Chapter Summaries

Sinestra examined the treasures Onyxia had received from the Goblins, but briefly suffered a frightening vision of her past before Onyxia brought her back to her senses. Elsewhere, Deren met Jaina’s parents and learned that Daelin wanted him to find a bride for Derek, leaving Daelin intrigued by the possibility of a non-human match.

• Onyxia showed Sinestra the Goblins’ gifts, and Sinestra was astonished by the abundance of rare gems and materials.
• Sinestra lost herself in memories of Deathwing’s torment, but Onyxia shook her awake; Sinestra wondered whether the gems carried Old God corruption.
• Jaina brought Deren to meet Daelin and Katherine, and Daelin insulted him before Katherine asked him to help with Derek’s marriage.
• Daelin explained that Bolvar’s resignation as Stormwind’s regent had ruined his plan to marry Derek to the regent’s eldest daughter.
• Deren mentioned that he knew queens, female generals, and priestesses from other races, and Daelin said such a match might be acceptable.

Daelin sought a high-status bride for Derek and considered Queen Talanji of Zandalar, but Deren refused to help interfere in Zandalar’s politics. The family then weighed two ancient Night Elf candidates before Katherine rejected the match over the age gap.

• Daelin asked Deren to find Derek a high-status wife, and Deren suggested Queen Talanji of Zandalar.
• Daelin eagerly accepted the idea of Derek marrying Talanji to expand Kul Tiras’s influence, while Jaina warned that Talanji might instead absorb Kul Tiras.
• Daelin asked Jaina and Deren to keep Talanji in check, but Deren refused to interfere in her private affairs or Zandalar’s politics.
• Katherine asked Deren for another candidate, and he suggested the divorced Night Elf High Priestess of Elune, who was about ten thousand years old.
• Daelin rejected the High Priestess as too old, then favored her adopted daughter, a ten-thousand-year-old general fighting the Orcs.
• Katherine rejected the general over the age gap, and Jaina sighed with relief.

Daelin tried to arrange Derek’s marriage for Kul Tiras’s political benefit, first proposing a Naga match before Jaina and Katherine made him reconsider. The family discussed possible human royal matches, and Daelin began to explain why Tess Greymane was no longer suitable.

• Deren asked whether Queen Azshara’s Naga messenger was still in Theramore, prompting Daelin to eagerly propose a high-ranking Naga for Derek.
• Jaina objected to Daelin arranging Derek’s marriage without his consent and challenged him to take a Naga mistress himself.
• Daelin remembered Fenna Goldenblade, while Katherine’s reaction revealed that she already knew about the affair.
• After Jaina threatened to find Daelin a Naga mistress, Daelin abandoned the Naga marriage plan and asked how else to find a suitable match for Derek.
• Deren suggested Princess Tess Greymane of Gilneas, and Daelin admitted she had once seemed suitable before trailing off.

Deren persuaded Daelin to aid Gilneas by tying military support to a marriage alliance between Princess Tess and Kul Tiras, then found himself ordered to organize the mission. He demanded ten thousand gold coins in preliminary funds, leaving Daelin to decide how much to provide.

• Deren urged Daelin to help Gilneas with its civil unrest and mysterious curse, but Daelin refused until Deren proposed a marriage alliance involving Princess Tess and Duskbay Town.
• Daelin agreed to aid King Genn and sent Queen Kathrin to discuss the alliance before deciding on reinforcements.
• Daelin put Deren in charge of organizing the mission and assigned his Bronze Man guard to him, prompting Jaina to protest.
• Deren agreed to go but asked Daelin for operating funds to deal with the curse.
• Daelin tried to make Jaina pay, but she argued that she should not fund her brother's marriage without a share of the throne.
• Daelin asked how much Deren wanted, and Deren requested ten thousand gold coins.

Deren negotiated with Daelin for funds to arrange Derek’s marriage to Princess Tess and help resolve Gilneas’s crisis, then planned a diplomatic visit with Jaina. The chapter ended with Queen Kathrin learning about White Jaina, Jaina’s counterpart from another timeline.

• Daelin balked at Deren’s proposed costs but agreed to provide twenty thousand gold coins when Deren promised to handle the arrangements without deploying Kul Tiras’s fleet.
• Deren assured Jaina he would try to arrange Derek and Tess’s marriage while respecting their choice, and Daelin left to get the money.
• Queen Kathrin asked Deren about his plan, and he proposed a diplomatic visit to Gilneas to assess the situation before deciding how to act.
• Deren planned to meet Derek in Kul Tiras and travel to Gilneas with Jaina after dealing with the Scythe of Elune.
• Jaina mentioned White Jaina, and Queen Kathrin learned that she was Jaina’s counterpart from another timeline.

Onyxia took Sinestra shopping in Theramore, helping her choose clothes and jewelry while introducing her to the city’s abundance. Sinestra reflected on how far her life had changed as the mother and daughter continued enjoying their day together.

• Onyxia led Sinestra to a clothing store, where Sinestra tried on dresses and chose several outfits to buy.
• Onyxia took Sinestra to a jewelry shop, where Goblin Krasha Gem presented necklaces and other accessories.
• Sinestra admired the lavish selection and thought about her former struggles to obtain resources.
• Onyxia planned more stops, and the two Black Dragons continued their shopping day in Theramore.

Deren prepared to travel to Gilneas with Jaina and Onyxia to arrange Jaina’s brother Derek’s marriage, while Sinestra agreed to watch the house in exchange for the gold entrusted to her. Before leaving, Deren assigned Jaina to contact Tyrande and Onyxia to find Chromie, both of whom would be needed for the Gilneas matter.

• Onyxia and Sinestra returned from shopping and found Jaina discussing Derek’s situation with Deren.
• Onyxia agreed to accompany Deren and Jaina to Gilneas, where Deren planned to propose marriage for Derek.
• Deren entrusted Sinestra with twenty thousand gold coins to watch the house, and Onyxia asked her mother to keep her own chest of gold as well.
• Deren asked Jaina to contact High Priestess Tyrande because the Night Elves needed to address the Werewolf Curse.
• Deren asked Onyxia to contact Chromie and bring her to Gilneas.

Queen Kathrin Proudmoore of Kul Tiras arrived in Duskbay Town with Princess Jaina and Prince Derek, prompting the Gilnean officials to arrange a formal welcome. Queen Mia greeted Kathrin at the harbor, though she wondered what had brought her friend to Gilneas during a time of turmoil.

• The Kul Tiras royal ship Fish Dragon arrived in Duskbay Town, and Mayor Gwen Amster went aboard to receive Queen Kathrin Proudmoore and her entourage.
• Kathrin introduced Princess Jaina, Prince Derek, Deren Losen, and Onyxia to Gwen, whose fear of Onyxia eased after Deren asked her to withdraw her Dragon Awe.
• Gwen left the ship to prepare the reception, and Queen Mia arrived at the docks with several royal family members by teleportation.
• Gwen reported the visitors to Mia, who prepared to welcome Kathrin despite wondering about Kul Tiras's sudden arrival.
• Queen Kathrin and her entourage disembarked, and Mia greeted her friend with compliments about her youthful appearance.

Queen Kathrin visited Queen Mia in Gilneas to explore a marriage alliance between their families, and the queens arranged for Derek and Tess to meet. The chapter ended with Tess taking Derek to walk in the garden alone.

• Queen Kathrin introduced Jaina and Derek, while Queen Mia introduced Tess and Liam.
• Kathrin explained Derek's return and proposed that the young royals get to know each other as potential marriage partners.
• Mia welcomed the proposal and praised Jaina's accomplishments, while Kathrin said Jaina would make her own choices.
• The next morning, Mia introduced Tess to Kathrin, who approved of her as a match for Derek.
• Derek gave Tess a gift, and Mia sent the pair to walk together in the garden.

Deren hosted Chromie, Onyxia, Derek, and Tess for tea and wine in the garden, where Derek and Tess grew closer. Tess considered whether Jaina’s arrival might give her brother a chance to marry without disrupting Gilneas’s political balance.

• Deren poured tea for Chromie, who complained about being summoned, while Onyxia warned her to be careful around Deren.
• Derek and Tess entered the garden, agreed to call each other by their first names, and walked over arm in arm.
• Deren welcomed Derek and Tess, and Derek introduced Deren, Onyxia, and Chromie to Tess.
• Chromie asked Tess for barbecue and wine, and Tess ordered servants to set up grills and bring wine.
• Tess observed Deren and wondered about his relationship with Jaina, then considered that Jaina’s arrival might create an opportunity for her brother.

Queen Mia tried to match Liam with Jaina, but Jaina said she loved her Tactical Advisor, Deren Lawson. Mia realized Jaina could not marry someone who would expect her to give up Theramore, and the queens turned to discussing Tess and Derek instead.

• Queen Mia praised Jaina and suggested that she and Liam get to know each other.
• Jaina rejected the match, saying she loved Deren Lawson, who was waiting in the garden.
• Liam accepted Jaina’s refusal graciously, and Jaina advised him to wear an extra piece of armor.
• Katherine explained that Jaina’s rule over Theramore made marriage difficult because a powerful husband might expect to control the city.
• Queen Mia accepted that Liam had no chance with Jaina and said Tess and Derek could meet Genn after the turmoil at home settled.

Princess Tess and Queen Mia discussed Deren’s relationship with Jaina and his two close female companions, then focused on arranging Tess’s marriage to Derek as a way to strengthen ties with Kul Tiras. They left the matter of Jaina aside and agreed to pursue the marriage alliance while Tess reassured her mother she would visit Gilneas.

• Tess told Queen Mia that Derek seemed pleased with her after she linked arms with him, and described Deren’s closeness with two women.
• Queen Mia said Jaina had admitted she loved Deren, and she wondered how Jaina viewed his intimacy with the other women.
• Tess urged Queen Mia to prioritize a marriage alliance with Derek to secure Kul Tiras’s support and stabilize Gilneas amid rebellion and a curse.
• Queen Mia approved Tess’s political reasoning and agreed to focus on arranging her marriage to Derek.
• Tess promised to help her brother and return to Gilneas often if she married into Kul Tiras.

Deren played cards with Onyxia and Chromie, then revealed that Berisha Starwind was accompanying them to help quell the Werewolf Curse in Gilneas. He challenged Berisha’s belief that she was responsible for the curse and asked whether Satyrs bitten by werewolves had also transformed.

• Onyxia won a card game after Deren passed, and Lezi Long accused her of cheating.
• Deren distracted Lezi Long from investigating the cards by mentioning mahjong, then changed the subject to introduce Berisha Starwind.
• Deren explained that the Werewolf Curse had spread in Gilneas after werewolves summoned from the Emerald Dream attacked its troops during the Third War.
• Chromie and Lezi Long discovered through Time Magic that Berisha had created the Scythe of Elune and the werewolves, prompting Berisha to blame herself.
• Deren questioned whether bites truly caused victims to become werewolves and asked Berisha if Satyrs bitten by werewolves had transformed.

Deren questioned Berisha about the Werewolf Curse and concluded that the Scythe of Elune’s creation may have involved a deliberate conspiracy. The chapter left Berisha shaken by the possibility that someone had given the wolf Druids Goldrin’s tooth on purpose.

• Berisha suddenly realized the Werewolf Curse did not affect Satyrs and asked Deren why.
• Deren explained that the curse targeted Night Elves and ordered Berisha to recount its origins, using a token of Elune to persuade her.
• Berisha described how Lalel and the Druids created the Scythe of Elune, after which the curse appeared and the werewolves were sealed in the Emerald Dream.
• Deren pointed out that the wolf Druids had possessed a tooth from Goldrin despite being rejected by orthodox Druids.
• Berisha began to suspect that someone had deliberately supplied the tooth and orchestrated the Scythe’s creation.

Deren reasoned that the Werewolf Curse and the Scythe of Elune might have been part of a conspiracy involving Lalel and the Wolf God, but Chromie’s attempt to trace the Wolf God’s Fang through time was violently disrupted. The group continued to Gilneas City, where Queen Mia welcomed the convoy.

• Deren questioned Berisha about the Werewolf Druids, the Scythe of Elune, and the possibility that Lalel had manipulated events around her and Avril.
• Berisha wondered whether her and Avril’s tragedy had been deliberately arranged, while Deren pointed out that werewolves had appeared in Gilneas despite the Scythe of Elune being with Berisha.
• Onyxia asked Chromie to investigate the Wolf God’s Fang, but a violent force shattered Chromie’s time spell and blasted her out of the carriage.
• Chromie returned unharmed, and Lezi Long concluded that someone had prevented him from seeing part of the fang’s history; the group then stopped discussing the curse and resumed traveling.
• The convoy reached Gilneas City, where Queen Mia held a formal welcome, and Deren’s companions commented on the city’s old buildings.

Deren attended Gilneas City’s welcoming banquet and ball, where Onyxia struck a rude noble and Princess Tess calmed the gathered guests. The celebration continued until King Genn arrived and welcomed the visitors from Kul Tiras.

• Deren watched the nobles greet the guests and tried to keep the bored Onyxia from frightening them.
• A young noble insulted Deren, so Onyxia struck him through two tables before Princess Tess apologized and bowed to Deren and Onyxia.
• The nobles bowed to Deren and Onyxia, and the gathering became quieter as they avoided provoking the pair.
• Deren and his companions moved into the ballroom, where Jaina and Princess Tess drew attention as the celebration grew lively.
• King Genn arrived with guards, greeted the guests from Kul Tiras, and apologized for being late.

King Genn arrived at the gathering, where Deren realized the Gilnean king had been cursed with the worgen affliction. Deren and Onyxia discussed asking Chromie to help, but they planned to proceed cautiously as a servant quietly approached Deren.

• Queen Mia introduced Genn to the Kul Tiras visitors, and Genn warmly greeted Derek and praised Jaina.
• Genn asked Jaina about his son Liam, but Mia reminded him that Jaina already loved someone.
• Deren told Genn that he had come to save him, then hinted that Genn would turn into a big gray wolf; Genn reacted with alarm.
• Deren concluded that Genn had already been bitten and told Onyxia that Chromie might be able to handle the curse, though they would wait and test things slowly.
• Deren joked with Onyxia and Chromie at the ball until Onyxia noticed a servant silently approaching Deren from behind.

Deren and his companions met King Genn Greymane in private, where Deren revealed that he knew Gilneas was facing both a rebellion and worgen attacks. After Genn explained the worsening crisis, Deren asked what price the king was willing to pay for their help.

• A servant tried to summon Deren, but Onyxia dismissed him, and Jaina and Tess later waved Deren over themselves.
• Tess led Deren, Jaina, Onyxia, Chromie, and Berisha to a guarded room to meet King Genn.
• Deren confronted Genn about Gilneas's troubles, and Jaina assured the king that Deren had come to help.
• Deren introduced Onyxia and Chromie, easing Genn's fear enough for him to discuss Gilneas's situation.
• Genn admitted that mysterious beasts were attacking within the Grei Main Wall while a noble rebellion was worsening, and Deren asked what price Genn would pay.

Deren and Jaina negotiated with Genn over Princess Tess's dowry, proposing Duskbay Town as her hereditary fief. Tess agreed to receive the town and proposed local self-government, while Genn approved the arrangement and the group discussed concessions for Kul Tiras.

• Deren and Jaina proposed granting Duskbay Town to Tess as a hereditary fief, and Genn objected to Kul Tiras gaining influence there.
• Jaina argued that the town could reconnect Gilneas with the outside world, while Deren left the choice to Genn.
• Genn summoned Tess and suggested making Duskbay Town her fief before she married Derek.
• Tess agreed and proposed that a town council elect a mayor, leaving her to collect an annual tribute.
• Genn approved Tess's plan, and Deren suggested tax breaks for Kul Tiras ships to appease Daelin.

Genn agreed to announce Tess’s engagement to Derek and grant her Duskbay Town as a fief, while Deren withheld a solution to the Werewolf Curse until the marriage alliance was secured. The chapter ended with the Grei Main royal family discussing Tess’s plan to govern Duskbay Town as an autonomous territory.

• Deren asked Genn whether cursed Gilneans should be treated as citizens or purged, and said he could address the curse once the marriage alliance was finalized.
• Genn agreed to announce Tess’s engagement to Derek and grant her Duskbay Town the next day.
• Deren told Lezi Long and the Black Dragon that Blackhand remained their main concern, then joined them in a card game.
• Genn, Queen Mia, Prince Liam, and Tess discussed Gilneas’s unrest and the proposed grant of Duskbay Town.
• Tess proposed making Duskbay Town an autonomous territory that would pay tribute to Gilneas, with preferential treatment for ships from Kul Tiras.