"An envoy of Quel'Thalas is here. Open the way at once."
At the human checkpoint in Lordaeron, Shane displayed the arrogance expected of an elven spellcaster, looking down at the human soldiers with his chin raised without saying a word. His attendant shook out the gleaming golden diplomatic documents, and their party passed through the checkpoint with their heads held high.
Only Shane truly possessed diplomatic status. The attendant was Halduron Brightwing's business partner. Seizing the opportunity, he had made a major deal.
"My lord, Stratholme lies ahead. The caravan has reached its destination. I regret that we cannot continue serving you."
"I understand. I'll travel the rest of the way myself," Shane said. He entered the covered wagon and emerged wearing a simple azure robe instead of his lavish mage robes. Its hood conveniently concealed the upper half of his face, hiding his distinctive elven ears from outsiders. "My share..." He thought for a moment before saying, "Give it to Military Commander Sylvanas. She is my partner."
"As you command."
The smuggler summoned a servant, who led over a piebald mare and brought her before Shane. He swung himself into the saddle and continued south, his first destination being the mage kingdom of Dalaran.
The shortest route from Quel'Thalas to Dalaran was to first reach Stratholme, then head south along the King's Road, turn west at the Darrowshire crossroads, and finally travel south from Andorhal through Chillwind Pass into Dalaran territory.
Shane rarely even rode a hawkstrider, let alone a horse. His terrible riding skills meant the horse could only be used like a donkey. He proceeded slowly, swaying atop the saddle, looking like a leisurely mage with nothing better to do. Looking back at the map from his previous life, the route to Dalaran was only two fingers