Although the Duke of Shadunbrook and Anduin Lothar appeared to be on friendly terms, Karin could clearly sense the tension between them.
It was understandable, really. Since Lothar's battle plan called for abandoning large stretches of Elwynn Forest and the Redridge Mountains to fall back to Stormwind City, it would naturally harm the interests of the nobles whose fiefs lay there.
But Karin did not care very much... After all, Lothar had King Llane Wrynn's support behind him. Unless something went terribly wrong, these nobles would have no influence on the outcome of the war at this stage.
Lothar soon left. As the "Hand of the King," he had plenty of matters to attend to.
Karin wandered rather aimlessly around the cottage, faintly hearing Medivh's snores from inside... It seemed the Astral Plane Mage was sleeping soundly?
Just as Karin was getting thoroughly bored, he saw a head poke out from the flower bed nearby...
It belonged to a boy of about ten, dressed in formal blue attire, his hair tied naturally into a braid. As for his face, it looked somewhat familiar!
Karin had a vague idea of who he was.
"Is Lord Medivh all right?" the young Varian Wrynn asked quietly.
"He's doing all right. He's sound asleep now." Karin nodded. "Did His Majesty send you to visit him?"
"No, I came on my own!" Varian shook his head. "Lord Medivh has always been very kind to me, ever since I was little..."
The boy abruptly stopped speaking. Looking at the ornate scabbard at Karin's waist, he asked in delighted surprise, "How good are you with a sword?"
Karin froze. Before he could react, Varian had already grabbed his hand.
"Come with me..."
Though he was still young, Varian was already very strong.
He pulled Karin into