Chapter Three: The Council of the Eye

A cloaked figure made his way through the streets of a town overlooking Dalaran. Coming to the outskirts he came to a small shrine. There stood Kel'thuzad, floating there and waiting for him. The Lich regarded him carefully.

'Lord Garithos,' he said. 'I am glad you could accept my invitation.'

'What do you want, Lich?' asked Garithos.

'To help you, believe it or not.' said Kel'thuzad. 'We share a common problem.

The Kirin Tor are all but taking command of the Alliance. They consort with Forest Trolls and take the part of the elves more than their own countrymen. If you intend to reclaim this land for humanity, and not for those who would make humans their slaves, you are going to need my help.'

'And how would you help me?' asked Garithos.

'Now that is an interesting question.' said Kel'thuzad. And then he told him the plan.

Arthas found Malfurion Stormrage inside a library, reading. It was a strange thing to him. To see this Archdruid so at home in the wilds, sitting by the fire and looking over a book of spells. It seemed unnatural. Furion did not look up as Arthas approached, not until he sat down across from him. Finally, he closed the book and set it down.

'So you have come.' said Malfurion.

'I was detained.' said Arthas. 'I see you've been reading spell books.'

'This place is remarkable.' admitted Malfurion. 'The Kirin Tor are fools for using arcane magic, but they show some wisdom in how they approach it. Whole books are dedicated to the safety measures they take.'

'Why did you want to speak with me, Malfurion?' asked Arthas.

'First let me ask you a question.' said Malfurion. 'When you were born were there any… remarkable natural events.'

'Well, my father once said that he was unsure of what to name me.' said Arthas. 'And that on the day of my birth the forests of Lordaeron whispered the name Arthas. However I always thought that was just poetic flourish.'

'I do not believe it was.' said Malfurion. 'You are marked by destiny, young Prince. But more than that, you share a connection to the land which… perhaps I should start again.

'I am a Druid, Arthas. Yet my connection to the land runs deeper than mere empathy. From the time I was born I have felt the lands pains as my own. Felt its triumphs as my own. This connection has only strengthened as I trained myself. The land and I are one.'

'And what does this have to do with me?' asked Arthas.

'You have that same connection, though untrained.' said Malfurion. 'Yet it is different from my own. You reflect the land of Lordaeron. As it flourishes, so do you. As it falls into darkness so does your soul. Yet this connection works both ways.

Your choices, your decisions, each one turns the land a certain way. Didn't you find it strange? That everything turned against the humans of Lordaeron when you fell into darkness?'

'Actually no.' said Arthas. 'I had quite a bit of trouble conquering it. Why are you telling me this?'

'Because you influence people.' said Malfurion. 'The closer you are to Lordaeron the more powerful this influence becomes. Whole armies follow your lead to distant lands. Old enemies put aside their differences to serve your agendas. Former enemies readily unite with you.'

'There are many great military leaders.' said Arthas. 'They don't all have an innate connection to the land.'

Malfurion stood and offered him a hand. 'Take my hand and I will show you what I mean.'

Reluctantly Arthas reached forward and took it. Suddenly he was standing atop a hilltop, gazing down upon a vast forest of remarkable beauty. Every tree was so healthy that the trees he had seen in Lordaeron before the scourge seemed in comparison like corpses. The song of birds was in the air, and the sky above was so clear. Yet none of it seemed real, even before his eyes the trees were shifting.

'What is this?' asked Arthas.

'Behold, the Emerald Dream.' said Malfurion. 'A realm of pure nature, a place untouched by the axes of mortals. This is the domain of Ysera, yet it belongs to no one. Every creature that has ever wondered at something beyond them has been here.'

'It's beautiful…' said Arthas, feeling his heart lighten at the sight.

'Yes. Yes it is.' said Malfurion. 'It was hoped long ago that the Emerald Dream might be merged with the material plane. That this beauty might be made manifest and the world returned to harmony. And it almost was. The connection between our worlds was established. Yet my brother remade the Well of Eternity. From that arcane magic was able to enter into the Emerald Dream, corrupting it.'

At his words, Arthas noticed in the distance a place where the trees were withering. They were not dead, but they were decaying and… it was like they were screaming. Black clouds hung overhead and he found himself looking away. It was painful to look at, and he felt cold sweat.

'Now there festers within it great darkness.' said Malfurion. 'Something at the edge of all thoughts, bringing nightmares, and ruin to the minds of all.'

'The Legion?' guessed Arthas.

'No.' said Malfurion. 'The source is different. It is no enemy you have faced. Yet the blight of the undead has strengthened the darkness. The Emerald Dream reflects reality to an extent, always changing. As the Lich King triumphed, so did the darkness increase.

'It must be stopped, and what happens here in Lordaeron may effect that greatly.'

'What would you have me do?' asked Arthas.

'Help the Alliance to emerge victorious.' said Malfurion. 'The undead are unnatural abominations. Whatever is good in them is twisted by their very nature. The very ground itself even now groans beneath their feet.

'I sensed it when I first set foot here. You have the power, even now, to destroy the scourge. And it must be done.'

The dream faded. Arthas considered that. 'So that is your reasoning. The answer is no. Whatever their nature they are my subjects. They have remained loyal to me, and I will not abandon them to the swords of the Alliance.'

'You have claimed that the ends justify the means many times!' said Malfurion. 'Was that not why you supported my brother! The undead are creatures of unholy magic! The slay them would be just! And surely you cannot believe that they deserve to live after all the carnage they have wrought!'

'Perhaps they do deserve to die.' said Arthas. 'But then, perhaps the orcs did as well. And yet the dragon flights would have us forgive them their genocides. And you Malfurion, how many innocents have been slaughtered by the hands of night elves? Why is the life of an undead worth less than the life of an elf or an orc?

'If we're going to base foreign policy based on what people deserve we might as well join the legion.'

'Elves and orcs are not by their very nature a curse against nature. They can be corrupted, but they can also be mended.' said Malfurion. 'Undead are fueled by unnatural forces. Without it they would surely die.'

'The same can be said for your civilization.' noted Arthas. 'Tell me, did you make that cloak with tools? Tools made from metal? Metal made from fire? You and I are clothed in the unnatural.

'I will not sacrifice the scourge simply for the sake of your prejudices.'

'So be it.' said Malfurion. 'Just know that so long as they remain in this world they will bring it only grief.'

'We'll see.' said Arthas.

The council of Dalaran was attended by mages, druids and many others. They stood in a circle around a pedestal in silence as Antonidas came forward. 'Representatives of the many races, friends and enemies alike. You have been gathered here to decide the fate of the Eye of Sageras. The device is powerful beyond measure. Our research indicates that it can tear apart whole continents, perhaps whole worlds.

Thus the question is posed: What are we to do with it?'

'Archmage Antonidas,' said Kael, 'it seems to me that we have three choices. We can use it. We can destroy it. Or we can seal it away and keep it safe.'

'We should destroy it.' said Krasus. 'This device courses with infernal energy. It is altogether evil and cannot be trusted to anyone. No mortal being is wise enough to hold such power.'

'If I might.' said Arthas.

Krasus looked up, and their eyes met for a moment, and their eyes met in silent challenge. Finally, Krasus looked away. 'By all means, Prince Arthas.'

'Magic is neither good or evil.' said Arthas. 'An undead skeleton may be used to build orphanages as well as slaughter the innocent. What matters is what use they are put to. So I suggest we use the device to destroy the enemies of all that live.'

'And where would you propose we start?' asked Krasus. 'Northrend?'

'No. Outland.' said Arthas.

'What?' said Krasus.

'The demons used Outland as a base of operations to launch their invasion.' said Arthas. 'They must have portals leading to their worlds. If we use the Eye of Sageras, we could destroy them.'

'Arthas, are you mad?' asked Jaina. 'You want to lay waste to entire worlds?'

'It is the simplest and most direct method of defeating the Burning Legion.' said Arthas. 'Or am I wrong?'

'That is out of the question.' said Krasus.

'Is it?' asked Kael'thas. 'Loath though I am to admit it, Prince Arthas has a point. Whatever was good in those worlds likely died long ago. The Legion leaves nothing behind.'

'And how can you know that?' asked Krasus. 'There might yet be good clinging to life in those worlds! This very council is formed from people who months ago would have been considered evil by nature! Who are we to pass judgment?'

'When last I looked, our so-called guardians have wholly abandoned us.' said Arthas. 'Therefore the task of judging good and evil falls to us.'

'I judge indiscriminate murder to be wrong.' said Krasus.

Their eyes met again, and this time it was Arthas who looked away. 'As you say.'

'This matter seems very serious and worthy of further consideration.' said Antonidas. 'Perhaps we should seal the Eye away in a safe place? Beyond the Legion's reach.'

'And where would you suggest?' asked Jaina. 'Here? Master Antonidas, I'm not sure there is any location that is truly secure. The Dark Titan might well be able to enact his will through it anyway.'

'Lady Proudmoore is right. These unholy artifacts have a way of being recaptured.' said Krasus. 'And should the Dreadlords gain a hold over it that would mean the end of whole continents. No. We must destroy it.'

'And therein lies our problem. ' said Antonidas. 'I fear that destroying it will not be so easy. The Eye courses with an enormous amount of unholy magic. Breaking it would unleash it and could level this whole city. We have a found a safe means to dispose of it, however…'

'However?' asked Krasus.

'We believe if we were to use its full power and send its energies against something, then cut off the ritual, the Eye would self destruct harmlessly.' said Antonidas.

'But only after devastating a continent.' guessed Kael'thas.

'Precisely.' said Antonidas. 'And there lies our dilemma. If we cannot use it, and cannot keep it safe, we must destroy it. Yet we cannot destroy it without using it.'

'Might I suggest a compromise?' asked Lady Vashj.

'Compromise?' said Kael. 'Of course, Lady Vashj.'

'The device is too powerful to entrust to any one faction, or they will destroy the others.' said Vashj. 'It cannot be sealed forever. Nor can it be disposed of without using it. The solution is therefore to find a target. One which we may destroy with impunity, unleash the full power of the Eye and then cut off the ritual.'

'Northrend?' guessed Kael.

'There are many sentient races in Northrend, not to mention the blue dragon flight.' said Arthas. 'Why not Outland?'

'The idea has some potential.' said Kael. 'And it would cut off a possible Legion invasion route.'

'Yes, but what if there are surviving draenai?' asked Krasus. 'Or other races? We cannot deal out death and judgment as though we were gods.'

'Then we should find out, should we not?' said Vashj. 'My naga will lead an expedition through and ascertain to see if there are any survivors. If we find them we will help them route the demons. Lord Illidan is there waiting for us as we speak, and by now he will have learned much.'

'I will go as well.' said Kael'thas.

'A fair plan, however, the portal to Outland is weak and unstable.' said Antonidas. 'We might reopen it, but it would likely fail if we use the Eye of Sageras through it.'

'Then entrust it to me.' said Kael. 'I will ensure that it is not misused.'

There was a long silence. '…Very well,' said Antonidas. 'Lady Vashj. Your's seems the best plan. Kael'thas, we shall entrust the Eye to you. The longer we keep the Eye of Sageras here the more likely the Dreadlords will come after it. Just be careful and keep us informed. Above all you must not use the Eye without first consulting us.'

A few days later as the last of the supplies were loaded into wagons. King Wilhelm came forward. Kael'thas was looking over troop manifests as his friend waited to be recognized.

'I object to this course of action completely.' said Wilhelm.

'King Wilhelm, while I appreciate your furvor the decision is made.' said Kael.

'The decision was made by the Kirin Tor.' said Wilhelm. 'I wasn't present, and neither was anyone else from the Alliance. We should have been consulted.'

'Vashj is not part of the Alliance,' said Kael in irritation, 'and I'll do with my personal forces as I please.'

'This is insane.' said Wilhelm. 'We just crushed one of the Dreadlord's offensives. We should be pressing our advantage, not sending men to Outland. We're dividing our forces.'

'It is a calculated risk.' said Kael.

'As you wish. Either way, I can't stay any longer.' said Wilhelm. 'Stratholme has been massing undead to attack us. I've got to take command and coordinate with the Scarlet Crusade.'

Kael sighed. 'Good luck to you.'

'To you as well.' said Wilhelm.

They parted ways, and Wilhelm's forces moved off, making their way back north to Strahnbrad. And Kael'thas looked to his own.

Arthas Menethil watched from the top of a ruined building. The neverending procession of Naga and High Elves made their way through the portal. The portal itself was nearly as tall as a two-story building and emanated unholy energy. Everything was proceeding as he had hoped. But there was still time for everything to go straight to hell.

What if Kel'thuzad's disruption glyphs were seen? What if there was a sudden delay? Or perhaps the expedition would be cancelled? There were all kinds of things which could still go wrong. But so far they hadn't and he looked down at the paper in his hands.

He'd found it in one of the libraries. He'd never expected to see it here, and he murmured the words upon the paper under his breath.

'A paladin is sworn to the holy.

His hammer protects the weak.

His heart is tinged with mercy.

His justice redeems the fallen.

His word reveals the truth.

His retribution destroys the wicked.'

'What is that?' asked Jaina.

'It was the code of the Paladin Order once.' said Arthas. 'Or it was meant to be. Uther came up with it. It was meant to be spoken in every order.'

'I don't think I've ever heard it before.' admitted Jaina.

'They never used it.' said Arthas sadly. 'The emphasis on mercy and redemption wasn't to the liking of the other members of the order.'

'It wasn't you who did all those things.' said Jaina. 'It was Ner'zhul.'

'I'd be the vainest man alive if I believed you.' said Arthas. 'I made my choices. I refuse to pretend as if I didn't have a choice. I could have found a way to stop myself. But I didn't.

'Now we are committed.

'I have done many terrible things. And I'd do them again to rid the world of monsters like the Legion.'

He looked at her and he knew by the look in her eyes that she had caught on to something. It hardly mattered, the elves and naga were nearly through. '…Arthas, what are you planning?'

'I'm not planning anything.' said Arthas. 'Events are already in motion.'

Her eyes widened. 'Arthas what are you going to do?!'

The elves and naga were gone. As was the Eye of Sageras. There was a sudden flash of light as the portal collapsed in on itself and Jaina stared. 'The portal! You destroyed the portal! What have you done?!'

'Sealed Kael'thas and Vashj in Outland.' said Arthas.

'You betrayed them!' said Jaina.

'Hardly, Vashj was fully aware of my plans.' said Arthas.

'You… ' said Jaina, 'they're all going to die!'

'Comforting as the idea of Kael'thas having his head put on a pike is, you underestimate him.' said Arthas. 'He and Vashj are both formidable, and they will have Illidan to help and advise them. I have absolute confidence in their ability to make the best of things and be back here in a few months.'

Jaina looked at him, calmer now. '…You never had any intention of working with the Kirin Tor. You only wanted to divide the Alliance's forces.'

'Kael'thas will destroy the Legion's holdings in Outland. In the meantime the Kirin Tor will have no choice but to turn to me for support in reclaiming Dalaran.' said Arthas.

'Why would they-' began Jaina.

Garithos made his move. Knights and footmen rushed out to quickly surround the remaining members of the Six. The dark knight rode forward on horseback, looking furious. 'Enough of this! You wizards have mismanaged the war effort long enough!'

'Garithos, what is the meaning of this!' said Antonidas.

'The meaning?! You long bearded idiots have just gotten half our army trapped in Outland!' snarled Garithos. 'And with Wilhelm having left we're badly diminished! It was a mistake for your kind to be given any kind of authority in real matters of war!

'A mistake we mean to correct! Take them into custody!'

'This isn't over.' said Antonidas, before teleporting away alongside his men.

'Why would they help Garithos?' asked Jaina.

'Jaina you are a very nice young lady.' said Arthas. 'But most wizards treat ordinary people like dirt and threaten to transform them into sheep. Garithos has been on the front lines defending those ordinary people. His humiliation got them angry, and now he has his chance to regain power.

'I expect he will be more than willing to work with me.'

'The Kirin Tor would have worked with you! They were working with you!' said Jaina.

'Yes, and as soon as I had outlived my usefulness, they would have exterminated by subjects. Everything would have gone back to the way things were.' said Arthas. 'Kael'thas would have seen to that. At best I would have had a gilded cage in Theramore, while Wizards ruled over my homeland.

'Lordaeron is mine.'

'And what about us?!' roared Jaina. 'What about me?!'

'Has it occurred to you that Theramore was created mostly from my subjects, Jaina?' asked Arthas in irritation. 'Once I have purged the dreadlords from Lordaeron you will be in a position to become Queen of Lordaeron. The Kirin Tor will listen to you, hope to use you to affect my decisions, and I will be able to use them.'

'No.' said Jaina. 'I won't have any part in this!' And she turned to leave.

'Yes you will.' said Arthas.

'Excuse me?' said Jaina.

'You care about Theramore, as do I.' said Arthas. 'We both know that the Horde might go to war with the Alliance again and you will be first on their target list. If Theramore has a connection with a larger, more powerful Kingdom, then it will be far more secure. As my Queen, you will be in a position to keep me on the straight and narrow, and affect policy on a grand scale.

'So go ahead, proclaim that you can't watch me do this. Walk away from this like you always do. Prove once again why you were the prophet's third choice in leaders. Wash your hands of responsibility instead of acting. But in the end, you have everything to lose and nothing to gain by defying me.'

Jaina looked at him with tired eyes. 'Maybe. But first, you have to capture Lordaeron. Don't you?'

'Fair enough. I'll be in touch.' said Arthas.

Jaina Proudmoore teleported away. No doubt her forces would depart soon as well.

'She took that better than I expected.' said Kel'thuzad, emerging from an illusion spell.

'Jaina isn't an idiot, Kel'thuzad.' said Arthas. 'She isn't willing to make difficult decisions, but she is a very competent diplomat. She's keeping her options open. If we capture Lordaeron, she'll take our side. If not she'll improvise.'

'Whatever the case, what is our next course of action?' asked Kel'thuzad.

'Now we prepare our coup.' said Arthas. 'Go to the cult of the damned and spread the word of my return among your most faithful subjects. Be ready to move on a moments notice.'

'And the party in Outland?' asked Kel'thuzad.

'Whether or not Illidan succeeds is no longer relevant in the short term.' said Arthas. 'My hope is that he will disrupt the Legion's control of Outland. However, if he fails we can still proceed with the plan.'

'What of the Eye of Sageras?' asked Kel'thuzad.

'It was little more than a decoy, in truth.' admitted Arthas. 'An excuse to get Illidan the troops he needs to take Outland and disrupt the Alliance. The weapon is far too indiscriminate to be of any real use. Illidan and I already agreed that we would destroy it once it had done its work.'

'So you do not believe he will use it?' asked Kel'thuzad.

'What is he going to use it on?' asked Arthas. 'If he actually used it in Outland it would tear the entire place to shreds. And I doubt he would be willing to kill the innocents there just to destroy an enemy. Illidan has good intentions.'

'If I might inquire, how do you know so much about Outland?' asked Kel'thuzad.

'Illidan summoned a number of demons at Theramore.' said Arthas. 'We were able to piece together a general idea of the situation there. There are still large pockets of resistance. Illidan should be able to exploit them to liberate it.

'Once he has done that, Kael'thas will reopen the portal with a bit of work and we should be able to destroy it. Of course by that time we will be in command. Not the Kirin Tor.'

'Might I have a chance to study the Eye?' asked Kel'thuzad. 'It is a very powerful item. Such an artifact does not come into ones' hands often.'

'I'll consider it.' said Arthas. 'Good luck to you, Kel'thuzad.'

'To you as well.' said Kel'thuzad, before disappearing.

As the last vestiges of resistance were disarmed, Arthas took up his untouched wine. He took a long sip. It was excellent weather and excellent wine. And everything had happened according to his designs.

Authors Note:

So yeah, this chapter took awhile. Sorry about that.

I can't really think of anything to say here.