After the Battle

Queen Proudmoore once again stood in the hall of Stormwind Keep, gazing intently at the courtyard for resting to her left.

Soon, she heard deep footsteps. Varian had arrived. This time, the King was followed by a Night Elf with full purple hair, dressed as a SI:7 agent. Jaina didn't recognize him; the Night Elf stood three steps away from Varian.

Jaina tilted her head slightly and smiled, "It's a pleasure to receive me, Your King."

Varian did not return the smile; for a moment, his twitching lips seemed to be saying to Jaina, "Say what you have to say."

The female mage deduced that Varian had something more pressing to attend to, and that his audience with her was merely a matter of diplomatic protocol. "Regarding the Forsaken..."

"Shaw has investigated thoroughly; someone is trying to instigate a war between the Alliance and the Forsaken. The Alliance will not fall for it."

Jaina stood frozen, staring at Varian. To say she was surprised wouldn't be accurate; she was more confused. Where was the King who would fly into a rage over the slightest harm done to the Alliance? Southshore had been attacked, and Varian had done nothing—not even send reinforcements? All the carefully prepared reports and defenses for the Forsaken she had made along the way were now useless.

"A wise move," Jaina managed to squeeze out. She also noticed that the man on the throne was trembling slightly, as if suppressing his anger and hoping Jaina would leave quickly.

"Then I shall take my leave." The female mage turned and left Stormwind Keep. Even from a distance, she could still hear Varian's panting and subsequent rage.

Clearly, his anger wasn't Forsaken. Because Varian hadn't inquired about Southshore at all.

"Is the crisis truly over?" The female mage nodded, then shook her head. She already sensed that the current crisis had been averted because an even greater crisis had arisen.

"Our plan has failed, Chieftain," Malkorok said reluctantly to Grommash, bracing himself for the Great Chief's wrath.

"I've already heard!" Garrosh lowered his voice; it was daytime, and shouting would only attract more attention from the Horde members.

Although he had concealed his actions well, the death knell of defeat was still irrevocably tolling over his head.

"Delvin should be held responsible for all of this. He failed to truly incite hatred between the Alliance and the Forsaken. The Undead and humans fought so easily, but were able to remain calm when they learned the truth."

Grommash no longer cared about the Blood Prince, or rather, he never cared in the first place. He only knew his plans had failed; the Forsaken hadn't submitted to the Horde, and might even become Horde enemies if they discovered he was the mastermind behind it all...

It's quite possible that there are always a few clever ones among the Forsaken who might even be able to find traitors hidden within.

"Malkorok, will the Forsaken declare themselves our enemies and launch an attack against us?"

The Blackrock Orc almost immediately gave Grommash a negative reply, "No, Chieftain, I don't think they will do that. The reason is simple: the battle of Southshore showed that the Forsaken are not good at judging the timing of military campaigns. I think after this incident, they will become more cautious. They will still be hostile towards us, but their actions will only be defensive."

Garrosh nodded, pondering Malkorok's words. Just then, an Orcs walked into the fortress, drawing their attention. Malkorok glared at him; the orc had barged in without being summoned.

The Orcs placed his hand on his chest. "Great Chief! There's good news."

Garrosh's eyes lit up. "I need good news, General." He smiled at Nazgrim. "Speak, I'm listening."

After a hot meal and a short rest, Sylvanas regained her strength. She even took a bath in preparation for the next few days of sea voyage.

The hot water washed away her fatigue. After getting dressed, Sylvanas brewed herself a pot of tea and enjoyed the last few moments she had in Theramore.

She knew, of course, that her departure would displease Jaina. Without her help, there would be a loss of an assistant to handle political affairs.

The crisis in Southshore has ended, but the civilians who relocated there don't want to return immediately. Southshore has become unsafe. For the time being, they want to stay in Theramore. This situation will raise many issues that Jaina must address.

"General!" Lansber's voice interrupted Sylvanas's thoughts.

"Is everything ready?"

"Yes, there's enough fresh water and food for a month. The boat has also been reinforced."

"Great, tell everyone we'll be leaving in an hour."

"We should inform Ms. Proudmoore."

"Without a doubt." Sylvanas stood up from her chair, walked to the wall of the room, and touched the bow and arrows hanging there. "It just so happens that I lack someone I can trust to complete this task."

Lansber wanted to laugh bitterly. The person Sylvanas was referring to was, without a doubt, him.

"I will give Ms. Jaina a brief but detailed report and inform her of your whereabouts."

"This is just one of the things you need to do."

"Is there anything else I need to do?"

"Two things: First, during my absence, you will temporarily be in charge of the administrative affairs of the Silver Covenant," Sylvanas said, then took out one hand and handed a pre-prepared letter to Lansber. "Second, one day after I leave, deliver this letter to Quel'Thalas and give it to my sister."

"Relations between the Alliance and the Horde are very tense right now, General. Are you sure this won't cause trouble for you and His Majesty the Regent?"

"No." Sylvanas waved her hand. "The contents of this letter have nothing to do with stance or politics. As for the trouble it causes..." The Female Elf smiled smugly, as if she could already imagine Alleria's expression when she saw the contents of the letter.

Lansber could tell that the Ranger-General was secretly pleased, but it wasn't good news for him. When he delivered the letter to the Regent, he would likely be subjected to a barrage of questions.

"You seem to be thinking about something pleasant, General."

The Female Elf frowned, composed herself, coughed a few times, and said, "In short, you must complete the task I have assigned to you."