Early the next morning, the caravan set out again in a dull and awkward atmosphere.

It's still yesterday's formation, and everyone is still dutifully completing the tasks arranged by Old Tang. No one took the initiative to bring up the dispute before falling asleep last night, just as no one questioned that Old Tang, a minotaur, was now in command of the escort. A team must have an excellent leader to ensure the smooth completion of the task and the safety of the team members to the greatest extent.

And the reason why Old Tang was angry last night was not for the sake of everyone's safety and responsible for everyone's lives. When encountering such a righteous partner, no matter what the surface is, everyone will still be moved and recognized in their hearts.

A guy like Old Tang with a clear mind and strong combat effectiveness originally had the potential to become the leader of an excellent adventure team. Calm and calm when commanding, taking the lead in battle, arranging tasks in a clear manner, and some of them are lost, and the most rare thing is that Old Tang can put the lives of his teammates first. Such a person will naturally be respected by everyone, and it is expected that he will be given the command of the escort team.

And since the dwarf hunter Kalu Tongtie was taught a lesson by the old Tang, he has been like a frosted eggplant all the way, silently staying in the middle of the caravan, serving tea and water to several seriously injured people in the caravan. It looks like the brainless man is trying to undo the damage he did to his teammates because of his mistakes.

Along the way, the caravan also encountered several ore veins or ore points from time to time, but under the stern and fierce cold gaze of Lao Tang, this "group extinction star" with mining obsessive disorder finally gritted his teeth again and again to restrain his desire to step out of his legs and run to the mine. After doing this a few times, Old Tang didn't bother to bother to take care of this paranoid dwarf hunter anymore. Let Karui Copper Iron hone his "willpower" on his own.

However, if the dwarf hunter dares to make the same mistake again, Old Tang will never break his promise, and will definitely kill him with his own hands. The swordsman interceded for him before he got the opportunity to give him, and what the result would be, it depends on Kalu * Tongtie's own watch, Old Tang just hopes that this unreliable dwarf will not live up to the friendship of the swordsman.

At this moment, Old Tang was walking at the forefront of the caravan, wielding a battle axe to chop through the lush vegetation that blocked the way. Pulling out the rudimentary map pinned to his waist, Old Tang looked at it for a while and determined the optimal path to travel. The caravan had to make it through the dense jungle of the Valley of Thorns, not only because with the caravan's current manpower facing the danger it could face at any time, but there was a high chance that something would make a mistake and cause the caravan to suffer casualties again. There are also several seriously injured teammates in the caravan who also need better healing.

Swordsman Vacy Lev and the wood-throated bear monster Shalu and several other seriously injured people have been treated by Arcadia "Wet Man" Juss and Druid and Tina Moonlight, but their injuries have not only worsened. But no one can guarantee that the long delay and the humid and sultry climate of the rainforest will not cause a change in the injuries of several people. In this way, it seems that the best choice is to cross the Valley of Thorns as much as possible. As long as you enter Stormwind's sphere of influence and come into contact with human strongholds, a series of problems faced by the caravan will naturally be solved.

After thinking for a moment, Old Tang put away the map, turned around and shouted at the people in the caravan:

"Time is pressing, keep pushing! We will speed up our march and get out of the valley of thorns as much as possible! ”

――――――――――――――――――――――I'm the dividing line between men and women―――――――――――――――――――――――

While Old Tang and the caravan were trekking through the rainforest, it was a different scene in the arcane capital of Dalaran.

Gianna Ploude Moore is humming a ditty through the gardens of Dalaran. She's been here for ten years, and she's still amazed by the city. Magic was everywhere, and it permeated her smiling breath like the fragrance of all things.

Of course, some of the scents come from the blooming flowers themselves. Like everywhere else, the garden is soaked in magic. She had never seen such delicate and colorful flowers, and had never tasted such delicious fruits and vegetables. Not to mention that wonderful knowledge! Gianna felt that she had learned more in the last eight years than in her entire life—especially in the last few years, when Archmage Antonidas had officially accepted her as an apprentice.

There's nothing more pleasant than curling up in the afternoon sun with a glass of chilled honey and a pile of books. Of course, there are some precious parchment scrolls that need to be carefully protected from direct sunlight or splashed with honey. So, sitting in one of the many rooms, wearing gloves so as not to damage the fragile papers, and carefully flipping through the ridiculously old documents became her second pleasure.

But for now, she just wanted to wander through the garden, feel the living earth beneath her feet, the indescribable fragrance, and then, when hunger hit, climb up to the treetops to pick a ripe golden-skinned apple and feast on it.

"In Quel'Thalas," came a mellow and elegant voice, "the trees are tall, the white and gold leaves, and the evening breeze blows, and it sings softly. If you see it with your own eyes one day, your heart will be overjoyed. Gianna turned to the Kael'thas * Sunstrider Prince and bowed deeply, the son of Anastarion, the Elven King of Queldore, the prince of the High Elves, the next king of the Arcane Kingdom, and a heroic archmage.

"Your Highness, I didn't know that you would also come for a walk in this garden. Quel'Salas, the fertile land of the arcane. I would definitely be happy to go. "Even if she is not born royal, Gianna is the daughter of a nobleman. Her father was Admiral Dalein Ploundmore, the ruler of the castle of Kul Tiras. Gianna has been accustomed to dealing with nobles since she was a child. However, Prince Kael'thas made her a little uncomfortable, and Gianna was not quite sure why.

He was so handsome, with the grace and beauty peculiar to elves. Tall and long, half-down with hair woven like pure gold, he seemed to her like a legendary statue rather than a real person. Even now that he was wearing the simple purple-gold robes of Master Dalaran, and in the luxurious clothes of informal occasions, his inaccessible restraint was not reduced by half.

Maybe here's the problem, he's a little bit of an old-fashioned red tape feel. Besides, despite his appearance, he was much older than her. Kael'thas is a powerful mage with great wisdom and great talents. Some students also rumored that he was one of the six members of the Council of Darran's highest mage, having already reached the rank of hero.

The hero-level archmage also ascended to the top and plucked an apple for himself. "I think there is also merit in the food produced by the human land." The elven prince, who had always maintained an elegant demeanor, rarely showed a sly face and smiled, "Although the elven food is delicious and tempting, it needs something more substantial. Gianna laughed. Prince Kael'thas always tried to make her feel more comfortable, and she only wanted him to do better.

"An apple and a piece of Dalaran cheese, there are few things better than that." She nodded in agreement. The two were awkwardly silent for a moment in the warmth of the afternoon sun. "So...... Are you coming back for a while? "Yes, my affairs in Silvermoon City have been temporarily closed. I don't have to leave anytime soon. The elven prince's blue eyes stared at her, and he took another bite of the apple, and his handsome face was not happy. Gianna, however, knew that he was waiting for her reaction.

"We're all glad you're back, Your Highness." The beautiful and charming mage had just responded, and the elven prince, who had always maintained confidence and grace, shook his finger at the beautiful mage in front of him and said, "I told you, I would rather hear you call me Kyle." "I'm sorry, Kyle." The female mage replied with some reluctance. Kael'thas who had been looking at the charming female mage in front of him with some obsession, the expression of disappointment on his perfect face was fleeting, so that Gianna suspected that it was her hallucination.

"How's your academic progress?" Probably to hide his disappointment, the High Elf Prince took the initiative to change the subject with a charming smile on his face again. "Good." Gianna, the female mage, who had finally found the topic, replied with some excitement about the topic in the academic field.

"Look!" She pointed to a squirrel crouching on a tree high up munching on an apple, and muttered a spell in her mouth. Suddenly, it transformed into a sheep. The branch was crushed by the weight, and it fell downward with a comical look of surprise. Gianna immediately stretched out her arm, and the squirrel sheep stopped in midair. She carefully lowered it to the ground unscathed. It bleated at Gianna with fluttering ears, and after a moment it turned back into a confused squirrel. It sat up, barked at her angrily, and jumped back into the tree with a flick of its tail.

Kael'thas chuckled softly, "Well done." I guess I won't be lighting the book anymore, will I? ”

Gianna's face flushed and she remembered the commotion. She was still a newcomer at the time, and her mastery of fire needed to be honed. While working with Kael'thas, she accidentally burned a tome - the one that Kael'thas was holding in her hand. In response, he insisted that she spend the next few months practicing all the fire spells by the pond in the prison area.

"Uh...... No, it hasn't been for a while. "I'm glad to hear that, Gianna......" The elegant and noble elven prince threw away the half-bitten apple and approached with a gentle smile.

"It was not a polite remark that I invited you to Quel'Thalas. Dalaran is an extraordinary city, and there are also those who can be among the most eminent mages in Azeroth. I know you've benefited a lot. But I think you'd be happy to visit a country where magic has become part of the culture. Not limited to a corner of the city, nor limited to a small number of mages who received elite education. There, magic is the birthright of every citizen, and we are all under the light of the Well of the Sun! You'll be interested in that. ”

She smiled at him, "Of course. I look forward to the day when I can go there in person. However, I think at the moment, this is the best place to study. She grinned slightly, "At least everyone knows what to do when I light the book." The elegant and noble prince smiled softly, but there was frustration in his voice.

"Maybe you're right. Now I beg your pardon—" he smiled wryly at her, "Archmage Antonidas has asked me to give a detailed report on my trip to Silvermoon City. Nevertheless, I hope you know that there is a prince and a mage who is eager to discuss the training with you further...... and more time together. ”

Kael'thas raised his hand to his chest, performed a mage etiquette, and turned away with some reluctance. Gianna didn't know what to answer, so she could only return the curtsy and watch him go. He straddled across the garden with his head held high, shining like the sun, and every inch of his body exuded confidence and grace. Even the dust seemed unwilling to touch the corners of his boots and robes.

Gianna, who had been quietly away for a long time in the direction of the High Elf Prince's departure, finally took a bite of the apple and threw it aside. The squirrel that had just been transformed sprang down the trunk of the tree in pursuit of the ready-made prize.

A pair of hands suddenly blindfolded her.

She was taken aback, but not frightened—no one could pose a threat under the ubiquitous defenses of this magical city.

"Guess who I am?" A man asked quietly, a suppressed smile in his voice. Gianna was blindfolded, forced to laugh and speculate seriously.

"Well~ your hands are a little rough, so you're not a mage." "You smell of horses and leather," she said......, "and his little hand touched the other's powerful fingers lightly, touching a large ring. She felt the shape and design of the gem on it—the Mark of Lordaeron.

"Arthas!"

She exclaimed, and suddenly turned to face him, her voice filled with surprise. Arthas immediately let go of his hand and grinned at her. His appearance was not as perfect as that of Kael'thas: he had the same yellow hair as the Elven Prince, but not as luster as the latter's golden thread. He was tall and burly, with a temperament and security that made Gianna feel more reliable than the grace and pride of flowing water.

"How did you come back to Dalaran? Aren't you supposed to be trained by Mr. Uther in the Knights of the Silver Hand? The female mage, who had recovered from the surprise, asked with some confusion.

"Even paladins have holidays, and in the magical city of Dalaran, there is a figure that haunts me day and night. So I had to come here to answer her call! The young paladin's aquamarine eyes sparkled with joy.

"I miss you so much, my lady." The young paladin stepped forward and put his arm around her lover's soft waist and smiled softly, whispering softly as he lowered his head and kissed her neck, slowly approaching and eventually dominating her soft lips.

"Me too, my prince." She gasped and whispered happily.

"Gianna," a voice suddenly came as the two lingered. "How do you ......"

They immediately jumped away and looked at the visitor with guilt.

Gianna gasped, her face flushed. "Kyle ......"

The elf's face was calm, but his eyes burned with anger, and his jaw sank slightly. "I forgot this arcane book when I just left." He raised his voice slightly and said, "I originally wanted to give it to you." ”

Gianna bit her lower lip and glanced at Arthas. Arthas was just as shocked as Gianna, but he forced a smile and said to Kael'thas with Gianna in his arms.

"You're so nice, Kyle. Thank you. For a moment, Arthas thought that the High Elf Prince would attack him.

The High Elf Grand Magus was furious, and he was so powerful at the hero level, Arthas knew that he was powerless to fight back now, even if he was already a paladin at the peak of the eighth order after receiving the blessing of the Holy Light. But even so, he still looked at the elven prince without flinching. Kael'thas clenched his fists and stood still.

"Are you ashamed of her, Arthas?" Kael'thas roared with frost on his face. "Don't you dare to take her to meet someone?"

Arthas narrowed his eyes. "I'm trying to avoid gossip." He whispered, "You know, Kyle. The three of them became tigers, and all of them were golden. I'm going to protect her reputation......"

"Protection?" Kyle yelled. "If you really care about her, proudly propose openly to her! Like a man! He looked at Gianna, the anger on his face turned into a fleeting heartache, and then he stared at Gianna who lowered his head in disappointment, "You go on...... Tryst. Don't worry, I won't say it. ”

Kael'thas snorted in exasperation, and contemptuously threw the Arcane Tome, which was hard to find in the High Elf Kingdom, to Gianna. The thick book landed heavily at Gianna's feet, and the muffled voice startled Gianna, who was half-hidden behind the young paladin's tall, muscular body. Then, with indifference and pretended strong pride on his face, the elven prince turned away with a flick of his purple and gold robes.

Gianna leaned her head against Arthas's chest and let out a long breath. Arthas patted her gently. "It's okay, he's gone."

"I'm sorry, I should have sued you sooner......"

Hearing his lover's whisper, the young paladin's chest tightened. "Sue me for what? Gianna, are you going to ...... with him?"

"Nope!" Gianna replied immediately, looking up at him with a somewhat shy and annoyed look. "Nope. But...... I think he had that idea. I was just...... He was a good man, a powerful mage, a prince. But he's not ......," her voice faded into obscurity.

"What is he?" His Royal Highness the young prince did not expect the words blurted out to be so sharp, and his voice was so urgent. Kyle is so much better than Alsace. Older, more elegant, more mature! He is powerful and has a perfect appearance that is almost impossible to survive. The young human prince began to become jealous, and a cold knot grew in his heart. If Kael'thas did it again, Arthas didn't know if he would throw punches at him.

Hearing her lover's eager inquiry and her voice, which had become a little shrill from nervousness, Gianna smiled softly. The beautiful mage raised her eyebrows, stood on tiptoe, and whispered in the ear of the Prince of Arthas:

"But he's not you."

The knot in Arthas's heart immediately melted away like ice and snow, as if the spring sun was shining gently on him. He took Gianna in his arms and kissed her deeply. Who cares what the goose-headed elf prince thinks at this moment?

"My lady, I wonder if I have the privilege of inviting you to spend a wonderful afternoon with me?" After a moment of deep kissing, the sturdy young paladin smiled heartily and looked at his lover affectionately and asked. In the sunlight, His Royal Highness the tall, sturdy, blond-haired prince dazzled like holy light.

"I need to learn," Gianna hesitated and refused.

"Come on, Gianna." Alsace smiled, "The hardest working students also need to take occasional breaks. It's such a nice day that you should go outdoors and have some fun. ”

"I'm just outside." She said. And that's exactly what happened, she was carrying a book in the garden, not in a reading room.

"Proper exercise helps you think quickly." He held out his hand to Gianna, who was holding the dossier, and she laughed.

"Arthas, one day you will be a great king." She jokingly uttered her answer when the two of them first tasted the forbidden fruit.

"No one can refuse any of your requests, especially me."

He hugged her tightly and shuddered suddenly for no reason, "Don't turn me down, Gianna. Never reject me. ”

She looked at him with a burning warmth in her eyes.

"Never, Alsace. Forever! ”

――――――――――――――――――――――――― I am the dividing line at the end of the text――――――――――――――――――――

Speed up the pace ~~~ as far as possible to start the pig's feet contact with many historical figures. This chapter and the next one will narrate the situation of several important tasks at this time in a synchronized way~~

PS: Regarding the emotional entanglement between the two princes and Ji mm, I think I have to write ~~~ These three characters really need to be strong characters~~

And the dialogue between Arthas and Gianna~ No matter how you say it, it can be regarded as a small pit~ After all, when I watched the official history~~ I felt that the prince's tragic experience was not without his lover "refusing" his blow~~ In it~~ I am Xiao A's fans, don't spray me~~hey~~