Farinna

Warhorses galloped along the main road under a gray, overcast sky. Snowflakes swirled in the biting winds of Lordaeron, draping the coniferous forests of the Eastern Weald in a heavy cloak. Reindeer darted through the woods from time to time, though wolves and foxes were far more common. There were no deciduous trees here like those found in the lumber mills, and the air was noticeably colder than in Hearthglen.

Tirion Fordring reminded the Captain of the Guard, Alton, to remain vigilant while recounting the legendary experiences of his mentor, Faol, to his son. Watching his young son on the verge of becoming a Paladin, he could not help but mourn his fallen comrades and those days filled with the fires of war.

The war had brought too many partings, too much helplessness, and too many sighs. Life was so precious, yet so fragile. Barthilas, Black... why were they the ones who died instead of him?

A squirrel emerged from a tree hollow amidst the snow, foraging in the coniferous forest. Watching the squirrel struggle to survive, he suddenly recalled his son's words: One man's hero is another's enemy. They were all invaders of this world, arriving in Azeroth to fight for living space.

Indeed! They were invaders, and invaders never met a good end. Without them, Barthilas and Black would not have had to die.

Then they could have accompanied him to Light's Hope Chapel today to witness his son's growth.

Among the first generation of Paladins of the Order of the Silver Hand, Tirion Fordring had fared the worst.

Uther was a long-time follower of Alonsus Faol. He had co-founded the Order with Faol and became its leader. Turalyon was a Priest who had earned the deep trust of Anduin Lothar, serving as the adjutant to the allied forces. Later, after Lothar's sacrifice, he became the Marshal of the allied forces.

Ravenguard Doom was a man of connections, relying on Lothar's favor to become the second-in-command of the Order. Alexandros Mograine was the direct superior of Saidan Dathrohan, while Saidan Dathrohan, who held down the fort in Stratholme, was Tirion's superior.

Yet, in terms of military merit and combat prowess, Tirion Fordring was second to none, only to end up as the Lord of Hearthglen.

However, Tirion Fordring had always been broad-minded, and now in middle age, he was more concerned with the next generation. His son was the most powerful among all the second-generation Paladins. Even the two stubborn and arrogant sons of Mograine combined were no match for his son. This was his greatest comfort.

On a whim, the father and son went wolf hunting in the forest during their midday break. He was pleasantly surprised to find that his son's grasp of Occultism was already formidable! His unique Holy Spell, Holy Bolt, could now have its trajectory controlled at will. Taelan Fordring killed two wolves without even swinging his weapon, leaving their pelts perfectly intact.

Tirion Fordring skinned the wolves and caught two snow hares to add to their midday meal.

By the afternoon, they were resting at Corin's Crossing. The next morning, they continued northeast, arriving smoothly at Light's Hope Chapel by nightfall.

Here, Taelan Fordring met Bridget, who had arrived early. She had come with General Abbendis. Abbendis embraced Tirion Fordring warmly.

Karandra was searching for the young Jaina, only to be told that Daelin had stayed an extra night in Dalaran and that Jaina would arrive promptly the next morning, surely in time for the baptism ceremony before noon.

The next morning, with the exception of Turalyon, who was on an expedition to Draenor, every member of the Order of the Silver Hand had arrived! Taelan Fordring saw the greatest beauty of the Scarlet Crusade up close for the first time: the Scarlet Sage, Demitia. She was still a young girl, her hair pinned up and a veil draped over her face, giving her a mysterious air.

Because Archbishop Faol was presiding over the baptism himself, many nobles and knights also participated, hoping their children might secure a place within the Silver Hand. Even if they could not awaken the Light and become Paladins, making new friends and building connections was a good thing. Thus, Taelan Fordring spotted two peculiar individuals: Noth and Faulina.

Noth Abraham, a Great Mage of Lordaeron, was a Necromancer. Necromancers were not the same as Death Knights. Their profession involved summoning the souls of the dead to investigate their pasts. Only those with pure souls could become Necromancers. Noth had always been a standout among them, until he met the woman named Faulina.

Faulina was currently considered the greatest beauty in Lordaeron; perhaps only a few mages in Dalaran could compare to her in beauty.

She wore a gown popular among the noblewomen of Lordaeron. The morning sun of the Eastern Weald filtered through the high windows of the cathedral, spilling onto her delicate face, her arched eyebrows slightly raised. A mere smile or a frown was enough to make the pot-bellied nobles of Lordaeron lose their minds.

Naturally, this included Noth. However, Lady Faulina was a married woman, and her sixth husband was still alive.

Taelan Fordring did not worry for the infatuated Noth, for Lady Faulina's current husband was already twenty-six, and they had been married for a full year! He believed it wouldn't be long before Noth successfully took over the position.

Taelan Fordring merely glanced at her before turning away. Faulina's strength was decent now, but her purpose in studying magic was not to defend the country, but to preserve her peerless beauty.

As for the rest, her five previous kind-hearted husbands had left her a substantial inheritance. Now, the people of Lordaeron privately referred to Faulina as the richest woman in the land. Her methods left everyone in the dust.

She moved among the Lordaeron nobles like a butterfly, appearing completely at ease. Why was she here? Was it appropriate for her to attend such an occasion?

After all, Taelan Fordring was a child on the surface, and children should concern themselves with other children! Renault was currently watching Taelan Fordring. At this moment, Bridget had already pulled her new friend over to greet Taelan Fordring! In truth, Bridget Abbendis, this Scarlet Rose, was quite beautiful. Though only in her early teens, she already possessed long legs and a tall figure, with eyes that were bright and spirited, and a delicate, beautiful face.

Seeing Taelan Fordring walk in wearing formal attire, she immediately felt the warmth brought by the increasingly powerful Light within him. As soon as he entered, everyone's gaze turned toward him. She looked carefully and noticed the little girl from Kul Tiras was not there. At this moment, Whitemane had already stepped forward, ready to approach, but she was blocked by Renault.

This was because he saw his father staring intensely at Taelan! Mograine suddenly spoke: "Only First Tier, yet possessing strength as powerful as a Third Tier!" Renault asked curiously, "Only First Tier?"

Alexandros Mograine glanced at his son and said, "Everyone has an innate profession, which could be a combat profession—such as Priest, Warrior, Hunter, or Mage—or an auxiliary profession like Farmer or Tailor. Of course, one might also have a self-awakened specialized profession. Every ten levels of a profession count as one Tier, and the level caps for different professions vary. Paladin is an advanced profession for Warriors and Priests! Your primary profession level is your personal Tier. The sum of all your profession levels is the Tier you can rival."

"Tirion's son must have been a natural Priest who later awakened the power of the Light on his own to become a Paladin! This gives him two primary combat professions. He is currently at least a level 10 Paladin and a level 10 Priest, and he likely has mastered many Warrior abilities as well."

"A squad of Second Tier Lordaeron guards would be no match for him! That is not even counting the powerful magical items he might possess. I heard he saved Princess Jaina of Kul Tiras in Dalaran and managed to hold out against a 5th Tier Dragonkin General until Tirion arrived. He must have a terrifying heirloom."

If Taelan Fordring had heard Mograine's words, he would surely have been shocked! Mograine was indeed a powerful Warrior! He was also the strongest in the Order of the Silver Hand! He had seen through Taelan Fordring's true strength at a glance!

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