The golden forests of Quel'Thalas remained as tranquil as ever. Morning sunlight poured through the shimmering leaves of the ancient trees of Eversong Woods, casting warm light across winding forest paths and crystal streams.
Rangers patrolled the borders, merchants traveled along peaceful roads, and the people of the high elven kingdom continued their daily lives with the quiet confidence of a civilization that had endured for millennia.
Yet within Windrunner Village, a very different atmosphere lingered. For one man, the peaceful beauty of the kingdom only made the coming storm feel more tragic.
Inside his study, Leylin stood silently before a large table covered in maps. These were not ordinary maps. They displayed nearly every major road, forest path, and river crossing within the lands of Quel'Thalas.
Alongside them were several parchments filled with calculations, magical diagrams, and notes written in careful handwriting. Leylin slowly moved a small crystal marker across one of the maps.
His gaze remained calm. But the plans he was preparing were anything but ordinary. Because while the nobles of Silvermoon City continued dismissing the possibility of invasion, Leylin had already begun preparing for the worst outcome. The fall of the kingdom.
Leylin leaned slightly against the table as his mind reviewed the possibilities. If the Scourge army reached Quel'Thalas, the first defensive lines would likely fall near the southern forests of Eversong Woods.
The rangers, led by Sylvanas Windrunner, would certainly resist fiercely. But even their skill would struggle against an army that never tired and never feared death.
If the undead broke through the southern forests, their next objective would almost certainly be the Sunwell. And once the Scourge reached the Sunwell… Everything would change.
Leylin closed his eyes briefly. He already knew the likely outcome. History, if left unchanged, would end in catastrophe.
Which meant only one thing. Even if the kingdom fell… Some people needed to survive.
Leylin straightened and began writing several final notes onto a parchment. At the top of the document he wrote a simple phrase.
Evacuation Routes — Contingency Plan
Because if the nobles refused to prepare… Then he would prepare quietly. The first stage of the plan focused on geography. Leylin carefully marked several possible escape routes leaving Quel'Thalas.
Most of the kingdom's roads eventually led toward Silvermoon City, making them vulnerable if the Scourge advanced from the south. Instead, Leylin focused on lesser-known paths. Old ranger trails. Ancient forest routes used centuries ago during earlier wars.
And one particularly important route leading westward. Toward the lands bordering Hillsbrad Foothills. If the evacuation needed to occur quickly, these hidden paths could allow groups of civilians to escape before the undead armies surrounded the kingdom.
But geography alone was not enough. The greatest challenge was time. The Scourge moved quickly. Faster than most armies.
Which meant evacuation through normal travel would likely fail. Leylin tapped his finger lightly against the table. Then his gaze shifted toward several magical diagrams drawn on another parchment.
Leylin had spent years studying spatial magic. His research into long-distance portals had already reached a level far beyond the knowledge taught by the Kirin Tor.
If properly constructed, a network of teleportation formations could allow civilians to escape instantly from key locations across Quel'Thalas.
But such magic required enormous precision. Leylin carefully reviewed the calculations again. Several possible portal locations had already been chosen. Windrunner Village. Several ranger outposts near Eversong Woods.
And even a remote clearing deep within the forest that few nobles even remembered existed. These portals would lead to safe locations beyond the kingdom's borders.
Some within the forests of northern Lordaeron. Others potentially even farther. But constructing such a network without drawing attention would be difficult.
Leylin sighed softly.
"This will require careful timing."
Later that evening, Leylin quietly gathered several trusted individuals within the manor.
The people present were; Aminel, Tyr'ganal, Vereesa Windrunner. The meeting remained private.
Even Sylvanas Windrunner had not yet been informed of the full details. Leylin spread the evacuation maps across the table.
Vereesa frowned slightly as she studied them.
"These are escape routes."
Leylin nodded.
"Yes."
Aminel looked surprised.
"You're planning for the possibility that the kingdom might fall."
Leylin answered calmly.
"We prepare for every outcome."
Tyr'ganal studied the portal diagrams.
"You intend to create teleportation gateways?"
Leylin nodded again.
"A small network. But it must remain secret."
Vereesa looked troubled.
"If the court discovered this… They would call it treason."
Leylin gave a faint smile.
"They already believe I'm a madman. That reputation may prove useful."
Far away in the elegant towers of Silvermoon City, another mage watched events unfold with very different intentions. Within his private chambers stood Dar'Khan Drathir.
A sly smile rested on his face as he read a recent report from the court. More nobles had begun dismissing Leylin's warnings. More whispers of "madness" had spread. Exactly as Dar'Khan desired.
Back in Windrunner Village, Leylin stood alone once more within his study. The golden forests outside remained peaceful. But the magical instruments around him continued detecting growing disturbances from the south.
The Scourge was advancing. Slowly. Relentlessly. Leylin looked once more toward the glowing symbol marking the Sunwell.
"If the kingdom refuses to prepare…"
His voice was quiet but firm.
"Then I will."
The preparations had begun. And when the storm finally reached Quel'Thalas, the fate of thousands might depend on the secret plans now hidden within this quiet village.
The night over Quel'Thalas was quiet. A silver moon hung above the endless golden canopy of Eversong Woods, illuminating the tranquil forest with a soft pale glow. Gentle winds rustled through the ancient trees, carrying with them the scent of blooming flowers and distant streams.
To the people of the high elven kingdom, it was just another peaceful night.
But deep within the outskirts of Windrunner Village, preparations for an uncertain future had begun. Hidden within a secluded clearing far from the main roads, several magical lanterns illuminated a wide circle carved into the ground.
At the center of the clearing stood Leylin. Around him, complex magical runes had been carefully etched into the earth using enchanted silver dust and crystalline fragments gathered from various arcane sources. These runes formed a large circular array nearly twenty meters across.
Dozens of smaller glyphs surrounded the main formation, each designed to stabilize the immense magical forces required for long-distance teleportation. Tonight will be the first test.
The first attempt to create an emergency evacuation portal capable of transporting people beyond the borders of Quel'Thalas.
Several figures stood quietly near the edge of the clearing. Among them were; Aminel, Tyr'ganal and Vereesa Windrunner. Each watched the arcane formation with focused attention.
Leylin knelt briefly to inspect one of the runes.
"Check the eastern stabilizing glyph again."
Tyr'ganal quickly approached and examined the glowing symbol.
"The mana flow is steady."
Leylin nodded.
"Good."
Aminel stepped closer, her gaze filled with curiosity.
"You've built portal arrays before, but nothing this large."
Leylin stood slowly.
"This one is different. Ordinary teleportation spells move a single individual."
He gestured toward the massive arcane circle surrounding them.
"This formation is designed to transport dozens of people simultaneously."
Vereesa folded her arms thoughtfully.
"And over a much greater distance."
Leylin nodded.
"Nearly two hundred kilometers."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"That's far beyond most portal spells."
Leylin gave a faint smile.
"That is why we test it first."
At the opposite end of the clearing rested another smaller arcane device. A focusing crystal mounted upon a silver stand.
Leylin approached it and placed a hand upon its surface.
"This crystal is linked to the receiving formation."
Aminel asked quietly.
"Where does it lead?"
Leylin answered calmly.
"A hidden valley on the western border of Lordaeron."
A remote location far from major settlements. A place where refugees could gather safely if evacuation ever became necessary.
Leylin had spent weeks secretly preparing the second portal array there. The distance between the two points was considerable. But if the connection worked… It would prove that his evacuation network was possible.
Leylin stepped to the center of the massive rune circle. His expression grew focused.
"Stand back."
The others moved several steps away. Leylin raised both hands slowly as arcane energy began gathering around him.
The runes beneath his feet started glowing one by one. First a faint shimmer. Then a brilliant blue radiance. Mana flowed through the formation like rivers of light.
Aminel watched with fascination.
"The energy flow is remarkably stable."
Tyr'ganal nodded.
"The runic alignment is perfect."
Leylin began chanting softly in the ancient arcane language used by the high elves. Streams of magical power surged through the circular formation, linking each rune together into a single massive spell.
The air inside the clearing began to vibrate. Leaves swirled upward as the magical pressure increased. Then, a bright column of energy erupted from the center of the circle.
The light expanded outward until it formed a shimmering oval portal floating in midair.
Inside the glowing gateway, a completely different landscape became visible.
A rocky valley beneath the distant hills of Lordaeron. The connection had been established.
For several seconds, everyone simply stared. Aminel whispered in amazement.
"It worked…"
Leylin remained calm.
"Not yet."
He turned toward Tyr'ganal.
"Bring the test object."
The young elf quickly returned carrying a small wooden crate filled with stones. Leylin nodded toward the portal.
"Throw it through."
Tyr'ganal hesitated briefly before tossing the crate into the glowing gateway. The box disappeared instantly. Several seconds passed. A faint glow appeared from the receiving crystal beside the portal.
Leylin touched the crystal. Then smiled faintly.
"The object arrived safely."
Vereesa stepped closer, clearly impressed.
"That distance… without spatial distortion."
Leylin nodded.
"The stabilization runes function correctly."
But there was still one final test. Transporting living beings. Before Leylin could speak, Vereesa suddenly stepped forward.
"I'll go."
Aminel blinked.
"You're volunteering?"
Vereesa shrugged lightly.
"If this portal is meant to evacuate civilians someday, someone should test it properly."
She turned toward Leylin.
"Well?"
Leylin studied her for a moment. Then nodded.
"Very well. But remain calm while crossing the threshold."
Vereesa smiled slightly.
"I'm a ranger."
She stepped toward the glowing portal. The magical light reflected softly against her silver hair. For a brief moment she glanced back.
"See you in a moment."
Then she stepped forward. Her body passed through the shimmering gateway and vanished.
The clearing fell silent. Several long seconds passed. Then the receiving crystal beside the portal flared brightly.
Leylin closed his eyes briefly as he sensed the magical connection. Moments later—A voice echoed faintly from the crystal.
"I made it!"
It was Vereesa. Aminel laughed in relief.
"It worked!"
Leylin allowed himself a small smile. The first long-distance evacuation portal had succeeded. The foundation of his contingency plan was now real.
But as the portal slowly faded and the magical energy settled, Leylin's expression returned to its usual calm seriousness. Because this success also carried a heavy implication.
If he truly needed to use this portal someday… It would mean that the worst possible future had already arrived. The fall of Quel'Thalas.
And somewhere far away in the frozen wastes of Northrend, the young prince of Lordaeron continued walking toward the cursed blade Frostmourne. Each step bringing the world closer to the moment when the Scourge would march upon the golden forests of the high elves.
The preparations had begun.
But whether they would be enough… Remaining uncertain.