Different Paths

Because of the abrupt departure of the two envoys from the Alliance, the Parliamentarians represented by Lor'themar, the Royalists led by Rommath, and the military leader Lirath were all caught in a state of diplomatic uncertainty.

Just as the existing leadership of Silvermoon City was in a state of confusion, Kael'thas, far away in Outland, sent back a decree ordering Lor'themar to immediately prepare for negotiations with the Horde. This order stunned the entire leadership of Silvermoon City.

Although the Alliance envoy left without a word, Quel'Thalas still retains the leverage of neutrality. They can choose to join either the Alliance or the Horde, but what should be done when the prince issues such an order at this crucial moment?

Faced with Kael'thas's order, the Silvermoon City leadership was momentarily stunned, but Rommath's royalist faction immediately expressed an attitude befitting their status, demanding that Lor'themar carry out the prince's orders at once.

Faced with the loyalty of the Royalists, the Lor'themar Parliamentarians hesitated for a moment before choosing to obey the order, for opposing Kael'thas's order meant that Silvermoon City could split at any moment.

Both the Royalists and the Parliamentarians have already made their stances clear. The military, represented by Lirath and others—who are also the rangers and Farstriders who have clashed with the Horde in the past—have no choice but to reluctantly accept it, even if they don't want to join the Horde.

To carry out Kael'thas's orders, a new problem arose: how should the Sin'dorei join the Horde? They had three options: follow in the footsteps of Sylvanas, who had been working for them, ask their sworn enemy Amani for an intermediary, or send an envoy directly to Orgrimmar.

Although these three paths lead to the same destination, choosing each path carries different meanings for the Sin'dorei, leading to a heated debate among the high-ranking officials of Silvermoon City.

Some high-ranking officials in Silvermoon City believed they could follow Sylvanas, as this martyred ranger general had been working to bring the Sin'dorei into the Horde. Others, however, believed that Sylvanas was exploiting the Sin'dorei and that the Sin'dorei should be diplomatically independent, maintain sufficient dignity, and send someone directly to Orgrimmar to contact the Warchief.

Beneath the domed hall of the Sunfury Spire, the high-ranking officials of Silvermoon City argued amongst themselves, trying to reach a conclusion, but they could not find a way to satisfy everyone's opinions. In the end, Archmage Rommath suppressed the crowd, but he could not come up with a convincing idea either, so he could only turn his attention to Lor'themar.

"Regent Lor'themar, do you have any plans?" In response to Rommath's words, the silent crowd immediately turned their gazes to the man on the regent's Phoenix Throne beneath the Phoenix Throne.

"My idea is to go through Amani," Lor'themar said, facing the gazes of the crowd.

"Why?" Even Rommath was puzzled. According to Sylvanas's hints, Silvermoon City had access to the Outland entrance and the whereabouts of the brown-skinned Orcs. They could have contacted Orgrimmar unilaterally. Even without going through Sylvanas, there was no need to abandon their dignity to contact their former nemesis Amani.

"If we want to join the Horde, then the Amani will be an obstacle we cannot avoid. Do you think we have enough leverage to make the Horde's Warchief disregard the King of the Amani's opinion and agree to accept us into the Horde?" Lor'themar's single eye gleamed with sharp green light, and everyone fell into deep thought upon hearing his words.

"In that case, we should contact Amani first, settle things, and then go to Orgrimmar." Lor'themar lowered his gaze. The changes Amani had undergone since the Second War were one of the reasons he was willing to choose Amani.

If Amani refuses to let the Sin'dorei join the Horde, Lor'themar won't care, because in his view, Quel'Thalas still has leverage. Having once been Farstriders, he doesn't particularly like the Horde formed by Orcs and Trolls, but the current situation and the prince's orders cannot be ignored.

If possible, Lor'themar would prefer to hold out until the Horde and Alliance actively court them, so that the Sin'dorei could gain more dignity. He believed that even if they suffered huge losses, the Sin'dorei still deserved it.

"Then who should we send to see King of the Amani?" Rommath pondered Lor'themar's words, raised his head, looked at the crowd, and posed a question, indirectly indicating his stance.

"Let Liadrin go! We also need to make contact with Amani regarding the recent discoveries on Sunstrider Isle and the Blood Knights," Lor'themar suggested.

"The Countess is indeed good, but I think we should add another person who is good at negotiation, can express our meaning, understand the situation in Amani, and can also show respect in terms of status. It would be even better if she could also be familiar with the King of the Amani." Rommath pondered for a moment, thinking that Liadrin alone was not enough to show respect for Amani.

"Liadrin has also had contact with the King of the Amani. As for the various demands you mentioned, can we find them?" Lor'themar was somewhat displeased with Rommath's words, but he couldn't refute them. Liadrin was the adopted daughter of Silvermoon Chancellor Vondelor, a status that carried weight within the Sin'dorei, but it might not be enough for the Amani.

"Master Rommath, I believe my situation meets your requirements. I had contact with him when King of the Amani rescued Silvermoon City." A woman stepped forward from among the Sin'dorei discussing under the dome in response to Lor'themar's words.

"Lianda... Lor'themar, I think it's a good idea." Rommath looked over at the voice and saw the blonde woman, Dore, who had volunteered herself. He was slightly surprised, but after a moment's thought, he immediately nodded in agreement to Lor'themar.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Miss Lianda." Lor'themar was somewhat puzzled by Rommath's agreement, but she knew he must have a reason, and all she needed to do was trust him.

"Then, Lianda Sunstrider, please represent Quel'Thalas and His Highness the Prince, and Miss Liadrin to travel to Zul'Aman." Rommath bowed respectfully to the blonde woman, Dore, causing Lor'themar to look up. He finally understood Rommath's meaning; this woman's surname Sunstrider, and that identity was indeed fitting.

"I will strive for Quel'Thalas, Master Rommath." Lianda looked at the respectful Rommath and bowed her head in greeting.

Everything was settled, and soon a diplomatic corps consisting of Countess Liadrin, royal member Lianda Sunstrider, and some protectors set off from Silvermoon City to Zul'Aman to meet with the King of the Amani and present his idea of Quel'Thalas joining the Horde.

Thanks to Pavilion Linglong Wuyunqi for the reward and support. No more tonight.