Артас: Возвышение короля-лича

           Arthasfoundthatstayinguplatethenightbefore,sippingwineandfillingeggswithcandyandothertreats,wasnotquitetheboringtaskitwouldhavebeenhadJainanotbeentherewithhim,herbrowfurrowedintheendearingfashionhehadcometorecognizeashersandhersalone,asshecarefullyandintentlyfilledtheeggsandsetthemaside.

           Whiletherewasstillnopublicannouncement,ArthasandJainabothknewtheirparentshadspokenwithoneanother,andtherewasatacitagreementthatthecourtshipwouldbepermitted.SoitwasthatmoreandmoreArthas,belovedalreadybyhispeople,wassenttorepresentLordaeronatpublicfunctionsratherthanUtherorTerenas.Withthepassingoftime,UtherhadincreasinglywithdrawnintothespiritualaspectoftheLight,andTerenasseemedmorethancontenttonothavetotravel.

           "Itisexcitingwhenyouareyoung,totravelfordaysonhorsebackandsleepunderthestars,"hetoldArthas."Whenyouaremyage,though,horsebackridingisbestleftforrecreation,andthestarsonecanglimpsebylookingoutthewindowarequitecloseenough."

           Arthashadgrinned,divingwithpleasureintothenewresponsibilities.AdmiralProudmooreandArchmageAntonidashadapparentlycometothesameconclusions.Formoreandmoreoften,whenmessengersfromDalaranweresenttoCapitalCity,LadyJainaProudmooreaccompaniedthem.

           "ComefortheMidsummerFireFestival,"hesaidsuddenly.