Chapter 19 Chapter Eighteen

The weeks passed slowly.Varian insisted that Anduin stay in Ironforge. "You now have an opportunity to help the people of Ironforge," Varian said, "and you've made some good friends here. And the fact that the Prince of Stormwind is staying here to tide us over shows how much we value the dwarves. I know it's not a pleasant place to be here at the moment, but it's not like everything goes your way as a king." Anduin nodded in agreement, and returned to Ironforge immediately after the conversation was over.He knew his father was right, and he really wanted to help.

And he knew that it would be for the best for everyone if either Muradin or Brann came back to replace their ill-fated brother. As soon as possible. He continued to speak with Rohan and trained with several of Magni's guards.One day, when he was with the high priest, Will came running to him, out of breath and with sore legs. "Your Highness! Come!" Anduin stood up immediately. "What's going on? What happened?" "I-I don't know," the old servant gasped, "the throne hall summons...you two..." Rohan and Anduin looked at each other, then got up and walked over quickly.Anduin couldn't help but wonder if Muradin or Brann had finally returned to take the throne.The thought brought relief to him, and a sting at the same time that this had to happen.Yet this was what Magni hoped for.He tried his best not to run.

He turned the corner, and finally couldn't help but trot for the last few steps. Then he stopped abruptly, unable to believe his eyes. Neither Muradin nor Brian Bronzebeard was called back to Ironforge to take the throne, but another Bronzebeard came back. Advisor Belgram stood there motionless, and if it wasn't for his wide-eyed vigilant eyes, he would have turned into a diamond statue like Magni.The bodyguards who had always been close to protecting Magni on weekdays gathered together, looking confused and sad.Their places were now taken by another group of Dwarves, with thick black beards and gray skin and armor.They have weapons in their hands.But Anduin only gave them a quick glance.His eyes were fixed on a young dwarf woman.

She was lovely, with auburn hair tied neatly in a bun on either side of her head.She is well-dressed but slightly old-fashioned, and she holds a small boy on her lap.Anduin was sure he'd never seen her, but it felt oddly familiar.And she was sitting on Magni Bronzebeard's throne now. "Ah, High Priest Rohan," said the stranger, smiling, in a sweet, mellow voice. "It's great to see you again. This young human must be Prince Anduin? Wrynn. You are such a polite young man who was summoned so quickly. Your royal father took you Well brought up. Oh, we haven't had an introduction yet, have we?"

He smiled, and there was an almost imperceptible twinkle in her eye. "I am Moira? Queen Bronzebeard." Anduin couldn't believe his ears and eyes.But now that Moira had announced her name, he could see the resemblance between her and Magni.Anduin understood now why no one had come forward to question her, even though she had brought these dark iron dwarves with twinkling eyes and gray skin.Her claim is legitimate - she is the sole heir to the throne, with her son next in line.Others have nothing to do. And... have they ever planned to do something?Anduin thought, after the initial shock had passed.She was Magni's daughter after all.The Bronzebeard family once again sat on the throne of Ironforge.Now that Anduin had somewhat recovered his senses, he bowed to her, which was completely in line with the standard of a prince saluting to someone of the same status.The heir belonged to the heir, and no matter what Moira herself said, she hadn't been crowned king after all.For now, she is just a princess, equal to him.

Her red-brown eyebrows twitched slightly, then she tilted her head.She didn't owe her the gift.Anduin understood now. "It was a long time ago that I lived within these walls," she said, "and it was a foolish thing for my dear late father to have quarreled with me. I was married to an emperor, no doubt Disgrace to the name of the Bronzebeard family. This child—Dagran Thaurissan is named after his father, grandson of Magni Bronzebeard, heir to both kingdoms." She shook the boy , sincere love was revealed on the indifferent face. "After such a long time, the black iron and the bronze beard - the two proud nations will be united by this little boy." She raised her head, and the flash of maternal love on her face was replaced by a cunning falsehood pretend. "Isn't this beautiful, Rohan? You are a dwarf of peace, a priest of the Light. You will rejoice at the new age you are about to witness!"

Rohan replied politely, "Indeed, Your Highness. I—" "It's Your Majesty." It was that cold smile again.Anduin felt a chill run down his spine. Rohan expressed his disapproval with a fitting hesitation. "Your Majesty. Peace is certainly a worthwhile goal." The old clergyman was obviously a good politician too.This answer is watertight. Moira turned her gaze to Anduin, her smile deepening.Anduin thought she looked like a fox about to pounce on a rabbit. "As for Anduin," she said, almost contentedly, "we will undoubtedly become close friends! The two royal children will meet in Ironforge. I am very interested in getting to know you! You must stay here For a while, so we can get to know each other better."

"Father wants me to stay in Ironforge until a suitable heir to the throne is found." Anduin replied, trying to keep his tone as calm and polite as possible.This is mostly true. "This solemn mission is now at an end, and other duties await me at home." Her smile was unmoved. "Oh no, I can't imagine such a disappointment. I'm sure your father will understand." "I believe--" She raised a hand imperiously. "I don't want to hear it, Prince Anduin. You are my guest, and you are not allowed to return to Stormwind until we have a long chat." She smiled and nodded, as if everything was a foregone conclusion.

Anduin felt a twinge in his heart, realizing that this was indeed the case. He muttered a few words of polite flattery, and she waved him off.He walked out of the hall with Belgram and Rohan.Anduin was still a little confused. "Is...is this...a coup d'état?" he asked in a low voice. "It's perfectly legal and public," Belgram said, "and in the absence of a male heir, the legal female heir is entitled to the throne. Moira has priority even over Muradin and Brann, because she is the direct heir." Since this is a legitimate request, it is not considered a coup."

"But...she has a bad relationship with Magni. And they are Dark Iron dwarves!" Anduin tried hard to understand the situation. "Well, Magni never disowned her, boy," said Rohan. "He always wanted her to come home, and even he—well, that's all in the past. Though I'm sure if he saw He'd be furious to see Dark Iron dwarves haunt his city. But they're our cousins... maybe that's a good thing—" His words came to an abrupt end.They have come to the Great Forge from the Throne Hall.Shortly after Magni's funeral, the forge was up and running again.Right there, griffins fly in and out of Ironforge.

Only... now they're all gone. The same goes for flight controllers.There used to be a few griffins waiting to send riders to various parts of the Eastern Kingdoms, but now there are only straw-covered perches standing there empty.Anduin looked around, just in time to see an animal's tail and lion-like back half disappearing in the direction of the gate.Anduin rushed over without even thinking about it, ignoring the voice behind him telling him to stop. He caught up with a flight master leading a griffin out into the cold and snow. "Grice!" he yelled, putting his hands on the dwarf's broad shoulders. "What's going on? Why are the griffins gone?" Grace Thurden turned to stare at Anduin, frowning. "Better not to get too close, boy, or you'll get sick!" Normally this would be a worrisome warning, but the sneer in Grice's voice sounded like a bad bad joke. "What?" Anduin was not sure if it was a prank, and squinted at the griffin. "Well, its wings look injured, but it doesn't look sick..." "Oh, no, no, they're very sick!" said Grice, rolling his eyes hard. "At least, that's what our new Queen's black thugs say. Looks like they're all very sick. And Or contagious disease! Everyone will be infected - think about it! Dwarves, humans, elves, gnomes, and even those draenei who don't belong to this world at all! What a powerful disease! They have to be isolated for months ...no more griffin flights in and out. This griffin didn't like the Dark Iron dwarves and bit one of them. Got a little damage to the wing. The other griffins have flown to their The new cages are gone. God knows how long it will take for them to come back." "But—you know that's not true!" Anduin blurted out. Grace turned slowly to face him. "Of course not," he said, his voice low and exasperated. "And that fake queen is stupid enough to think we're all going to believe it. But what can I do? Moira doesn't want the griffins to keep flying, and if I hadn't protested, those black iron bastards would have killed the animal on the spot Yes. At least they can still save their lives. If they don’t fly for the time being, they won’t fly until the situation returns to normal. Holy light blesses them, it’s better soon.” Anduin watched them continue down the road outside Ironforge.He wondered with some disquiet whether the animals were really being sent to quarantine or simply killed.He stretched out a trembling hand to wipe his forehead, which was damp with sweat despite the cold outside. Belgram and Rohan caught up.They looked anxious, and they were accompanied by a dwarf with a sad expression. "The griffins are quarantined," Anduin said in a muffled voice. "It seems that they are all very sick, and the disease is contagious." "Oh, is it?" Rohan replied with an angry face. "So maybe a sick griffin ruined the mine subway?" "What?" Anduin shuddered, and then hugged his arms tightly.As they walked back, he was pretty sure he was just shivering from the cold.At least he hoped so. The gnome spoke up, "They said the Mineway subway was 'unsafe' and decided to stop it until it was overhauled. But there's nothing unsafe about it! It's in great condition! I work on the subway every day, so I'll know what's wrong!" "Unsafe subways and unhealthy griffins," Anduin said with narrowed eyes, "the way to leave this city..." Rohan showed an angry expression, "Yes, we noticed that too. But there are other ways—" "What do you think you're doing, rude fellow?" the shrill voice of a female dwarf suddenly rang out. "Indeed it is!" echoed another dwarf's voice. "We are good citizens with a reputation!" It was a male midget.Anduin was familiar with both voices.He and his companions exchanged an anxious look, and they walked towards the civilian area at a faster pace. Four Dark Iron dwarves gripped the arms of two dwarfs, both of whom struggled in protest, loudly expressing their grief. "Bink and Tink," said Anduin, thinking of the sibling mages. "Let them go!" Several Ironforge guards ran forward with tomahawks and shields. "This is Her Majesty's order," a Dark Iron dwarf roared, "We will not harm them." His voice was low and menacing, and Anduin immediately thought, Liar! "We're just taking them to ask about suspicious things, that's all." No, that's not the case, Anduin understood.The Dark Irons took the gnomes because they were mages... mages could open portals out of Ironforge.And Moira didn't want anyone leaving Ironforge. "She is not our queen, at least not yet," the Ironforge guard replied, his voice low but dangerous. "Let go. Let go. He. They." In reply, the Dark Iron dwarf who had spoken earlier pushed Dink to his companion, drew his sword and rushed forward. It's too late to say it.The Dark Iron Dwarves and Bronzebeard Dwarves seemed to pop out from all directions at once, and the resentment, fear and anger that had been simmering for a long time were boiling for a while.The air was no longer filled with the clang of hammers and anvils, but with angry shouts and the clash of metal.Anduin rushed forward, but a powerful hand grabbed his arm and dragged him back. "No, boy! It is the dwarf's own business!" cried Rohan.He stepped forward and raised his arms high, praying aloud to bring peace to those around him. "Put down your arms! No more dwarven cannibalism in Ironforge!" "Stop! Guardsmen of Ironforge! Stop!" Thankfully, the heavily accented voice, accustomed to commanding obedience, belonged to Angus Stonehammer, Captain of the Ironforge Guard.He led a few guards under him, with firm and angry expressions in his eyes, and quickly rushed to the conflict site. The guards were all well-trained, and they were ordered to stop in the blink of an eye.They jumped back a few steps in a defensive stance, but did not attack.The dark iron dwarves continued to attack for a while, but finally stopped.In the chaos, no one paid any attention to the two dwarfs. They hurried to Anduin and Belgram, and stood next to them in fear. Stone Hammer continued to lecture, while Rohan hurried forward to treat the wounded.Anduin saw that there were quite a few dwarves who were injured, whether black iron or copper beard, and some of them were seriously injured.Despite the scorching heat in this place, Anduin couldn't help shivering, wondering if he was witnessing the beginning of a second dwarven civil war. "Guardians!" the captain yelled, "Moira is heir to the throne until someone better comes along. You have to respect her, and those she has chosen to protect her! Understand?" "Yes," the group mumbled in unison, some of them sounding rather strained. "And you!" Stonehammer pointed a stubby finger at the Dark Iron dwarves, "You can't just drag away the law-abiding citizens. The laws here must be obeyed. I don't think you're even right Prosecute these little ones. We defend the people of Ironforge and enforce its laws. Whoever sits on the throne!" The Dark Iron dwarves writhed uneasily.Anduin smiled wryly, but there was a glimmer of hope in his heart.It's one thing to shut down Ironforge, kill or threaten flying mounts.Arresting citizens for no reason without going through the legal process is another matter.Moira might be able to carry out some of her plans—Anduin guessed that mail and other means of communication with the outside world would be cut off—but she didn't anticipate the formidable guts and will of the Ironforge dwarves. The Dark Iron dwarf glared at the gnomes, growling and nodding. "You say the law, so be with you," roared one of them. "We'll obey it. Because, you know, Her Majesty is the rightful heir. And you'll soon find out what that really means." .” He spat at the feet of the other dwarves, and turned away with his companions.Anduin watched them go.He should have felt relieved, but inside he didn't feel it.The conflict was far from over, and he feared that until it was settled, the blood of the dwarves in Ironforge would be like molten iron in the great forge—rivers of blood.