Three Helpers

"Countess Liadrin, I've noticed that you seem very happy. I don't think being assigned by my father to assist me would be a happy matter for a High Priest of your status."

Silvermoon City, the major town of Southern Eversong Woods, was also where Little Prince Tyrel Sunstrider was resting temporarily. He had keenly noticed that ever since they crossed Alendal Bridge, the boundary between North Eversong Woods and Southern Eversong Woods, Countess Liadrin had worn a smile on her face.

He knew why his father had sent Countess Liadrin to assist him. Countess Liadrin was a loyal royalist. Having her assist him was the Sun King Anasterian Sunstrider's way of showing both the royalists and the council faction his support for Little Prince Tyrel Sunstrider.

Secondly, Countess Liadrin was a High Priest and the High Elf of the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas who understood the Holy Light best. The earliest Paladins had all transitioned from priests. Sun King Anasterian Sunstrider hoped that Countess Liadrin would become a Paladin. Given her command of the Holy Light, she might well obtain tremendous strength, just like the five human Lord Commander Paladins who had first become Paladins.

After all, Little Prince Tyrel Sunstrider was still too young. Even with the guidance of Lord Tirion Fordring of Hearthglen, he would need a long time to mature gradually.

The Paladins needed a representative among the High Elf powerhouses, and Countess Liadrin, both a royalist noble and a High Priest, was the best possible choice.

Little Prince Tyrel Sunstrider had heard that Countess Liadrin thought more highly of his elder brother, Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider. She should not have been too willing to accompany him.

Countess Liadrin abandoned her usual holy demeanor, tilting her head playfully as she said happily, "Prince Tyrel, you'll find out soon enough. Two old friends I haven't seen in a long time are here."

From Countess Liadrin's expression and reaction, it was clear that these two old friends were true friends, not the false drinking companions among Silvermoon City's nobles. Once she had left Silvermoon City, she no longer needed to scheme against others. Naturally, she was happy to see her friends again.

Moreover, Countess Liadrin had no great objection to assisting Little Prince Tyrel Sunstrider. Sun King Anasterian Sunstrider had only just passed his prime and still had more than a thousand years to live. The royalists had no need to split into two factions over the two princes, so it made no difference which prince she assisted.

The next day, Little Prince Tyrel Sunstrider learned who the first old friend Countess Liadrin had mentioned was.

Two thousand elite Ranger-Expeditionaries, led by Ranger-Lord Lor'themar Theron, had arrived in Silvermoon City.

"Prince Tyrel, by order of the Sun King, I will assist you on your journey to Dalsom."

Originally, the Ranger Lord among Little Prince Tyrel Sunstrider's retainers should have been Lirath Windrunner. But Tyrel Sunstrider and his original retainers were all too young, without sufficient strength to govern a city like Dalsom, the largest city in the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas aside from Silvermoon City.

Thus, Sun King Anasterian Sunstrider had sent the royalist noble Countess Liadrin, while Ranger-Lord Lor'themar Theron represented the Windrunner Family's support for Little Prince Tyrel Sunstrider, since Ranger-Lord Lor'themar Theron was Ranger-General Sylvanas Windrunner's adjutant. Otherwise, it should have been Hoxbyr, another royalist Ranger Lord known as the King of Rangers.

Royalist nobles and Windrunner Rangers—Little Prince Tyrel Sunstrider had already roughly guessed the three helpers his father, Sun King Anasterian Sunstrider, had arranged for him. The third would undoubtedly be a member of the Magisters, the foundation upon which the Blood Elves had established their nation. He simply did not know which powerful Archmage it would be. One thing was certain: it definitely would not be Archmage Loxley of the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas.

The party expanded once more. With the addition of two thousand elite Ranger-Expeditionaries, the journey became much safer, for Southern Eversong Woods was not safe. Here lived the Quel'dorei's enemy of several thousand years: the Forest Trolls.

The Forest Trolls lived in the eastern part of Southern Eversong Woods. They often attacked the High Elves of Southern Eversong Woods and occasionally launched new wars.

When Tyrel Sunstrider's party arrived outside Dalsom's gates, a group was already waiting to welcome them.

Though the High Elves were luxurious, they had not yet reached the point of extravagance and waste. Yet before Little Prince Tyrel Sunstrider lay an utterly lavish scene. Honor guards stood on either side, exquisite silk had been spread across the ground as a carpet, dazzling magical creations decorated the surroundings, and lavish gemstones adorned everything.

"Prince Tyrel, welcome to Dalsom." A handsome High Elf noble bowed to him with noble etiquette so flawless that even Tyrel Sunstrider could find no fault in it.

Little Prince Tyrel Sunstrider recognized the man: Dath'Remar Theron, a member of the Silvermoon Council. The Draksil Family originated from Morningstar Tower in Southern Eversong Woods. Because their bloodline had thinned, only Dath'Remar Theron remained of the direct line.

However, Dath'Remar Theron had become a member of the Silvermoon Council largely through his own strength. In the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas, Archmage Loxley's position was unshakable.

Below Archmage Loxley were three Archmages most likely to inherit the position of Archmage: Taelestia, the mentor of Tyrel Sunstrider's brother Kael'thas Sunstrider; Romance of the Legion of Magisters; and Dath'Remar Theron.

It could be said that Dath'Remar Theron was a prominent figure in the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas. By himself, he had revived his family, entered the Silvermoon Council, and become a leading candidate for the next Archmage.

Little Prince Tyrel Sunstrider had never imagined that the third person assigned to assist him would be a representative of the Silvermoon Council. Was he here to monitor him, or for something else?

Tyrel Sunstrider did not particularly like this manner of welcome. Though he was royalty, he had not become corrupt and decadent like those old noble houses. However, since the man had come to welcome him, he replied politely, "Thank you for the welcome, Dath'Remar. I'm honored."

Under Dath'Remar Theron's welcome, Little Prince Tyrel Sunstrider rode his White Gryphon through Dalsom beneath the gazes of its citizens, all the way to the palace at the center of the city.

Along the way, Dalsom's citizens shouted his name, curiously watching this little prince of the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas. Clearly, before Tyrel's arrival, Dath'Remar Theron had already spread word throughout Dalsom that he was coming.

Tyrel Sunstrider had originally intended to enter Dalsom quietly, but he had not expected such a grand reception.

The palace before him was far inferior to Sunfury Spire, yet within Dalsom, it was the most dazzling building. Even the estates of many old noble houses in Silvermoon City were no better than this.

"Your Highness, I have also prepared a banquet for you. Every noble in Dalsom has been invited. They all wish to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey." Dath'Remar Theron's preparations were truly thorough. First, he had made Dalsom's citizens recognize Tyrel as their lord, then he had gathered the nobles who held power in Dalsom.