With his father's authorization, Patrick began taking stock of the supplies. Before leaving, he still needed to let his family know that he was about to set out. With the five-thousand-year tradition of his previous life, one could hardly say that familial affection was far removed from them.
In truth, familial affection was right beside them; it was simply too commonplace, too ordinary. It existed around them at every moment, making it hard to notice. Although Patrick had not believed in the so-called God or Jesus in his previous life, he believed in the heavens that embraced them, the earth that supported them, and the ancestors and parents who had raised and educated them. Though what he believed in was not some so-called "god," it was more meaningful than that "god."
The transport convoy was ready to depart, accompanied by the family steward, Melaris. The steward had served the family for many years and, judging by appearance alone, resembled a human of about thirty. Elves lived so long that it was impossible to tell their age. Red hair was meticulously combed back behind her ears, and a smart green shirt and purple trousers hugged her muscles-the very image of a handsome, stylish man.
Melaris's only task this time was to escort the convoy. Once the supplies had been handed over at Thas'wether's Tower, she would return to Silvermoon City.
The convoy set off, passing through Silvermoon City's eastern gate. Just as in the game, it was Shepherd's Gate, a tall, imposing gateway with two enormous statues. What would later become Sunstrider Court was now merely the hall of the Royal Arcane Society, and the lofty tower behind it was only the Sunstriders' private tower. The high elves regarded the Sunstrider royal family as shepherds, meaning protectors and teachers. The former protected the people and taught them arcane wisdom, while the latter offered their loyalty and fought for their king.
They reached Whispering Pool. Its crystalline water was like transparent glass, through which the flowers in the pool could be clearly seen swaying with the ripples. Lush greenery surrounded the pool, while emerald waves rippled within it. The water flowed through the mountains, and together with the golden trees on the slopes and the red bloodthistle flowers, it formed Whispering Pool's distinctive scenery.
Elves in twos and threes lingered beside the pool, passing their days at leisure or practicing and reading. If he had not known the future, he would probably have been just like them. With their long lives, the arrogant elves regarded pleasure as an eternal theme.
At the three-way junction in front of Suren Farm.
The Farstriders Camp had already sent people to wait there. Four elves stood at the front, led by Lady Saleni Dawnlight, with Pailralin and Alather as her two deputies. There was also someone Patrick did not recognize. Saleni handled logistical supplies for the Farstriders Camp, while Pailralin and Alather were responsible for supplying weapons, equipment, and the like.
"Good day, Mr. Patrick," Lady Saleni Dawnlight said very politely, her expression deferential and her gaze calm as she extended her pale hand toward Patrick, its back facing upward.
The Dawnlight Clan, the foremost of Silvermoon City's major clans, controlled the supply of the vast majority of Quel'Thalas's food and daily necessities. Although it could not compare with the five supreme clans that monopolized political power in Quel'Thalas-Dawnblade, Dawnwind, Morningwalker, Sunwing, and Dawnstar-the Dawnlight Clan was still one of Silvermoon City's preeminent great clans.
The people from the Farstriders Camp were already waiting here. Troll activity had been frequent lately, putting great pressure on the camp's front lines. Had the fighting at Zeb'Watha and Tor'Watha strained logistics so badly that they needed to receive the supplies right at this junction? Patrick bent slightly and performed a proper hand-kiss. "It is an honor to meet you here, Lady Saleni."
Saleni Dawnlight pointed toward an exquisitely beautiful female elf beside her. Dressed in red ranger attire, with her snow-white waist and midriff exposed and her long legs well proportioned, she carried a pale green bow on her back that set off her fair, slender neck. Her beautiful face, like every other feature, drew the eyes of the other elves.
"This is Alleria Windrunner, leader of Quel'Thalas's ranger forces and the specially appointed commander for this battle."
The eldest of the Windrunner Sisters. Alleria Windrunner had first made her name midway through the Troll Wars. To defend her homeland, she had repelled countless trolls, honing her superb ranger skills in battle.
She was also highly gifted at battlefield command and thoroughly understood the trolls' strategic intentions and way of life. In the end, with human assistance, the high elves had won the final victory. "Good day, Lady Alleria."
The Windrunner family commanded the ranger and Farstrider forces of all Quel'Thalas. Nearly all the western Ghostlands belonged to their domain, including Windrunner Village, Windrunner Spire, Gloomlight Mine, and Shalandis Isle. In later years, all these places would be destroyed by the Scourge, leaving only wandering, wailing wraiths and Scourge necromancers. Now, however, the Windrunner lands bustled with an endless stream of people.
"You arrived much earlier than expected. Thank you very much, Mr. Patrick. The fighting at the front is rather pressing at present, so we could only wait here for your arrival, hoping to receive these supplies directly." Alleria's face was as still as an ancient well, without much expression, as though she were merely stating a fact.
"The supplies intended for the Farstrider camp can be unloaded now. Melaris will handle the handover for you." Patrick looked at Alleria as he spoke. "With the fighting at the front so pressing, everyone can see the contributions you have made to Quel'Thalas, Commander Alleria."
Alleria met Patrick's gaze and said, "Thanks to your delivering the supplies ahead of time, Mr. Patrick, much of the pressure on the Farstriders Camp has been relieved. The invading troll army is larger than usual this time. Tor'Watha's spear throwers and axe throwers have already crossed Allendar Falls. Fortunately, no spellcasters have been spotted among the troll forces yet."
This was the second time Alleria had mentioned it. High elves prized pleasure, and mages in particular led exceedingly extravagant daily lives. As for the things they had to do, to put it kindly, they were methodical; to put it bluntly, they dawdled. Alleria had originally expected to wait at least a week. She had even prepared a plan for a large-scale troll breakthrough at the Farstriders Camp, never expecting the military supplies to arrive ahead of schedule this time.
With the handover complete, they continued on toward Thas'wether's Tower.
On the map, Thas'wether's Tower stood between two mountain passes, serving as the route connecting Duskwither Grounds and Azurebreeze Coast to the north with the outside. Azurebreeze Coast was also an important high elf port. Goods traded with Lordaeron could be loaded and unloaded there and transported directly to Silvermoon City. The importance of Thas'wether's Tower was self-evident.
Thas'wether's Tower, Duskwither Grounds, and Azurebreeze Coast to the north all saw an endless stream of people, with vacationers, merchants, and everyone in between. The surrounding buildings clustered around Thas'wether's Tower like stars around the moon, forming what was very much a village. This was not the place filled with Etherals and mana wyrms found in the game. After Arthas corrupted the Sunwell, the mage tower would lack arcane energy, its central energy crystal would cease to function, and the tower would have no choice but to shut down.
Before you continue