Chapter 16: The Femme Fatale of Stormwind City

Azeroth: Becoming a God by Rolling Dice

The carriage clattered into Goldshire in the afternoon.

Sunlight lazily spilled onto the streets. A few hens pecked at the roadside, and a blacksmith clanged away in his shop.

Allen lifted the carriage curtain, gazing at this familiar yet unfamiliar town.

Innkeeper Farley was oiling the signboard at the entrance. The moment he saw Allen's head poking out, his eyes lit up.

That was the moneybags he had just sent off a few days ago!

He hurriedly stood up, his face wreathed in smiles as he went to greet them.

Allen and the others were still disembarking one by one. Farley's gaze swept over the carriage and landed on a youth sitting astride a tall white horse, leisurely surveying his surroundings.

Innkeeper Farley's eyes brightened. This young lad had an imposing and dignified air about him; he looked like a hard worker!

He strode over quickly, patted the youth on the shoulder, and spoke warmly:

"Lad, you've worked hard! Just lead these horses to the stables out back. The fodder is in the second compartment on the left in the storeroom. There's hay and oats; feed them as you see fit... but don't overfeed them. If you're traveling again this afternoon, horses that are too full can't run properly."

He spoke with utter naturalness. After finishing, he even gave Varian's shoulder another pat.

Varian Wrynn, the King of Stormwind, the Lion of the Alliance, was stunned.

He looked down at his patted shoulder, then looked up at Farley's beaming face.

Then, he burst into hearty laughter.

"Alright!" he agreed readily, and actually took the reins to head towards the stables.

Allen finally noticed the situation and nearly tumbled out of the carriage.

"No, no, no!" He rushed over in a few quick strides, blocking Varian, then hastily said to Farley, "Innkeeper Farley, this is our friend, he's with us!"

Farley blinked, looking at Allen, then at the youth he had mistaken for a coachman.

The youth was still smiling, not the slightest bit displeased.

Farley hurriedly bowed in apology. "Oh dear, oh dear! My mistake!"

Varian waved a dismissive hand.

Farley's gaze inadvertently swept over that face again.

Wait a minute.

This face... why did it look more and more familiar?

A scene suddenly flashed through Farley's mind. Several years ago, when the old King Llane was still alive, he had toured Elwynn Forest with the young Crown Prince. They had passed through Goldshire from a distance...

He sucked in a sharp breath, his legs went weak, and he almost knelt on the spot.

But Varian had already turned away, chatting and laughing with Allen as they walked into the inn.

Farley opened his mouth, but in the end, said nothing. He just followed behind, trembling, his mind repeating over and over: I patted his shoulder... I told him to feed the horses... I...

Lunch was on the house, courtesy of Innkeeper Farley.

It absolutely wasn't because he wanted to curry favor with the young king, nor because he was particularly generous. It was mainly because the money Miss Wen Lei—no, it should be said, the money Allen had given him earlier was enough to stay at the Lion's Pride for several weeks.

Innkeeper Farley rubbed his hands together and personally cooked up a feast: honey-glazed ribs, creamy mushroom soup, roasted fish, freshly baked dark bread, and a jug of fine Thunderbrew Ale.

Everyone sat around the table, eating with gusto.

Farley waited on them nearby. The more he looked at that youth, the more his heart pounded with fright.

As expected of Young Master Allen. He just went to Stormwind once and managed to lure away our young king.

But His Majesty clearly didn't want his identity revealed. He, a mere innkeeper, naturally didn't dare say a word.

After a few rounds of drinks, Allen mentioned they were heading to Duskwood.

Hearing this, Farley suddenly slapped his thigh.

"Aiya!" His eyes lit up. "You're going to Duskwood? That's perfect!"

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at him.

Farley cleared his throat and began his tale: "Here's the thing. A month ago, a bounty notice was posted in Goldshire. It said there's a fierce forest wolf leader named Lupos. That beast has been causing havoc in Elwynn Forest, killing dozens of cattle and sheep. The hunters in town organized a hunt and finally cornered it by the river. But then that beast..."

He spread his hands, making a diving motion.

"Plop! It just jumped into the river, swam to the opposite bank in Darkshire, and got away. So now, Lupos is under a joint bounty from Darkshire and Goldshire!"

After listening, everyone continued eating with a distinct lack of enthusiasm.

Just a wolf.

Seeing their reaction, Farley added another line:

"But you're right. The bounty for this Lupos is only one gold coin. You lot definitely wouldn't be interested."

Whoosh—

Allen's eyes lit up.

"One gold coin?" He put down his fork, his expression turning serious. "Maintaining the peace and order of Elwynn Forest is the duty of every citizen. Therefore, we accept this bounty."

-----------------

After the meal, the group went to find the town guard to get the bounty details.

Guard Thomas was in front of the notice board, posting newly arrived bounty notices. His back was to the street. He held a brush and paste, humming a little tune as he stuck parchment after parchment onto the wooden board.

Footsteps sounded behind him.

Without turning his head, Thomas said, "All the bounties are on the notice board. Have a look yourselves."

He finished posting the last one and turned around, his gaze casually sweeping over the group—

First glance: nothing special, just a bunch of travelers.

Second glance—

Wait a minute.

His gaze suddenly froze, locking onto Varian.

Oh my god!!!

Thomas's knees went weak; he almost knelt on the spot. His mouth was already open; the word "Your Majesty" was about to burst out—

"Ha! Thomas!"

An arm suddenly hooked around his neck and gave a hard squeeze.

Varian acted as if he'd met an old friend, warmly pulling Thomas close with an arm around his neck, while his other hand vigorously patted his shoulder.

"Thomas! We go way back!" His voice was extremely hearty. "How come you're a guard in Goldshire now? Long time no see!"

Thomas was being choked so hard he couldn't breathe. His face turned red, and he made "ugh, ugh" sounds in his throat.

He desperately tried to speak, to salute, to say something, but that arm was like an iron band, preventing a single word from escaping.

Varian continued holding him, smiling brilliantly.

"Really has been a long time. My friends and I wanted to take a look at Goldshire's bounty notices. We won't disturb you; we'll just look ourselves. You go about your business; don't mind us."

As he spoke, he gave Thomas's back a hearty slap.

Thomas staggered from the slap and finally caught his breath.

He nodded repeatedly, his eyes screaming, "I understand, I understand, I won't say a word!" Then he stumbled to the side, leaning against the notice board and coughing violently.

Allen pretended not to see and walked straight to the notice board.

The board was covered with notices: wanted posters for fugitives, rewards for lost livestock, and a few seeking missing relatives.

Allen's eyes scanned the parchments and quickly fixed on one of them.

Bounty: Lupos

Description: An enormous forest wolf with silver-gray fur and glowing red eyes. Suspected to be corrupted by shadow magic. Extremely dangerous.

Reward for killing Lupos, upon presentation of its head or complete carcass: 1 gold coin.

Below was a drawing.

Everyone gathered around to examine the drawing.

Stella's eyes widened.

"Wow—!" she exclaimed with delight. "What a cute little puppy!"

Everyone looked at her in silence.

That "little puppy" looked anything but cute.

Stella, completely oblivious, was still pointing at the drawing. "Look at its ears, they're perked up! So lively!"

Varian leaned in to look at the drawing, then turned to look at Thomas. The latter was still coughing, but the moment he felt Varian's gaze, he immediately straightened up, putting on an "I saw nothing" expression.

So Varian walked over and peeled the bounty notice off the board.

"This one," he said to Thomas, "I'm taking it."

Thomas nodded repeatedly, his manner practically screaming, "Take the whole notice board if you want!"

Varian rolled up the drawing, tucked it into his coat, and walked back to the group.

The carriage was ready, the horses were fed and watered, and the coachman was prepared to depart.

"Let's go," Varian said, swinging up onto his horse. He flicked the reins, and the white horse raised its head and whinnied. "Justice awaits us!"

Allen then declared with perfect confidence, "Mathias, on the way to Darkshire, teach me how to ride a horse!"

"Sure thing!"

Thomas watched them ride away, inwardly clicking his tongue. Who was this youth? To have the King himself personally teach him horsemanship?

Could it be Prince Arthas of Lordaeron?

-----------------

Stormwind.

The Nobles' Quarter, a luxurious banquet hall.

It was a perfectly ordinary noble soirée.

Yet not so ordinary.

Because tonight, everyone's gaze was, without exception, drawn to one person.

It was a woman.

She reclined on a divan in the place of honor, one long, elegant leg crossed over the other. Beneath her silk gown, her full curves were subtly visible.

She had long, raven-black hair and deep purple eyes. Her lowered lashes exuded a lazy allure, and the cutout at her chest revealed a breathtaking expanse of pale skin.

She merely sat there lazily, yet she made every other woman in the entire banquet hall pale in comparison.

The nobles flocked around her like moths to a flame, vying to pay her court.

"Lady Katrana, you are absolutely radiant tonight!"

"Lady Katrana, might I have the honor of inviting you to lunch tomorrow?"

Among them were barons, counts, even dukes—those lofty figures who usually looked down upon countless others. At this moment, they were like fawning lapdogs, hoping only to earn a glance or a smile from this lady.

And the lady merely lifted her eyelids lazily, occasionally giving a faint response, sometimes not even bothering to do that.

But the more aloof she was, the more fervently the nobles fawned over her.

Duke Marasmom pushed through the crowd, bowing as he approached the divan.

His face was plastered with an obsequious smile. If outsiders saw that expression, they would never believe it belonged to a duke.

"Lady Katrana," he began cautiously, "my sincerest apologies... His Majesty the King had agreed to receive you today, but a... situation arose at the last minute, so..."

Those purple eyes turned and gave him a cold glance.

Duke Marasmom felt his bones go weak under that gaze. He hurriedly continued, afraid of displeasing the lady.

"It's all my fault! All my poor planning!" He rubbed his hands together, suddenly seeming to remember something. "However, I have managed to find out something else for you!"

Those purple eyes narrowed slightly, seeming to show a flicker of interest.

Duke Marasmom, feeling immensely flattered, quickly said, "I don't know if it's your brother... that member of your family, Allen Prestor, has also recently arrived in Stormwind..."

He paused, carefully observing the lady's expression, then ventured:

"Shall I arrange for him to come see you?"

"Oh?"

A slight smile touched Lady Katrana's lips, and a glint of amusement flashed in her eyes.

"My brother?"

She crossed her legs the other way, a movement both elegant and lazy, yet it made all the nobles secretly watching swallow hard.

She extended a slender finger and lightly traced her own red lips, a gesture of extreme seduction.

"No need."

Katrana smiled.

That smile was breathtakingly beautiful, yet it inexplicably sent a chill down one's spine.

"I will pay him a visit myself."