Greymane Manor was a three-story mansion atop a mountain. Behind it stood a massive watchtower on a towering cliff. From the tower, one could clearly survey the kingdom's entire landscape, making it a symbol of the Greymane Family's generations of guardianship over the Kingdom of Gilneas.
As he strolled up the long flight of stairs, his sense of responsibility as a member of the Greymane Family once again welled up inside him. Even the memories of another person had done nothing to diminish it.
Looking north from the watchtower, he saw the heavily guarded Greymane Wall under construction. Vast quantities of labor and supplies had gathered across the broad plain between two mountains.
"Looks like leaving by land is impossible..."
As the kingdom's only prince, Liam might have been a nobody, but there was no way he could simply walk through the blockade in full view of everyone, then swagger across what was still intact Dalaran and into the mountains near the Alterac Ruins.
That was right. Liam's target was Ravenholdt Manor, hidden among those mountains. He meant to seek out the world's most mysterious rogue and future leader of the Uncrowned, Duke Jorach Ravenholdt.
The manor boasted the strongest intelligence network and the broadest connections. Though loosely organized, its members were formidable, and rumors even linked it closely to two legendary master rogues.
Liam had chosen it as his first stop after running away from home because he had already decided to become a rogue. There was no better place in all of Azeroth to start a career as one.
After much consideration, Liam had chosen the rogue's path to grow stronger—not because rogues were especially powerful, but because he had no other choice.
As King Genn's only son, Liam had been trained to become an outstanding warrior. But judging by how he later performed during the worgen uprising, King Genn clearly hadn't been a good teacher.
It seemed the path of a "Warrior" was closed to him.
When the Order of the Silver Hand recruited "Paladins," they demanded strict adherence to their faith. Someone like him, who had "betrayed" the Alliance, clearly wouldn't be accepted.
Dalaran chose its "Mage" apprentices based on talent. Liam knew he had been tested for the necessary aptitude when he was young—and disqualified long ago.
"Hunter"... Liam wasn't like that little girl Lorna; he had no interest in taming cats and dogs. Besides, the powerful hunters were all among the elves these days. The Night Elf rangers were proud beneath their warm demeanor, while the High Elves made no effort to hide their arrogance. That was how long-lived races were. Liam didn't think he could put up with them.
"Warlocks" were still heretics, the elemental path of "Shamans" and the Moon Goddess's blessings of "Druids" were off-limits to pure-blooded humans, the "Monk" tradition was far away in Pandaria, and as for "Death Knights"... Liam wasn't ready to die yet.
After weighing it all up, the only profession he could make a name for himself in was "Rogue." Besides, Ravenholdt Manor was close by. Getting in their good graces early could only help him.
But before he left, Liam needed something to defend himself with. The pair of pistols owned by the Godfrey family would do nicely.
"Liam, what are you thinking about?"
A gentle voice came from behind him. Though it was sudden, it didn't startle Liam from his thoughts. Instead, a warmth welled up deep inside him.
"Mother, I wasn't thinking about anything. Just enjoying the view."
Liam smiled and looked back at Mia Greymane as she slowly approached. She was his mother, the wise and beloved queen of Gilneas.
"You'll be looking at this every day for decades. You'll get tired of it eventually." Queen Mia smiled gently and straightened Liam's collar. "It's getting dark, and the sea breeze is cold. Let's head back. Lord Crowley will be joining us for dinner soon, and Lord Godfrey will be here too. Your father asked you to get ready."
Queen Mia could tell her son seemed troubled. A fourteen-year-old boy might have his own worries, too. She smiled to herself and didn't press him. Instead, she gestured for him to follow, then headed down the watchtower's long staircase.
Liam paused at her words but didn't react. He followed close behind his mother down the tower.
He knew this dinner would be no simple affair.
Liam would have liked to say that everyone enjoyed the dinner, but unfortunately, that wasn't how it went.
Bound by noble etiquette, Lord Crowley didn't fly into a rage at the dinner table. But Liam could still tell that the forceful lord, whose lands had mostly been divided off beyond the wall, disagreed with his father's decision.
It wasn't because his own territory had been reduced. That was a minor detail. Liam could tell that this iron-willed lord would rather have his lands become the kingdom's front line than give up the royal territory and its people that he had once controlled.
Lord Godfrey, however, lived up to his reputation as a silver-tongued speaker. He laid out the facts and reasoned that the whole kingdom's interests depended on building the great wall. Not only did he leave Lord Crowley speechless, he also provided King Genn with powerful "theoretical support."
The dinner ended on a sour note. Lord Crowley left with little Lorna, who was reluctant to go. Lord Godfrey, however, didn't leave right away. He stayed behind to discuss something with King Genn, then finally emerged from the study alone.
Liam knew where things would lead, but he was young and had little influence. He didn't believe he could outtalk Vincent Godfrey, that old fox. Still, concerned about what was happening, he waited outside the study—and ran straight into Lord Godfrey as he came through the door.
At the time, Godfrey was still absolutely loyal to the Kingdom of Gilneas. Some of his proposals had failed because of the gap between his ideals and reality. Still, for some reason, Liam couldn't help associating him with the Undead who would one day become a crazed killer.
"Prince Liam, aren't you in bed yet? Did you need something from your father?"
Godfrey, with his honest-looking face, was taken aback to see Liam waiting outside the door. But he quickly collected himself and stepped aside. Liam's reply, however, caught him off guard.
"No, I wanted to speak with you. I'll walk you out, and we can talk on the way."
His upbringing in noble etiquette wouldn't allow Liam to be rude to an elder. He dismissed the servants who had followed him, took Lord Godfrey's hat from the stand, and walked beside him down from the second floor. They went out through the front entrance and headed for the stables.
They chatted along the way. Liam talked at length, but only about everyday family matters. Lord Godfrey was left completely baffled, wondering where this prince—once so upright he was almost a prig—had learned to beat around the bush.
But as they neared the carriage, Liam finally got to the point, hinting at the reason for his sudden show of friendliness.
"Everyone in the kingdom says you have two very powerful pistols, Uncle. Ever since I heard about them, I've wanted to see them for myself. But Father hasn't been willing to ask you, so I figured I'd have to come to you myself..."
But that wasn't what Liam really wanted to say. What he wanted to say was, "A proper Outlaw needs a good pistol, doesn't he?"
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