"Nalaras Sunstrider?" Antonidas found the name somewhat familiar. But for the moment, he could not recall where he had heard it.
As for the name "Meryl Winterwind," no citizen of Dalaran would have been unfamiliar with it! Meryl had been one of the first hundred mages taught by the elves, a hero of the Troll Wars, and one of the greatest mages in Dalaran's history... His portrait hung forever in the front row of the gallery on the highest floor of the Violet Citadel.
"Perhaps you need to prove your claims?" Antonidas asked evenly.
"Like this?" The high elf Nalaras waved a hand lightly, and a magnificent phoenix of flame appeared beside him. "I was once a member of the Sunstrider family. Anasterian is my elder brother! To stop the demons drawn here by the abuse of arcane magic, I joined the Council of Tirisfal as a representative of the elves of Quel'Thalas!"
Only those of the purest Sunstrider blood could summon a phoenix! This was undoubtedly a form of proof...
The undead who called himself Meryl said quietly, "During the Troll Wars three thousand years ago, I was gravely wounded by a Forest Troll witch doctor from Zul'Aman. With the war so pressing, I had no choice, before I died, but to use necromancy to resurrect myself as an undead and return to battle..."
"To keep the forbidden practice of necromancy from spreading through Dalaran, I had Adogan announce that I was dead... At the same time, I joined the Council of Tirisfal to protect this world in another way..."
Adogan had been Dalaran's first city ruler, as well as the first chairman of the Magoklas Council, the predecessor of the Council of Six! Antonidas knew this very well.
"Adogan also left me a few things!" Meryl tossed over