//------------------------------// // 14. A Prize in the Violet Citadel // Story: Sunset in Azeroth // by RIPoste //------------------------------// “It is our greatest pleasure to host you at the Violet Citadel, Prince Arthas.” Archmage Antonidas said, “On behalf of the Magocracy of Dalaran, I hope that you will enjoy your stay here in our city.” What in the world is he doing here? Sunset did not let her questioning show on her face, especially not when the blonde prince and some six knights were looking right at her, Archmage Antonidas and Archmage Modera. In truth she should not even be present among the welcoming party, but Jaina had been unavailable and Archmage Antonidas had requested her master, Kel’Thuzad, for her presence at such an event, citing her close ties with the Proudmoore family as a reason why she would be qualified as a substitute for the only royal representative in the city. Naturally, he agreed, if only for completely different reasons. And so, here she was, on the fields outside Dalaran, watching as the prince and the Archmage exchange pleasantries. Though, she could not help but feel something off about the entire thing. It had been only a few weeks since she had left Stormwind City to return to Dalaran alongside Jaina. As such, Sunset, in all honesty had not expected to see the blonde prince again so soon. “This is Apprentice Sunset Shimmer,” Sunset looked up at the prince as Archmage Antonidas introduced her. “She will be acting as your guide for today.” “It is my pleasure, Prince Arthas.” Sunset said, bowing deeply, as she had been instructed to. “The pleasure is mine.” Prince Arthas flashed a charming smile at her. Thankfully for Sunset, she was hardly bothered by it, having acquired an immunity to such smiles during her time spent in Canterlot city. “Now that introductions have been concluded.” Archmage Antonidas gestured to the open gates of Dalaran behind him, “Shall we enter the city, Prince Arthas?” “Please,” Prince Arthas smiled. “Lead the way.” The walk into the city was a quiet one. After all, magi were not often that impressed by the arrival of political visitors, unless they were magi themselves. As such, there were no great welcoming crowds to shower rose petals for the prince as there were at his inauguration ceremony only a few weeks back. Thankfully, Prince Arthas seemed hardly concerned with the lack of attention. Perhaps it was a nice change of pace for him, or it was because he never had wanted to revel in the attention. Still, Sunset could admire the fact that he hardly seemed concerned with the absence of any sort of fanfare. They made it into the Violet Citadel without any incident. However, when they entered the hall, Sunset could not help but widen her eyes in surprise. After all, it was not every day that one sees a ten foot wide portal in the entrance hall of Dalaran, and with an elven delegation exiting it. “Prince Kael’Thas!” Archmage Antonidas exclaimed, surprise evident on his features, “you have returned!” “Indeed,” The tall elven prince smoothed out his robes and strode out from within his escorts, his mouth curled into a graceful smile as he gave a respectful bow to the Master of the Kirin Tor. “It is good to be back in the Violet Citadel, Antonidas. While the forests of Silvermoon were refreshing as ever, it appears that I am too well accustomed to life in Dalaran.” The elven prince chuckled, before he turned his eyes over to the Archmagus’ companions. “Ah, Prince Arthas,” Kael’Thas nodded, a sign of respect to an equal, “I had heard you were coming, though I had thought that I would arrive later than you.” “We were slightly delayed on the road,” Prince Arthas smiled as he returned the gesture, “perhaps it is a sign of good fortune that we both arrived at the same time, Prince Kael’Thas.” “Indeed.” Antonidas agreed, before turning to Modera, “would you inform the rest of this recent development? Tell them that we would have to move the dinner to the ceremonial room, I believe that it will be large enough for the occasion.” Turning back to the two princes, he smiled. “Perhaps I will have you all showed to your rooms? I am sure that you all must long for time to prepare for tonight.” “Pardon me, Antonidas.” Kael’Thas interjected. “I require a bit of your time before that.” His eyes briefly glanced towards Prince Arthas. “Alone.” “I see.” Antonidas turned towards Prince Arthas, his face apologetic. “My sincerest apologies, Prince Arthas, it appears I will have to take my leave. Duty calls. Sunset?” “Yes, Master Antonidas?” Sunset stepped forward.   “Please show the Prince to his room.” Antonidas instructed before nodding at the prince. “Your highness.” As Antnidas and Kael’Thas left the entourage, Sunset stepped forward to grab the group’s attention before gesturing down a corridor. “If you’ll follow me, Prince Arthas.” “Of course.” The prince grinned, “anything for a beauty.” Is there a world where a prince is not a shameless flirt? Sunset suppressed the desire to roll her eyes, instead forcing out a smile before she turned and led the group towards the guest quarters. They walked in relative silence, most of the Kirin Tor that passed them offering no more than a cursory greeting or a passing glance. Or at least, until Arthas began to talk. “Sunset,” Arthas began, causing her to look back at the prince, “can I call you that?” She nodded. “I had heard from my father, King Terenas that there was a red headed girl that had accompanied the Proudmoores to my inauguration ceremony. That is you, isn’t it?” “Yes, Prince Arthas, that would be me.” “I see. May I ask what’s your relation with Jaina?” Jaina? Sunset blinked. Twice. Why would he be interested in Jaina? Oh. A prince was asking her about a princess from another country. Of course, that’s what was going on. A sudden surge of protectiveness rose within Sunset, but she suppressed it. Besides, there will be plenty of chances to set the prince that was seeking to court Jaina on fire later. Not now, not when she had other priorities. “She saved me when I was a child.” Sunset replied as she resumed walking. “I see.” Arthas replied as he followed, his entourage close behind him. “And what do you think of her?” Sunset paused and thought about it. What did she think about Jaina, truly? Jealous? Definitely. Love? No. Friendship? Stretching it a bit. Still, while her master Kel’Thuzad had wanted her to be closer to the Proudmoore’s to obtain some precious connections, for some reason, Sunset had never found it in herself to abuse Jaina’s trust in her.  “She’s… like an older sister, I suppose.” A very annoying yet helpful older sister? Perhaps. “Sounds like you admire her.” No, I do not. “Yes, I do.” Sunset had never been so glad when she spied the door of the guest quarters come into sight. With a gesture, the doors flung themselves open before her, revealing the lavish chamber before her. No, she’s not envious that her own chambers were sparsely decorated compared to the guest chambers. Still… “I hope you would find that the accommodations we prepared are to your satisfaction.” Sunset said as she stood aside, letting the Prince and his entourage admire the guest chambers. “If you wish for assistance, feel free to contact one of the servants using the bell on the table. It has been enchanted to immediately inform them when rung. Do you have anything else you might need for the moment, your highness?” “No, no thank you.” Arthas replied cordially. Sunset nodded. “Then I shall take my leave, your highness. Should you need me to show you around Dalaran, simply inform a servant that you need me.” “Alright then, I’ll keep that in mind. You may leave, Sunset.” Bowing deeply, Sunset turned and exited the room. “Quite the cold lass, isn’t she, my prince?” Captain Falric, the leader of Arthas’ retinue commented as the door of their chambers slammed shut behind Sunset Shimmer. He was a tall, brown haired, clean shaven man with stern features that was mismatched with the grin that he was now sporting on his face. “Indeed Falric,” Arthas chuckled as he taught back to Sunset’s expression when he had asked what she had thought of Jaina. The girl evidently thought very highly of the young Proudmoore lady, but apparently was unwilling to admit it. Still, Arthas frowned, for a moment he felt a brief surge of killing intent from her. Perhaps it was just his imagination? “Well, she’s still a beauty though.” Captain Marwyn said as he removed his helm, letting his black hair fall freely. “But I thought that you are going to be courting Lady Jaina?” He grinned, “unless you are entranced by tha-” “Finish that sentence, Marwyn, and I will be having you clear out the stables with the squires for a week.” Arthas muttered good naturedly, earning a bout of laughter from his men. Shaking his head, he headed to the door. Seriously, the gall of his men! “My prince, where are you going?” “For a walk,” Arthas grinned. “No need to follow me.” Sunset made her way down to the dungeons in a huff. No, the conversation with Prince Arthas had not unsettled her in any way. However, for some unbeknownst reason, she could simply forget the prince’s words. Maybe she would forget about it when she immersed herself in her own research. After all, Sunset could feel that she was on a breakthrough on a spell that could help manipulate a Water Elemental’s shape without hurting it. That was, of course, provided that the Prince did not send for her. Reaching the door to her master’s sanctum, Sunset muttered the codeword, causing the wooden structure to swing open dramatically. She was not prepared, however, for what was inside. Her master, Kel’Thuzad was there, of course, and so was his pet cat, Mister Bigglesworth. However, can someone please explain to her why is there a trio of green bubbles holding a rat each rolling about on the table? “Ah, apprentice, back from guiding the Prince of Lordaeron?” Kel’Thuzad smiled. “Yes, Master.” “Good, I suppose that you would be pleased to know that Jaina has finally returned from her mission. So, she would be sharing your work in showing Prince Arthas around.” Jaina was back? Sunset smiled at the news. Still, it couldn’t actually be a good idea, would it? To have her accompany the prince around? “As such, I have determined that it was time for you to enter a new stage for your training.” Kel’Thuzad continued, seemingly unaware of his apprentice’s misgivings. “While you have passed your tests remarkably and had established relations with important people of the land, I have to impart to you the most important aspect of being a mage trained under me.” He turned and gestured, and immediately, all three green orbs flared mightily for a brief moment, and the light died down to reveal the blackened corpses of three rats. So… I need to be ruthless enough to kill critters? Sunset thought dryly, but looked on attentively as she noticed her master tracing symbols and runes she had never seen before in the air. Then one of the corpses twitched. At first, Sunset thought it was her eyes playing tricks on her, but her eyes widened when the three very dead rats stood up began to move sporadically about the table. “The want, nay, need to peer into the unknown that no other magi had never ventured before.” Kel’Thuzad smiled. Necromancy. The word echoed in Sunset’s mind. A school of magic where magi bends the souls of the dead to their will and raise them in bodies that no longer had any right to function as one of the living. Her master had been practicing Necromancy… “This is the final stretch for us. I am on the verge of a breakthrough, close enough to find the secret of Undeath.” Kel’Thuzad proclaimed proudly. “With you and the rest of my apprentices at my side, I am certain that we will soon succeed. Then we can reap the rewards of our hard labor.” “And what is the secret of Undeath, Master?” Kel’Thuzad looked at her with an upraised eyebrow, almost as if he was amused that she would ask such a question. “Why, immortality, of course.” Immortality? That offer did sound very enticing. Still, there was one last question to make before she could decide anything. “And what do I have to give in return?” Kel’Thuzad’s smile only grew wider. “That’s the beauty of it. You have to give nothing that you possess to achieve it. Merely your time and effort that you placed into the research.” Sunset blinked. Then smiled. “Then I will have no objections, Master Kel’Thuzad.”