Артас: Возвышение короля-лича
Chapter 7
Anyonewhowishedcouldapproachthefieryeffigy,tossabranchintothecrackingflames,andinsodoingmetaphorically"burnaway"anythinghedidnotwishtocarryintothequiet,deepreflectiontimeprovidedbywinter’senforcedinactivity.
Itwasapeasantritual,sprungupfromtimeimmemorial.Arthassuspectedthatfewnowadaystrulybelievedthattossingabranchintoafirewouldreallysolvetheirproblems;evenfewerbelievedthatcontactwiththedeadwaspossible.Hecertainlydidn’t.Butitwasapopularcelebration,anditbroughtJainabacktoLordaeron,andforthosereasons,hewaslookingforwardtoit.
Hehadalittlesurpriseforherinmind.
Itwasrightaftersunset.Thecrowdshadbegungatheringinlateafternoon.SomehadevenbroughtpicnicsandmadeaneventoutofenjoyingthelastfewdaysoflateautumnamongthehillsofTirisfal.Therewereguardsstationedabout,keepinganeyeoutforthemishapsthatoftenhappenwhenlargenumbersofpeoplearegatheredinoneplace,butArthasreallydidn’texpectanydifficulties.Whenhecameoutofthepalace,cladinatunic,breeches,andcloakofrichautumnalhues,cheerserupted.Hepausedandwavedattheonlookers,acceptingtheirapplause,thenturnedandextendedhishandtoJaina.
Shelookedalittlesurprised,butsmiled,andthecheersnowliftedhernametothedarkeningskyaswellashis.ArthasandJainawalkeddownthepathtothegiantwickermanandstoodbeforeit.
