World Of Warcraft: Arthas - Rise Of The Lich King Part 5

And he knew exactly what he wanted that something to be.

PART TWO

THE BRIGHT LADY

INTERLUDE It was exactly the sort of day Jaina Proudmoore didn't like-sullen, stormy, and bitterly cold. While the ocean breezes always made Theramore feel cool, even in the hot summer months, the chill of the wind and rain that now pummeled the city cut to the bone. The ocean churned unhappily, the sky above it gray and menacing. It showed no signs of letting up. Outside, training fields turned to mud, travelers sought the shelter of the inn, and Dr. VanHowzen would need to watch the injured in his care for signs of illness brought on by the sudden cold and wetness. Jaina's guards stood in the downpour without complaint. No doubt they were miserable. Jaina ordered one of her attendants to take the pot of tea she had just brewed for her and her chancellor down to the stalwart guards enduring their duty. She could wait for a second pot to be ready.

Thunder rumbled and there was a flash of lightning. Jaina, snug in her tower surrounded by the books and papers she so loved, s.h.i.+vered and drew her cloak about her more closely, then turned to one who was doubtless even more uncomfortable than she.

Magna Aegwynn, former Guardian of Tirisfal, mother to the great Magus Medivh, once the most powerful woman in the world, sat in a chair drawn close to the fire, sipping a cup of tea. Her gnarled hands closed about the cup, seeking its warmth. Her long hair, white as freshly fallen snow, was loose about her shoulders. She looked up as Jaina approached and sat in the chair across from her. Her green eyes, a deep, knowing emerald, missed nothing.

"You're thinking about him."

Jaina scowled and looked into the fire, trying to distract herself with the dancing flames. "I didn't know being a Guardian meant you could read minds."

"Minds? Pfft. It's your face and bearing I can read like a primer, child. That furrow in your brow crinkles just so when it's he who occupies your mind. Besides, you always get in this mood when the weather turns."

Jaina s.h.i.+vered. "Am I truly so easy to read?"

Aegwynn's sharp features softened and she patted Jaina's hand. "Well, I've got a thousand years of observation under my belt. I'm a bit better at reading people than most."

Jaina sighed. "It's true. When the weather is cold, I do think of him. About what happened. About whether I could have done anything."

Aegwynn sighed. "A thousand years and I don't think I've ever really been in love. Too much else to worry about. But if it's any consolation to you-he's been on my mind, too."

Jaina blinked, surprised and unsettled by the comment. "You've been thinking about Arthas?"

The former Guardian regarded her keenly. "The Lich King. He's not Arthas, not anymore."

"I don't need to be reminded of that," Jaina said, a touch too sharply. "Why do you-"

"Can't you feel it?"

Slowly, Jaina nodded. She had tried to chalk it up to the weather and the tensions that always ran high when it was so damp and unpleasant. But Aegwynn was suggesting that there was more to it than that, and Jaina Proudmoore, thirty years of age, ruler of Theramore Isle, knew the old woman was right. Old woman. Old woman. A smile flickered on her lips as she thought about the words. She herself was well past her own youth, a youth in which Arthas Menethil had played so significant a role. A smile flickered on her lips as she thought about the words. She herself was well past her own youth, a youth in which Arthas Menethil had played so significant a role.

"Tell me of him," Aegwynn said, sitting back in her chair. At that moment, one of the servants came with a fresh pot of tea and cookies hot from the oven. Jaina accepted a cup gratefully.

"I've told you all I know."

"No," Aegwynn retorted. "You told me the facts of what happened. I want you to tell me about him. him. Arthas Menethil. Because whatever's going on right now up in Northrend-and yes, I think something Arthas Menethil. Because whatever's going on right now up in Northrend-and yes, I think something is is going on-it's about Arthas, not the Lich King. Not yet at any rate. Besides," and the old woman grinned, the wrinkles that lined her face overshadowed by the impish, girlish glint in her emerald eyes, "it's a cold and rainy day. And that's exactly the sort of day stories were made for." going on-it's about Arthas, not the Lich King. Not yet at any rate. Besides," and the old woman grinned, the wrinkles that lined her face overshadowed by the impish, girlish glint in her emerald eyes, "it's a cold and rainy day. And that's exactly the sort of day stories were made for."

CHAPTER SIX

Jaina Proudmoore hummed a little as she strode through the gardens of Dalaran. She'd been here for eight years now, and the city never lost its sense of wonder. Everything here emanated magic, and to her it was almost like a scent, a fragrance of everything in bloom, and she inhaled it with a smile.

Of course, some of that "fragrance" was that of actual flowers in bloom; the gardens of this place were as saturated with magic as everything else. She had never seen healthier, more colorful flowers, or eaten more delicious fruits and vegetables than here. And the knowledge! Jaina felt she had learned more in the last eight years than in her entire life-and most of that in the last two, since Archmage Antonidas had formally taken her as his apprentice. Few things contented her more than sitting curled up in the sun with a cold gla.s.s of sweet nectar and a pile of books. Of course, some of the rarer parchments needed to be protected from sunlight and spilled nectar, so the next best thing was sitting inside one of the many rooms, wearing gloves so her hands would not damage the fragile paper, carefully perusing something that was older almost than she could comprehend.

But for now, she just wanted to wander in the gardens, feeling the living earth beneath her feet, smelling the incredible scents, and, when hunger gnawed at her stomach, reaching up and plucking a ripe goldenbark apple warm from the sunlight and crunching it happily.

"In Quel'Thalas," came a smooth, cultured voice, "there are trees that tower over these in a glory of white bark and golden leaves, that all but sing in the evening breezes. I think you would enjoy seeing them someday."

Jaina turned to offer Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider, son to Anasterian, king of the quel'dorei elves, a smile and a deep curtsey. "Your Highness," she said. "I wasn't aware you'd returned. A pleasure. And yes, I'm certain I would."

Jaina was the daughter, if not of royalty, of n.o.bility and of a ruler. Her father, Admiral Daelin Proudmoore, ruled the city-state of Kul Tiras, and Jaina had grown up accustomed to interaction with n.o.bility. And yet, Prince Kael'thas unnerved her. She wasn't quite sure what it was. He was handsome, certainly, with that grace and beauty that all elves possessed. Tall, with hair like spun gold that fell halfway down his back, he always looked to her like a figure out of legend rather than a real, living person. Even though he was currently clad in the simpler violet and gold robes of a mage of Dalaran and not the lavish robes he would wear to official occasions, he never seemed to lose his stiffness. Perhaps that was it-there was a sort of...antiquated formality about him. Too, he was much older than she, though he looked about her age. He was sharply intelligent and an extremely talented and powerful mage, and some of the students whispered that he was one of the Six, the secret members.h.i.+p of the highest ranking magi of Dalaran. So she supposed she wasn't that much of a country b.u.mpkin to find him intimidating.

He reached up and took an apple himself, biting into it. "There is a certain heartiness about food native to human lands that I have come to appreciate." He smiled conspiratorially. "Sometimes elven food, while certainly delicious and attractively presented, leaves one still hungry for something more substantial."

Jaina smiled. Prince Kael'thas always tried so hard to put her at ease. She only wished it worked better. "Few things are nicer than an apple and a slice of Dalaran sharp," she agreed. The silence stretched between then, awkward despite the casualness of the setting and the warmth of the sun. "So, you are back for a while?"

"Yes, my business in Silvermoon has concluded for the time being. So I should not need to depart again anytime soon." He looked at her as he took another bite of the apple, his handsome features schooled to be impa.s.sive. Still, Jaina knew he was waiting for her reaction.

"We are all pleased at your return, Your Highness."

He wagged a finger at her. "Ah, I've told you, I would prefer it if you would simply call me Kael."

"I'm sorry, Kael."

He looked at her and a hint of sorrow pa.s.sed over his perfect features, gone so quickly that Jaina wondered if she had imagined it. "How do your studies progress?"

"Very well," she said, warming to the conversation now that it was back on scholastic ground. "Watch!" She pointed to a squirrel perched in a high branch, nibbling on an apple, and murmured a spell. At once it transformed into a sheep, a look of comical surprise on its face as the branch broke beneath its weight and it started to fall. Immediately Jaina extended a hand and the squirrel-sheep halted in midair. Gently she lowered it unharmed to the ground. It bleated at her, twitching its ears, and after a moment again resumed the shape of a very confused-looking squirrel. It sat on its haunches, chattered at her angrily, then with a flick of its fluffy tail leaped up into the tree again.

Kael'thas chuckled. "Well done! No more setting books on fire, I hope?"

Jaina turned scarlet, remembering the incident. When she'd first arrived, her talent with fire had needed some desperate honing. She'd accidentally incinerated a tome while working with Kael'thas-one he'd actually been holding at the time. He'd responded by insisting that for the next few months, she would need to practice all fire spells in the vicinity of the pools that encircled the prison area. "Er...no, that hasn't happened for a while."

"I'm pleased to hear it. Jaina..." He stepped forward, tossing away the half-eaten apple, smiling gently. "I wasn't making idle conversation when I invited you to come to Quel'Thalas. Dalaran is a marvelous city, and some of the finest magi in Azeroth live here. I know you're learning much. But I think you would enjoy visiting an entire land where magic is so much a part of the culture. Not just a part of the city, or confined to a handful of elite, educated magi. Magic is the birthright of every citizen. We are all embraced by the Sunwell. Surely you must have some curiosity about it yourself?"

She smiled at him. "I do indeed. And I would love to go there someday. But I think for the moment, my studies can be best advanced here." Her smile stretched into a grin. "Where people know what to do when I light books on fire."

He chuckled at that, but his sigh was sad. "Perhaps you are right. And now if you will excuse me-" He gave her a wry grin. "Archmage Antonidas demands a recounting of my time in Silvermoon. Nonetheless, this prince and mage looks deeply forward to more demonstrations of how your training has advanced...and more time spent with you."

Kael'thas placed a hand to his heart and bowed. Not knowing how to respond, Jaina settled for a curtsey, then watched him go, striding through the gardens like the sun, head high, every inch of him exuding confidence and coiled grace. Even the dirt seemed unwilling to cling to his boots and robe hem.

Jaina crunched a final bite of the apple, then she, too, tossed it away. The squirrel she'd polymorphed earlier scurried headfirst down the trunk, to claim a prize more reachable than the apple that still hung on the tree.

A pair of hands abruptly covered her eyes.

She started, but only in mild surprise-no one who posed a threat would be able to breach the powerful wards erected about the magical city.

"Guess who?" a male voice whispered, but still holding tones of mirth. Jaina, her eyes covered, considered, fighting back a smile.

"Hm.... your hands are calloused, so you're not a wizard," she said. "You smell like horses and leather...." Her own small hands brushed feather-light over strong fingers, touching a large ring. She felt the shape of the stone, the design-the seal of Lordaeron.

"Arthas!" she exclaimed, surprise and delight warming her voice as she turned to face him. He uncovered her eyes at once, and grinned down at her. He was less physically perfect than Kael'thas; his hair, like the elven prince's, was blond, but simply yellow rather than looking like spun gold. He was tall and well-built, seeming solid rather than fluidly graceful to her. And despite the fact that he was of a rank equal to Kael'thas-although she wondered if privately Kael doubted that; the elves seemed to think themselves superior to all humans, regardless of rank-there was an ease about him that Jaina responded to immediately.

Decorum returned to her and she dropped a curtsey. "Your Highness, this is an unlooked-for surprise. What are you doing here, if I may ask?" A sudden thought sobered her. "All is well in Capital City, is it not?"

"Arthas, please. In Dalaran, the magi rule, and mere men must give deference." His sea-green eyes twinkled with good humor. "And we are comrades in mischief, after sneaking off to see the internment camps, aren't we?"

She relaxed and smiled. "I suppose we are."

"In answer to your question, everything is just fine. In fact, so little of real import is going on that my father agreed to my request to come here for a few months to study."

"Study? But-you are a member of the Order of the Silver Hand. You're not going to become a mage, are you?"

He laughed and drew her arm through his as they walked back toward the student's quarters. She easily fell in step with him.

"Hardly. Such intellectual dedication is beyond me, I fear. But it did occur to me that one of the best places in Azeroth to learn about history, the nature of magic, and other things a king needs to know about is right here in Dalaran. Fortunately, Father and your archmage agreed."

As he spoke, he covered Jaina's hand, resting on his arm, with his own. It was a friendly and courteous gesture, but Jaina felt a little spark go through her. She glanced up at him. "I'm impressed. The boy who sneaked me out in the middle of the night to go spying on orcs was not quite so interested in history and knowledge."

Arthas chuckled and bent his head conspiratorially down to hers. "Honestly? I'm still not. I mean, I am, but that's not the real reason I came here."

"All right, now I'm confused. Why did did you come to Dalaran then?" They had reached her quarters and she stopped, turning to face him and releasing his arm. you come to Dalaran then?" They had reached her quarters and she stopped, turning to face him and releasing his arm.

He didn't answer at first, merely held her gaze with his and smiled knowingly. Then he took her hand and kissed it-a courtly gesture, one she had experienced many times from many n.o.ble gentlemen. His lips lingered just an instant longer than was strictly proper, and he didn't release her hand at once.

Her eyes widened. Was he implying...had he really contrived to come to Dalaran for a few months-no mean feat, Antonidas was notoriously leery of outsiders-simply...to see her? Before she could recover sufficiently to ask the question, he winked at her and bowed.

"I will see you tonight at dinner, my lady."

The dinner was a formal one. The return of Prince Kael'thas and the arrival of Prince Arthas on the same day had sent those who served the Kirin Tor into a flurry of activity. There was a large dining room that was reserved for special occasions, and it was here that the dinner was hosted.

A table large enough to seat over two dozen stretched from one end of the room to the other. Overhead, three chandeliers twinkled with brightly burning candles, echoed by the candles burning on the table. Sconces along the walls held torches, and to keep the ambiance gentle while still providing sufficient illumination, several globes hovered around the sides of the room, ready to be summoned where a little extra light might be needed. Servants rarely intruded, save to bring out and clear the courses; bottles of wine poured themselves with the flick of a finger. Flute, harp, and lute provided soothing background music, their graceful notes created by magic rather than human hands or breaths of air.

Archmage Antonidas presided in one of his rare appearances. He was a tall man, seeming all the taller because of his extremely thin build. His long beard now had much more gray than brown in it, and his head was completely bald, but his eyes were alert and piercing. Present also was Archmage Krasus, upright and alert, his hair catching the candle-and torchlight to gleam mostly silver, with red and black streaks. Many others were in attendance, all of high rank. Jaina, in fact, was far and away the lowest-ranking person present, and she was the archmage's apprentice.

Jaina came from a military background, and one of the things her father had instilled in her was a solid understanding of her strengths and weaknesses. "It is as much of a mistake to underestimate yourself as to overestimate yourself," Daelin had once told her. "False modesty is as bad as false pride. Know exactly what you are capable of at any moment, and act accordingly. Any other path is folly-and could be deadly in battle."

She knew she was deft in the magical arts. She was intelligent and focused, and had learned much in the short time she had already been here. Surely Antonidas would not take on an apprentice as a charity case. With no sense of the false pride her father had warned her so judiciously about, she understood she had the potential to become a powerful mage. She wanted to succeed on her own merit, not be advanced because an elven prince enjoyed her company. She fought to keep her face from betraying her irritation as she spooned up another mouthful of turtle bisque.

The conversation, not surprisingly as the internment camps were located fairly close to Dalaran, focused on the orcs, although the mage city liked to think itself above such things.

Kael reached a long, elegant hand for another slice of bread and began b.u.t.tering it. "Lethargic or no," he said, "they are dangerous."

"My father, King Terenas, agrees with your a.s.sessment, Prince Kael'thas," Arthas said, smiling charmingly at the elf. "That's why the camps exist. It is unfortunate that they cost so much to maintain, but surely, a little gold is a small price for the safety of the people of Azeroth."

"They are beasts, brutes," said Kael'thas, his normally tenor voice dropping in his disgust. "They and their dragons damaged Quel'Thalas badly. Only the Sunwell's energies prevented them from wreaking even more havoc than they did. You humans could solve the problem of protecting your people without taxing them so severely by simply executing the creatures."

Jaina recalled the one glimpse she had seen of the orcs. They had looked weary to her, broken and dejected. They'd had children with them.

"Have you been to the camps, Prince Kael'thas?" she said tartly, speaking before she could stop herself. "Have you actually seen what they have become?"

Color rose in Kael'thas's cheeks for a moment, but he kept his expression pleasant. "No, Lady Jaina, I have not. Nor do I see any need to. I see what they have done whenever I behold the burned trunks of the glorious trees of my homeland, and pay my respects to those slain in that attack. And surely you have not seen them, either. I cannot imagine that so refined a lady would wish to be given a tour of the camps."

Jaina very carefully did not look at Arthas as she replied, "While His Highness gives me a lovely compliment, I do not think that refinement has any bearing on one's desire to see justice. Indeed, I think it rather more likely that a refined refined individual would not wish to see sentient beings slaughtered like animals." She gave him a pleasant smile and continued eating her soup. Kael'thas gave her a searching look, confused by her reaction. individual would not wish to see sentient beings slaughtered like animals." She gave him a pleasant smile and continued eating her soup. Kael'thas gave her a searching look, confused by her reaction.

"The law is Lordaeron's, and King Terenas may do as he sees fit in his own realm," Antonidas broke in.

"Dalaran and every other Alliance kingdom also must pay for their upkeep," said a mage Jaina did not know. "Surely we have a voice in this, since we are paying for it?"

Antonidas waved a thin hand. "It is not the issue of who pays for the camps, or indeed whether the camps are even necessary. It is this strange lethargy of the orcs that intrigues me. I have researched what little we have on orcish history, and I do not believe it is confinement that renders them so listless. Nor do I believe it is an illness-at least, not one that we need worry about contracting."

Because Antonidas never indulged in idle chatter, everyone stopped their bickering and turned to listen to him. Jaina was surprised. This was the first she had heard from any of the magi regarding the orcish situation at all. She had no doubt that this was a deliberate decision on Antonidas's part to reveal this information at this time. With both Arthas and Kael'thas present, word would travel swiftly throughout Lordaeron and Quel'Thalas. Antonidas did little by accident.

"If it is not an illness, nor a direct result of their internment," Arthas said pleasantly, "then what do you think it is, Archmage?"

Antonidas turned toward the young prince. "It is my understanding that the orcs were not always so bloodthirsty. Khadgar told me what he had learned from Garona, who-"

"Garona was the half-breed who murdered King Llane," Arthas said, all trace of good humor gone. "With all due respect, I do not think we can trust anything such a creature says."

Antonidas lifted up a calming hand, as some of the others began to murmur agreement. "This information came before she turned traitor," he said. "And it has been verified through-other sources." He smiled a little, deliberately refusing to identify what "other sources" he had consulted. "They committed themselves to demonic influence. Their skin turned green, their eyes red. I believe they were saturated with this external darkness by the time of the first invasion. Now they have been cut off from that source of sustenance. I think we are seeing not an illness, but withdrawal. Demonic energy is a potent thing. To be denied it would have dire consequences."

Kael'thas waved a hand dismissively. "Even if such a theory is correct, why should we care about them? They were foolish enough to trust demons. They were thoughtless enough to permit themselves to become addicted to these corruptive energies. I, for one, do not think it is wise to 'help' them find a cure for this addiction, even if it could return them to a peaceful state. Right now, they are powerless and crushed. It is how I-and anyone in his right mind-prefer to see them, after what they have done to us."

"Ah, but if they can be returned to a peaceful state, then we will not have to keep them locked up in the camps, and the money can be distributed elsewhere," Antonidas said mildly, before the entire table could erupt in argument. "I'm sure King Terenas does not levy these fees simply to line his own pockets. How does does your father fare, Prince Arthas? And your family? I regret that I was unable to attend your initiation ceremony, but I hear it was quite the event." your father fare, Prince Arthas? And your family? I regret that I was unable to attend your initiation ceremony, but I hear it was quite the event."

"Stormwind was most gracious to me," Arthas said, smiling warmly and digging into the second course of delicately broiled trout served with sauteed greens. "It was good to see King Varian again."

"His lovely queen has recently provided him with an heir, I understand."

"Indeed. And if the way little Anduin grips my finger is any indication of how he'll grip a sword one day, he'll make a fine warrior."

"While we all pray your coronation day is many years distant, I daresay that a royal wedding would be welcomed," Antonidas continued. "Have any young ladies caught your eye, or are you still Lordaeron's most eligible bachelor?"

Kael'thas turned his attention to his plate, but Jaina knew he was following the conversation keenly. She kept her own face carefully composed.

Arthas did not look in her direction as he laughed and reached for the wine. "Ah, that would be telling, would it not? And where's the fun in that? There's plenty of time left for such things."

Mixed feelings washed over Jaina. She was a little disappointed, but also somewhat relieved. Perhaps it was best if she and Arthas remained only friends. After all, she had come here to learn how to be the most accomplished mage she could become, not flirt. A student of magic needed to be disciplined, to be logical, not emotional. She had duties, and needed to perform them with her full attention.