Blast the Bastards with Cannons

"This is an extremely precious item, Baron Bloodhawk," the old elven mage said.

"I know it's precious, honored mage. But it's only a precaution, and we'll return it afterward. Besides, however precious it is, can it be more precious than a High Elf's life?" Yu Lin Bloodhawk said.

The mages hesitated.

Yu Lin Bloodhawk waited.

After a while, the old mage smiled and said, "You're right. Nothing, however precious, is worth more than a High Elf's life. But Baron Bloodhawk, can you tell me why you want to do this?"

"I want the soldiers to understand that combat isn't a game. Standing in the stands and directing beasts to fight isn't enough. That's a Beast Tamer's job, not a Battle-Pet Ranger's. Battle-Pet Rangers fight alongside their beasts. They have to support each other, and both sides matter. I don't want them panicking and losing their heads the moment their battle pets die in a real fight," Yu Lin Bloodhawk said.

That wasn't just true in real life. Even in the game, plenty of novice Hunters panicked and lost their heads when their pets died, as though they could no longer fight other players without their little companions. Only veterans could calmly make use of every skill they had. Hunter was an easy class to pick up, but not an easy one to master.

"Take this necklace to her." The old mage sighed and removed a necklace from his neck. "There's a magic shield sealed inside. When the wearer's life is in danger, it will activate in time to protect them."

Yu Lin Bloodhawk accepted the necklace with both hands and bowed in thanks.

Even in the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas, renowned for its magic, an enchanted item like this was extremely precious. The moment the old mage took it off his own neck, Yu Lin Bloodhawk understood that clearly. It deepened his respect for this venerable old spellcaster.

Holding the necklace, Yu Lin Bloodhawk jumped down from the stands and approached the female elf. She was patiently instructing her pet, and when she saw him coming, she rose and saluted.

"No luck?" Yu Lin Bloodhawk asked in disappointment.

"No. It doesn't know how." The female elf shook her head, disappointed.

"Then forget it." Yu Lin Bloodhawk handed her the necklace. "I borrowed something nice for you. Put it on for now. We have to return it when you're finished."

From the stands, Sylvanas watched Yu Lin Bloodhawk jump up and down and even give the female elf a necklace. The gleam of gossip in her eyes shone as brightly as the sun. She looked from Yu Lin Bloodhawk to the female elf, forming a fresh assessment of them. So he likes round-faced girls with a little baby fat.

She stole another glance at Alleria. No wonder he's so eager to keep his distance from a tall, beautiful, gentle woman like my eldest sister. Will she really end up with that human called Turalyon?

At that thought, Yu Lin Bloodhawk's words immediately echoed in her head again. Do you really think a gorgeous young woman lying in bed with an old man who can barely walk makes a harmonious picture? I have no idea how your eldest sister would endure a hundred years of widowhood.

Sylvanas shook her head sharply, as though trying to shake those thoughts out of it. At the same time, she wondered, How did I become as filthy-minded as him? No! I absolutely can't let my eldest sister marry that Turalyon. And elope with him, too? Absolutely not!

When Sylvanas saw Yu Lin Bloodhawk pat the female elf's shoulder, she felt conflicted again. He's afraid of my eldest sister, and she probably wouldn't be interested in him either! What am I supposed to do? Who can I find to ruin that damned romance between her and Turalyon?

Lately, she had watched him run around tirelessly, all to improve the Quel'Thalas army's close-combat capabilities. Everything he did seemed aimed at an Undead army, as though the threat really was genuine. Otherwise, couldn't he simply have bought some wild bears, dire wolves, and mountain lions? Why go so far away to buy giant bloodfang boars?

Although they hadn't been put to use yet, the second ship had brought in over two hundred more, and he was still buying them. He had even given the others deposits to take back with them. What did he need so many for? He surely hadn't abandoned his dream of the Steel Torrent!

Oh, my dear eldest sister, you really give me a headache. How could someone as proud as you fall for a human called Turalyon? With so many elves in Quel'Thalas, is there really not a single one you find worthy?

Naturally, Yu Lin Bloodhawk knew nothing of the jumble of thoughts running through Sylvanas's mind. He was busy comforting the female elf.

"Don't be upset. It's all right. Settle your emotions and get ready to fight. I was only guessing anyway. Work together with your little darling and kill the Troll," Yu Lin Bloodhawk said.

"Yes, sir!" the female elf replied, rallying herself.

She crouched down and gently stroked the lynx's head. "Well, if you're a little stupid, so be it! But you'd better fight properly in a moment. It's going to be dangerous."

Perhaps because of their soul link, the lynx blinked its large eyes as though it understood its owner's feelings perfectly. Under her gentle strokes, its outline gradually blurred, and soon it entered stealth and vanished.

Yu Lin Bloodhawk stared at the lynx's disappearing form, his mouth hanging wide open. That was all it took? Or did this little rascal know how all along and was just messing with us earlier? He could hardly believe his eyes.

The female elf's hand stopped, seemingly stroking empty air. She looked up in delight. "Sir, look! It learned!"

"You... stay here and practice with it first. Make sure it obeys you and can hide or attack whenever you tell it to. I'll go up to the stands and ask them to wait a little longer. Get ready, and give me a signal when you're done. Then I'll tell them to begin." Yu Lin Bloodhawk added happily, "Remember, once you're inside, you and the lynx must enter stealth together when the Troll is released. Find the right moment and kill it in a single strike. If you take more than three attacks, it counts as a failure even if you kill the Troll."

The female elf nodded eagerly. "Understood."

Yu Lin Bloodhawk hurried back up to the stands. Everyone watching the pair wore a stunned expression. He waited there for a while, watching the female elf and her lynx grow increasingly practiced and fluid at entering stealth together. He was feeling delighted when someone suddenly nudged his arm.

He turned and saw Sylvanas. "What is it?"

"How did you do that?" Sylvanas asked, pointing at the lynx entering stealth.

"I didn't do it. They did," Yu Lin Bloodhawk said happily.

"Can Lupos do it too?" Sylvanas asked.

"No!" Yu Lin Bloodhawk said.

"How do you know he can't? You're not lying to make me give up Lupos, are you?" Sylvanas asked.

"One's a canine and the other's a feline. How could they be the same? Each kind has its own abilities, all right? Like racial abilities. Could you stop being so ignorant?" Yu Lin Bloodhawk said.

"Then are there any rare elite felines?" Sylvanas didn't mind him calling her ignorant. She only cared about getting what she wanted.

"Why?" Yu Lin Bloodhawk eyed her warily.

"Look at you. It's not like I'd steal yours! I already have Lupos. I'm just curious, so I thought I'd ask," Sylvanas said, batting her eyes.

"Don't act cute. You're scaring me!" Yu Lin Bloodhawk said. "Who doesn't know how devious you are?"

"Come on, tell me!" Sylvanas nudged his arm several times.

Yu Lin Bloodhawk hurriedly dodged away.

To his surprise, Alleria had appeared beside him again at some point, like a ghost. Caught off guard, he bumped into her once more.

"Alleria? Weren't you over there just now? How did you suddenly appear here like a ghost?" he asked in bewilderment.

"I have a few things to ask you, so I came over," Alleria said.

"Don't ask! I don't know anything," Yu Lin Bloodhawk hurriedly cut her off.

"I haven't even asked, and you're already saying you don't know? Stop! Don't walk away! As your commander, I order you to stop!" Alleria said.

"Sorry, I report directly to the Military Department. I don't belong to the Windrunner corps." Yu Lin Bloodhawk fled even faster.

Alleria froze. Sylvanas had been right: he didn't care about a corps commander's authority at all. But she was also angry, because no junior officer had ever dared speak to her like that.

Just as Yu Lin Bloodhawk was about to slip past her, she shot out a hand with lightning speed and hauled him back. A legendary fighter's skills were no joke, and her legendary strength was far beyond that of an old rookie like him. Helplessly, he was dragged back in front of Alleria.

"What now?" Yu Lin Bloodhawk demanded angrily.

Being dragged back by a woman in full view of everyone had humiliated and infuriated him.

In her burst of anger, Alleria had forgotten what she had wanted to ask. For a moment, she couldn't think of a question, so she could only say, "You've shown contempt for a superior officer and defied her. How should you be punished?"

The people in these stands had noticed Yu Lin Bloodhawk as soon as he came up. Everyone had been listening intently to his conversation with Sylvanas, because her questions were exactly what they wanted answered too.

Now Alleria's lightning-fast grab made every head turn toward them. Everyone understood what had happened, and with so many people watching, neither of the two involved could bring themselves to back down.

"Punished? Go punish people in your own corps! I'm the highest authority here. I make the rules on my own turf. If there's nothing else, I'm leaving," Yu Lin Bloodhawk said angrily.

"Just try leaving! I'll strip you of your military post, and you won't even get to remain a Baron!" Alleria snapped. She had never lost face in front of so many people before.

And the person humiliating her was someone she had once helped. He had only obtained his current position as unit commander with her assistance. Now he actually dared angrily tell her that he made the rules on his own turf! Having held high office for years as a corps commander and Ranger-General, how could she not have a temper?

"Then strip me of it! You think I care? At worst, I'll sail to Kalimdor and join Prince Thalor. Do you really think you're the only group of High Elves in the world?" Yu Lin Bloodhawk retorted furiously.

Alleria was stunned. Everyone who heard him was stunned. There was another group of High Elves in the world?

Sylvanas suddenly grabbed him and asked, "What did you just say?"

"What did I say? If she wants to strip me of my post, let her. I won't be a unit commander or a Baron. I won't even be a soldier anymore. What can she do to me then?" Yu Lin Bloodhawk seethed. "When I've got nothing to do, I'll sail my warship around the world and play Pirate King Jack. And if anyone messes with me then, I'll blast the bastards with my twenty fucking cannons!"