Salomon

While Kalei and the others were busy at the temple, Arenia summoned Salomon Thunderfist. Skipping the usual pleasantries, she asked, "Mr. Thunderfist, have you been responsible for the village's defenses lately?"

Salomon Thunderfist was clearly familiar with the Sentinel Corps' ways and didn't mind Arenia's bluntness, so he answered just as directly.

"Yes. I used to serve in the Sentinel Corps as a sentinel. But, Captain, I'm not the only one handling things here. Lady Darkriver has been helping me."

Arenia nodded. "You said only the Furbolgs have been attacking us?"

"So far, yes."

"Have they been attacking constantly, or at intervals?"

"They've attacked every day since the day before yesterday."

"Have they come today?"

"Not yet."

Arenia fell silent for a moment, then called out, "Gather everyone in the village who can fight at Moonlight Plaza at once!"

Salomon hesitated. "Now?"

"Now."

Salomon nodded. "All right. I'll go right away. Anything else?"

Arenia added, "Also, prepare enough food for me and my subordinates, and bring our mounts."

Salomon smiled easily. "That's simple. I'll arrange it right away."

Before long, Salomon returned carrying a basket full of food and leading Arenia's stag. "Captain, I've sent word about your orders. I've also arranged for someone to deliver the food your subordinates need. Here's yours."

Arenia nodded in approval. "Good. Have them wait at Moonlight Plaza. I'll be there shortly."

Salomon handed her the reins, set down the basket, and headed toward Moonlight Plaza.

Arenia took the reins and waited until Salomon was out of sight before slowly removing her helmet.

Beneath it was a head of silver hair, and beneath that, a youthful, beautiful face. Yet not a trace of emotion showed in her features, inspiring awe in anyone who looked at her.

Arenia removed her helmet, drank some magic spring water, and ate a little Magic Cinnamon Bread. Then she put her helmet back on and gave the rest of the food to her stag.

The stag didn't wait for its mistress to tell it what to do. It opened its mouth and polished off everything in the basket in a few quick bites.

Arenia patted it fondly, then mounted and rode toward Moonlight Plaza.

By then, everyone in the village who could fight had received Salomon's orders. Trusting the Sentinel Corps, they didn't object. Each took whatever equipment they had at home and headed to Moonlight Plaza, where the villagers usually gathered.

Arenia rode up in front of them and swept her gaze across the crowd. "Professionals, stay where you are. Ordinary warriors, leave the ranks and gather on the left."

A commotion rippled through the crowd, but no one voiced an objection. Before long, more than a dozen people had left the group and lined up on the left.

Arenia gave a slight nod, then beckoned Salomon over. "In a moment, tell everyone who isn't involved in combat to stay home tonight and not go out—remember, everyone."

"Then take these warriors on patrol through the village. Keep a close watch on the eastern and western entrances, as well as the areas near the forest."

Arenia paused, her tone growing sterner. "Remember, you have only two tasks. First, if you spot anyone or anything suspicious, report it to me immediately. Second, if you hear the Furbolgs attacking, do not engage them, no matter what happens. Just hold your assigned positions. Understood?"

Salomon stared at her for a moment, then understood. His expression darkened. "Captain, do you suspect..."

Arenia cut him off. "I don't suspect anyone in particular right now. But as the commander, I have to consider every possibility and plan accordingly. Understood, sentinel?"

Salomon stiffened and immediately pressed his right hand to his chest in a sentinel's salute. "Understood! Captain, I'll carry out your orders to the letter."

"Good. Go."

With a bow on his back and a two-handed greatsword in hand, Salomon went to the dozen or so ordinary warriors and called out, "Follow me. We have other work to do."

The group followed him away.

Bristlelimb Village had only around a hundred people capable of fighting. More than a dozen had been killed or wounded in the battles over the past few days, and now another dozen had left. Fewer than seventy remained.

Though only seventy were left, every one of them was a professional.

In Azeroth, a world of magic, even the weakest Priest of a given race could take on several ordinary people bare-handed.

That was why the number of professionals directly determined the outcome of a war.

The Night Elves were not the most populous race on Azeroth Continent. By the time of the game's later setting, they weren't even among the top three. Yet they remained the strongest race among mortals, precisely because they had the most professionals.

Seeing nearly seventy professionals gathered, Arenia felt the vague unease she had experienced since arriving in the village ease somewhat.

She looked at the crowd and called out, "From now on, you'll follow my orders until this crisis is over."

"Stay here on standby tonight and be ready to respond to my orders at any time. Understood?"

The villagers exchanged glances and fell silent for a moment. They weren't opposed to Arenia taking command. Her orders had simply come too suddenly and sounded too forceful, which wasn't what they were used to. After all, they weren't sentinels.

Arenia hadn't expected her orders to go unanswered. She was used to commanding elite sentinels and hadn't considered that the people before her were a band of irregulars.

As the standoff dragged on, many of them turned to look at an older female warrior with a bold, handsome face.

A gleaming silver longbow was strapped to her back, two dark green curved blades hung at her waist, and she rode an exceptionally unusual silver-white Saber. Anyone could tell she was no ordinary person.

The female warrior noticed the many eyes on her and hesitated before calling out, "The Sentinel Corps are the goddess's warriors and the blades that protect us. I can sense this sister's strength and wisdom. We should follow her lead."

After speaking, she jumped down from her Saber, strode up to Arenia, pressed her right hand to her chest, and knelt on one knee with her head bowed. "I'll follow your will, sister."

The others followed suit and cried out in unison, "We'll follow your will!"

The awkward tension finally eased. Arenia quietly breathed a sigh of relief, then bowed her head in return.

Next, Arenia dismissed the group and let everyone move about freely in the plaza, but she ordered them to stay within sight so they could gather at any moment and respond to an emergency.

Arenia then spoke quietly with the female warrior.

Arenia could tell the woman had never served in the Sentinel Corps.

Most professionals in the Sentinel Corps were Hunters, followed by Warriors and then Druids. This female warrior was a Ranger, a rare profession among the Night Elves.

A Ranger was a powerful profession that combined some abilities from three others: Hunter, Rogue, and Arcanist.

In fact, contrary to Kalei's assumptions, the Night Elves of the real world were not the same as those in the game's setting. Although the Night Elf leadership opposed the Arcane, they had never completely forbidden their people from learning or studying it.

However, any mage who wanted to study the Arcane had to get permission from an organization called the Silvermoon Secret Temple.

Few Night Elves knew about the Silvermoon Secret Temple. Even Arenia, a mid-ranking officer in the Sentinel Corps, had only heard of it.

She knew the organization studied the Arcane not to uncover its secrets, but primarily to counter it and to combine existing Arcane knowledge with other professions to create more powerful ones. The Ranger was one such creation.

Rangers were powerful, but because the Night Elves generally opposed the Arcane, few were willing to study it.

Moreover, the Night Elf leadership had not actively promoted the profession, partly out of concern for social stability. As a result, it had remained in the hands of a small number of people.

Arenia and the female warrior rode their mounts to a tree. In a rare show of initiative, Arenia asked, "Sister, are you Lady Darkriver?"

"Yes. Salomon must have told you. My name is Jinli Darkriver, but you can call me Jinli."

Arenia thought for a moment. "Jinli... do you know Lilin Darkriver?"

"Lilin? I know her. She's my cousin, but I've spent most of the past few years away from home, so I haven't seen her in a long time. I heard she joined the Sentinel Corps. Is she stationed with you?"

"Yes. We're both stationed in Maestra, though she's on another assignment right now."

Jinli nodded. "I see."

Arenia smiled. "I really appreciate your help just now, Jinli."

Jinli waved a hand. "No need to thank me. I didn't do it for you. I just know that a team without a unified command can't accomplish much, whatever it's trying to do. But I'm curious—do you think things here have already become that serious?"

Arenia's expression turned grave. "We'll have to investigate further to know for sure. I just think the dark power in the villagers is far too strong and strange. The Furbolgs couldn't possibly possess anything like it."

Jinli nodded slightly. Her sharp gaze fixed on the distance, and a faint smile touched her lips. "Looks like we're in for an unforgettable night."

Arenia watched Jinli through her visor. She smiled too, though her own smile was barely noticeable.