ONCE LOST, NOW REGAINED


Arthas

"Arthie..." A faint calling erupted from beyond.

"Arthie..." It repeated again, clearer... and so familiar.

The second my eyelids parted, a spike of electricity surged through my body. "Mother? " I gasped.

"Arthie, everything is okay... Shhhh." Distraught woman fondled me, seeking to calm me down. I was already aware of the fact that I will confront my family before, but reality with which I was confronted, felt like a horse kicking right in the face.

Lianne Menethil, my mother who died from a severe illness a couple years prior to the Third war, was holding me in her tight embrace. I could only blankly stare at the person, who was so dear to me so long ago.

She was crying out of joy. "Oh, Arthie, such a big scare you gave us all!" Callia... and my father were also kneeling close by, with worried expressions imprinted on their faces.

'They are alive...' Not only my family members, but lords and ladies, who died either by my hand or from different cause.

"What, happened?" Still confused, I mumbled.

Callia, my sister was the first to answer. "One moment, you were fine and dandy, another convulsing on the ground and rivers of blood spilling from the nose." Indeed, lines of drying crimson fluid trailed down my chin, shirt and it was no small amount.

Word about this unexplainable incident, will spread like wildfire, since I had collapsed during some ball, which was attended by perhaps up to a hundred guests.

'Something believable has to be made up... and quickly.' I thought. 'I could pretend to be completely clueless and that should probably work.' However I dismissed my first thought. 'No, the priests might detect traces of strange magicks.'

So I came up with a far better idea. 'Visions...of course! In case, I made them listen to me, then much evil would be prevented! After all Nozdormu told me himself to do what is right, not to stick to the events of failed timeline. It would be a great cover too.'

"Arthie, is everything okay?" Mother drew my attention away from scheming. I mentally kicked myself for being so unattentive.

"I saw visions..." I carefully began.

"Visions?" She got puzzled. "What are you talking about?"

"Yes, mother... about greenskins." By not spilling out anything particular upfront I probed for how well informed they are about green-skinned brutes, without raising any suspicions.

"Orcs?" She repeated the word in an unsure manner. "What are those my dear?"

'Good.' I smiled internally. 'So the Lordaeron is blissfully ignorant about the orcish threat.'

I gulped, then proceeded. "The first one showed me the tide green-skinned and red-eyed monsters pouring from the massive portal. In second one, I witnessed a green woman, though not as bestial as creatures from the first vission... She killed a king... " I stopped for a bit, in order to fake shock. "There was also a dark-haired boy, who stood besides, observing the scene helplessly. Then a burning city, Stormwind I think, because of the banners. The same green monsters were sacking the settlement... Lastly, a great fleet of ships sailing across the sea, all of which also carried Stormwind's flags."

"Don't worry, sweety, it was not real, like a nightmare. You are safe." She did not believe me.

"I have no problems when it comes to distinguishing reality from a dream. I am not a child anymore." My mother backed away, I could tell that she had never seen me so defiant as I am now.

"My son, what exactly this king looked like?" King of Lordaeron, my father asked, interestingly he was not nearly as dismissive as his wife.

"Father..." I stuttered. "His beard and hair were light brown... well, i can't recall anything else about his appearance, but I can tell, that he talked about some creatures, orcs." Mention of those greenskinned bastards alone made Terenas Menethil flinch, news about the events in Stormwing have already reached him as it seems.

Generals, those that were present, arose from their seats. Like their ruler, previously they ignored the plights of the southern kingdom, ignorant of the rising threat that the horde was. Now, fortunately lies and misinformation shall cloud their ability to make the right decisions no more.

"This means... Llane's ambassador was truthful...' King a murmurred to himself.

"What are you talking about Terenas." Lianne Menethil interjected.

"A couple days ago, an ambassador from Stormwind paid us a visit. He requested Lordaeron's assistance, behalf the king Llane Wrynn in repelling invaders from the east - orcs."

"Yet I considered those 'invaders' to actually be troublesome peasants of some sort." He peeked at me. "Until Arthas' vissions proved otherwhise... Thus all the possible aid has to be provided else the war might reach our lands." An atmosphere of dread fell upon the ballroom, the possibility of a war became apparent to the rest of the attendees.

I felt happy. 'It worked. The Horde will not be able to just steamroll through Stormwind like in the previous timeline.'

"Is this everything, that your a visions have revealed, or there is more?" Father asked,
but my mother cut him off. "Enough, interrogation is over."

"Arthas, come, I am taking you to a priest."

"Mother, I am okay... just a little fatiqued." I freed myself from her grasp. "May I depart to my chambers, please. Priests can examine my condition tomorrow."

In spite of my objections, she insisted. "It will probably take less than ten minutes. Then rest to your hearth's content, afterwards."

"Fine." I agreed, knowing there was no adequate excuse to justify refusal, I gave in.


Sylvanas

Aroma of wild forest flowers. Mild autumn breeze. Clear, azure sky. Golden leaves, belonging to multi-century old giants. 'My homeland?'

After looking around, I indeed determined, that I was in Eversong forest. Woods, in which I had dwellt in for the entirety of my long elven life. It is supposed be blighted by the scourge, transformed into unrecognizable dark, tainted land. Yet I didn't spot a shred of darkness.

"What?" Sensation. Careful tickling of the wind, grass brushing against my palm. Dead carcasses, which forsaken had, could not facilitate such sense. There was meant to be only dull numbness, nothing more. 'Could it mean?...'

I crawled towards the nearby pond and gazed into my reflection. The image, I was presented with, made me gasp out of surprise.

A fair skinned elven maid. Her golden hair flowed like water, blueish gray eyes shone like twin arcane lanterns, scarlet red lips, all her facial features were without a single flaw as if they were sculpted by a talented artist. She was me.

I was alive once again. Breathing, feeling... With visage covered in dark red blood.
After washing off the fluid, I continued gazing into my reflection. I looked just the way I did before the death, just younger.

"Impossible." I whispered.

Flashbacks of recent events ran through my head. Mysterious enemy, fall of the Undercity and HIS subsequent victory...

Then it became clear to me. "You will not, Arthas!" I howled in newfound hopeless. "I will not be broken again, never!"

'Obviously, that monster trapped me in a illiusion of the past. In order to lull his unsuspecting victim into happiness, only for him to take everything from her at opportune time. Such cruelty... '

"Tricks as these work only on children! Show yourself, you bastard!"

My taunting was disrupted by the sound of footsteps. Someone was coming from behind.

"Sylvanas?" This voice belonged to Vereesa.

As if I was struck by a viper, I jumped up.

My little sister was not alone, besides her also stood... Alleria, the eldest of the Windrunner sister, who vanished without a trace years ago.

And of course, it did not astonish me, since I knew that this was merely a hallucination concocted by the fallen prince.

"Sister, why you were shouting? Has something happened to you?" Alleria's impersonator talked, believably displaying concern for my well being.

I replied by drawing a dagger. "Stay back!"

Dumbfounded, both of them stared.

"You are not real!"

Phantom in a form of Alleria raised forth her hands, in an attempt to sooth me down. "Sister, calm down. Everything is okay."

"No, nothing is okay! You are dead! Perished beyond the dark portal!" With the last cry of rage, I charged at the imposters.

Alleria just barely dodged my blade. But right before I was able to launch another attack, white-haired elf restrained my l hand and Alleria did the same to another one. I found myself forced on the grass with arms twisted behind my back.

"I have no idea, why you think so, but whatever you have seen or heard, was false." eldest Windrunner sister said.

"Yeah. Snap out, Sylvanas." Vereesa added.

'If this all is a all a lie, why this is so vivid? So realistic...smells, forest, grass, sisters... Sunwell.' The sacred fountain of unspeakable power was shinning in all its majesticness, just like before Arthas had defiled it. I sensed its' warmth, arcane magic flowing in, satiating soul and body alike. 'Could he create iliusion as believable as this?... Or... maybe somehow, I got my long lost idyllic life back?'

I broke into a silent sob.


Jaina

'My room?' I looked around. 'Yes, it is.' Bed, fireplace, wardrobe, few pieces of various ornate furniture: pretty and cozy place, which was all mine, until the... banishment.

"It seems, that Nozdormu had held his word." I said to myself as I was getting out of bed.
Then, I took note of my transformed physique. Compared to the surroundings I was scaled down and... childlike. "Uggh, how old am I? Nine, ten?"

"Blood..." I noticed the sticky sticky substance staining nightgown. "... Sheets, too."
"Definetly...it is the side effect of time travel."

"Hopefully, it will end with this, something like a second head would certainly be hard to explain." I chuckled.
"But first, this mess has to be cleaned." A simple spell and all stains on the bed evaporated into thin air. Yet, what previously seemed like a basic spell to a talented mage in her prime, was a taxing task to a little girl.

I jumped into a lavender colour dress and headed out of my chamber, eager to see everyone.

Hallways looked exactly like I left them off, right after the banishment. That rugged look reminicent of naval interior seen in ships, appeared to be as beautiful. 'Sweet, sweet home.' However, the atmosphere was entirely different. The serenity, the easiness all of which were not present during those times of troubles.

It felt so good to be little again. No problems, no worries. Only when a person grows up, one understands how precious and magical childhood is.

Courtyard of Proudmore keep. It may not be as extraordinary as gardens in Dalaran or as those of Silvermoon, but this was my home to which so many pleasant memories were tied to. Long evenings spent together with my family members. Games I had been playing together with my brothers when I had been a little girl.

Recalling these events would have brought a tear to my eye, if I had been a leader of Theramore, shunned by those whom he held dearest to her hearth and who lost her beloved prince, just because she always sought to do what was right. Fortunately I was no longer that woman. No, I was once more the youngest daughter of Proudmore clan, loved and pampered by the entire family. Everything was right again. Once lost, now regained.

Overlooking the stirring Boralus from one of the many terraces, I knew that everything will be different this time. "Nor my father, nor my prince will suffer the same dark fates. I swear to do everything what is in my power to protect my loved ones." The oath was made and only the time will show how it will shape the world. "The aspects will have to find new sacrificial lambs for the altar of the 'greater good'."


Sylvanas

It was so unsettling seeing people, whom I with my very own eyes witnessed dying, alive and well.

Working in the fields, doing various crafts, enjoying their lives in general.

'What is this? Dream? Delusion? Reality?' Confused as much as before, I closely followed my sisters, They did not gave me any questions, neither bothered in any other way, just had been throwing occasional concerned glances throughout the walk.

'If it is nothing but a sweet lie, then why does this false world seem so real… so alive. If this was made by that monster… how could he had known so much about my past life?'

Out of the blue, something rammed me. "Cousin Sylvanas!"

"Lirath." I blurted out in disbelief.

"Sorry for running you over, Sylvanas." Young elf helped me to get up.

Lirath, the youngest child of Windrunner clan, loved by the whole family… brutally murdered by the invading orcish horde.

'Cousin? Why the hell he is referring to me as a cousin?' A question, which arose for a brief moment, was drowned out by joy.

Barely realizing, I pulled my little brother into a tight hug. Through so much sorrow I have been through, when young Lirath was lost to the ravages of war so abruptly. One of many casualties… but by far the most soul-crushing.

"Sylvanas, please let me go. You are embarrassing me." Blushing elf pleaded.

I backed away. 'What is wrong with me? Am I that gullible to just fall for Arthas tricks like that?' I scolded myself internally.

"Why are you acting so strange, Sylvanas? Did something bad happened?"

However Alleria intervened and prevented him from inquiring any further. "Give Sylvanas some peace."

"But…" He fruitlessly protested.

My older sister shut him down before he was able to tell anything else. "No buts, leave her alone."

First Alleria and Vereesa… now Lirath. Too much, too much to handle. 'I had been there how one of horde's brutes literally crushed Lirath's skull… later Alleria was never heard from again after she had joined alliance expedition beyond the dark portal…'

Like a scared animal I fled this confusing place. Nothing made sense in this crazy world. Never I have ran so fast, I just wanted to leave it all behind, hide and escape. I didn't care where and how.

The shadows were chasing me. I felt weak. Once sharp warriror's instincts treasonously, herded away my weak self. Courageous Sylvanas Windrunner was nowhere to be seen, only a mere cowardly maid hopelessly trying to get away from her pursuers.

The shadows were catching up, I Sylvanas Windrunner was tripping over branches and bushes. I should have been capable of passing through the terrain of forests with no effort whatsoever. It looked as if all my skills, all my strength had evaporated into thin air.

The shadows tackled me. Two bodies pressed me against the mossy ground of the woods. My current pathetic state, unburied the dark memories of the third war. I was not strong enough to stand my ground against the scourge, was brought down defeated and enslaved. Likewise now, these shades had put me in a position of powerlessness.

"You must calm down, sister." Alleria gently brushed my hair. "Everything is okay." She continued to implore.

These pursuers were my sisters, who had probably went after me, when I out of sudden sprinted off to the distance.

I ceased my pointless resistance, in response my sisters loosened their grips.

"Vereesa, leave us." Alleria yelped.

That made her really dissatisfied. "Hey, I am her sister, too!"

Alleria's tone grew stricter. "Listen, I must speak with her alone. You will be free to come afterwards. Now go."

Begrudgingly, the white-haired elf went away, but not without scoffing first.

The remaining sister sat down nearby. Her hand found its' way onto mine's." Sylvanas you are safe. Whatever you have experienced, it is over."

"What to believe in?" Out of realm of suffering I was transported to a kingdom of life. Each touch of a long lost loved one, each sight of my people restored healed scars inflicted upon my soul. Banshee queen Sylvanas was slipping away and in her stead Sylvanas, the lively quel'dorei was stepping in. From death to life. From despair to hope.

A slight pain caused me to retract my arm, apparently Alleria had pinched me. "Would it hurt if you were dreaming?" She said as she was smiling wearily.

"No…it wouldn't." A dim light of belief lit up within. 'There is no way in hell, Arthas could create something as this, no one could.'

Alleria took a deep breath. "Why, sister…why have you been acting so strange?" She was looking directly into my eyes, as if see expected to detect deception by doing so. "I promise to keep everything you will tell me a secret."

"You will think that I had gone insane." I said.

She squinted her eyes. "I have seen my fair share of strange, unexplainable things."

Then I began. Not a single fact stayed behind the veil, I told her how the orcish horde stormed through our peaceful kingdom, how large part of our family got obliterated in a horrible massacre, how she left for the dark portal and finally, about the horrors of the third war also about my subsequent enslavement.

As long as I spoke, Alleria didn't interrupt me. Wide-eyed she listened to my every word. I couldn't discern whether she believed or not, but in all honesty I didn't really care if she found me all that convincing, all I wanted was to express my grievances and open my hearth. In case there was any other person in Alleria's place, I wouldn't have done that. Only to Alleria, her alone I would ever expose my more vulnerable side.

"That is a lot to take in, sister." She said, after I had finished. Alleria was submerged in deep thought, probably contemplating on whether I had lost my mind or made up a spectacular lie, her gaze was pointed downwards.

"It is." I agreed.

She locked her eyes with mine again. "But…I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt…"

"Didn't thought you would put your faith in me…"

She smiled and rubbed my shoulder. "You don't seem like crazy nor like a liar…just maybe shaken."

I returned her a faint smile. "I wonder, what will our parents, Vereesa and Lirath will think?"

Alleria bit her lip. "You, me, Vereesa…we are not Windrunners…We belong to Sunstrider family."

I didn't even know what to feel, a flurry of questions overwhelmed my mind. 'Me, a princess? Why? How?'

"Our parents are Anasterion and Rivena Sunstriders." Golden-haired elf explained. "We have a brother too, his name is Kael'thas."

We had another short conversation, during the course of which she enlightened me about the differences between my original life and this one, brand new. There were not that many distinctions, except, that my former parents were now my aunt and uncle, who besides Lirath, had two other Daughters.

"So, what now?" I asked.

Alleria helped me up. "We get back to Windrunner village, there we will get some rest."


Arthas

By my hand, my mother brought me in the Menethil's family chapel. Though a possession of the royal family, it was a little more luxurious than its' larger counterparts present in almost every settlement of Lordaeron.

Ahead of the altar, dedicated to the light, knelt a man. He was dressed in white clerical robes, dark hair mixed with grey strands crowned his head. His visage was hidden from my view, despite that I could without a problem tell who this man was… Uther.

The sound of our footsteps made the paladin… no, the priest jerk his head.

"My queen? Prince Arthas? What business brings you here?" Uther greeted us, his expression showed apparent surprise.

"Sir Uther, I came here because of prince Arthas." She began.

Middle aged priest stood up. "Has something happened to the prince?"

"Yes, sir Uther." The queen confirmed. "In the middle of the dinning room, Arthas fainted and had gotten a lengthy nosebleed. Later, when he had woken up, he swore that he have seen some horrific visions." She momentarily stopped, to inhale some air. "I am clueless. Arthas always seemed to be so healthy, so strong… he rarely even had a cold…" She was shaking with dread, which I didn't find outlandish not in the least, since I was her only beloved son.

Uther put his palm against my forehead. "Don't fear, your majesty, whatever affliction besets the prince, the light's power shall cleanse it all."

I felt the rush of holy energies pouring in. The light should have granted me peace of mind, soothed all worries, engulfed in calming warmth… there was only suffering… searing, burning pain. It was like this, when by light's grace I conjured up a massive divine shield with which came the pain as well. 'I went back in time…had my untainted body restored. How could the light hurt me still?'

'Whomsoever takes up this blade shall wield power eternal. Just as the blade rends flesh, so must power scar the spirit.' A foreign voice not from the outside, but from the depths of my consciousness answered my question.

Willfully, I endured light's burning touch, not producing a single sign of struggle as to not alert either mother or Uther.

The man pulled back his hand, stroked his chin and spoke. "I am sorry, your majesty… I couldn't sense anything suspicious, prince Arthas appears to be alright."

This Uther's assessment didn't seem to calm her not in the least, in reality it had the opposite effect. "No, this can't be true. Occurrences like these don't happen without a cause, nor at random! Sir Uther, I demand you to examine my son again!"

Keeping perfect composure, he fulfilled her order. "Nothing, your majesty." Results were the same.

"So we just should brush it off like nothing ever happened?" The always calm and tender Lianne Menethil got really furious.

"No, my queen. I am not suggesting that." Uther disagreed. "Perhaps…we should entertain the probability, that what the prince has seen, were far more than figments of child's imagination."

"Sir Uther, If I had wanted to be fed with tales, I would have searched for a cunning woman." She was literally bubbling with rage. "Treat my son reasonably, otherwise I shall find someone more capable!"

Uther continued to retain his steadiness, weathering the rage of a wrathful queen. "Nothing can be done for as long as the cause is unknown. At this moment, rest would be more helpful than any medicine or spells."

Unlike other unsuccessful attempts, this one worked like a charm. Her anger subsided and she flipped back to the same calm lady, who is beloved by the entirety of Lordaeron. "I apologize, that was an inexcusable behaviour. Thank you for your service, sir Uther, prince will be treated with the sleep he needs."

"Come, Arthie."


A multitude of massive bells rang, as cheers were erupting across the city. Flags, and colourful tents, and garlands of flowers: the most impressive assortment of decor adorned the streets. While musicians, acrobats, artists were putting forth their talents for common people to enjoy, celebrating masses crowded wide squares and tight backstreets alike. A sight to behold, has any city in existence ever had fortune to host greater festivities than this one?

Yet not all was alright. Three figures trudged through the streets of the city. These were, clearly, misfits. Dark cloaks and armor seemed out of place among the festive, colourful outfits.

These three figures reached the drawbridge, which was lowered in turn, allowing their entry.

Now they were in the palace, more precisely, in intersection between outer and inner gates.

All three proceeded to press on, detached and mysterious. These persons did not care about the lords, ladies, courtiers showering them with rose petals, displaying their praise for heroes of the land.

The one at the forefront, flanked by other two, briefly halted before the inner gate. He caught one of the petals and twirled it with his fingers, thinking only light knows what.

As this being played with the petal, it got blighted. This appeared to have returned him back to reality from a short-lived distraction. He raised his head to regard the guests above, with this motion he exposed a glimpse of his face, pale, pale like the snow itself, with a scar stretching down the right eye.

Not hesitating any longer, he strode inside the royal palace.

Clear fact, that these three were not in service of the good, however such idea was inconceivable to the crazed inhabitants of this land. They refused to admit, that black outfits inlaid with details reminiscent of death befitted those who would serve evil. So too, these peoples brushed off strange behaviour of trio.

Leader of the trio and his followers passed through the halls uninterrupted through the halls and prepared to enter what was most likely their final objective, the throne room.

Big metal doors were swung open with a resounding thud. The same figures emerged.

Drawing his sinister blade, agent of darkness bent his knee on the crest of this kingdom, engraved on the floor… its' colors were gold and blue… the L of Lordaeron.

"Ah, my son." The king addressed his child compassionately. "I knew, that you…"

"You no longer need to sacrifice for your people." his monotonous voice radiated cold fury. "You no longer need to bear the weight of your crown…I have taken care of everything." Death knight rose to full length and removed the hood unmasking his platinum locks. All the doubts of this creature not being a death knight vanished. Armour, weapon, appearance: all pointed at this fact.

Whoever once this person had been, now it held little significance. Living shell lingered on, but the person within was twisted beyond recognition, persisting only as a grotesque caricature.

The fiend began closing the distance between himself and his unsuspecting parent. When the agent of the scourge ascended upon the dais, he forcefully seated the old man.

Not being able to fathom that his own flesh and blood could do something so wicked, the king uttered. "What is this? What are you doing, my son?"

"Succeeding you, father!" The traitor gleefully replied, then drove his runeblade into his own father's chest.

The king's dying gasp broke the spell of confusion, which plagued the royal guards. Soldiers sprung into action, they might have failed to to prevent their liege's murder, but at least the perpetrator was still within their reach.

Alas, the kingslayer's culprits swiftly dispatched these brave souls.

Then the murderer lifted up his bloody blade and proclaimed. "This kingdom shall fall and from the ashes shall arise a new order, that will shake the very foundation of the world."


Drenched in cool sweat, I stirred from tumultuous sleep. This night terror felt like reliving the day of my fall all over again…

Yearning for some fresh air, I left my place of sleep.

Silent as a shade I waltzed through empty halls, crossed numerous corridors, made a handful of turns and I quickly appeared before the entrance to desired place.

One painfully long staircase later, I stood atop the city's tallest tower.

Whenever any worries would befall me, I would come here to ponder.

I paced to the corner and banked over the battlements. Aside from the odd torch or lamp, the land was veiled in impenetrable darkness.

'Was it merely a bad dream? An apparition from the past, driving it's claws deep? An objection of conscience? Or something more?'

The consequences of my actions may have been erased with a failed timeline altogether. The shadows however, followed my suite.

This, most definitely, will remain true for the rest of my days. The shame for playing into the Lich king's hand. The guilt for causing so much suffering. These shall be my eternal companions, tormenting me for past deeds... reminding that history could repeat.

So perfectly, the outside world aligned with the inner one of mine. Winds blowing in the dark, dark thoughts flowing through the turbulent mind.

I didn't know how much I hung out there, neither did I cared. Time lost its' all meaning to me.

At some point, I glanced at my palm. Bright, golden flames were dancing on it. The majestic power of the light coursed through my body, gracing it with the ability to conjure up holy flames.

Differently from the days of paladinhood, I felt no more profound connection with the light. No warmth, no comfort, just pain...burning pain.

'Whatever problems or ills I will encounter, all of them will have to be overcomed. Lordaeron will not fall.' The fires went out, the pain was too great of an obstacle, to allow me sustain the burn for long. 'Neither will Quel'thalas.'

"M'lord?" I got petrified, it was my once most trusted companion's voice, Falric's.

I was quick to recover, as to avoid revealing my shock. If I am to succeed in getting their help, I had put up a perfect facade. "What are you doing here, soldiers?"

"We are on patrol duty, m'lord..." Now Marwyn was the one to speak. "...How did you do that?"

"The flames you mean?" I downplayed it as if it would be a mundane everyday chore. "It is my secret, one of many."

Neither of the duo retorted.

"An innumerable horde of greenskins will land upon our shores." I made sure to speak in a cold and monotonous manner. "These creatures shall flood our land, pillaging and destroying everything in their wake. Eventually, they will burn they way to the elven kingdom, there the Horde will be repelled." Falric and Marwyn were intently listening and I didn't need to turn around to know that. "In spite of their failure the Horde will vigorously continue their campaign. Right after crossing the mountain passes of Alterac, the savages will lay siege upon the city of Lordaeron." The sound of shifting armor suggested, that my former companions found this information unnerving. "But do not fret… their numbers, their strength, patronage from the Burning Legion… all of it shall be undone by the betrayal from within. Broken and defeated, the greenskins shall scurry back to the hellhole, they call home." I was done, then the silence set in.

"The rumour mill is going insane, yet I didn't remember hearing anything even remotely resembling that." Falric commented.

"Neither do I" Another man agreed with his friend.

"Of course you haven't." I confirmed their speculations. "You are first ones to hear the full story."

"But why, M'lord…why are you telling this to us, common men? Such knowledge should be reserved only for the king's ears." Marwyn's observation held some merit. My father, the king would surely be able to use my foresight to its' fullest potential. Quite a few deaths would have been prevented in a short-term… albeit the fallout of such actions, could potentially threaten the existence of Azeroth.

"I think you two intelligent enough to figure out, that my father would these secrets with his generals and other leaders of the alliance?" I answered.

Both men agreed. "Naturally, M'lord, no good rulers withholds vital information from his soldiers or his allies,"

"Not in this instance." I uttered sharply. "The more people will become aware of the truth, the less of a secret it will become. What happens next? a Leak."

"Spies are always a concern, m'lord, however one shan't be so paranoid." Marwyn said.

"No..." I would be inclined to agree if we were to fight an ordinary war against an ordinary enemy, unluckily for the whole alliance our foe shall be deceitful and powerful Burning Legion. "You underestimate our future enemy, the demonic army has plenty of masters of subterfuge. They will effortlessly uncover whatever we have under our sleeve."

"So you wish to stand aside while your countrymen are getting slaughtered? Even though you have the means to prevent their deaths?" Marwyn clearly did not approve of my plans of withholding the knowledge, but I felt confident that I will manage to convince him. I was also sure that Falric had the same opininion and he no doubt will be swayed likewise.

His words cut deeply. I would rather go through that suffering myself than willingly let the darkness hurt my people, all the measures I am planning to take are meant to help them. "Not at all, to make significant changes one doesn't need to have massive armies or bottomless pockets." I smirked to myself. "Being in a position to influence others is more than enough."

"You will act as a spider then, M'lord? Weaving webs of deception, manipulating from behind the scenes? I might that keen about scheming myself…I do admit that a cloak and dagger can often be more effective than an honest blade."

"Ohhh…" Falric exhaled sadly. "No fighting…this doesn't seem really exciting."

"You are pledging yourself to my cause so quickly?" I mused. "No more questions? Demands to prove myself?"

"Aye, M'lord. You stirred quite a fuss, apparently the the king took really seriously the vision you had seen. And if the king put his faith in you, so do we have no reason to hesitate."

"Aye." Falric added and muttered under his breath, something I didn't overhear. Most likely he wasn't happy, because he thought that we won't ever fight in a proper battle.

"Don't worry, Falric, I am not going to sit around while others spill their blood on the battlefield." Twas not only my comrade's dream, but mine's too. 'Once again, I will proudly stand against evil with forces of Lordaeron alongside me…Alliance shall be victorious.'

"Now go, leave me be." I waved them away. "If you still have any lingering uncertainties, all you need to do is to wait. You will see for yourselves that I tell no lies."

Two men obeyed. Quickly thereafter, The resounding sound of their footfalls ceased. As before, I stayed atop of tower by myself in company of darkness. Voices in the night whispered "We know".


Jaina

'Have to get to the dinning hall, else the parents get worried." I remembered that our family used to gather for breakfast every day at exact time. 'But first lets try one thing.'

Grinning, I ran up to the the nearest pond. There I focused and began weaving a spell to summon a water elemental. A difficult task, due to my underdeveloped mana reverses, yet not the one which I wouldn't be capable of doing.

And after a minute or two, a water elemental, maybe a lot smaller than it should be, still elemental nonetheless, emerged from the water.

"Daughter... how did you do that?" For a moment I froze, however I swiftly made myself to gather the courage to turn my head. From the other side my father and a mage stared at me, their gazes radiated amazement.

'Dammit.' I bit my lip. 'I should have been more careful.' The die was cast, neither my father, nor his companion couldn't unsee what they had just witnessed.

I stood rooted in place, while they strode towards me. 'How they are going to react?'

Luckily they were not fearful or distraught, but rather quite the contrary. Their looks could only be described as those of children who had received a shiny present from the Grandfather Winter.

"Incredible, a young lady with no training whatsoever managed to pull of spell this complicated... master Antonidas will be most intrigued." The mage muttered under her breath.

This mage was a red-haired elven... no, half-elven woman with a pixie haircut. She smiled down. "Would you like to train in arcane arts to one day become a sorceress, like me?"

I gulped. If I would leave for Dalaran now, then what were my happiest years of my life, would pass in front of books, long way from home. "No... I mean not now, when I am a little older..."

She raised one of her elegant eyebrows. "Why not? The earlier you start, the more you will achieve."

I looked down and said. "... Don't want to leave my parents and brothers."

"I see." She let out an understanding sigh. "You are not willing to part with your loved ones... well Dalaran is quite far from Boralus, it would most definitely become much harder to keep in touch with your loved ones."

She turned her attention away and addressed my father. "Lord Proudmore, your daughter has an incredible gift, one which must no go to waste."

"I see..." A frown on Grand Admiral's face betrayed his inner conflict.

The mage gave a symphatetic nod. "On the other hand, being separated at such an age does significantlly impact any child, thus I am sure that with a help of lord Antonidas, we will come up with a satisfying alternative." My hearth fluttered. 'I will still be able to see my loved ones and learn magic at the same time!.'

"Jaina, go and tell mother that I will join others soon." I nodded, then ran off feeling happier than I had in many years.


Mal'ganis

"Hmmm, strange." I wondered loudly as I examined my form. "It should have taken no less than a couple centuries to reform back into a corporeal being." I continued to marvel myself. "Yet I am here."

The thing, which surprised me more was the place, where I appeared. My old home in Nathreza.

I clearly recall, how self-proclaimed lord of Outland, shaterred my world. I watched as a ethereal soul in twisting nether, the pride of my race being ruined. The image was crystal clear in my mind, as if it happened just yesterday.

I fevereshly searched for the closest balcony. Doing it didn't took long and when I had gotten there, I couldn't believe in my eyes. Both the city and the planet were in pristine conditions.

I was presented with the view of a world of magic and knowledge, a crown jewel of the Burning Legion. The buildings of basalt were both dark and majestic. The air was saturated with powers of twisting nethher. And in the center was proudly placed a great library of Nathreza.

"I am going get to the bottom of this."


Sorry for the long delay, I am always full of new ideas, so I just get stuck rewriting the same chapter all over again, until I deem it okay. I hope, that I will manage to pick up the pace eventually.