The morning sunlight spilled over the Thondroril River, flowing south with its waters until they emptied into the Great Sea.
The High Elf Rangers had spent the night by the river. Although the climate differed somewhat from Quel'Thalas, they showed no signs of discomfort. They had long since grown accustomed to such a life...
Until their commander returned.
"Where is your... Monk companion?" Alleria Windrunner asked, giving Karin a somewhat surprised look.
The bald Monk clad in Plate Armor had left a deep impression on Alleria.
"He fell ill." Karin shrugged. "So I left him at Durnholde Keep."
That was a lousy lie! Alleria could tell at once. Monks were renowned for their extremely high resistance to disease... Besides, when she had seen Mr. Mankrik yesterday, he had been full of energy, fawning over one of the female Rangers under her command.
Still, she did not expose the lie. Instead, she asked, "Are we going to Alterac City now?"
"Let's head that way first!" Karin said casually, without answering Alleria's question directly.
He could sense that the Ranger lord's attitude toward him had improved slightly, perhaps because of what he had said yesterday.
That was a good thing. After all, he would still need her and her subordinates' help with what came next.
The entire company continued north.
As before, Alleria was at the head of the group, while Karin brought up the rear... Except that the conspicuous tin man beside him had quietly disappeared.
After another full day of travel, they reached the edge of the South Alterac Mountains as the sky gradually darkened.
Some of the Rangers had already put padded coats over their leather armor... Here at the foot of the snowy mountains, they could already feel a chill.
Alterac City stood amid the snowy mountains.