"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.
"He wants to know about Medivh," Khadgar said several seconds after the archmage had vanished.
"Of course." Lothar turned and led the younger man out of the throneroom, back into the rest of the palace. There he turned and began walking in the direction of the dining hall.
"What should I tell him?" The young wizard fell into step beside him.
"Tell him the truth," Lothar replied, shrugging and hoping the gesture looked casual. Inside, his stomach churned. "They need to know what happened."
Khadgar nodded, though he did not look pleased. "I will tell them," he said finally. "But that can wait until after lunch." He grinned, an expression that showed his true age despite the hair and wrinkles. "The Horde itself could not keep me from food right now."
Lothar laughed. "Let us hope it does not come to that."
A few days later Lothar and Khadgar returned to the main courtyard. They had eaten and drunk their fill and were now waiting for Archbishop Faol to arrive. He appeared after a few minutes and walked calmly out to meet them.
"Thank you for indulging me," the archbishop said as he reached them. "I would not take up your time but I believe this may prove of great help to you and to the Alliance. But first," he announced, "I would tell you, Sir Lothar, that the Church has pledged itself to Stormwind's aid. We shall gather funds to help you rebuild your kingdom, once the immediate crisis has passed."
Lothar smiled, one of the first genuine smiles Khadgar had seen from him since Stormwind had fallen. "Thank you, Father," he said, his voice husky with gratitude. "That means a great deal to me, and will to Prince Varian as well."
Faol nodded. "The Holy Light will fill your home once more," he promised gently. Then he paused and studied both of them in turn. "When we spoke last," Faol began, pacing before them, "you told me of the Northshire abbey's destruction. I was dismayed, and wondered how the rest of my clergy could possibly survive this war that approaches so rapidly. Clearly these orcs are a threat even to sturdy warriors like yourself—how, then, can a mere priest defend himself, much less his congregation?" He smiled, a truly beatific expression. "And as I felt these concerns, an idea appeared to me, as if brought by the Holy Light itself. There had to be a way to ensure that warriors fought for the Light and with the Light, using both its gifts and their own martial prowess, and still behaved in a manner appropriate to the Church's teachings."
"And you found a way?" Lothar asked.
"I have," Faol agreed. "I will establish a new branch of the Church, the paladins. I have already selected the first candidates for this order. Some were knights before but others were priests. I chose these men for both their piety and their martial prowess. They will be trained, not only in war but in prayer and in healing. And each of these valiant fighters will possess both martial and spiritual power, particularly in blessing themselves and others with the strength of the Holy Light."
He turned and beckoned, and four men emerged from a nearby passage, walking briskly over to Faol. They each wore a gleaming plate with the symbol of the Church emblazoned upon their chest, upon their shield, and upon the crest of their helm. Each man carried a sword and Lothar could see from the way they walked that these men knew how to handle themselves. But the armor and the weapons were still new and utterly unstained and undented. They had the knowledge and the training but Lothar wondered if any of these men had ever faced real combat. Those who had been warriors before must have, though perhaps only against human foes, but the former priests were most likely experienced only in sparring with their fellows. And they would be going up against orcs almost immediately.
"May I present Uther, Saidan Dathrohan, Tirion Fordring, and Turalyon." Faol was beaming like a proud father. "These will be the Knights of the Silver Hand." He introduced Lothar and Khadgar as well. "This is Lord Anduin Lothar, Champion of Stormwind and Commander of the Alliance. And his companion, the wizard Khadgar of Dalaran." Faol smiled. "I shall leave you six to discuss matters."
And he did, leaving Lothar and Khadgar surrounded by the Paladin candidates. Some of them, like the lad Turalyon, seemed overwhelmed. Others, like Uther and Tirion, were more relaxed.
Uther took the lead, speaking while Lothar was still wondering what to say to them. "My lord, the archbishop has told us of the upcoming battle, and of the Horde's approach. We are at your service, and at the service of the people. Use us as you see fit, for we would smite our enemies and drive them forth, shielding this land with the Holy Light." He was a tall, powerfully built man, with strong, vaguely familiar features and stern eyes the color of the ocean. Lothar could feel the man's piety as an almost physical presence, very much like Faol's own but lacking the archbishop's warmth.
"You were a knight before?" he asked.
"Aye, my lord," the Paladin candidate replied. "But I have been a follower of the church and a devout believer in the Holy Light since my youth. I first met the Archbishop when he was merely Bishop Faol, and he was kind enough to serve as my spiritual advisor and mentor. I was honored when he told me of his plans for a new order, and offered me a place among them." Uther's jaw tightened. "With the coming of these foul creatures, I know we will need the Light's blessing to defeat them and protect our lands, our homes, and our people."
Lothar nodded. He could understand why the man had turned to faith as an answer, or at least part of an answer. And he had no doubt Uther would be a powerful force on the battlefield. But something about the man's zeal unnerved him. He suspected Uther was too focused upon honor and faith to use less noble methods of success, and that would not hold well here. Lothar himself had learned from bitter experience that, when dealing with the orcs, honor alone was not enough. To survive against the Horde they would have to use every means necessary.
He and Khadgar spent the next hour or more speaking with the four potential paladins, and Lothar was pleased to see that his young friend was also sounding them out. After the holy warriors had left to attend afternoon prayers Lothar turned to the old—seeming wizard.