Sunwell

"She's gone, Sephir, why didn't you go after her?" Larrik said. His gaze lingered on the direction Sylvanas had disappeared in.

"Yes, this is the seventh time." Sephir's voice sounded tired. She sighed, calculating in her mind how much time the Time Shard could still be used. Besides the fact that this spell couldn't be used indefinitely, it also prevented the progress of time from exceeding the starting point of the reversal. In other words, the point in time when Sylvanas left the inn could not be changed. Sephir could talk to the Ranger multiple times, but the time was very limited.

This really gave her a headache, because no matter how many times she started over, the Ranger was more vigilant than ordinary people and was always wary of her, making it impossible for her to change the topic to the history of Arthas' invasion of Quel'Thalas.

Sephir wanted to know what had happened back then. The Bronze Dragonflight had also sent people back in time, but all the investigators perished. Now, only by asking those who had personally experienced that war could they get some clues.

"My time is limited," Sephir said.

"Aren't you the Time Guardian?" Larrik said casually, which earned him a glare from Sephir.

"I should have told you before, just remember my identity, but don't say it out loud."

"I'm... sorry, but the wine tastes good."

"Recklessness fool," Sephir cursed inwardly, looking at her reflection in the wine. So what if Time Guardian? She couldn't do as she pleased, and she still risked being assassinated by the Infinite Dragon.

"It seems we must find the next witness to history." Sephir thought of Alleria Windrunner, the Elf who should have disappeared but is still alive, and she has become the regent. Getting close to her will not be easy.

"Sephir, I still don't know what you're investigating."

"What does it matter? Even if you knew, you'd forget about it right away."

The night was deep. Dawn was approaching when Sylvanas gracefully leaped from the elevator onto the Scryer's Tier. The air was damp and chilly; the forest was silent except for the eerie sounds of nocturnal animals, devoid of birdsong.

"You mean, the Flameblade Legion?" The voice came from a building high on the platform, calm and collected, yet completely drowning out the others. No one stopped Sylvanas as she walked in; when she approached the voice, the person was discussing something with a group of Elf.

At the heart of this debate, the prophet Vortar had white hair, wise and kind eyes, and a neatly trimmed beard.

Sylvanas felt a strange, incongruous sense of nostalgia here. Many years ago, she had discussed similar matters with her Ranger, devising strategies to deal with the Troll. Now, before her stood a makeshift command post for another war. Several tables were pushed together, covered with maps, letters, and inkwells. Sylvanas noticed some wine glasses weighing down the edges of the documents and couldn't help but smile.

"Kael'thas will never let his most powerful soldiers leave his side," Vortar continued. He was clearly trying to remain calm, while his eyes scrutinized each of the Starcaller Elf he trusted.

An elf with dark black hair and green eyes shook his head. "We can launch an Elf attack on Sunfury Hold and Stormspire, my lord. These two places protect several Manaforge from which Kael'thas draws mana; he will surely send reinforcements."

"The Aldor people made a similar suggestion to Adal, which was rejected by Archmage Khadgar," another elf with a particularly grim Elf emphasized.

"I've heard of more than a dozen similar strategies," the third Elf said.

"That won't work at all. Kael'thas isn't a fool," the fourth Elf chimed in.

"Then let's just launch a full-scale attack." The first Elf to speak sounded somewhat annoyed. "We just need more troops and siege equipment."

Vortar saw Sylvanas, and the wrinkles between his brows deepened immediately. "You!" he cried, "Who are you?" He was certain he knew everyone present, and it would be strange to have an unfamiliar face.

The others immediately tensed up, but relaxed somewhat after seeing that Sylvanas was not Draenei.

"It's an honor," Sylvanas said, her eyes meeting Vortar's beneath her hood.

"How is this possible?" Vortar couldn't contain his shock. He recognized who the newcomer was, but the other party introduced himself first.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Prophet." The Female Elf pulled down her hood. "I am Sylvanas."

The surrounding area immediately erupted in discussion.

"I have come here with the regards of Danas Thoradin, commander of the Honor Hold Alliance Expedition, and to inquire about Prince Kael'thas."

Vortar had never met this distinguished guest before, and he was momentarily taken aback by her identity as Female Elf. "Sylvanas Windrunner? What a great honor."

"Thank you." The female Ranger smiled in return. She didn't want to say much about the surname; explaining would be too much trouble. She simply said, "My sudden visit is abrupt, but my mission concerns the future of the people of Quel'Thalas, so please tell me everything you want to know, Prophet."

Vortar nodded, somewhat taken aback by Sylvanas addressing him as "Prophet." He wasn't so honored, especially in front of Windrunner. "There's a lot to say. Our Prince... has been affected, very badly affected."

Vortar shifted uneasily. Sylvanas suspected he was referring to Kael'thas's collusion with demons.

"I'm prepared, Vortar. Tell me, what exactly caused Kael'thas to fall?"

"It's magic, madam," Vortar said. " In Outland, we don't have the pure magical crystals native to Quel'Thalas." He shook his head sadly. "Prince Kael'thas has been consuming magic corrupted by demons all along. We didn't notice at first, until one time I overheard his conversation with Kil'jaeden, the leader of the Burning Legion ..."

Sylvanas raised an eyebrow. "What did you overhear?"

Vortar knew something about the Prince's plans, but he didn't like to talk about it. "It sounds like digging a grave. The Prince mentioned the Sunwell, saying he would use Sunwell to summon Kil'jaeden."

"No," Sylvanas said. "The Sunwell was destroyed long ago, by Kael'thas himself."

"Are you sure?" Vortar asked. His tone was more doubtful than anything else.

Sylvanas looked at Vortar for a moment, then slowly shook her head. She hadn't participated in the destruction of the Sunwell. "I'm not sure, but Isle of Quel'Danas has been reclaimed, so perhaps... my sister might know something."