"It is an honor to meet you, great Son of the Holy Light. I followed you to the Outlands to fight; your presence has always inspired me and guided my path," Finnall Goldensword said, placing her hand over her heart and bowing deeply to Rhodes.
The female Paladin was visibly trembling with excitement, looking for all the world like she was meeting a legendary idol. It made Rhodes feel a bit self-conscious—he was apparently enjoying celebrity-tier status within the Light's faction now.
Rhodes looked at the flustered Paladin and offered a gentle smile, trying to make his aura seem as approachable as possible.
"There is no need for such formality, Knight Finnall. Before the Light, we are all fellow travelers. Your bravery in the Outlands and against the Scourge is well-known. All Paladins fought valiantly; Jaina is lucky to have such a steadfast sister, and you are an asset to the Alliance."
Truth be told, he didn't remember this specific Paladin from the coalition forces at all. There were simply too many Paladins following him during the Outland expedition. Even Jaina didn't recall her sister's presence back then; Finnall had likely been just an ordinary knight under the elder Mograine's command.
It was a slightly awkward realization for both—who would have thought this long-lost sister had actually served in the same expedition just months ago?
Hearing this praise from the "Son of the Holy Light," Finnall's emerald eyes sparkled even brighter. To her, this was the ultimate encouragement.
"You flatter me, Lord Rhodes... I only did my duty as a Paladin, following you and Lord Mograine into battle."
Jaina watched the interaction, especially her sister's rare display of nervous adoration, and couldn't help but giggle. The sister who had been so assertive just a moment ago now looked like a little girl meeting her hero. Rhodes really does have quite the charm, she thought. I'd better make sure they aren't left alone together too often!
"Rhodes, we plan to head to Silvermoon in a few days to witness Prince Kael'thas restart the Sunwell. My sister has many insights into the Way of the Light she'd like to discuss with you. Why don't we travel together?" Jaina asked.
Rhodes nodded. "Of course. Restarting the Sunwell is a monumental event for the magical community of Azeroth. I'm looking forward to it. And on the road, we'll have plenty of time to talk. Lady Finnall, if you have any doubts regarding the Light, we can explore them together. The mysteries of the Light are infinite; I am merely a seeker myself."
Discussing the Light? Isn't that just feeding people soul-soothing platitudes? Rhodes thought. How hard can it be? Just keep praising it, stay firm in your "faith," and act sufficiently fanatical.
Back in the Outlands, Rhodes had exchanged ideas with Prophet Velen. Their "theological" debates were basically the same: trust in the Light, the glory of the Light, and the selflessness of the Light. It was all high-level marketing.
"Really? Thank you so much!" Finnall replied with delight, before turning shy. "I... I do have many questions. For instance, how do you keep the Light in your heart from flickering when facing profound darkness? Sometimes, anger and sorrow..."
"Steel your heart, milady. Believe in the Light, and the Light will guide you," Rhodes said, instantly switching to "prophet mode" to start his holy recruitment pitch.
Dinner proceeded in a relaxed (for Rhodes and Jaina) and "academic" (for Rhodes and Finnall) atmosphere. Finnall's initial stiffness melted away under Rhodes's gentle guidance and Jaina's playful interruptions.
She found that the "Son of the Holy Light" was exactly as Jaina described: humble, sincere, and possessing a profound understanding of the Light that could pierce through her spiritual bottlenecks with a single sentence.
My sister is so lucky to have the favor of the Son of the Holy Light, Finnall thought, her faith more bolstered than ever.
Rhodes and Jaina spent a few more days resting in the capital of Lordaeron. Jaina spent most of her time with her sister, catching up on "girl talk."
Meanwhile, Rhodes was led by Uther to the Order of the Silver Hand. Under the witness of the elder Mograine, Saidan Dathrohan, and the entire assembly of Paladins, he was officially ordained.
He was inducted as the Son of the Holy Light and a Grand Lord, serving as the Honorary Vice-Commander of the Silver Hand. This gave him the nominal authority to command the entire Order, making him equal in status to Uther.
To be honest, Rhodes was a bit hesitant about joining the Silver Hand—he was a Mage, after all. But according to Uther, once Rhodes picked up a blade and ignited the Holy Light, he was as good as any Paladin. Mograine agreed; many of the original Paladins, like Uther himself, had started as Priests. With Rhodes's immense power and "deep understanding," he belonged in the Order.
So, Rhodes's growing list of titles now included: Regent of Lordaeron, Honorary Vice-Commander of the Silver Hand, Grand Marshal of the Alliance, and Disciple of the Demigod Cenarius. What's next? he wondered. Well, back in the game I had titles like 'Maw Walker' and 'Friend of the Dragonflight.' Players always end up with hundreds of these anyway.
Light's Hope Chapel, the bastion of resistance against the Scourge in the Eastern Plaguelands, saw an unprecedented gathering today. Beyond the Silver Hand, the chapel was packed with nobles, priests, Dwarf Paladins, and Draenei who shared the faith.
Princess Calia sat in the front row in her royal finery, a proud smile on her face. Jaina stood by her side as part of the administration. Finnall stood in the ranks of the knights in her full ceremonial armor, watching with bated breath.
Uther the Lightbringer stood before Rhodes. Rhodes was dressed in a suit of magnificent Grand Lord armor forged from a special metal retrieved from a Golden Golem. This wasn't just for show; Rhodes would be expected to wear this into melee combat. Seriously, I just wanted to be a back-line caster. Why am I being forced into the Paladin life? Rhodes mused.
"Brothers! Sisters! Under the witness of the Light and our guests!" Uther's voice boomed through the chapel. "We gather here not just to crown a powerhouse, but to welcome a true fellow traveler—a guide chosen by the Light!"
"Rhodes! You were not born in the cathedrals, yet you walk the path the Light provides. As a Mage, you carry the Light's most fervent blessing; as a mortal, you stood against the Burning Legion and the Scourge. Your actions in the Outlands and the liberation of Lordaeron prove your conviction!"
Uther took a pair of exquisitely crafted spaulders from an attendant. They were engraved with complex holy runes and the crest of Lordaeron, centered by a miniature Silver Hand hammer. He stepped forward to fasten them to Rhodes's shoulders. He had been looking forward to this since the day he met the boy.
"I, Uther the Lightbringer, by the name of the High Commander, hereby declare: Rhodes, Regent of Lordaeron and Grand Marshal of the Alliance, is now the Honorary Vice-Commander of the Silver Hand and shall bear the title 'Son of the Holy Light!' May your path be ever lit, and your blade ever strike for justice!"
"For the Alliance! For Lordaeron! For the Light!" the elder Mograine roared, raising his hammer.
"FOR THE ALLIANCE! FOR LORDAERON! FOR THE LIGHT!" The chapel erupted in a thunderous cheer.
"The Light guides the way; faith builds the wall," Rhodes gave a characteristically stirring speech. "I, Rhodes, swear to use this body, this heart, and this strength to protect the living, honor the fallen, and drive back the darkness. Honor is my life!"
"Salute the Vice-Commander!"
A few days later, the journey to Silvermoon finally began. Kael'thas had sent word: the preparations were complete. It was time to rebuild the Sunwell.
Rhodes was relieved to escape the endless social obligations. For days, every Paladin and Priest he didn't know had come to ask for his "blessing." He was starting to get a little tired of the Holy Light. Still, the status of Vice-Commander was a powerful card to hold.