"Your Majesty, with you personally going to war and leaving state affairs to Tandred on Tol Barad, isn't this somewhat against protocol?" One of Daelin Proudmoore's ministers was still making a final effort to change the king's mind.
"My son died at sea. His body sank into the depths along with those warships. I only want to fulfill a father's duty. Those damned green-skinned orcs and red lizards should all join Derek in death." Daelin also understood that the minister had Kul Tiras's military and government affairs in mind, but his inner conviction told him that the blood debt of Derek's death and the annihilation of the Third Fleet had to be repaid.
"Besides, Derek's death in battle means the position of crown prince has changed hands. Tandred will take charge of Boralus sooner or later, and he will inherit my authority in the future. There is nothing inappropriate about this."
The minister said no more. With Crown Prince Derek dead in battle, Tandred, formerly second in line, would naturally become crown prince. There was nothing improper about Daelin's decision; on the contrary, it was perfectly reasonable.
"Your Majesty, signs of an orc fleet have been spotted ahead." A soldier came to report that they had detected movements by the Horde.
"How many Red Dragon Riders do those Horde forces have?" Daelin asked the question that concerned him most. If there were enough red dragons, he certainly would not sail to his death.
In the battle of Tidefall Island, Daelin would have wiped out the seafaring orcs long ago if they had not had the Red Dragon Riders supporting them. It was those red dragons whose flames had destroyed the Third Fleet under Derek's command. In the end, his eldest son had not even left him a handful of ashes.