Chapter 20 Chapter 20 Parting

"Welcome, Shandris," the High Priestess and the Archdruid were seriously discussing matters related to Ashenvale when General Sentinel entered the room.Tyrande greeted her. "I know the first expeditionary force will be ready soon." The general bowed his head and said. "Compared to the Madonna of the Moon, my information network is really slow and inefficient. As you said, we can start soon." Malfurion didn't look pleased with the news. "I will never allow you to command this expedition, Tyrande. I should be the one to go." "No. Elune has shown me the way. As much as it pains me to be parted from you, I have seen visions of myself beyond and you here. I know it was the right decision."

He made a face. "Every time I hear you talk about things like this, it just seems easier to be a druid." Two servants came out of another room behind Tyrande.They brought armor for her. "I can't agree with that, Ma. It would be so nice if I never had to have anything to do with the Emerald Dream again." "Everything is ready, mistress," one of the waiters reminded the high priestess. "We are sending your belongings to the ship, and would like to ask if you will wear this armor during the voyage." "No. Elune foretells that we will be fine. What she cannot tell us is what will happen in Ashenvale."

Shandris grunted and saluted her. "Judging by how far you've packed, my news is even more outdated than originally thought. I figured I'd better get my gear on board as well. We'll be sailing soon, won't we?" The High Priestess smiled. "Yes. But first with your approval." "The sooner we reach Ashenvale, the sooner we can wipe out the Horde." Shandris saluted Tyrande and Malfurion.Then strode out. Tyrande's smile disappeared, and she frowned worriedly, and quickly motioned for the attendants to back off.When she and her husband were alone, Tyrande said. "I really can't see what's going on in Ashenvale, Ma. I don't like it...but I still know that I have to go and you have to stay. I can't explain why."

"No need to explain. I'll grit my teeth and do as you say." Tyrande kissed the archdruid. "thank you for understanding." "Hmph! You know I don't understand at all." "Then thank you for pretending to understand." She left his side very reluctantly. "I have to go." "I will not see you off. I promise." Earlier Tyrande had asked him not to be present when the fleet sailed.Although she was sure Elune knew what to do, Tyrande was as reluctant to part with Malfurion as he was.They have not spent many centuries together.Now under the covetousness of aging, the situation where the two are separated is more unimaginable than ever.What's more, they didn't know what kind of danger Tyrande would face--a danger that Malfurion could not intervene.

"Oh! Any news about the Assassins?" she asked as she was leaving. "Maev thinks it has something to do with werewolves. I doubt that's true, but it wouldn't be surprising to hear anything at this point." She couldn't help but stop. "Werewolves?" "I will continue to investigate with Maiev. As I said, there is likely to be nothing, but we will find out. Let's go! I will keep Darnassus safe and united while you are away, even if I am not you .” "Thank you." The two wanted to find a new excuse to delay the moment of parting, but Tyrande left resolutely.

Malfurion immediately tried to turn his attention away from his wife.And the serial murder was not only imminent, but also the most reasonable choice.Another thing he didn't reveal was that Jarod thought it necessary to have a talk with the werewolf, but didn't want his sister to be there at the same time.Although the former guard captain hadn't said so, Jarod's investigative style was clearly very different from his sister's.Both are known for their determination to get things done.But Jarod is less self-righteous and prefers to achieve his goals through clever negotiations.This approach was more to Malfurion's liking.

And in a moment of chaos like now, any effort to maintain a stable situation is what the archdruid would like to see very much. He should have waited for Malfurion to come with him, but Jarod couldn't hold back his agitation any longer.Besides, he couldn't continue to hide his intentions from Maiev.So Jarod was on his way now, knowing where he could find the pack of werewolves he had encountered earlier.More importantly, he can find a particular werewolf. Maiev still had some avenues she wanted to investigate, and she also took Niva with her, so Jarod could slip out so easily.His sister still didn't see him as an integral part of the investigation, but as long as he didn't get in the way, it was nice to stumble upon something.

Maybe one day we'll get to know each other better, Jarod thought as he approached the area where he had last encountered a werewolf. Jarod caught a faint scent that reminded him of werewolves.A sweet musky scent.The smell was very faint, but that didn't mean the werewolves weren't around at the moment. "Night Elf……" Closer than I thought... Jarod turned to face the talking werewolf.He didn't recognize the fur color pattern of the opponent, but at least it wasn't the werewolf he was looking for. "What are you doing here again?" growled the werewolf.

So at least it was one of the heads I met last time.Jarod was glad that he didn't have to waste time explaining who he was now.He may have more to explain. "I want to talk to one of you. The guy who was in charge last time I was here." The werewolf lifted its head and sniffed the air.Jarod realized that the Gilnean was smelling the intruders, maybe even trying to discern whether he smelled of lies or fear. "I know who you're talking about. He wouldn't want to talk to you." "I just want to have this opportunity. As long as he says so, I will leave immediately."

The werewolf flattened his ears and frowned.Finally, he reluctantly pointed in the direction Jarod was headed. "This way. Not far away." The wolf-shaped figure didn't move, but the night elf turned and started walking in the direction he was pointing.Although he didn't hear the werewolf's voice behind him, he knew the creature was following him. They climbed a low hill and then descended the other side.Jarod couldn't help feeling more eyes watching him from the surrounding woods. Without warning, another werewolf leaped in front of them, landing on all fours before quickly rising to face the night elves.But Jarod had been waiting for a long time, so there was no fear on his face.

This was the werewolf he was looking for.There's no mistaking it from the color of his coat.It was also unmistakable that the werewolf was not happy about Jarod's presence. "You...you shouldn't have come back..." he yelled at the werewolf who brought the night elves here, "and you should have known better!" The Gilnean flattened his ears and let out a faint whimper.When the leader ordered the werewolf back with a brief wave of his hand, Jarod saw him show extremely sharp long claws. The leader now turned his gaze to the woods.He pricked up his ears and let out a low growl. Jarod heard nothing.But after a moment the werewolf relaxed slightly. "It's just you and me now," the werewolf declared confidently. The night elf didn't ask why he was so sure.He trusted the werewolf's senses. "I'm grateful to be able to speak with you—" "I didn't say I wanted to talk to you! You should have known the last time you were here, you're not welcome!" As the werewolf spoke, he brought his mouth closer to Jarod's face.A single bite from that bloody mouth would have easily ended the conversation—if the Gilnean hadn't been slain by Jarod's sword before then.Though the night elves had no weapons in their hands, they were ready to draw their swords, never letting the werewolf gain the upper hand; millennia hadn't slowed Jarod's reflexes much. As if sensing that he couldn't scare the night elf, the werewolf backed away slightly.The two looked at each other for a moment. "I'm sorry," Jarod finally replied calmly. "I have come alone to avoid any unnecessary trouble. If I can speak to you for a while, you will never hear my voice again." The werewolf growled, but finally nodded. "Quickly ask!" "My name is Jarod Shadowsong—" "I don't care about your name! Asking you that damn question!" The former guard captain nodded and said. "You didn't say you rescued me from the trap." "So you should have known that I didn't want to mention it at all. It was just a moment of soft-heartedness..." Having said that, for the first time, there was sympathy in the werewolf's voice. "But I can't just leave you like that." "So I owe you forever. But tell me, why were you there?" The Gilnean looked into the distance. "We know that spellcasters have been murdered. We know that we are believed to be murderers! There is no order from the Lord, but some of us want to find out for ourselves." "So what did you find?" The werewolf looked up to the sky. "Yes. We've found that the same kind of trap you stepped on can kill us just as easily!" Jarod was taken aback. "One of you died?" "That trap wasn't quite the same. As far as yours are concerned, it's almost completely invisible, and its presence can only be detected by the marks of dead grass blades around it. That's how I was able to spot the trap that trapped you. Unfortunately. Unfortunately, we learn this after the loss.” "I'm very sorry." His companion nodded in acceptance of Jarod's sympathy. "We didn't get her out in time. Yes, like yours, it inflicts a painful torment first, but the second element takes the heart from the inside if it sees the target manages to escape." He recalled the incident Evil deeds, he couldn't help baring his teeth. "We found out later that her heart literally exploded." "Elune is here!" "Now you understand why I tried my best to save you." "Where did it happen?" The werewolf bared his teeth again. "Not far from where you were in distress. That's why I'm around: I want to scour the surroundings of her tragic death and see if there's any clue that might help us avenge her." "did you find it?" "The only clue is the trap that nearly killed you, night elf." The Gilnean flattened his ears. "I have nothing more to tell you." The Gilnean was clearly telling Jarod not to press further, and the night elves knew that. "I am grateful for what you have told me. It will help." "I doubt it. Your sister seems to think we are guilty." "Maev always has to make sure that what needs to be done is done," Jarod replied defensively. "She always did her duty to our people." "But we are not your people." After speaking, the werewolf stepped back and prepared to leave. Jarod started to walk back, but stopped again. "If you think of another clue, you know my name." The werewolf snorted...and hesitated. "And my name is Idric. I'm comfortable telling you this because I suspect you'll keep it a secret." "certainly." The Gilnean disappeared into the woods.Jarod stood where he was for a moment, wondering if he had gotten what he wanted.He chewed the werewolf's words over and over, trying to figure out its meaning thoroughly. Want to get to the bottom of it... and pray that no Highborne will be assassinated before then.