1.7.1 - Rethra kael

The Speaker named his plan out loud, the Blood Elves came through the doors, and a son settled a debt with his father.

The council chamber became a slaughter. The Speaker took his place and spoke of long plans and demons and a name, Hannah, and of drinking at her blood altar until the voice in the deep spoke back. Soon she would rise again, he said, now that a host had been found, and his eyes went to Ivar. Then clawed hands shoved the doors wide and the Blood Elves poured in, festering and swollen and still half-elven in the face, and every faction in the hall fought its own desperate corner.

The humans were in trouble fast. Ivar was not the warrior he had been, and he went down wounded and bleeding and drenched in his own piss, crying for help. Balder, who had every reason to let him die, led you to him instead, and Gunnar struck the killing blow on the beast standing over him. Then Balder put his blade to Ivar's throat and found he could not do it. I should put you down for everything you have done, he said, but I am not a strong enough man, and I will not hold you guilty for my own weakness. He turned away. And a blade came through Ivar's chest from behind, clean and expert. Harald stood over him wiping the steel, his voice shaking. You are not my father. Then his hatred turned to the Speaker.

Remember For Next Time

• The Speaker's plan, spoken aloud: Hannah the Forsaken will rise again, and a host has been chosen.
• Ivar is dead: spared by Balder, killed by Harald, who named him no father of his.
• Blood Painters: the Blood Elf horde came with them, and the whole council fought through the night to hold the chamber.

Where We Are

In the broken council chamber, Ivar dead and Harald's wrath turned on the Speaker, the Blood Elves still coming.