Races and Honor

"Your idea might be right, Arthas," Jaina murmured. "I don't know if there's a connection. It's disheartening that the Orcs have become like this again, but perhaps it's just a small branch, like..." The mage thought of something but didn't dare to say it, while Nathanos spoke her unspoken words.

"Just like Alterac."

No one will forget Alterac's betrayal of the Alliance, even though it happened a long time ago.

"Perhaps—perhaps not. Have you forgotten Thrall, Nathanos? Have you forgotten how he fought? He's using those exquisite skills against us now." Arthas recalled Thrall's performance in the arena of Durnholde Keep, and also the internment camps destroyed by the Orcs.

"Of course I remember," Nathanos replied, adding to Arthas's statement. "I care more about his leadership than the destruction he caused. So many years have passed since the Orcs were defeated. The flames of resistance that had been extinguished have been reignited in just six months."

These words made Arthas's face turn somewhat grim, an expression that was difficult to describe. Nathanos was right. The Prince recalled the fierce rage he had felt back then, when Uther had sent two messengers to persuade them to surrender, but the Orcs leader had killed the messengers and sent back two unridden mounts as a cruel and contemptuous reply.

As before, he then uttered the words that were on his mind. "We should kill them all!"

Unexpectedly, this time it was Nathanos who stood up against him, just as Uther had done before. What surprised Arthas even more was that they said exactly the same thing.

"Kill them all? Is that what Paladin should do, Arthas? If you indulge in slaughter, what's the difference between you and Orcs?"

The Prince of Lordaeron was stunned. Memories flooded back—

"Let's charge in and kill them all!" he roared, the warhammer bestowed upon him by the Silver Hand gleaming brightly. Had Uther not held him back, he would have charged straight in.

"Remember, Arthas," his mentor said calmly, "We are Paladin. Revenge is not our purpose. If our beliefs turn into Bloodlust, then we are no different from Orcs."

These words quelled some of his anger. Arthas gritted his teeth, watching the two frightened horses, now without their riders, being led away. Uther's words were always wise. "Very well, Uther," he had replied, trying to accept it all, but Arthas later deeply regretted it; his composure and patience had rewarded him—three poor souls sacrificed before his very eyes. If only he could have been faster...

... So he won't do it now. Since the Orcs and the plague are considered huge threats right now, why not hurry up and deal with them?

Arthas exhaled another puff of white breath, his face grim as he slung his warhammer over his shoulder. "Time to go!"

This time, it was Nathanos who was surprised. He was prepared to fight Arthas and had even figured out what reasons he would use to defeat him. But his reaction was so incomprehensible that he simply told everyone to hurry on their way.

"He... has become a stranger to me."

"You too, Nathanos." Jaina watched Arthas's retreating figure and said from the side, "You are no longer the one who obeyed Arthas without question, and your questioning of him proves that."

"Completely obey?" He smiled. "No, he never asks me to do anything. In fact, he wishes he could do everything himself. In any case, I will stay by his side and fulfill my obligations."

Jaina smiled gently. Nathanos frowned. "You disagree?"

She shook her head. "No, I'm just curious why you did these things. I'm afraid it's not just your responsibility; there must be something else involved."

Nathanos seemed somewhat flustered. Something else, or a purpose? "What do you mean?" He stared at the female mage who was several years younger than him. It seemed that Antonidas had taught her more than just magical knowledge.

Perhaps noticing his gaze, the other sighed. "Only you know what compels you to stay by Arthas's side. I only pray there won't be a battle—just to take a look. But I'll do what must be done, as always." After Jaina finished speaking, she followed him before Arthas could turn back to urge them on.

What... is driving me? The question echoed in Nathanos's mind.

'What a joke! I'm driven only by my own Will! Arthas needs me, I'm King Terenas's personally appointed follower, and of course I must fulfill my duty, nothing more...' He quickly rebuked himself for this attempt to comfort himself with his actions. Jaina was right, Nathanos couldn't help but doubt his own behavior.

"What is my purpose in returning to Arthas's side?"

He walked forward, deep in thought. Two hunting dogs followed beside him, glancing at their master from time to time, their tongues lolling out in curiosity as to what was causing his furrowed brow.

"My purpose...my purpose?" Nathanos muttered to himself, in a voice only he could hear. "Besides orders...besides orders...that's it!" In an instant, he felt his doubts vanish. In his agonizing thought, an answer flew before his eyes like an arrow, and he seized it. This answer bound him like chains, and Nathanos felt an unprecedented fear. How could he...?

... His thoughts drifted back two months. On that day, the upper sky of Stratholme was exceptionally gloomy, Nathanos witnessed firsthand how a Paladin was stripped of his honor.

Stratholme, located west of Lordaeron, is the most important city in the entire kingdom besides the capital. Its excellent geographical location attracts numerous merchants to do business here, so it's not surprising that Stratholme is crowded every day. But it's strange that everyone is gathered together, facing one direction, staring at one person, waiting for something!

Nathanos was surprised to find himself among them. He tried several times to avert his gaze, even turning away. What was about to happen filled him with anger and regret. A ritual, a utterly terrible one. The fate of the judged was already decided. Nathanos was angry and regretful. The latter towards the judged, the former towards those around him, who were hurling insults and accusations. In fact, not only them, but around the Paladin who had been disarmed and knelt on one knee in the center of the platform, Nathanos saw some familiar faces: Alexandros Mograine stood to the right rear of that man, longsword in hand, sighing and shaking his head several times. Opposite him stood Saidan Dathrohan, who showed no such emotional fluctuation. To keep the agitated crowd at bay, the Silver Hand had specially stationed a group of Paladin as guards, and unfortunately, Nathanos's good friend Larein was among them, looking equally tormented, his face behind his helmet extremely gloomy. And who else... Ah, right! Nathanos's gaze fell upon a man in the corner of the plaza. The man appeared to be a Paladin as well, but his radiance couldn't conceal his sinister nature. Nathanos looked at the sneering, mocking face and clenched his fists.

Balthasar, the mayor of Stratholme, was the one who caused all of this; he was the one who reported an Orcs had saved Tirion. When Fordring saw Eitrigg being inhumanly beaten as he was being escorted back to the city, he was enraged and launched an attack on his own men.

The treacherous Balthasar brought Fordring to court on charges of treason, and the former hero was taken to Stratholme for trial. Fordring's friends, including his wife, pleaded with him to shift the blame onto the Orcs. However, in court, this Paladin, determined to set an example for his son as a father, stood tall and recounted the entire incident. The deeply moved jury could not convict Fordring of treason, but Fordring reasoned arguments could not change the court's verdict. The fact that he had attacked his subordinates was undeniable; Fordring was dismissed from the Silver Hand and exiled. Nathanos was a witness to that trial.

"Why do this? He upheld his beliefs and remembered his dignity. Why do you still want to announce the removal of his the Holy Light?"

"This is a fair trial, Nathanos."

"No, you just don't want to disappoint more people. It's just that this result will satisfy more people and quell their anger."

"We've already given him a chance, but he..."

"What opportunity? To let him frame that Orcs named Eitrigg, pinning all the blame on him? To make Tirion choose honor over profit?"

Nathanos shook his head, ending his unpleasant argument with Uther. Uther arrived just then. His stride was as powerful as ever, every inch of him exuding military bearing, as was Gavinrad behind him. The original five Paladin, except for Turalyon, had reunited once more, but today, another one would vanish completely.

Nathanos didn't savor the subsequent rituals; they would only fuel his anger and might even provoke an attack on Uther was chanting prayers. He closed his eyes, bowed his head, and waited for it all to end—a process that felt both swift and agonizing. Tirion made no sound of pain, which eased Nathanos's discomfort somewhat.

Finally... when the Alliance's hero stood up, he smiled at the crowd that had been blaming him.

What was he laughing at? Nathanos was surprised. He turned his head in the direction of Tirion's gaze and saw a woman holding her child at the back of the crowd. The boy was sobbing in his mother's arms.

His... family?

Paladin aren't all as Consecration to the Holy Light as Uther; they too can have love and children. Nathanos wondered how the boy truly viewed his father—a hero...or a traitor.

Happy New Year to all my fellow book lovers!

The author has finally had some free time recently and can update many chapters.