CHAPTER 5: TROLL TROUBLES

After a moment of silence, Charlemagne, still carrying his concerns, was the first to speak.

"Aurelia, tomorrow I will request to join the Farstriders officially. I will be leaving Quel'Thalas for a while. You..."

Before Charlemagne could finish his sentence, Aurelia gently placed her index finger on his lips to stop him.

"You don't need to say it. I will go wherever you go. I've seen your eagerness over the past few years, though I don't know what's been weighing on your mind. Let me share some of that burden with you."

Feeling the warmth of his girlfriend's care, Charlemagne couldn't resist pulling her into an embrace.

"Thank you, Aurelia. I love you."

"I love you too, Charlemagne," she replied.

As the two embraced with excitement, the radiant light of Sasara, the sacred tree of the high elves, seemed to bless this young couple.

Sasara, the sacred tree of the high elves.

Although high elves did not possess the same fervent connection to nature as their elven kin, the night elves with their druidic traditions, they still retained some customs passed down from their shared ancestry.

Sasara had existed since the days of the first Sun King, Dath'Remar Sunstrider, when he led their people to the Eversong Forest. As the magical energy of the Sunwell, which was created using the waters of the Well of Eternity, radiated throughout the forest, the oldest tree in the forest began to absorb this pure energy.

Eventually, this tree became the sacred tree of the entire high elf race, named Sasara, which in Thalassian meant "Forest Light."

Over time, its magical branches extended to cover a vast area, enveloping the entire forest in an eternal spring. The Farstriders, a high elven organization of rangers, had a heirloom known as Sasdora, a longbow crafted from the branches of Sasara. After absorbing the magical essence from the Sunwell for years, the bow was now imbued with arcane energy.

The first Ranger-General, Sylvanas Windrunner, had accepted this precious gift from the Sun King. She named it Sasdora, which meant "Courage of the Forest" in Thalassian. This legendary bow had been passed down through generations of rangers and was currently held by Charlemagne's mentor, Ranger-General Lireza Windrunner.

Although Sylvanas was destined to be the next Ranger-General, Lireza had hoped that the bow would eventually be inherited by her eldest daughter, Aurelia. Charlemagne knew the future of this sacred tree, though. Sasara would be felled by the Scourge during their invasion, and the temple that guarded the tree, Dar'some, would become a base for the traitor Dar'Khan Drathir.

Charlemagne had considered warning the Silvermoon Council and King Anasterian about Dar'Khan's treachery, but he realized the futility of such a move. As a mere Farstrider, he held little influence, and his accusations would likely be dismissed as slander against a member of the council.

Early the next morning, Charlemagne and Aurelia visited Charlemagne's mentor, Lireza, to bid their farewells. Lireza had already imparted all she could to her pupil, and Charlemagne was now ready to embark on the path ahead.

"I have no objections to you joining the Farstriders," Lireza said calmly. "But before you go, take a look at this."

Hearing their request, Lireza took a sip of her tea and picked up a sealed letter from the nearby table.

"This is a summons from King Anasterian, received yesterday. It calls for all adult Farstriders to participate in the upcoming battle against the trolls. Each family must send at least one representative."

"Our Windrunner family has decided that Sylvanas will answer the call. What about you, the eldest son of the Theron family? Will you answer the summons, or will you entrust the responsibility to your younger brother, Lorthemar?"

Lireza's words left both Charlemagne and Aurelia taken aback. Charlemagne stepped forward to receive the letter and began to read its contents.

The letter outlined the recent unusual activities of the Amani trolls, who were planning a new attack on Quel'Thalas. It served as an official call to arms for all Farstriders.

It appeared that Charlemagne's original plans would have to be disrupted. "Lorthemar, although he has reached the intermediate stage, is not yet proficient enough. It seems I have no choice but to answer the call."

Aurelia, upon hearing her beloved's decision, began to speak, "In that case, I..."

"No," Lireza interrupted her. "You have other duties. King Anasterian has decided to send Prince Kael'thas, who is currently in Dalaran, to congratulate the newborn prince of the Kingdom of Stormwind. You will accompany the prince."

"What? But..."

Aurelia anxiously attempted to object, but Lireza halted her with a wave of her hand.

"No need to argue. The Windrunner family had already chosen Sylvanas to participate in the battle. This is also an opportunity for her to establish herself. You understand my intentions, don't you?"

With a deep breath, biting her lip, Aurelia reluctantly agreed to her mother's arrangement.

She had made the choice to relinquish the legacy of the Ranger-General, and now she couldn't contest her younger sister Sylvanas for the glory that came with it.

Seeing her daughter's consent, Lireza nodded in satisfaction.

"Very well. The attendants who will accompany Prince Kael'thas to Dalaran will depart from Silvermoon tomorrow. Prepare yourself. The expeditionary force will set out ten days from now. I need to plan for the upcoming battle. You may go now."

As they left, Charlemagne and Aurelia exchanged a knowing glance, accepting the paths that destiny had set before them.