Prince Arthas Menethil was riding down the road to Stratholme. His world was crashing around him. Lordaeron was in great danger, but nothing he did seemed to help! In his anger, he didn't notice the hooded man who appeared in front of him. He halted his horse as fast as he could, stopping not far from the man.
"What did you think you were doing? I could have hurt you!" Arthas said.
"I was in no danger, young prince. We must talk." The mysterious man said.
Arthas rolled his eyes. This must be the so-called "prophet" his father talked about. "I have no time for this!" he said.
"Listen to me, boy. This land is lost! The shadow has already fallen, and nothing you do will deter it. If you truly wish to save your people, lead them across the sea... To the west."
Arthas didn't believe his ears. Flee? When his people needed him most? Part of him thought that was ridiculous. That he had to stay and help his people. But another part of him doubted that. What if the old man was right? Could the land be lost in advance? Was the only way to truly save his people to travel across the sea?
Arthas looked at the old man, and gulped. He couldn't believe what he was going to say. "Is that the only way to save my people?"
The old man smiled. He seemed a bit glad. "Yes. The true enemy – more terrible than the undead – will be found there. Time is running out, young prince. You must hurry."
At that moment, the man kneeled down, and turned into a raven. Before flying away, it flapped it's wings in Arthas' face. But it didn't smell of carrion, death, or helplesness. For the first time since the undead appeared, Arthas felt hope. Perhaps he and his father were wrong about the man.
He turned his head when he heard footsteps coming his way, and Jaina appeared shortly afterwards.
"I'm sorry for concealing myself, Arthas, I just wanted to –"
"It's alright, Jaina. You don't have to explain yourself." Arthas cut her off, still looking in the direction the prophet left.
"I sensed tremendous power in him. What if he's right? What if he can see the future?"
"Then... We'll have to get the people across the sea. We'll go to Stratholme, it's not too far now. We'll warn the people there, and Uther will be there soon as well." He started to ride towards Stratholme, but stopped, looking back at Jaina who didn't follow. "Are you coming?"
Jaina looked at Arthas. Something about him changed, and maybe something good. She smiled at him. "I'm coming." She started to follow him, and the pair rode down the road to Stratholme.