After Jaina left to find Arthas, the others chatted in the guest room for a while before Lordaeron's court attendants came to inform them that King Terenas's banquet was about to begin, and that they hoped none of the guests would be late.
Only then did Aaron belatedly realize a problem: he did not seem to have any clothes suitable for such an occasion. After all, apart from his gleaming golden armor, his only clothes were the few old garments the innkeeper had given him back then.
But attending a banquet in a suit of armor like that... Aaron instinctively felt that something was not quite right.
Hearing Aaron's predicament, Kael'thas, who had the most authority on such matters among the four of them, pondered for a moment. After seeing Aaron produce that gleaming golden suit of armor out of thin air with his own eyes, he first praised the marvelous technique-though praise was all it warranted. By the standards of Dalaran's mages, Aaron's display was only a minor affair.
Kael'thas looked Aaron over in his armor and told him that he could absolutely attend the banquet in such a beautiful suit of armor. As a paladin, Aaron would not be considered discourteous at all for doing so. However, Kael'thas also cautioned him to make sure he did not bring any weapons to the banquet.
Although Aaron felt that Kael'thas's advice rather suggested he was being taken for an idiot-what normal person would bring weapons to a banquet?-Kael'thas meant well, after all, so Aaron nodded to show that he would remember.
Once he had confirmed that his attire would pose no problem, Aaron put on his gleaming golden armor, and the four of them followed the attendants to the main hall of Lordaeron's royal palace.
Unlike Dalaran's purple buildings, with their air of magical mystery, Lordaeron's buildings were far taller and grander. The palace where Lordaeron's royal family lived was especially so, built from enormous blocks of white stone, its outer walls adorned with various statues. Most depicted the achievements of members of Lordaeron's royal family through the ages, with sculptures of other heroes appearing here and there.
To be honest, Aaron knew little about what these statues depicted, but unexpectedly, Prince Kael'thas was actually very familiar with them.
Although Kael'thas said that he had learned these things only to facilitate dealings with the Kingdom of Lordaeron, it was still hard not to suspect that this prince, who doubled as an archmage, was somewhat neglecting his proper duties.
After climbing the tall flight of steps before the palace, they arrived outside the main hall. Looking up at the towering portico before the palace, Aaron could not help complaining, "Why did they build the steps so high? Doesn't the royal family get tired going up and down every day?"
Rhonin, beside him, expressed his agreement. As a mage, Rhonin had slightly less stamina than even an ordinary person. Climbing so many steps was not enough to exhaust him, but a few heavy breaths were unavoidable.
Vereesa, on the other hand, showed no sign of strain. Apparently, stairs of this height posed no challenge whatsoever to an elven ranger. It made sense when one thought about it: the rangers' main battlefield was the Eversong Woods of Quel'Thalas. Without ample stamina, how could they fight their ancient enemies, the trolls, in the dense forest?
"Ahem, actually, this place is only used when receiving honored guests. King Terenas and his family normally live in the palace farther back."
Their mentor Kael'thas offered this explanation from beside them, looking slightly embarrassed. Aaron felt that the prince seemed to have left something unsaid, but it was hardly important, so he paid it no mind.
Only after he later visited Silvermoon City did Aaron learn the true reason for Kael'thas's odd behavior: the steps before Silvermoon City's royal palace were even higher than those in Lordaeron. When it came to putting on airs, the high elves were the real professionals.
The four entered the palace under a servant's guidance. The first thing to catch Aaron's attention was the enormous, exquisite chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Dozens of huge candles on it illuminated most of the palace's interior.
Aaron observed it for a while and discovered that the candles did not drip wax. Apparently, there was something unusual about these candles as well.
Rhonin, beside him, remarked, "As expected of Lordaeron, the largest of the human kingdoms. Just look at that chandelier. It must have cost a fortune."
"Rhonin, mind your words. Do not make such discourteous remarks again. We are here on a diplomatic mission to ease relations," Kael'thas said, his expression stern upon hearing Rhonin's remark.
Rhonin nodded and replied, "Yes, Archmage. I will be careful."
Noticing the four of them arrive, Terenas, whose hair was already graying, came forward to greet them himself. Apparently, the king had done his homework beforehand: he actually addressed every one of them by the correct name.
However, seeing how much warmer the old king was toward Kael'thas, Aaron and the others tactfully stepped aside after paying their respects, leaving Kael'thas, who had been accustomed to such occasions since childhood, to handle the old king who ruled the greatest expanse of land and the largest population among the human kingdoms.
What followed was a lengthy exchange of pleasantries worthy of a textbook on noble etiquette. Even though relations between Dalaran and Lordaeron had not been particularly cordial lately, both sides still observed basic courtesy. At least on the surface, there was no sign of the unpleasant incident in which Dalaran's mages stationed in Lordaeron had been politely escorted out of the country.
Out of courtesy as guests, Aaron and the others had to suppress their impatience and wait to one side, keeping smiles on their faces.
Meanwhile, Aaron also guessed that Antonidas had probably sent Kael'thas on this errand precisely because he came from Quel'Thalas's royal family and could therefore handle such occasions with ease.
"Well then, my guests, please enjoy tonight's banquet. Afterward, I would ask you brave adventurers to tell me about your adventures in detail."
The pleasantries between king and prince finally ended. Terenas ordered the attendants to take the four of them into the banquet hall and seat them. Aaron happened to be placed beside Kael'thas.
Sitting beside Kael'thas, Aaron noticed that the prince looked rather grave and could not help asking curiously what was troubling him.
The solemn look remained on Kael'thas's face as he quietly told Aaron that, in fact, apart from easing tensions between Lordaeron and Dalaran, he had come to Dalaran to investigate some other matters as well. However, Kael'thas did not explain exactly what those matters were, instead devoting a considerable portion of his attention to the guests arriving in the banquet hall one after another.
Seeing that Kael'thas had no intention of elaborating, Aaron did not press him. He merely studied the guests who had already arrived in silence, guessing at their identities. But what could Aaron really discern? Apart from the fact that these people were clearly nobles long accustomed to standing above others, he could make out nothing.
Of course, there was little need to get to know these people anyway. Once the Lich King's underlings began ravaging this land, few of these nobles would likely survive.
Soon, Aaron turned his attention to Terenas. The people around him at that moment all appeared to be members of Lordaeron's royal family. A blond woman who looked somewhat older than Jaina was talking to Terenas, and a middle-aged noblewoman who still retained her charm sat beside him.
Aaron guessed that those two were Arthas's elder sister and mother, Princess Calia and Queen Lianne. Including Arthas, who had yet to arrive, these four were all the current immediate members of Lordaeron's royal family.
The exchange between Princess Calia and her father Terenas did not seem particularly pleasant. Whatever they were discussing, Calia looked thoroughly unhappy, while Terenas maintained a stern expression. Beside them, Queen Lianne occasionally offered a few words to smooth things over. Apparently, family relations within the royal household were not particularly harmonious.
Before long, Terenas said a few words with a stern face, and Calia rose reluctantly and left the banquet hall, looking as though she was going to find someone.
After Calia left, King Terenas's face took on a pensive look. There was no telling what he was thinking.