Артас: Возвышение короля-лича

           Andagain,hedrewhissword,andstabbedhisdevotedfriendthroughhisheart.

           Butthistime...thistimeherealizedthathewasholdingacompletelydifferentswordthanthesimple,basicweaponhehadheldatthatdreadfulmoment.Thistimetheswordwashuge,twohanded,beautifullyfashioned.Runesglowedalongitslength.Coolbluemistwaftedfromit,coldasthesnowinwhichInvinciblelay.Andwhenhewithdrewthesword,Arthasdidnotfindhimselfstaringataslainbeast.InsteadInvinciblewhickeredandleapedtohisfeet,completelyhealed,somehowstrongerthanbefore.Heseemedtoglownow,hiscoatradiantratherthanmerelywhite,andArthasbolteduprightfromwherehehadfallenasleepoverthemaps,tearsinhiseyesandasobofjoyonhislips.Surely,thiswasanomen.

           Themorningdawnedfrigidandgray,andhewasupbeforefirstlight,eagertobegincombingthelandforsignsofthedreadlord.Hewashere;Arthasknewit.

           Butthatfirstday,theyfoundnothingmorethanafewpocketsofundead.Asthedayspassed,withmoreandmoreterritorycharted,Arthas’sspiritsstartedtosink.

           Intellectually,herealizedthatNorthrendwasavastcontinent,barelyexplored.Mal’Ganiswasadreadlord,yes,andtheclustersofundeadtheyhadfoundthusfarwouldlikelybeagoodindicatorofhispresence.Butnottheonlyone.Hecouldbeanywhere—ornowhere.