Uther's Invitation, Medivh's Prophecy

"You're too kind, Mr. Rod. This is the reward Lordaeron owes you, so please take it. If you wish to learn Holy Light spells, you're welcome to come find me at Light's Hope Chapel anytime. I can try to teach you some." Uther said.

Fifteen hundred gold coins were indeed a considerable sum—enough to hire a small army—but since Arthas had promised it, they had to pay up.

Besides, he had learned from several soldiers that Mr. Rod had mastered extremely powerful legion-level magic and even possessed the power of the Holy Light. He was someone worth befriending and recruiting.

"If you insist on giving it to me, Lord Uther, then please distribute these gold coins among the refugees of Stratholme. They may need this money more to rebuild their homes. Even if each person only receives one or two gold coins, it would still help," Rod said.

His purpose in doing this was to do Uther a favor and win his goodwill, so that Uther would teach him Holy Light spells. It would also raise his reputation within the Alliance.

Uther was greatly pleased by this. He gave Rod an approving look, then nodded and ordered the soldiers to distribute all the gold coins to Stratholme's surviving residents.

As expected of a wielder of the Holy Light. Though he was a mage, his character was exceptionally upright, and his heart was filled with justice. No wonder the Holy Light favored him.

"Mr. Rod, although I have been stripped of all my positions in the Silver Hand, my old comrades are still willing to follow my command. I also retain my knighthood. May I invite you to Lordaeron City to meet King Terenas?

"I'm sure His Majesty would receive you very warmly. Along the way, we could discuss the path of the Holy Light," Uther said.

"That won't be necessary. I've already promised Lady Jaina that I would accompany her to Dalaran to visit Archmage Antonidas," Rod tactfully declined Uther's invitation.

"That is truly unfortunate. In that case, I can only write you a letter of introduction and have you go to Light's Hope Chapel.

"The paladins and priests there will treat you well.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Rod, but I must next travel to Lordaeron City to report Arthas's affairs to King Terenas.

"If you will not be traveling with me, I'm afraid I won't be able to discuss the truths of the Holy Light with you," Uther said.

"It's all right, Rod. I have teleportation magic, so we can go to Lordaeron City first.

"You can meet King Terenas, then return to Dalaran with me afterward," Jaina said.

One should not underestimate a mage. Her mastery of teleportation magic was quite formidable. She could teleport from Lordaeron City to Dalaran from afar without any trouble, and bringing Rod along would be no problem at all.

Lord Uther was the strongest paladin in the Alliance, one of the first generation of paladins. Chances to learn from him were rare, and he could not miss this opportunity.

Rod thought it over briefly, then nodded and accepted Uther's invitation. By his calculations, Arthas's fleet would spend a month sailing at sea before reaching Northrend.

After that, he would remain there for some time, encounter the dwarf Muradin Bronzebeard, and search for Frostmourne.

Then he would be corrupted by the Lich King, wander the wilderness for several days, return to camp, massacre the Lordaeron soldiers who had followed him, and set out for home.

Even at the fastest pace, the round trip alone would take two months, not to mention the fighting on the continent of Northrend.

Arthas would not return to Lordaeron City for at least three months, so Rod could stay there for a while without concern.

"That's wonderful. I'll go make some arrangements first. Mr. Rod, we'll meet at the city gate shortly, and I'll take you to Lordaeron City." Uther nodded at Rod, greeted Jaina as well, then turned and left to arrange some of Stratholme's postwar affairs.

"I'll have to trouble you this time, Jaina, to accompany me to Lordaeron City," Rod said as he looked at Jaina.

"Don't mention it, Rod. Besides, I haven't been to Lordaeron City in a long time. I've started to miss Sister Calia. This is the perfect chance to visit her.

"And from now on, just call me Jaina. There's no need to add 'Lady.' I won't use honorifics when I address you either!" the female mage said.

"All right, Jaina," Rod said.

After Uther left, a gray raven suddenly descended from the sky. Once the enormous gray raven landed, it transformed amid a cloud of magical smoke into an old man wearing a flaxen robe and holding a staff.

"Young warlock and witch, though the undead on this land have temporarily quieted, do not be deceived by this illusion.

"On the cold northern continent of Northrend, your friend, the young prince of Lordaeron, Arthas, will find nothing but death," Medivh said.

"Are you a prophet? Arthas is only doing what he believes is right," Jaina said, glancing at the mysterious old mage before her.

"The prince's courage is worthy of praise, but his obsession will only lead him to ruin. The burden now falls upon you!

"Young witch and warlock, you must lead your people west across the sea, to the ancient continent of Kalimdor.

"Only there can you resist the darkness that is coming and save this world from the flames," Medivh said slowly.

Rod looked at Medivh with some surprise. A minor figure like himself had actually caught the Guardian's attention—or perhaps, in the Guardian's eyes, he was no longer such a minor figure?

"Who exactly are you?" Rod asked, though he already knew the answer.

"Who I am is not important. What matters is that both of you must go to Kalimdor. Warlock, your name is Rod, correct?

"Do not underestimate the power you possess. I can sense that you will accomplish countless great deeds in the future. You will save this world many times!

"Come to Kalimdor, young warlock Rod. We will meet again then." With that, Medivh transformed into a massive raven once more and flew away.

"Rod, it seems this prophet thinks very highly of you?" Jaina asked, looking at him.

"I think he values you more. Come on, let's go meet up with Lord Uther," Rod said with a nod.

Honestly, he did not want Medivh to take an interest in him. Couldn't he just focus on Jaina instead? I want to keep a low profile and grow quietly!

"Mm. But Rod, I'm certain that he values you more," Jaina said.

Several hours later, Jaina and Rod met up with Uther and headed for Lordaeron City.