Chapter 40: In depth conversation with Sylvanas

The next day, there was no training and Lireesa decided to give all expeditionary rangers one day rest. Her plan went as usual and there wasn't any change. Tomorrow, they would leave the manor and carried out their mission, skirmishing with trolls. Lireesa had Sena's back in terms of logistics and air force. All Windrunner dragonhawk riders were now under the command of Sena, to facilitate her troops scouting and communication. Alleria spent her remaining time with her sisters, joining their game happily and gossiping all rumors before she departed alongside her unit members. Even though Alleria successfully accomplished and even exceeded the targeted goals of required course training for the rangers, she couldn't bring down her nervousness. Real combat experience could only be encountered during true battle and no repeated amount of trainings was able to replace.

The current Lireesa never sought to place her daughters in the battlefield positions. In her views, daughters were meant to be pampered and cherished protected from storms and hazards. But, like a great sage once said, it was better to teach one how to fish than to give one a fish. Survival in the end relied on oneself and how long could Lireesa sheltered her home. When the risks were still small, Alleria should be sent out under her supervision, preparing for the upcoming strong wind. It was the best option. The same applied to the rest of her daughters. She already planned to send them out for experience while some factors could still be controlled. Besides, none of her daughter were persimmons and Blizzard had portrayed them as champions. The future had told her daughters never had once humiliated their mother.

Lireesa, at the moment, kneaded her forehead in annoyance because she discovered the absence of Sena had created a vacuum in the chain of command. She trusted her sister and completely delegated her power. Now as soon as she took the post, her head grew big. Normally, this shouldn't occur because there were other ranger-captains available for the temporary post. However, her old comrades Sariria and Tarilia were both married and roamed around the whole Quel'Thalas together with their husbands. The two sisters unrelated by blood still remained close enough even after the wedding as if they were twins. Many thought so based on their similar behaviors. These two were actually fitted for the required roles. Lireesa in fact awaited their return, because she knew even if they were far away, as long as they received the news of her husband death, they would come back.

Until then Lireesa was no longer free as previous times and must serve as a qualified lord. Lireesa only had protest against her predecessor who definitely distanced herself from governance and indulged her love. Fortunately, her discipline never allowed her to miss her everyday training. If not for her trustworthy confidantes—Sena and Ella—Lireesa wondered what the state of her Windrunner noble house would become as.

Lireesa scanned quickly through official documents one by one inside the office room in her manor unaware evening had arrived. She raised her hands high and stretched her exquisite waist, displaying her protruding delicious curves, her thin willow waist itched others to hug Lireesa. She then cracked her neck a few times. Her body was stiff from having any movement for a long time. She leaned on her couch and slanted her head upwards, closing her eyes to rest. A knock came outside. She simply said without even bothering to change her pose. "Come in."

The door creaked and slammed shut. Sturdy footsteps clacked the smooth tiles on the floor and echoed across the room. Based on the way the visitor closed the door and her anxious pace, not bothering etiquette, Lireesa knew it was someone familiar. As soon as the visitor got closed, body fragrance blew into her nose and Lireesa immediately distinguished, the comer was Sylvanas. Despite only very few days being in this world, she was already acquainted with various scents of her daughters and her close friends. Lireesa crossed her finger in front of her stomach and the rest of the posture didn't move. She asked: "What bring you here darling? Judging by your anxiousness, is there anything you're worried about?"

Sylvanas sat down in front of the desk without any pretense and leaned toward her mother. Rubbing her hand continuously, she asked, "Did you plan to send Alleria to fight trolls outside?"

"Why not?" Lireesa replied unhurried and opened her eyes. She saw Sylvanas wavering eyes and fidgeting fingers, totally uncommon for her second daughter who used to be mischievous in everything to show such worries. "It's just war, nothing unusual. Sooner or later you all must face it. Alleria is just early."

"But I saw her looked nervous and hesitant in this expedition, even if she pretended nothing happened." Sylvanas quickly spoke. It wasn't unusual for her daughters to notice the mobilization and preparation, and straightaway guessed there would be war. Sylvanas probably guessed this battle was the retaliation movement in regard to her father's death. Sylvanas usually acted like a naughty child but she surely had an adult mindset. Some of her visions were mature and it appeared her talents was no less than Alleria.

"It's overconfidence and arrogance your mother is worried. But from your tone, her state of mind is the best." Lireesa gently answered and smiled at Sylvanas she thought too far. "Everyone will initially fear at some point for the unknown. Your elder sister isn't used to the occasion and her mind wander around too much. I'll comfort your sister later on. Don't worry."

"But it's the first time for her and I think Alleria is still too young to fit into warriors' role." Sylvanas still hadn't given up her ideas to keep Alleria from this expedition. At first, she thought her mother put Alleria in the guard units to only let her familiarize and prepared for her post before adulthood. Now, not only preparing the post, it seemed her mother wanted Alleria to quickly grow up from experience. Of course, Sylvanas realized her mother would never put any of her child in danger. Since childhood, she experienced the protectives of her mother. That was also the reason she desired to uncover from Lireesa, why placed Alleria in such a hurry where her mother should have sent out only after Alleria became 300 years old.

Lireesa as one of old foxes already understood Sylvanas's deep hidden thoughts, but she couldn't bear to burden her yet like Alleria. She might be clever and scheming but her strength still wasn't enough to shoulder such task. Moreover, her age was incomparable with Alleria and she was too young in the minds of other elves. Sena and Ella relented allowing Alleria to enter her guard's unit due to her persistence. If she did the same to Sylvanas, she had no idea what her friends would do to her. Anyway, it would never be good.

Lireesa agreed with Sylvanas's statement, but personally she rendered all of her daughters were older than her in terms of mental age in the previous life. If she wasn't in fusion with predecessor's memories, she would never have realized how her children would have played with her.

"There'll always be the first to everything. If you never take a step forward, you'll never walk the road. After Alleria's first time, she will become capable. Her age is just the number. With her mature mind and your Aunt Sena's protection and guidance. She'll do fine. Besides, I didn't really send all my guards to a deadly situation." Lireesa waved her hands lightly and her every movement calmed the young daughter's mentality because she discovered her mother was in control of the whole situation.

"That infamous never-serious Aunt Sena is taking care of my sister," exclaimed Sylvanas, her eyes wide and her pupils constricted, not convinced her mother delegating Alleria under other's care. Lireesa choked on her own saliva and coughed severely. It was uncomfortable and congested in the throat. Her daughter now even had the ability to incapacitate with words. A high realm indeed. Her fist patted her chest to release her breath and exhaled contently afterward. Lireesa thought in her heart, Sena, what have you done to earn such reputation. Even my daughter lost her confidence as soon as she heard your name.

Complaint was certainly there, but first she had to save Sena's status in Sylvanas's heart. She said after a long breath, "You aunt might appear mischievous and carefree, but she'll become solemn when the situation dictates. Don't take the words of other lightly. Although she is indeed unconvincing and playful, as someone who fought alongside together, I assure you with myself, her character is trustworthy and your sister is the safest staying beside your aunt."

Sylvanas agreed with her mother. Otherwise, her mother wouldn't easily delegate her power. But listening to her mother's word, why each sounded like it was describing her in the process. It must be her brain disease problem again.

Ignoring what Sylvanas was currently thinking, Lireesa continued: "Alleria is never alone. She is teaming up with veterans who have tons of experience and will protect your dear sister. She is actually the safest in the whole group."

Suddenly, Sylvanas said suspiciously: "Mom, have you never stopped the idea to pass on your inheritance to Alleria. To inherit your position and becoming the ranger-general. You already promised us."

Lireesa gaze stayed on Sylvanas for a long time, making her daughter unnerving and Sylvanas saw even pity from her mother's eyes. Just when she hated such feeling, she noticed her mother's mood change from pity to doting. Lireesa contemplated Sylvanas future and discovered she really had no desire and goals to pursue on her own terms. After disagreement with Alleria, Lireesa was heartbroken and trained Sylvanas as her heir. Sylvanas didn't resist, maybe because she abhored disappointing her mother. All the path she walked on were imposed by others. Became a ranger-general and she served her duty to the end. Became a banshee, driven by vengeance and her followers, Sylvanas avenged her grievance. She became the Forsaken leader chosen by others to lead onward for their survivals. She became warchieft to ensure her race wasn't bullied and frown upon. She never ever had walked on her own path. All her steps were imposed by others—moral kidnapping, responsibility, or obsession to pursue her own dreams. Deep inside her, despite her smile and laughter, coldness never dissipated, and it followed to her heart.

Lireesa stood up and treaded behind Sylvanas, her hands over her Sylvanas's shoulder. Lireesa bent down and whispered gently to her ears. "What makes you say that? My own words, I'd never go back. I'm not for inheritance. In this world, what is one important factor keeping away from danger."

Protected by others, Sylvanas knew but her mother disagreed such thoughts. As independent woman, given by others must never be taken lightly. So, the only remaining option was. As expected by Lireesa, Sylvanas ceased to disappoint her and answered. "Strength. It is the paramount of everything."

Lireesa nodded and said, "Good, I'm glad you understand. Without it, even if you have happiness, it's given by others not achieved yourself. I ask Alleria to experience, what is it for?"

"Strength."

"If her dream is to travel around the world, what does she need?"

"Protection from dangers. She must have sufficient strength."

"Of course, not everything is won by strength, but they are your support. Why is our Windrunner looked up by others and also a little feared by nobles? Strength is one factor. Another is responsibility. Our family is responsible to guard Quel'Thalas from trolls. It is such responsibility and duty, we're respected in Quel'Thalas. Now, you want to help your sister, but you cannot. Why?"

Sylvanas answered gritting her fist unwillingly. "Because I'm too weak."

Lireesa came in front of her and squatted kneading Sylvanas's knee dotingly. Her eyes filled with tenderness; she spoke: "No, you aren't. You are just not ready. You amaze me always Sylvanas. You understood strength is nearly everything but not the entirety. You'll soon figure it out. Your sister, Alleria doesn't. She thinks different from us. So, I have to guide her in the process. But you, my daughter, knows now what you must do. My advice to you is to keep practicing at your own pace without haste, because a tight string will become completely slack or break at some point. You have time and when you have enough capability to protect yourself, I'll let you enter the guard unit. Mother will always be there for you. If I had discovered your mindset before, I would've train you to be my heir though."

Sylvanas listened her mother seriously and already planned out her path. For now, she would never be lazy again in the morning practice. She would never oversleep. This was her first step. When she heard her mother's last sentence, her eyelids twitched. It appeared mother had never relinquished the inheritance problem.

"Born in Windrunner house, it's always a duty to become warriors and each of your sisters will go through this process. At the end of the day, what will you do if I disappear from the world." Lireesa added. "I want you girls to be capable when I left one day."

"Mother, you won't. You'll live very long. You're the most powerful I've ever seen."

Lireesa knew Sylvanas was still a child at heart even if her thoughts were high sounding, she knew not how long her persistence would last during the morning training. Based on her mischievous and lazy temperament, it was possible for a month. Lireesa tenderly brush Sylvanas's cheek and said, "Don't worry too much. Don't overthink. Just go with the flow. For now, it's evening and let's have a dinner together. Call your sisters."