The Kingdom of Quel'Thalas, Silvermoon City, Sunstrider Royal Court.
Anasterian Sunstrider sat on his gold-drenched throne, his weathered face etched with solemnity, his wise gaze sweeping back and forth over the few individuals below him.
He was about to make a difficult decision.
Before making it, he wanted to hear the thoughts of those present:
The Silvermoon Council, composed of High Elf nobles;
Chief Archmage Belo'vir Salona;
High Priest Vandellor;
Salorian Sunstrider, Commander of the Silvermoon City Guard;
Ranger-General Lirath Windrunner;
And his good son, Kael'thas Sunstrider, a member of the Kirin Tor's Council of Six and a legendary mage, who had suddenly rushed back from Dalaran.
These individuals, along with him, constituted the highest echelon of Quel'Thalas.
All major affairs of the entire kingdom were decided by them.
Kael'thas's expression was calm; he knew why his cheap old man was troubled.
It was now the fifth year since the Dark Portal opened, and five years since the Orcs' large-scale invasion of Azeroth.
This year, the Horde marched north to conquer Blackrock Spire.
This year, the Amani Trolls joined the Horde.
This year, Gul'dan used dark magic to create the first generation of Death Knights.
This year, Stormwind was utterly defeated, and Regent Anduin Lothar, along with the young King Varian Wrynn, fled thousands of miles to Lordaeron.
This year, the Seven Human Kingdoms formed an Alliance, preparing for a bloody battle against the Horde's million-strong army.
This year, High Priest Alonsus Faol developed the Paladin class and established the Silver Hand Knights.
It was also this year that the ravaged Seven Human Kingdoms finally remembered their good neighbors to the north and sent a plea for aid.
To send troops, or not to send troops?
To join, or not to join the Alliance?
This was a question, one worth thinking about for ten days and ten nights until one's hair fell out.
The answer to this question would determine the fate of Quel'Thalas, the Seven Human Kingdoms, the planet Azeroth, and even the entire Warcraft world.
(Before the Dark Portal opened, on the Eastern Kingdoms map, the dwarf territory was surprisingly about the same size as the Human one, and Lordaeron was equivalent to the sum of the other six kingdoms.)
"Your Majesty, I object to sending troops! I object to joining the Alliance!"
The silver-haired Chief Archmage was the first to object.
Clutching his quel'dorei golden staff, a symbol of his status, he said in a deep voice:
"This is a war between the Alliance and the Horde, it has nothing to do with us. We should not rashly get involved; that would be irresponsible to our soldiers and our people!"
As soon as he spoke, several members of the Silvermoon Council quickly echoed his sentiment.
Vandellor, Salorian Sunstrider, and others who supported intervention suddenly felt immense pressure.
This was not only due to the legendary-level magical fluctuations emanating from the Chief Archmage, but also because of the old man's extremely high seniority and status:
As early as 2800 years ago, Belo'vir was already the Chief Archmage; he was even the King's teacher!
The older one was, the more reverence one felt for Belo'vir.
In contrast, the youngest among them remained completely unmoved and retorted:
"Since 2800 years ago, the High Elves have been allies of the Humans. Now that the Seven Human Kingdoms are being invaded, how can it have nothing to do with us? You were a participant in that war back then; you should know better than I."
It was Alleria Windrunner who spoke.
She was Lirath Windrunner's daughter and the leader of the Farstrider ranger unit.
Her figure was tall, her athletic body encased in a tight ranger's tunic. As she spoke, she unconsciously moved, outlining breathtaking curves that caught Kael'thas's eye.
"36, 24, 36…"
His Royal Highness's estimation had just begun when he was interrupted by the Chief Archmage's angry voice.
"It is precisely because I experienced that war, because I witnessed countless of our people die on the battlefield, that I do not wish for any more of our people to go to war!"
"We lost too many people in that war 2800 years ago; we haven't recovered even now. If another war of similar intensity, or even greater, were to come, how many more would die?"
The Chief Archmage said, "I do not wish for the peace bought with death and blood back then to be destroyed by the war between the Alliance and the Horde!"
Alleria stood her ground: "Chief Archmage, your concerns are not unfounded, however, constant defense alone cannot bring peace."
"The Horde is coming fiercely; in just five years, they have pushed from the continent of Azeroth through the continent of Khaz Modan to the continent of Lordaeron. The Alliance is clearly no match for the Horde. Once all of the Seven Human Kingdoms fall, we will be next."
"Furthermore, the Amani Empire has already joined the Horde and could attack us at any time. We cannot remain aloof!"
The Chief Archmage said, "It is precisely because the Amani Trolls could attack at any time that we absolutely cannot send troops. Once we send troops to support the Alliance, our defensive capabilities will be weakened. What if the Amani Trolls seize the opportunity to invade?"
Alleria argued forcefully: "The Amani Trolls will attack sooner or later. If they attack now, we have the ability to resist. If the Alliance is wiped out, then it won't just be the Amani Trolls attacking, but millions of Orcs as well. Then we truly won't be able to resist, and Quel'Thalas will truly be in danger…"
Before she finished speaking, she was interrupted by the Chief Archmage: "The Alliance is not as weak as you imagine!"
"Only Stormwind has been defeated by the Horde. Ironforge, Aerie Peak, Stromgarde, and Alterac are still fiercely resisting. The main forces of Lordaeron, Dalaran, Kul Tiras, and Gilneas have not yet engaged the Horde."
"The Alliance may not lose, and the Orcs may not attack Quel'Thalas in the future, but the Amani Trolls will attack now!"
Alleria said, "I know this, which is why my proposal is: I will lead a portion of the Farstrider units to support the Alliance. On one hand, this will strengthen the Alliance's forces and continue the 2800-year friendship between the High Elves and Humans. On the other hand, it will preserve our defensive strength as much as possible, and if the Amani Trolls invade our borders, it won't be too late to return and reinforce."
The Chief Archmage pondered for a moment: "If it's only a portion of the Farstrider units, then it's not entirely out of the question…"
Everyone looked at each other and nodded in agreement.
Sending only a portion of the Farstrider units would not significantly impact Quel'Thalas's military strength.
It would also provide an explanation to the Seven Human Kingdoms.
After all, they had requested aid, and it would be inappropriate not to send anyone to help.
Anasterian's gaze fell on his silent son: "Kael'thas, what do you think?"
"Your Majesty, I think Alleria is right, but not entirely."
Kael'thas coughed twice, clearing his throat: "The Horde invasion is a disaster for Humans, Dwarves, and Gnomes, but for us High Elves, it is an opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime good opportunity!"