Varian looked at the dying black dragon on the ground, then back at the calm, indifferent Rhodes. Finally, he gave a heavy nod. Though he desperately wanted to shake his head and personally sever the beast's head, he didn't dare.
The power dynamic between them wasn't even in the same league. The display Rhodes had just put on—beating the Black Dragon Princess—wasn't just an assault; it was a warning to Stormwind.
Unlike Sir Lothar, who became Grand Marshal through charisma and bloodline, Rhodes held the position through absolute, overwhelming power. Supported by Lordaeron, the Silver Hand, and the Blood Elves, Rhodes was effectively telling him: Whether Stormwind agrees or not, this is the way it is.
Moreover, Rhodes had played a perfect game of "the stick and the carrot." He had first cowed the entire city with military might, suppressing Stormwind's collective combat power single-handedly, then immediately bestowed a great favor by exposing the infiltrator and avenging Varian's wife.
After today, Stormwind owed Rhodes a massive debt. This display of power and manipulation gave the King a brand-new understanding of the Alliance's future landscape.
"She... is yours, Lord Rhodes," Varian said, his voice raspy and laced with helplessness.
Rhodes smiled. As the saying goes, "a wise man submits to circumstance," and Varian was proving to be quite wise. If he hadn't agreed today, Rhodes wouldn't have retreated an inch. If you don't understand the logic of the Light, I have a bit of Holy fist-logic to teach you.
"Hahaha! There might have been a small misunderstanding earlier, but as Grand Marshal, I must consider the entire Alliance. I had to ensure Stormwind returned to the fold and didn't fall victim to a dragon's whims," Rhodes said smoothly.
"Thank you for removing this cancer from Stormwind, Grand Marshal Rhodes. From this day forward, Stormwind officially recognizes your title," King Varian said, taking a deep breath. His mood was sour; if he could actually win, he'd have loved to trade blows with Rhodes.
Rhodes nodded and stepped forward to give Varian a warm embrace. Varian's body remained stiff, and his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. Honestly, with Varian's temper, if you didn't show him absolute strength, he'd never back down. A slap followed by a sweet treat works every time.
"Alright, it's over now. Everyone, sheath your weapons. Lord Rhodes, please follow me to Stormwind Keep. I must host you properly," Varian ordered, waving his hand. The tension broke as the soldiers stood down. Rhodes followed suit, dismissing the five Archangels and four dragons with a wave.
This move shocked Stormwind yet again. Wait, how did he do that? Gigantic dragons and angels just vanished into thin air. Was it a hidden dimension?
Varian and Duke Bolvar didn't look pleased. It seemed the SI:7 (Stormwind Intelligence) needed a serious self-reflection session. Before Rhodes arrived, their intel on him was completely off. The rumors said he was a powerful mage specializing in support and large-scale utility magic—not a "Berserker" who swung golden fists until a Dragon Princess questioned the meaning of life.
"Lord Rhodes, what do you plan to do with her?" Varian asked, eyeing the bound Onyxia.
Rhodes gestured, and the Holy Light chains condensed into a solid collar around the neck of the shrunken, half-dead dragon. He held the end of it like a leash. Onyxia felt a surge of humiliation. This bastard is treating me like a dog! Yet, strangely, being leashed gave her a bizarre, inexplicable sensation.
She looked a mess—her face was swollen and bruised, her features ruined by Rhodes's fists. She tried to turn her head away in shame, but Rhodes yanked the chain, forcing her to look forward.
"Look at you. Come here, let me fix you up," Rhodes grunted.
The Princess approached reluctantly. Rhodes's hand glowed with a soft green light as he cast a Tier 1 Cure spell. The emerald radiance washed over her; the torn flesh and missing teeth mended instantly. Her sharp fangs grew back, and her face returned to its draconic perfection.
Varian frowned. Is that life magic? Not Holy Light, but something like what Druids use?
"Thank you... but can I change back into my human form?" the dragon whispered. She was currently a small-scale dragon being walked on a leash.
"Why change? This is what you actually are. You're a black dragon, not a human. I think this looks great. I'll take you out for walks when I have the time," Rhodes laughed.
Onyxia's nostrils flared with white steam. This wretched human! Before she could snap, Rhodes's palm met her cheek in a sharp slap.
"Ow!" The dragon recoiled, her face stinging. How?! I'm a dragon! How can a human's hand hurt me this much?
"Why did you hit me? You said I was your subordinate!"
Slap! Another one landed before she could finish.
"Mind your manners. How are you speaking to me? Call me Master. From today on, you are my mount. Do you understand what a mount is? When I go somewhere, you get big and let me ride you. Since when does a mount get to be equal to its master? Do horses in the stables sit at the dinner table? Know your place," Rhodes snapped.
Varian actually felt a bit of a smile tugging at his lips. Seeing the "Countess" suffer such humiliation was satisfying. It was a fate worse than death for her.
Onyxia ground her teeth. The shame! Comparing me to a stable horse! But she didn't dare resist. I'll endure for now. But I'll find a way to tell my father and Nefarian. I might not be strong enough, but they are monstrously powerful.
"Lord Rhodes, please... at least show some respect for the dignity of dragonkind. Even if I dislike the Black Dragonflight, this is a bit much," the blue dragon Tyrygosa said, unable to watch any longer. She wondered if Rhodes just had a prejudice against dragons. He was nice to her, but his treatment of Kalec and Onyxia was borderline villainous.
"Take it easy, Rhodes. You said you wanted to rebuild the Black Dragonflight. She can help you," Jaina added, stepping in.
Rhodes snorted. Women... sometimes they're too soft. With a creature like this, you had to break her spirit completely, crush her dignity, and humiliate her into submission. Otherwise, she'd never truly serve.
However, since both women had spoken up, Rhodes let the Holy Light chains dissolve. Onyxia let out a sigh of relief and shifted back into her human Countess form. Inwardly, she vowed that her father and brother would make them pay ten-fold.
Later, Varian hosted a grand banquet. The two men talked and laughed, and at one point, a slightly tipsy Rhodes slapped Varian on the shoulder, suggesting they become "sworn brothers"—with himself as the elder brother and Varian as the younger. Varian, face darkening, flatly refused.
The atmosphere shifted when Rhodes saw young Anduin Wrynn.
The young prince had soft blonde hair and clear blue eyes, carrying himself with perfect manners. But in Rhodes's perception, the child was surrounded by an incredibly pure spiritual aura—a perfect resonance with the Holy Light. Rhodes set down his glass, his eyes tracking the prince like he had just found a legendary artifact.
"Varian! This son of yours... he's extraordinary!"
Varian's brow furrowed. "What do you mean by that, Lord Rhodes?"
"The Light! I sense an incredibly pure potential for the Holy Light!" Rhodes stood up, strode over to Anduin, and pinched the boy's cheek with the familiarity of a favorite uncle.
"This child is blessed by the Light. His future is limitless! Leaving him to a common priest would be like burying a diamond in the mud.
How about he follows me to train? This boy has a destiny with the Light, which means he has a destiny with me."
Varian thought: Rhodes, you bastard! Haven't you taken enough from me today!