Ripples

After much discussion, the problem remained unresolved; instead, the issue of religious belief led to a power struggle. Rommath stated he would do his best to persuade the prince to return to Silvermoon City, while Lor'themar and others dared not pursue the matter further. Quel'Thalas could not afford a power conflict at this point.

After Rommath sent someone to deliver a message to Kael'thas in Outland, Lor'themar and the others discussed the Blood Knights issue with Zul'ra. Using the three conditions proposed by Zul'ra, Lor'themar and the others made a reverse request to him.

Because Silvermoon City had only recently been recaptured and was about to undergo religious reforms, it would face a series of economic crises. Furthermore, Zul'ra's demand for the port would further undermine Silvermoon City's rule. Therefore, Lor'themar demanded that Zul'ra pay a sum of money for the port of Quel'Danas.

Faced with Silvermoon City's terms, Zul'ra couldn't help but grin. It was truly a case of fortunes turning around. Last time, Amani had traded territory occupied by Quel'Thalas for a considerable sum of money, but now, Quel'Thalas was demanding money from him to acquire the port.

Not only would they have to pay, but it wouldn't be a small amount. Silvermoon City wanted Zul'ra to pay one million Thalassian Gold Coin, or five hundred thousand Arathor Gold Coin, as payment for the purchase of Quel'Danas Port. This amount was relatively high.

Although the price was too high, it wasn't unacceptable. However, this still needed to be negotiated. Zul'ra told Lor'themar very seriously and "unhappily" that he had come with good intentions to help, but Quel'Thalas was extorting Amani.

Faced with Zul'ra's "seriousness and displeasure," Lor'themar naturally felt very apologetic and offered a series of reasons, both playing the victim and reasoning. He explained that the Sin'dorei were in a very dire situation and needed to maintain it. Furthermore, regarding territory, Quel'Thalas had already made concessions before Silvermoon City was recaptured.

When the topic of territory came up, the wrangling began. Zul'ra brought up the ruins beneath the Sunstrider Isle, saying that although there had been territorial divisions, this territory ultimately belonged to Amani. Moreover, since the ruins were found on your land, my coming here to make demands to resolve this matter already carries the risk of deceiving the people.

Back and forth they exchanged barbs, a fierce battle of wits ensued. Zul'ra, single-handedly holding his own against several Silvermoon City officials, ultimately held his own due to his superior resources. Meanwhile, Quel'Thalas ' situation was less favorable. In the end, the two sides reached the following agreement:

First, sovereignty over Sunstrider Isle is temporarily suspended, and the underground Trolls ruins are kept secret. Quel'Thalas has a responsibility to protect them. If the Amani requests to open this area, Quel'Thalas should agree. If there is a conflict between the two sides, a peaceful resolution should be the best course of action.

Secondly, Quel'Thalas will grant the right to use Sunsail Anchorage, give the port of Quel'Danas to Amani, and allow Amani to establish independent residences on the Isle of Quel'Danas.

In exchange, Amani will provide Quel'Thalas with a loan of two million Thalassian Gold Coin to purchase food supplies for Amani, while the loan repayments from Quel'Thalas will be used by Amani to hire Quel'Thalas's skilled technicians.

Third, Quel'Thalas and Amani will engage in a series of exchanges, ranging from cultural to technological aspects. These exchanges will be extensive, including Quel'Thalas's plan to send books to Amani, Zul'ra's plan to lend power to the Sacred Pool, and Liadrin's plan to re-establish the new doctrine of the Light.

Besides all the above matters, Quel'Thalas also needs to send someone to Orgrimmar as soon as possible to discuss joining the Horde with the Warchief. This matter is not included in the treaty, but only exists in verbal agreement. Zul'ra did not force the issue, only saying: Joining the Horde would be beneficial to both the Sin'dorei and Amani'lai.

Although Zul'ra's words were only one sentence, Lor'themar and the others could understand their meaning. The history between the Sin'dorei and Amani'lai could not be erased so easily. They, the high-ranking members, could reach a consensus now, but the future was full of uncertainties. There needed to be a strong guarantee for the alliance, and the Horde was undoubtedly that guarantee.

With the Sin'dorei joining the Horde a done deal, Lor'themar and the others sighed helplessly. After finalizing the terms with Zul'ra, they began preparations to send people to Orgrimmar.

Amidst the internal negotiations between Amani and Quel'Thalas, twenty-three years slowly passed since the Dark Portal. On the last day of winter, a meteor fell from the sky onto a small island in the western sea of Kalimdor. Meanwhile, in Hearthglen on the Eastern Kingdoms, a meeting of the Scarlet Crusade took place.

Since the the Scourge invasion, the remaining people of Lordaeron have struggled to survive under the unity of the Silver Hand soldiers. In order to boost morale, the knights of the Silver Hand began to deliberately raise the banner of the Scarlet Crusade. They succeeded in inspiring some people, but just as many others lost themselves in the turmoil caused by this disaster.

Inside the council hall of Hearthglen, based on the Blood Knights's message brought back by Paladin Max, the Scarlet Crusade's Highlord —Highlord Alexandros Mograine and his advisor Fairbanks, Grand General Alfred Abbendis and his daughter Bridget Abbendis, High Inquisitor Isillien and Lord Madwald, and Baron Tyrosus— engaged in a debate.

"Unbelievers, wicked scoundrels! They have blasphemed the faith in the Light and deserve to be burned at the stake!" Bridget, Abbendis's daughter, screamed, spitting out the Blood Knights' blasphemy against the Light.

"You should remain calm and well-mannered, little Abbendis," Madwald said calmly, stopping the woman's screaming and cursing.

"No, I think little Abbendis is right. Those pointy-eared people are always only concerned with themselves. They have no integrity, are faithless and unrighteous, and they have also blasphemed the faith in the Light," Isillien said calmly, refuting Madwala's words.

"Isillien, speaking of faith in the Light, do you remember Benedictus Vorn?" the one-eyed Tyrosus asked Isillien.

"Of course I remember, he was a noble priest." Isillien, wearing an archbishop's tiara and a magnificent bishop's robe, turned his head slightly and spoke in a serious tone.

"Noble? You call what he did noble?" Tyrosus could no longer contain himself. The surge of blood made his slightly dark face turn red, and his voice rose eight octaves.

"He ordered, and even personally, the massacre of civilians, including his own daughter, all under the pretext that they were infected. Their actions were no different from those of Arthas, that butcher. You call them noble, but look at yourself, Isillien. You accuse the Blood Knights of blasphemy, but do you even remember the three virtues of the Light?"

"Are you questioning my faith?" Isillien stared wide-eyed at Tyrosus like a lion.

"Enough..." Alexandros, feeling the increasingly heated atmosphere, couldn't help but roar. His lion-like roar instantly silenced the conference hall. Everyone held their breath and focused their attention on the burly man carrying the strange giant sword on his back.

"Where is Dathrohan?" Alexandros asked, looking at the now silent crowd. It seemed that the Paladin, Sedan Dathrohan, was absent from the meeting.

"Ashbringer, a group of Undead attacked our nearby outpost, so Lord Dathrohan was unable to attend the meeting and led his men there." Taelan Fordring, standing beside him like a servant, spoke cautiously, using the honorific title "Ashbringer."

"I understand. Tell him to come find me when he gets back. Meeting adjourned." Alexandros's jaw twitched slightly before he abruptly ended the meeting. He didn't want it to continue. Regardless of the Blood Elves towards the Light, he felt that continuing the meeting would only result in arguments.

"Ashbringer." Tyrosus looked at Alexandros, who was forcibly trying to stop him, and couldn't help but speak up to persuade him to stay.

"I don't want to hear anything. Besides, bring Renault to see me. Where is he now?" Alexandros felt a headache coming on and interrupted Tyrosus, instead making a request, but then he suddenly remembered something and demanded to know the whereabouts of his son.

"Is the meeting over? Ross, I think I heard you calling for Renault." Accompanied by Alexandros's question, Sedan Dathrohan, covered in blood, walked in from outside the meeting room. Tyrosus and Madwala, who were standing to the side, were about to ask about the battle situation when Alexandros interrupted them.

"Dathrohan, where is Renault?" Alexandros stared intently at his man, inquiring about his son's whereabouts.

"I think I just saw him head towards the prayer room. I think he went to see Sally." Dathrohan, still breathing heavily after a battle, sat down next to Zhuo and said seemingly unintentionally. Sally's full name was Sally Metwyn, the adopted daughter of the Mograine family.

"Sally..." Alexandros's face darkened upon hearing Dathrohan's words. He then abruptly stood up and left the meeting room without paying attention to the expressions of the others. This left everyone speechless, but there was nothing they could do. They could only reluctantly end this meaningless meeting. No one noticed the slight smile that appeared on Dathrohan's lips as he panted.

Thank you to Evil Moon Comet Descends, Fragrant Rice, and A-Ming for the donations. Thank you for your support. I have some things to do today, so I won't be available tonight.