Rallying

The savagery in Genn's eyes gradually faded, and his grip slowly loosened. At last, he set Varian down and returned to the corner, where he sat facing the wall.

"Go. I won't kill you. But just as you said, if you consider Liam your brother, then live for him too. Treat the people of Gilneas as your own subjects. Be kind to them, protect them, and give them a happy life."

Hearing Genn's words, Varian felt a surge of joy. Genn was essentially saying that Gilneas could become part of the Kingdom of Stormwind. It was an unexpected gain, but Varian wasn't ready to give up yet. He still hadn't achieved his true goal. In his eyes, as long as Genn left this prison, everything in Gilneas would eventually be his. All he'd done was obtain a little early what he was rightfully due. With that thought, his joy quickly faded.

"Lord Genn, I'm grateful for your trust, but trust alone can't take the place of oversight. If I lose my way in the future and fail to live up to your and Liam's expectations, who will be able to stop me?

"So, Lord Genn, I still need you to step forward. Only then can I do a better job!"

"Varian, I've never been a good king, nor a good father. I'm sorry, but I can't be what you hope for. I'm just a selfish man.

"Varian, let me spend the rest of my life here. I'm tired. I don't want to get involved in all those complicated matters anymore."

The broad-shouldered man now looked like a frail old man, weary and bent with age, devoid of vitality.

Varian's expression grew serious. He hadn't expected Liam's death to make Genn reject himself so completely.

Varian set aside everything else about