647. Tyrande's Vigil

Ashenvale's capital, the Night Elf town of Astranaar, had once been peaceful. Now it was heavily guarded—not because the Horde had suddenly decided to wage war on the Night Elves, but because the Undead Scourge had appeared in Ashenvale, Felwood, and even Mount Hyjal. Though the undead hadn't swept across the land as they had on the Eastern Kingdoms Continent, the stench of decay clung to every Night Elf territory they reached. The Night Elves who had lived through the War of the Ancients felt the taut string in their minds begin to vibrate again. Their leader, the Priestess of the Moon, Tyrande, was foremost among them.

After arranging Astranaar's defenses, Tyrande didn't stay in the town. She was now in the Moonlight Land, a peaceful, calm, and quiet place where many forest guardians had gathered. These beings, half stag and half person, closely resembled Centaurs, and like the Centaurs, they carried the blood of Cenarius, the demigod.

Tyrande had come here because the Moonlight Land was not only a gathering place for the forest guardians; it was also a permanent entrance to the Emerald Dream. Many Night Elf Druids had assembled here to await the return of their leader, Malfurion Stormrage. Malfurion was also the reason Tyrande had come. Before setting out, she had already contacted him and asked him to return from the Emerald Dream. The appearance of the Undead Scourge had made her anxious.

"Remulos, has Malfurion returned yet?"

"Oh, Tyrande, it's been a long time. How have you been? Malfurion sent word yesterday that he would definitely return around noon today. It's still early, so why don't we wait together?"

"All right, Remulos. By the way, has the Moonlight Land been peaceful lately?"

"Of course, Tyrande. The Moonlight Land has always been a symbol of peace