Better Late Than Never

A fulfilling day passed quickly. In the afternoon, Tirion Fordring returned from patrolling his lands and immediately went to the study to find his son.

Facing old Fordring, Taelan did not bring up that famous question. Instead, he asked his father how to become a qualified Paladin.

He learned that to become a Paladin, one must first train in various combat skills. Upon qualifying, one enters the Order of the Silver Hand training camp, where they complete three years of training to become a squire.

Only then do they enter the Order of the Silver Hand to serve, and finally, they must undergo the Baptism of the Light. Only those who successfully awaken the power of the Holy Light are promoted to Paladin.

This process is mandatory, but it takes far too long. For Taelan Fordring, this was potentially fatal. By the time he became a Paladin through the standard path, he would only be fit to join the Scarlet Crusade.

He said to Tirion Fordring, "Father, if one awakens the Holy Light on their own, can they join the Order of the Silver Hand and become a Paladin early?"

Tirion Fordring replied, "Of course, they are called Initiate Paladins. We call such people the Awakened. They are born with an Affinity for the Holy Light. However, such people are extremely rare. Even the mighty Lightbringer Uther was not one of the Awakened. I recall that only my teacher, Archbishop Faol, awakened the power of the Holy Light on his own. He was a Priest, a member of the clergy."

Taelan Fordring knew that, according to the settings, a Nephalem was a natural spellcaster. Once he reached level 6 and mastered Holy Bolt, he could find a way to have someone perform the Baptism for him. He could become an Initiate Paladin early, train within the Order of the Silver Hand, and find a way to earn merit so he could make a difference in the upcoming Third War!

The next morning, urged on by his wife, Tirion Fordring took his son, mounted their warhorses, and began his journey to Dalaran to seek medical help!

The father and son soon rode out of Hearthglen. Zhou Shen—or rather, Taelan Fordring—was quite familiar with the Western Plaguelands! But right now, this place was still a lush, verdant forest known as the Eastern Weald.

It was divided into two parts: one managed by Stratholme, and the other belonging to Andorhal. Hearthglen was a valley within the Eastern Weald, currently surrounded by mountains with fertile soil, serving as the core grain-producing region for the entire Kingdom of Lordaeron.

There were vast farms here. During the Third War, the grain in these very farms would be tainted by the plague engineered by Heigan, a subordinate of Kel'Thuzad. Andorhal was the grain distribution hub for all of Lordaeron, and the plague swept across the kingdom starting from there.

The father and son rode on one horse along the main road. Tirion then handed Taelan Fordring a shield and a short sword he had hidden in his magic backpack.

These were the pieces of equipment Taelan had begged Tirion to bring for him yesterday. As a father, Tirion Fordring knew his son longed to be a Paladin like him, and with his excellent talent, he was already capable of wielding weapons and a shield.

What he did not know was that his son's desire to go to Dalaran was not merely to treat his amnesia. Seeing his son strap on the shield and buckle the short sword in a proper manner, a fatherly smile appeared on Tirion's face. He asked, "Son, why do you desire power so much?"

Taelan Fordring replied, "Only by mastering power can I protect my loved ones and our people.

I read a book yesterday that said our world is full of danger. There are swarms of Murlocs in the north, and Trolls entrenched in the mountains. The forests are crawling with beasts and Gnolls, while the underground world in the mines belongs to the Kobolds. If I have no power, how can I protect Mother's safety?"

Tirion Fordring had originally intended to say that he was still young and that the responsibility of protecting his mother and the people rested on his own shoulders. But thinking of how he was away for years, fighting for the Alliance, he realized he had neglected his wife and son.

"Child, there is nothing wrong with pursuing power, but never pursue power for its own sake. A person is human because they possess a kind and righteous heart, and power exists to protect the beauty of this world!"

Taelan Fordring nodded and said, "I understand, Father. I will."

"Ding! Discovered Felstone Farm!

You have gained 200 experience points. Congratulations, you have reached level 3!"

"You have gained one skill point. Your physical attributes have improved."

It was now noon, and Tirion decided to take his son to visit the owner of Felstone Farm, John Felstone. John was a childhood friend of Tirion Fordring, and he had later married Janice Felstone. When the servant invited the father and son into the living room, Tirion Fordring learned that John had gone to Andorhal to discuss the grain procurement for the year. The one receiving Tirion was Janice, a beautiful woman wearing a long blue dress. She looked very young at this time.

That's right, this was the quest giver for "Better Late Than Never," Janice Felstone. She would be killed by the plague and become a ghost, yet she would never forget her husband and loved ones. She would entrust the player to deliver a prepared package to her sister!

Her sister would also become quite deranged; that terrible plague had harmed so many people and changed so many destinies. At the time, everyone only focused on Prince Arthas of Lordaeron and the Archmage Kel'Thuzad. Who remembered that loving couple from back then?

Although Taelan Fordring was small, he possessed the soul of an adult. He politely bowed to Janice Felstone: "Hello! Aunt Janice!"

Janice clearly liked the cute-looking Taelan Fordring and happily took his hand: "Taelan has grown so tall! I heard from your uncle yesterday that you were injured? Are you better now?"

Tirion Fordring took over the conversation: "Taelan's body is fine; he has always been strong. But his head suffered a blow, and he lost some of his memories. He doesn't even recognize his childhood playmates anymore, and he suffers from frequent headaches.

I am taking him to visit the Archmage in Dalaran to see if there is any way to help him recover."

Janice said, "Poor child! Childhood memories are a precious treasure to anyone. It is truly a pity to lose them!"

As she spoke, she took a pendant from her pocket and placed it around Taelan Fordring's neck.

"Ding, you have received Janice's Blessing Pendant."

Janice's Blessing Pendant

Necklace

Quality: Fine

+2 Stamina

+2 Strength

Equip: Increases your hit rate by 1%.

"Quest Discovered: Better Late Than Never!

Janice likes you very much and has given you her amulet! She hopes you can recover your childhood memories! Yet you know her future fate. You feel you should do something for this kind woman. When that fatal danger arrives, you can protect her.

Do you accept the quest?"

"I accept!" Taelan Fordring said silently.

Then, looking at Janice, he said earnestly: "Aunt Janice, thank you! I think we will see each other often in the future. You are welcome to visit me in Hearthglen when you have time."

Janice smiled happily, "What a sensible child!"

Tirion Fordring watched his son interacting with Janice like a little adult and felt very happy. He suddenly thought of the two rowdy kids in the Mograine household, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl upward.

As expected of my son, Tirion Fordring. Heh, poor old Mograine!

The hospitable Janice soon prepared a sumptuous meal and chatted with Taelan about many interesting things on the farm.

There was a large wild boar near her home called Gentleman. Every time it stole grain from the farm, it would eat along the ridges, one row at a time. It would never touch another row until it had finished the current one, and it would even continue from where it left off the next time it came.

It was very particular and only ate the best, so everyone named it "Gentleman."

It was very strong and clever. Every time the Lordaeron sheriff came to catch it, it would run into the woods and hide, refusing to come out. And once the sheriff left empty-handed, it would come back out and wreak double the havoc on the Felstone crops.

Gentleman was truly too much!