Paladins

"Be careful, be careful. Melee, watch for Whirlwind."

"His health is dropping a little too fast."

"Forty percent soon. He's about to change."

"Wait, wait. Too many people got hit. I can't heal them all."

"Anyone with survival skills, use them first. Watch your health. If you can't hold on, eat some candy."

"He's turning into a cat. Healers, keep the heals up, keep the heals up. Be ready to use Innervate at any time. Everyone, move close to the boss."

"Twenty percent! Watch the fire pillars! Full fire resistance buffs! Shamans, use Bloodlust!"

"Nice! We got him, we got him! He's dead, he's dead!"

"Not bad, not bad. We nearly wiped in phase three. Healing Zul'jin is seriously brutal."

"Hand out the loot."

"Wait, let me loot him."

"Find other healers next time. I never want to run Zul'Aman again."

"Nathanos? Wake up!"

The excited cheers and sighs in his mind faded away completely. Hearing someone call for him, Nathanos slowly opened his eyes. His mother's kindly face always put him at ease.

"What is it, Mother?"

"Your mentor is here."

The young man rubbed his still-tired eyes. He remembered Uther saying they would meet again in four days. Had something urgent happened?

"My mentor? He should be at the military camp in Lordaeron right now."

"No, not Lord Uther. It's a Dwarf." Daphne helped her son put on his coat. A Dwarf? Nathanos immediately understood who had come. He hurriedly dressed, then ran downstairs before he could even freshen up his groggy face. Gudul was sitting in a chair, waiting for him.

"It's been a long time, Nathanos." The Dwarf flashed a broad grin.

Nathanos noticed that he wore old-fashioned gray-white armor and had a freshly sharpened battle-axe strapped to his back, as if he were about to pick a fight with someone.

"I'm terribly sorry, Mentor. I haven't even had time to wash my face."

"It's fine. Actually, I was only passing through and wanted to see you." Gudul studied Nathanos closely, as though he wanted to etch the young man's appearance into his memory.

"Actually, I wanted to ask—dressed like that, are you heading to the battlefield?"

Gudul nodded, then explained, "Yes, I'm going to war, but not here. I'm returning to my homeland, Ironforge. I heard from other Dwarves that those damned Horde bastards have surrounded Ironforge completely."

"No, that's too dangerous!" Nathanos hurriedly tried to stop him. "I've heard how terrifying those Orcs are. You're alone. That's practically suicide."

"Don't underestimate me, kid." Gudul slapped his chest and laughed heartily, nearly making Nathanos think he was going sightseeing. "I'll be fine. Besides, I'm not alone. Most of the Bronzebeard Dwarves living in Lordaeron plan to return and defend our home. I can't be left behind. Wish me luck, child. We'll meet again."

Nathanos lowered his head slightly and glanced to either side. "Then at least let me see you off."

"No need, Nathanos. I told you, I'm not alone. I have companions traveling with me. Though I'd love to bring you along, show you off to my good brothers, and let you see for yourself just how magnificent Ironforge is, this journey is more dangerous than you can imagine. I won't make your parents worry about you either."

Gudul called this a "journey"? Nathanos could not help but sigh. It seemed the Dwarf had already made up his mind.

"If I were a few years older, I would definitely go with you."

"By then, the war will be over, child." Gudul looked optimistic, as though the Orcs were beneath notice. "You're not old enough to enlist in Lordaeron yet. Perhaps that's a good thing. You won't have to face death on the battlefield. Stay with your parents. These are extraordinary times. You need your family's company now more than ever."

Gudul left after talking for only a short while, without even touching the fruit Daphne had prepared. Nathanos watched him pass through Quel'Dalar. The Dwarf planned to secretly sail west of Kaz'Modan. This war would change many people—that was the last thing Gudul said to him.

A few days later, Lothar and Khadgar returned to the main courtyard. They had eaten and drunk their fill and were waiting for Archbishop Faol to arrive. Nathanos, however, had arrived an hour early. Lothar spotted him from afar, and they nodded to each other in greeting.

"We meet again. Your name is Nathanos."

"It is an honor, General Lothar. You remembered me." Nathanos bowed to him, as courtesy required.

"Were you invited here by the Archbishop as well?" Khadgar was suspicious of Nathanos's presence. As far as he knew, Alonsus had never had any contact with the young man before him.

"No. Uther told me to come here. I don't know exactly why." Nathanos answered the mage directly. It seemed Alonsus would be presiding over today's proceedings. Moreover, the three of them were not the only ones present. Many knights stood solemnly outside the main cathedral.

A few minutes later, Alonsus appeared and walked over calmly.

"Thank you all for coming. And you, Nathanos—today may be the most important day of your mentor's life," the Archbishop said as he approached them.

"My father told me the most important day in a man's life is when he enters marriage, but all this armor doesn't seem to create that sort of atmosphere." Nathanos half-jokingly looked at the knights.

The Archbishop smiled kindly. "I only meant for Uther, and this will not take much of your time. Still, I believe what I am about to do will be of great help to the entire Alliance. But first..." he announced with a smile, "I want to tell you, Sir Lothar, that the Church has promised to aid the Stormwind Kingdom. Once this war is over, we will do all we can to help you rebuild your homeland."

Lothar laughed. It was the first genuine smile to appear on his face since Stormwind City had fallen. "Thank you, Archbishop," he said, his voice full of gratitude. "This is indeed wonderful news for me, and for Prince Varian as well."

Faol nodded. "The Holy Light will once again fill Elwynn Forest," he promised softly. Nathanos tried to find Uther among the crowd. He seemed to be inside the main cathedral.

"During our last conversation," Faol suddenly said dejectedly before them, "I was furious and deeply saddened by the destruction of Northshire Abbey. Priests are the embodiment of the Holy Light's mercy, yet they died at the hands of brutality. You said that even your strongest warriors had to be extremely cautious when facing Orcs. Let alone a priest." He smiled—a truly happy smile. Nathanos was surprised by the expression, which was completely at odds with his words.

"I thought long and hard about how to change that, until the Holy Light granted me enlightenment. There is a way to ensure that warriors can fight alongside the Holy Light while still maintaining absolute faith in it."

"So you summoned us here to witness this, to see whether your method will work?" Lothar asked.

"Yes." Faol agreed. "I will establish a new branch of the Church: paladins. With King Terenas's approval, this new force will be called the Order of the Silver Hand. These are the men you see before you. I have selected the first group of candidates for this idea. They were previously knights and priests. I chose them for their devout faith and their own fighting abilities. They will not only be trained in combat, but also in prayer and healing. These brave warriors will possess military prowess as well, especially the ability to use the power of the Holy Light to bless themselves and others."

He turned and beckoned. Four men emerged from the main cathedral and strode toward them in high spirits. They wore gleaming armor, with distinctive blue capes behind them. Their shields and the crowns of their helmets bore the Church's emblem. Every one of them carried a new, spotless sword, and a thick book hung at each of their waists. They possessed knowledge and training, but Lothar wondered whether they had ever fought a real battle. It was an experience every warrior needed, but there was no time now. They had to head straight for the front lines against the Orcs.

"Allow me to introduce Saidan Dathrohan, Tirion Fordring, Turalyon, and Uther, whom you have already met." Faol smiled with obvious pride.

Nathanos looked at Uther. He had never seemed so spirited before, yet his mentor's eyes clearly yearned for something else.

"They will all become members of the Order of the Silver Hand." Alonsus also introduced Lothar and Khadgar. "This is Sir Anduin Lothar, General of Stormwind City and commander of the Alliance. And this is his colleague, Khadgar, a mage of Dalaran." Faol smiled. "You may speak with one another."

Lothar and Khadgar were surrounded by the paladin candidates. Some of them, such as Turalyon, looked very young—compared to the others, he was practically a newborn calf—and he seemed somewhat nervous. Others, such as Uther and Tirion, appeared quite relaxed.

Just as Lothar was still considering what to say to them, Uther broke the silence. "General Lothar, the Archbishop has told us of the coming battle and the approaching danger. We will await your orders and fight for the people. Command us when you need us. We will utterly defeat our enemies, drive them from this land, and let the Holy Light protect it."

Uther possessed a sincerity and resolve the others lacked. Even Nathanos found his mentor unfamiliar when he became serious.

"It seems you are prepared to face the Horde, Uther. Good. You will surely be a powerful force for the Alliance on the battlefield." They continued discussing matters.

Alonsus had arranged for the four men to meet Lothar because he hoped Lothar would choose one of them as his adjutant. All of them were suitable candidates. Yet the outcome was unexpected: Lothar chose Turalyon, the youngest of the four and the one with the weakest faith. Nathanos understood what his mentor's eyes had been longing for earlier.

After the conversation ended, everyone dispersed. Nathanos found an opportunity to speak with Uther.

"I believe you must have been eager to become the second-in-command, Mentor."

Uther was somewhat discouraged. In truth, a small part of him had believed that Lothar would surely choose him. "It doesn't matter, child. I can still serve the Alliance."

"Don't you want to know why Lothar didn't choose you?"

Uther stroked his chin and asked, "Why?"

"Your faith moved him, Mentor. That is certain. Your resolve is firm, and everyone present could feel it. But precisely because of that, Lothar believes you place too much importance on honor and faith, and would refuse to use less-than-honorable methods to win. Of course, I share his view."

"That does not seem like a flaw." Uther was dissatisfied with the answer. He did not believe there was anything wrong with it.

"War kills people, Uther." Nathanos temporarily set aside the formalities between mentor and student and stood before Uther as a friend. "Only a few days ago, my other mentor, Gudul, returned to Ironforge. I worry about him every moment. If there were some utterly immoral way to end this turmoil, I would definitely do it."

Uther closed his eyes. He did not wish to judge Nathanos's view. He himself opposed what his apprentice had said, but the desire to let more people survive was not wrong in itself.

"We are both not wrong."