So this Little Goblin had such a tragic childhood. His teacher had actually been Kel'Thuzad. It seemed fate still hadn't let him go.
But he had appeared in Dalaran in the 1990s, which meant he had survived the Third War without being killed by the Lich King or Archimonde the Defiler. He had become an NPC who spent all day playing pranks. Probably no one would ever know about this little Gnome's tragic life.
Jaina stayed with him while he grieved for a while. Taelan Fordring keenly realized this was a good chance to change Jaina's way of thinking.
First, he introduced himself and Jaina to Little Goblin. Then he said, "Little Goblin, you have to pull yourself together! Nothing can defeat a hero unless he gives up on himself! One day, you'll avenge your parents!
"Live well—that's what they would have wanted! They gave their lives so you could survive! I don't think they'd want to see you living in sorrow all day!"
Little Goblin was still downcast, so Taelan Fordring continued, "This wasn't your fault! The Orcs are invaders from another world. They fell into depravity in their pursuit of power, and eventually destroyed their own world. To survive, they invaded ours, killing unarmed civilians here! In Stormwind alone, they killed hundreds of thousands of people. They seized our land and even sought to wipe out all of humanity!"
"When I grow up, I'll drive these foreign invaders out for sure. I heard that all the kingdoms have come to despise the Orc Internment Camps. They place a huge burden on the treasury. Soon, some kingdoms will want to leave the Alliance. Big changes will happen within a few years! We have to study hard and train our bodies. One day, we'll have a chance to make a difference!"
As Jaina listened to Taelan Fordring speak so confidently and resolutely, just like her father addressing his soldiers, admiration filled her eyes. "Taelan, how do you know so much?"
Taelan Fordring said, "I heard about it from conversations between my father and his friends. As for why they might leave the Alliance, I read the books in my father's study and drew my own conclusions!"
"For example, Quel'Thalas has always been isolationist, and its people are arrogant. They wouldn't have joined the Alliance if the Orcs and Trolls hadn't joined forces to attack Silvermoon City. So once the threat from outside is gone, the Elves will definitely leave the Alliance.
"And the king of the Kingdom of Gilneas is even more isolationist. He even built a wall to shut himself away. If the Alliance ever harms his interests, that selfish, conceited old man will be the first to leave."
Jaina had grown up in an unusual family, so she'd been exposed to matters of state simply by being around them. She couldn't think as deeply about these things yet, but that didn't stop her from understanding what Taelan was saying. She suddenly asked, "What about Kul Tiras?"
Taelan Fordring fell silent for a moment, then said, "Although Admiral Daelin didn't stay in the Alliance because of the Orc Internment Camps, Kul Tiras will maintain close ties with the Kingdom of Lordaeron and the other Alliance nations. It's in Kul Tiras's national interest."
Jaina asked, "Then what do you plan to do? Kill all the Orcs?"
Taelan Fordring shook his head. "Even though I hate these enemies of our world, I can't bring myself to kill them all. That would go against the Paladin's way of compassion! When the Alliance falls apart, the Orcs will surely start another war. Then King Terenas will have brought trouble down on himself. I'll find a way to exile them so they can't harm civilians. Once the Alliance gets through this crisis, we'll find a way to deal with them."
Jaina hadn't thought much about the Orcs before, but she knew her father hated them because of her brother. Today, she'd heard about Little Goblin's ordeal, and Taelan had said the Orcs were invaders of this world. She'd gained a new understanding of them.
After listening to Taelan, Little Goblin thought for a moment, then said, "Taelan, you really don't seem like a child. If you ever need help, come find me!"
Taelan had wanted to warn him about his mentor. But the man was an Archmage and could wield shadow magic. He was too dangerous. If Taelan told Little Goblin to be wary of him, the man might notice.
Little Goblin glanced at the sun. "I have to report to my mentor's mage tower. You can come find me here anytime." With that, he reached into his magic pouch and pulled out a wand, then gave it to Taelan Fordring.
"Here, take this! It might come in handy someday."
"Ding! Congratulations! You have obtained Goblin's Enhanced Wand!"
Goblin's Enhanced Wand Wand Quality: Fine 20–30 Arcane damage +8 Intellect Use: Transforms a target into a calico cat! (Requires: Mage) Durability: 50/50
Now this was a real cat-transforming wand! A Mage who owned one could have three cats at once!
Little Goblin said goodbye to Taelan and left. Taelan gave Goblin's Enhanced Wand to Jaina. He'd expected the princess to politely say something like, "I already have a dozen wands like this. You should sell it for some pocket money." Instead, Jaina happily took the wand, her eyes curving into crescents as she led Taelan along and said,
"I can use this wand for the rest of my life!"
She was right! This thing was unbeatable in a duel! The two of them also went to the Enchanting Guild to see the Starry Roof. On their way back, Jaina told Taelan it had been the happiest day of her life!
Then she earnestly invited Taelan to visit Stormsong with her!
Jaina was like a flower that had been sheltered too well. She'd seen the birdsong and blossoms of Stormsong, but didn't know there was a place in the world called Desolace. It wasn't until Theramore was razed to the ground that she realized the pure moonlight of her childhood had been a gift from her parents. Today she'd heard Little Goblin's story. She'd be lying awake all night thinking about it.
Hopefully she'd come to understand the world sooner and shoulder the burden of her entire people later. She shouldn't have to stand alone on the front lines of a world war again!
Happy times always flew by. The two strolled through Dalaran's streets beneath the moonlight, watching guards march past. Led by Spellbreakers in splendid attire, they patrolled the streets. Jaina held Taelan's hand and told him about her childhood and her mother. Living in an imperial family, affection was the most extravagant luxury of all. That was why Jaina had always been searching for a haven where she could laugh and talk without restraint, without worrying about all the fussy etiquette.
When they reached the gate of Daelin's residence, Jaina gave Taelan a heartfelt goodbye. She was still young, but very clever. She knew that the next time she saw Taelan might not be until she came to Dalaran to study magic a few years later. Every day they spent together was one day fewer. She already knew Taelan had been recommended as an apprentice to Archmage Krasus and would eventually study in Dalaran.
She stood at the gate and watched Taelan walk home beneath the moonlight. Daelin teased her, "He's quite a handsome young man!"
Penglai wishes everyone a happy Spring Festival and good fortune in everything!
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