Артас: Возвышение короля-лича

           Hehadofferedeverythinghehad—hadhebeenrefused?Hadhefailedyetagain?

           Andthenwithalowgroanthatmadehisbreathcatch,asuddencrackranupthesmoothsurfaceoftheice.Itraceditswayupward,zigzaggingandspreading,untilArthascouldbarelyglimpsethesworditheldwithinitsheart.Thenhewasstumblingbackward,clutchinghisearsatthesuddenloudcrackingnoisethatfilledthechamber.

           Theicycasketencasingtheswordexploded.Shardsflewacrossthechamber,swordsthemselves,sharpandjagged.Theyshatteredagainsttheunyieldingstonefloorandwalls,butevenasArthasdroppedtohisknees,hisarmsflyingupautomaticallytocoverhishead,heheardacrysuddenlycutoff.

           "Muradin!"

           Theimpactoftheiceshardhadknockedthedwarfbackseveralfeet.Nowhelaysprawledonthecoldstonefloor,aspearoficeimpalinghismidsection,thebloodsluggishlyflowingaroundit.Hiseyeswereclosedandhewaslimp.Arthasscrambledtohisfeetandhastenedovertohisoldfriendandtrainer,tuggingoffhisgauntlet.Heslippedanarmaroundthelimpform,placinghishandonthewound,staringatit,willingtheLighttocomeandlimnhishandswithhealingenergy.Guiltrackedhim.

           Sothiswasthedreadfulprice.Nothisownlife,butthatofafriend.Someonewhohadcaredforhim,taughthim,supportedhim.Hebowedhishead,tearsstinginghiseyes,andprayed.

           It’smyfolly.Myprice.