Illyrian knocked on the heavy wooden door, and Kelnas' voice echoed from within. "Come in, Illyrian." He walked through the door and took off his helm. A rare piece of elven architecture, it looked like a mask of the clergy, but was made from plates. It was known as the Judgement Crown. His entire armor set was known as the Judgement Regalia. A beatiful piece of work, made from white, black, red and gold plates.

Sitting down in the chair across from Kelnas he set his halberd down, and sighed. "They've retreated again. But, thats the last time. If they attack again....If they attack again, Kelnas, we won't be able to hold them back. We need to get ready to retreat."

Kelnas laughed. "Where would you have us retreat to, Illyrian? We've been abandoned by the Alliance, the Sunwell was been destroyed which means the Elves can't help..you yourself felt the pain in your body when the Well was defiled. The only reason you're standing is your ability to feed off the Light for strength. Dalarn was destroyed by the Legion...What else is there?"

Illyrian smiled sadly. "Northrend."

"What?" Kelnas said, blinking. "Northrend? Are you insane?"

The Elven Paladin shook his head. "No. I'm not. Well, not yet...but listen to me. Today...while I was fighting, a scout arrived from Quel'Thalas. Her name is Summerdawn Heartfire. I...she...we are betrothed."

The Human smiled. "Indeed?"

Illyrian blushed. "Yes. To her father's dismay she is not a mage, but a priestess. Or, rather she's a Cleric. Battlehardened. She escaped Quel'Thalas. She says that half the city is intact...but that there is a great Dead Scar going from the Plaguelands up through Quel'Thalas and Silvermoon all the way to the Sunwell Plateau." He shivered visably.

"She said that Arthas is still here, in Lordaeron. Infact, he is coming BACK to Captial City. That leaves Northrend almost undefended. There...is a small settlement there. In the  Howling Fjhord. It's called Valgarde. It's whats left of the group that ventured with Arthas to Northrend. They are staying to eke out a living. To defend Lordaeron from the front lines of the Citidel. And they've succeeded. But they could always use extra hands. Why not go?"

Kelnas frowned and looked down at his worn hands. In 7 months he had gone from child to old man. And his magics were darker than ever. He could now cause an enemy to be engulfed in flame, and wrack their bodies with any number of curses. He had several types of demons at his beck and call...he was a Warlock. No longer a mage. Infact, those powers of ice and arcane were no longer even available to him...

"What about you? What about your pledge as a Paladin?"

Illyrian snorted. "The Light can can bugger itself for all I care." He was removing his Judgement Plate as he spoke. "My people reveared it. We were blessed by it. Until it hid from Arthas like a dog. I care not." He dropped the last plate to the ground with a thud and walked to the cupboard, pulling out a set of elven plate, in it's greens and blues.

"Also...Summerdawn was saying that we are no longer Quel'Dorei. Prince Kael has renamed us in honor of those who fell."

"Oh?" Kelnas asked. "What is he renaming your people?"

Illyrian put a winged helm on his head and washed his hands over it. The blues and greens became reds and golds. "Sin'Dorei."

Kelnas nodded. "Children of Blood." He looked at the former Elf Paladin. His gold and red armor stood out to compliment his long blonde hair. His sword was gold hilted and a beautiful silver color. He had forsaken his spear in favor of that and a shield. A tall shield, shaped like a wing, in reds as well.  "What of your betrothed?"

Illyrian frowned. "Summer....is retrurning to Quel'Thalas. I forbade her to come with us. The Scourge will not return to Quel'Thalas. They'll need people there to rebuild. Even a Priestess without powers should be of help. I will not return. The war must be taken to the Lich King." He adjusted the belt and sheathe that held his sword, and then slung his shield onto his back. "Let's go."

Kelnas stood. "Very well. Round everyone up. We leave immediately."

"No." Illyrian said. "The Scourge will notice that. I've already chosen 200 of our best to accompany us. The rest will stay."

"But, they'll die." Kelnas said.

"Perhaps. Perhaps not. But we cannot afford to have the Scourge dogging us all the way to Menethil harbor."

Kelnas sighed. "You speak sense. My the Light forgive us for doing this."

Illyrian shook his head. "No may the Light be damned for forcing us into this position..." He tightened his swordbelt one last time, and left the room. Kelnas followed, scooping up his staff and wand as he did. Throwing his black cloak over his shoulders, he looked around the room one last time, then departed with the host of 200, striking out towards the Wetlands and Menethil harbor.