Stormwind City Will Never Fall!

"Damn!"

Shawn glared at old Grian. For a moment, he wanted to kill him.

But this was old Grian's territory, and his soldiers were everywhere. Besides, even without his armor or holy sword, old Grian was at least one of the stronger mid-level Paladins—possibly even a high-level Paladin. At such close range, Shawn would definitely lose a flag duel. He didn't stand a chance. So he let it go.

There'd be plenty of opportunities later. One day, he'd make old Grian kneel and sing "I Surrender"!

Shawn used his own version of self-comfort to convince himself, then got down to business.

When old Grian heard Shawn out, his eyes nearly popped out of his head. "What? What did you say? King Varian was split in two? The Black Dragon Princess is wreaking havoc in Stormwind City? Even Regent Bolvar Fordragon was deceived? Holy crap, is that for real?"

Shawn rolled his eyes. "No, I made it up."

Old Grian hurriedly gave him an ingratiating smile. "Uh, I might not believe anyone else, but I believe you, Shawn. Everything you say is true, all of it. I believe you, all right? Oh no, this is bad. If something happens to Stormwind City, we're really done for!"

Shawn sneered. "Old Grian, are you really that much of a coward? This little thing scares you?"

"A little thing?!"

Old Grian shouted, "You call this a little thing? Do you understand what it means? Of the seven human kingdoms, Lordaeron is finished, and all that's left of Kul Tiras is Lady Jaina. Gilneas has shut itself off from the world, Dalaran is a pile of ruins, and Alterac is down to a bunch of fallen nobles. Stromgarde has left the Alliance. Stormwind City is humanity's last pillar! If Stormwind City falls, humanity is finished!"

Shawn waited for old Grian to finish venting before calmly saying, "It's not as bad as you think. Have you forgotten the slogan? Stormwind City will never fall! Trust me, Stormwind City won't fall, and humanity won't fall either. Old Grian, I'm going to Stormwind City to find Prince Anduin. I'll bring Bolvar Fordragon to his senses. I'll go to Theramore and ask Lady Jaina for help. I'll find the missing Marshal Reginald Windsor. I'll bring the real Varian back. I'll get rid of Onyxia. I'll..."

Shawn took a deep breath and declared solemnly, "I'll save Stormwind City!"

Never before had Shawn felt so righteous and dashing. It was as if a pure white halo shone above his head, his whole body radiating a sacred light.

At that moment, he wasn't a mage or a commander, but a...

charlatan!

In reality, Shawn wasn't a charlatan. There was one right in front of him... no, a Paladin who could radiate light and wear a halo at any moment.

So old Grian merely rolled his eyes at Shawn's declaration, not taking it seriously at all.

Still, what Shawn had said was a viable plan. Old Grian thought it over, then said, "Shawn, if you've really made up your mind to do this, be careful. I'll personally oversee the construction of the Mage Tower, and I'll send people to stay at Saldean Farm. I can't go with you to Stormwind City."

Shawn smiled. "Of course you can't go to Stormwind City. You'll have to deal with the Defias Brotherhood, and Westfall can't afford to lose you. You don't need to worry about Saldean Farm either. I'll leave the Harvest Watchers and the Domesticated Sow, 'Princess,' behind. With them there, Saldean Farm should be safe. I only hope you won't pocket my share of Jangolode Mine while I'm gone."

Old Grian patted Shawn on the shoulder and said solemnly, "Then you'd better come back in one piece. Otherwise, your share really will be mine!"

Shawn burst out laughing. "Don't worry. I came to Azeroth for a visit, and I don't plan on leaving anytime soon!"

With that, Shawn turned around, swung onto the pig, and waved back at old Grian. Then he squeezed the pig's belly with his legs, and the Domesticated Sow charged off toward Saldean Farm.

Behind him, old Grian stood solemnly and gave Shawn a proper knight's salute, murmuring to himself.

"Stormwind City will never fall. Shawn, you have to stay alive too!"

Shawn certainly didn't want to say goodbye so soon. He'd decided to wade into this mess because he knew the major events of the coming years. King Varian wasn't destined to die, Onyxia was doomed, and Stormwind City would ultimately stand tall.

A friend in need is a friend indeed. Befriending King Varian when he was at his lowest, and Prince Anduin when he was still young and naive, would surely bring Shawn countless benefits in his future life under Stormwind's rule.

Shawn wasn't a businessman, one of those who would double their profits and disregard every law and moral principle. He hadn't only seen all the benefits that might come his way... He genuinely liked King Varian and Prince Anduin, and he genuinely hated that Black Dragon Princess!

So he was willing to give it a try. As long as he was careful, there shouldn't be much danger.

Over the past few days, the Golem Factory had produced several more Harvest Watchers. Shawn left all of them with Old Saldean, along with the Domesticated Sow. He told everyone he was going to Tower of Azora in Elwynn Forest to study under Lord Theocritus for a while, but didn't tell Old Saldean the truth.

He was afraid Old Saldean would worry.

After putting everything in order, Shawn set out for Stormwind City with Vanessa and Rick.

They had two brown horses, one for Rick and one for Shawn and Vanessa to share.

Nestled in Shawn's arms, Vanessa felt a sense of peace and warmth she had never known before. Her father, Edwin VanCleef, had been completely consumed by hatred. He didn't know how to care for or cherish his daughter. Vanessa had been independent from a young age, and had never known what it felt like to rely on someone else.

Shawn was the first person to make her feel that way.

They left Saldean Farm, passed Furlbrow Pumpkin Farm and Jason Farm, and went through Westbrook Garrison. After spending the night in Goldshire, the three of them reached Stormwind City early the next morning.

Standing before the gates of Stormwind City, gazing up at its magnificent walls and solid, imposing gates, and seeing through them the five statues of renowned heroes, Shawn felt a surge of longing.

Yes, compared with Earth's skyscrapers and countless cities, Stormwind City seemed small and crude. But that very old-world charm gave Shawn a sense of its long, weathered history and the enduring spirit of its heroes.

Rick looked at Stormwind City, which he hadn't seen in many years—the city he and his companions had rebuilt with their own hands. He took a deep breath, then let out a long sigh.

Everything had changed. Nothing would ever be the same.

Curled up in Shawn's arms, Vanessa looked at Stormwind City. She had seen it when she was very young, but had no memory of it. She thought that this was her father's greatest source of pride in his life—and the thing he most wanted to destroy.

After a long silence, Shawn suddenly burst into laughter. "Stormwind City, I'm here!"