After finishing their portraits, Tirion Fordring and Daelin each took their wives to Caer Darrow Castle for the banquet. They said a few Lordaeron nobles were vacationing there, too. Jaina and Taelan, meanwhile, toured Caer Darrow Island with Jandice Barov.
Caer Darrow was an island in the middle of a lake, surrounded by clear blue water and rows of green trees. A cool breeze blew through now and then, carrying away the summer heat and leaving them feeling refreshed.
Jaina stood by the lake, then suddenly turned her back to Taelan and spread her arms. A cool breeze swept past, lifting the hem of her skirt. Her waist was slender. She untied her hair, and her golden locks fell like a waterfall. She looked like the girl next door.
With her back to Taelan Fordring, she said, "It's so beautiful here! I wish there would never be another war! Then no one would die in battle, and Mom and Dad would have time to spend with me! What do you think, Taelan?"
"No one likes war. Everyone wants their loved ones by their side! Father and Uncle went to war so that more people could live in peace! So more people could be with their families!"
"Life isn't peaceful because everything is fine. It's because someone else is carrying the burden for us! One day, we'll have to shoulder our fathers' responsibilities, too! We'll fight for Azeroth!"
Taelan silently added, Until we win, or I return to my mother's embrace forever!
Something seemed to stir in the depths of the universe! The Holy Light answered him! A milky-white glow lit up around his body. The Holy Light spilled out, forming a transparent, egg-shaped shield that completely protected him.
"Ding! System notification: You've finally found your path. Your understanding of the Holy Light has deepened! That path is responsibility! You've learned Power Word: Shield: Use the power of the Holy Light to protect a target and absorb a great deal of damage. Cannot be used on the same target again for one minute!"
Janice Barov was deeply unhappy with today's assignment. Why didn't her younger brother have to entertain those brats? She had magic to practice! Especially with Jaina, who was as arrogant as a princess! Well, she was a princess.
Janice had her own pride, too. When she was born, her family had been one of the greatest noble houses in the Eastern Kingdoms. Even the royal family of Alterac had less wealth than hers! Her ancestors came from the ancient Arathi Empire. Their bloodline was noble!
Jaina's House Proudmoore wasn't even a royal family, and Kul Tiras was more like a joint-stock company. Her family was just a major shareholder! Jaina's status might not even be as exalted as the eldest daughter of House Barov!
What Janice understood least was why Jaina clung to that boy all day. Whenever she heard him call her "Jaina," she looked as happy as if she'd just drunk a whole jar of Lordaeron honey. What was so special about him?
Well, he was special. There was something about him—a certain presence. He had the feel of the Holy Light, and being around him always felt warm! He was also exceptionally knowledgeable. His family wasn't really noble; his father had only recently been granted a title. The only other person she'd met with such knowledge and intelligence was Prince Arthas Menethil of Lordaeron! But Arthas was more impulsive, and he hadn't awakened the power of the Holy Light on his own!
She knew people in Dalaran called the boy "Light of the Holy Light." That must have been a title his mentor, Krasus, had given him. At the time, she hadn't thought much of it. Lots of noble families hyped up their important children, calling them things like magical prodigies or children of the Holy Light. Jaina, for example!
To get Jaina studying under Antonidas, her father had visited Dalaran time and again.
(Daelin: That's not true! I actually...)
Now that she'd seen the Power Word: Shield around Taelan, she believed it! He was a natural spellcaster. No wonder Jaina was always clinging to him—and had even rudely ended up in the Fordring family portrait earlier.
A powerful Paladin was worth more on the battlefield than any number of mages or warriors! Their mighty Auras could cover a vast battlefield and strengthen the soldiers. Besides, Paladin was an advanced class! Taelan's base class wasn't just Warrior; he was a Priest, too.
But she didn't agree with Taelan's words. Her family hadn't betrayed the Alliance! Why should they be treated like this?
Jandice Barov was lost in thought when she heard Jaina laugh happily. "Taelan, I think you should become a Priest. Priests who know Power Word: Shield can become Bishops!"
She blinked her big eyes, then suddenly asked, "That mountain over there looks snowy. What's it called?"
Jandice really didn't want to tell her. She thought Jaina was so annoying!
Taelan Fordring replied, "That's Chillwind Point. The mountain is called Aerie Peak. It's covered in snow all year because of its high elevation, and it connects Caer Darrow to the Hinterlands. Um..."
"What else?"
Taelan Fordring glanced at Jandice. When he saw no reaction from her, he continued, "It also connects to Alterac."
Jaina wasn't about to let Jandice ignore her. "Isn't Alterac under the control of Ogres and Orcs now?"
Taelan Fordring didn't answer. He'd only recently learned that Jaina had a teasing side, too.
When Jaina saw that Taelan Fordring had nothing to say, she knew he never dug up old wounds. Then she suddenly remembered how she'd wanted to go bear hunting the day before!
She blurted out, "Let's go hunt bears!"
Taelan Fordring said, "Are there even bears to hunt around here? And that mountain only looks close. It's actually a long way off, and it would take ages to get there. It's too close to Alterac, so it isn't safe, either! But there are bears in the forest across the way, near the farms." He remembered there weren't any bears to hunt at Chillwind Point—only someone who wanted to hunt his brother.
Jaina took a wooden staff from the little red pouch at her waist, put on her Gentleman's Formal Wear, and changed into a pair of outdoor boots. "I always bring my gear. Dad says it's better to be prepared!"
That was very military! Tirion had said the same thing! He changed out of his constricting formal clothes and into light armor, then took out his shield and longsword. He slung the Dragon Codex diagonally across his back! In an instant, he looked like a proper Paladin! The kind who carried a book! Too bad he wasn't carrying the Hammer of the Naaru.
Janice stared at the two of them, speechless. Were their minds really that unpredictable? They'd been chatting one moment, and now they wanted to go hunting! Still, nobles loved to hunt. Half the time it was for entertainment, and half the time to show off their bravery. They also shared the meat with their people, and if they hunted magical creatures, they could make a fortune!
Young people were full of ideals and eager to act. They didn't dwell on risks and rewards. When they thought of something, they tried it! Taelan had agreed with Jaina's suggestion because he wanted to test his new ability against an animal as strong as a bear.
They set off at once. The three of them crossed the bridge, but Taelan chose not to go to Chillwind Point. It was too close to Alterac. If a two-headed Ogre came charging out, they'd be serving up dinner that night!
He was confident he could handle the beasts in the forest! He was getting a little overconfident, too!
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