothedoorandpressedhisearagainsttheburnishedoak.Nothing.Nomovement.Nofootfalls.Then,asiffromfaraway,thedullandmuffled

humofacrowdcheeringfromsomewhereoutsidethecastle.DidIoversleeptoday'sceremonies?

Againthestrangedrippingsoundcame,thistimeechoingofftheicyfloor,distinct

andwet.Varianslowlyopenedthedoorandpeeredoutintothehall.Thecorridorbeyondwasdarkandquiet.Eventhetorchesseemedtoflickerwithacoldlightthat

diedasquicklyasitwasborn.Foramanwhoallowedhimselffewemotions,Varian

feltsomethingstirinsidehimselfnow-somethingold,oryoung,orperhapslongforgotten.Itwasalmostlikeafeelingofchildlike…fear?

Heshookoffthenotionimmediately.HewasLo'Gosh,theGhostWolf.Thegladiatorwarriorwhostruckfearintheheartsofhisenemiesandfriendsalike.Still,hecouldnotshaketheprimalfeelingofuneaseanddangerthatnowpervadedhisbody.

Steppingoutintothehall,Variannoticedhisguardswerenotattheirusualstations.

IseveryonepreoccupiedwithRemembranceDay?Oristhissomethingmoresinister?Hecreptcarefullydownthedimhall,enteringthelargeandfamiliarthroneroomofStormwindKeep,butnowitstoweringwallsseemeddifferent—larger,more

shadowed,andempty.Fromthedistantstoneceiling,tarpshunglikegarishcobwebs,

emblazonedwiththegoldenfaceofalion—theemblemdenotingtheprideandstrengthofthegreatnationofStormwind.

Inthegloom,Varianheardamuffledcryandthenasuddenscuffle.Hiseyesdarted

tothefloor,whereatrailofbloodclearlyledtothecenteroftheroom.Thereinthemurk,hecouldbarelymakeoutafranticstrugglebetweentwofigures.Ashiseyesadjusted,hecouldseeonemanonhisknees,bloodyandwounded,andstanding

overhimwasaharshfemaleshapeloomingintheblackness.

Varianknewthatshapebyheart,itsdistortedsilhouettegivingawaythetwistednatureofherbodyandsoul.ShewasGaronaHalforcen,partdraenei,partorc—the

assassinbredbythetwistedmindofGul'dan.

AsVarianstoodinstunneddisbelief,freshbloodoozedalongtheedgeofthe

half-orc'sblade,reachingtherazor-sharppoint,thendripng…falling…untiliteruptedinarosepetalofcrimsononthemarblefloor.MemoryrushedoverVarian

inafloodofrecognition.Thearmor.Theregalclothing.Themanonthefloorwashisfather,KingLlane!

GaronalookedatVarianwithahideous,tear-streakedsmirk,thenswiftlystabbeddownwardwithherblade,theflashofsteelcuttingthroughthedarkandburyingitselfdeepintothekneelingking'schest.

"No!"Varianscreamed,lurchingforward,clawingacrosstheblood-soakedfloorto

reachhisfather.Hegrabbedtheking'swiltedbodyandhelditcloseasthehalf-orc'sfaceslowlyfadedintothedark.

"Father,"Varianpleaded,rockinghiminhisarms.

Llane'smouthtwitchedupathiminpain,thenpartedwithastreamoffreshblood.

Withaputridhissofair,theoldkingmanagedtoformafewbrittlewords."This

ishowitalwaysends…withWrynnkings."

Withthat,Llane'seyesrolledbackandhisjawsgapedopenintoahideousexpression.Fromdeepwithinhisthroat,achitinousvibrationarose.Varianwantedtotearhiseyesaway,butfoundhecouldnot.Intheshadowofhisfather'syawningmouth,somethingmoved,shimmeringandwigglingupintothefadingtwilight.

Suddenly,maggotseruptedfromthedeadking'smaw—thousandsuponthousandsof

writhingwormsobliteratedLlane'sashenface.Variantriedtopullaway,butthemaggotswashedoverhimaswell,chitteringandconsuminghisbodyasheletoutonefinalscreamofagony.

***

Varianbolteduprightinhischair,aterriblescreamstillfadinginhisears.HefoundhimselfsittingathismaptableintheprivateupperchambersofStormwindKeep.Warmsunlightstreamedintotheroomalongwiththeroarofacheeringcrowdfromhighwindows.TheRemembranceDaycelebrationsareunderway.

Inhishands,heheldatarnishedsilverlocket,itskeyedhingesecurelyfastened.

Varianinstinctivelytriedtoopenthetrinket,ashehadathousandtimesbefore,butfounditlockedasalways.

Thedoorburstopen,andthehighcommanderofStormwindDefenserushedin.GeneralMarcusJonathan'sfacewasamaskofalarm."Isomethingwrong,YourHighness?Weheardascream."

Varianquicklyputthelocketawayandstoodup."Everythingisfindarcus."The

kingtriedtostraightenhisarmorandbrushaclumpofdarkhairawayfromwearyeyes.Hisfingersfeltthedeeplinesofworryandlackofsleepoverthelastfewmonths—ablurofweeksspentrespondingtothemanyemergenciesintheaftermathofthedragonDeathwing'ssuddenattackonthecityandtheworld.

Bothheandthegeneralwereinfulldresssplendorfortheholiday,andGeneralJonathan,withhistallframeandsharpfeatures,lookedthepartbetterthanmost.

"TheHonorCeremonywillbeinthreehours,YourHighness,"Jonathanoffered."Isyourspeechready?"

Varianlookedtotheblankparchmentonthemaptable."Iamstillworkingonit,

Jonathan."AndIcan'tseemtofindtherightwords.

Thehighcommanderstudiedhim,andVariansoughttoquicklychangethesubject."Hasmysonarrivedyet?"

GeneralJonathanshookhishead."NoonehasseenPrinceAnduin,YourHighness."Variantriedtohidehisdisappointmentbylookingoutthekeep'swindowstothecourtyardbelow.Itwasaseaofpeople,withflagsandstreamerswavingintheair,

childrendressedastheirfavoriteheroesofold,andfoodandmeadflowingwithlaughter.RemembranceDaywaspartmemorial,partcelebration,yetVarianhimselfcouldneverfindmirthinthisevent.

Ashewatched,thethrongslowlymovedtowardtheValleyofHeroes,headingforthestatuesofthegreatchampionsofhumanitythatlinedtheentranceto

StormwindCity.ThestagefortheHonorCeremonyhadbeensetupintheshadowoftheseimpressiveleaders,andtodaytheywouldbeacknowledgedwithrespectand

thanksfortheirgreatdeeds.

Jonathancontinued."Whenyouareready,sire,thearchbishopiswaitingoutsidetobriefyouonthecity'srepairsandourcareforthewounded."

"Yes.Yes,inamoment."Varianwavedhimoff.Jonathanbowedhisheadandquietlybackedoutoftheroom,closingthedoorbehindhim.

Varianshookthecobwebsfromhismindandpulledoutthedelicatelocketagain,staringattherumpledreflectionofhimselfonitsmirroredsurface.Theworldhaschanged,butImustholdsteady.

VarianglancedupattheportraitofKingLlaneoverthefireplace.Todayofalldays,theleaderofhumanity,thekingofStormwind,therockoftheAlliance,mustbeathisverybest.Hisfatherwouldexpectnothingless.

***

ArchbishopBenedictusstoodadornedinhisfinestrobesandtrinkets,representingtheprideofStormwind'scultureforthegreatdayathand.Nexttohimstoodasmallandgrimymancarryingalargebundleofwrinkledscrolls.

BenedictuslookedupeagerlyasVarianemergedfromhisprivatequarters."Light

blessyou,KingVarian."HesmiledasVariandescendedthestairs.

"Andyou,Father,"Variansaid."Youlookdressedtomeetyourmaker."

Benedictuswavedhisstaffinawell-rehearsedandsolemngesture."Insuchtimesasthese,wemustallstandreadytojointheLightatanymoment."

Atthearchbishop'sside,therumpledandnervous-lookingfellowfidgetedwithhisoverloadedbundleofpapersandcitydiagrams.VariansuddenlyrealizeditwasBarosAlexston,thecityarchitect.Hewasbarelyrecognizablewithallthemudcoveringhisfaceandclothes.

Varianmotionedforthemtocontinuefollowinghimdownthestairs."Howgothecityrepairs,Baros?"

"Aswellascanbeexpected,Highness."Barosnodded,tryingtokeepfromdroppinghisscrolls.Benedictusreachedoverandpattedthearchitectontheback."Heisbeingentirelytoomodest,YourMajesty.Barosherehaspulledoffmiraclesgetting

muchofStormwindbackinorder,evenmakingsomenotableimprovementstothecity."

Varianfeltasenseofrelief.Itwasgoodtoseesomeoptimismreturningtohisadvisors."Sowhatismostpressing?"

Thearchitectnoddedandwenttonervouslyunrolloneofhismanyscrollsashewalked,causingatleastthreeotherstoslipfromhisgraspandtumbletotheground.

"Myapologies,sire…yes,hereitis."Barospointedtoaplaceonthemap,hisdirtyfingersleavingearthysmudgemarksbehind."We'veinvestigatedthedamagetothetwomaintowersattheentrancetothecityHeshookhisheadandblewoutwithawhistle."Thatblackdragonmustbeevenheavierthanhismassivesizewouldsuggest—likelythebeast'sdarkelementiumarmor.We'vetunneleddown,andthedamagetothetowerfoundationsisquitesevere."

Barosthumbedthroughmorediagramsashespoke."Thesameistruefortheeastwingofthekeephere…andhere,andafewofthelargerbuildingsabovetheharbor,

includingwhat'sleftof…"Thearchitectpaused,seemingtoopainedtocompletethelist.

Benedictussteppedin."Andofcourse,what'sleftoftheOldBarracks,andtheterriblecraterwheretheParkoncestood.Lightblesstheirsouls."

Baros'sfacesaddenedbehindthesmearofmud."I'mafraidextensiverepairswillberequired,anditwillnotbecheap."

Varian'seyesflashedtothearchitect,long-buriedpainsleapingtothesurface.Hetalksofmoney?Atatimelikethis?NeitherBenedictusnorBarosseemedawareofhisreaction,andVarianhastenedhisstepsdownthestairstoquelltheknotofangerbuildinginhisstomach.

Atthenextlanding,thekingstoppedtotakeinsomeofthedamagetohiscastle.Debriscoveredthestairwaywhereagapingholeinthewallopeneduptotheskyandcitybelow.AsVarianexaminedthewreckage,Barosquicklycheckedhispapers.

"Wehavealreadyrequisitionedreplacementstonesfromthequarryforthis,

Highness."Thearchitectlookedupandrecognizedhisking'sgrowingirritation.Hetriedtolightenthemoment."Wewillhaveitrepairedinnotime.Castlesaredraftyenoughwithoutthemmissingentirewalls,yes?"

Varianignoredhim,lostinthought,asheranhisglovedhandalongtheraggedstones,tornfromthetowerasifahugebitehadbeentakenoutofit,whichwasn'tfarfromthetruth.

Somethingsharpcaughttheking'sglove.Hereachedupandpulledonadagger-shaped

obsidiansplinterprotrudingfromthedamagedwall.Itasapieceofthedragon'selementiumarmor—asliverblackasnight,almosttwohandslong,andrazorsharp.

Theshardofarmorwasburieddeepinsidethestone,butwithsomeeffort,Varianmanagedtopryitloose.

Hehelditoutforthementosee."Thisvilecreature,this…Deathwing…is

certainlynotthefirstmenacetothreatenStormwind'swalls."Hisstareburrowedrightthroughthearchitect'sskull."Wevillrebuildandstandfirm,aswealwayshave.Whateverthecost.Andwewillmakethatblackbeastpaythepricetenfold!!"

Thekinggazedthroughthejaggedholeathisdamagedcity;hisplateglovecreakedashesqueezedthedragon'sarmorinsilentrage.Belowhim,Stormwind'sgreatharbor

wasavastforestofshipmasts.Theportwasfullofhullsineverycolor,shape,andsize.RemembranceDayalwaysbroughtahostofpilgrimstohonorandcelebrate

humanity'sheroes,butthiswaslikenothingevenhehadseenbefore.

Ashewatched,anothershipsailedslowlyintotheharboranddroppedanchor.It

wasagrandkaldoreiship,gleamingwithsilverfiligreeandpurple,perfumedsails.

VariantuckedDeathwing'sarmorshardintohisbelt,thenturnedtohisadvisors."Havetheycomethisyearoutofhonorforthepast,orinfearofthefuture?"

Benedictuslookedpasthiskingtothemassofshipsbelow."Tobesure,manyseekshelterfromthedarkwyrm'smenace,YourMajesty.Someevenproclaimthistobe

aportentoftheendoftimes."

Varianscoffed."Iwouldwastelittlebreath,Father,andevenlesssleepovertheinsanemusingsofafewTwilight'sHammercultists.Unlessyoufindtheirblatherusefulforyourfierycathedralsermons?"Variangavethearchbishopawrysmile.

"Whateverittakestogetpeoplebelieving…anddoing."Benedictussmiledback."Nodoubt,thepeopleofStormwindneedhope,buttheyneedaplanevenmore.ItrustourkingwillgiveusallsomethingtobelieveinwhenyouspeakattheHonorCeremonylatertoday."

VarianthoughtabouthisRemembranceDayspeech:whatcouldhepossiblysaytosalvethedeepwoundsthisworldhadsuffered?

GeneralJonathanappearedandgaveacourteousbowtothearchbishop,thenturnedtotheking."Excuseme,YourHighness,butIhavebeenaskedtoremindyouthattheHonorDelegationawaitsyourpresenceinthethroneroom."Jonathantriedtosmile,hopingtosoftenthenews.

Varianwinced.Hehatedthedutiesofoffice,especiallythepompandpatterofholidays.He'dratherbeoutdoingwhatawarriordidbest—raidingadragon'slairorhackingthroughaseaofdemons,insteadofdealingwithadelegationofinsufferablediplomats.Thelatterarefarmoredangeroustoone'shealth.

Varianletoutasigh,resignedtohisfate."Verywell,General.Letusgetthisoverwith."

***

JainaProudmoorestoodinthethroneroomobservingtheeclecticgatheringofnobles,politicians,andotherdelegates.

ThegreathallofStormwindKeepwasindeedlarge,buttheperfumedmassofdignitariesmorethanfilledthespaceandchokedtheair.Therainbowofluminariesstretchedthroughthegrandarchwayandoutofsight.

AstheleaderofTheramoreIsle,JainawaspartoftheHonorDelegationselectedtostandbehindthekingtodayashegavehismemorialspeech.WiththeAlliancepressedonevermoredangerousfronts,manyhadcometoseewhatthegreatleaderofStormwindplannedtodoabouttherecentworldcrisis.

GennGreymanestoodnearby,hiseyesscanningthecrowdwiththesameintensefire

ashers.Jainalookedacrosstheroom,hopingtofindAnduin'sfaceinthethrong,buttheprincewasnowheretobeseen.ShewonderedifVarianandtheyoungprincehadresolvedtheirlastargument,adisagreementthathaddrivenAnduinawayfromhisfather'ssideandtowardthewisdomofProphetVelenofthedraenei.But,aware

ofVarian'srigidity,Jainaknewtheonlyhatchetsthekingeverburiedwherethose

intheskullsofhisenemies.No,withtheprinceconspicuouslyabsent,clearlytheriftwasstillthere.

Greymanesighedimpatientlynexttoher.Theassembledaudiencehadbeenwaitingforquitesometime,allvyingforaviewofthecenterofStormwind'spowerandthefamousLionSeat,thegreatfiligreedthroneoftheWrynnkings.

Jainalookedatthegreatcatsthatadornedthedais,eachstandingalertandfierce

asifguardingthewholeofAzeroth.ShewonderedhowdeeplythisidealhadbeeningrainedintoVarianasachild,andhowmuchthatpressureaffectedhisthinking.

Growingupintheshadowofheroesmusthavebeendifficult.Tothinkanyoneman

couldshouldersuchaweightisfolly.Shehadoncelovedamanwhohadbrokenunderjustsuchanimpossibleburden.

Jainawatchedtherestlesscrowdandtookinthescene.Shehadtheenviablegiftofbeingabletoreadpeoplewithamazinginsight.Buttodayitdidnottakemuchtalenttosensethepalpablefearandfrustrationintheair.Shehadzeroedinononewellspringofdiscontentinthemob.Itseepedmainlyfromagroupofnobles

anddelegatessurroundingalargebearofamanwithanunhappyandratherreddishface.LordAldousLescovar,sonofthetraitorGregorLescovar,wasclearlybrooding

aboutnearlyeverything,anditwasinfectingothersintheroom.

Thenobleshadbeendrinkingenoughtoloosentheirtongues,andasshelistened

in,KingWrynn'snamecameupoverandover,oftenspitfromthemouthlikebitterpoison.

Jainaknewthatsomeofwhatthesemensaidwastrue.Varianwasadifficultman

attimes,andhisintensitywasashardonhisfriendsasitwashisenemies.Butshealsoknewthekingwellenoughtoknowhistrueheart.Hewouldwillinglygivehislifetosavehispeople.Hewasdrivenbyancientprinciplesfewunderstood

today—acodeofconductthatdemandedsomethingmoreofitsleaders.Thismisunderstandinghadslowlyclosedoffthekingfromhispeople,evenfromhisown

son,andtheking'senemiesuseditfortheirowndeviousends.

JainahadalwaysbeenKingWrynn'sally,ifnothisstaunchestsupporter.And,theLightknows,Variandoesnotmakeiteasytobehisally,muchlesshisclosecounselorfriend!WhendealingwiththeGhostWolf,Jainaknewitwasbesttoapproachhisheartratherthanhisfangs.

SheherselfhadcometodaytoonceagaintrytodissuadethekingfromhisunbendingstanceagainsttheHorde,butthedrunkendelegatessurroundingthehotheadedbaroncouldeasilyderailheragenda.Forcingasmile,sheapproachedBaronLescovarandhisrabble

"Rememberwell."Jainabowedtothemall,usingthetraditionalgreetingfortheholiday.

"Rememberwell,JainaProudmoore."Thebaronglancedtohisallies,thenbackat

her,unabletomakeuphismindifthesorceress'sapproachwasasignofsupportordanger.Jainafelttheman'seyeswalkalloverherasonlyayoungbaronwoulddare.Hehadabrutishface,anddespitehowheputontheairsofrichfursand

silk,hisharsheyesbetrayedanyelegancehisclothestriedtocreate.

Thebaronwaswary,hismindwaveringmuchlikehisbody."Whatbringsyousofaracrosstheseawhenyourownhomelandburnsinslag?"

Jainacouldnowseethebaronwasdrunkerthanshe'drealized,andignoredhisdig."Justlikeyou,Icometopaymyrespectstotheheroesofold,butalsotoseekawiseplanforthenewdangersthatailtheAlliancetoday."

Thebarongesturedathiscompatriotswithasomewhatwobblysweepofhishand."Indeed,thesenewdangershurtusall—richandpoor,merchantsandrabblealike.Howdiditcometothis,wizard?Whoshallweblame?"

Jainakeptherfacestraight,unreadable.Afteracarefulpause,shespoke."Allianceleadershiphasfacedmanychallengesoflate.Yes,errorsinjudgmenthavebeenmade,andmanylessonslearned.Butwehavealsoachievedgreatvictories."

Anoldandsinewynoblepushedhiswayforward,shakinghissilverheadinfrustration.

"Wearetiredof

Alliancewarsdepletingourgoldandourblood.Recklessadventuringandpersonalvendettasonlyundermineourchancesforpeaceandprosperity!"

Jainaputupherhandgentlytocalmthemood."Manyhavevoicedsimilarconcerns.Forexample,theill-directedaggressiontowardtheHorde.I,forone,believegood

alliesarehardtocomebythesedays,evenasourenemiesseemtomultiplywithoutend."

Thebaronputhismeatyhandonhershoulder,andherskincrawledathistouch."Ithinkwehaveanorcloverhere,boys."Theensuinglaughtersmelledofstalemead.Thebaronleanedinclose,tooclose,hisbreathhotandmocking."Ormaybeyourtastesrunmoretowardreekingtauren?"

Jainagracefullyslidoutfromunderthebaron'sgraspandputonthemaskofsympathy

forhisconcerns.TheAlliancecouldillaffordtohavemoreriftsweakenitthesedays.Azerothhadrecentlyrevealeditsownhiddenfractures,andtheyhadliterally

torntheworldapart.

Jainatriedtosmile,andthebaronsmiledback,butitonlyservedtohighlight

theswine-likefeaturesofhisface.Hegaveherawink."Weknowyouandthekingareclose.Weneedyoutoreasonwithhim.MakeKingWrynnlistentohisnobles;

gethimtofindpeacewherewecanandmakesurethatdamndragonistakencareofbeforethereisn'tacityleftforustotradewith.""Iunderstandyourconcerns.Isharemanyofthem."

"Thendoyourduty,anduseyourinfluence.Nooneprofitsfrommindlesswar.Theking'scurrentplansare—"

"Arewhat?"cameadeepvoicebehindthebaron.EveryonewheeledtoseeKingWrynnstandinginthedoorway.ThemurmurofvoicesfadedasVarianstrolledin."Please,

BaronLescovar,enlightenusall.Tellusallwhatmyplanswillbring."Varian'sstarewaslikeaboltoflightning,buryingitselfbetweenthebaron'seyes.Lescovar

steppedbackinunconscioussubmission."Myapologies,Highness."Thebaronbowed.

"WeweremerelyhavingalivelydebatewithTheramore'sesteemedleader."

Varianwalkeduptothebaronandonlystoppedoncehewaswellwithinthenoble'spersonalspace.Nosetonose,thekingspokequietly,buthisgrowlcamethrough

loudandclear.

"Whileyouwereawhelpinyourfamily'sfetidden,IwasleadingStormwind'sarmies

totriumph."Varian'seyesflashedacrosstheroomtotheothers,daringanyfacetochallengehim."Ihaveledusacrossthesea,tothecoldclimesofNorthrend,totheunholydepthsoftheUndercity-victoryaftervictory,andyetmanyofyoustilldoubt."

Thedignitariesshuffleduncomfortably,butnoonedaredbreatheaword.Jainawas

besideherselfwithinternalanger.Somuchforkeepingtheking'sfangsatbay.

Varianlookedacrossthefaces."Sowhydidyoucomeheretoday?Towastemytime?TodemandIhearyourpettycomplaintsaboutmyeffortstoprotectthisworld?Toprotectyou?!"

Silence.

ThefireoftheGhostWolfburnedinhiseyesnow,anember-hotglowthatstoodfearlessinthenight,holdingbacktheshadows.

"OrdidyoucometoseeLo'Goshyourself?Tobeholdupclosetheonewhowageswarwitharelishequaltohisenemies?!"

Manypeoplebegantocarefullyexit,butVarianwasn'tfinished.

"SomesayIamnobetterthanthosewefight!ThatIamthemonster.Well,ifso,thenIamthemonsteryouneed!Iatheoneferociousenoughtostrikefearintheveryheartofdarkness!Theonewhohasthecouragetodowhateverittakestoprotecthumanityfromtheabyss!"

AsVarianendedhisdiatribe,helookedaroundandcaughtthefamiliarfaceofAnduin

staringbackathimfromtherearofthethroneroom.Hissonhadarrivedsometimeduringtheking'srant.Bythehorrifiedlookontheyoungprince'sface,itwasclearthatnothinghadchangedsincetheylasthadpartedonsuchbadterms.

Anduin'seyeswerefilledwithbothfearandbewilderment,andVarian'sheartsank.

HaveIbecomesuchastrangertomyownson?Hetriedtosoftenhisface,butthe

kingcouldfeeltheheatofhisragestillburningontheskin.Anduinslowlybackedaway,thenturnedandfledtheroom.AsVarianwatchedhimgo,hisangerdrainedlikewaterfromabrokendam,leavingonlyemptinessbehind.Variansatdownonhisthroneandmotionedwearilyforeveryonetoleave.

Thestunnedaudienceslowlyfiledout,filledwithfearbothofthefutureandoftheleaderofmankind.OnlyJainaandthearchbishopremained,eyeingVarianwarily.

Unconsciouslythekingreachedintohistunicandtouchedthesilvertrinketinapocket,itscoolmetalsurfacesoothingthefeveredpurposestillboilinginhis

blood.Varianknewthatnooneunderstoodwhathemustdo,whathemustbe.Nooneunderstoodhim,andnooneeverwould.

***

VarianpacedthefloorbackandforthlikeacagedanimalasJainaandBenedictuswatched.Heturnedthesilverlocketoverandoverinhishands,itsbrightchain

lashingaboutwiththesamefurythatconsumedtheking.JainaandBenedictusstoodhelplesslynearby,tryingtofindacalmharborinthestorm.

"Theprincewillunderstandsomeday,Highness,"Benedictusoffered."Hehasanenlightenedsoul."ThearchbishoplookedtoJainaforsupport,butbeforeshecouldsayanything,Varianscoffed.

"Ishouldneverhavelethimleave.Anduin'sdutyliesherewithhisownpeople,notwiththedraenei."

"Butheisstillyoung,"Jainasaid."Anduinisstilllookingforhisplaceinthecircle.He'sonaquesttofindoutwhohereallyis."

Varianstoppedpacingandglaredather."Whoheis,Jaina,istheheirtothethrone

ofStormwind,andverynearlyaman!Athisage,IhadalreadymasteredtheswordandwasreadytomeetAllianceenemiesinbattle!"

Jainaflinchedathisanger."Istheonlymeasureofamanhowearlyhekills,Varian?"Shetriedtoreturnhisfiercegazewithoneofherown."Can'tyouseethatAnduinhaschosenadifferentpath?"

Varianpausedatthis,thinking."Ihave…cometotermswithAnduin'schoices,butIfearhestilllacksthestrengthneededtorule.Theseareperiloustimes,asyouyourselfhavenoted,Archbishop."

"Itistruetheworldteetersonthebrink."Thearchbishoptriedtofashionthewordscarefullywithhishands."ButtheLightshowsadifferentpathforeachofus,towhateverendisinstore."

"Nomoresermons,Benedictus!Therealworldisnotsoforgivingasyourchurch.Beingkingisdangerouswork;onemisstepandpeopledie!"

Benedictussteppedforwardandputhishandontheking'sshoulder."OnRemembranceDay,morethananyother,Iknowyouholdyourselfresponsibleformanythings,especiallywhatwe'velost…"Hecontinuedcarefully."Whatyouhavelost."

Thekingreachedforhissilverlocket,lostinajumbleofthoughtsandworries."IfAnduinisnotready,ifheisweakinanyw