Back in Dalaran, Rhonin needed to see Krasus immediately.
It's very difficult for a nominal disciple like Rhonin to meet his mentor, especially the high and mighty Krasus, who reportedly spends forty-eight hours a day studying magic.
Fortunately, the gold coins given by Lord Prestor came in handy. After some bribing around, he finally got the chance to meet Krasus.
At this time, the Red Dragonflight was at its zenith, and Krasus was one of the Red Dragon Queen's most trusted companions. He was arrogant and overbearing, and agreed to meet Rhonin after lunch for no more than five minutes.
Rhonin waited outside for a long time, and was finally summoned after lunch. He saw Krasus picking his teeth, and half Tauren lying on the table, covered in blood.
"Here's the magic you need. Take it and practice it. That's all." Krasus casually tossed a spellbook in front of Rhonin.
This is an intermediate-level magic book, containing more than a dozen complicated spells, enough for Rhonin to practice for several years.
With a friendly smile, Rhonin bowed and presented Lord Prestor's letter.
Krasus didn't pay any attention, casually took it, opened it and read it. His expression quickly turned gloomy, and he glared angrily at Rhonin.
"Damn it, how did anyone find out about this? This is blatant threat." He then asked suspiciously:
"Rhonin, do you understand Draconic?"
Rhonin shook his head blankly.
The letter was written in Draconic is different from other languages. Unless one has Dragonkin blood, it can only be understood through specific magic.
Krasus was filled with doubt and suspicion, believing that it was not Rhonin's doing, and that perhaps this little Dalaran Mages was also kept in the dark.
However, Krasus could not ignore the threat in the letter. It was a secret he thought no one knew, but if it were leaked, he would be finished.
"Alright, I'll give you a chance to prove yourself. Go back and wait for news." Krasus waved his hand impatiently, not yet having decided what task to assign to Rhonin.
Rhonin left, expressing his deepest gratitude.
The Kirin Tor Council of Six is the highest authority in Dalaran. These six of Azeroth's most powerful mages hold regular meetings to discuss matters.
The Sky Council Hall in Dalaran is a wondrous place, teeming with active, rapidly flowing elements, shrouded in ever-changing clouds, and with dark gray marble slabs engraved with intricate Magic Symbols, forming an eerie six-pointed star Magic Circle.
Participants need to project themselves onto one corner of the six-pointed star; as long as the key and ritual are known, a simple spell can complete the task, regardless of the distance.
Of course, mages like to keep secrets and don't want their companions to see what they're doing, so they hide their whole bodies in black cloaks.
"There's trouble in Khaz Modan." The first to speak was a resolute-looking man, his tone somewhat impatient. "The Red Dragons are destroying the Dwarves ' homeland and the humans who live alongside Dwarf. This is intolerable. We must find a way. I've already scouted it out; the Dragonmaw Clan has imprisoned her in a cave somewhere in Dun Algaz."
"It's just a small matter," a woman's voice came, her tone nonchalant, as if she didn't care. "Those Dwarves won't be eaten up. I think the recent tax reduction is the most important thing. Kingdom of Stormwind isn't sending enough money; they're using it to rebuild the city."
"These barbarians from Kingdom of Stormwind don't know how to respect us!" a furious voice boomed. "Don't they know that without the protection of Dalaran, Azeroth would have been destroyed by the Orcs long ago? It is we, Dalaran, who have defeated the Orcs invasions time and time again!"
Everyone fell silent.
Even the most thick-skinned Dalaran Mages have to admit that Dalaran as vulnerable as an infant in the face of Orcs; some have described this City of Magic Orcs's meat storehouse.
A gentle voice broke the awkward silence. "Well, there's some bad news. Someone's pressuring us to cut funding for Dalaran. The Orcs in the Internment Camps are starving, and to feed Orcs, some people think we should abandon our tedious magical research."
"Is that King Terenas?" The high-ranking mage who spoke this time was enveloped in Thunder; it was none other than Antonidas, Lightning Chief High Archmage of Dalaran.
"If it's for the Orcs' sake, cutting funding in Dalaran is necessary. Commoners can go hungry, but the Orcs must be well-fed."
"I don't understand." The first mage to speak asked, puzzled, "It's already merciful enough that we didn't kill all the Orcs. At least half of humanity was eaten by the Orcs during the war. Why should we feed these damned beasts?"
"Watch your words," Antonidas warned. "Orcs are living beings too, and they deserve equal treatment."
"But Deathwing doesn't think that way," said a rather plump figure. "King Terenas has been influenced; some are advising him to kill all the Orcs to relieve the kingdom's pressure. We all know King Terenas originally wanted to use the Orcs to conquer Azeroth, but now the Orcs are weak, and they're useless except for wasting food."
"Do you believe this is Deathwing's conspiracy?" Krasus had remained silent until now, asked.
"Yes, I detected traces of dark magic," the obese Archmage replied. "Right here in the court of Lordaeron. If dark magic were to affect King Terenas, the consequences would be unimaginable. I believe none of you here wish to see the merciful and kind Orcs slaughtered."
"I don't think so," a voice muttered softly, but it was quickly swallowed by the howling of the elements.
"Is there any way to defeat Deathwing?" Antonidas asked.
Silence fell once more. Extravagance and hedonism had become a custom among the higher-ups of Dalaran, and the few who were different were ostracized. Combat was generally left to ordinary mages or apprentices, but unfortunately, their meager magic would only become Deathwing's dinner.
"Perhaps we can rescue the Red Dragon Queen." This time, a young figure spoke, his handsome Elf face vaguely visible before vanishing again. "Only the Red Dragon Queen Alexstrasza can stand against Deathwing. Gentlemen, who among you is willing to go? I'll be the first to volunteer."
Antonidas retorted, "You cannot go. Your magic will cause massive casualties to the Dragonmaw Clan. It's too cruel. Merciful Orcs shouldn't be treated so unfairly. It will break my heart, and all the kind-hearted Dalaran Mages will not stand for it."
Krasus had a sudden thought, "I have a suitable candidate."
"Who?"
"Rhonin."
"You mean that idiot?" the woman who spoke first said sharply. "Putting aside his despicable behavior, with his meager strength alone, he'll only give the Orcs a snack. I don't think it's a good idea."
Krasus suggested, "We can use Rhonin as a scout, keeping an eye on the situation and reporting back to us. Even if we can't rescue the Red Dragon Queen, we'll still have the situation under our control."
"Excellent suggestion," Antonidas said loudly. "Some of the Orcs who invaded Dalaran two years ago joined the Dragonmaw Clan and are very dissatisfied with what happened that night. If we take the initiative to send Rhonin there, we will definitely win the Orcs' favor."