Артас: Возвышение короля-лича

           Atfirst,mostofthemdidn’tevenreachforweapons;theyknewthetabards,knewthatthemenwhohadcometokillthemweresupposedtobeprotectingthem.Theysimplycouldnotgraspwhytheyweredying.PainclenchedArthas’sheartatthefirstonehestruckdown—ayouth,barelyoutofpuberty,whogazedupathimwithincomprehensioninhisbrowneyesandgotoutthewords,"Mylord,whyare—"beforeArthascriedout,asmuchinanguishatwhathewasbeingforcedtodoasanythingelse,andcavedtheboy’schestinwithahammerthatheabsentlyrealizedwasnolongerradiantwiththeLight.PerhapstheLight,too,grievedthedirenecessityofitsactions.Asobrippedthroughhimandhebititback,willeditback,andturnedtotheboy’smother.

           Hethoughtitwouldgeteasier.Itdidn’t.Itjustgotworse.Arthasrefusedtoyield.Themenlookedtohimforanexample;ifhewavered,theywouldtoo,andthenMal’Ganiswouldtriumph.Sohekepthishelmonsotheywouldnotseehisface,andhimselflitthetorchesthatburneddownthebuildingsfullofscreamingpeoplelockedinside,andrefusedtoletthehorriblesightsandsoundsslowhim.

           ItwasareliefwhensomeofthecitizensofStratholmebegantofightback.Thentheself-defenseinstinctkickedin.Theystilldidnothaveachanceagainstprofessionalsoldiersandatrainedpaladin.Butitmitigatedthathorriblesensationof—well,asJainahadsaid,slaughteringthemlikefarmanimals.

           "I’vebeenwaitingforyou,youngprince.