Артас: Возвышение короля-лича

           Hehadopenedthepalacetoallthevisitingroyaltyandtheirretinues.SittingwithVarianlastnight,drinkingmeadandtalking,hadbeenthehighlightofthetripforArthassofar.Thehurting,traumatizedyouthofadecadeagohadgrownintoaconfident,handsome,centeredking.Somewherealongaboutearlymorning,aftermidnightandbeforedawn,theyhadgonetothearmory,fetchedwoodentrainingswords,andgoneateachotherforalongtime,laughingandrecountingmemories,theirprowessonlyalittletheworseforthealcoholthey’dconsumed.Varian,trainedsinceearlychildhood,hadalwaysbeengoodandnowhewasbetter.ButsowasArthas,andhegaveasgoodashegot.

           Butnowitwasallformality,incrediblyhotarmor,andanaggingsensethathedidn’tdeservethehonorthatwasabouttobebestoweduponhim.

           Inararemoment,ArthashadspokenofhisfeelingstoUther.Theintimidatingpaladin,who,sinceArthaswasoldenoughtoremember,hadbeentheveryimageofrock-solidsteadfastnesstotheLight,hadstartledtheprincewithhisreply.

           "Lad,noonefeelsready.Noonefeelshedeservesit.Andyouknowwhy?Becausenoonedoes.It’sgrace,pureandsimple.Weareinherentlyunworthy,simplybecausewe’rehuman,andallhumanbeings—aye,andelves,anddwarves,andalltheotherraces—areflawed.ButtheLightlovesusanyway.Itlovesusforwhatwesometimescanrisetoinraremoments.Itlovesusforwhatwecandotohelpothers.