Kapitel 616: Chapter 616: Joy and Sorrow
On December 25th, the night before the crossing, the night of this world's triumph.
This night, Lordaeron City was bustling, as countless people celebrated the fall of the evil dragon, Deathwing. Yet, this festivity was destined to bypass the royal family of Lordaeron.
The highest remaining tower in Lordaeron's palace flew a mourning banner— the beautiful Princess Calia Menethil met a tragic end, her remains nowhere to be found.
In the hall of spirits, the Queen and Arthas wept bitterly.
Terenas sat like an old man on the brink of the grave, stationed in a corner of the hall, gazing sorrowfully at the empty casket and the gem necklace that Calia wore that morning.
Lordaeron suffered two blows that day.
First, the death of Calia.
Second, in the afternoon, Gilneas, which seemed to be the most supportive of Lordaeron, suddenly announced its withdrawal from the Lordaeron Alliance, a matter yet unknown to the commoners.
"Gilneas will not stand with a Lordaeron tainted by the wicked black dragon, Neltharion." These were Genn's exact words.
A high-sounding excuse, impeccable in political terms.
Anyone with clear vision knew the reason.
Genn was too astute. Duke's plan to establish a fortress named Watchtower to monitor the Dark Portal in the Cursed Land was no longer a secret. If they remained in the Alliance, the cost of constructing Watchtower would inevitably fall to Gilneas.
Furthermore, after the revelation that Prestor was Neltharion and the thwarted hopes of seizing the Hillsbrad Foothills through a secret alliance with Terenas, there was no longer any benefit for Gilneas in staying in the Alliance.
Less than an hour after Gilneas withdrew, news came from Quel'thalas, leaving the Alliance for similar reasons.
If Gilneas left because there were no benefits, then Quel'thalas's departure was simply haughtiness. With the reputation of the only human kingdom bordering Eversong Woods tarnished, Quel'thalas, which neither needed trade nor military support, didn't want to pay a hefty sum for a fortress on the southernmost continent, making withdrawal the best option.
After all, the Lordaeron Alliance was initially a military alliance formed against a common enemy—the Horde. It was inherently loose in structure. If it were a federation, leaving would be treachery. An alliance and a federation are clearly different.
Had this happened yesterday, Terenas would have defiantly declared, "When the Horde or any other threat comes again, the Alliance will not send a single soldier to save you." But now, Lordaeron was in dire straits.
Lordaeron's leadership was in name only.
Duke Chamas, Terenas's confidant, suggested, "Your Majesty, we should spread the word that you were bewitched by Deathwing's magic."
Blaming the most evil being, especially one that's dead, seemed the most appropriate way, at least to satisfy the citizens.
However, everyone knew that if Lordaeron hadn't been so greedy for Alterac's land, none of this would have happened.
Lordaeron's credibility was utterly lost.
It was evident as the remaining Alliance nations rallied around Stormwind.
Duke Chamas's approach was typical crisis management, though this world didn't have such terminology.
"Do as you see fit," Terenas whispered faintly.
"Your Majesty, please mourn," Duke Chamas bowed deeply, then departed.
In stark contrast to the gloom of Lordaeron's palace was the liveliness of the State Guesthouse in Stormwind.
Lordaeron was quite extravagant, not only could the palace host lavish banquets. Even the state guesthouses had grand banquet halls spanning over a thousand square meters.
Tonight, the number of visiting kings was so great, one might wonder if the true leader of the Alliance resided here or at the palace.
On the lawn of the guesthouse, Ironforge's chamber dwarf guards were having a drinking contest with Wildhammer dwarves. Gnomish mages from Gnomeregan performed tricks. In the corridors outside the banquet hall, mages from Dalaran and Quel'thalas discussed the Dark Portal's mysteries.
In the side hall, men from Kul Tiras mingled with Highland knights from Stromgarde and knights from Stormwind, boasting, drinking, and arm-wrestling.
Apart from Gilneas and Lordaeron, even the elves from Quel'thalas, who had just announced their withdrawal, were present.
As expected by the Alliance leaders, they were greeted at the entrance of the guesthouse by Countess Jandice Barov.
Dressed in a black velvet gown, Jandice caught many eyes. Despite her family's decline, she adeptly performed her duties as one of the only two counts under the Duke and as his deputy.
Accompanying her was none other than the former Duke, Alexei Barov.
Each guest had a knowing smile.
The news from Lordaeron still falsely claimed Duke Barov was a traitor to the Alliance, a 'fact' affirmed by four kings.
Well then!
You, Lordaeron, falsely accuse Duke Barov of treason? Now, in front of you, Duke Barov is honored and reinstated.
Yes, this was a deliberate slap in the face to Lordaeron, even in its current dire state.
Tonight's banquet was also a meeting of the Alliance's leaders.
Despite their past differences, Duke allowed both Antonidas and Kael'thas to join.
No one dared approach within ten meters of the circle where the high-ranking Alliance officials gathered.
King Llane was the first to speak, "Duke, tell us all. What are you planning to do with the Dark Portal? Building a massive fortress in such a desolate place leaves us uneasy."
Nearly all the Alliance leaders nodded in agreement.
By past experience, constructing such a remote fortress would cost at least tens of millions of gold, not including ongoing maintenance. Transporting food and military supplies over the underdeveloped Redridge Mountains and then through the swampy Wetlands to the barren Cursed Land would drive any quartermaster mad.
Duke swirled the red wine in his glass, "Honestly, I don't need your money. I can handle all the funding myself."
The kings were in an uproar.
Sorlas frowned, "What do you want then?"
"Elite soldiers from each nation! And King Llane's authorization."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein