The test

Mages gathered at the top of the Violet Tower for a standard discussion of events that took place in the world of magic and beyond. Only today, the meeting was different from what it was before. And all because of the fact that a magician named Meryl came to the council. He was not a member of the Council of Six, nor was he a citizen of Dalaran. But the Council of Six respected him and was even somewhat afraid.

And it was because of what. Meryl Winterstorm is one of the most powerful magicians of humanity, who has been walking the earth for a little over three millennia. He is no longer a living person, but a magician in the body of an undead. The members of the Council of Six reasonably thought that he could easily create a new body for himself and disappear. But that didn't happen.

"Meryl," said the head of the Council of Six, named Krasus. "Why did you summon us?"

Only the head of the council of Six could speak to Meryl that way. Not only because he held a high position in Dalaran. No. Krasus was a high-elf who was many tens or even hundreds of years older than Meryl. He was a powerful magician as well as a clever sapient. And he also had another little secret that no one knew about.

"What happened?" The aged magician asked. "Speak if it's important."

"Antonidas," said Krasus to the magician. "Keep calm."

"I came with information," Meryl nodded. "I am sure it will be interesting to you. During my travels, I tried to find possible routes for the Burning Legion's demons to enter Azeroth. They do not have anyways."

The mages of the Council of Six agreed. They knew about it. Some members saw the danger of the Burning Legion as well as the demons themselves in real life. And if other, simple magicians did not really think about it, then the Council of Six knew about danger well. Every war that took place around them was closely scrutinized for influence from the Burning Legion.

"As you already know, for the demons to get here, they need to open a passage," said Meryl.

"But we have Guardian Medivh," said one of the mages of the Council of Six. "I'm sure he can handle the demons just like Aegwynn did."

"I don't know," Meryl said. "I'm still in the process of searching for information, but something tells me that nothing is simple with him."

"Do you suspect him of betrayal?" asked Krasus, and rubbed his chin. "If you're right, then the Burning Legion is closer than we all thought."

"I want to be wrong," the mage breathed, and then added, "But so far everything suggests that the Burning Legion has not given up its interest in taking over our world."

"And one more thing," added Meryl. "I was investigating that strange spatial anomaly that scared us so much."

"So?" asked Krasus. He remembered well that morning when all his senses were alarmed by ripples in the surrounding space. And not only was he scared. The dragons also began their investigation.

"By combining my data with that of the dragons, I came to the conclusion that this anomaly was not related to the Burning Legion and demons," Meryl said. The mages sighed. "What do your artifacts say?"

"Our artifacts, which have survived since the founding of the Council of Tirisfal, also did not notice a drop of demonic energy in that man," Krasus said. Antonidas nodded his head as he was the one conducting the check. He even sent his friend Sentinel to take part in this verification operation. To do this, this mage had to be pulled out of the depths of his laboratories.

"In conclusion, I can say that he is no different from other magicians," said Meryl. "But he is definitely not an emissary of the Burning Legion either. I checked that too."

"How?" asked Kras. The conversation was already coming to an end, and therefore he was interested in the details of this operation.

"I created several dozen magical constructs that attacked him, and then attacked his village," said Meryl. "I have not noticed anything suspicious."

"Very good," Krasus nodded.

"It seems to me that we should continue to monitor him," Antonidas said. "If he is not a member of the Burning Legion, then why is he here? You need someone to keep watching him from a very close distance."

Antonidas was, as always, in his repertoire. Suspicion and paranoia were a big part of his personality. All the magicians of the Council of Six knew this, and they could do nothing about it, but only accept him as he is.

"I agree," Meryl nodded. "Perhaps I'll take it up myself."

"Excellent," Krasus nodded. "What else is on our agenda?"

Many more issues needed to be resolved, as all the powerful wizards are here.

***

The morning was beautiful. Nobody and nothing buzzed overhead. The sun's rays, even if they made their way through the windows, were still not annoying and unpleasant. They didn't even shine in the eyes. It has been a long time since I had such a pleasant morning. Now I am full of strength to act.

My father had already woken up and was now shaving, using a sharp knife. As I touched my face, I felt a little uncomfortable. Yes, I also need to get rid of it, otherwise, I have no desire to walk with a beard.

"Did you get enough sleep?" asked my father, continuing to shave. He looked at the blade of the knife to see his reflection. And when he saw him, he nodded his head contentedly and continued to shave, or walked again over the same place where he had been before.

"Yeah," I answered him and went to wash. Today will be another day that I will spend finally getting my chance to learn. I have ten gold coins on my account. I wonder how many years of study this will give me ... I don't think it will be any easy times, but I'm not going to back down. And all to discover something new in magic. Something that will help me reach the very edge of it and understand the structure of time and space. And maybe something more. I want to find such an intelligent person who will be ready to walk this long way with me in the future.

When we were ready, we went downstairs to take breakfast. The tavern hadn't changed at all overnight. Only it became a little quieter and calmer. There were already so many intelligent people who drank and just talked. The rare tables were busy. The same rare people sat behind them.

On the walls were the skulls of some large animals. Yesterday I did not notice them, but today they appeared before me in their full beauty. The bar counter was also decorated with carvings, in which there were completely unknown symbols to me. I just didn't understand what the story is in these pictures, and okay.

Breakfast was brought to us very quickly. It was some kind of soup and also a hot tea drink. It was all inexpensive, so we could eat our fill today. All this time, the father was silent and thought hard about something.

"What worries you, father?" I asked him.

"Nothing special," he said and looked away. It seems that he does not want to dump his problems and thoughts on me. "I just think about what to do in the future. You don't have to worry. I will solve all these problems myself."

"Okay," I nodded to him. "Then what are you going to do?"

"I don't know," my father said to me. "Come on. At six o'clock in the evening, we will meet here, and then we will discuss the day's achievements. How do you like that?"

"Sounds good to me," I nodded to him. It's not a bad idea to split up and go about your business, and only discuss it. But I still wonder what is going on in my father's head. Well, I will find out later.

Leaving the tavern, I went towards the Mages' Chamber of Commerce. The city lived its own life. People went about their business and did not pay attention to others at all. Only if they were weird. I was not strange as I looked like a simple traveler. I had my travel clothes and a bag that I brought with me.

Now you need to work and become a magician. I feel as if I was at the start, and I just have to wait until the shot to start my race. Startled, I shook my head and went back to my thoughts. When I am enrolled in training, I will need to study the world's situation around me. It is necessary to roughly understand in what time interval I ended up and how much time there is before the attack of the demons.

So in thought, I got to the Chamber of Commerce. There were a few more people here today than before. Perhaps it is because it is still morning. Mages traded, communicated, and read some books and scrolls. Young boys and girls gathered in companies and discussed some exciting issues. They were so lighthearted and joyful. Each of them was stronger than me, I felt it. But I also felt that if I put effort into my training, I would definitely become more potent than these youth. I have the motivation to learn.

Inside, the Chamber of Commerce has not changed at all. Even most of the magicians who were involved in the trade were the same. Exhaling, I walked over to the wizard, who could provide me with some information. He was a simple clerk in this building and had very little magical power. Although I don't think you need to be strong to work in the Magic Chamber of Commerce. Experienced battle mages and guards are here for protection and protection.

"Excuse me," I turned to the clerk, who was filling out some forms. He raised his head. It was a young guy, about twenty years old. His blue eyes looked intently and interested. "Can you tell me where I can communicate with the Varana mages?"

"Do you want to study?" He asked me with a smile. "Then you need to go to the second floor. It is there that the recruitment for training takes place. There you can leave a request or contact the desired group of magicians. In your case, these are the magicians of Varan. They will be in office number two."

"Thanks," I nodded to him.

"You are welcome," the magician answered me and returned to his business.

The staircase that led to the second floor was wide, and half diverged into two others, which led to a long corridor with statues of knights. Lighting poured from transparent, white crystals. There were much fewer magicians here than on the first floor. The office I was looking for was at the very beginning of the corridor. So, we can say that I was incredibly lucky and now I can quickly do all these things.

After knocking, I went inside. Several magicians were seated at the tables. There were a few ordinary people on the chairs who were not wizards or were about the same level of strength as me.

"Is there a queue?" I asked one sorceress.

"Yes," replied a young guy in very expensive clothes instead of her. "I'm the last in line. You will be after me."

"Okay," I replied.

The mages looked at me with interest and talked. They were assessing my clothes, and they discussed something in a low voice. I did not listen to them, since I will most likely not hear anything flattering about me there. So why spoil your mood in the morning. Nobody prevented me from looking at the clothes of these people. And I can say that all of them were more expensive than mine. And this already says something. Surely they belong to wealthy families who are willing to pay for their studies here.

"Do you know how much it costs to study?" he asked me a young man with a rustic face. "Two gold coins in six months at least. Are you sure you have enough money to pay for your own tuition? "

"You don't have to worry about it," I told him. "You better think about how you will study."

"Well, well. Good," boy nodded. "And don't say later that you were not warned. "

I said nothing. Why say something? One magician looked at the hourglass that had just stopped and cleared his throat. He got up and stepped forward to stand in front of us.

"Good morning, gentlemen and ladies," he said. "Now, we will conduct your testing, and only then will we decide which program you will study. Since there are a bit more of you today than usual, we will divide you into two groups. Three people in each."

Another magician came out and very quickly divided everyone. I ended up in a group with a girl and another guy I don't know anything about. They did not pay attention to me at all, which was only a plus for me. We were ushered into a small office where the forms were.

"You must fill out these forms and submit the answers," said the magician. "You have one hour for everything."

My bandmates exchanged glances and then quickly sat down at the tables. I followed them and started reading the questions.

It was an examination of knowledge of various magical rules, laws, and other important information. Having glanced over all the questions, I realized that I could definitely answer a little more than half of all questions. The other part was more difficult, as it involved trick questions. Ignoring the others, I sat down and start to answer.

In an hour, I was able to answer most of the questions. I left unanswered only a few because I simply did not know what was required of me there. The lexicon in question was too incomprehensible. Too clever. Perhaps these are questions for advanced magic users who have already been trained and are full-fledged magicians who wanted to improve their skills in a different direction.

Then the magician collected these forms from us and took them back to the waiting room. There was already another group there. They looked somewhat tired, but also pleased. After about twenty minutes, another magician came out to us.

"Follow me," he said without any introduction or introduction. "Now is the time for a practice test."

We went into a small room, and then the magician quickly cast a spell. A rose flashed in his hand, and we were sucked into the portal. The move was very comfortable and exciting. This is the first time for me that I travel somewhere with the help of magic. Only because of the very presence of portals is it worth learning magic. After all, these are such opportunities for studying the surrounding world.

"This is where you test your practical skills," said the magician. "Everyone will receive their tickets with questions and, in turns will go to the center and demonstrate. I will be the inspector, as well as the magician Voliber.

Voliber approached us quietly and handed us tickets with questions. We could choose any of them and then step aside. When I pulled out mine, I was in no hurry to read it.

"You have five minutes to get ready," Voliber said.

The appearance of this magician was rather strange. If you look at him like that, you can understand that he very much resembles a bear. He had a lot of magical powers, which was very calm. But I well feel that as soon as someone pisses him off, the magic will pour out in a stormy stream.

"Who will go first?" asked one of the participants in this exam. No one answered, as no one wanted to go first. I nodded my head and took a step forward. My questions weren't easy. In general, this practical exam consisted of three levels of difficulty. There were the simplest spells that any magician can master at the first level, even if he does not have a large reserve. The second level was already a little more complicated, but I think I can pass it. The third level was the most difficult, and after reading the questions, I realized that I would not be able to pass them.

"Will you be the first?" asked the magician who accompanied us here.

"Yes," I answered him.

"State your first and last name."

"Alistair Bumblebee," I told him.

"Excellent," said the magician, making some notes in his wallet. After that, he snapped his fingers and we were surrounded by a strange wall of energy. "It won't let others watch you take your exam.

"Got it," I told him, then added quietly. "I understood everything."

"Get started."

The first level of difficulty of the practical exam was easy to pass. All that had to be done, I knew almost by heart. Most of the information was in my great-grandfather's diary and books. Another smaller part was in the books that Argar sold me. If not for them, then some spells would be much more difficult for me.

After each spell, the magician left some notes in his paper and nodded to something all the time. It seems to me that he murmurs some melody to himself and, at the same time, continues to observe me. How interesting.

The second level was already much more difficult. At the first level, I did everything economically, as I thought that something could happen that I did not have enough energy. And it helped me. If I wasted energy thoughtlessly, now I would not be able to make half of the necessary spells from the second level of difficulty.

"Okay," said the magician and wrote something down in his wallet. "Now, the third level."

"I'm done," I answered him and shook my head. "I will not be able to create a single spell from the third level, since they are unknown to me. Besides, I won't have enough mana for them."

"Hmm," said the magician and gave me an attentive look. "I see. Then you are free. You will wait until all the others have passed their practice. Then we will head back to the Chamber of Commerce."

"Okay," I nodded to him. After that, the barrier that surrounded us disappeared. I turned my back on the magician and walked away from the examination area. While I reached the other students, they barely perceptibly tried to push the girl forward. You know, I really don't like that. They look like some kind of frightened children. In their place, I would just go ahead and try to show myself as best I can. But what they are doing now, sending someone else in front of them ... This is mean.

The girl went next. The remaining guys were whispering among themselves, trying to be brave. They shared their questions and tried to find answers to each of them. I wonder what the magicians will say to this later. They will probably not be pleased with this.

After about two hours, the practical exam was completed. We all went through practical testing and teleported back to the room we left from. After that, we were left in the waiting room with the words: "Wait, they will call you."

Having sat down in places, we began to wait. The guys talked to each other, but I tried to meditate and somehow improve my condition. After so many spells, I feel more empty than ever. It was difficult because I wanted to sleep all the time. First, they called one of the guys, whose name I never found out. After that, the girl was called. Compared to the first guy, she sat there long enough, and after that, she came out very happy. The girl wanted to hide it, but she didn't quite succeed.

"Alistair Bumblebee," a familiar voice called to me. Getting up, I brushed off my clothes and walked through the open door. It closed behind me while making a slight sliding sound. I will not say that it was pleasant to my ear, rather annoying.

Three magicians were sitting there. Among them was Voliber, an unknown magician who took the exam, and a tall, aged woman. Her gray hair fell into a beautiful deep purple robe. The woman's eyes were dark in color, and a little exhausted.

"Have a seat," the woman said in a creaky voice. I sat down on the indicated chair and waited. "We have evaluated your skills and have already managed to draw up a sample program for your training. The only thing I need to know is what you want to study yourself."

"Hmm," I drawled, slightly bewildered. "I thought there would be groups ..."

"Of course not," Voliber said and grunted. "Everything will be very simple. You can go to any teacher at any time, but do not interrupt his lesson if he teaches another person or group. You can team up with people of your own level of magic, or you can study yourself."

This sounds interesting since I have never thought of such a training system. It all depends on the student. Nobody will force him to study if he does not want to. And the second question ... What program did they develop for me? I'm sure I'm not unique in this case, and they already have examples of people like me.

"So, what direction did you choose?" asked the old sorceress.

"I didn't think about it," answered her question. "I am interested in magic in general and not just one direction."

"I see," the magician nodded that he never gave his name. "Okay then. Are you a citizen of Dalaran?"

"Yes," I replied and lit a tattoo on my arm.

"Excellent," the mage nodded. "Then the price for you will be three gold coins per year. These three gold pieces do not include room and board. But you can get them by adding one extra gold per year. "

Three gold coins per year. An interesting price, if I weren't a citizen of Dalaran, I would have paid four gold for a year. I need to find out what is included in this price.

"And what does it include?"

"Library, teachers, laboratories and training grounds," the sorceress quickly recited. "It also includes training tools and ingredients."

"Quite a lot," I said. Yes, that's really a lot. For me, this should be a paradise for a whole year, and then I will think about the next one, whether I should take on it or not.

"Well, what do you think?" asked me Voliber. "Is this something you want to take?"

"Yes," I replied, after some time of deliberation. "Let me pay for the first year first, and only then for the next."

"Of course," Voliber nodded. "Three gold coins."

After paying them, I received a small card that was made from some kind of magical material. It was an artifact that confirmed that I was a student of Varane's magicians. Also, there was a map that appeared in the form of a hologram. It marked teachers with their images and the subject they teach. There was also a pass to the laboratory and training fields. Multifunctional thing.

I hung it around my neck, mentally promising not to take it off again.

"This is your plan," said the witch. "First, you need to improve your knowledge of theory. As a beginner magician, your practice is not bad, but the theory leaves much to be desired. After that, I advise you to practice general magic for several months, without dispersing your strength on the rest."

"Okay, thanks," I said.

"Here everything is covered in more detail," said the woman and handed me a rolled paper. "There is also all the miscalenious that you need to buy for study."

"Got it," I replied.

"From tomorrow, you can start studying," said the sorceress.

After leaving this office, I exhaled and looked at the young magicians' faces who were still sitting there. I wonder what program they will receive and what they will do in the future. Shaking my head, I went out into the corridor and then outside. Time has long been moving towards evening. How good.

The cold breeze washed over the body with its soft hands. The sorcerers continued to go about their business, as did other sentient beings. Now we need to think about where I will live and what I will eat. Living in a tavern will be too expensive, so you need to look for some kind of apartment or room in the house. Such should be. Besides, I shouldn't forget about my father, who also has to live somewhere. I still have enough money for this.

***

Blackhand was a tall orc. Tall, dangerous, and strong. His eyes were deep-set, his brows furrowed. It seemed as if he was frowning at something. However, those who knew him for a little longer than one day never saw him with a different expression on his face. Blackhand has always been dissatisfied with his status. The lust for power could easily cloud his mind and turn him into a cruel animal.

He sat in the tent and stroked his massive sword, which was "resting" in his lap. Gul'dan sat opposite him. It was the same tall orc shaman. His face was somewhat ugly, but that didn't matter. His eyes were still burning with fire and inner strength. Blackhand saw it and also felt something akin to him. But what, he could not understand in any way.

"I don't know, Gul' dan," Blackhand said, and shook his massive head. "Oh, I don't know."

The shaman just grimaced imperceptibly. It was he who invited Blackhand to communicate with his entire clan. They agreed. And now Gul'dan felt responsible. And he didn't like it. He wanted power, but not responsibility. The Orc Shaman even had to explain why he invited Blackhand here.

Gul'dan had some understanding of the orc that sat above him. He also sensed a certain kindred spirit in him, but what was even more vital, he knew well about the easy stupidity of this leader of the Blackrock clan. So it seemed to him that it would be easy to manipulate him. Now that the orcs united to fight a common enemy - the draenei, they needed a leader.

"Ner'zhul is a wise, good leader," Gul'dan said, and ate a small piece of dried meat. He felt that a small piece was stuck in his teeth, and he tried to pick it out with a claw and then continued, "He is a good shaman. But it was decided that from now on, that I am the best leader for the orcs in these times."

Blackhand grinned at that. Of course, the best, because there is no previous one. The orc was well aware of his people's traditions and well understood by what methods one orc can get the place of another. Surely the remnants of Ner'zhul now lie somewhere in the ground, rotting and decaying.

"And a wise leader must surround himself with reliable allies," Gul' dan continued. "Strong, submissive, well-performing assigned tasks. Those who will receive more rewards for their loyalty and service than they could even imagine." the shaman took a sip from a large glass and added it. "Power, strength, wealth."

Blackhand tensed slightly during this speech. He did not really want to be in a subordinate position, but what was said at the end made him a little pleased. He looked at his seven shamans, who were huddled to one side. The servants of Gul'dan spent time with them. The shamans of Blackrock looked terrible. Lost, weak, and pathetic.

"You asked to bring the shamans," Blackhand decided to turn the conversation into another channel. "Maybe you even know what happened to them?"

Gul'dan just exhaled and sipped from his glass, which was made from an orc skull. Blackhand mentally compared it to his memories of what the skull of Ner'zhul was still alive. Could it be that this skull belongs to him? Anything can be.

"I heard, I heard," said the shaman. "The spirits no longer obey them."

"They say it's all because of the wrong war…" Blackhand breathed. It's good that this happened not only for him but also for other clans. Without the shamans, others would have simply crushed them.

"What do you think?" he asked Gul'dan softly as if peering into the heart itself. It was not very pleasant.

"I don't know," Blackhand breathed. "The ancestors say one thing, but the spirits are already gone."

Blackhand had some suspicions about the ancestors. And they were not even connected with Gul'dan, but with another creature that the shaman spoke about. But, he preferred to keep his thoughts to himself and not to voice them.

"We are a proud race," Gul' dan said calmly. "At times, it is difficult for us to accept that our knowledge is small and weak. And Kil'Jaeden and the creatures at his fingertips ... ah, Blackhand, what power, what secrets they possess! And they are ready to share this power with us!"

The shaman said all this with considerable expression, not only with delight but also with excitement. There was even a slight smell of smoke around him.

"For them, we are just foolish children, but they are ready to teach us and show us the true path," Gul'dan said with a slight reverence. Then he added: "The power of the elements is unreliable, you cannot rely on it. They can leave in the middle of the battle, leave helpless, to the destruction of our enemies."

Blackhand frowned. What the shaman just said happened to the orc squad itself. They survived only by a miracle. The shamans were completely useless and had to flee. This made Blackhand angry and furious, but there was nothing he could do about it.

"I'm listening to you carefully," Blackhand said, leaning forward slightly.

Gul'dan grinned at this, then began to softly say:

"Imagine just what you could have done, having at hand shamans who do not pray to spirits for power, but always have it at hand, control it! Imagine: these shamans may have servants who also fight the enemy, capable of turning the enemy into a stampede, draining their magic clean, like a summer gnat sucking blood. Or distract, interfere with focus on the battle."

Shaman ... although what a shaman he is. He had already managed to give up everything that connected him with spirits in the past. Blackhand's nostrils widened. It was clear that he imagines such battles, as well as his victories in them. His fist clenched tightly.

"I would have won," said the orc. "I would almost always win."

"True," Gul'dan exclaimed and clapped his hands together.

"Aren't you lying to me?" asked Blackhand and leaned forward a little, trying to examine the face of the shaman. Trying to see at least something in there that would indicate a lie. "Isn't this a deception?"

"Oh no-no," Gul'dan said, also leaning closer. "Be sure the leader. I have already experienced this myself, and so that you no longer suspect and doubt, I will teach your shamans everything that I know myself."

Blackhand was well aware that Gul'dan would teach his shamans everything he knew.

"I also know how to make you and your warriors stronger, more dangerous, and fiercer," Gul'dan whispered in a seductive tone. "You just need to reach out and take it."

"Hmm," Blackhand held out and rubbed his sword. Yes, he wanted to get stronger.

"I cannot spend all my time talking to the leader of any clan who wants to come to me. Some agree with the path chosen by you and me ... and those who disagree."

"And what's next?"

But Gul'dan was slow to answer, thinking. He looked somewhere into the distance and so far did not show his excitement.

Blackhand picked up a twig and poked it into the fire. A sheaf of sparks rose into the sky, which instantly extinguished. It was beautiful, but also dangerous.

After some thought, Gul' dan finally spoke. This should have been a turning point.

"I see two governments for the orcs. One is with an openly elected leader, with actions that are open and clear to everyone. The second is the shadow of the first, hidden, secret. And powerful. This ... this Council of Shadows will only include those who are devoted to us and our cause, willing to sacrifice everything for its success."

"I see," Blackhand nodded. "The leader is on sight, and the true ruler is behind."

Guldan grinned. He liked that Blackhand got it quickly. Of course, he saw that he had already managed to catch him somewhat on the hook. Now it remains only to completely plant the orc on him.

"That's right," the shaman replied.

" Where will I go?" asked Blackhand. He put the twig aside and looked closely at his interlocutor. He wanted to see a drop of contempt there to plant his sword deeper in the neck.

"Both councils," Gul'dan replied calmly. "You will become the leader of a new tribe of orcs, a new… new Horde. And you will become a force in the Secret Council. We cannot work together without trusting each other."

But Blackhand didn't trust the shaman a single gram. And it seemed to him that he did not trust him the same way. They could be useful to a friend-friend. The orc did not have those specific skills that are needed for full power. And Gul' dan himself did not need the strength and power that the leader of Blackrock Mountain needs. They were not competitors, but only complemented each other.

"You said you would teach my shamans new magic? The one you studied yourself? Will you make them invincible?" asked Blackhand quietly. He was already ready to agree. It was only necessary to clarify the last questions.

"I will teach them myself, and if they succeed in teaching, they will take their rightful place among my new apprentices, warlocks. Warlocks ... that's the name of the new shamans. An ominous, powerful word. Must match the new charm. Warlocks. And the shamans of the Blackrock clan will be the first among them."

Gul'dan spoke confidently, the more he bribed the chieftain. Although, as he bribed ... He wanted strength and power. Now all that remained was to take it and savor it slowly.

"Blackhand, Chieftain of the Blackrock Clan, what will you say in return?" With a slight touch of grandeur and solemnity, said Gul' dan. He looked intently into the eyes of the other orc and already saw the answer—the answer he needs.

Blackhand deliberately turned slowly to Gul'dan, and said:

"I will say: long live the Horde! And it Shadow Council."

Gul'dan grinned and raised his goblet of drink. This was another step towards the fulfillment of plans.

***

Durotan sat in front of the fire, and with him was his wife, as well as the chief shaman. In addition, his friends were somewhere nearby. The dispute was heated but did not cross some invisible border. Everyone remembered what had become in the sacred fields. What Gul'dan did has sunk into the hearts and souls of the Frostwolf Orcs. Do not burn with unpleasant memories or joy. No. This event became for them that stone in their souls, which will pull them down all their lives. And it will only depend on them whether they can live with him or not.

The desecration of all ancestors, that's what happened in those fields near the sacred mountain. He felt the unnatural stillness that had reigned after Gul' dan used his magic ... To the Frostwolf Chief, it seemed so wrong, terrible, and ... nasty. But there was nothing he could do, and to let his clan survive, he would have to take a step that would make him hate himself.

"All right," the orc said heavily. "I am allowing the Frostwolf clan to learn new magic."

He rubbed the skin of the wolf and looked up at the head shaman, who bowed respectfully. Such actions from a shaman were rare.

"Thank you, Chief," he said, squeezing his hand in a respectful gesture. "You won't regret it."

Durotan said nothing. Everything that needs to be said was already said. All decisions have been made and considered. Now you need to continue to live on and wait for the results of these decisions. Perhaps they will indeed prove useful in the future.