Report

Over the past few years, many things had changed. Khadgar had greatly improved in both knowledge and power, and his appearance had changed as well. He was somewhat concerned that the Kirin Tor councillors might be confused by the identity of their visitor. He had become an old man. Though he had lived far fewer years than they had, he looked older than some of them.

He teleported himself to Dalaran. His own magical power had become strong enough for the task, but it was still a daunting distance. Besides, with Lothar planning to hold the first formal strategic meeting next week, Khadgar's sleep had been reduced to very little. He had also been preparing for this meeting with the members of the Kirin Tor. Dalaran's leaders were very interested in what was happening now, and he intended to use that interest to secure more aid from Dalaran for Lothar and the Alliance. Khadgar also believed they needed to know what was happening in Azeroth. At this point, however, there was no need for this acrobatic performance of concealing identities.

He stared directly at the speaking figure to his left. "I would be happy to recount these matters, Prince Kael'thas," he said politely. "But I think I could describe them more easily and... in greater detail if I could see my audience."

He heard a surprised intake of breath from that direction, but it quickly turned into a refined laugh. "You are right, young Khadgar," the mage replied. "I suppose I also find it difficult to speak to a shadowy figure in the dark." With a quick gesture, the Elf prince removed his disguise, revealing his splendid violet-and-gold robes. His long golden hair fell over his shoulders, and as expected, his expression held a note of wariness. The Khadgar before him was not the same as he had been two years ago. "Is this better?"

"Much better, thank you," Khadgar said. He looked around at the other council members. "Gentlemen, please remove your disguises as Prince Kael'thas has done. I cannot see your faces otherwise. Lord Krasus? Lord Kel'Thuzad?"

Antonidas, seated before Khadgar without any disguise at all, laughed. "Of course, young man, of course," he agreed. "This matter should be treated with the utmost seriousness, and you are no longer a novice who can be fooled by such tricks. Show yourselves, my friends. Let us settle this before night grows darker."

The other councillors followed the suggestion. Some complained that it was against protocol, but before long, Khadgar was clearly facing six people. The tall, slender figure, elegant features, and silver hair streaked with red let him recognize Krasus at once, an Elf-like mage. Kel'Thuzad had dark hair, a full beard, and glassy eyes, as though he paid no attention to the world around him. Khadgar did not know the other two—a short, stout man and a tall woman with graceful features—though their faces seemed vaguely familiar. It was as if he had passed them in the streets when he was a student, but they had not been striking enough for him to remember their appearances. Now, however, they were all utterly focused.

"We have done as you asked," Kel'Thuzad complained. "Now tell us what happened."

"What do you want to know?" Khadgar asked the mage, who displayed fervent enthusiasm toward anything that interested him.

"Everything!" That hunger shone in his eyes. Not only his—the others, Antonidas included, were the same. Mages constantly pursued knowledge, especially knowledge concerning the origin and potential of magic. Kel'Thuzad was the council member most interested in Medivh. Khadgar also guessed that he was the one most upset by the destruction of Karazhan. But Khadgar had no intention of telling him that, before leaving the tower, he had selectively taken away some valuable books.

"Very well." Khadgar began to recount his experiences. Everything that had happened since he left Dalaran, including how he had met Medivh and then formed that strange master-and-apprentice relationship with him. He spoke of the Guardian's erratic moods and frequent unexplained disappearances. He told them of his first encounter with the Orcs. He also told the council about Medivh's betrayal, how he and Lothar had ended the Guardian's life, and why he had become like this. Then he began to speak of the Horde and the war: the siege of Stormwind City, Llane's death, the fall of the city, and their subsequent exile. Khadgar described it all, telling the council, yet also seeming to tell himself. Even he was somewhat astonished by all he had experienced.

The mages remained silent while he spoke, unwilling to miss even the slightest scrap of information that fell from Khadgar's lips. Khadgar knew someone would certainly ask questions afterward, and that those questions would be brief but strike at the heart of the matter. When he concluded with the Alliance, Khadgar took a breath and waited.

"You did not mention the Tirisfal Council," Kel'Thuzad pointed out, prompting Antonidas to cough sharply. He felt it best not to mention that name in front of Kael'thas. (The Tirisfal Council had been established jointly by Elves and humans, and the Guardians had arisen from it. Since the Guardian Aegwynn broke away from the council, it had existed in name only. The Guardians were no longer under the council's control. The Elves on the council believed it was all humanity's fault, and a rift had formed between the two races.)

"Why?" the impatient mage pressed, completely ignoring Antonidas's hint. "It has much to do with the Guardian!"

"Yes," Khadgar replied. "As for that..." He looked around, observing the expressions on the mages' faces. "I know very little about the true circumstances of the council. Medivh mentioned that the council existed, but he never named its other members or spoke of its actions."

"Of course," the woman agreed. Khadgar could clearly see the frustration and disappointment on her face and Kel'Thuzad's. An interesting deception—they knew nothing about the council and had merely tried to trick him into revealing its secrets. It had failed. Khadgar had considered this possibility before coming here, so he had told himself that no matter what happened, he would never reveal to anyone the secret that he had met the former Guardian Aegwynn in Stormwind City.

"But I am more concerned with Medivh himself, and what happened to him," the female mage continued. "Are you certain you saw Sargeras within his body?"

"Absolutely certain." Khadgar nodded. "I had seen illustrations of that Titan wreathed in blazing flames in books, and I recognized him immediately."

"So Medivh—no! Sargeras, through Medivh's knowledge, opened a passage for those Orcs." The short, stout man pondered. "What was their world called? Where did those Orcs come from?"

"Draenor," Khadgar answered. His thoughts flashed back to the scenes he had seen in the visions at Karazhan: an old man who looked as he did now, leading an army against innumerable Orcs in a world beneath blood-red skies. A former half-Orc friend had told him that it was Draenor, the world of the Orcs. Those visions seemed to indicate that his future lay there, and it did not look promising. Khadgar shook his head and forced himself to focus on the matters before him.

"What else can you tell us?" Krasus asked. "Aside from a sky that foretold the end of the world, what else did you see?"

"I have not been there myself," Khadgar replied. At least, not yet. "But a companion, a former companion, told me some things about Draenor and the Orcs." Garona appeared in his mind, and he swiftly pushed away that painful memory. Even now, he still wondered why Garona had killed Llane. "The Orcs had once been very kind in their homeland. Though rough, they did not take the initiative to attack others. Their people were numerous and intelligent, and their only enemies were Ogres."

"What happened?" Kel'Thuzad asked.

"They were destroyed," Khadgar explained. "More precisely, their world was destroyed. But it is unclear why. Gradually, their skin changed from brown to green, and they began experimenting with spells that seemed to appear from nowhere. They became brutal and violent. The Orc tribes once held a ritual. There were cups whose contents no one knew, and after drinking from them, their skin turned a brighter green and their eyes became red. They grew stronger, but more bloodthirsty. They killed every enemy they encountered. Their magic began to corrupt their fertile land, and crops no longer grew. They were on the brink of destruction, about to starve to death. But Medivh somehow contacted an Orc named Gul'dan, a Horde shaman, and offered him a way into this world. A way into Azeroth. Gul'dan agreed, and together they created that gate. They sent through some of their strongest warriors, gradually increasing their numbers. Then they waited, rested and recovered, raided the villages around Stormwind City, plundered resources, and finally launched their full assault."

"And now all of them are coming to attack us?" Kael'thas said with a frown.

"Yes."

Khadgar waited, but no one spoke again. "Any other questions?"

The councillors whispered among themselves, discussing Khadgar's report.

"If not, I would now like to ask a crucial question." Khadgar looked at Antonidas. "I ask on behalf of Sir Lothar: what aid will Dalaran provide to the Alliance?"

Antonidas answered the question. "A force of mages, numbering over a hundred. All are fifth-tier mages."

Khadgar nodded. Though the number was small, every member of the force was at least a considerable asset.

"Thank you."

"What do you intend to do next, or where will you go?" Krasus asked.

Khadgar frowned. He had considered that question after returning as an exile to Lordaeron. The most reasonable arrangement would have been to ask the Kirin Tor for protection. Or perhaps return to his old work, serving as a librarian's assistant? He would encounter no trouble, and behind Dalaran's powerful magical shield, he would be safe.

He had also considered leaving this place and ignoring the war entirely, but everything he had experienced was connected to this war. Khadgar felt fate calling him. He had to stay.

"I will support Sir Lothar," Khadgar finally answered, deliberately making his voice sound casual. "I once promised him my aid, and he deserves it. Until the war ends—if we survive..." He shrugged, looking as indifferent as Nathanos.

"You are still a member of Dalaran," Antonidas pointed out. "If we need you, or ask you to do something necessary, will you come?"

Khadgar considered for a moment. "No," he said slowly. "I will not. When the war ends, if we are all still alive, I will return to my work, whether it is here or somewhere else."

The council members and Khadgar looked at one another. Then Krasus finally broke the silence. "You left here as a young apprentice," he said, and Khadgar could hear approval in his voice. "But you have returned as a master. Medivh must have taught you much."

Khadgar appreciated the compliment, but said nothing.

"You will not be ordered to do anything," Antonidas assured him. "We should respect your wishes and your independence. But we must remain informed, especially about Medivh, the Horde, and everything concerning that gate."

Khadgar nodded. "Then may I leave?"

Antonidas smiled faintly. "Yes, you may leave," the Archmage said. "May the knowledge you have gained grant you strength."