A Night Elves' ship docked at one of Gilneas' few ports, and fully armed Warden elves disembarked one after another. The elf leading them walked with agile steps, and it was Maiev Shadowsong.
"Maiev, how are your injuries?"
Malfurion asked Maiev about her physical condition. During the last battle at Azshara Beach, although Illidan fled, unable to withstand their combined attack, Maiev, who had been fighting Illidan up close, still sustained minor injuries.
Illidan's monstrous strength after his demonization left her arm weak for several days, but fortunately, timely treatment from the Druids and Priests prevented any lingering hidden injuries.
"It's nothing serious, Arch Druid. What do you need me for?" Maiev had originally planned to return to the Warden's Vault first to check if there were any issues with the dangerous creatures imprisoned there. But before that, she received a letter from the Arch Druid.
The letter asked her to come to Eastern Kingdoms, but Malfurion didn't specify what it was about. However, seeing his tone and the urgency revealed between the lines, Maiev realized that this matter might not be simple.
Malfurion sighed and whispered, "Come with me, I will tell you in detail."
Maiev's expression beneath her faceguard was somewhat puzzled, but she still followed Malfurion's steps into a small wooden cabin not far from the port.
The huntress Nasa followed beside Maiev, cautiously surveying everything around her. Although this was a stronghold for Night Elves and their human allies, being on an unknown continent and in an unfamiliar environment, the Warden would instinctively remain vigilant about everything around her.
Malfurion noticed the huntress's tension. He smiled and said, "No need to be so nervous, it's very safe here. The King of Gilneas governs this land very well."
"Ah... yes, Arch Druid, I'm just accustomed to it," Nasa shifted uncomfortably. Being seen through made her feel a bit awkward.
Maiev remained silent. Only after entering the cabin did she say to Malfurion, "Arch Druid, forgive my bluntness, but I feel you are rather nervous yourself."
"Oh, you noticed?" Malfurion wasn't particularly surprised. Maiev was an excellent hunter, and even the smallest details rarely escaped her eyes. "Perhaps I do have some... personal emotions involved."
Personal emotions?
Maiev keenly caught that phrase. Her tone instantly became serious, because there were only a few events in this world that could make the Arch Druid use the term "personal emotions" to describe them.
"You found traces of Illidan?"
"To be precise, our human friends found him." Malfurion's smile was bitter, imbued with an indescribable emotion. "Never mind... let Arthas tell you."
Maiev was momentarily stunned when she heard that name. She, of course, knew this young Prince from the human kingdom, and also knew of his contributions in the Battle of Mount Hyjal, as well as his friendly attitude towards the Night Elves.
But when Illidan's matter was linked to a human, it still made Maiev feel somewhat fantastical.
However... where was that Prince?
At the other end of the wooden cabin, Arthas, dressed in a loose shirt, emerged from the shadows. However, the moment he appeared, Nasa's hand immediately went to the hilt of the short sword at her waist, and her entire body tensed, like a Night Saber poised to strike.
Maiev immediately stopped Nasa's action, but in that instant, her own hand subconsciously reached for the hilt of her glaive, and she felt a chilling sensation.
When did he stand there? Why didn't Nasa and I notice him at all?
Arthas casually stuffed the bread in his hand into his mouth and took a sip of milk to help swallow. He said apologetically, "Sorry, I woke up early and grabbed something to eat to fill my stomach."
"This is Prince Arthas Menethil. Prince Arthas, these are our Wardens, Maiev Shadowsong and Nasa. They are both excellent warriors and seasoned hunters, and they are the people I recommend to you."
Malfurion began to introduce them to each other. Maiev narrowed her eyes and bowed slightly, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Prince. You are truly... extraordinary."
"It's a pleasure to be praised so by a beautiful lady. It's an honor to meet you, Lady Maiev." Of course, Arthas wasn't meeting Maiev for the first time. He had, in a way, met her when he infiltrated Illidan's prison to release the betrayer.
As for Nasa, Arthas felt she probably wouldn't realize that he was the one who had stabbed her and then healed her.
There was no other way. At that time, in order to quickly incapacitate this excellent huntress, temporarily stripping her soul with Frostmourne was the optimal choice in an emergency.
"Let me tell you about Illidan first."
"Certainly, I'd be delighted to hear about my prisoner."
Arthas fumbled in his pouch, took out a wrinkled parchment, and handed it to Maiev. "This is what our scouts saw in Blasted Lands. The magical image restored from it is almost identical to what Arch Druid said."
Maiev took the drawing and unrolled it, revealing the scene imprinted by magic: on a desolate and fearsome crimson land, a tall figure, somewhat resembling a Nathrezim, but with an elf's face and pointed ears, stood at the forefront of a procession of green Naga.
"Yes... this is him. So he's allied with the Naga? No wonder he could escape to Eastern Kingdoms in such a short time," Maiev sneered, then said to Malfurion, "Arch Druid, I think he's completely beyond redemption. Not only has he become a demon, but he's also associated with hateful creatures like the Naga."
Malfurion sighed, looking out the window, saying nothing more.
"Thank you for the clue, Prince. After I capture and imprison him, I will personally come to thank you." Maiev rolled up the scroll and bowed to Arthas again, this time with a much deeper bow than before.
Arthas, however, shook his head. "Lady Maiev, you probably can't act on this fugitive for now. He's no longer on Azeroth."
"Not on Azeroth...? The betrayer is dead?" Maiev was somewhat confused. If that were the case, why would they still need her?
"No, no, you misunderstood me. What I mean is that Illidan is no longer in our world, but has gone to another world." Arthas spoke halfway and realized there might still be ambiguity, so he simply said directly, "He left Azeroth and went to the orcs' planet, Draenor."
"Went to another planet?" Maiev was even more perplexed. She looked at Malfurion, "Even during Azshara's time, the spell of astral teleportation was a forbidden art known only to a very few, wasn't it?"
"I don't know if Illidan knows how to perform astral teleportation, but the fel artifact he obtained, the skull of the Orc warlock Gul'dan, must contain methods of world-crossing. Because it was this Orc warlock who opened the Dark Portal, connecting Azeroth and Draenor."
"The cunning Betrayer obtained a warlock's skull? That sounds very reasonable."
Maiev gave Malfurion a meaningful look, but the Arch Druid stood rooted to the spot like a wooden sculpture, showing no reaction. The Warden had no choice but to turn her gaze back to Arthas. "Thank you very much for providing us with valuable information. Although Illidan has temporarily escaped my pursuit, as long as he is alive, I will not stop hunting him."
"That will be a very difficult task," Arthas reminded her.
However, despite Arthas's reminder, Maiev seemed to have no intention of changing her mind. Although Illidan's escape did not cause much casualties to the Night Elves, the thought of watching her prisoner escape made the somewhat obsessive Maiev unable to bear such humiliation.
But she had to admit that Illidan's escape destination was another world. Although the Night Elves had a long heritage, knowledge of astral teleportation was almost lost.
Therefore, even if Maiev had the strongest desire, this matter could only be given up. But now, Maiev understood that there was an opportunity right in front of her.
"Prince, let's speak frankly. You can provide me with this information, and the Arch Druid even summoned me here. I think there must be a way for me to go to Illidan's world."
Although Maiev, who had lived for tens of thousands of years, disliked talking to strangers, it did not mean she was slow-witted. Just like her seasoned hunting skills, Maiev precisely grasped the key points in Arthas's words.
Arthas also gained a new understanding of the huntress. It seemed that the current Maiev was not the one consumed by vengeance and obsession. "Indeed, besides Gul'dan, there was also a human Guardian who designed the opening of the Dark Portal. His name was Medivh."
"Keeper of Secrets?" Maiev was momentarily stunned. Saras, which originated from ancient Elvish, was very similar to the current Elvish. She subconsciously thought of this term.
"That's actually the meaning of his name, but he still couldn't protect the secrets he carried—apologies, I've said too much, Ms. Maiev. Medivh was the one who designed and built the Dark Portal on Azeroth's side. He must know how to open this portal, but the trouble is… he died, and the notes containing his magical knowledge were secretly kept as forbidden items by the magical kingdom of Dalaran. His only apprentice, as a member of the expeditionary force, went to Draenor and closed the Dark Portal from that side."
Maiev was somewhat confused. According to Arthas, all people and things related to Medivh were difficult to find. Did he want her to find those forbidden items?
But she did not interrupt Arthas, and Arthas continued.
"However, fortunately, Dalaran is a member of the Alliance. Through some diplomatic means and leverage, I might be able to get Medivh's Book. But opening the Dark Portal will put us under immense pressure—Outland is a wasteland, and most of its areas have become a hell where demons and orcs rampage. These madmen will desperately charge through the Dark Portal and destroy our world."
Arthas's tone became heavy. Unless absolutely necessary, he did not want to open the Dark Portal to Outland. But to temporarily divert the demons' attention from Azeroth, a new battlefield had to be opened. Rather than letting the demons run rampant on Azeroth, it would be better to fight the Legion on a ruined land.
Coincidentally, although Outland's environment was harsh, it was not as difficult to establish a foothold as Argus or other worlds that had turned to dust and fragments. Moreover, Illidan had just ascended to the throne of Outland's King, and it was necessary to seize Outland before he fully stabilized.
However, Illidan's "indirect salvation" plan was truly difficult for the leaders of Azeroth to accept, and no one knew whether Illidan would fight the Burning Legion to the end as in the "correct" history, or suddenly betray them halfway.
Arthas could bet on Illidan, but he would never put all his chances and hopes on him.
And advancing in Outland would inevitably clash with Illidan's plan. Although Arthas knew that Illidan's goal was to obtain the Keystone, applying appropriate pressure would make Illidan focus on achieving his goal, rather than letting his subordinates run wild in Outland.
Therefore, he had a plan that required someone familiar with Illidan to help, and Maiev was just a good candidate.
…
"Arthas, I can only say I'll try my best to fight for you with my teacher, but I think the hope is slim." In the magical image, Jaina's expression was very helpless. She was not optimistic about Arthas's idea. If it were other things, it would be fine, but after all, it was Medivh's Book.
That Archmage, the fallen Guardian, almost destroyed the entire human civilization by himself and left behind a lot of terrifying knowledge. For the Kirin Tor mages, for whatever reason, it was very difficult to hand it over to outsiders.
If Medivh's mage tower Karazhan wasn't so dangerous, seemingly connected to countless phases and planes, where few mages who entered could come out, perhaps that tower would have been emptied by the Kirin Tor long ago.
And Jaina also understood her teacher's character very well. Antonidas was upright and stubborn. Perhaps he could give Arthas other magical treasures, but Medivh's Book contained power that ordinary mages could hardly understand. The Speaker of Dalaran was unlikely to hand it over diplomatically, whether for public or private reasons.
—Even if this person was the paladin, Prince of Lordaeron, Arthas, it was impossible.
Moreover, even if Antonidas agreed, to use Medivh's Book, at least the approval of two Council of Six members would be required, which was almost as difficult as overthrowing Antonidas from his position as Speaker and then disbanding the Council of Six to rule alone.
"Try your best. I believe Archmage Antonidas is not such a pedantic person. The Burning Legion has invaded us once, and there will be a next time. I believe he will not let the Eastern Kingdoms suffer another catastrophe more tragic than the orc invasion."
Jaina was silent after hearing this. She had also personally experienced the mountain-shattering, tsunami-like demon tide at Mount Hyjal, and had felt Archimonde's suffocating pressure. She also knew that the Night Elves paid an extremely painful price to defeat this small portion of the Burning Legion's forces.
If she could really confirm what Arthas said to her teacher, perhaps… perhaps Antonidas would indeed give Medivh's Book to Arthas.