Identity Exposed
Lord Prysto and Terenas have a very important meeting... a meeting concerning Princess Calia.
He donned the most magnificent attire worn by the nobles of the kingdom and stood before a tall mirror on the porch of his castle, admiring himself. Yes, every inch of him exuded regal authority. The perfection displayed by the figure facing him was something mortals could never attain.
"Soon..." he promised himself. "Soon." Deathwing knew that Alexstrasza was nearing her end; she was still alive only because she retained the power of the Titans within her. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel anger at the incompetence of the Dragonmaw Orc. Not long ago, the last male dragon in their hands had died. That meant there would be no more new Dragon Egg.
"It doesn't matter anymore." He trimmed the edges of his beard. Ever since his last trip to Grim Batol and discovering the Queen of Dragons's condition, Deathwing had stopped placing his hopes on the Red Dragonflight. His plan was reaching its most crucial step; he didn't want the Red Dragon, but the Dragon Egg. However, Alexstrasza was growing increasingly exhausted, and her offspring were dwindling, all being thrown into battle by the Dragonmaw Orc. This dire situation forced Deathwing to seek a new solution.
"Since Alexstrasza can't do it, then let her brothers and sisters do it." The nobleman in front of the mirror revealed a cold smile.
The carriage then took him directly to the palace. The guards there saluted him immediately upon seeing him and let him pass. A servant met him in the front hall and repeatedly apologized for the King's inability to greet him personally. He now had to play the role of the young nobleman who only wanted peace among all parties. He pretended not to be impatient and smiled as the servant led him to the place where Terenas was to receive him.
All objections to his ascension to the throne had been swept away. In a few days, he would have Alterac firmly in his grasp. A marriage alliance with a princess from one of the Alliance nations would further solidify his rule. At this time, only Terenas and Daelin Proudmoore had an unmarried daughter. However, Jaina Proudmoore was still young, and she was currently in Dalaran, under the protection of the mages. Although Princess Jaina of Lordaeron was at least two more years away from marriageable age, two years was nothing to a dragon.
A servant opened a door for him. "Please wait inside, Your Excellency. I assure you His Majesty will be here to see you soon."
"Thank you." Lost in thought, Deathwing didn't realize until the door behind him closed that there were already two humans standing in the hall.
The two figures in cloaks nodded in his direction.
"Greetings, Lord Prysto," the man with the black beard said in a deep voice.
Deathwing maintained his composure, showing no surprise. The Kirin Tor had actually come here. But he wasn't worried; he had already subtly incited hostility towards the Dalaran mages among several Kings.
"Hello, sir and madam."
The other mage was a woman. "We've actually wanted to meet you for a long time. No one in the Alliance doesn't know the name Prysto."
The two mages used magic to obscure their faces. Deathwing did not remove their veils. Meeting in this way already revealed their identities; only Kirin Tor senator would do such a thing.
"Compared to me, the Kirin Tor Council is truly a household name," he replied.
"And its reputation is growing louder every day... but in the opposite direction." The female mage said self-deprecatingly, but her heart was already in turmoil.
"I thought this was a private meeting with His Majesty," Prysto said, seizing the initiative in the conversation. "Does Dalaran have some important business to discuss with Lordaeron?"
"Dalaran hopes to maintain its access to information and decision-making power regarding major events in the Alliance nations," the woman replied. "However, this has become much more difficult recently. We know nothing about some of the things that have been decided here."
Deathwing calmly walked to the table against the wall. Terenas always kept several bottles of the finest wines on it to entertain guests. In Deathwing's mind, Lordaeron's wines were the only thing the country had to offer. He poured some into one of the jewel-encrusted goblets. "Yes, I spoke with His Majesty, urging him to Alterac you in the negotiations regarding the Alterac issue, but he seems determined to exclude you."
"That's alright now, we all know the outcome of the negotiations." The bearded man raised his voice. "We must congratulate you, Lord Prysto."
They actually found out? Prysto watched the wine drip into his glass, wondering what these two guys were up to.
"I must say that I was also surprised by this outcome. After Lord Perenolde did that regrettable thing, I was just trying to help and prevent the Alliance from falling apart."
"Yes, that was a shocking event. Nobody expected him to do that. He seemed cowardly, yet he was capable of such a rebellious act."
The old woman suddenly interjected. "I've heard your territory isn't far from Alterac, is that right, Lord Prysto?"
This was the first time Deathwing had felt a little annoyed. Had she guessed something?
Before he could answer the question, another ornately decorated door opposite the main gate opened. King Terenas strolled in, initially in a good mood. However, when he saw the two somber-looking mages, his expression gradually turned into unpleasant wrinkles.
After the attendant closed the door, Terenas immediately said, "I think I've already told you that I don't have time to speak with you today. If Dalaran has any objections to my handling of the Alliance affairs, they can send official documents through the ambassador!"
The two mages seemed unmoved. Deathwing wore a victorious smile. He still maintained tight control over the King and hoped the two mages would accept Terenas's order to leave quickly.
"We will leave, Your Majesty," the male mage scoffed. "However, we were sent by the Council to inform you that we expect an explanation from you as soon as possible. Dalaran always been a steadfast and loyal ally."
"I will tell you when the time comes."
Neither of the mages paid any attention to Terenas's rudeness. The woman said to Deathwing, "Lord Prysto, it is an honor to meet you. I also believe this will not be the last time we meet."
"Of course." Prysto had no intention of extending his hand. They were already suspicious and would be watching him. The threat was ridiculous. He was already imagining those mages wasting time hunched over divination crystal balls, or trying to persuade the leaders of the Alliance. The more they talked about him, the more hostile others became.
The two mages slowly left the room. A simple spell transported them back to Dalaran. The female mage collapsed to the ground the instant she saw her familiar surroundings, gasping for breath.
"What's wrong, Modera?"
"I'm fine, Daelen." The mage waved her hand, but her face was as pale as her hair.
The mage, whom Modera called Daelen, stood aside and waited until Modera's complexion improved before asking, "What exactly happened to you just now?"
"Incredible, Krasus's information is correct. This Prysto is very likely Deathwing."
"What? How can you be sure of that?"
Modera glanced at him and continued explaining, "Do you remember how he responded when I mentioned his illustrious reputation across the Alliance countries?"
The male mage initially looked puzzled, carefully recalling the conversation, then he immediately understood. "He called us the Kirin Tor Council? How did he know that?"
The female mage nodded, her expression relaxing slightly. "Throughout the entire Kirin Tor Council, only Kael'thas and Speaker Antonidas have ever shown their faces. He has never seen us, not even Terenas. Yet, he deduced we were Kirin Tor council members simply by our identity as mages. I suspect the spells we cast to conceal our identities were completely ineffective."
"Then it seems there's nothing left to doubt. If Prysto really is Deathwing, then perhaps that explains why the Alliance has been getting stranger and stranger." At this point, Daelen frowned again. "But who will believe us?"
Modera was also worried about the same problem. Judging from Terenas's attitude towards them just now, it could be said that Dalaran had become the most unpopular member of the entire Alliance.