Over the next few days, Rhode and Lilia stayed in the guest quarters at Stormwind Keep.
After all, King Varian was planning a truly grand banquet. Many dignitaries needed to be notified, and the nobles from farther afield would need time to reach Stormwind City after receiving their invitations. They would have to wait a few days.
Of course, both Rhode and Lilia made good use of that time.
Lilia studied swordsmanship under Varian, and in her spare time, she played with the king's son, Anduin Wrynn.
Little Anduin was only two or three years old, adorably chubby. When he saw Lilia performing somersaults and the like, he would cry out excitedly, "Wow! Wow!"
Rhode, meanwhile, was invited to the Royal Magic Tower by Archmage Marin every few days to teach Stormwind City's mages.
The Royal Library in Stormwind City also held a substantial collection of books, which Rhode browsed whenever he had time.
Mostly, he was curious about the "Heart-Draining Art" he had acquired so inexplicably. It was hardly something he could ask other mages about, though, so he could only look for relevant records.
Clearly, however, finding an answer in the library would be difficult.
Rhode suspected that, since those gemstones were Titan-forged, and research into the Titans on Azeroth was probably still in its infancy, there simply would not be any records.
But that was fine. Its origins did not matter anyway, as long as he enjoyed using it!
Besides, Rhode needed to work out how to expose Archbishop Benedictus's true nature when he appeared.
They had now received definite word that he would attend the banquet!
Apparently, he wanted to personally thank Duke Rhode for helping Stormwind City.
All that remained was to wait for the day!
A week later.
The grand banquet was finally