They continued towards the Mage Tower, but Windsore's attention was now completely focused on his surroundings. Every dark alleyway, every open window, could harbor the Black Dragon's claws. He began to regret not bringing more men, but who could have imagined encountering the "dead" Onyxia in Theramore?
The blue spire of the Mage Tower gleamed in the sunlight. The guards before the tower recognized the ranger who had led the way and, after reporting the situation, respectfully made way. Windsore noticed that there were High Elf and humans among the guards, which reassured him somewhat—at least Jaina hadn't completely sided with either side.
"Wait here," Windsore told the Paladin. "If I don't come out in two hours, you know what to do."
Jaina Proudmoore's reception room was spacious and bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the entire Theramore harbor. When Windsore was introduced, the ruler of Theramore was standing by the window, her blond hair almost translucent in the sunlight.
" Marshal Windsor," Jaina turned around with a polite smile, "Hero of Stormwind City, what brings you to my city?"
Windsore had no time for pleasantries and went straight to the point. " Lady Proudmoore, I've discovered a Black Dragon lurking in your city. Onyxia, she faked her death and escaped to Theramore."
Jaina's expression shifted subtly, but she quickly regained her composure. "Isn't there some misunderstanding? Marshal, you must know this is a neutral city! It would be normal for some Black Dragon to live here."
"I saw her with my own eyes! Right there in the market, disguised as Katrana Prestor." Windsore stepped forward. "Madam, you must act immediately. Onyxia is extremely dangerous; she has caused irreparable damage in Stormwind City. Her presence here is definitely plotting something."
Jaina tapped her staff lightly with her fingers. " Theramore is an open city, Windsore. People of many races and identities live here. Your accusations are very serious. Do you have any evidence?"
"I have studied the Black Dragon in the Eastern Kingdoms for many years, and I would never be mistaken," Windsore said firmly. "I beg you, madam, let us join forces to eradicate this scourge. I have brought a squad of elite Paladin, and with your mage power, we are confident we can subdue her."
Jaina's gaze drifted out the window, as if she were deep in thought. Windsore noticed that her fingers were unconsciously twirling a ring on her left hand—the symbol of Dalaran, but the edges seemed to be entwined with some kind of black pattern.
"This is a complex political issue, Marshal," Jaina finally said. "I need time to consider it—"
Just then, the door to the reception room was suddenly pushed open. A black-haired young man strode in, dressed in a simple black robe, with a handsome face but a kind of inhuman sharpness.
"Senior sister, the teacher is looking for you," the young man said, then suddenly noticed the stranger in the room, his golden pupils contracting slightly. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were having a visit. I apologize!" he said, and tried to back away.
Windsore's world seemed to collapse at that moment. Although the other party appeared in human form, the eyes, the posture, and the invisible sense of oppression—he had felt the same aura Deep Blackrock Mountain.
" Nefarian." Windsore's voice was hoarse and almost inaudible as his hand instinctively reached for the hilt of his sword.
The air in the room froze instantly. Jaina's expression turned serious, while the black-haired youth, Nefarian, stared blankly at the old man before him, looking utterly incredulous.
"Ah, the people from Stormwind City are here," Nefarian's voice trembled slightly. "What are you doing here? Is Varian here too? Teacher, help us!"
Windsore's sword was already drawn, Holy Light flowing along its blade. " Jaina, do you know what you're protecting? This is Deathwing son, the tyrant of Blackrock Mountain!"
Jaina slammed her staff into the ground, instantly creating a magical barrier that separated Windsore and Nefarian: "Enough! Theramore is my city, and I decide who can live here!"
Windsore stared at her in shock. "You... you knew all along? You were colluding with the Black Dragon?"
"It's not collusion, Marshal, it's—" Jaina's voice became hesitant, "It's some kind of education. He's now my teacher's student, learning to be a dragon again, so he's practically my junior brother."
Nefarian hid behind Jaina: "I'm not doing anything bad anymore. The teachers are very strict. Senior sister, you can vouch for me, right?"
The word stung Windsore once again. Senior Sister? When did Jaina become the Black Dragon's senior sister? His gaze shifted back and forth between the two "people," and he suddenly understood the meaning of the black-patterned ring.
"You've sided with the Black Dragon," Windsore's voice trembled with rage, "You've betrayed the Alliance, betrayed everything your father did!"
Jaina's eyes widened for a moment. "No, it wasn't me, you're overthinking it. It's not what you think. If you have any patience left, I promise I'll show you the whole truth."
Windsore knew the situation was extremely dangerous. He was alone, facing two Black Dragon and a powerful mage, and the Paladin outside might have already been subdued. But he would never yield to the Black Dragon dragons, never.
"I would rather die fighting," Windsore raised his sword, a dazzling halo of Holy Light forming around him, "Than compromise with evil!"
"Humans are always like this, can't they just let people speak?" Nefarian sighed, then cried out, "Teacher, come quick! Someone's trying to kill me! Can I fight back?"
Just as the battle was about to erupt, a Portal opened in the reception room, and a young and beautiful mage stepped out. She glanced at Nefarian and roared, "I told you to come down and call Jaina! Why haven't you returned yet? You've done too many evil deeds in the past, and now you've come to collect your debts. Do I have to clean up your mess? I'm furious! I truly regret taking you in as a traitorous disciple!"
Windsore watched in astonishment as the young female mage reprimanded Nefarian, leaving the Black Dragon shrinking back, looking aggrieved and not daring to retaliate.
Aegwynn turned to Windsore and said in a condescending tone, "Are you an old friend of Stormwind City? Give me some face and don't start shouting for blood. Let Jaina finish speaking. Llane and my son are good friends too."
Windsore was even more confused; this young female mage had a son who was also a close friend of Varian's father, Llane. The relationships were incredibly complicated.
Jaina, who had already grasped the confusion, quickly explained to the old marshal, "This is Lady Aegwynn, my and Nefarian's teacher. She is also the mother of the former Guardian, Medivh."
Windsore was on the verge of a breakdown. This young and beautiful mage was actually Aegwynn! Wasn't she an old woman? Nefarian Black Dragon Nefarian, had become her disciple. Was he going mad, or was this world just too insane?
First update