Light's Vengeance

The Light's Vengeance! Even now, even after all these years, whenever I see the weapons Arthas used as Paladin in the collection room, I am puzzled. Was Arthas simply trying to prove himself, or did he choose to invade Northrend for the sake of his people?

The former Prince brought many secrets into the Frostmourne Cavern, letting the truth rot within.

I always thought that no one stopped Arthas when he drew Frostmourne, but Muradin stopped him, and the cave guards stopped him too. Why did the Prince still choose that sword, even at the cost of his own soul?

The moment Belmont led me to the cave he had discovered, a wave of sorrow instantly gripped me. Through the images, I heard Arthas's vow to Frostmourne, the Prince saying he would sacrifice everything for his people. It sounded noble, but I could see, anyone could see, that when Arthas abandoned the gravely wounded Muradin and left alone, he had utterly forsaken that sacred vow. He was only after himself, after his own revenge.

I'm just wondering, what exactly made his obsession with revenge so deep?

The Light's Vengeance! Is it the Holy Light's will?

Emerging from the Frostmourne Cavern, Nathanos held the warhammer in his hand. After brushing off the snow and ice, the emblem of Lordaeron could be faintly seen on the handle.

"Is there anything special about this weapon, Master?"

Belmont's words interrupted his thoughts, Nathanos slowly shook his head. "Nothing special, but this weapon has witnessed many things."

"We now know that Muradin Bronzebeard still alive," Belmont continued. The old footage showed that the Dwarf, who had disappeared for many years, did not die, but he awoke with amnesia. "The next step is to find him; this might be our bargaining chip for easing tensions with the Alliance."

"You have two things to do." Nathanos never looked at the leader of the Shadowblade. "First, find Muradin, even if you have to search the entire Northrend. Second, have Veronalara and her Dark Ranger forces withdraw from Northrend and return to defend Shadowfang Keep and Alterac. Also, spread the word that the Forsaken's base is in the northern part of the Eastern Kingdoms. Do everything you can to draw the Alliance and Horde's spies and informants there."

This is a stopgap measure! Belmont thought to himself. For now, to minimize risk, they can't directly expose their base in Kalimdor. However, Veronalara certainly won't be happy about it.

Nathanos seemed to have guessed what Belmont was worried about, and he said sternly, "Tell Veronalara, this is an order: no buying and selling!"

What should we do if the Alliance and the Horde send troops to attack Shadowfang Keep?

"Was that what Veronalara asked?" The Witherer chuckled. Belmont nodded in response; the woman would definitely ask that when he explained the orders to the Dark Ranger.

"Just tell her to be careful of SI:7. Even if the Alliance sends troops, we can completely hold them off with the terrain and our stationed forces."

"As you wish, Master."

Mathias Shaw, the master spy and head of Stormwind City's intelligence agency, SI:7, stood beside the ruler of Theramore. Varian could clearly see the serious expressions on their faces.

Upon receiving news of the Lich Gate, Varian ordered Shaw to investigate the Forsaken and report back immediately. He needed concrete intelligence, not rumors. The news was simply too incredible, too terrifying, and its most horrifying aspect was its undeniable truth. A premeditated massacre. Its atrocities were more devastating than Arthas's.

"Your King," Shaw and Jaina said simultaneously. Varian wasn't surprised that Jaina was there; she must have brought news about the Horde. Varian hadn't forgotten that the Horde was also a victim of this catastrophe.

The King nodded to Shaw first, indicating that he should speak first.

"I have good news and bad news."

"Is there any worse news than the Lich Gate?" Varian sat on the Lion Throne. "Speak."

"The good news is that we have found the Forsaken's stronghold in Alterac and Shadowfang Keep in the north."

The King immediately leaped from his throne. He remembered Southshore, the first place Lothar had taken him on their escape to Lordaeron many years ago, and a port city where the Seventh Legion's fleet could reach in less than half a month. "Then let's act immediately." Varian, recalling Shaw's mention of bad news, guessed, "Is the other piece of news that those Undead are just as evil as the Scourge?"

The spy master shook his head, a helpless expression on his face. "On the contrary, that's exactly what I wanted to say. I'm afraid you can't lead your troops north."

"Why is this happening?" the Ghost Wolf roared, venting its dissatisfaction.

"You can take a look at this. It's a message from the Argent Crusade, and it was written by Highlord Tirion Fordring himself. It's definitely not a forgery."

Varian looked at the letter that Shaw was presenting to him. He hesitated. Since the leader of SI:7 had just said those things, it proved that the contents of this letter were not what Varian wanted to see.

"You've probably already seen it, so don't waste your time. Just tell me. What does Fordring mean? Does he just ignore it because there weren't any Argent Crusade Warrior among those who died the Lich Gate?"

"No, Lord Fordring's message concerns his views on the Forsaken. Surprisingly, he has ordered the Forsaken declared allies of the Argent Crusade."

"This is impossible!" Varian snatched the letter from Shaw's hand. It bore Fordring's seal. He had seen it before; he had seen it when the Death Knight joined the Alliance. This was definitely not a forged letter.

Why did he do that?

"Rumors had circulated before that Undead members had joined the Argent Dawn," Jaina said. "My friend in Dalaran told me that a Forsaken found a member of the Argent Crusade afflicted with the Undead Plague, waiting to die, in the wilderness. That Forsaken tried everything to save him, even going to Outland to seek help from the Naaru. His actions moved Fordring, which is how he gained the Ashbringer's approval. As for the Lich Gate incident, it was Arthas's conspiracy to use the Alliance and the Horde to eliminate this rebellious force within the Undead."

"Not only that." Shaw took over the conversation. He saw the King's surprised expression, as if he couldn't accept any more information, but he still had to say it, as it involved the stability of the Alliance. "The Argent Crusade also sent envoys to Ironforge, telling King Magni that his brother Muradin Bronzebeard still alive in Northrend. And this news... Forsaken."