Daelin let out a long sigh and nodded, and the group quickly retreated to the fortress of Theramore. Rhodes had successfully defused the crisis—at least for the time being.
"Rhodes, lad... those things you mentioned... the Old Gods, the Twilight's Hammer, the First Ones... all of that is real?" After returning to Theramore, the Grand Admiral turned to Rhodes and asked.
What on earth had his daughter been through this past year? How many secrets had she uncovered while being with this boy?
"Yes, Father. As unbelievable as it may seem, everything Rhodes and I have experienced is true," Jaina said. "Rhodes has a very powerful gift of foresight; he can predict certain futures. Back in Lordaeron, he foresaw Arthas's betrayal. He rushed me to the capital ahead of time. Although we couldn't save King Terenas, we saved the Princess and led a massive fleet of refugees to Kalimdor."
She continued, "Then we arrived here, traded with the local goblins, and Rhodes led Uther, Lady Capernia of the High Elves, and me into an alliance with the Night Elves. We met the demi-god Cenarius, and Rhodes was even taken in as his disciple. We defeated the Warsong Clan after they drank the demon blood and fought in the Battle of Mount Hyjal, where we crushed the Legion's plot and killed Archimonde, one of their supreme commanders."
"After the war, I wanted to find you, but things shifted in the Eastern Kingdoms. Rhodes took me back there, met with Illidan at the Broken Isles, and used a powerful artifact to strike the Lich King at the Frozen Throne... A lot happened after that, we went to Outland... You know the rest. Rhodes is chosen by the Light—or rather, favored by all six primal forces. He saw a vision of you being killed by Orcs, which is why we hurried back."
Jaina's recounting of the past year sounded like a legend; most people don't experience that much excitement in a lifetime.
"Hmph! What a joke. Me, killed by those three? A half-orc, a troll, and a pandaren? If you two hadn't shown up, they'd be the ones dead. Do you not trust your father's strength, Jaina?" the Grand Admiral said dismissively.
What is with my daughter? Does she have no faith in her old man? he thought. To think I'd be taken down by those three... you underestimate me. This boy's 'prophecies' must be fake.
"Father, we were just worried for your safety," Jaina sighed.
"My dear daughter, do you think I'm weak? Or you, Rhodes—do you think I'm so frail I'd be killed by those three?" Daelin challenged. He was a survivor of the Second War, a veteran of a thousand battles. What enemy hadn't he faced?
"Rexxar is known as the Beastmaster," Rhodes said bluntly. "He has Mok'Nathal blood, making his physical strength far superior to a normal orc. He has Misha, his giant bear, and masters all the skills of a hunter. He is both a lethal tracker and a powerful warrior.
Then there's Rokhan, Thrall's top Shadow Hunter—a master of shadow and one of the world's best assassins, who also knows shamanic healing and can summon serpent wards.
Finally, Chen Stormstout, a Brewmaster from the Wandering Isle. He practices the way of the Monk, a discipline not yet known to our world. He is incredibly durable and strong. Individually, I believe you could handle them, Father-in-law. But together? Truth be told, you would have been killed."
Rhodes didn't pull any punches in explaining just how dangerous that trio of heroes was.
"Is that so? It seems you have little faith in my blade. In that case, let's test it, boy. Let me see what you're made of," Daelin snorted, drawing his cutlass. He couldn't stand being looked down upon.
"Please! Father, don't do this," Jaina intervened, looking helpless. Having a hot-tempered father was truly exhausting.
"Move aside! Let me teach this boy to respect his elders. I'll prove his 'prophecies' are worth nothing—at least not against me," Daelin blustered.
"Father-in-law," Rhodes said with a playful, knowing smile, "you say you don't believe in my foresight? Then tell me... are you familiar with the name Finnall Goldensword?"
The Grand Admiral, who had looked ready for a duel, froze instantly. His jaw dropped, and he stared at Rhodes in utter disbelief.
Damn it! This kid... how does he know about her? She took her mother's name! Daelin's illegitimate daughter was a secret kept so well that basically no one knew except him and the Elven mage he had loved.
"Ahem... I have no idea what you're talking about. Let's call it a day. You two must be tired from your journey. I'll have the kitchens prepare something good," Daelin said, trying to pivot immediately. But Jaina wasn't letting him off the hook.
"Finnall Goldensword??" Jaina's eyes narrowed as she looked at her father. "Rhodes, I remember you mentioned that name when we first met. I didn't understand then, but now... Father, care to explain?"
This was clearly a woman's name, and the way her father's demeanor had flipped suggested a massive problem.
"Well, I... I... er..." Daelin began to stammer.
How do I say this? 'Hey daughter, when I was young I fell in mind with a High Elf who gave me a secret daughter who is a few years older than you?' If Catherine finds out, I'm a dead man.
"Finnall Goldensword is a half-elven Paladin," Rhodes added helpfully. "And Jaina Goldensword—the elder—was the High Elf mage who is her mother."
"Enough, boy! If you want me to agree to you marrying Jaina, shut your mouth!" Daelin barked. He had tried to intimidate the kid, only to have the kid drop a nuclear secret on him. Is he actually a prophet? How could he possibly know?
"Keep going, Rhodes," Jaina commanded. "I can make my own decisions regarding my marriage, and besides, I still have a mother who would love to hear about this."
My father had an affair! This is a total betrayal of my mother, Jaina thought, her face turning stormy.
"Fine! Fine! She is... my other daughter," Daelin admitted, defeated.
"Oh, Father! How could you? I am so disappointed in you. Mother will be heartbroken... I have a sister?" Jaina's eyes welled with tears. She thought they were the perfect family, but her father had made the same mistakes as any other man.
"Correction, Jaina," Rhodes interjected. "Strictly speaking, she is your older sister, not a younger one. She was his first child, older than even your late brother Derek."
"Older sister? So, before you even met mother, you were with that High Elf?" Jaina gasped.
"Sigh... if it's out, it's out," Daelin slumped into a chair. "When I was young, I loved a High Elf mage. For many reasons, we couldn't be together. She gave me a daughter and, to avoid ruining my future marriage, the girl took her mother's name."
Jaina covered her mouth in shock, then glared at Rhodes. This bastard knew all along! she realized. Then she felt a pang of annoyance—she and her mother's situations were eerily similar, given Rhodes's own "closeness" with certain High Elven mages.
"Fine, Father. One question: does Mother know?"
"Catherine? No, she knows nothing. I never told her."
"Then I will write to her, or go back to Kul Tiras myself to tell her. Where is my sister now?" Jaina asked, trying to steady herself.
"Finnall Goldensword is currently in the Eastern Kingdoms," Rhodes answered. "Now, Father-in-law... do you believe in my prophecies?"
The Grand Admiral didn't say a word. He just raised his middle finger at Rhodes.