Getting Along

"Peace gained through compromise is illusory; only peace achieved through struggle is true peace." Zul'ra looked at Jaina solemnly, her green eyes gleaming in the night's campfire.

"Peace through compromise, peace through struggle..." Jaina pondered Zul'ra's words.

"Well, in other words, we should reach some tacit understandings while respecting both sides, rather than rushing to get together and demanding that each side guarantee no conflict." Zul'ra explained to Jaina, as the phrase "peace is preserved through struggle, but perishes through compromise" was really difficult to translate into Common.

"Oh, I understand, but I think if we could get the leaders of all sides to meet and exchange views, perhaps we could achieve peace by understanding each other." Jaina nodded, understanding Zul'ra's words, but she also had her own thoughts.

"However, the feud between the Orcs and Stormwind is not something that can be easily resolved." Seeing Jaina's continued enthusiasm, Zul'ra shook his head. In his opinion, it was better not to have a meeting between the leaders of the Horde and Stormwind, as the meeting would be very tense.

The Dark Portal opened in the south of the Eastern Kingdoms, and Orcs poured out of Dark Portal. Stormwind, the human kingdom in the south of the continent, engaged in the first great war with the Orcs. They suffered a crushing defeat in this war, their former king Llane Wrynn was killed, and their capital fell to the Orcs army. They were not able to restore their kingdom until later.

Given Stormwind's historical context, Varian not only faces national enemies but also harbors the hatred of his father's murder. It's not only difficult for him to reach any agreements with the Horde, but even if some agreements are reached, they probably won't last long.

Most importantly, Zul'ra knew that during this negotiation, the King of Stormwind might reach a turning point in his life and eventually become the High King of the Alliance. Although he was not afraid of this, he did not want to actively promote this matter. A looser Alliance would not be bad for the Horde.

"You know Stormwind very well?" Jaina's eyebrows twitched slightly as she listened to Zul'ra's words. She remembered something and realized that she had indeed oversimplified things. It seemed that the Horde and the Alliance were not entirely unrelated.

"Yes, I know a little, not just about history, but also about other situations." Zul'ra looked at the seemingly perceptive Jaina and didn't deny it. The Amani did indeed have an influence on Stormwind, and that influence was the Defias Brotherhood. Although Stormwind and Kul Tiras strongly suppressed them, those people were still in Durnholde.

"So what do you think of Varian?" Jaina asked, intrigued.

"I haven't had much contact with him, but I've heard some things about him, and in those things, he didn't leave a very good impression on me. At the very least, he doesn't quite fit the description of you as a 'benevolent king who cares for his people.'" Zul'ra shook her head slightly.

"What are these things about?" Jaina had initially thought of Alterac betrayed the Alliance during the Second War, and is now Durnholde, but she didn't expect Zul'ra to reveal some things on her own initiative.

"Regarding the unpaid wages." Zul'ra looked at Jaina, blinking involuntarily, as if she and Gianna were not on the same page.

"I understand." Jaina was quick-witted; she had also heard of the Defias Brotherhood.

"Perhaps I haven't considered things carefully, but, Zul'ra, you shouldn't interfere in the Alliance affairs like this. The Horde shouldn't associate with such dishonorable people." Jaina put down her cup and made a stern statement. In her view, the Horde's connection with Durnholde was dishonorable and a blatant interference in the Alliance's internal affairs.

"Furthermore, regarding those workers, perhaps Varian was somewhat inconsiderate in this matter, but there are too many things to consider in rebuilding Stormwind. He hasn't fully taken over the administration yet, and he can't be held responsible for that. Yet those rioters caused the death of Tiffin because of it."

"Tiffin was going to appease the workers..." Jaina was a princess of Kul Tiras, and she was also acquainted with Varian. Furthermore, she was a close friend of Queen Tiffin, who died in the Defias unpaid wages movement. Therefore, her thinking was naturally inclined towards feudal monarchy, and in her eyes, the Defias Brotherhood was just a mob.

"Our information and perspectives differ somewhat, but..." Zul'ra shook her head at the unwavering Jaina, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Experience had shown that neither agreement nor disagreement was effective; one should wholeheartedly pursue what one advocates and not rely on others' charity!

"Jaina, if you want to do something that's good for peace, I'm willing to support you." Zul'ra didn't want to argue with Jaina about Durnholde and Defias, so he changed the subject. Rather than arguing about such things, he'd rather agree to Jaina holding a meeting; after all, the outcome of the talks wasn't his concern. It Thrall's matter.

"Well... alright! Zul'ra, we have some differences, but I understand that your attitude towards peace is the same as mine." Jaina wanted to argue further, but seeing that Zul'ra didn't want to talk about it, she could only force herself to shut up.

"What do you want to do?" Zul'ra asked with a smile, seeing that Jaina's attitude was not hardening.

"I originally wanted Thrall and Varian to meet." Jaina was somewhat discouraged. Judging from Zul'ra's current attitude, the meeting was unlikely to take place, and even if it did, no agreement could be reached. Moreover, even if an agreement was reached, how to maintain it would be a problem.

"If you want to..." Zul'ra started to speak, but was stopped by Jaina.

"Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore. There's no point in thinking about these things. Just like you said, peace through compromise is illusory, and peace through struggle... I don't quite understand that yet." Jaina hugged her calves with both hands, rested her chin on her knees facing the firelight, her expression sometimes troubled, sometimes thoughtful, and sometimes frowning and shaking her head.

"Peace in conflict is the deterrence of immense power, preventing both sides from using force in disputes and forcing them to compete in other areas or seek common ground," Zul'ra explained, watching Jaina's face shift in the firelight.

"I see, that's good, but it seems it will also create a lot of friction." Jaina's eyes brightened slightly. This idea was good, and such peace was more practical. However, it seemed that under such circumstances, the conflicts between the two sides would increase, and the constant small frictions would eventually lead to a bigger conflict.

"That's how it always is when you're together." Zul'ra shook her head.

"Yes!" Jaina half-closed her eyes, drifting into a state of half-sleep.