Артас: Возвышение короля-лича

           He,ArthasMenethil,hadreturnedhome.

           Hehadsentwordaheadofhistriumph.Ofdiscoveringwhohadbeenbehindtheplague.Ofsearchinghimout.Ofslayinghim,andofthisday,hisgloriousreturntohisplaceofbirth.AshestrodealongtheroadtowardCapitalCity,onfoot,hewasgreetedwithcheersandapplause,thegratefuloutpouringofthanksofanationsavedfromdisasterbytheirbelovedprince.Heacceptedthisashisdue,buthismindwasonseeinghisfatheraftersolong.

           "Iwouldspeakwithyouinprivate,Father,andtellyouofthethingsIhavelearnedandseen,"hehadwrittenintohisletter,deliveredafewdaysearlierbyaswiftcourier."Youhave,Iamcertain,spokenwithJainaandUther.Icanimaginewhattheyhavesaid—triedtoturnyouagainstme.IassureyouIhaveonlydonewhatIbelievetobethegreatestgoodforthecitizensofLordaeron.Intheend,Ihavedestroyedtheonewhobeganthisplagueuponourpeople,andIreturnhomevictorious,eagertobeginaneweraforourkingdom."

           Thosewhomarchedbehindhimwereassilentashe,theirfacesascowled.Thecrowddidnotseemtorequiretheirresponsetowildlycelebratetheirreturn.ThemightydrawbridgewasloweredandArthasstrodeacrossit.Thecheeringthrongswerehere,too,nolongercomprisedofcommoners,butofdiplomats,lessernobility,visitingdignitariesfromtheelves,dwarves,andgnomes.Theystoodnotjustinthecourtyardbutalsoaboveitinviewingboxes.