Rhode turned his head toward Antonidas.
As a mage officially employed by Dalaran, could I legally become an earl of the Kingdom of Lordaeron?
All he saw was Antonidas smiling and giving him a slight nod.
All right. Apparently, I could.
Dalaran was a strange place. Though it styled itself an independent kingdom, it seemed to be in bed with every other nation-no, to have countless intricate ties with them.
For one thing, countless children of foreign dignitaries studied as apprentices or held important positions in Dalaran.
That was why Rhode's concurrent appointment as a major general at Durnholde Keep had been no great issue. Becoming an earl now was naturally just as reasonable.
Fine, I'd kneel.
It was a noble title, after all.
An earl was no small thing.
It wasn't as high as Bolvar Fordragon's title of duke, but just think of the earls in Azeroth.
Katrana Prestor, the Black Dragon Princess in disguise!
And Silvermoon City's future leader of the Blood Knights, Li Yajun! Oh, no, Liadrin.
Even women of their exalted standing were only earls.
So Rhode turned back toward Terenas and went down on one knee before him.
King Terenas smiled again in satisfaction.
He raised the great sword at his right and lightly tapped each of Rhode's shoulders with the flat of the blade.
This must be the required ceremony for granting a title.
The king said, "Mage Rhode, in gratitude for your great achievements, and in recognition of your loyalty, courage, and wisdom, I hereby name you the Kingdom of Lordaeron's..."
He suddenly lowered his voice. "Choose a title for yourself. Earl of what?"
Huh?
Earl of what?
The only one Rhode could think of at the moment was The Count of Monte Cristo.
Well, obviously, I couldn't use that name.
*There happened