Chapter 32 Chapter Thirty-One

"Anduin!" When the boy suddenly appeared in the secret hall, Rohan watched him, his voice full of warmth and surprise. "We heard you escaped. What are you doing here?" Anduin walked out of the portal and quickly squatted into a corner of the hall.Rohan followed and whispered eagerly. "Moira is furious about you. She's searched this twice, and has her lackeys scouring every inch of Ironforge. She didn't say anything, of course, but we can guess Find out who she is looking for." "I have to come back," Anduin said in a low voice. "My father is launching a raid on Ironforge, and I have to stop him. He plans to kill Moira. He thinks she's a usurper .”

Rohan's white eyebrows were tightly frowned, "But she is not a usurper. She is a king of injustice, it is true, and she arrests innocent people indiscriminately. But she is the rightful heir, and so is her little baby." .” "Exactly," Anduin said.He was grateful that Rohan understood him. "What she did was wrong, that's for all to see. She wants me under house arrest. She has no intention of letting me go. But that doesn't mean my father the king can kill her. It's not what he should do, It'll just piss off the dwarves and create another civil war. Besides, some of what she wants to do is right."

"How do you know? Are you sure the news is accurate?" Anduin didn't want to involve Jaina, so he just nodded. "The Holy Light guides me, Father Rohan, I firmly believe that what I say is true." "Well, you're a prince, not a lowly priest like me. If you think that's true, I believe it. You're right. Murdering our leaders is not the right thing to do... And some of what she said was popular. I'll help you, kid. What do you need me to do?" Anduin realized he hadn't thought this far. "Well," he began, "I know Father is coming from the mine tunnel. I don't know when he'll get here. We should try to stop him."

"Well," said Rohan, "it is always so. Easier said than done. You are a child, but not of dwarf stature. And the Dark Irons are looking for you." "We'll just have to be careful," Anduin said, "and I'll have to crouch a bit. Come on!" The King of Stormwind crawled out of the rails of the mine subway with eighteen assassins. When they climbed onto the platform, they encountered several dark iron dwarves.It was a one-sided battle, and the SI7 squad took out Moira's guards quickly and ruthlessly.The fight drew some attention, and a small crowd, mostly gnomes, gathered around.They stared at the group of men and women wearing masks and black leather armor, wondering whether they were saviors or new enemies.

"Don't worry," Gradock reassured them. "We're here to deal with Moira and her lackeys, not the good folk of Ironforge." The gathered gnomes cheered. They moved forward quickly, heading straight for the Hall of Explorers.It was always quiet in there at this time of night.From there, there is a shortcut through the Forge to the Throne Hall.The dwarf named Brink went to scout around and came back to report. "Twenty-three," he said hoarsely, "ten of them are Black Iron Guardsmen." "Only ten? I thought it would be more," said Gradock. "Let's go."

As a result, Anduin no longer had to squat and walk.A priestess skilled in alchemy agreed to make him a potion of invisibility. "It won't last long," she warned, "and it will taste terrible." "I can run fast," Anduin assured her.He took the vial and lifted the cap, then coughed from the unpleasant smell.The priestess was right - it did smell bad. "One mouthful!" he said, bringing the bottle to his lips. "Wait, boy," said Rohan, "what's going on out there..." There was a commotion in the square outside.Some guards were running around, their faces more ugly than usual.

"Oh, I hope no one sees you," Rohan whispered.A guard trotted toward the arcane hall, and Anduin crouched back into the shadows, ready to swallow the potion if necessary. "Healers! Come on, you're needed!" "What's the matter?" Rohan said, pretending to have just woken up from a sleep. "There was a fight in the mine tunnel subway," said the black iron guard. "Really?" Rohan deliberately raised his voice so that Anduin could hear him. "How many people? Is the situation under control?" "About ten, no, it looks like there's a fight over there too. Take all your priests! Immediately!"

Rohan turned his head and took a quick look apologetically, then packed his things and left quickly with the other priests.Anduin was left alone now. "Too late," he muttered to himself.If Varian and his assassination team had reached the cauldron— He pursed his lips tightly, lifted the bottle to his mouth and drank it down, grimacing at the bad taste. Then Anduin Wrynn ran as fast as he could toward the throne room, Moira... and his father. At first the guards were silently killed.The assassination team stopped, taking a breather in the shadows.Across the Forge is the Throne Hall...with a few Dark Iron dwarves standing in the way.

"We split into two teams. You guys," Gradock pointed to nine of his men, "follow me. We'll take out the guards in the Forge. The rest follow Varian. Take him to the Moira. Got it?" They all nodded.Strangely enough, none of them seemed nervous.Brink even yawned and stretched in Varian's face.Varian guessed it was routine for them, like he spent his days slaughtering enemies twice his size in his gladiator "job." "That's good. Let's get to work." So without another word, the first team rushed forward.After hours of fighting side by side tonight, Varian's eyes were used to making out their silhouettes, yet he couldn't help blinking as they disappeared into the shadows.Then the screams began—the assassins slit the throats of their enemies, picked up the stunned dwarves, and threw them into pools of molten metal.

"Quick, go!" Brink touched Varian's thigh with his elbow.No more urging was needed.His squad sprinted along the furnace at full speed.The black iron guards deployed there greeted him halfway, and let out a challenging roar.After a night of stealth, Varian was delighted to finally be able to go head-to-head one-on-one.With a loud shout, he rushed eagerly at the first enemy.The two swords collided with the ax and shield, making a clanging sound, sparks sparked in the dim light.Varian had to admit that the Dark Iron Dwarf was no ordinary person.He parried four of Varian's blows, until finally the king dodged a counterattack and thrust a sword through the gap between his arm and his breastplate.

He whirled around, swung his sword flat to the ground, and pierced another guard's armor.The fellow howled in pain and fell to his knees.Varian kicked him right in the face, and cut his head off at the shoulder with another blow.He didn't even look at the head that fell to the ground, but looked for the next target with his eyes. His squad had entered the Throne Hall, quickly and relentlessly taking out any resistance within.Of course, Moira wasn't sitting on the throne she had stolen at this point.She was supposed to be asleep with her pup in some private room in the back hall. Varian charged forward, all he could think of was the false queen's door.He leaned over to the door, slamming it sideways with the shoulder of his plate armor.The door didn't break open.So he slammed down one after another, and the other two assassins joined in, shouldering the door. The door burst open.They fell in half-rushed, half-down, and were immediately attacked.Varian heard a woman screaming and a baby crying in terror.He didn't pay much attention, but swung his swords at the two dwarves rushing towards him.Immediately they fell, blood spattering all over him.One of his swords was lodged in a dwarf's belly, and Varian made a quick attempt to free it, then let go and dropped the weapon.He turned around, holding the remaining sword in both hands, looking for his prey. Moira Bronzebeard stood on the bed in her nightgown, with disheveled hair, staring in horror.Varian pulled off the mask that covered the lower half of his face, and Moira recognized him and gasped in horror.Varian came to her in two strides, grabbed her arm and dragged him off the bed.Moira struggled, but his hands were like iron shackles on her upper arms. He dragged her out of the room, paying no attention to her stumbling steps.A crowd had begun to gather in the clearing in front of the cauldron, and Varian dragged her forward, then shoved her roughly in front of her with one hand. His other hand pressed the sword against the bloodless skin of her throat. "Look at the usurper!" Varian yelled, his voice echoing in the open space.At this moment his identity is no longer a secret. "Magni Bronzebeard shed tears for this rebellious woman. How it would grieve him to see his beloved daughter do so to his city, to his people!" People were dumbfounded.Not even the Dark Iron dwarves dared move, for their queen was in danger. "This is not your throne. And you have gained it through lies and intrigue. You have threatened your innocent subjects and used intimidation to take titles that are not yours. I cannot sit by for a moment while you continue to steal on the throne!" "Father!" The sound pierced through the boundless anger in Varian's heart, and for a moment his sharp sword around Moira's neck was shaken.He opened his mouth to answer, but never took his eyes off the dwarf in his hand. "You shouldn't be here, Anduin. Go away. This is not your place." "But this is where I should be!" The voice came closer, coming towards him through the crowd.Moira looked away from Varian, perhaps to his son.But she wasn't trying to beg for aid.Perhaps it was because she knew that any movement other than a glance would cause the sword to slit her pale throat. "You sent me here! You wanted me to know the dwarves, and I did. I know Magni well, and I was there when Moira came. I saw the chaos she caused. I And saw people take up arms against her and it almost turned into a civil war. But no matter what you think of her, she is indeed the legitimate heir!" "Her blood may be legitimate," Varian snapped, "but her mind isn't. Magni always thought she was cursed, son. She wants you under house arrest. And she's got a bunch of people arrested for no reason. " He held Moira tightly, and turned his head slightly, "She's not fit to be a leader! She'll just destroy everything Magni worked for! He... everything he sacrificed for!" Anduin stepped forward, holding out a hand beseechingly. "She's not under any spell, Father. Magni refuses to believe the truth—he drove Moira away because she wasn't the male heir." Varian's thick black brows furrowed. "You are insulting a noble dead man, Anduin." Anduin didn't flinch. "His Holiness also makes mistakes," he went on to defend.His father's face darkened, and he knew he didn't need to say anything more. "Moira was approved by the Dark Iron dwarves. She fell in love, had a marriage in keeping with their national tradition, and she bore him a child. She was the rightful heir of the dwarves. It should be them, not It's up to us to decide whether to accept her." "She's holding you hostage, Anduin!" Varian's voice boomed, and Anduin flinched slightly. "You are my son! She will not be allowed to go unpunished! I will not allow her to imprison you and the whole city. Never, understand?" His son, his handsome son... it was hard to resist the thought of yelling and slitting the usurper's throat.It's hard to resist the joy of feeling the blood on your hands.To eradicate forever the threat to his son.He can do it.He can do it all.And how he longed to do it. "Then let her face the law for her deeds, and face her people. Father—you are a king, a wise king, a man who wants to do justice. You believe in law and justice. You're not the kind...the kind of person who lynches indiscriminately. Destroy..." Anduin paused, a strange and calm expression appeared on his young face, as if he had remembered something. "Destruction is easy. Creating something good, right, and lasting—that's hard. Killing her couldn't be easier. But you have to figure out what's best for the people of Ironforge. Yes Dwarves—the best of all dwarves. Is it wrong for the dwarves to decide how much they want to be involved in international politics? Is it wrong to associate with the Dark Iron dwarves if they are willing to accept it?" The crowd started whispering.Varian flaked his nostrils and looked around.Then Rohan cleared his throat, "The child is right, Your Majesty. There is wisdom in Moira's words. The way she conducts things these days—stupid. But she is our princess after all. Once legal After she ascends the throne, she will be our queen." "If Moira dies without a clear heir, civil war will break out!" Anduin continued. "Do you think this is the best outcome for the dwarves? Do you think this is what Magni wants?" Want it? That might bring Stormwind into the fray too—and maybe night elves and gnomes. Can you make decisions for them too?" Varian's hand was trembling slightly now, and the blade of the short sword sliced ​​through Moira's neck, causing her to scream, and a drop of blood stained the blade. You're not one of those... people who lynch indiscriminately. Destruction comes easily. I do want to do the right thing—the just thing, Varian thought frantically.But how can I create something that persists?She's the rightful heir, and, yes, the dwarves will turn against each other.It's not my job.This is their city, their queen, and their usurper.If only we could find Brann or Muradin, we— He blinked. "Though I don't want it to be," he said sternly to Moira, who was staring at him with wide, terrified eyes. "But your throne is legitimate. But like myself, Moira Bronzebeard, you can't just do what you want. It takes more than blood to rule your subjects well. And you must Learn to do it well." Varian pushed her away.Moira staggered back, but did not flee.How did she escape?The townspeople surrounded her, and she had tried to rule them with such cruelty and arrogance. "Obviously, you cannot be allowed to rule Ironforge. At least not by yourself, not now. You have amply proved it. You are used to dominating the Dark Iron dwarves, but these people are different. Dwarves There are three clans. The Dark Iron, the Bronzebeard, and the Wildhammer. You want to unite the dwarves? Fine, then each clan needs a representative. A voice, by the Light, a voice you have to hear! "He said while completing it in his head.True, the Wildhammers have little interest in Ironforge, having their own lands elsewhere.They were a race in their own right, and they didn't have Moira as queen. But this matter is more important than her title, it is about the unity of the dwarves.As Anduin said, it's about avoiding civil war.He felt it was the right thing to do - and therefore worth a try.Ultimately, the dwarves will make their own decisions. Moira said nothing, just looked around with wide, frightened eyes.She stood there in her dressing gown, looking like nothing more than a frightened little girl... "Three Clans, Three Leaders, Three... Hammer Council," Varian said. Whoever you can find represents the Bronzebeard. You must listen to their needs, and work with them for the good of the dwarves, not your own. Do you understand?" Moira nodded...cautiously. "We'll keep an eye on you. Very, very closely. You were supposed to bloody the Throne Hall today, and now you have a second chance to prove that you're ready to lead the dwarves." He leaned over her and said, "Don't Let them down." He nodded slightly, and the SI7 team sheathed their swords as quickly as they drew them. Moira reached down to her throat, feeling the cut there.She trembled visibly, all grim grace and false sweetness gone. He ignored Moira and turned to Anduin, seeing his son smiling and nodding proudly at him.Varian stepped forward in two strides and hugged his son.When he hugged Anduin tightly in his arms, he heard the first few sparse applause.Then the applause grew louder, with cheers and whistles of joy.People chanted the names of the clans—"Wildhammer!" "Bronzebeard!" and, as Anduin and Rohan said, even "Dark Iron!" Varian looked up to see dozens, perhaps hundreds, of dwarves smiling and cheering at him and his decision.Moira stood there alone, hands over throat, head bowed. "See, Father?" Anduin said, leaving Varian's arms and looking up at him. "You know exactly what to do. I knew you could do it." Varian smiled. "Before I do, someone will believe in me," he replied. "Come on, son. We're home." Thrall and Agra hurried back to Galadar, only to find that everyone looked serious.Matriarch Gaiaan, standing up and hugging Thrall, looked particularly sad.A tauren stood tall, and Thrall recognized him as Perris Thunderhoof, and his expression changed. "Something terrible has happened," Thrall said, more statement than question. "What's up?" Gaiyaan stretched out a hand to press on his heart. "First of all, you have to understand that coming to Nagrand was the right thing to do. No matter what happened after you left." Thrall glanced at Agra, who looked as troubled as he.He forced himself to calm down. "Perrys. Go ahead." So Perris went on, his voice calm and unflappable, changing only in certain places.He told of innocent druids being betrayed and murdered at a peaceful assembly, and Cairne, in a rage, challenging Garrosh.The High Chief died in the duel, which was later revealed to be the result of Magatha's Grimtotem poisoning.Thunder Bluff, Bloodhoof Village and Burning Sun Rock Residence were massacred.When he had said all this, Perris produced a scroll. "Palka, Drek'Thar's squire, sent this." Thrall unfolded the scroll, forcing his hands not to tremble.As he read Palka's letter—which showed that, contrary to what everyone believed, Drek'Thar's visions were true despite his trances—his heart sank. go down.Palka wrote Drek'Thar's final prophecy, ink stained across the page: The earth shall weep, the world shall shatter... The world is going to shatter.Like what happened in another world... Sal couldn't help shaking his body, but he declined when he was asked to sit down.His knees were stiff as if welded in place.He stood there for a long time, thinking in his heart, am I right?Is the little knowledge I have learned here worth Kane's loss?Is it worth the loss of so many peaceful and innocent tauren?Even if I do the right thing - is there still time? "Bane," he said at last, "how is Bane?" "No news, Warchief," Perris said, "but it is believed he is alive." "Where's Garrosh? What did he do?" "So far, nothing has been done. He seems to be sitting on a mountain watching tigers fight." Thrall clenched his hands into fists.He felt something brush against his hand, as soft as a feather.Thrall lowered his head and saw Agra's hand.For some reason, he let go of his fist and intertwined her fingers.He took a deep breath. "This—" His voice changed, so he tried to speak again, "This is bad news. My heart is broken by this killing." He looked at Gaiyaan, "Today, I got the news from the Elemental Wrath I learned something there that I believe will help me heal Azeroth. I had hoped to stay a few more days, but now you will understand that I must leave immediately." "Of course," Gaiyaan replied immediately, "We have already packed your bags for you." He was both happy and sad about it, and he wished he had taken a little longer to find his peace.Gaiyaan was a shrewd woman, and she recognized it right away. "I'm sure you'd like to meditate a little longer before you go," she said, and Thrall jumped at the chance. He strode out of Galadar and came to a clump of trees not far away.A small herd of wild Talbuk sheep watched him, then sprinted a short distance with a flick of their tails, continuing to enjoy the tranquility of the prairie. Thrall did it with difficulty, feeling as if he had aged a thousand years.He struggled to digest the devastating news.Is this all true?Druids were killed, Kane was killed, countless tauren were killed in the center of their own territory?Feeling almost dizzy, he buried his head in his hands. He recalled the last conversation he had with Kane and felt a tingle in his heart.Said that to an old friend - said that to Kane at the end... the death of this man was more painful to him than the loss of all other innocent lives.And those losses were the result of Kane's murder.He was murdered, not justly laid in the arena, but poisoned— He felt a hand on his shoulder, jumped up, and turned to see Agra sitting beside him.Anger was surging in his heart, and he couldn't help shouting sharply, "Are you here to gloat, Agra? To laugh at what a poor chief I am? The result of this dilemma is that one of my closest friends and countless innocents at the cost of the victim's life?" She still shook her head silently, with indescribable tenderness in her brown eyes. Thrall gasped loudly and looked far beyond the horizon. "If you came here for this, I would have thought of everything you wanted to say." "So I guess, a person doesn't need to be whipped all the time." She said softly, and Thrall felt that this was simply a matter of experience.Agra hesitated for a moment, then said, "I misjudged you before. I'm sorry." He waved.Compared with the bad news I heard just now, Agra's harsh words are nothing worth mentioning.But she continued. "When we first heard about you, I was thrilled. I grew up hearing stories of Durotan and Draka. I especially admired your mother. I...I wanted to be like her. When we heard Speaking of you, we all thought you were coming back to Nagrand. Yet even though we Mag'har orcs joined the Horde, you stayed in Azeroth. Allied with those strange creatures. And... I think Draka's son betrayed us and forgot his people. Then one time, you came back. You didn't stay long. And I don't understand why." He listened in silence, without interruption. "Then you came back again. Wanted our knowledge, the knowledge that had been acquired through such pain and effort - not to help the homeland where our people grew up, but to help the strange foreign land. I was very angry. Therefore I So mean to you. How selfish and superficial I am." "And what made you change your mind?" he asked curiously. She had been looking at the horizon like Thrall, and now she turned to face him.The setting sun slanted on her orcish brown face, reflecting the sharp planes.Thrall grew up among humans since he was a child. He was used to the soft and pleasing beauty of human women, but now he was suddenly moved by her. "It started with the Visionary Trial," she said softly, "you've started to impress me. You didn't take the bait off the hook like a fish. You didn't use your influence with Somother to get another mentor .The more I see and hear about you, the more I realize that...this is really important to you. "I have walked with you and watched you live with the elements like a true shaman. I have seen and shared your pain and joy. I have seen you in Tarethar, Drek'Thar, Cain and With Jaina. You live what you believe in, even though you didn't know it until you passed the Trial of Visions. You are not a power-hungry kid looking for a new challenge. You are trying to find a new challenge for your people. Wellbeing - all peoples. Not just Orcs, or Horde, you even want to consider the interests of your enemies. You want to do it," she said, flattening her brown palms on the ground in a loving gesture." What's best for your world." "I'm not sure I'm doing what's best," Thrall admitted in a low voice, "if I stay—" "Then you can't know yourself." "But Kane won't die. And those tauren, who live in Thunder Bluff and—" She reached out and grabbed his arm, her nails digging into his skin. "What you learn saves everything. Everything!" "Or nothing," Thrall said.Instead of pulling his arm back, he watched drops of blood seep from under her nails. "You chose possible over certain. Possible success over certain failure. If you did nothing, you wouldn't be Warchief. You'd be nothing more than a coward unworthy of honor." Her face Slightly tense, "But if you're going to give yourself up? Crying something, 'Poor Gouel, what a tragedy I am'? Go ahead and do it, but I won't do that." She stood up after speaking.Thrall grabbed her wrist, and she glared. "what do you mean?" "What I mean is, if you choose to feel sorry for yourself instead of taking action, it means that I have the wrong heart and the wrong intention. I will not go back to Azeroth with you." He held her wrist tightly, "Are you... ready to go back with me? Why?" The look on her face changed, and at last Agra blurted out, "Because, Gouel, I found myself not wanting to be separated from you. But it looks like I'm wrong, because you're not who I think you are. I don't with one--" He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. "I want you to walk with me. Walk with me into the unknown. I'm used to hearing your voice, letting me know when I've made a mistake. And... I love hearing you speak softly. Without you It hurts to be around me. Will you come? Stay by my side?" "Stay—advise you?" He nodded and put his cheek against the top of her head. "Stay and be my wisdom like the wind; be my stability like the earth..." He took a deep breath, "be my fiery passion and watery kindness. If you do, I will It will also be your element." He felt her trembling in his arms: she, Agra, strong and brave.She stepped back a little, then put her hand on his chest, searching his gaze. "Guyle, as long as you still have this great heart of leadership—and heart of love—I am willing to follow you to the ends of the earth." He reached out to caress her cheek, green and brown skin pressed together.Then he leaned forward so that their foreheads touched lightly.