What do we do now?

The merchants' guilds that played by their rules got squeezed dry; the families that refused to play by their rules got slaughtered to the last member.

There was no reasoning with them at all.

Those two old dogs, Stormsong and Lord Ashvane, not only held outrageous double standards, but had also brought the shameless spirit of the United States on Blue Star to full flower in Kul Tiras.

"So tradition means openly helping yourselves to other people's work? I strongly petition the Family Council of Kul Tiras to enact a patent law to protect individual intellectual property rights. As Azeroth's greatest trading kingdom, we ought to value the fruits of everyone's labor, whether physical work or intellectual creation." Rowan argued his case fiercely, stopping just short of pounding the table and trading insults with the two old dogs.

Lord Stormsong sneered. Still just a brat. Even if you want a patent law enacted, you'll need our Family Council's approval.

Youngsters are youngsters, after all. If the internal interests of the great houses are involved, your patent law will be rejected before you even submit the proposal.

"We've made ourselves perfectly clear. As for what the Norwington Family chooses to do, a child like you has no say in the matter. Lord Aldrius, it's time you made a decision." Lord Stormsong ignored Rowan's objections and addressed the head of the Norwington Family directly.

Aldrius narrowed his eyes, adjusted his glasses, and smiled. "Must you turn the New Propulsion Technology into a matter between families, Lord Stormsong? As I said, this is technology my son developed."

"Is Rowan not a son of the Norwington Family? Lord Aldrius, this concerns the traditions of Kul Tiras. I believe you understand better than any of us the price of defying tradition and the law." Lord Stormsong pressed relentlessly, forcing Lord Aldrius to take a stance.

Lord Ashvane stepped in at just the right moment to play the good cop. "As the leaders of our families, each of us shoulders responsibilities for the future of the Kingdom of Kul Tiras. We cannot let a little propulsion technology damage our friendship. Our families have close ties and shared interests. If this dispute continues, no one will come out unscathed."

On the surface, these were words of reconciliation. In reality, however, their implications had already crossed Lord Aldrius's bottom line.

What does he mean by close ties between the families? Isn't he simply threatening us with a rupture in those ties? True, without the Second Fleet, the Norwington Family needs the other fleets to protect its maritime trade routes. But now that they've gone this far, is there any point in continuing to put up with them?

"So you're threatening the Norwington Family with our family ties over a little propulsion technology?" Rowan understood the implication behind Lord Ashvane's words perfectly.

Lord Ashvane naturally would not admit Rowan was right, even though that was exactly what he meant.

"Of course not. But if the Norwington Family openly violates the traditions and trade rules of Kul Tiras, I believe it won't just be the Ashvane Family that objects. Every family and merchants' guild in Kul Tiras will disapprove of your actions." Lord Ashvane swiftly claimed the moral high ground, painting the Norwington Family as a public enemy of Kul Tiras.

Fuck! This is only happening because the Norwington Family no longer has the Second Fleet. If we still had our fleet, you two wouldn't dare speak to us like this, even with twice the nerve.

"Do you think the Norwington Family is afraid of the Two Great Families? Twisting the facts to get what you want, then threatening us on top of it—your methods are pathetic." Rowan had no reason to hold back. After all, he was not the head of the Norwington Family. If they bullied him, he could fire right back.

As long as Admiral Daelin and his father said nothing, a little trash talk from Rowan would not matter.

"These trade rules are laid down by tradition and law! You're the one twisting the facts, you little brat!" Lord Stormsong abandoned his aristocratic decorum and berated Rowan.

The brat had angered him so badly he could hardly think straight. Lord Aldrius's son really dared to say anything. He had no brains at all.

Lord Ashvane ignored Rowan. After all, the boy's words carried no authority.

"And what is your opinion, Lord Aldrius?" Lord Ashvane asked with a smile.

Lord Aldrius had spent so long backing down in the Family Council, making concessions year after year. One more would hardly make a difference.

As long as the Norwington Family wanted to keep making money, he would have to yield. Otherwise, without the protection of the great fleets, all of the Norwington Family's maritime routes would become unusable. After all, no merchants' guild could take on the pirates of Freehold head-on.

"Well, I believe the Second Fleet could test the New Propulsion Technology on behalf of the other fleets to determine whether it can be shared with them." Lord Aldrius removed his gold-rimmed monocle. Abandoning his usual indifference to political affairs, he sat up straight and spoke solemnly.

The keep's Council Hall fell utterly silent. Every lord's gaze turned to Lord Aldrius.

"I wholeheartedly support Lord Aldrius's decision to rebuild the Second Fleet," Admiral Daelin declared, bringing his hands together in applause.

So we're fucking breaking with them outright!

I'm falling apart here. Father, you're burning all our bridges! I was just running my mouth. None of that counted! Rowan looked utterly stunned. He, too, was at a loss.

Even more bewildered were Lord Ashvane and Lord Stormsong. The two old dogs exchanged looks, their faces livid.

Still, they reluctantly clapped their hands, applauding Lord Aldrius's decision.

"Rebuilding the Second Fleet concerns the future of Kul Tiras, and we will certainly offer our full support. However, regarding the Norwington Family's violation of Kul Tiras law, the Ashvane Family will see to it that every merchants' guild in Kul Tiras receives an explanation."

"The House Stormsong will do the same. I hope you'll consider your actions carefully, Lord Aldrius."

"You've really decided? You're raising the stakes this high?" As the representative of a relatively neutral family, Lord Arthur was happy to see the Second Fleet rebuilt. But now that the Two Great Families had joined forces to openly oppose the Norwington Family, House Vikress could hardly take the Norwington Family's side.

After all, House Stormsong and the Ashvane Family, the Two Great Families, controlled fifty percent of Kul Tiras's trade. As his family's leader, he could not sacrifice its interests merely for the sake of justice.

"I believe it won't be long before both lords return to the table and calmly discuss with us how to share the New Propulsion Technology," Aldrius said confidently.

"I'm afraid that by then, the discussion won't concern the New Propulsion Technology, but the fate of every merchants' guild and industry under the Norwington Family." Lord Stormsong no longer had any reservations. They had already fallen out, so why bother preserving appearances?

The meeting ultimately ended on bitter terms.

After exchanging a few words with Admiral Daelin and Lord Arthur, Aldrius left Proudmoore Keep with Rowan.

"Father, are we really prepared to deal with the Two Great Families? Weren't we too impulsive today? We could have argued with them and dragged things out for a while." Rowan could already picture every maritime route becoming unusable. Goods and merchandise would pile up throughout the Norwington Family's guilds and industries until the burden became impossible to reverse and everything collapsed.

With the Two Great Families suppressing them as well, the Norwington Family's fate hung by a thread.

"No." Aldrius shook his head helplessly and continued, "I just couldn't stand the smug faces of those two old dogs."

"What do we do now?" Rowan was trying to think of a way to deal with this family catastrophe when his father said casually, "Well, your mother and I have already discussed it. In the next few days, we'll head to Lordaeron for a little vacation. You'll have full authority over the family's affairs. You're an adult now, and it's only right that you shoulder responsibility for the family's fate. When your father was young..."

I'm seriously falling apart...