"We are all here, then?" Terenas asked, though of course he could see this was the case. Lordaeron's king did not miss much. "Good. Now then, we have all agreed that time is of the essence if we are to marshal our united forces and meet the Horde when it arrives. And we have all agreed upon our course of action?" Each of the other monarchs nodded, which surprised and further worried Lothar. They had still been arguing when he had given up and returned to his rooms late last night. When had they reached an agreement, and what was it about? But the king's next words told him clearly, and Lothar's blood ran cold as he heard the announcement clearly: "Then I hereby declare the founding of the Alliance of Lordaeron! We shall stand together as one, as our ancestors did long ago, in the Arathi Empire." The others nodded and Terenas continued. "And it is only fitting, then, that our commander should hail from that ancient ruling stock. We the kings of the Alliance do hereby appoint Lord Anduin Lothar, Champion of Stormwind, as our Supreme Commander!"

Lothar stared at Terenas, who winked at him. "It was the only way, really," the Lordaeron monarch explained quietly, his voice soft enough Lothar knew he was the only one to hear. "Each of them wanted to be in charge, and they were deadset against seeing another king in their place. You aren't a king so they don't feel anyone has gotten special treatment, but your bloodline makes you noble enough they don't feel slighted by being passed over." The king leaned forward. "I know it is a great deal to ask of you, and I apologize. I would not ask if it were not for our very survival, as you yourself warned us. Will you accept this charge?" The last words were spoken more loudly, Terenas's voice shifting back to formality, and silence crept across the room as the others all waited for Lothar's answer.

It did not take him long. He did not really have a choice, and Terenas knew it. He could not walk away from this, not now, not after all that had happened. "I accept the charge," he replied, his voice ringing through the chamber. "I will lead the Alliance army against the Horde."

"Very good!" Terenas clapped his hands. "We shall each go now to assemble our own troops, gear, and supplies. I suggest we meet again in one week to present our rosters and inventories to Lord Lothar, so that he may see what forces he has at his disposal and begin his planning."

The other kings muttered or nodded their agreement. Each one in turn came up to Lothar to congratulate him on his appointment and to pledge their full support, though from Perenolde and Graymane the statements seemed less sincere. Then the kings were gone, leaving only four in the room. Lothar glanced at Khadgar, who actually grinned at him.

"Out of the frying pan, eh?" the young—old mage asked, shaking his head. "And you let them talk you into that. Those clever bastards! They'd sell their own children if they thought it would win them even a single acre more to their domains! I particularly liked the way they just assumed you'd accept. But that's what happens when you have authority over others—you stop realizing that anyone else matters, much less has a say in events."

"Ahem!" The cough cut off whatever else the young wizard meant to say, and he looked up at one of the other men present, embarrassment plain on his face for once. "Not all authority is corrupt and self—serving, young man," Archbishop Faol pointed out, his normally jovial face stern. "There are those of us called to serve by leading, just as your friend here was."

"Of course, Father. Please forgive me. I did not mean to imply…I was referring to those of temporal authority only…of course you…" It was the first time Lothar had ever seen the normally smooth Khadgar too flustered for words, and he couldn't help chuckling at his young companion's predicament. Faol was laughing as well, in such a good—natured way Khadgar himself soon joined in.

"Enough, lad," Faol said at last, raising one palm. "I do not blame you for your outburst. And Lord Lothar was certainly maneuvered neatly into that trap. I must confess, however, that I too lent my weight to that decision. You are a good man, sir, and I believe you are our best possible choice for the Alliance commander. I, for one, feel better knowing you will be planning our battles and leading our forces."

"Thank you, Father." Lothar had never been a religious man but he had a great deal of respect for the Church of Light, and everything he had seen of Faol thus far had impressed him. To hear the archbishop praising him so warmly left him uncomfortable but proud.

"You will both be tested during the course of this conflict," Faol warned, his voice somehow deeper and richer than before, as if casting a pronouncement from some great height. "You will be pushed to the very limits, not just of your talents but of your courage and of your resolve. I believe you both capable of enduring such challenges, however, and of emerging victorious. I pray the Holy Light fills you with strength and purity, and that you find within it the joy and unity you need to survive and conquer." His hand rose in a benediction, and Lothar thought he saw a faint glow around the limb, a glow that spread to Khadgar and to him. He felt a sense of peace and serenity, and a surge of inexplicable happiness.

"Now, on to other matters." Suddenly Faol was just a man again, if an old and wise one. "First, what can you tell me of Northshire, particularly the abbey there? Did it survive?"

"I am afraid not, Father," Lothar replied. "The abbey is gone, torn to pieces. A few of the clerics survived and are in Southshore with the rest of our people. The rest—" He shook his head.

"I see." Faol had turned pale, but retained his composure. "I will pray for them." He fell silent, clearly lost in thought, and Lothar and Khadgar waited respectfully. After a moment the archbishop glanced up at them, and there was a new resolve in his gaze.

"You will need lieutenants for your army, sir," he announced, "and I think it best if some of those come not from the kingdoms but from the Church. I have several in mind, and a new order that I believe will prove valuable to the Alliance. I will require a few days to work out the details and select appropriate candidates. Shall we say four days from now, in the main courtyard, after the noon meal? I believe you will not be disappointed." He nodded pleasantly and then walked away without hurrying but with a steady stride.

That left one other. Antonidas had been watching them without a word, and now the elderly archmage approached them. "The might and wisdom of the Kirin Tor are at your disposal, sir," he told Lothar. "I know you were acquainted with our fellow wizards in Stormwind, so you have some sense of our capabilities. I shall appoint one of our number to assist you and serve as our liaison." The powerful wizard paused, his eyes flickering to Lothar's side so quickly he almost missed it, and Lothar suppressed a smile.

"I would ask for Khadgar to fill that role, sir," Lothar stated, catching the smile that touched the archmage's lips for just an instant. "He is already a trusted companion and has faced the orcs with me more than once."

"Of course." Antonidas turned to the younger man. Then, surprisingly, he reached out, cupping Khadgar's chin with one hand and raising his head to study his face. "You have suffered much," the archmage said softly, and Lothar could see the sorrow and sympathy in the older man's eyes. "Your experience has marked you, and far more than in your appearance."

Khadgar pulled his head away, but gently. "I did what had to be done," he replied quietly, rubbing absently at his chin, where Antonidas's touch had irritated the white beard hairs beginning to sprout there.

Antonidas frowned. "As we all must." He sighed, then seemed to shake off whatever heavy thoughts had burdened him, and returned to the matter at hand. "You shall keep us apprised of the situation on the field, young Khadgar, and communicate Lord Lothar's needs and requests as quickly as possible. You shall also coordinate the efforts of any other magi present. I trust this is within your capabilities?" Khadgar nodded. "Good. I shall expect you at Dalaran at your earliest convenience, that we may discuss other important matters and consider how we may best help the Alliance." The gem at the top of the archmage's staff flared to light, an answering gleam dancing from the gem at the crest of his skullcap, right between his eyes. Then Antonidas seemed to blur and fade and suddenly he was gone.