Jean watched as his people continued their preparations to leave. He was in a heavy mood when he decided to do so, but there was no longer any reason to stay near Darnassus, which would only further the shame of the werewolves being rejected by the Alliance. At least in Jean's opinion.

After that hunt, Varian abruptly said goodbye, which was a heavy blow to King Gilneis. A clear bond had been established between the two, but the abrupt actions of the other king dashed Jean's last hope of an alliance to accept werewolves. After losing hope, the choice facing Jean is already obvious.

Idrik is now nowhere to be found, but Jean's other lieutenants keep the situation under control. In a day or two, there will be no more traces of the camp being inhabited.

The hair on the back of his neck suddenly stood on end. Someone was behind him.

Like many werewolves, Jean tends to maintain his werewolf form. This way he will feel stronger and younger. And when he takes human form, the king feels the pain of aging.

If the man behind him tried to sneak up on Jean, his attempt would have failed, which is one of the benefits of being a werewolf. With the agility and grace characteristic of a werewolf form, Jean turned around and confronted the potential threat with fangs and claws.

But instead of making a move, Jean was completely confused.

"Varian?"

Seeing that the other party was so shocked, Varian had nothing to say. The Lord of Stormwind felt like a fool at all, or at least someone who couldn't figure out what he was trying to do.

The hunt had the effect Malfurion had hoped for, but it also opened Varian's eyes to the contradictions between his own beliefs and prejudices. He was at a loss for a moment. The only escape was at the time: when the werewolves paid homage to him—and he felt unworthy of it—Varian flinched. Rushing aimlessly into the depths of the woods.

Due to Anduin's departure. Varian never wanted to return to Darnassus again. His residence was built in accordance with the Night Elves' love of nature, but it was still part of the city, representing his life as a king rather than as a human being. In this vibrant and free forest, the vitality of all things relaxes him, but it does not dispel the confusion in his heart as he hoped. On the contrary, Varian found that the peace and tranquility around him made him more concerned about his misunderstandings and prejudices.

He completely lost the concept of time, and suddenly it was day and night. At daybreak, Varian finally realized that he could not abandon everything and sink into this pristine forest. For his love for his son. For the sake of his people, for the sake of his hope of retrieving everything, Varian made a decision. The king knew that there were others who were struggling with the dark side of his character, even more so than he did.

Werewolf.

So, when Varian returned to his lodgings to calm the growing anxieties of his retinue, and found that Malfurion had assured them that the king was only "slightly unwell," he set out again to find Jean Greymane.

"You're gone," Gilneth said reproachfully. "We salute you, but you turn away and go. I sent someone to Darnassus to inquire about you, but the Great Druid told us not to worry, saying that you need to be alone for a while. ”

The Night Elf's wisdom surprised Varian once more. "He was right. I have a number of things to consider...... And when I figured it all out. I know I have to come again to find you and your people. ”

"What do you ask of us? What is it? We have nothing. No land, no wealth. And you're sitting on it all. The whole nine yards. ”

"Not really. I need your help. Jean. ”

The other king looked at him puzzled. Considering what happened to them before, Varian didn't blame him.

"How can I help you?" The werewolf whispered.

"I know something about the werewolf curse and the ferocity it brings...... But you and your subordinates are able to control this impulse, not give in to it. ”

"Ahh Jean not only nodded in understanding, but even showed a sympathetic rather than contemptuous expression. "I've always wondered how a person can not have a little trauma in his heart after having an experience like yours......"

"Yes," Varian was deeply disturbed, even if it was just words. "Tell me how you did it. ”

"It's not that simple, my friend. You have to be willing to look inside and find your own balance......"

"If necessary, I'm willing to fight a hundred orcs with my bare hands—"

The werewolf laughed sadly. "Please trust my experience. That might be a little easier. Before the Night Elf Beretha Starwind could show us the proper ritual, we lost several people. They were consumed by the power of the curse and turned into soulless beasts. Jean turned his head to remember. "We had to wipe them out. But there are still certain risks associated with this ritual. From time to time, people have lost their lives as a result. ”

Varian was unmoved. "Even if I die, I'm better than that, Jean. I have lost my beloved wife, and now it is my son's turn. Anduin could leave me forever, and it's all my fault......"

"I also lost my son," King Gilneth whispered. "Even though Liam died trying to save me. As we tried to retake the city of Gilneis, he was killed by a poisoned arrow fired by Sylvanas, the Banshee King of the Forsaken, the leader of the Forsaken. Jean shook his head. "I'm not belittling what happened between you and Ling Lang. It's always a very, very terrible thing to never see each other, whether it's death or distance in between. I understand your loss, Varian......" The leader of the werewolves paused to look at him, glancing back at his people, some of whom had already recognized the comer. Jean frowned contemplatively. "We were able to guide you through the ritual, but then it's more up to you. You have to conquer yourself - that is your worst enemy - and it takes serenity, balance, and one last but not easy thing. Take full control of your anger. Three tests. And not one. ”

"It doesn't matter if it's three or a hundred. I'm going to face everything I have to face head-on. Take me, Jean. ”

The werewolf nodded. "May your power be as strong as your determination. ”

Jean did not take him past the other Gilnesians, but first went around the south, then to the east. However, several werewolves put down their work and followed them.

"What are they doing here?"

"The ceremony needs more than one person to be involved. ”

The Stormwind Lord frowned. "How do they know what we're going to do? You didn't signal. ”

A smile appeared on Jean's wolf face. "You just don't see it. ”

More werewolves followed, both men and women, following behind the two kings. They marched in silence, looking like funeral processions. Varian instinctively brought his hand closer to his dagger. But it didn't really hit it.

Jean led him to a small glade, surrounded by trees that jutted out of their branches, reminiscent of Varian's grasping fingers. The ruler of Gilneth took him to the center of the clearing.

"We've been using this place since we came," Jean explained.

The clearing looked unremarkable, except for the three-eyed simple well that sat in the direction they were coming. Varian believes that the wells must be here because they will play an important role in the rituals that follow.

It was soon confirmed that three druids suddenly emerged from the woods behind the well.

At first, Varian thought that Malfurion would also come out of the woods. But only the three men - two men and one woman - walked towards the well and the werewolves. He didn't know the three Night Elves. They looked at the werewolves with serious expressions, as if they were inquiring about something.

"Who is it this time?" The man in the middle asked Jean. His blue hair was braided into two long braids that almost fell to his waist, and another small braid stood up at the back of his head.

The ruler of Gilneth pointed to his companions. "It's this one. Leros? I've handed over Varian Ureon to you. ”

The druids looked taken aback. "But he's not a werewolf. ”

"But he suffers from imbalances just like we do," Jean explains. "The fury in his heart is no less than that of any of us, and probably more so. ”

"Please come forward," the woman began.

Varian listened to her. Each of the three druids placed a hand on the king's shoulder and closed his eyes.

They studied the Stormwind Lord in this way, and moments later the druids opened their eyes and withdrew their arms.

Leros looked at his companions, who nodded to the two kings.

"We understand now," he said to Varian. "Welcome, Varian Ureon. It is our pleasure to have you here. And as the guardians of these wells, we will do our best to serve you...... Although I think it's best to have Jean Greymane as your guide. ”

"I'd rather do," Varian replied.

"I'm here to help," Jean said.

Another male druid had shaved short hair that was as green as the goatee under his chin. He held out his palm, and Varian saw a long, narrow silver leaf on it.

"Take it, eat it. It is a moon leaf that symbolizes nature and the Virgin of the Moon. It helps you to purify your mind before the ritual. ”

Varian ate it without asking. He had thought that the leaves would be bitter and unpalatable, but he found that they were tender and dregs, and they were easy to swallow after chewing.

"Now you have to drink the water from every well. ”

Accompanied by Jean, Varian followed the druids to the first well. The second male druid continued.

"I am a wild druid Terran, and this is the well of tranquility. The druid said as he handed Varian a small teacup. The cup looks no different from ordinary water. "The water you drink from the well can bring back the peace and joy that you have lost in your life. ”

Varian took the cup and drank it calmly. As he handed the cup back, the druid bowed to him.

Leros gestured towards the second well. Jean looked surprised. "Is he going to drink water from three wells at once?"

"Yes, given his journey, we believe it has to be done. ”

The emerald-haired female druid serves Varian at the second well. "I'm Fassandra, Stormclaw, and this is the Well of Balance. The water you drink from the well will unite you so that when you struggle, the two parts will become one. ”

Varian felt that the two glasses of water tasted exactly the same, and that there was no difference. After he handed the cup back, the leading druid pointed to the third and final well water.

"I'm Leros? Wind," the Night Elf said. "And this one is a well of anger. The druid handed Varian the last glass of water. "The water you drink from the well enhances the effects of the first two cups, giving you the strength to face and dominate what is most likely to cause the ritual to fail. ”

Leros didn't elaborate. The King of Stormwind drank the water from the well, and waited expectantly.

The leading druid nodded at the werewolf leader. "Jean Greymane, you know what you have to do next. ”

"Yes. Follow me, Varian. ”

As they left the druids, Varian suddenly felt all of his senses become sensitive. He noticed some disturbing details around him that he had previously overlooked. Many of the trunks were scarred, as if they had been frantically scratched by wild beasts. In several places, the ground was also turned up, although new grass had grown on it over time. He also smelled dried blood. (To be continued......)