Sealed Away

Sylvanas stood atop the hill, bow in hand, watching the retreating crowd below, wary of anyone causing trouble. Not far away, Jaina and her assistants were organizing the evacuation. The Theramore Guard, who had followed, were also helping. The Female Elf didn't want to disturb Jaina's work at this moment, but she had to say that the pace was too slow.

"Jaina, we have to hurry."

The mage turned to her, indicating she had heard her. Her lips moved, and Sylvanas immediately heard her voice.

"We can't be too hasty, otherwise the crowd will only panic and become uncontrollable. Order is more important than speed."

Sylvanas sighed and nodded. Jaina had far more experience with retreats than she did, she had to admit.

The people in the corridor were all carrying large bags and bundles, some even pulling carts. Sylvanas couldn't understand why, at such a critical moment, these people would still be carrying things. Food would be understandable, but what about the money and jewelry she saw?

As Sylvanas was contemplating dragging all these people into the sea, a strange movement in the sky caught her attention. A griffin was swooping down, and to avoid frightening the civilians, its rider chose to land in the open area near the stables.

Baine leaped off the harpy's back and ran towards Jaina. Sylvanas followed. Baine had been sent to scout the seas, and her anxious demeanor gave off a bad feeling.

"Make way! Move aside!" Sylvanas weaved through the crowd, helping a farmer pick up his scattered goods. By the time she reached Jaina, Baine was already talking incessantly.

She only heard them say, "They encountered resistance, but it was only temporary. The Crimson Crusade's ships were burned to a crisp. They were almost completely wiped out!"

Jaina's face turned ashen. Although she disliked the Crimson Crusade, the extent to which the Forsaken attacking them indirectly confirmed their determination to conquer Southshore.

"How much longer until they get here?" Sylvanas wanted to ask, "How much time do we have?" But as Jaina had said, they couldn't rush things; if those behind the retreating crowd heard them, it would surely cause panic.

Baine glanced at the people behind her. Her solemn expression made her reluctant to give a specific time, but what came out of her mouth was. "I think it's too late."

Jaina felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head. All her previous calculations, including how many people could be evacuated within an hour and how many people had packed their belongings and were ready to leave... now all these well-organized plans had vanished.

"We need to find a way to buy more time. We must tell Rend, at least to have him take the Southshore naval defense force to stop the Forsaken."

"I can tell you this clearly, Jaina. If the people here hear gunfire, they will only think that the Forsaken have attacked."

The female mage stared blankly at Sylvanas, assuming she had said those words, but the Female Elf also looked puzzled. Baine, on the other hand, drew her sword more directly; there was no doubt someone was eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Who is it?" The Night Elf looked around, trying to find the person who had spoken.

"Meryl, my name is Meryl."

This remarkably simple self-introduction took Jaina by surprise, her heart leaping into her throat. She recognized the name; she'd heard her teacher mention it several times during her studies in Dalaran — Meryl, the founder of the Tirisfal Council. No mage was unfamiliar with such a name.

However, he lived several hundred years ago...

"Where are you?" Jaina asked anxiously.

Hearing that his lady was using honorifics, Baine felt reassured and sheathed his sword.

"Close your eyes, little girl, if you close your eyes you can see me."

Jaina did as she was told. After closing her eyes, she saw only darkness, and in that darkness, a thin, hunched figure appeared. She couldn't believe her eyes; the person before her was completely different from the portraits and descriptions in the books—he was an Undead.

"Don't be surprised, little girl. This is not a conspiracy or a joke. I am Meryl."

Jaina's mind raced, and she immediately realized her lapse in composure.

"I can't believe you're still alive." Her voice sounded like she was only ten years old. Jaina knew that wasn't her real voice, but in Meryl's presence, she sounded so young.

The female mage continued, "When I was still an apprentice mage, I already knew of your glorious achievements—you were the mentor of the first Guardian, Alodi."

Meryl clearly didn't care about her second sentence, instead extending her withered, white hand and waving it in front of Jaina. "You call this living? I've been dead for hundreds of years."

Only then did Jaina realize what Meryl had become. Her eyes showed confusion, which infuriated Meryl. Hadn't those trembling old men in Violet Citadel written down his true situation?

What... happened to you?

"Even if you had a hundred years, you still wouldn't be able to fully understand me. All you need to know is that I am now one of the Forsaken."

How could that be?

"That's the truth. Alright, I don't have time to listen to your questions. There's still a town of people who need to be saved." Meryl cleared his throat. "Listen to me, Jaina. The Forsaken's fleet will arrive soon. I will use my power to seal off this area for a while, but it won't last long."

Sealing the sea? Jaina's eyes widened, speechless with astonishment. It sounded like the words of a madman, but if it could be achieved, the amount of magic required would be unpredictable.

"During this time, do your best to evacuate the crowd."

The thunderous roar of cannon fire interrupted the mages' mental dialogue. The female mage opened her eyes, and the chaotic scene before her reminded her of Dalaran many years ago, when Arthas's army besieged the city.

"They're here!" Baine pointed to several small dots that were gradually becoming clearer on the horizon.

"What did that man named Meryl say to you?" Sylvanas asked.

"He told me we still have time. Do your best to help the people here escape. Baine, give me your Eaglehorn."

"What are you doing, madam?" The Night Elf didn't have time to stop Jaina before the mage ran towards her mount.

"I think Meryl needs my help, you should act quickly."