Chapter 2

           Arthaswasfrustrated.

           Hethoughtwhenwordhadcomeabouttheorcsthathe’dfinallybeginserioustraining,perhapsalongsidehisnewbestfriend,Varian.Instead,exactlytheoppositehappened.ThewaragainsttheHorderesultedineveryonewhocouldswingaswordjoiningthearmedforces,rightdowntothemasterblacksmith.Variantookpityonhisyoungercounterpartanddidwhathecouldforawhile,untilatlasthesighedandlookedsympatheticallyatArthas.

           "Arthas,Idon’twanttosoundmean,but..."

           "ButI’mterrible."

           Variangrimaced.Thetwowereinthearmoryhall,sparringwithhelms,leatherchestpieces,andwoodentrainingswords.Varianwenttotherackandhungupthetrainingsword,removinghishelmashespoke."I’mjustsurprised,becauseyou’reathleticandfast."

           Arthassulked;heknewVarianwellenoughtoknowthattheolderprincewastryingtosoftentheblow.Hefollowedsullenly,hanginguphisownswordandunfasteninghisprotectivegear.

           "InStormwind,westarttrainingwhenwe’requiteyoung.BythetimeIwasyourageIhadmyownsetofarmorspecificallydesignedforme."

           "Don’trubitin,"Arthasgrumbled.

           "Sorry."Variangrinnedathim,andArthasreluctantlygaveasmallsmileback.Althoughtheirfirstmeetinghadbeenlacedwithgriefandawkwardness,ArthashaddiscoveredthatVarianhadastrongspiritandagenerallyoptimisticoutlook.