CHAPTER 9: LYLADRIEN

On the day of their departure, Lorelma rose early, silently assisting her older brother, Charles, with checking their luggage. Concern and worry had been expressed countless times in the previous days, rendering this morning a silent affair between siblings.

Even Wenryssa, who usually clashed with Charles, made a rare appearance with her younger brother Lirelase at the Selon family's residence, observing the two brothers diligently preparing for their journey.

"Hmph! While I doubt your capabilities, I hope you can lend a hand if Second Sister runs into trouble," Wenryssa finally said with a disdainful expression as Charles shouldered his luggage, ready to leave.

"Second Sister has always been too headstrong. She never asks for help from us sisters. She's always borne her troubles on her own, even when Father died..."

Seeing the somber expression on the Windrunner siblings' faces, Charles patted their shoulders as he passed them. "Rest assured. While, as you said, I might not be of much help to Sylvanas, I will do my best whenever there is an opportunity."

Lorelma, watching her older brother's figure growing distant, clenched her fists with determination.

"I need to work even harder! Next time, I will definitely assist Big Brother!"

The entire Farstrider encampment was filled with a solemn atmosphere on this day. Colleagues who would typically greet each other with smiles now exchanged nods of acknowledgment.

Standing on a platform, Lady Liressa watched the resolute expressions of the young soldiers and nodded in satisfaction. Although this group of Rangers had only recently been integrated into the force in the last decade, those she had personally trained had developed a hint of the elite. It was time to put their training to the test in real combat.

"Enough with the idle talk. Presently, Sylvanas and her Farstriders are stationed at the Farstrider Outpost. Once we arrive at the Sunwell, she will meet with us. We will discuss the details then. Now, mount up on the chocobos; we depart!"

"Yes!"

The well-trained Rangers mounted their chocobos in an orderly manner, and Charles patted his robust chocobo beneath him. "Swiftwing, you'll be of great help again this time."

"Kweh!"

This pure white chocobo was bestowed as a reward by the Sun King in recognition of the numerous feats achieved by Sigma Selon during the Troll Wars. Raised with secret royal methods, its lifespan far exceeded that of ordinary chocobos. Charles had grown up with Swiftwing ever since its hatching and had never seen any signs of aging.

After receiving Swiftwing, Sigma bequeathed it to his newborn son, Charles, naming it Swiftwing. In over three hundred years, Swiftwing had been a faithful companion to the Selon family. Due to their long association, this little creature had become more intelligent and humanlike as it grew.

After regaining his consciousness, Charles had personally taken up the responsibility of raising Swiftwing. Under the guidance of Liressa, he had turned Swiftwing from a mere family pet into a competent combat chocobo.

If it weren't for the lack of reliable records in Azeroth, Charles might have considered making Swiftwing his first animal companion.

The Rangers' chocobos, unburdened by heavy gear, swiftly transported them from the Quel'thalas Farstrider camp to the Sunwell. When Lady Liressa's contingent arrived at the Sunwell, the mages and priests dispatched by the Sun King were already present. A proud-looking elven woman led them.

"General Windrunner, I am Lyan'dra Sunseeker. I lead a team of twenty mages and fifteen priests and have been waiting here for some time."

Liressa's expression changed upon hearing the name, and she extended her hand, saying, "I've heard of you, Lady Lyan'dra, and I know you are a member of the Sunseeker family. You have already reached the sixth circle at such a young age, so you must be on the verge of becoming a hero."

Lyan'dra's face assumed a suitable look of pride, but she humbly replied, "Oh, not at all, General Windrunner. It's you who has long been my inspiration. Your reputation as a heroine is well deserved."

Among the gathered crowd, Charles, who was among the Rangers, overheard Lyan'dra's introduction. After recalling her identity, he was taken aback.

Lyan'dra Sunseeker, an elf of renown, was part of the royal Sunseeker family, although she did not possess any inheritance rights. In history, she had become addicted to the power of Flamestrike and was eventually killed by a male mage, who also took away her artifact. At present, Lyan'dra had not yet experienced the catastrophic Scourge invasion, and therefore had not inherited the Sunseeker Countess title, being only a well-known priest.

"General Windrunner, your daughter, Sylvanas, has not yet arrived. What are we to do?"

Upon hearing Lyan'dra's polite inquiry, Liressa waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about her. She'll arrive shortly. Let's enter the Sunwell and discuss the trolls' movements. I'm sure she'll be here soon."

Charles, left to set up camp with the Farstriders, was joined by the twenty mages and fifteen priests who had come with Lyan'dra.

"Heh... You must truly be a bunch of hicks, running around in the forest all day. You're all so rustic; it's disgusting."

As the Rangers and priests were harmoniously setting up their camp, a mocking voice sounded from behind.

Charles turned to see a male elf with golden hair, dressed in splendid mage robes, casting disdainful looks upon the Rangers.

"Show some respect, Sean Sunrider. As a noble mage, you dare to mock your brethren? That's truly beneath your station," another red-haired mage retorted before the Rangers could respond.

"Again, you! Lanaas Fireblade, why do you always oppose me? Are these Rangers not mere peasants?"

Remembering Lyan'dra's earlier introduction, Charles recognized the two arguing mages as Sean Sunrider and Lanaas Fireblade. Sean Sunrider was the future lover of Arya Strongbow, while Lanaas Fireblade would later become the leader of the Blood Knights after the fall of Silvermoon. However, Lyan'dra's titles and positions had yet to be bestowed upon her, and she was merely a renowned priest at the moment.

"Windrunner General, your daughter Sylvanas hasn't arrived yet. What should we do?" Sean Sunrider asked, turning his attention to Liressa, who had entered the Sunwell with the other leaders.

Liressa, along with Lyan'dra and Lanaas, looked at Charles with concern. The mixture of priests and Rangers seemed to be quite volatile, and they wanted to ensure everything was under control in her absence.