After helping Stormwind finalize negotiations with the Frostwolf Clan, Noah finally had a day or two to rest.
He remembered exactly where the Orc encampment hidden in Elwynn Forest was, so he wasn't worried about losing track of it.
Since Lothar hadn't asked him to act yet, Noah enjoyed the rare leisure.
During the day, he wandered around Stormwind or sat in Goldshire.
At night, he went to the Cathedral to visit Alonsus Faol.
Being near this legendary priest allowed Noah to properly sense the power of the Holy Light.
Faol couldn't quite understand why a mage would be interested in the Light, but he had no reason to stop him.
On the contrary, he welcomed it.
The grandeur of the Holy Light was beyond imagination.
If even a mage who wielded dark powers could be moved by it, that alone felt like a miracle.
The two got along well.
Noah learned a great deal about the Holy Light from Faol.
Though he hadn't formally obtained the power yet, he now possessed a relatively complete understanding of its structure.
Faol was an excellent teacher.
Noah was an excellent student.
Their discussions benefited both sides.
During one exchange, Noah casually dropped a hint.
"From a mage's perspective, the Holy Light is still a form of power," Noah said. "If the Light can save people, why can't it harm them?"
"Power is double-edged. If you can't protect yourself, how can you protect others?"
"But the Light-" Faol began, only to be interrupted.
"Don't say it's sacred." Noah tilted his head. "If it's power, it has two sides."
He continued, recalling a concept from memory.
"You must have noticed it yourself. The Light can strengthen a person and greatly increase their combat ability. So why not select some steadfast, virtuous warriors and teach them to wield the Holy Light?"
"Warriors who use... the Holy Light?" Faol murmured, falling into a long silence.
Ordinary people might not grasp the severity of the situation, but as Lordaeron's liaison in Stormwind, Faol understood it well.
An alien race had invaded Azeroth.
Civilians had already suffered heavy losses.
And on the corpses, Faol had sensed a deeply malevolent power.
The Light could resist it.
But those who could wield it were far too few.
If full-scale war erupted and that evil power spread unchecked, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Virtuous warriors.
Combatants of the Light.
The idea slowly took root in Faol's heart.
"That is... an excellent suggestion, Master Mage," Faol said warmly after shaking off his thoughts. "I will consider it."
"Why not call them Paladins?" Noah continued as if he hadn't heard him. "It's a good name. Holy. Radiant. Warriors with the virtues of knights. Paladin. What do you think?"
"It is a fine name," Faol said, looking at Noah with equal parts amusement and confusion.
This mage truly was something else.
"I won't disturb you further, Lord Faol." Noah smiled and rose to his feet.
A faint pale-golden glow surrounded him.
"May the Holy Light be with you."
With a flash of gold, Noah vanished.
Faol was left behind, smiling wryly.
Back in his room, Noah calculated the time and prepared to rest.
To his surprise, there was a knock at the door.
Had someone been monitoring him?
Impossible.
Dwarven and gnomish technology hadn't reached that point, and no one should have been bored enough to spy on him.
Noah opened the door.
Lothar.
Khadgar.
"You two again," Noah said flatly. "What is it this time? And how did you know I was back?"
"You actually came back?" Lothar snapped. "We've been waiting here for two hours! Knocking every five minutes!"
"And did you know?" Lothar continued angrily. "Those damn Orcs really were sent by our Guardian!"
Medivh's been exposed?
That was Noah's first thought.
But his expression quickly turned strange.
How?
It didn't add up.
By Merlin, Medivh hadn't cast that defensive spell yet.
How could he have been exposed without exhausting his power?
As Khadgar explained, Noah understood.
After Noah sent everyone back to Goldshire, Llane ordered Lothar and Khadgar to consult the Guardian about the ambush.
By sheer bad luck, Medivh had been battling the demon within his mana pool at that very moment.
Their arrival distracted him.
For an instant, the demon seized control.
Medivh's eyes flared with Fel energy.
Though he quickly recovered after a painful roar, he seemed to forget what had happened.
That sight filled Lothar and Khadgar with dread.
After feeding Medivh false information to escape, they fled Karazhan and headed straight for the Kirin Tor.
There, Khadgar proved himself worthy of the title he would one day hold.
Under Aegwynn's guidance, he learned the truth.
They made their decision.
They would split up.
Lothar and Khadgar would monitor Medivh and try to stop him from opening the Dark Portal.
At the same time, they needed someone to protect the King.
Someone who could take him and flee if everything collapsed.
"So you came to me again," Noah said irritably, pointing at Lothar.
"We've traded so many times, yet I haven't received a single bit of compensation. Why should I help you again?"
"I'm sorry, Master Mage," Lothar said, clearly embarrassed. "Too much has happened lately. We haven't had time to gather what you wanted..."
"Stop." Noah cut him off with a smile.
"If I act again, the price goes up."
The smile made Lothar swallow.
It was filled with unmistakable greed.
He didn't know what Noah wanted.
But it wouldn't be cheap.
Still, he had no choice.
"Tell me," Lothar sighed. "But don't be excessive. If it's too much, I won't be able to agree-even if the cost is high."
"Relax," Noah said. "It's simple."
"You're going to deal with Medivh. And once he's gone, the Guardian's mantle will likely pass to Khadgar."
"Uh-" Khadgar blinked. "I don't think I'm suited-"
"You are." Noah didn't let him finish.
"When you become the new Guardian, Karazhan will belong to you, won't it?"
"Future Guardian Khadgar."
Karazhan.
At that moment, both Lothar and Khadgar understood.
This mage was aiming straight for Karazhan.
The price was terrifying.
But-
They exchanged a glance.
It wasn't impossible.
Karazhan didn't belong to Stormwind.
If they failed and died, the promise would be meaningless.
If they succeeded, letting Noah read whatever he wanted inside was a small price.
"Deal," Lothar said before Khadgar could object.
"Once Medivh is dealt with, Karazhan will be open to you."
He turned to Khadgar.
"Right, Master Khadgar?"
Under the combined gazes of Noah and Lothar, Khadgar could only smile bitterly and nod.
"...Of course. If we defeat Medivh and I inherit the Guardian's mantle, Karazhan will be open to you."
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