Chapter 073: Long Live the King

At some point, the walls of Stonewatch Keep had been covered with blue flags bearing golden lions. The lion on blue was the royal crest of House Wrynn, and the emblem of the Kingdom of Stormwind.

In Stormwind, it was everywhere. White brick, blue banners, and golden emblems almost seemed to belong together. Out here in Redridge, though, the unnatural deep blue stood out sharply against the red mountains, dark-green woods, and yellow earth.

Jess kept looking at the flags. He stood at the end of a line of soldiers in the parade ground, among the men who had defended the fortress that night.

A horn sounded from the wall—quick, rhythmic blasts loud enough to drown out the roar of the waterfall.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

"The king has arrived!"

"Salute the king!"

"Long live the Alliance!"

Messengers shouted the calls from different directions. A company of splendid-looking cavalry rode through the gate. Even the chestnut mare Jess had ridden snorted nervously at the sight.

The riders wore heavy armor, and their horses were covered in thick metal plates and caparisons. They ran like machines with too little power for their weight, but every hoofbeat kicked up a great cloud of dust.

At their head rode a tall young man with his black hair tied back. He was built like a young bull. His broad chest and powerful thighs, which stretched his tight trousers, made even the strong bay horse beneath him look small.

He wore no crown or headpiece, and no ornament that directly marked his rank. Only a blue, trimmed outer garment suggested that he was more than a commoner.

But after he dismounted, he swept his eyes across everyone in Stonewatch as if he'd built the walls with his own hands.

Varian Wrynn. No question about it.

He was definitely older than Lordaeron's "golden prince," Arthas Menethil. Quite a bit older, in fact.

Jess wondered if his memory was wrong. He remembered reading somewhere, perhaps in an official novel or in the game, that Varian had called Arthas someone his own age.

Well, if a five-year gap still counted as being the same age, maybe he hadn't been wrong.

Judging by his appearance alone, Jess would have believed it if someone said Varian was almost thirty, never mind under twenty.

The young king stood close to six feet three inches tall and was so muscular that Jess couldn't imagine how he trained. Even surrounded by soldiers and attendants, he looked almost like an orc who hadn't finished growing.

He had a little beard, apparently to look older. His youth limited how much facial hair he could actually grow, though. That was about the only detail that made him look like a teenager rather than a grown man.

Ever since Varian entered his view, Jess had been unable to stop wondering one thing.

What would happen if this man met the orc shaman who had called down lightning by the lake?

The young king walked to the middle of the assembled soldiers and stood quietly until the shouts of his name faded.

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"Warriors, you have faced hardships I can scarcely imagine. While I and the people of Stormwind have still been celebrating our victory over the orcs, we have almost forgotten our ancient enemies. Those vicious, shameless, cruel gnolls still threaten our land and our homes."

"Yet you've proved that even after the brutal destruction wrought by the orcs—even after Stormwind itself was burned—in the name of the Holy Light, the Kingdom of Stormwind and her people still stand! We will never be broken!"

"It is because we have heroes like you..."

He looked toward the soldiers. Jess noticed an unexpected hesitation on that determined, sharply carved face, like a statue suddenly uncertain of its pose.

Varian fell silent again. Every soldier watched him, apparently waiting for him to gather his emotions.

Jess knew what had happened.

He'd forgotten his speech.

"It is because of you. Because of you that all of this has been possible."

Varian turned and strode toward the line. In the distance, Jess saw Baron Gray Ellian let out a deep breath of relief.

Only then did Jess really notice the people who had accompanied the king. Varian was so striking that everyone around him had faded into the background.

Gray Ellian was speaking constantly to a slightly older, powerfully built man beside him. The man had brown hair and a thick beard that made him look older than he probably was. He wore expensive clothes, a splendid cloak, and a silver circlet. He might have been the most important person present apart from the king.

That would be Bolvar Fordragon.

More than a decade later, when Varian vanished because of Onyxia's schemes and his young son Anduin Wrynn inherited the throne, Bolvar would become Regent of Stormwind.

Even now, he was one of the most powerful lords and generals in the kingdom, and the young king's adviser, helping him learn to rule after the war.

The noblewoman beside Bolvar was tall and slender, wearing a long silver dress. A blue pendant hung at her throat, clearly visible even from this distance. Her hair was pale gold.

That had to be Varian's wife, Tiffin Wrynn.

Jess searched the group for a woman with black hair and a red dress, but found no one.

Just as he'd thought, Onyxia hadn't arrived yet.

"Ahem."

Jess snapped his attention back. Varian was already standing right in front of him—and rather too close.

Only now did Jess notice that he seemed to have stepped farther forward than the soldiers beside him.

Had the others already finished speaking to the king? So quickly?

"You are... Jess Seso?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

He suddenly remembered the baron's instructions and bowed sharply.

Thump.

His head hit something as hard as a stone slab.

Or had he just headbutted... damn it.

When he straightened, several nobles in the distance had covered their eyes.

A strange mixture of sweat and cologne reached his nose. Sweat was running from the king's black hair onto his forehead. It was hard to tell which of them was more nervous.

But compared with his stiff expression a moment ago, Varian seemed much more relaxed. He'd discovered he wasn't the most awkward person here.

The king spoke quietly.

"You are the hero of Stonewatch Keep. Colonel Todman wrote to me about your remarkable actions. You held a watchtower alone and saved the soldiers of this fortress, keeping the gnolls from attacking them with stones and crossbow bolts from every wall. Without you, our losses might have been several times greater. The fortress itself could have fallen into gnoll hands."

The king's words were still a little stiff with nerves, but his voice was deep, magnetic, and stirring. Jess heard him release a clear breath after finishing.

"If you have a wish, speak it now. I'll do what I can to grant it."

"Serving the kingdom faithfully is my greatest wish, Your Majesty," Jess said, repeating what the baron had taught him.

"Those who serve the kingdom faithfully must receive real rewards, Mr. Jess Seso. You are not a soldier under my command, so I cannot reward you through the army as I might wish. You may tell me what you want."

"I..." Jess pretended to hesitate. "I hope to become a formal apprentice at the Wizard's Sanctum and study magic, Your Majesty."

"Such an ambitious young man," a noble murmured in the distance.

"Your desire to learn puts me to shame," Varian Wrynn said. "As you wish. I will personally visit the Wizard's Sanctum and ask its mages and elders to grant you the opportunity to study as a formal apprentice."

"If they agree, I hope you will treasure the chance, work hard, and one day become a respected royal mage like Nielas Aran. May you become a pillar of magical strength for the kingdom and make still greater contributions to the people of Stormwind and the entire Alliance!"

"I'll be waiting for you at Stormwind Keep, Mr. Seso."

Jess hadn't thought that far ahead. But hearing Varian say it made his heart surge.

A royal mage...

Sure, it was a grand promise for the distant future. But what a tempting one.