The meeting had ended, but the representatives of the Alliance nations had not left.
They still had matters to discuss among themselves.
Karin rose and sought out King Varian Wrynn. As it happened, the young king seemed to be looking for him as well.
They found a private room and sat down.
Young Varian looked much more mature than he had a few years ago. His smile was warm and eager:
"Karin, thank you for everything you contributed to the Alliance in this war!"
"You're too kind, Your Majesty!" Karin replied with a smile. "I only did what I should."
"I must still express my gratitude!" Varian shook his head. "In fact, without everything you did, Stormwind City would never even have reached the northern shore and would have fallen completely into the Orcs' hands."
Varian's tone was utterly sincere, without the slightest hint of pretense.
"How should I put this..." Karin paused, taking out the staff Atiesh as he spoke. "Since I inherited everything from the Astral Plane Mage, I must naturally inherit his responsibilities as well. So, Your Majesty, I only did what I should."
"Lord Medivh was the greatest wizard in this world!" Varian sighed. "Sadly, like my father and King Terenas, he died at the Horde's hands. It's truly heartbreaking... Fortunately, we avenged them!"
Only a handful of people knew of the connection between Medivh and Sargeras, and the truth that Medivh had opened the Dark Portal. Even a king like Varian knew only that Medivh had died at the Orcs' hands...
"Yes!" Karin nodded gently. "We avenged them!"
"Then, since you've inherited the Astral Plane Mage's responsibilities," Varian said in a seemingly joking tone, "shouldn't you also accept a reward from Stormwind City?"
Karin glanced at the smiling Varian, somewhat surprised.
Without a doubt, the