Alonsus Faol

Chapter 47: Alonsus Faol

Taelan Fordring had just finished answering Bridget's eccentric questions when the sound of hooves reached his ears. Moments later, a group of cavalrymen in peculiar attire charged into view. The knight at the lead was tall and imposing, his lance bearing a banner embroidered with an anchor.

The troop moved like the wind, reaching Taelan Fordring and Bridget in an instant. A booming voice rang out: "Hey, kid! What are you doing here?"

As the rugged carriage came to a halt before Taelan Fordring, a beautiful little girl with golden hair and thick, heavy clothing hopped out. The moment she emerged, she spread her arms and toddled toward the tall boy. Completely ignoring Bridget standing to the side, she latched onto Taelan's arm and let out a series of giggles.

She felt as if she had passed through something, yet there wasn't a hint of cold wind around Taelan Fordring, so she immediately shed her heavy bear-fur coat.

She stood in the snow, draped in a thin white cloak. Her golden hair caught the light, her eyes curved into crescents, and she flashed a smile of small, white teeth.

"How did you do that?" She extended a finger, tapping lightly against the thin, translucent layer of the Power Word: Shield.

Seeing the anchor banner, Bridget knew Jaina had arrived. Why is a Princess of Kul Tiras constantly pestering a knight of Lordaeron?

Her brows twitched. Forget it. Father is never wrong. Taelan will be far away from Jaina soon enough.

Prestor was gone.

You are still young; you don't understand the world of adults.

Taelan Fordring was unaware of Bridget's internal monologue, which she had originally intended to voice to him. Seeing that Jaina had traveled all the way from the warm shores of Kul Tiras to the frozen, snow-covered lands of Lordaeron just to attend his baptism, he felt a touch of genuine happiness.

"I mastered this after learning Power Word: Shield. I'll explain it to you later. For a mage, this is quite simple."

Daelin walked over and patted the thin layer of Holy Light. "It is not that simple. This is the result of deep study into the Occultism. It is the highest manifestation of energy manipulation."

"Yours is even more miraculous than my Tide Guardian. Jaina, you must work harder as well, and strive to become a mage soon."

Bridget felt completely uncomfortable now. She wanted to distance herself from Jaina, yet she couldn't bear to step out of the protection of the Holy Light. Outside, the weather was freezing and the wind was howling.

The three of them walked into the cathedral. The moment they stepped inside, Taelan Fordring felt a strange energy touch him—it was fervent and warm.

He hadn't felt this a moment ago; where was it coming from? Taelan Fordring focused his attention, observing the entire hall. He was immediately drawn to the eight murals high up in the chapel, which circled the hall, painted on a glass-like material. The morning sun shone through them into the hall, allowing Taelan to make out only a few of the patterns.

Suddenly, a hand patted his shoulder.

Taelan Fordring was startled. How did he do that? His shield, while not as resilient as a true Power Word: Shield capable of resisting massive physical and magical damage, was not something a mere hand could simply pass through.

He habitually channeled a surge of Holy Light into the shield and turned around. He saw an elderly man with white hair and a slight bald spot. He was dressed in red and white priest robes, and seeing the old man's crown, Taelan recognized it as the Priest's Tier 1 set: Prophecy.

Daelin introduced them: "Taelan, this is Archbishop Alonsus Faol. It was he who proposed that you be baptized here."

Archbishop Faol spoke softly: "Countless human heroes are buried here. A baptism in this place not only awakens the Holy Light within a person but may also grant the blessing of a predecessor. Even if you already possess the Light, it can elevate your own power!"

He is the Archbishop of the Holy Light of Lordaeron. I even fished up his lucky coin once! What a pity...

An ancient gold coin of Quel'Thalas!

He quickly bowed to the Archbishop. Faol's voice was slightly raspy as he nodded and whispered to Taelan Fordring: "Child, when you take your oath in a moment, expand your Holy Light shield fully. Cover as many people as you can and contemplate the true essence of the Light. I hope you receive the legacy of the heroes."

A glimmer of hope hid in his eyes as he said as calmly as he could: "I will do my best to help you master more of the teachings of the Holy Light. In the future, heavy burdens will surely fall upon your shoulders."

Seeing Taelan Fordring's puzzled expression, he added: "I saw that letter. Your father also informed me of your concerns! Although no one will believe it, I will ask an old friend of mine, Brann, to keep an eye on this matter."

Hearing this, Taelan Fordring thought of that mad Druid's letter! He knew that although that man was right, no one would believe him.

It was a good thing to have a person of such status paying attention to it! But hearing the name Brann, a voice suddenly echoed in his ears:

Heaven knows what great secrets we will discover!

Haha, in the end, these old, magical hands won. Now, let us return to the subject.

No, no, no, no, no!!!

Hearing the name Brann, he immediately thought of Brann Bronzebeard, the Dwarven explorer. It was indeed possible for Faol to know Brann Bronzebeard, as Brann had fought alongside Lothar during the Orc wars. At that time, Faol was still a priest in Stormwind, where he had taken Benedictus as his apprentice. So, it was possible they knew each other.

But sending him there—are you trying to trigger the Wrath of the Lich King ahead of schedule?

In any case, this person was, under normal circumstances, extremely abnormal.

However, Taelan Fordring said nothing. Even if Brann was unreliable, at least he knew how to pull aggro!

Being prepared was a good thing!

As for Faol's words, he decided to follow his advice. He had no reason to deceive him, and this old man was someone worthy of respect.

He nodded and withdrew his Holy Light shield. Seeing the situation, Tirion walked over with his family. Their master-apprentice relationship seemed quite good. It made sense; among his remaining disciples, only Tirion and Uther were personally chosen by him. Turalyon had already gone to Outland, and in everyone's eyes, he had likely sacrificed himself.

Time quickly reached 9:00 AM, and the ceremony was about to begin. Just then, a Paladin hurried into the cathedral and whispered a few words into Faol's ear. Faol then announced loudly: "Everyone, please wait a moment. A distinguished guest has arrived at Light's Hope Chapel from Lordaeron! Let us await his arrival!"

Faol instructed Ravenguard to lead a squad of the Order of the Silver Hand to welcome the guest.

Arthas was in a heavy mood today; things hadn't gone his way for a month!

First, his sister's betrothed had been accused of being Deathwing, and then that man had vanished without a trace. Next, his application to join the Order of the Silver Hand early had been rejected by his teacher.

Both of these matters involved one person: Taelan Fordring, the son of Hearthglen's lord, Tirion Fordring. A child of only ten years old! First, he had saved the Princess of Kul Tiras right under his nose.

That's right, that squad of Royal Guards of Lordaeron had been there to protect the Prince! The kidnapping had occurred just one wall away from him! And then, his sister's marriage had simply fizzled out.

Later, Tirion Fordring had requested his teacher, Alonsus Faol, to baptize his son and allow him to join the Order of the Silver Hand early.

Arthas had always been called the most gifted child in decades. He was destined to become a powerful Warrior, a sentiment his teacher Muradin shared. That was until Taelan Fordring became an Awakened of the Holy Light.

Two weeks ago, in the morning, he had arrived at the dining hall early, only to hear his father, Terenas, say: "Although Taelan Fordring is not quite the right age, after the incident with Prestor, Calia is not suitable to choose a husband for some time. Taelan Fordring's appearance is timely; it will allow her to marry a powerful Paladin smoothly once this embarrassing period passes!"

Taelan Fordring would be grown up by then! This would be beneficial for both sides. The Fordring family could become high nobility, achieving a rise in status. And the Menethil family would gain a powerful guardian—it was killing two birds with one stone.

As for the personal wishes of Calia and Taelan, they were not even a consideration for this seasoned politician.

Hearing of this, Arthas felt a deep revulsion toward his father's ruthlessness. Yet, he was powerless to act, just as he had been with the matter of Calia and Prestor last time. He could only watch.

Even now, he remained helpless, a sensation that brought waves of impotence crashing over him. All the while, his sister's words echoed in his ears:

"I hope that one day, you will be able to marry the one you love."

Thus, he chose to come to Light's Hope Chapel to catch a glimpse of this "Light of the Holy Light."

When he stepped into Light's Hope Chapel, the first thing that met his eyes was not the boy, but a beautiful little face and a head of glowing golden hair.

Fate had brought them together once again!

Thanks to Nannan Mao and Youxin Wuyan for the monthly tickets.

Thank you all for the recommendation votes.

I have things to attend to at work today, so I am posting first and will edit later.