Chapter 491: Garrod's Search
Despite the unexpected arrival of Velon, he was treated as a distinguished guest, just like the other Alliance representatives. But the Prophet had no requirements for lodging, insisting that he only needed a modest room. So Tyrande placed him in a place directly opposite the temple.
The tranquility of the temple garden attracted Veron, and he sat down in the middle of it to meditate. The Draenei are cross-legged in the middle of the garden, focused on the connection to the Light. The High Priestess assigned him two Guardians of Honor, but Velons kept them in the room. There was no need for them in this place.
Suddenly, he sensed that someone was coming towards him—and that person had an equally objective affinity for the Light. Only one person would be like that. Veron didn't look at it and whispered, "Welcome, Anduin Ureon. ”
The human wasn't surprised that Veron had discovered him, further indicating that King Varian's son had a strong connection to the Light.
"Hello, Prophet. I- I'm sorry to bother you. ”
"This title is just a false name given to me. I'd rather be called Veron," the Delaneei sleeked to his feet. "Your father doesn't know you're here. ”
"Yes...... He thought I was still sleeping......" Anduin grimaced.
"I can't tell if you should stay in your room or not. That should be up to you. ”
This sentence seemed to make Anduin relax a little. "No matter what my father thinks, I'm old enough to make my own decisions. I loved him, but he was too worried about losing me again—or forever, as he had lost his mother—but it was overwhelming. I can't even get out of his sight for a few minutes. ”
His concern is understandable...... And your troubles are the same. ”
"First, Vilon, you know why I'm here. ”
"You want to talk more about the Light. I'd love to tell you what I know. But you must also understand that I will not lead you away from your father. ”
Anduin nodded. Then he looked at Velon's gaze like the king. "I wouldn't make such a request. I just want to learn more. He put a hand to his heart. "I feel the Light here. I feel it getting stronger and stronger every day. It's like a part of my body. ”
"Yes. It has a strong connection with you. Velun looked around the garden, but there was no one nearby. "We can talk for a while, if you want, but you have to promise to go back to your room later. ”
The gratitude on the young man's face was as strong as the holy light in his heart. "I promise. ”
They wandered through the garden, and Velen lovingly taught the boy. Yes, I will teach him if I can. This person's fate is linked to the Light......
But Velun has not forgotten the identity of the people who traveled with him. Anduin is the crown prince of Stormwind, and the Draenei know how important Stormwind is to today's suffering world. The Alliance needs Stormwind. Perhaps its king didn't fully realize this either. Any event that threatens the stability of Stormwind is also a threat to the long-term stability of the Alliance, especially if they are faced with a resurgent tribe.
However, if the Light had other arrangements for Anduin Urion......
You have to continue, Garrod whispered to him as he heard his wife's voice. He had heard it more than once since he came here. Some might have thought it was a sign of madness, but Garrod accepted it with ease, believing that she was just continuing to watch over him as she had ever lived.
He'd been away from his lodgings for a while, trying to find something to do. As much as he was willing to continue mourning Sarah Hill—perhaps for the rest of her life—Garrod knew she would rather do something else herself. As much as Garrod hates the idea, Sarah Hill would rather he reintegrate into the Night Elf society and find a new purpose in life. But actually. He didn't know what that goal would be, and he didn't really care. But Garrod knew he had to try.
Rejoining the army is not considered. Part of it was because of dealing with Santis. And he's not ready...... At least not yet. But it also has to do with Garrod's lingering anxiety about the Night Elf society. There are already signs of a turnaround, and Malfurion and Tyrande have begun to bring the different classes of people back together...... But he still needs to see more changes. The war had left too many scars on him.
I'm obviously starting to get older. Garrod remembered some of the older Night Elves he had met shortly after the Great War, and he didn't want to be like them. The war with the Burning Legion and the destruction of Sin-Isari turned their entire world upside down, and they were unable to adapt to an unpredictable new future. Some people are immersed in an illusory world made up of peaceful memories of the past, and most of them never return to reality.
But purely for Sarah Hill's sake, Garrod decided to live well. Forcing yourself out of the room and into the midst of your fellow citizens is only the first step. He also stressed to himself that you should be attentive when walking and greet everyone you know. This made some people look surprised, but Garrod felt that his wife must be proud of his efforts.
However, Garrod was overjoyed when he finally walked back. In fact, the closer he got to his dwelling, the quicker he became, and the more anxious he was to return to his shelter.
Garrod almost fell over the corpse lying in front of him.
Fortunately, at the last moment, he grabbed the small tree beside him. Even so, the captain of the guards fell on one knee on the corpse's arm.
The post-war years seemed to fade away, and Garrod reacted like a soldier again. He propped himself up on the tree and looked around at the killer's trace. There was no one around, so Garrod cautiously bent down to examine the terrible find.
At first, he suspected that he was stuck in a memory of the past. He hadn't seen anything like it since the Great War. And Garrod hadn't even noticed the brightly colored coat before, which showed how obsessed he was with his fantasies.
"An upper-class elf ......" It took a long time for him to remember that they had come to seek a return to the Night Elf society.
Except for accidentally pressing on the arm before opening. Garrod was careful not to touch the corpse. There was already evidence of the caster's possible cause of death - two jagged clefts in his throat. The perpetrators may be a short sword and an eager arm. On the chest of the dead mage. And something pressed with a stone.
Garrod's mind was full of questions, some of which unnerved him. One of the questions that bothered him the most from the beginning was why this upper elf was here in the first place. What does a spellcaster do when he comes so close to Garrod's dwellings?
He carefully studied the ground around him, and the answer naturally surfaced. Someone carefully cleared all the footprints, and he knew why: the upper elves had been killed somewhere else before being dragged here. Despite the killer's attempts to cover up the truth, there are still small stains that reveal clues. And the stains, which could only have been bloodstains, stretched a few steps to the east. Judging by these signs, Garrod thought he would be able to spot this upper elf. It's just that the killer doesn't want the victim to be found near the place of death, maybe there are clues there that can lead the investigators to find out the truth.
It dawned on him that it wasn't his job. It stands to reason that he must report this to the Sentinels or, as he prefers, to the High Druid or the High Priestess. Garrod looked around again and around, but still no one was seen. So he decided to take the risk of leaving the body where it was and find someone who had the authority to deal with the matter himself. Malfurion, who was a druid, might be somewhere outside of Darnassus, so Garrod walked towards the temple. At least he believed that Tyrande would be there, and it would be better if the Great Druid was there.
"Garrod?"
Shantis's voice halted him. She was accompanied by four sentinels who were also walking in the direction of the temple.
"Shan—General," he promised. While trying to regain his composure.
After blurting out his name, she apparently intended to put aside her personal feelings to talk as well. "Garrod. Do you have something to do with the High Priestess?"
He thought about it for a moment and told her the truth. "Yes...... Someone was killed. ”
Her guards immediately tensed. Santis motioned for them to calm down. Although there was a fire burning in her own eyes because of it. "Where? Who is it?"
"I found a body near my residence. He told her a more accurate location. "It's an upper-class elf. I don't know him. He still had some notes or something like that, but I didn't touch it. ”
"An upper-elf ......," Santis looked at the nearest guard to her left. "Go and bring a letter to Mavi Shadowsong"—she hesitated for a moment as she noticed Garrod's reaction when she heard her sister's name—"tell her all the details of what you heard." She continued to the other guard beside her, "You and Iltilly go to the place he said at once. Guarding the corpse until Mavi or her men arrived. ”
The sentinels quickly complied, and now only Santis and a guard remained. The general ordered Garrod to go with her, and the sentry followed them.
The temple's guards did not hesitate to allow Santis to pass. She strode through the temple and walked unmistakably to where Tyrande was.
The High Priestess greeted them with an expression of knowing everything. "Someone died. ”
Santis fell to her knees on one knee, and Garrod and the other sentry did the same. "It's another upper elf. ”
Tyrande commanded them to stand up. "You found the body, Garrod?"
He realized that she was judging from his own urgency. "Yes. Not far from where I lived. I judged that the body had been moved from elsewhere after the murder. I guess it's to disguise the real location......"
"I think it makes sense," Santis added. "I've sent someone to inform Mavi, and someone else is guarding the body until she or the upper elves come to inspect it. ”
"What do we have to do...... Not only to Haslim's corpse, but also to the wild dogs who thought that the upper elves would sit back and wait to be killed!"
Malfurion and an upper elf walked into the room from the other direction. Garrod knew that this man must be a high-ranking figure among the mages, though he suspected that it would be their leader.
Tyrande's answer confirmed his suspicions. "Are you speaking now on behalf of Archmage Mordant, Valdin?"
"I know what he's trying to say, High Priestess! But the Archmage would not tolerate such a thing! The lack of progress in this matter has been discussed among the High Elves. We abhor the fact that these crimes have been made public. Especially now that delegates are gathered at your summit. But we do the same when we have to. Maybe by that time. You're going to really do something about these murders. He glared at the crowd and finally turned his fiery gaze at Garrod. "You! You're the one who claims to have found the body, aren't you? I wonder why you happen to be attached—"
"I didn't 'claim' to have found the body. I did find out. A rare wave of anger welled up in the Sentinel Captain's heart. "If you think I could be a killer, you're very wrong. ”
Malfurion raised his staff and straddled between the two. "I believe Valdin is not doing any unfounded accusations, Garrod. We are all trying to address this evil incident. I'm sure Valdin will join me in applauding you for informing us of the second murder at once. ”
The mage hesitated for a moment, then replied. "Yes. Of course. Thank you, Garrod Shadowsong. ”
To Garrod's surprise, Waldin knew his identity. Especially when you consider the menacing look on his face just now. He nodded at the mage, but said nothing.
"We've taken every step to find out what's really happening, Vardin. The High Priestess assured. "Mavi is working to find out the truth, and nothing can stop her. ”
"She's a bit rude, but I've talked to this guy's sister anyway and found out that she's exactly what you say," the upper elf admitted. "However, she is alone, and there may be many killers...... Darnasusri is clearly full of those who are plotting against the return of the High Elves, and we will not continue to sit idly by!"
With that, Walding quickly bowed towards Tyrande and Malfurion. Then he followed and walked away briskly. Garrod didn't know if he was satisfied with the promise of the High Priestess, or if he just understood that he couldn't do anything without the permission of the archmage Mordant.
"It's weird that someone hates the upper elves. Santis commented in a low voice. "They are simply the embodiment of respect and affection. ”
Garrod didn't answer, though he knew she was speaking to him alone.
Malfurion and Tyrande looked at him. Garrod suddenly felt a lot of pressure. He was sure what the two men wanted him to do.
"Garrod, I want to express my gratitude once again to you for the way you handled this evil discovery. Tyrande said.
"I just do what I have to do. ”
"Not everyone can do the same thing. This is a reflection of your training and common sense. She glanced at her husband, who nodded. "There's one thing Walding is right. Mavi needs help. And that's something we can't offer, not only because of the elves at the top, but also because we're committed to the success of the summit. ”
"My sister is very competent and very determined. I can't think of anyone better suited for the task than her. ”
Tyrande laughed. "Perhaps, but her brother would obviously be helpful in the search. ”
Although he had anticipated the offer, Garrod did not know how to answer. "If the High Priestess—if you think it's an obligation—"
"It's a request, Garrod. Not a command. You can say no, and we totally understand. ”
He knew it was her, but hearing her say it prompted him to make a decision. "I will do my part, but I will submit to Mavi's authority in this matter. ”
"Of course. Tyrande looked grateful.
The Grand Druid also expressed his delight. "Your support is very important, Garrod. Right now, we need everyone's help. ”
"I'll do my best...... Now the first thing I have to do is go find my sister and explain it to her. ”
The High Priestess shook her head. "I'll tell her. ”
"I didn't mean to offend, but I wish I could have told her myself. That would be ...... It's a little more appropriate. ”
"Then as you wish. ”
Garrod bowed to the two of them. Santis did the same, and then got up with Garrod to leave. The general ordered the sentries accompanying them to go on other missions.
"I'm glad you're involved," she whispered as the two were alone together. "Your sister is very focused, but she often focuses too much...... Parochial. ”
"I know Mavi has shortcomings, but mine is no less than her. We will do everything in our power to stop these assassinations. ”
"I hope so. I don't appreciate the High Elves, but when their members are killed, the High Elves get more and more restless. And Darnassus—and the Night Elves—could not afford to conflict with them. ”
He stopped. "You've dealt with my sister already. Where am I most likely to find her? Where am I going to find her body?"
Santis immediately understood the meaning of his farewell. She pointed out to him. "No, she and his men may have moved it to study it carefully. I'd say you'd better get there and find her. ”
"Where is it?"
"Where she and her guards trained. As far as I know, it was there that she organized and led the investigation into the first murder. ”
"Thank you. He didn't dare to say any more, though she looked waiting. (To be continued......)