Chapter 10 Chapter nine

Jaina paddled the boat steadily, her mind full of thoughts.There are some troubles in Thrall's heart, which are more important than the current situation.He was an intelligent and capable leader with a great mind and a big heart.But Jaina was convinced that his acquiescence to the brutal attack in Ashenvale would do no good.He may have won the favor of the people, but he has damaged relations with the Alliance - even if they are already bad.She can only hope that he can find out who is behind the scenes as soon as possible and bring him to justice.It would be terrible if it happened a second time.

She stopped at the pier, tied the boat, and walked in the direction of the fort in thought.She worries about his relationship with the tribe.In all the years I've known Thrall, he's never been so... unsure of his power over the Horde.His decision to follow up events shocked her.Thrall had no intention of condemning such indiscriminate violence from the bottom of his heart.So why would he do it publicly? She forced a smile at the guard, climbed up the magic tower and walked towards her private room.Apparently Varian is still lamely trying to meld his dual identities.If only he could experience a period of peace, but unfortunately fate is not destined to be like this.The Alliance was in an all-out war against the man who had been her childhood confidant but had slaughtered tens of thousands of lives - if he could even be called a human being at all.As for young Anduin?He is a keen and intelligent capable young man.But he needs a father, someone who actually looks like a father.

A cheerful fire was burning in the fireplace when she entered the living room.It was mid-afternoon, so she wasn't surprised that the servants had set out the tea service. But what surprised her was to see a blond teenager with a teacup and saucer on his lap turning around and grinning mischievously at her. "Hi, Aunt Jaina," he said, "Your hearthstone is very useful." "Hello, Anduin!" Although Jaina was taken aback, she felt happy in her heart. "Didn't we just meet a few days ago!" "I warned you that you could see me at any moment," he replied jokingly.

"Ah, lucky me then." Jaina stepped forward to tousle his hair before pouring herself a cup of tea by the cupboard. "Why are you wearing such an ugly cloak?" Anduin asked. "Oh, uh," Jaina replied, a little caught off guard, "I don't want to draw attention to myself. I'm sure you often don't want to be recognized when you're out riding or whatever." "It doesn't matter," Anduin said. "Besides, I'm not going somewhere to go on a secret date with an orc." Jaina turned sharply, splashing the tea in her hand. "How do you—"

"Oh yeah!" Anduin looked overjoyed, "I guessed right! You're out to meet Thrall!" Jaina sighed and began to wipe the water stains from her robes, but she was wearing old and dirty clothes instead of the clean clothes she usually wore. "For your own good, Anduin, you are too perceptive." Anduin suddenly became serious, "That's why I've lived until now." He said matter-of-factly.Jaina felt a jerk for the kid, but he wasn't seeking pity. "I have to admit, I'm a little surprised you went to see him. I mean, I overheard the Sentinels say that the attack was pretty brutal. Not something Thrall would allow."

She took a few steps towards the fire with her teacup in hand, and sat down in her chair. "Because he didn't allow it." "So he's going to make a public apology and hand over the killer?" Jaina shook her head. "No. An apology is fine—but only for breaking the treaty itself. Not how it was broken." Anduin's face fell. "But ... if he's not responsible for it and doesn't think it's a good thing - then why wouldn't he? How would you earn trust if you didn't?" Yes, how can it be?Jaina thought about it, but didn't say it. "One of the things you have to learn, Anduin, is that sometimes you can't do what you want. Not even what you think is right—at least not right away. Thrall certainly doesn't want to go to war with the Alliance .He wants to cooperate to achieve a win-win situation. But - the Horde and the Alliance think differently in many ways, and only leaders who demonstrate authority and strength can completely rule them."

Anduin frowned and sipped his tea. "Sounds like Rakesh," he muttered. "Ruthless with an iron fist. Yes, that side of your father fits the Horde way of thinking," Jaina says. "It's one of the reasons he was so beloved by audiences during his short... er... career as a gladiator." "So Thrall can't take the risk of publicly condemning the attack now, do you mean that?" Anduin took a bite of a small biscuit smeared with cream and jam.For a moment, Jaina almost forgot about the possibility of war, happily wondering if there were enough pastries and sandwiches to satisfy a growing boy.Now feeding Anduin's little belly is her main concern.

"Basically that's what happened." She didn't intend to elaborate, but simply added, "but I know he's not behind it, and I know he's equally horrified." "Then... do you think he will allow similar incidents to happen again?" This is a serious question that requires a serious and thoughtful answer.So she thought about it carefully. "No," she finally replied, "it's just my opinion, but . Anduin drank it all down, then went to the cupboard and poured himself another, filling his plate with cupcakes and sandwiches. "You're right, Aunt Jaina," he said softly, "sometimes you can't do what you want. You have to wait until the time comes and you get enough support."

Jaina chuckled to herself.The child in front of him had temporarily assumed the throne when he was ten years old.Yes, he had a wise advisor, Lord Bolvar Fordragon, but Jaina knew full well that he had overcome many challenges himself.Maybe he hasn't faced Thrall's current choice, but he must be able to understand it. Jaina found herself missing the wisdom and sarcasm of Astral Mage Aegwynn again.She hoped that the Great Lady, provided the Guardian of Risfal was still alive, would give her wise and sometimes bitter advice.If it were Aegwynn, what would she do to this kind but too serious young man by the fireplace in front of her?

A smile played on Jaina's lips.She knew what Aegwynn would do to liven up the atmosphere. "Now, Anduin," Jaina said, almost as if the wise old woman was still in the room. "Tell me all the court scandals you know." "Gossip?" Anduin looked confused, "I don't know anything about it." Jaina shrugged. "Then make some." When Anduin returned to Stormwind City, it was three minutes later than dinner time, and when he appeared in the room, he found that Will had already taken out his clothes for him.He quickly picked up the water in the basin and washed his face, put on dinner clothes and rushed downstairs to see his father.

There was a dining room in Stormwind Keep that could accommodate large banquets, but the two of them ate their everyday meals in Varian's private chambers.The few meals they had together in the past had been stiff and awkward.Lagash's shadow lingers between the two.But at this moment, when Anduin sat in the chair and reached for the napkin, he saw across the long table that his father no longer had the same resentment and haze that blinded his heart before.When he visited Jaina, Varian was able to clear his mind, to... get away from his worries, even for a little while. When he looked at his father, there was no Lakash in his eyes, only a man with slight wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.This is not war, but the traces left by years and exhaustion.He saw in his father the weight of the crown, the pressure of making countless decisions every day.He didn't feel pity for his father—Varian didn't need pity from anyone else—but pity of understanding. Varian looked up and smiled wearily at his son. "Good evening, boy, how's your day? Anything fun?" "Actually, yes," said Anduin, scooping up a spoonful of the rich, fatty turtle soup. "I went to see Jaina with the hearthstone that Aunt Jaina gave her." "Really?" Varian's blue eyes lit up curiously. "How does it feel? Did you learn anything?" Anduin shrugged, feeling suddenly puzzled.At that time, I seemed to think it was very interesting, but now when I want to tell my father in detail... Uh, it seems that the main thing is to drink tea. "We chatted for a while, and then, uh... drank tea." "Tea?" "Drink tea," Anduin replied alertly, "Theramore is cold and wet. There is nothing wrong with drinking tea and eating a bag." Varian shook his head, and picked up a slice of bread and cheese. "No, no problem. She must have treated you well. So have you talked about the current situation?" Anduin felt his face heat up.He didn't want to betray Jaina, even if it was just casually.But he also didn't want to lie to his father. "Talk about it." His keen gaze swept across Anduin's face.Rakesh wasn't fully present, but Anduin felt he wasn't completely absent either. "Have you seen the orc?" "No." At least he can answer this question honestly.He stirred the soup in the bowl and suddenly lost his appetite. "Ah, but Jaina saw it." "I didn't say—" "It's okay. I know she and Thrall are good friends. I also know Jaina would never betray the Alliance." Anduin snapped, "No, she definitely won't. Absolutely." "You... agree with her, don't you? For the orcs and the Horde." "I... Father, we just lost so many lives," Anduin blurted out, putting down his spoon and watching Varian. "You heard Archbishop Benedictus, too. Nearly fifty thousand people. I know a lot of people died at the hands of the Horde, but there were many who didn't, and the Horde lost a lot too. They're not enemies, they—" "Those orcs did what they did to the Sentinels. I don't know what other words could be used to describe this kind of people—this kind of thing." "I think--" "Oh, Thrall has written back. He denounced the breach of the treaty, and assured me he doesn't want it to happen again. But what happened to the elves? Nothing. If he is like you and Jaina thinks it's so civilized, so why is he silent about such a cruel act?" Anduin looked at his father sadly.He couldn't tell what he knew, and if he could, it was only hearsay.He wondered if he really understood politics.Jaina, Aegwynn, even his father praised his insight, but he was puzzled by—well, many, many things.He relied more on intuition than logic, and neither Varian nor Rakesh believed in intuition.He just felt from the bottom of his heart that Thrall was not the kind of person Varian saw.But he couldn't explain it clearly. Varian watched his son keenly, then sighed to himself.He liked Jaina and respected her, but she wasn't a fighter.He was not, as Anduin thought, opposed to peaceful coexistence with his old enemy.His agreement to the peace treaty from the start is the best proof.However, the safety of the people comes first.Only a fool would risk being chopped off at the wrist to extend the hand of friendship. Anduin was not cowardly.He's proven time and time again that he's tough in situations that would scare or despair someone twice his age.But he was kind of... Varian was looking for the right word: tenderness.Although his archery and dagger throwing skills are quite good, he is not good at fighting with heavy weapons.Perhaps if he was allowed to learn more about the skills and spirit of a warrior, he would be less inclined to be gentle, courteous and humble, such gentle feelings that might kill people on the battlefield. "I'm glad you learned something from this visit to Jaina." He finished his soup, wiped the bowl with another slice of bread, and nodded to the waiter to take away the bowl and cutlery. "I think it's good." Anduin looked up at him.Varian noticed with some pain that the boy's expression was wary and guarded. "But?" Anduin replied muffled. Varian had to smile. "But," he emphasized the word again. "I thought it would be a good idea for you to hang out somewhere else. With someone other than me and Jaina." The guarded expression turned into curiosity. "what do you mean?" "I mean Magni? Bronzebeard," Varian said. "You like him, don't you?" Anduin suddenly relaxed. "Very much. I like dwarves, I admire their courage and tenacity." "Well, would you like to go to Ironforge and spend some time with him? You haven't been there long, and I think now is the time. The dwarves—except the Dark Iron dwarves, of course—are with us There's a close connection. Magni likes you a lot, and I'm sure he'd love to teach you a lot. And, if you want to come back and be with your lonely old dad, it's not too far away." Anduin finally laughed, and Varian felt better.What a great idea. "The Mineway Metro will take me straight back to Stormwind," he agreed. "Exactly," Varian said. "So we're done?" "Yeah, that sounds like fun, really," said Anduin. "I've always wanted to go to Ironforge and learn about the League of Explorers and their most valuable collections. Maybe I'll even have a chat with some of the members." .” The waiters brought in the second course, roast venison smothered in a rich sauce.Anduin moved his knife and fork, apparently returning to his appetite that Varian had quelled earlier. If the kid wanted to study at the League of Explorers, Varian wouldn't stop him.It's a great hobby for a future king.But he would also send Magni a secret letter emphasizing the need for intensive combat training for Anduin.Magni would understand.Varian himself had been trained in combat by the dwarves, and he knew that the same training would benefit his son.Perhaps it will help to train this promising but too weak boy into a man. Starting from this chapter, the translated name of Garrosh Hellscream is used in the national server.