Temporary System

Varian summoned his ministers and foreign envoys to the Map Room of Stormwind Keep. When he entered, they all bowed their heads in greeting. He had long since ordered them not to bow.

Jaina was naturally present. But she found the number of attendees somewhat excessive. Nearly all the Alliance leaders had gathered, along with the spymaster Shaw and Prophet Velen. She had heard that the elderly Draenei had been guiding Prince Anduin along the path of the Holy Light. There was also a broad-shouldered man standing at Varian's side. Jaina was glad to see him, yet also felt sorry for him. As the only king still alive to have witnessed the Alliance's founding and dissolution, Genn's life could truly be called legendary. The Worgen curse had restored his former vigor, but during the brutal years of the Horde's invasion of Gilneas, he had lost his son. Whenever Jaina saw the gray-haired elder, she could sense his profound grief. Yet she felt that he had lost more than his son in the war—he had lost his world.

The Night Elf leader Tyrande stood on the other side of the map, facing Varian. Her companion, Archdruid Stormrage, had not come; Sentinel General Shandris had taken his place. Aside from humans, the people Jaina interacted with most within the Alliance were Night Elves. Before the meeting began, she exchanged a few words with the high priestess and thanked Tyrande for sending Baine to help her.

The three members of the Council of the Three Hammers had also arrived. The usually boisterous Dwarves were unusually quiet, and rather than keeping their distance from one another, they stood side by side. It made Jaina wonder whether the stories her father had told her as a child about discord among the Dwarves had been true.