The king

Sailervor's meaning was vague, and it was difficult to tell where he stood. However, he had left the decision to His Majesty the King. Perhaps he had realized what Patrick truly wanted, which was why he had not answered directly and instead wanted His Majesty Anasterian to decide.

As Patrick left, Sailervor watched his retreating figure, set down the scroll in his hand, and murmured, "An interesting young fellow. It seems I underestimated him a little."

Sailervor rose and instructed, "Come with me to seek an audience with His Majesty the King."

Sunstrider Court.

Sailervor entered the Royal Court with several attendants.

"Advisor Sailervor." The Royal Court's Spellbreaker guards stopped Sailervor. An inspection was required before an audience with the king.

The Spellbreakers activated the arcane magic circles. Blue light flashed, the arcane energy dissipated, and Sailervor entered Sunstrider Court.

The Royal Court's floor was paved with the finest white feldspar and dolomite. Topazes and rubies edged in thorium formed a lifelike, vividly rendered image of a phoenix spreading its wings across the floor. Pure, flawless zircons linked every piece of white feldspar and dolomite, scattered like stars in a dazzling array of colors. It was extravagance at its utmost.

The dome was entirely gilded in gold, with crystal lamps all around, white jade walls, and pearl curtains, every detail proclaiming the elven king's luxurious lifestyle. Arcane lamplight shone upon the golden dome, spilling down a glow that steeped the elves in decadent splendor. The beautiful maids responsible for the Royal Court's domestic affairs stood on either side, leaning against stone pillars carved with white jade reliefs. Their figures were shapely, and the exposed skin of their shoulders and backs was fair and delicate, soft and smooth, brimming with allure.

As the king's advisor, Sailervor was clearly no stranger to Sunstrider Tower, yet every time he came here, its glittering radiance almost intoxicated him.

Upon entering Sunstrider Garden, he found the cross-shaped main paths likewise paved with white feldspar and dolomite. All manner of exotic flowers and herbs grew around them, with ornamental plants, alchemical plants, and everything else one could wish for. Each flourished and swayed, each danced gently in the wind, a profusion of colors with hanging leaves stirring like silk and a pleasantly soothing fragrance. This was His Majesty Anasterian's private garden.

The main tower was His Majesty Anasterian's mage tower, while the side tower beside it was Prince Kael'thas's mage tower. The prince had resided in Dalaran for many years, so that mage tower did not shimmer with arcane radiance.

He entered King Anasterian's mage tower and went to the room where he often held discussions with the king.

"Good day, Your Majesty." Sailervor bowed.

"Lord Sailervor, we were just about to send for you." King Anasterian's brows stirred slightly as he gestured for Sailervor to sit.

Sailervor was not the only one in the room. Vel'rilles Deep Shadow, leader of the Firebrand special forces, was there as well.

"Your Majesty, that young fellow from the Cabrolon Family, Patrick Cabrolon, just came to see me. He hoped to take up a position at the Royal Academy of Arcane Arts, and he also had a letter of recommendation from Arcanist Thas'wether."

"Lord Sailervor, Vareless and I were just discussing him. I hadn't expected him to have already begun taking action. He is a very clever young fellow."

"Have you been keeping an eye on him as well, Your Majesty?" Sailervor was a little curious. Few elves could attract His Majesty the King's attention.

"Yes. He fought that battle in Life Forest very well. I read the battle report in detail, and Marshal Alleria Windrunner had nothing but praise for him. He did very well indeed, even driving the trolls straight out of Life Forest and eliminating a potential threat to the East Sanctum." King Anasterian was never sparing with praise, but this time both royal advisors felt that His Majesty had praised Patrick rather too much.

"Indeed. Since the Troll Wars, Quel'Thalas has been sorely short of elves who can fight. That young fellow is certainly capable." Vareless followed His Majesty's lead and offered Patrick some praise as well.

"Patrick just visited the Arcane Academy, hoping to become a member. May I ask what Your Majesty thinks of this?" Sailervor asked Anasterian,

hoping to obtain the king's opinion. "The council went a little too far this time, assigning him to the Sun Temple. It is only reasonable for him to return and ask to join the Arcane Academy." The king did not answer Sailervor's question directly.

"Your Majesty, from what I have observed, Patrick does not seem to intend to return to Silvermoon City to pursue his future. He and Alleria have even developed a tract of farmland in Life Forest to grow herbs. He may have plans of his own," Sailervor said, voicing his thoughts.

"Oh? He doesn't want to return to Silvermoon City to pursue his future? What an unusual young fellow." It was Vel'rilles Deep Shadow who responded. "It seems he has already noticed the council's moves. The council's methods of absorbing small clans have not changed in all these centuries, but this time they have underestimated the Cabrolon Family far too much."

As Quel'Thalas's intelligence chief, no elf knew better than Vel'rilles Deep Shadow what those Great Clans and nobles were really like, or how many sordid affairs they had a hand in. For years, the council had always used the same method: absorbing or marginalizing rising clans to ensure that its own power remained unaffected.

For centuries, the elves had been immersed in Silvermoon City's superficial splendor, unable to pull themselves free. How many elves could withstand the corrupting influence of that decadent life? Most sought the favor of the high-ranking clans, relying on the compiled arcane experience of their predecessors and the Arcane Codex to raise their own rank quickly. The consequence was that they became complicit with the Great Clans-or, rather, were absorbed by them.

The few elves who resisted temptation and studied diligently were unwilling to be absorbed by the council after they matured, so they were dispatched to remote regions. Their arcane progress slowed, advancement in their arcane rank all but ground to a halt, and the council marginalized them in every way. That was why so many high elves would later be found in Dalaran. The countless elven mages and elven priests in the Alliance's Seventh Legion were presumably there for the same reason.

Anasterian said, "Let us observe that boy from the Cabrolon Family for a while first. We will commend his contribution to the battle of Life Forest, have the Royal Court grant him the title of baron, and put him in overall charge of the arcane energy supply in the Ghostlands. What do you think of this reward?"

Sailervor said, "He has already taken up residence at the Sun Temple, so this works out perfectly. We can gain a better understanding of his character and abilities before deciding what to do next."

"I concur."

In Quel'Thalas's internal politics, even the king had to tread carefully. None of the council members were easy to deal with. If the royal family crossed the line, the council would begin entertaining other thoughts. The best choice was for both sides to keep to their proper roles.

The royal family generally gathered and organized information on elves' personalities and habits through secret observation. Once everything was confirmed, they would use indirect approaches to draw others into the Royalists. Of course, if an elf already belonged to the council, the Royalists could not make a move. The royal family had always adhered to this "proper role," never overstepping its bounds.

I am currently away on a business trip, and I do not have much time to write after returning to the hotel each evening. Thank you, dear readers, for your understanding.