Chapter 156: Estrangement

Inside the floating city, the members of the Windrunner family had practically taken up permanent residence in the City of the Sun. As for the original site of Windrunner Village, the old father-in-law had already sent his subordinates to inspect it. Any reconstruction would require an entirely new location, as the ground had been scorched and melted by intense fire, stripping away the soil's natural regenerative capacity. If the council did not dispatch mages to find a way to heal the earth's trauma, the land here would likely not grow a single blade of grass for decades.

In any case, Windrunner Village was already destroyed. Since Bolde was also a council member, they could simply apply to the national treasury for compensation. The entirety of Quel'Thalas was sustained by the national treasury, so the elves had no fear of sudden, catastrophic misfortunes. To the High Elves, as long as one survived, everything would eventually turn out fine.

As for food, clothing, housing, and transportation? Those were the responsibility of the national treasury, having nothing to do with individuals.

Eleanora Cloudstrike had already departed with the Alliance forces a few days prior. Before leaving, Patrick had specifically entrusted Lothar with a task: should there be any survivors, Patrick wished to acquire some Orc prisoners. Long before Lothar arrived in Quel'Thalas, Patrick had informed Anduin Lothar directly that the Orcs were imbued with demonic energy, suggesting that there might be other underlying reasons for their invasion.

Zendari Windrunner also intended to return to Silvermoon City to report to the command center. Having successfully completed his previous mission, his return to Quel'Thalas was entirely unsurprising.

In the aftermath of the great battle, Patrick and Alleria had been living a honeymoon lifestyle, awaiting the summons of the Silvermoon Council. Patrick was curious to see what tricks the council had up its sleeve this time.

……

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Silvermoon City, Sunwing family estate.

The Drathir family had long served as vassals to the Sunwing family, and Dar'Khan, the current patriarch of the Drathir, naturally toed the Sunwing party line. Ever since Patrick entered the council, Dar'Khan had spared no effort in speaking on behalf of the Sunwings. It was also Dar'Khan who had first proposed Patrick's diplomatic mission to Lordaeron within the council—though whether this was done under Senior's instigation remained anyone's guess.

Now, on the eve of the plenary session, Dar'Khan had once again come to the Sunwing family estate. This time, however, it was not to receive Senior's will, but to ask for help.

"Councilor Senior, is that boy from the Carbonum family really that important?" Dar'Khan asked. "Every single elf in Misty Village has perished, and even Goldenbough Vale was not spared."

Dar'Khan felt a deep ache in his heart. Misty Village was his own fiefdom and the absolute lifeblood of the Drathir family. Previously, the Drathir family could be considered a second-tier family in Quel'Thalas, standing just below major houses like the Sunwings and Morningwalkers. With the destruction of their fiefdom, the Drathir family would likely be reduced to a third-tier family now—ah, no, third-tier might even be a stretch; they could very well fall to the fourth or fifth tier.

The Drathir family's assets, goods, commercial hubs, and other vital supplies and funds were all located within the fiefdom. This Orc invasion had destroyed not only Misty Village, but also the very hope of the Drathir family.

It was much like the foundation supporting an entire house collapsing; no matter how beautifully decorated the house might be, what good would it do?

"I completely understand your thoughts, Councilor Dar'Khan," Senior said, struggling to keep his smile from appearing too cheerful as he comforted his confidant. "I know the Drathir family is teetering on the verge of bankruptcy, but this might just be an opportunity for the house."

Dar'Khan was bewildered. The Drathir family was practically facing ruin; how could this possibly be an opportunity? Yet, instead of immediately rebuking him, Dar'Khan calmly replied, "Please enlighten me, Master."

Senior maintained his signature smile, but the words he uttered were far from flattering to Dar'Khan: "Although the Drathir family's foundation is gone, the Sunwing family can provide all the supplies the Drathir need. Both parties would get what they require—why shouldn't we combine our strengths?"

In an instant, Dar'Khan understood Senior's true intent. Though filled with inward rage, he showed no reaction on the surface. "This? I need to return and discuss it with the members of my family."

……

Without paying heed to Senior's attempts to make him stay, Dar'Khan turned and left immediately.

All the way back to his mage tower, Dar'Khan had no recollection of how he had traveled. His mind was filled entirely with Senior's hypocritical smile and his hypocritical talk of a "strong alliance."

A strong alliance was a lie; seizing the opportunity to annex the Drathir family was the truth. If Dar'Khan were truly to agree to a union with Senior, having been reduced to possessing virtually nothing, he would have no leverage to increase the Drathir family's standing. As time passed and the Drathir family grew utterly dependent on the Sunwings, Senior could make a few minor moves, and the Drathir family would cease to exist, swallowed entirely into the Sunwing family.

Thinking along even darker lines, had Senior Sunwing been plotting against him ever since he dispatched Patrick Carbonum to Lordaeron? Or perhaps dealing with Patrick Carbonum had merely been a smokescreen, and using the Orcs' blades against Patrick was just an illusion to throw him off track, while Senior's ultimate target had always been the Drathir family?

At this thought, a creeping dread washed over Dar'Khan, followed by a surge of intense fury. Recalling his private consultations with Senior to jointly deal with that newcomer to the council, a chill ran down his spine.

Their initial discussions had been deeply satisfying, and he had acted entirely in accordance with Senior's instructions, only to end up in such a wretched state. How could Dar'Khan not hate him?

Relying on the moral bottom line of those council members? Dar'Khan felt he might as well strive to cultivate his arcane arts and endeavor to reach the level of a demigod sooner rather than later.

"Damn the Sunwing family, damn Senior! One day, I will make you pay the price for your own foolish actions." Dar'Khan began to curse his former friend. Any lingering gratitude for Senior's past assistance had vanished, leaving behind only bitter hatred.

Hatred for Senior, hatred for the Silvermoon Council, and even hatred for Quel'Thalas. The dark flower of corruption had already taken root and bloomed within Dar'Khan's heart.

Finally, Dar'Khan hardened his resolve. "Hear my command: abandon all assets in Silvermoon. Sell or mortgage everything. We are moving the entire clan out of Silvermoon City."

The attendant beside him turned pale with shock. "My lord, Misty Village has been destroyed. Where else can we go?"

"Anu'owyn," Dar'Khan named a location. It was another of his domains, which also held responsibility for the defense of the local Moon Crystal Sanctuary. Situated at the southeastern tip of the Sun Shrine, Anu'owyn's safety had remained entirely uncompromised thanks to Patrick's floating city blocking the path of the Orcs.

"My lord, but that is merely a defensive sanctuary! Aside from some garrison troops and encampments, there is only a small mage tower available for our use."

"It is of no great consequence. Think of how Patrick Carbonum, the newcomer to the Silvermoon Council, rose to prominence. The Sunwing family has designs on us; leaving Silvermoon City is the best choice. I believe that one day we will return and teach those who attempt to swallow us a lesson they will never forget." Firming his resolve, Dar'Khan offered a solemn explanation to the remaining members of his family.

The others let out helpless sighs; reluctant as they were to leave Silvermoon City...