Chapter 14

           Northrendwasthenameoftheland,DaggercapBaythesitewheretheLordaeronfleetmadeharbor.Thewater,deepandchoppywithanunforgivingwind,wasacoldblue-gray.Sheercliffsweredottedwithtenaciouspinetreessoaringupward,providinganaturaldefenseofthesmall,flatareawhereArthasandhismenwouldmakecamp.Awaterfalltumbleddown,crashinginabillowofsprayfromagreatheight.Itwasallinallmorepleasantaplacethanhehadexpected,atleastforthemoment;certainlynottheobvioushomeforademonlord.

           Arthasleapedfromtheboatandsloggedontotheshore,hiseyesdartingabout,absorbingeverything.Thewind,keeninglikealostchild,stirredhislongblondhair,caressingitwithcoldfingers.Besidehim,oneofthecaptainsoftheshipshehadcommandeeredwithoutconsultinghisfathershiveredandclappedhishandstogether,tryingtowarmthem.

           "ThisisaLight-forsakenland,isn’tit?Youcanbarelyevenseethesun!Thishowlingwindcutstotheboneandyou’renotevenshaking."

           Vaguelysurprised,Arthasrealizedthatthemanwasright.Hefeltthecold—feltitknifingintohim—buthedidnottremble.

           "Milord,areyouallright?"

           "Captain,areallmyforcesaccountedfor?"Arthasdidn’tbothertoanswerthequestion.Itwasafoolishone.Ofcoursehewasn’tallright.Hehadbeenforcedtoslaughterthepopulaceofanentirecityinordertostopaworseatrocity.JainaandUtherhadbothturnedtheirbacksonhim.