It took half an hour to travel from the Ghostlands to Silvermoon City. Exhausted from the flight, Leylin and Alleria hurried to Silvermoon City.
Upon entering the city, Alleria went directly inside Sunfury Spire, while Leylin went to the mage tower of Grand Magister Belo'vir.
Reaching the top floor of the mage tower, Grand Magister Belo'vir was developing an arcane orb. Like the Sun's Radiance Leylin had used before, the Grand Magister was modifying it.
Seeing Leylin, the Grand Magister put down his tools, frowning as he asked, "Have you run into trouble?"
Leylin nodded, "Yes Teacher, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to return to Quel'Thalas in two months."
The Grand Magister walked to the platform of the mage tower, drew a magic circle with his left hand, and then gently tapped it. A ripple of arcane energy emanated from the platform.
Soon, a portal appeared on the platform. Magister Nallorath also entered the mage tower.
Upon seeing Leylin again, Magister Nallorath didn't display the same calm as Belo'vir, though he too knew something bad was about to happen.
"Very good, it seems my student has become even more capable." Nallorath said to Belo'vir.
Belo'vir smiled faintly, tacitly agreeing.
Leylin didn't reply. He piled the magical instruments on the experimental table aside, then placed the map of the Hinterlands he was carrying on the table.
"Teacher, the orcs have invaded the Hinterlands from Southshore. Their next target is us," he said seriously.
The two magisters weren't very familiar with these place names, but they knew the map in Leylin's hand very well. They had been to these places when they were young, but that was thousands of years ago.
Nallorath rubbed his forehead, annoyed. "I knew these trolls would come back. These alien races' attack on Hinterlands, surrounded on all sides, must have been aided by the forest trolls."
Master Nallorath was right; the orcs had indeed done so. Furthermore, they had shaken off the pursuit of the human alliance.
Belo'vir remained relatively calm. He asked composedly, "Student, you've fought these orcs. Are you familiar with their combat strength?"
Leylin answered truthfully, "Teacher, to be honest. In the past two months of fighting, we haven't gained the upper hand in any of our encounters. Instead, the tribe has consistently seized the initiative. They are very intelligent; in every battle, they clearly analyze the situation and pinpoint the best target."
Both magisters fell into deep thought. This time, the enemy wasn't the trolls. According to their student, these orcs were even stronger than the once-powerful forest troll empire.
"Besides, they've used another form of energy to create a group of death knights, and they've also found a unique magic to control a red dragon!"
The two magisters weren't particularly interested in death knights. But when they heard that these alien races controlled a red dragon, their usually calm expressions changed.
Belo'vir clenched his fist and said, "If the Horde has indeed used some means to control the dragons, that will be our biggest problem."
Nallorath let out a long sigh and asked, "Student, during the battles with the orcs, did you encounter any leaders of these red dragons, those guardian red dragons with enormous bodies?"
Knowing his mentor was implying something, Leylin shook his head and said, "No, we only encountered some smaller dragons."
This could be considered good news for now. Magister Nallorath's face showed a slight relief.
"Student, it's been two months. I think you have other things to do. Belo'vir and I are going to the Sunfury Spire. It's time for the Royal Court to make a decision." Magister Nallorath said.
Time was of the essence, and the two magisters arrived at the Sunfury Spire directly through the portal. Ranger Captain Alleria had already delivered the information.
The nobles of Silvermoon City, the army commander, and the magisters had all entered the Sunfury Spire.
At this moment, King Anasterian Sunstrider was standing under the golden phoenix emblem, with the magisters, a ranger captain, and lords standing neatly on both sides of him.
After the two magisters entered the Sunfury Spire, the meeting officially began.
Ranger Captain Alleria recounted the course of the battles over the past two months and the fighting strength of the Horde. Following this account, every high elf wore a worried expression; they knew that Quel'Thalas faced a new threat, one far greater than the trolls.
This time, the royal court did not shirk its responsibility; King Anasterian issued a firm order. He summoned all the lords' soldiers and the Ranger-General's ranger army to prepare for war.
Furthermore, the kingdom's mages, from the Silvermoon Council to the Magisters Association, were to provide maximum support to the army.
Alleria had given the kingdom a prior warning, and no high elf chose to doubt this battle-hardened Ranger Captain. This response was the best possible outcome for Alleria.
Yet, she remained uneasy, inexplicably uneasy. While the tense royal council was still in session, Leylin went to the Windrunner's home. He entered to find Sylvanas and Vereesa there.
Seeing the long-absent lover, Vereesa put down the sparkling necklace she was holding and hugged Leylin tightly.
"You rascal, I missed you so much," Vereesa said, giving Leylin a light peck on the lips.
Leylin nodded and said, "I missed you too, but I've come to tell you something."
Seeing Leylin's serious expression, Vereesa reluctantly let go of him. She knew Leylin had brought bad news.
Sylvanas also stood up and walked over, asking, "What happened? You look so heavy-hearted."
"The orcish Horde has entered northern Lordaeron; they're going to attack Quel'Thalas." Leylin said.
Sylvanas asked doubtfully, "Didn't the human Alliance forces stop them?"
"Not only did they not, they even abandoned their attack." Leylin said gravely.
Vereesa and Sylvanas exchanged glances; they knew trouble was brewing again.
"It's only been less than two months, and another war is breaking out again," Vereesa said dejectedly.
Seeing her sister's troubled expression, Leylin comforted her, saying, "Don't be so discouraged; we will still achieve victory."
While Leylin was talking with Vereesa, Sylvanas suddenly asked, "Where's my older sister? You must have returned together."
"She's in the Sunfury Spire; the Royal Court is holding a meeting."
"Another question: how many days until the Horde attacks us?" Sylvanas pressed.
"Not quite sure about their marching speed but maybe ten days at most." Leylin replied.
After the question, Sylvanas invited, "Let's have dinner here tonight. I want to know what kind of powerful enemy you and our older sister have encountered in these past two months."
Vereesa also composed herself, saying, "I'll go help you, you rascal."