Tit for Tat
Two weeks later, the leaders of the Alliance decided to meet in Theramore. The timing coincided with the Midsummer Fire Festival, so the scene looked like a celebration.
Sylvanas's mood didn't improve; she spent most of her time visiting Nathanos's father, and even in such a lively atmosphere, the old man's face remained devoid of a smile. Initially, Bred mistook Alleria for Sylvanas when he first met her, only revealing her identity as Sylvanas after an explanation.
The situation gradually improved. Bred asked Sylvanas many questions, all about Nathanos. Before visiting him, the Female Elf had anticipated what Bred would say, so she gradually reassured Bred with pre-prepared lies, telling him that Nathanos was fine. Bred would nod and smile faintly each time he listened.
After all the Alliance leaders arrived.
Jaina invited Sylvanas to join them at the banquet, knowing they couldn't linger too long. Sylvanas was worried that her presence might cause conflict with other Alliance members, such as the Night Elf. In the eyes of the Night Elf, she was still a High Elf, which might make them somewhat uneasy. However, she was reassured that when the Female Elf met High Priest Tedran, he seemed quite at ease. This was largely due to her participation in the Battle of Mount Hyjal, helping the Night Elf against the Burning Legion.
Besides, Sylvanas observed everyone present—mostly the followers of the various faction leaders. Among them, the Dwarf King Magni Bronzebeard, whom she knew, had risen from his seat to speak with the Gnome leader, Great Craftsman Gelbin Mekkatorque. It wasn't hard to imagine what topic could bring the "little ones" together. But somehow, Magni made Mekkatorque burst into laughter.
"I heard that the Gnome city has been occupied?" Sylvanas whispered to Jaina.
"That was many years ago. The Gnome are all in Ironforge now." Jaina suddenly paused, seeing Baine approaching. "More news..."
The Night Elf sentry saluted and immediately said, "Madam, the people from Stormwind City have arrived."
Jaina gave Sylvanas a look, indicating that she needed to attend to something. The Female Elf nodded in response, now alone. Since there weren't many people around, Magni quickly noticed the beautiful and captivating Elf present.
"It must be the Titans who brought you here, beautiful lady," Magni said to Sylvanas, slightly tipsy. The Female Elf didn't dislike him, but she was worried that the Dwarf's drinking might affect the more important conversation that was to come.
"Lady Jaina says the tides and ocean currents brought me to Theramore, but I believe it was fate that brought me here," Sylvanas replied politely, maintaining composure even among the important figures present.
Tyrande noticed the situation and rose, walking over quietly and gracefully to join the conversation. "My sentinels in Ashenvale have reported that the Horde received an envoy from Silvermoon City. Is that true, Ranger-General?"
The High Priestess exuded an oppressive aura; her words, though gentle as a breeze, carried an irresistible power. Compared to her, Sylvanas felt somewhat insecure, but she wasn't yet at a loss.
"I'm surprised you care about Silvermoon City, High Priest. But I'm no longer the Ranger-General. And you're right, the Horde did indeed receive the Blood Elf envoy."
Tyrande frowned upon receiving the reply. "Is it simple diplomacy, or..."
"It's about joining Horde."
Sylvanas seized the opportunity to speak, startling Tyrande and causing Magni to drop the wine glass from her hand.
"By the Titans, join the Horde?" the Dwarf roared. "Have you forgotten the crimes the Horde committed against Quel'Thalas?"
"No!" Sylvanas immediately denied. "I haven't forgotten." She clenched her fist. "Not everyone has forgotten, I haven't. Neither have the Quel'dorei who followed me to Theramore." Sylvanas suddenly raised her voice, drowning out the surrounding noise. "The traces of the Red Dragon dragonflight still remain in Eversong Forest," the Female Elf was saying as Mekkatorque approached. "The Horde hasn't paid the price yet, when the Quel'dorei's roar of vengeance was unleashed..."
"Would that deafening pleas for mercy make the Orcs turn away in disgust?" a voice said mockingly.
These words immediately caught Sylvanas's attention. She turned around instantly, her hunter's gaze sweeping across the faces of everyone present, trying to find the culprit behind the outrageous remarks. Most people simply looked back at Sylvanas, clearly as shocked as she was by the arrogant statement. A few, however, looked around anxiously.
Others, such as Magni and Tyrande, shifted their gaze from Sylvanas to where the speaker was standing. The Female Elf noticed their movement. She followed their gaze to the human who had spoken.
"You?" Sylvanas narrowed her eyes. She also saw Jaina. The mage looked somewhat flustered, worried that the Female Elf would be angry because of those words.
"And after the Orcs in shame, you, like all the High Elf, hid far away in the forest, leaving the Alliance to clean up the mess."
If Sylvanas wanted to rush over and tear her opponent's throat open, she could; at this distance, it would be easy to choke him. But she remained where she was, calming her breathing and watching the human with composure.
The newcomer merely gave her a disdainful glance in response to her reaction, then turned to the others at the banquet and bowed more politely.
"High Priestess Tyrande, King Magni, and Great Craftsman, it is a pleasure to see you all again," Varian King Wrynn said calmly.
Magni quickly stepped in to intervene. "King Varian! We didn't know you were here..."
"I didn't know there were other unrelated people attending this meeting." Ghost Wolf's gaze swept over everyone present, finally settling on Sylvanas.
Jaina deliberately stood between the two. "She is my guest, Your King. Lady Sylvanas participated in the Battle of Mount Hyjal, helping me hold the line and vanquishing countless demons."
"Is she genuinely trying to help you?" Varian King Wrynn interrupted her. He was a large, imposing figure with a slightly somber air. A long scar ran across his face, across his cheek and nose, like a sword wound. He seemed like the impulsive, straightforward type, but Sylvanas found his words sharper than his swords. "Isn't she here now, using you, and then joining the Alliance?"
"She's not..."
"Of course not," Sylvanas said with an unquestionable tone, making Varian realize he had asked a foolish question. The Female Elf gave Jaina a reassuring smile, while simultaneously meeting Varian's gaze with a relaxed expression. "I never said I would join the Alliance." Sylvanas looked at Varian with disdain, her provocation testing the King of Stormwind's patience. "Please don't be mistaken, King Varian. My ship is not heading to Darnassus, not Dun Morogh, nor some city crushed by Orcs." That last sentence had its effect on Varian; the King of Stormwind's expression changed drastically, glaring furiously at Sylvanas, but the Female Elf seemed unfazed.
"This is Theramore," Sylvanas reminded everyone present, as they all knew. "If there is any place in this world where High Elf and other races can coexist peacefully, it must be here. I admire Lady Jaina for her great understanding and efforts to maintain peace between the Alliance and the Horde. At the same time, I am also aware of Theramore's situation. I have heard that other Alliance members, especially the noble class of one side... are very unfriendly to her." Her eyes were fixed on Varian, and both her words and actions made it clear who she was referring to. There are no nobles among the Night Elf and Gnome, and the noble titles in the Dwarf kingdom are more of a formality. Sometimes, even a Dwarf baron would frequent pubs, getting drunk and getting into fights. Only the nobles of Stormwind City wield real power. Because of Daelin Proudmoore's death, Jaina was once thrust into the spotlight, and some people in Stormwind City criticized her behavior. Even now, the alliance between Theramore and Stormwind City remains strained. Despite being the leader of the Human Alliance, the princess of Kul Tiras, and a hero who participated in the Holy War, Jaina found herself in an awkward situation of being excluded from the core of the Alliance.
"I came here because I am grateful to her for taking me and my people in. Out of gratitude for this kindness, and for the past when I fought alongside her against the Burning Legion, I should repay her. When I first met her here, she may have misunderstood me, or perhaps I didn't understand," the Female Elf said with a smile to Jaina, leaving the female mage puzzled. "When I said I wanted to join her side, I wasn't referring to the Alliance, but simply Theramore, this port city."