The conversation between the father and son was extremely unfriendly. The broken dining table lay overturned, plates and bowls shattered on the floor, and silver wine glasses rolled into a dark corner.
The servants hid to the side, not daring to breathe. King Varian, holding his sword, glared at Prince Anduin, who sat on the ground like a raging lion. Anduin, like a lamb, was truly terrified.
When his father got serious and faced the gleaming sword, Jaina's teachings were instantly forgotten.
"Get up, my son."
King Varian sighed deeply. He finally realized he shouldn't argue with a child, and tried to control his anger, saying:
"Do you know why I don't negotiate with the Orcs? Just like your situation, the Orcs also carry knives, and I'm like you sitting on the ground. What's the point of such a negotiation?"
That night, Anduin didn't know how he got back to his bedroom. All he saw was his father's gleaming sword and the table that had been split in two.
He was so terrified that he didn't even hear his father mention the Orcs with the knife.
Upon learning that Jaina had appeared in Stormwind City, King Varian ordered a manhunt to capture her overnight. Although they couldn't kill her, they had to banish her from Stormwind City; this woman was far too dangerous.
Unfortunately, finding any trace of an Archmage was difficult, and with Marshal Windsor interfering, no clues were found about Jaina. They had no choice but to declare Stormwind Keep under martial law, forbidding any strangers from entering.
The next day, Anduin bedridden and had a high fever. King Varian quickly summoned a doctor to treat him. After examining the prince, the doctor reassured Varian that Prince was just frightened and would recover soon.
Upon hearing that Anduin unharmed, King Varian quickly put him out of his mind. He had many things to attend to. Don't assume that King who doesn't concern himself with affairs is an idle person. He has family businesses to manage, noble allies to maintain, appropriate social interactions, private negotiations, clandestine transactions, and so on.
As for Anduin, he can be taken care of with a doctor by his side.
That night, Varian returned to Stormwind Keep drunk, only to find the doctor who Anduin waiting at the door.
To be qualified to treat His Highness the Prince, she was certainly no ordinary person. This woman, named Mofeile, studied in Dalaran did not learn much magic, remaining a Mage Apprentice. However, she devoted her life to Herbalism, specializing in herbal formulas that could heal the sick and save lives, and quickly became famous for her outstanding medical skills.
"Your Majesty King Varian, Prince Anduin has subsided after taking the medicine, and he is much better now." Mofeile's hair was somewhat gray, and his face was covered with wrinkles, but his eyes were exceptionally bright, and his features were regular. One could vaguely tell that he must have been a beauty in his youth.
Varian nodded, and out of concern for his son, he felt compelled to inquire about his condition.
"Your Prince will be able to get up tomorrow, but..." Mofeile stammered, his words vague.
"Speak freely," Varian waved his hand.
Mofeile hesitated for a moment, then took a few quick steps toward Varian and whispered:
"Prince Scourge are all dead, irreconcilable enemies of the living, and that the Lich King Arthas is ambitious and a powder keg. Your King, the mind and will are crucial to the recovery from this illness. I hope you can offer some guidance to the Prince and prevent him from overthinking."
"It must have been Jaina who told Anduin, that persistent witch."
King Varian quickly concluded that it was just delirium in his illness and didn't take it to heart, waving his hand to dismiss Mofeile.
Mofeile packed her herb box and boarded the royal carriage. The Prince's condition had stabilized and he would be fully recovered by tomorrow morning, so there was no need for her to spend the night at Stormwind Keep.
The royal carriage traveled Anjing along the night road when a strange light flashed, and an eerie Jaina appeared inside the carriage, sitting opposite Mofeile, her bright eyes smiling at her.
Jaina seemed like a ghost, as if she had no weight. The carriage didn't shake at all, and even the coachman didn't notice that there was an extra person inside.
With a light snap of his fingers, a silencing spell enveloped the small carriage.
"Are you insane, Jaina?" Mofeile looked at the dangerous Archmage, a perilous figure in the human kingdom, second only to the Guardians Aegwynn and her son, and said with displeasure:
"I have already spoken to King Varian as you stated, and we are now even."
"No! Mofeile, I've changed my mind. I think you're an excellent spy; no one is better suited to gather intelligence on the House Wrynn. I need a top-notch informant to keep track of everything concerning the House Wrynn."
Jaina smiled as she looked at Mofeile; there was an irresistible charm in her smile.
Mofeile gritted her teeth. She knew Jaina was a beautiful viper, devoid of human morality and emotions, and without any moral compass; she was capable of any insane act.
"So what will I get?" Mofeile asked in a low voice.
Jaina smiled faintly, "I know you've always wanted to leave the Mage Apprentice and become a true mage."
Anduin seemed to have forgotten the unpleasantness of that day and resumed his daily routine. However, a rift had formed between father and son, an irreparable wound, a permanent scar, and their relationship became even colder.
Looking at Anduin's expressionless face, Varian regretted his impulsive actions that day.
It's unclear when it started, but within Stormwind Keep, among the busy servants and wary guards, rumors began to circulate: Arthas is Evil, the Scourge is an uncontrollable force, and our King Varian turns a blind eye, watching Azeroth be destroyed.
Varian initially paid it no mind, but he couldn't help hearing similar sounds constantly—the whispers of servants and the secret conversations of guards—which would inevitably reach the King's ears.
Unbeknownst to him, King Varian wavered, his heart filled with uncertainty.
These rumors are not without merit. The Scourge are the dead, irreconcilable with the living, and it is no exaggeration to call them a powder keg. The safety of Azeroth cannot be entrusted to Arthas alone.
Besides, people can change. Just like Thrall, who trusted Varian so much when he was a child, he was still betrayed, and Varian lost the power that King should have.
When a lie is repeated a thousand times, it becomes the truth.
Varian was in a state of utter confusion. Although he held Jaina in utter contempt and looked down on her character, he had to admit that there was some truth to what she said. Compared to the Invincible Scourge, the Horde was not invincible and was far less dangerous.
Perhaps only by uniting the Alliance and the Horde can Arthas be defeated.
Late at night, Varian tossed and turned, unable to sleep. In a daze, he put on his coat and walked into the dark and silent corridor, where the torches on the walls flickered with an eerie light.
The Scourge and the Horde, Arthas and Thrall —he had to make choices, and all of this tormented him!
What could he gain from negotiating with Thrall? He could foresee it: the Horde's help, or perhaps even a glimpse into Medivh's intentions and an unexpected surprise, the expulsion of the Black Dragon Princess, and a good chance of reclaiming his rightful rights.
For the sake of Stormwind City's royal succession and for the sake of House Wrynn, Varian gradually leaned towards negotiating peace with Thrall.