Nathanos's Answer

Uther stood there in a daze for a moment. "Anything else?"

"What else?" Nathanos looked at him strangely.

"You said I have no family, and that I strictly obey doctrine."

Nathanos answered with a smile, "First, I didn't see a ring or any mark from wearing one on your hand. Second, a busy man like you was willing to stay here for fifteen minutes. I don't think it was because of this book, but because you wanted to lecture the Archive's administrator with all sorts of written rules, regulations, and laws. No one would remain in such a large Archive if there were no theft. Any other questions?"

Uther stared at Nathanos's face and smiled for some reason. "Have your companions ever called you a freak?"

"No!" Nathanos shook his head, and the reaction secretly startled Uther. "Because I don't have any friends." The boy thought about it and felt that wasn't quite right. Perhaps he and Larein got along fairly well.

"Do you know why?" Uther pulled the book from Nathanos's hands. His smiling expression made the boy somewhat uncomfortable.

"Because you don't know the joys of childhood."

"The joys of childhood," Nathanos repeated expressionlessly. He truly had never known them. He could hear more or less sympathy for him in Uther's words, and that made Nathanos angry.

A voice in his mind prompted him: Ask him a question that's hard to answer.

Uther placed ten copper coins on the registration desk. He recalled that documents could be rented from the Archive. Ten copper coins was the price of buying this book outright, while borrowing it would cost much less. Why had Nathanos known from the start that he would buy the book rather than rent it? Forget it. Perhaps the little brat would just launch into another long speech.

He was about to leave when the boy called after him at the door.

"Then may I ask whether this book is new?"

Uther turned around and looked at the book in his hand. "What do you mean? Are you saying this book is old?"

"I'm the one asking you a question, sir," Nathanos emphasized. There was no smile on his face, but neither did he seem gloomy. He was simply calm.

Uther realized he could not see through this child. He opened the book. Every page was new. He believed the book was new, yet Nathanos's expressionless face kept him from daring to make that judgment.

"If I were you, I wouldn't just look for folded corners or signs that the pages had been read."

"Then what should I look for?"

"Whether any content is missing!"

"What?" This time, Uther could no longer remain composed. He hurriedly asked in an angry tone, "Are pages missing from this book?" He wanted an answer, but Nathanos's silence clearly showed that he did not wish to tell him.

This book had been brought over by the child. He had the chance to play some prank. That was what Uther thought. But whether it was a prank remained to be seen. He had to confirm it first.

The next second, Uther felt somewhat helpless. He glanced at the thickness of the book. It had several hundred pages...

"What is your name?" Uther asked at last.

"Nathanos Maris."

Uther nodded, as if saying: I'll remember that name.

That afternoon, at Gudul's Blacksmith.

Nathanos was completing his daily task, working on a piece of copper ore. A month ago, after Nathanos repeatedly pleaded with him, the dwarf had finally agreed to take him as an apprentice.

"Nathanos, I need to talk to you." A deep, heavy voice came from behind him. Nathanos turned around and saw the owner of the Blacksmith watching him.

"Of course, Master." Nathanos was somewhat annoyed. He had been thinking about which part of the ore he should strike next with his hammer. He firmly believed that this time, he would do even better than Gudul.

The dwarf continued watching him, hooking his thick, rough thumbs into his belt. "Kid, hold out your palm." Nathanos did as he was told. There were traces of dirt on it.

"Do you want your hands to stay as soft and tender as a little girl's forever, or do you want them covered in calluses, nimble and strong?"

"I don't understand what you mean, Master." Nathanos's heart sank. He thought Gudul was dissatisfied with his movements, which was why he had said such things.

"I'm trying, Master. Even if the results aren't good, you've seen how focused I've been."

"I know." The dwarf reached out, took Nathanos's hammer, and casually tossed it into the toolbox. "That's not what I mean."

Then what did he mean? Gudul seemed about to make an important decision, one related to Nathanos. The boy looked at him even more confusedly.

"If you're willing, and if you're ready, I can teach you how to fight."

Nathanos found it hard to believe. Then he was so happy that he did not know what to say. "You... you'll teach me?"

The dwarf nodded. Nathanos was extremely excited, but then he began to worry. "But my uncle..."

"Your uncle has too many things to deal with in his head. This doesn't require his approval."

Nathanos smiled. Gudul rarely saw him smile, especially with such happiness. He had long been ready. Many dwarves were famed warriors, especially Muradin Bronzebeard, prince of Ironforge. His mastery of the art of war was profound in many respects. Gudul could not compare to Muradin, but he had also experienced battle, fighting the grizzly bears of Dun Morogh.

Happy as Nathanos was, he accepted Gudul's challenge. Yes, this was a challenge. Gudul had made it clear beforehand: "Though you're not yet old enough to wield a sword, that day will come sooner or later. Why not bring it forward?"

The dwarf took two rusty Shortswords from a weapons chest and handed one to Nathanos. "There's something I need to tell you in advance. The thing in your hand is far more dangerous than a hammer. If you fail to meet my requirements during training, I will punish you without hesitation. I'll accept no excuses. And whenever you dare say to me, 'Master, you're wasting time,' I will stop your training immediately. Do you understand, child?"

Nathanos gradually put away his excited smile. He knew this was a serious matter. The slightest lapse in attention could earn him a slap from Gudul.

"Yes, Master," he answered eagerly. Gudul nodded and grasped Nathanos's hand around the sword hilt. "Let me see whether you have the talent to become a master tactician, Nathanos."

Zereff Jora, director of the Lordaeron Royal Archive, was reviewing this week's document access records. Just then, a soldier entered the office, approached Zereff's side, and quietly said something to him. Once he finished, Zereff immediately put down the documents in his hands and looked toward the door. Someone was standing outside.

"Welcome, Sir Uther." A smile appeared on the director's face. Uther entered from the doorway, clad in heavy silver-white armor and a blue silk cloak, his brown hair meeting the beard lining his face. He saluted Zereff. He was a soldier; even though his status and position were among the highest, to him this was basic courtesy, ensuring that those who met him would not feel nervous because of him.

Uther was only in his thirties, yet he was King Terenas's most trusted general. None could match his loyalty to the House of Menethil. At times, Terenas even consulted him on matters of state. His sudden visit today greatly surprised Zereff.

"Sir Uther, I didn't know you were coming. It was terribly rude of me not to greet you. Why have you come here?"

Uther smiled and waved a hand to indicate that it was nothing. "No need for formalities, Director. I only came to borrow the population records."

"Of course, Lord Uther. Please, make yourself at home."