The Winds of Kul Tiras

"Boom—!"

A blinding blue light tore through the dome of the Kul Tiras Royal Palace. Arcane Energy poured down like a tidal wave, shattering the exquisitely carved naval emblem. The marble floor cracked beneath the magical impact, and tiny shards of stone rained down in every direction.

"Enemy attack! Protect the King!"

The Royal Guard's roar instantly echoed through the hall. Dozens of uniformed guards instinctively formed ranks, their spears thrust in perfect unison toward the still-twisting Portal. Their movements were swift as the wind, spearheads glinting with cold light beneath the chandeliers.

Jaina Proudmoore was the first to step out of the Portal. Her golden hair fluttered from static electricity, and fading Arcane sparks still clung to the hem of her robes. The scent of sea wind and sulfur swept through the hall with her arrival, making the guards in the front row squint involuntarily.

"Lower your weapons! It's Her Highness the Princess!" An older guard recognized Jaina and hurriedly lowered his spear. Yet his companions remained on guard, because the next person to emerge from the Portal was an ordinary-looking man.

"Uh... hi?" Deren Losen gave an awkward laugh and raised both hands.

"I said, lower your weapons!" Jaina shouted sharply. A Frost Nova erupted around her, freezing the guards' spears to the floor. Her voice carried an unquestionable authority, the bearing forged through years of leadership.

At that tense moment, the Portal rippled once more, and an elegant figure slowly stepped out. Onyxia's black skirt brushed across the frozen weapons. The finely forged steel spearheads rusted into slag the instant they touched the edge of her dress, crumbling into heaps of reddish-brown dust.

"Is this how Kul Tiras welcomes its guests?" The Black Dragon Princess raised a brow, her Golden Vertical Pupils sweeping over the hall. Her voice was soft as silk, yet everyone who heard it felt a chill run down their spine.

The guards instinctively took half a step back. The captain's face turned livid, his hand already resting on the signal flare at his waist.

"Jaina?!"

A thunderous roar came from the direction of the throne. Daelin Proudmoore abruptly rose from his seat, his white beard trembling with rage and the golden tassels on his Admiral's uniform swaying violently. Queen Kathrin followed close behind, clutching her chest, her blue eyes filled with shock and worry. Derek Proudmoore, standing beside them, reflexively reached for the sword at his waist—though his injured leg made the movement a beat slower than usual.

"Father, Mother, this is urgent." Jaina hurried forward, Arcane sparks still drifting from the hem of her robes. Though her voice was steady, Deren could hear the exhaustion hidden within it.

Daelin's gaze shifted between his daughter and Deren before finally settling on the man, his expression like that of a father staring at some street punk who had led his daughter astray.

"You again." The old Admiral's voice was like distant thunder before a storm. "What do you want this time? Warships? Cannons? Or the crown of Kul Tiras?"

"It's not like that!" Jaina hurriedly tried to explain, but her mother pressed a hand to her shoulder, signaling that she need not rush. The two of them left the room together.

Deren wiped the sweat from the tip of his nose. "Uh... actually, I just need eighteen elite sailors? Preferably those 'Bronze Men' at your side..."

The Royal Palace fell so silent that a needle dropping would have been heard.

The captain of the Royal Guard turned crimson with fury. The so-called Eighteen Bronze Men were Daelin's most elite personal guard, legendary warriors of Kul Tiras. Because they wore full suits of golden armor year-round, this stranger had actually called them bronze men! "You certainly know how to pick." Daelin laughed in anger as he descended the steps from the throne, each footfall making Deren feel as though the ground were shaking. "Why should I?"

Deren took a deep breath, then suddenly turned and dragged over Chromie, who had come through the Portal and immediately hidden off to the side to steal court fruit. The Bronze Dragon in gnome form still had half a grape stuffed in her mouth. When he yanked her over, the fruit platter crashed to the floor with a clatter.

"Hey! My fruit!" Chromie protested, but Deren had already flipped open the cover of her pocket watch.

"Time Replay—activate!"

A holographic image projected from the pocket watch: Alexstrasza, the Red Dragon Queen, stood nearby with a smile as she watched Chromie stroke a young dragon.

Deren said nothing. He merely gave Daelin a meaningful look, then shifted his gaze to the vicious scar on Derek's left cheek—the wound left by red dragon Dragonfire commanded by the Dragonmaw Clan during the Second War, one that had never fully healed after all these years.

The old Admiral's fists clenched, then loosened. He glanced at the scar on his son's left cheek, then at the resolute looks in Jaina and Deren's eyes. At last, he forced out a single word through gritted teeth. "Fine."

Meanwhile, behind the pearl curtain in a side hall of the Royal Palace, Queen Kathrin cupped Jaina's cheeks and examined her closely. Sunlight filtered through the stained-glass window, casting mottled patches of light over them.

"You've lost weight." Kathrin spoke softly, her fingers brushing the dark circles beneath her daughter's eyes. "How long has it been since you've had a proper rest?"

Jaina managed a smile. "There's been a lot going on lately, Mother. The Horde, the black dragons, the Goblins, Dalaran... I've been busy all day—"

"That man named Deren... is he special?" Kathrin suddenly interrupted, her voice carrying a gentle probe. Her blue eyes gleamed with a mother's particular sharpness.

The tips of Jaina's ears instantly turned red. "Mother! We're just allies—"

"Allies? Just allies? Would he..." Kathrin lightly tapped her daughter between the brows, where there was a nearly invisible crease. "Make your eyes light up whenever you mention him?"

Jaina opened her mouth, but found herself speechless for a moment. She remembered how Deren had helped her face her father's visit and interrogation, how he had unknowingly caused the great explosion in the Swamp of Sorrows, and how he had helped ease the conflict between her and the Horde.

"He is... different," Jaina finally admitted in a low voice, unconsciously twisting the edge of her robe between her fingers. "But it's complicated, Mother. Between us—"

Her words cut off abruptly when she caught sight of Onyxia's dark expression beyond the curtain—the Black Dragon Princess had somehow appeared there, her Golden Vertical Pupils glinting in the shadows. Her nails had already lengthened into claws, leaving five deep scratches in the doorframe.

Kathrin followed her daughter's gaze, her brow furrowing slightly. "That lady is...?"

"Onyxia." Jaina quickly adjusted her expression. "The Black Dragon Princess. A... powerful ally."

"Is that so?" Kathrin's voice held doubt. "The way she looks at you is nothing like the way one looks at an ally."

Jaina pressed a hand to her forehead and sighed, her voice growing quieter. "It's not what you think..."

Outside the curtain, Onyxia gave a cold snort and turned away. Her high heels struck the marble floor in a dangerous rhythm.

Back in the Royal Palace hall, Daelin was studying Deren with a scrutinizing gaze. The old Admiral clasped his hands behind his back and paced before Deren like a lion cornering its prey.

"That unit is my most elite guard," Daelin finally said in a low voice. "Every one of them possesses extraordinary combat power and an unshakable will. Do you know how many years it takes to train a warrior like that?"

Deren nodded, his expression turning serious. "I understand their value, Admiral. But we need them to deal with some troublesome enemies. Still, I guarantee I'll do my best to prevent any casualties. They only need to hold out for a short while when necessary to ensure a retreat."

"So you brought my daughter charging into the Royal Palace?" Daelin suddenly raised his voice. "Like a pack of pirates? Do you know what that will do to her reputation?"

Deren laughed bitterly to himself. Jaina had been the one who suggested teleporting straight in—she was always like this, decisive and swift once she made up her mind. But in Daelin's eyes, it would always be outsiders leading his precious daughter astray. That was understandable, really. What father would admit that his own child had been a natural "troublemaker" from the start?

"The situation was urgent, Admiral." Deren chose not to argue. "All right, I shouldn't hide it either. We're going to Silvermoon City for a withdrawal operation. Those pointy-eared elves can't hold on any longer. The Undead skeletons are about to start slaughtering everyone."

"Where did you get this intelligence?" Daelin demanded.

"Kael'thas came to ask for help himself," Deren answered coldly. "Otherwise, with the High Elves' temperament, how could they possibly come knocking to beg someone for help?"

Daelin stared at the sea chart for a long while before suddenly looking up. "You can borrow the Eighteen Bronze Men, but on one condition."

Deren let out a breath of relief. "Name it."

"First, they are my guards and my subjects. Their safety must be properly ensured." Daelin raised one finger. "Second, the guards will only participate in battles against the Undead and will not become involved in any other political disputes. Third—" He paused, his gaze sharp. "If even one Bronze Man falls, you will personally come and explain the reason to me."

Deren nodded solemnly. "I swear upon my surname." —Not like I didn't make it up myself.

Daelin snorted, then turned and ordered the captain of the Bodyguard Squad, "Assemble the guards. Full armor."

As Deren and Daelin reached an agreement, Jaina and Kathrin also returned to the hall from the side chamber. The queen's gaze immediately locked onto Deren, and that probing look sent a chill down his spine.

"Did you reach an agreement?" Jaina asked as she walked over to Deren's side.

Deren nodded. Just as he was about to answer, he felt a sharp gaze pierce his back. Turning his head, he met Queen Kathrin's thoughtful eyes. Curiosity, appraisal, and a kind of anticipation he dared not think too deeply about mingled within them.

"Deren Losen, that is your name, correct?" Kathrin approached gracefully. "Jaina told me that you are a... rather capable Agricultural Advisor?"

Deren wore a wry smile. "Uh, you flatter me, Your Majesty. I used to farm in Westfall outside Stormwind City. Later, I gained Her Highness Onyxia's favor and was able to serve her."

"To earn the recognition of the Dragon Race is no small feat." Kathrin smiled, though her gaze flicked toward her daughter before swiftly returning to Deren. "I am curious—how does a farmer come to possess so much knowledge?"

Deren felt Jaina give him a light pinch from behind. He cleared his throat. "Well, that is a long story—"

"We should be leaving." Onyxia suddenly cut in, her voice cold as a blade. At some point, the Black Dragon Princess had appeared on Deren's other side, her slender fingers resting on his shoulder as her nails extended dangerously. "Your Bronze Men have already assembled in the Royal Palace square."

Deren felt the temperature on both sides seem to drop by several degrees at once. To his left was Queen Kathrin's meaningful smile; to his right was Onyxia's almost tangible killing intent. Behind him, Jaina's breathing had noticeably quickened.

"Aha... yes, time is pressing." Deren gave an awkward laugh and took a step back, neatly slipping out of the women's encirclement. "We should head back."

Watching this scene, Daelin suddenly burst into laughter. "It seems your troubles are far greater than merely borrowing troops, Deren."

Deren could only return a bitter smile.

"Come, Deren." The Black Dragon Princess whispered into his ear, her voice sweet as poison. "We have much... to discuss."

Deren swallowed, bowed to the Proudmoore family, and then practically fled toward the doors. He could feel three gazes burning into his back—Kathrin's scrutiny, Jaina's complicated feelings, and Onyxia's possessiveness.

This was absolutely the most dangerous "Asura Field" he had ever experienced.

This was already the third update. There would be another one tonight. My little universe had exploded. Please vote and bookmark.