Varian's hand trembled, and his calm expression nearly cracked. He steadied his hand, keeping the banknote for one million gold from falling to the floor. Having to pick it up would have utterly ruined his royal dignity.
Sitting beside him, Arthas nearly laughed aloud. He had already thought VanCleef seemed excessively nervous. It turned out he was afraid Varian would smash a cup as a signal, sending dozens of Royal Lionguards charging out from behind the curtains to chop him to pieces.
Varian was speechless. What did his subjects take him for, a tyrant? An incompetent king? Would he really execute a citizen of his kingdom over a disagreement? If anything, he ought to be cutting down those nobles who were eating away at the kingdom!
"Lift your head and take a good look. What exactly is this?"
Does that even need a look? Isn't it just a sharp sword? VanCleef thought. Still, at Varian's command, he raised his head.
But the moment he looked up, he froze. Where was the sword? Why was it a piece of paper?
"Were you afraid I would kill you? How could I possibly do such a thing?" Varian suddenly wondered whether the people of his kingdom still lacked trust in him. How could they think of him that way?
"This is one million gold coins, redeemable at the Blackwater Company. Even if you don't trust me, surely you recognize Blackwater's emblem?"
With trembling hands, VanCleef accepted the weighty banknote. In his eyes, it was more than a sheet of paper. It was the hope that would keep so many workers in the Stonemasons' Guild alive!
Tears welled uncontrollably in his eyes. VanCleef knew the Kingdom of Stormwind's finances were in poor shape, and that the king could only turn to the nobles for money. But what good did it do if he alone understood that? Everyone else would simply believe the kingdom was withholding their wages!
VanCleef had no choice, either. If he did not demand wages on the workers' behalf, they could not survive. Yet demanding payment only intensified the conflict between the king and the nobles.
The Kingdom of Stormwind had only just gotten back on its feet and could not withstand any major upheaval. VanCleef loved his country deeply and was willing to give everything for it and his fellow citizens. That left him under immense mental and material strain every moment of every day.
With Onyxia's guidance later added to the mix, the engineer Edwin VanCleef eventually "died." In his place emerged a violent extremist: the leader of the Defias Brotherhood and a wanted criminal in Stormwind City, Edwin VanCleef!
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I misunderstood you." VanCleef could hardly imagine how much effort Varian had put into securing this money. "On behalf of every worker in the Stonemasons' Guild, I thank Your Majesty for your kindness!"
Varian waved a hand. VanCleef's reaction had made him start reflecting on his own shortcomings. "I'm not the one you should thank. It's this gentleman, Prince Arthas of Lordaeron."
Only then did VanCleef notice the other handsome, blond man seated beside Varian. He had maintained a gentle smile throughout, one that made people relax without realizing it.
In his earlier nervousness, VanCleef had not even noticed Arthas's presence. He hurriedly bowed to him. "Thank you for your generosity, Prince Arthas!"
"There's no need for such ceremony. I simply don't want to see the people of Stormwind City become victims of certain people's schemes." Arthas studied the man who was currently an engineer and would one day become a master rogue. "This million is a loan to Varian. He's agreed to use a few things to 'settle the debt.'"
VanCleef guessed this probably had something to do with him. Otherwise, Arthas would not be telling him about it. He respectfully waited for the prince to continue.
"You're an excellent engineer, and I happen to have some construction projects that need someone to oversee them. You needn't worry about payment. What I'd like to know is whether you can find workers willing to take on these projects."
That would be no problem. In fact, it was good news for VanCleef and his colleagues, most of whom still intended to make their living as stonemasons. "I'm willing!"
"Don't agree quite so quickly. None of these projects are within the Kingdom of Stormwind. They aren't even on this continent. You'd best find colleagues willing to cross the sea with you."
"That will be easy." VanCleef nodded without hesitation. Quite a few of them were victims of the war with the orcs and had no family left. They did not mind moving from place to place. As long as they could earn a steady living, they could leave at once.
"And you have no objections yourself?"
VanCleef hesitated, then said, "I may need to speak with my wife first."
Arthas and Varian exchanged a look. Varian nodded, and Arthas understood. "In that case, why not bring your wife to Lordaeron? As my chief engineer, you'll be given a residence as your new home."
VanCleef had intended to leave his wife and child in Stormwind City, but Arthas's next words shook him. "Don't be so quick to refuse. Once you receive this money and pay the workers, those schemers may be unable to touch the king of Stormwind City, but they could turn their attention to you. You understand that, don't you?"
"Move your entire family to Lordaeron, and I can protect you from retaliation during this storm."
"I understand, Your Highness. Your will is my own."
After VanCleef left, a thoroughly puzzled Varian asked Arthas, "Why do you place so much importance on this 'chief engineer'?"
"He used to be a colleague of Mathias Shaw. He was one of the elite operatives Shaw personally trained."
"But surely you have no shortage of people like that? I heard... you also have those people from Ravenholdt?" Varian still did not quite understand. Mathias Shaw was his intelligence adviser and the head of Stormwind City's SI:7. (The equivalent of the Black guy in charge of S.H.I.E.L.D.)
"But even Ravenholdt's master assassins can't train someone who can handle both intelligence gathering and architectural design."
Arthas's next objective lay beyond the Eastern Kingdoms, so he needed someone to establish a foothold and serve as his spymaster. VanCleef alone could handle both jobs-not to mention that his daughter was a born assassin as well.
One investment, long-term returns.
"Whatever the case, you've done Stormwind City a tremendous favor this time," Varian said sincerely. "As long as I remain king of Stormwind City, the Kingdom of Stormwind will always be Lordaeron's loyal ally."
"Then here's to an everlasting friendship."
The two clasped hands firmly. Little did they know that this friendship would forge the greatest united empire in human history.
By the time they finished dealing with VanCleef's affairs, it was already midnight. Before Arthas returned to his guest room, Varian told him something.
"Kul Tiras and Dalaran will also be sending an envoy. The same person will represent both."
Arthas's eyes lit up, but a moment later, he said guiltily, "I haven't... uh, been to see her in a while."
"I think she really might be angry with you. Lordaeron isn't exactly far from Dalaran, yet you haven't visited her for an entire year."
"I really couldn't get away." Arthas was helpless, too. Even by carriage, Dalaran was only a few days away, but he simply had not had the time last year.
"What good does telling me do? You'd better think about how you'll explain it to her tomorrow."
Stormwind City, the Prestor residence.
Countess Katrana reclined on a chaise longue, holding a glass of red wine. Under the suggestive lighting, the crimson liquid shone with a seductive glow.
"Howard, what do you think of that human prince?"
The countess's knight attendant stood by the doorway. He answered his mistress in a deep, muffled voice. "He's strong. Among humans, at least."
"Oh? Even my bravest knight thinks a human is formidable?" Katrana sipped her wine, its color making her alluring red lips look even more seductive.
This time, the knight named Howard said nothing. He stood to one side like a wooden post.
"Heh. Yet even someone like him is nothing more than a puppet of desire." Remembering Arthas's burning gaze, Katrana let out an amused sigh. "He's not even as good as Bolvar."
She drained her glass and licked her lips, still wanting more. "What fun. Humans are such fascinating creatures. Perhaps I can play here a little longer."
But the moment that thought arose, she shuddered. She had remembered her utterly mad father. He was no longer the wise, benevolent Earth-Warder he had once been. If she wasted too much time in Stormwind City, nothing good would await her.
Then the Black Dragon Princess recalled that, during the battle of Grim Batol a few years earlier, the mad Earth-Warder had been attacked by the other four Dragon Aspects and fled with serious injuries. He probably had little energy to spare for her now. That thought brought her some relief.
Her affection for her father had long since vanished along with their corrupted bloodline. Only hatred remained. She hated the father who had turned the Black Dragonflight into monsters, but faced with the Earth-Warder's overwhelming power, she could only obey his commands.
Surely spending a few years playing in Stormwind City would not be a problem? Her father was badly injured and would probably need a long time to recover.
She only needed to keep an eye on that irritating brother of hers and stop him from reporting her to their father.
At that thought, a look of pleasure crossed the face of Katrana, Onyxia's assumed form. Though she was a dragon, she greatly enjoyed the extravagant lifestyle of human nobles.
Her encounter with Arthas that day made her wonder whether she might also stir up some trouble between Stormwind City and Lordaeron.
"Arthas, heh. Let me see what new tricks the prince of Lordaeron has to offer."
Before you continue