The body of Xanon, secured well, rode with them—the dead rider very likely a harbinger of things to come, she knew.
8
ARRIVALS
Although there would be an official entrance by the various members of the Alliance once the summit had commenced, arrangements had been made for the representatives’ personal arrivals beforehand. The night elves had been willing to host everyone in the capital, but by majority vote from the others, it was agreed that the emissaries and a small personal escort would stay in Darnassus while the rest of their people remained aboard the various vessels. The full contingents would march in the procession opening the summit; then, after the ceremony, they would return to the ships until the gathering’s end.
The high priestess had finally seen the wisdom of the decision, though not for the reasons her guests had used. The more members of each nation staying in the capital during the delicate proceedings, the greater the chance of tempers flaring and incidents overtaking their goals. With each realm still reeling from the Cataclysm, the risk of that happening was very high already.
Theramore was the first member of the Alliance to reach Teldrassil. Tyrande and Malfurion met the key representative and his escort as they exited the portal into Darnassus.
“Well met, Archmage Tervosh,” the high priestess greeted.
The black-haired mage bowed his head to both. “In the name of Lady Jaina Proudmoore, ruler of the isle of Theramore, I thank you for your hospitality during this most significant of functions.”
“We are honored to have you here in her stead, though we hope that Lady Jaina is well.”
Tervosh smoothed his black and violet robes. As one of Jaina Proudmoore’s aides, he also wore a somewhat elaborate gold vest with ornamented shoulders. “With the troubles brewing all around us, she chose to stay in order to continue organizing Alliance forces. You can trust that she would rather be here, High Priestess.”
“Her martial knowledge has been invaluable during these dark days,” Malfurion put in.
“In that, at least, she takes after her father.” Tervosh said nothing more, the subject of Admiral Daelin Proudmoore a delicate one. His obsession with the orcs had led to his untimely death in battle against the half-breed Rexxar during the storming of Theramore’s keep. Rexxar, in whose veins ogre blood also flowed, had not wanted the admiral’s death, but Daelin had given them no choice. Admiral Proudmoore’s daughter still mourned him, even though his actions had forced her to side with the Horde over her own father.
The high priestess hesitated, then asked, “And how is Pained?”
Tervosh pursed his lips. “She performs her duties for Lady Jaina as stoically as ever. The great scar from her confrontation with dark magi is nothing compared to the scars left in her mind because of that event.” He shrugged. “But she will not accept any help. Her stubbornness has always been both a detriment and a saving grace.”
“I will continue to pray for her healing, both without and within.” Tyrande shook her head, then smiled once more. “But on to more immediate matters. You will wish to refresh yourselves.” She indicated one of her aides. “Please show the archmage and his escort to their quarters.”
Tervosh bowed again. “I look forward to the summit.”
As the emissary from Theramore departed, the high priestess murmured, “And there goes probably the easiest of those with whom we shall deal. Would that all the others could see matters as straightforward as Theramore.”
“They will see sense, Tyrande. They must.”
The archmage had barely left them when news came that the dwarven emissaries had arrived on the island. From all three clans.
“This can hardly be coincidence,” Tyrande declared as she and her mate, joined now by several priestesses, waited before the portal. “Could they have traveled together?”
“The Bronzebeards and the Wildhammers had agreed to, due to Rut’theran’s limited dock space, but I had not heard about the Dark Irons. Amazing to think that they managed to sail here with them aboard as well. If they did, I suspect that the clans stayed in separate parts of the ship throughout the entire journey and very likely even disembarked separately.”
“I would not have wanted to make that journey,” the high priestess returned with a shake of her head.
They waited for the three emissaries to come through the portal, but time went on and still nothing happened. The archdruid and Tyrande exchanged concerned glances.
“Perhaps I should go down—” But Malfurion got no further before the portal flared and the first of the dwarves entered the capital.
“Hail, Thargas