In the days that followed, the entire Blood Elf race descended into a state of revelry. Every elf, regardless of status, vied to celebrate this historic turning point.
Just over a year ago, their race had been on the brink of extinction, with countless kin falling to Arthas. Now, their Prince had saved his people and his country, leading the Blood Elves back into the Alliance.
Having been tempered by the Scourge and the Burning Legion, the elves finally understood the cost of isolation. They were ready to rejoin the world, fulfill their obligations, and share their magical technology with the rest of the Alliance.
"I am deeply grateful for your efforts, Rhodes. Without your help, the Sunwell would not have been rebuilt so easily," Kael'thas said, raising a glass of fruit wine toward Rhodes.
"No need for such formality, Kael. It's what a friend should do, and you've helped me plenty as well," Rhodes replied, returning the toast.
And it was true. Following the Sunwell's success, Kael'thas had immediately provided Rhodes with two vials of the new water. Using them alongside the power of his Archangels and his first Phoenix, Rhodes had successfully produced two more Holy Light Phoenixes.
The combat power of a Holy Light Phoenix was undeniable—equal to an Archangel but even more terrifying in terms of battlefield presence. A single one could decide the fate of a battle; three appearing together spelled absolute despair for any enemy.
"This reconstruction has given me new insights into magic. I might try to add Holy Light properties to my own phoenix pet," Kael'thas noted as they clinked glasses.
While Kael'thas's personal Phoenix was initially stronger than Rhodes', Rhodes had the advantage of "mass production." According to Rhodes, he could harvest four or more a week. Kael'thas realized he couldn't match the quantity, but he could certainly adopt the quality. If Rhodes could enhance his birds with the Light, so could he. He even planned to upgrade his permanent fire elements into Light Elements once he mastered the summoning secrets.
Rhodes had provided over 200 permanent Light Elements for the Sunwell's transformation, and Kael'thas had studied them intensely. He was confident he would soon crack the secret of the Fire Element Summoning Scroll, turning it from a temporary spell into a permanent recruitment tool.
"Hahaha, that's a great idea, Kael. I can help with that," Rhodes smiled. He thought the Prince was asking for a Light infusion, which was easy enough.
"No, no, Rhodes. I've troubled you enough," Kael'thas shook his head with a smile. "I don't need your direct help this time. Don't forget, the Sunwell now possesses the power of the Light. I can use our own fount to transform my phoenix."
Kael'thas didn't want to keep piling up debts of gratitude. Now that his people had their own source of Holy Light, they could handle it themselves.
"Then I look forward to seeing it. Your phoenix is already a match for mine; if it transforms, its strength will be staggering," Rhodes said.
While Kael'thas's phoenix resembled the Tier 7 unit from Heroes of Might and Magic III, it was far more powerful and larger. Rhodes's only ace in the hole was the future In the Wake of Gods (WoG) upgrade to the Sacred Phoenix, but that required Mithril—a rare resource he was still accumulating. For now, he relied on numbers and the weekly vial of Sunwell water Kael'thas provided.
"I'm also making progress on the permanent Fire Element summoning. I should have it finished soon, and then I'll return the scroll to you, fully upgraded," Kael'thas added.
Rhodes nodded, though he knew "soon" for an elf could mean days or decades. He hoped the Prince would hurry, or the System might just teach Rhodes the permanent version first. Since the war at the Black Temple ended, things had been quiet, and Rhodes was itching to find some monsters to farm for resources. He hoped Illidan would hurry up and train those Demon Hunters to raid Legion territory.
"Rhodes, our people have a traitor named Dar'Khan Drathir," Kael'thas said, his tone turning cold. "He is the reason Arthas broke our wards so easily. I didn't have the time to deal with him before, but I do now."
"I know the guy," Rhodes's eyes lit up. Dar'Khan was a famous boss who had been killed multiple times in different timelines—executed by Arthas, vaporized by Anveena, shot by Lor'themar. Currently, he was a rogue necromancer who had abandoned the Scourge but remained a threat. To Rhodes, even a small boss was "meat" that might drop rewards.
"I plan to send a hunt squad led by Lor'themar," Kael'thas explained. "I want to ask for a travel permit so they can track him through Lordaeron lands. He's a danger to humans, too. If the Silver Hand wants to send some Paladins to join the hunt, even better."
Kael'thas didn't want to bother Rhodes with such a minor villain; he just wanted the paperwork.
"No problem. Actually, I'm free, so I'll just go deal with him myself," Rhodes laughed.
"Rhodes, we have to go to Stormwind soon," Jaina interjected, frowning. "You're a Regent, a Grand Marshal, and a Vice-Commander. You don't have time to personally hunt a traitor elf mage. That's giving him way too much credit."
"It's fine. The Princess's coronation isn't for a month. We can take the land route back through Eversong to Lordaeron," Rhodes insisted.
"But Kael'thas hasn't found his trail yet. Are you going to search for him yourself?" Jaina asked.
"Great Son of the Holy Light, if you wish to face this necromancer, I volunteer to go!" Finnall added immediately. As a new member of the Silver Hand—and having received a set of anti-magic armor and two permanent Light Elements from Rhodes—she was eager to prove herself.
"It's a small matter," Rhodes said, popping a grape into his mouth. "I have a way to lure him out."
He figured he could go to Tarren Mill and find Anveena. As the avatar of the Sunwell, she was the ultimate bait for Dar'Khan. Then he could just have an Archangel delete the guy.
As they debated, a Blood Elf guard rushed in.
"Prince Kael'thas! A Red Dragon has appeared. He calls himself Krasus!"