Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Choice

"Everyone! Please sit down!" Yet the crowd did not heed the archdruid's words.Representatives from all sides of the coalition debated among themselves, wondering what had just happened and what it meant for the summit.A night elf's voice was easily lost in the din. But Malfurion was no ordinary night elf, nor was he an ordinary druid. Deafening thunder shook the venue, and a bright lightning fell in front of the archdruid, causing everyone to turn their heads to look at him. "You know how I feel about this situation," he told them. "I can assure you that it is not over."

No one argued with him, although he saw a different opinion in many eyes.Malfurion looked at Genn Greymane, wanting to comfort him, but found that the werewolves had quietly left, as quickly and quietly as the wolves they symbolized. The archdruid concealed his astonishment, and continued: "I will proceed to resolve this matter. As for now, I propose that everyone vote to end today's summit agenda and invite all representatives and their entourages to visit Darnassus together. Spectacular view." "Sounds to me! My mouth is dry talking about politics," Kurdran yelled. "If you mean that we can drink wine and eat meat earlier, count me in!"

The dwarf's rough answer eased the atmosphere a bit, so the vote to end today's agenda was quickly passed, and no one asked whether there would be another meeting. After the congregation dispersed, Malfurion summoned a sentry who stood beside his and Tyrande's seats. "Did the High Priestess tell you why she left?" "No, Arch Druid." "Do you know where she went?" "I think it should be a temple." Malfurion thought for a moment. "Please send her a message. Tell her I'll be there as soon as possible, but I must speak to the King of Stormwind first. Tell her that Varian has vetoed Gilneas's accession, but I believe there is still hope. Remember. Is it down?"

"Yes, Arch Druid!" "Then hurry up!" The sentinel saluted abruptly, then left in a hurry.Malfurion took a deep breath and collected his thoughts. The oracle insisted that Varian was the one the Alliance needed, the archdruid thought dejectedly.Maybe he is, but the oracle doesn't have to deal with his stubbornness! He has to understand... otherwise, no matter what the oracle says, the Alliance will have to find someone else! There was a determined expression on his face.Varian Wrynn will listen. He chased after the bitter and vengeful king of Stormwind. Malfurion might have felt betrayed, and Varian didn't blame him for that, but the night elf was smug enough to think he could win the King of Stormwind back.The King of Gilneas had blood on his hands—human blood.Where was he when Lordaeron called for help during the Third War? Yes, Stormwind didn't directly participate in the war either, but it has always been a staunch supporter of the Alliance.Besides, Stormwind itself was in trouble at the time... and Varian himself was at the center of the chaos.Due to the assassination of his father, Varian has inherited the throne at the age of eighteen, trying to rebuild the destroyed kingdom.And when his wife was killed, Varian's political power was emptied by Ms. Katrina Prestor through evil witchcraft - her real identity is the black dragon Onyxia.Finally, when Varian was sailing to Theramore for a summit at Lady Jaina's advice, he was kidnapped and lost his memory.

No, Varian doesn't think it's his fault that Stormwind didn't do more for the Alliance.Genn lost neither his memory nor his powers, but he still refused to answer the call more than once.He built that hideous wall that cut off Gilneas from the rest of the world; then, he refused to contribute even a token army in the Third War.Even to some of his own people, this constituted a great insult.So these people took the initiative to accept the challenge and formed the brave and fearless Gilneas Corps. (Annotation: The Gilnean Corps appeared in the battle song of "Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos" in the orc campaign, which is part of the human expeditionary force under Jaina. According to the description of "Lord of Wolves", Daliu Lord S Crowley is behind the private dispatch of this force to aid the Alliance.)

Varian wasn't satisfied with what he had said, but he didn't regret it either.All Genn Greymane got was the bitter fruit he had planted for so long. "Tomorrow we sail home," he said to the others as they approached the residence. "Father—" "Let's not talk about that now, Anduin." In a sudden outburst of uncharacteristic anger, the prince waved the rest of the procession to back off.The guards assigned to guard the royal quarters hesitated at first, but Anduin stared until they, too, were gone.They're all familiar with the look, though it's usually seen on the face of a father rather than a son before.

Varian didn't care what Anduin was doing.He walked into the room and drank from a bottle of night elf cider left over from the summit. "Where are you, Blore?" Varian whispered.All he had hoped for in this failed meeting was a moment with the burly druid.Back then, the two fought side by side as gladiators.But Blore had been sent on a mission by Malfurion, so that was another reason the king was annoyed with his hosts. "Father..." "I said, let's not talk about this now, Anduin—" "Speak. Now." For a teenage boy, Anduin's voice was solemn and firm... and full of disappointment.Varian put down the bottle and turned to face him.

"I'm doing what I have to do. You'll understand when you're king." "I understand you're still living in the past, Father. And you don't even want to get out of it. People change. A man can make up for his mistakes. You didn't give Genn Greymane a chance, so put his subjects in misfortune." "The choice of their leader has brought blood and terror, and yet they foolishly follow him; suffer with him then." "It wasn't your intention. You didn't see—" "Enough!" Varian burst out, surprising him as much as his son.Anduin was suddenly discouraged.Varian saw great sorrow in his son.

The prince turned and went to his room. "Anduin—" "Good night, Father. I pray that one day you will understand." Not sure what his son meant, Varian reached for the bottle again.Then, he changed his mind and walked towards the door, seeing the guards waiting there nervously. "Go in, it's safe inside," he joked. "I'm going outside for a while." They have no objection.Varian felt a little sympathy for the guards, who were always pushed aside when they tried to do their duty.He will reward the party when they return to Stormwind. "Varian."

"Oh, my God, can't I just have some peace?" The king turned to Malfurion. "I said all I had to say in the opening ceremony! There's nothing to talk about now!" Malfurion frowned at the unexpected outburst. "With all due respect, there's a lot more that could be discussed. I know why you said that, and I know you have a right to say it. But this summit must go on, and I—" "Your summit has failed. You should know. False..." Varian said, looking away.His thoughts turned to distant memories, not to what had happened tonight. The archdruid was not unaware of this change.He replied calmly and in a low voice. "Failure is not always the end of things. We can learn to achieve greater success in other ways. Cenarius, I have experienced many failures. Allow me to use my own brother as an example-perhaps And the werewolves. I understand you've been through a lot, and you're still blaming yourself for it. You feel like you should have saved Tiffany's life during the riots, or stopped Deathwing's own daughter, Onyxie. Ya to usurp your kingdom in the guise of Lady Prestor! But neither of those things will prevent you from—”

"Impossible? It's easy for you to say, hiding away and making sarcastic remarks after the fact, Arch Druid, you have never been involved in it yourself! My wife was smashed to death by a broken brick! The righteous Reginald Windsor was burned alive with the dragon's breath by that damned dragon! Minions of the Defias Brotherhood kidnapped me, and in my absence, my son, my only son, was left alone and helpless! I will not let this happen again! Never!" "you are not--" Varian sharply pointed at the night elf's face and condemned sharply. "Anyway, you have no right to say such things! You have no idea what horrors I have seen and endured? While you were happily meditating and wandering in that damned Emerald Dream, two wars broke out It's over again! Countless lives have been lost in these two wars! You've never seen the sacrifices Stormwind was forced to make, let alone the rest of Azeroth! And Greymane just stood by and did nothing! Nothing! You druids are always preaching the harmonious coexistence of worlds and creatures, which is easy to say, because you don't have to struggle to survive like the rest of us!" "I'm not as unreasonable as you think," the archdruid said. "I've been through war and conflict, too. When the Burning Legion first invaded—" "Do you have to look for examples ten thousand years ago?" Varian interrupted him. "Can't you say something more recent... or more realistic?" The two stood there silently, staring at each other intently.Malfurion looked calm, but it only made Varian even more angry. The night elf thought about it for a while, and decided to start from another angle. "Most of what you said is good; I don't deny it. I have made many mistakes, but I have also learned a lot from them. I know how to face up to my own shortcomings and strive to be better for those around me. Whether as a Druid, Gladiator or ruler, that's what's needed all the time." It's no accident that the night elves mentioned Varian's past identity.He was indirectly reminding the King of Stormwind that while Malfurion hadn't been involved in the recent troubles, neither had Varian.For years, Stormwind has suffered from the king's disregard for government.After Tiffany's death, Varian was first under the influence of Onyxia's magic for ten years, and then was kidnapped by the Defias rebels.Although Varian was out of control in both cases, the night elves wanted to remind the king at this point that he often wanted to go back to the days when he only had to deal with his immediate problems. "Isn't Genn just trying to do what's best for his people?" the archdruid continued. "Gilneas has paid the price for his choices on more than one occasion. Genn now regrets it and will do anything to make it up. Don't judge him the way you did yourself, Varian. Then he'll never have A chance for redemption." Varian grunted. "If you want to rely on these words to make me change my mind, then you are wasting your time, Archdruid! Stormwind City will leave tomorrow. What you want to do in the future is your own choice." "Varian..." "This ghostly place full of forests makes me breathless! I've said everything I have to say! If you don't mind..." The king pushed past the archdruid and headed towards Darnasu Go to the outskirts of Sri Lanka.But he didn't go far when he heard footsteps behind him, which made him even more restless. "Aren't you going to let it go, night elf?" he shouted, turning around. "The Great Archdruid—" However, it was Anduin and not Malfurion who followed him. "Anduin... I thought you had fallen asleep—" "No... I'm getting up..." the prince said falteringly. "I heard voices...I heard them all." "And the archdruid? What you hear doesn't matter. We're still leaving tomorrow—" "I'm not going with you." It sounded so impractical, so absurd.So much so that Varian doubted at first whether he really heard his son say that.He said incredulously, "Go to bed. We'll be leaving early tomorrow morning." Anduin looked at him with the expression Varian used to dismiss foolish court jesters. "You never listen to me. Listen to me now, Father. I will not go with you." "You are so tired! You—" Anduin looked very annoyed. "I wanted to follow the original plan, but after hearing the quarrel between you and Archdruid Stormrage, I started to have another idea! He wanted to make sense of you, but he didn't do it any more than I did. Well, and he has lived ten thousand years!" "Age is not wisdom," retorted Varian, somewhat annoyed to find that the night elf had more respect for his son than he did. "I'm afraid I know that too, Father," said Anduin, with a regretful expression on his face. "I didn't come to continue the quarrel with you. I'm going back to my room now, and I'll write you a letter and explain everything to you." "Son... what—" The prince raised a hand to stop him from continuing, a gesture very similar to his father's. "I'm not warrior material. You and I know that. I've said it more than once. I'll never be another you. My path lies elsewhere..." "You are heir to the throne!" Varian insisted, doing everything possible to convince his only son of the absurdity of the idea. "I don't want to turn my back on Stormwind, but I need to leave to complete the studies I've started." Despite being only thirteen, Anduin sounded much more mature. "I started with Rohan, the high priest of Ironforge. You know what he said about me. And you agree with him that I have potential in this regard." "The Light will help when you rule Stormwind, but it's just a tool, like—" "Holy light is not a tool. Holy light is always there." Anduin smiled gently. "One day, I'll make you understand that too. Father, I never felt so alive during my training days at Ironforge! Just think! As Priest of the Light, I can Do more for our people—” "As a king, you can do anything!" Varian's heart pounded.Of all the things that happened, this was the one he was least able to deal with.His son will go home with him.The Light is obviously bringing the wrong influence and they will not discuss it any more.Varian will help Anduin overcome his weakness in combat skills and train him to be a proper ruler! "Father?" The smile on Anduin's face faded. "You're not listening to me. Well. I've tried anyway." The boy turned and left.Varian felt a sharp snap in his heart.He could see his beloved Tiffany holding their baby in her arms.Tiffany disappeared, leaving only the child...and then the child began to disappear. Varian would never allow this to happen.Without thinking, he rushed forward and grabbed Anduin's arm. The prince let out a scream.The great fear in Varian's heart subsided a little, and then he realized that he was holding Anduin's arm tightly. "I—I—" the king let go.Anduin clutched his injured arm with a look of shock.Varian could strangle enemies with just one hand, and had done so more than once, and they both knew that too.Rakash's legendary strength is rarely matched by anyone in the world. Now under the sudden burst of madness, even though it was only for a moment, he used the same strength on his rebellious son... "I—Anduin—" Varian was speechless.The most precious person in the world was looking at him in horror. "I never wanted to—" Their guards suddenly ran over.Varian could only guess that they had heard Anduin's cry, and feared for the prince's life. "Your Majesty!" cried the Chief of Guards. "Did someone attack you two?" "It's okay." Anduin interjected, rubbing his arm. "There's no danger here...is there, Father?" Anduin turned away again.Varian tried to reach out to grab him but stopped when he saw the guards trying to block the prince's way as he did. "Where are you going, Anduin?" The prince stopped and turned to look at his father. "To Velen. I will go with the draenei when they leave." The king was not surprised by this, but felt a sting in his heart.It was easier for the prophet to talk to his son than it was for him. "Have you and—have you consulted with him?" "I talked to him about continuing to study the Light." "You can go back to Stormwind City and learn from Archbishop Benedictus!" Varian didn't care what the guards thought of him.This is his son, and he is about to lose him. Anduin frowned when he heard the archbishop's name. "Benedictus...not quite right...I don't know why. But I do. What I want to learn can only be learned elsewhere. Rohan told me so once." The king paid no attention to such trifles.Silently he cursed the dwarf, silently Cursed Velen...and finally himself. "They can take my things aboard, Father." "Velen may not bring you back to the Draenei capital." Anduin paused to think, and Varian hoped again.Next: "If he doesn't take me away, he will know where I have to go to achieve my goal. Goodbye, my father." "Don't—" the ex-gladiator swallowed his words back.By now the guards understood what was going on, and they all seemed to be waiting for the slightest signal.As long as the king shows a hint of signs, they will also rush forward to surround the prince as a direct order. His decision to keep the guards out brought another sad smile to Anduin's face. "Thank you." "I-I swear to your mother, I will never hurt you again, Anduin. In any way!" He walked towards his son, trying to wrap him in his arms. The prince stepped back, eyes wide, and replied, "I know." Anduin turned and walked away, which Varian could only guess was the direction where the Prophet's residence was.The king watched his son disappear from view, knowing that the last thing he saw in Anduin's eyes was the shadow of fear that Varian would hurt him again. "Your Majesty..." the chief guard said hesitantly. "Are you sure you don't want us—" "Back off," he replied curtly. "Everyone back down." The guards quickly followed orders and left without asking any questions.In the end Varian was left alone in place. It wasn't until then that he realized how much he feared being alone for the rest of his life. Anduin was determined to do this when he left his father.But the further he went, the more hesitant he became.However, something kept him going. Somehow, he knew he would find Velen again in the temple gardens.The draenei had just started meditating, so the sudden appearance of the young man did not bother him. But that doesn't mean Velen didn't foresee why Anduin came. "You have spoken to your father the king," whispered the Prophet. "I can sense that there is trouble between the two of you." Anduin saw no need to beat around the bush. "Veren, I know my path now. I want to walk with you." Delaney looked a little disturbed. "How did you know?" "What's the meaning?" "I have things to deal with elsewhere. I plan to choose another priest to serve as Delaney's representative, and I will leave after saying goodbye to the hosts tomorrow morning." Now Anduin understood. "I don't know. I just know that if you want to learn the Holy Light, it's best to come to you." "Your father..." "I told him." The Prophet frowned. "Perhaps you should reconsider. The way of the Holy Light is not easy, and you are still young. Yes, to be honest, you are indeed very talented. Come to me in three years, maybe—" "If you want to leave me, I'll be right behind you. I know I made the right choice. I can feel it." "So young...and so mature," the draenei sighed.He noticed that the young man was covering his arms. "You have wounds. Let me help you." The Prophet placed a palm on his wound. Holy light emanated from the palm of the draenei, an awe-inspiring light the size of an apple but still majestic.As the radiance extended to the injured area, the pain in Anduin's arm quickly subsided, and the moment of time only existed in memory. Meanwhile, Anduin felt his heart surge.His emotions were high, and it was love and forgiveness. And amidst these emotions, a scene of images gradually takes shape.This is not from memory, but from imagination.Anduin has only seen his mother in portraits, so the image of his mother in his mind was gradually formed during his young life.Her image is radiant, gentle and virtuous... "You loved her very much, your mother," Velen whispered.He didn't explain how he knew what Anduin was thinking.After all, he was the Prophet Velen. "I was a baby when she died but I learned so much from my father and other people in the palace that I felt like I knew her... loved her." The draenei nodded. "You also love your father very much." Anduin swallowed, remembering the pain in his arm and the frustrations of being with the king...but also all that Varian had tried to do for him. "Of course. Whatever our differences..." Velen lowered his arms.The light dimmed from his hands and from the prince's arms.Those emotions faded with them, though they never completely disappeared. "This is one of the reasons why the holy light has touched you so deeply." The prophet smiled slightly. "Very well, Anduin. We leave at sunrise."