The split was no longer avoidable. Ironically, the elves who advocated war were retreating from Ashenvale, while those who hoped for peace remained behind to confront the Orcs.
Malfurion stood beside Tyrande and pleaded with her affectionately. "My love, must you be so heartless? We can talk this over."
The High Priestess gave him a cold glance. Why hadn't he tried to stop her when she announced at the meeting that she was leaving? Now that she had packed up the troops, he came running to keep her? What an accomplished actor.
"Spare me your fake concern. If you want to negotiate with the Orcs, go ahead. At least then I won't have to look at you and upset myself." Tyrande had no desire to suffer any more humiliation. She had taken most of the troops and supplies with her. With those under her control, the Night Elves could not cause much trouble. Besides, she still needed to sail out and search for the Suramar elves. If she found them, great things could be accomplished; if not, she could still lure the Orcs into launching a surprise attack.
"Try to understand my good intentions." Malfurion was still playing the emotional card.
Tyrande looked at him sidelong. "You saw what the outside world has become through the An'qiraj crisis, didn't you? You experienced the Alliance's strength firsthand, didn't you? Yet you are still here rejecting this and rejecting that, clinging to one kind of elf and another. You even look down on reinforcements delivered right to your doorstep.
"You are afraid of change. You are afraid that change will weaken your power and status. You pretend not to see what kind of creatures the Orcs are. You keep talking about how brave the Orcs at An'qiraj were. Do you really not