Chapter 3

           "I’mveryproudofyou,Arthas,"saidhisfather."Steppinguptotheresponsibilitylikethis."

           IntheweekthatJainaProudmoorehadbeenwiththeMenethilfamilyasanhonoredguest,"responsibility"hadbeenthewatchword.NotonlyhadhistrainingwithMuradinbegun—anditwaseverybitasrigorousanddemandingasthedwarfhadwarned,thepainofsoremusclesandbruisesaugmentedbytheoccasionalringingcuffontheearwhenArthaswasnotpayingsufficientattentionforMuradin’sliking—butasArthashadfeared,UtherandTerenasalsodecideditwastimethattheprince’strainingwassteppedupinotherareas.Arthaswouldrisebeforedawn,grabaquickbreakfastofbreadandcheese,andgoonanearlyridewithMuradin.Theridewouldendinahike,anditwasthetwelve-year-oldyouthwhoalwaysendedupshakingandwinded.Arthassecretlywonderedifthedwarveshadsuchanaffinitywithstonesthattheveryearthmadeiteasyforthemtoclimbit.Backhome,bath,lessonsinhistory,mathematics,andcalligraphy.Amiddaymeal,thenitwasallafternooninthechapelwithUther,praying,meditating,anddiscussingthenatureofpaladinsandtherigorousdisciplinestheymustobserve.dinner,andthenArthasstumbledintobedtosleepthedeepdreamlesssleepoftheutterlyexhausted.

           He’dseenJainaonlyafewtimesatdinner,andsheandCaliaseemedtobethickasthieves.