The banquet

It had been a long time since Patrick had last shared dinner with his family. He had been through a great deal lately, going from a fledgling mage to owning a Mage Tower, joining the Rangers in their campaign against the Trolls, and even venturing deep behind enemy lines to wipe out an enemy camp.

After all, his life had once been safe and peaceful. In his previous life, Patrick would never even have considered something like war. Yet now, while fighting the Trolls, he had fulfilled the responsibilities and obligations expected of an arcane spellcaster. This change had helped Patrick become more integrated into this world.

It was still the same family dining room. The arcane crystal chandelier on the domed ceiling cast a gentle light, and the beautiful oil paintings in carved wooden frames still hung on the walls. Magical music drifted softly through the dining room like a light mist, and every corner had been carefully arranged.

The magical lamps providing additional illumination around the room gave off a faint yellow glow, bringing out a slight reddish sheen in the wax on the mahogany floor. Many fine dishes filled the enormous dining table, and the relief work on the silver cutlery fully displayed the luxurious lives of Silvermoon City's Elves.

The table held juicy pork chops, poached sunscale salmon, jungle stew, cream of mushroom soup, and Patrick's favorite, steamed Big Black Claw Lobster, specially prepared for him. These lobsters came from Storm Bay on Kalimdor and were sold to the Elves of Quel'Thalas as an expensive ingredient. Patrick loved the taste of the large lobsters, paired with a sauce made from fresh Lordaeron chilies and Silvermoon City's distinctive bloodthistle flower seasoning. It was full of character, with an unforgettable flavor.

During the banquet, his father, old Phil, rose and raised his glass to everyone. "The first toast is to my son, Pat." His father drained his glass, and everyone followed suit.

"The second toast is to the Cabrolon Family's first Sixth Ring mage."

Old Phil was overjoyed. The Cabrolon Family finally had a Sixth Ring mage. His youngest son, Pat, was so young that he had an even better chance of reaching beyond the master level. At last, the Cabrolon family might one day enter the Silvermoon Council, the highest institution in the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas, rather than constantly having to guard against annexation by the Council's Great Clans and the scheming of other small clans. Those at the top did not understand the hardships of those in the middle and lower ranks.

News of Patrick's activities in the Life Forest had only just arrived when, the very next day, old Phil received an olive branch from Master Senyor Sunwing. This master, who oversaw government affairs, discussed a partnership with old Phil in which the two families would jointly produce alchemical potions. The products could be sold through the Sunwing Family's sales channels, with the Sunwing Family providing materials, premises, and so forth. The Cabrolon family would only need to send alchemists to make the potions. Moreover, the profits from outside potion sales would be split sixty-forty, with sixty percent going to the Cabrolon family and forty to the Sunwing Family.

Such "sincere" terms made old Phil frown deeply. On the surface, the Cabrolon family seemed to be getting a bargain. In fact, if old Phil agreed, the arrangement would indeed bring the Cabrolon family a large income in gold in the short term. After all, they would not have to cover those basic costs, and their technical expertise would still earn them the larger share. To ordinary mages, it would practically be a windfall.

But Master Senyor Sunwing had not said everything. He had not said who would run this alchemical enterprise. After all, the Sunwing Family would cover the bulk of the costs, and they would also control the potions' outside sales channels. In other words, all the Cabrolon family's future alchemical production would amount to working for the Sunwing Family.

Once the other side obtained the family's alchemical formulas, the Cabrolon family would be reduced to a vassal of the Sunwing Family, to be shaped and molded however they pleased. The Cabrolon family would become part of the Sunwing Family as though it had been annexed.

When Master Senior proposed this partnership, old Phil sensed something was wrong and tactfully declined the master's "kindness." Now that Patrick had reached the Sixth Ring, such incidents were certain to become increasingly common, so old Phil's main purpose in holding this banquet was to discuss countermeasures with the whole family.

After hearing what had happened at home during this time, Patrick pondered for a moment and said, "Father,

"I want to expand our family's key businesses elsewhere, preferably into the Ghostlands, where the Council's influence is weak. Earlier, I found a plot of land in the Life Forest that I liked, and I want to start developing our family's herbalism there. Herbalism is the foundation of our alchemy, and we must keep it in our own hands." Patrick glanced at his father's expression before continuing, "Alleria will establish a camp in the Life Forest. If we develop there in partnership with the Windrunners, the pressure will be much lighter by comparison. As for our other businesses in Silvermoon City, giving them up isn't out of the question if the pressure becomes too great."

"I went to Zeb'Watha to inspect it myself, and it really is very suitable for growing alchemy herbs. My brother-in-law has a good eye. I plan to plant herbs throughout the area West of Zeb'Watha. For matters concerning herb cultivation, we can seek help from my teacher, Botanist Frewen. He has studied all kinds of plants, but not being a spellcaster has left him in a somewhat awkward position in Silvermoon City. Still, if we can give him a place where he can conduct his research freely, I believe he won't refuse." His sister-in-law Nasalan shared her thoughts. After all, she was only an herbalist, and anyone who was not a spellcaster was in an awkward position in Silvermoon City.

His sister-in-law, Nasalan Cabrolon, was very optimistic about Zeb'Watha's future prospects. For issues concerning plant cultivation, she could also turn to her teacher, Botanist Frewen. The Cabrolon family was currently in an unstable position, and moving the family's businesses elsewhere could be a solution.

Old Phil nodded as though in agreement after hearing this. Patrick's older brother, Patterson, asked, "My brother, what plans do you have for the future?"

"I intend to take a nominal position at the Royal Academy of Arcane Arts. First, it will give me a chance to obtain more advanced arcane knowledge. In Quel'Thalas, arcane metamagic techniques above the Sixth Ring are almost entirely monopolized by the Silvermoon Council. Only by turning to the Royal Academy of Arcane Arts will I have a chance to advance further in my arcane studies."

"Second, I hope to gain King Anasterian's protection. His Majesty will certainly support us. After all, the Council holds too much power in Silvermoon City, and His Majesty has always needed Elves loyal only to the Sunstriders." Patrick was absolutely confident of this.

When a king's authority had been completely hollowed out, thoughts of defying the sovereign had probably already arisen. Yet because the Sunstriders alone controlled the Sunwell, the other clans could do nothing about it. After years of the Council's efforts, the king had remained a ruler who reigned but did not govern, while power rested in the hands of the Silvermoon Council.

To secure their royal authority, the Sunstriders had still drawn many talented people to their side, such as Gathios, the royal court's master of martial arts; Vel'rilles Deep Shadow, leader of the royal family's underground intelligence organization, Firemark; and Salorian Dawnseeker, Quel'Thalas's foremost melee combatant. They were all die-hard Royalists through and through.