The Great Thief

Outside Stormwind, the Old Paladin got off his Gryphon and the guards led it over to the Flight Master where its resting spot was.

Stormwind was like the usual today. Compared to Darnassus, Stormwind was much more lively and noisy.

The noise did not only come from the blacksmiths who were forging weapons on their anvils near the hearth. Though this was like music to the Dwarves’ ears, to others, the rhythmic banging was quite annoying. As the busiest city in Azeroth, the main source of the noises came from the NPCs and players in the city.

It must have rained earlier on in the day. The air was filled with the moist fragrance of soil as well as the hint of freshly cut grass.

There were many players that challenged each other to PvP fights outside the gates of Stormwind.

Players in the same faction could challenge each other by planting a flag in the ground. It was different from normal PVP as the loser did not drop loot or lose EXP.

The guards at the gate would sometimes teach them a lesson or two. They were not to be underestimated as they were all veterans with a wealth of experience in battle. If the players were lucky, they might even be able to learn rare skills from them.

Lu Li and the Old Paladin entered the gates and saw the five familiar statutes.

“There should be a place here for Lothar,” the Old Paladin sighed as he looked up at the statutes. He was sad but not indignant. The five statutes that stood here were all legends that deserved his utmost respect and were all intertwined with Lothar.

Khadgar was represented by a statute of an old man. In reality, he wasn’t naturally old, but his youth was taken away by magic during the war. However, his wisdom and courage earned him the name of one of the greatest and most accomplished Wizards in the Alliance.

Below his statute, the inscription written by Arch Mage Antonidas read, “Never did one delve into the dark hearts of magic and warfare. We wish you well, bold wanderer, wherever you are.”

Ranger Captain Alleria Windrunner was the oldest of the three Windrunner sisters. Her inscription was written by her sister Sylvanas, Ranger General of Quel’Thalas.

It read, “Your heart flew straight as any arrow upon the wind, sister. You were the brightest of our Order. You were the most beloved of our kin.”

The third statute was General Turalyon and was inscribed by Lord Uther the Lightbringer.

“Esarus thar no Darador – By blood and honor we serve. You were the right hand of justice and virtue, old friend. Your name will be honored in our halls always.”

In the second war, Turalyon was tasked with assisting Lothar in the defense against the advancing Horde. Turalyon was also introduced to Alleria Windrunner and they had mutual feelings towards each other.

Because of Turalyon’s talent in combat and strategy, Lothar chose him as his lieutenant. In the Battle of Black Rock Mountain, Lothar was killed in combat by Orgrim Doomhammer. Turalyon took up Lothar’s shattered sword, disarmed Doomhammer and struck him unconscious. As Lothar’s lieutenant and sub-commander, no one questioned his right to lead and he led the Alliance Army to victory over Doomhammer.

The fourth statute was of Kurdran Wildhammerm, the Dwarf Gryphon Master of Aerie Peak. The Lord of Aerie Peak Falstad Wildhammer had written, “We will hear Sky-Ree’s calls upon the winds. We will hear your hammer thunder across the mountaintops. Ride hard into the hereafter, brother. The halls of our ancestors await you.”

The last statute was the Militia Commander of Stromgarde, Danath Trollbane. The inscription had been written by Lord of Stromgarde, Thoras Trollbane and read, “We honor your memory, nephew, and your sacrifice. Since the founding of our glorious empire, the path to valor has always been drenched with the blood of heroes.”

The five were also referred to as the Five Heroes of the Dark Portal or the Sons of Lothar.

They weren’t actually the children of Lothar, however, to commemorate their fallen commander in the Battle for Blackrock, they called themselves the Sons of Lothar.

As they were about to part ways, Lu Li bluntly spilt out his request.

“I came here because I was instructed by my teacher to investigate someone and I might need your help, sir.”

Though the quest was not a main quest, it was an important one to advance in the game.

“I don’t know who your teacher is, but I accept your request. The Brotherhood of the Horses will be at your service,” the Old Paladin declared as he blew on his whistle and a few fully armoured Stormwind Guards came running over.

Lu Li was ecstatic because he knew how powerful these Stormwind Guards were. Based on the pattern on their chest plates, they were all members of the Stormwind Knights.

“Where do you want to go?” the Old Paladin asked.

“Do you know someone called Major Samuelson?” Lu Li only knew the name and not where he was located at.

A Major in a small town or village would most likely be the highest ranked officer in the area. However, in Stormwind City, which was the largest human city, there were Majors and Commanders everywhere.

“Samuelson? What’s his full name?” The Old Paladin hadn’t heard of this name.

Lu Li shook his head. It appeared that the quest wouldn’t be as simple as he first thought it would be.

“I know a Samuelson, but I don’t know if he’s the one you’re looking for. I heard his hometown was invaded by Ogres. He was moved from Silithus to Stormwind a couple years ago. He’s usually a pretty low-key guy and doesn’t go out of his house often. I don’t think he would have anything worth investigating over,” one of the knights mentioned.

“Silithus?” Lu Li’s expression changed as he recalled what he knew about this place.

Lu Li has been to Silithus. There were two large groups there – the Cenarion Circle of Elves and followers of the Twilight Hammer.

The followers of Twilight Hammer were mostly members of the Horde and had very few humans. They would perform bizarre rituals and investigate old ruins in an attempt to gather information about the Ancient Gods.

“That’s who I’m looking for; please bring me to him,” Lu Li said confidently.

He was told to investigate a spy of the Twilight Hammer and according to the descriptions given by Garona, this human soldier was likely a dangerous person.

Everyone saw the stern expression on Lu Li’s face and since their captain did not bother defending Samuelson, there was nothing they could do except to follow orders.

As they approached the camp site, Lu Li decided to scout out the area and heard someone reciting something.

“In the beginning was shadow eternal.

Hate blazed forth, and FIRE was born.

Wounds scabbed, and so begat EARTH.

Cries of anguish birthed howling WIND.

Wherein the skies wept seas of TEARS.

We live in the shadow,

The world we know

Built of rage, hurt, anguish and sorrow.”

It must have been some sort of a chant that they recited as Followers of the Twilight Hammer. Lu Li was well-read in his past life of the lore in the game and read something similar in a camp post in Mount Hyjal. They called this the Twilight Apocrypha.