Part 25 (1/2)
For so long, he had felt nothing. He had stayed on the throne, immobile, waiting, dreaming. The ice had come to cover him as he sat still as stone, but not a prison, no, a second skin.
He had not known then what he was waiting for, but now he did. He had taken the final steps on a journey begun so long ago, begun the day that darkness had first brushed his world in the form of a weeping, young Stormwind prince mourning his father. The path had led across Azeroth, to Northrend, to this Frozen Throne and open sky. To the searching of his deepest self, and the choices to murder both the innocent that held him back and the parts of himself that had shaped him.
Arthas, the Lich King, alone in his glory and power, slowly opened his eyes. Ice cracked from them at the gesture and fell in small shards, like frozen tears. A smile formed beneath the ornate helm that covered his white hair and pale skin, and more ice fell from his awakening, slowly s.h.i.+fting form, fragments of an icy chrysalis that was no longer needed. He was awake.
”It's begun.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-winning author Christie Golden has written over thirty novels and several short stories in the fields of science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
Golden launched the TSR Ravenloft line in 1991 with her first novel, the highly successful Vampire of the Mists, Vampire of the Mists, which introduced elven vampire Jander Sunstar. To the best of her knowledge, she is the creator of the elven vampire archetype in fantasy fiction. which introduced elven vampire Jander Sunstar. To the best of her knowledge, she is the creator of the elven vampire archetype in fantasy fiction.
She is the author of several original fantasy novels, including On Fire's Wings, In Stone's Clasp, On Fire's Wings, In Stone's Clasp, and and Under Sea's Shadow Under Sea's Shadow (currently available only as an e-book) the first three in her multi-book fantasy series ”The Final Dance” from LUNA Books. (currently available only as an e-book) the first three in her multi-book fantasy series ”The Final Dance” from LUNA Books. In Stone's Clasp In Stone's Clasp won the Colorado Author's League Award for Best Genre Novel of 2005, the second of Golden's novels to win the award. won the Colorado Author's League Award for Best Genre Novel of 2005, the second of Golden's novels to win the award.
Among Golden's other projects are over a dozen Star Trek Star Trek novels and the well-received novels and the well-received StarCraft StarCraft Dark Templar trilogy, Dark Templar trilogy, Firstborn, Shadow Hunters, Firstborn, Shadow Hunters, and the forthcoming and the forthcoming Twilight. Twilight. An avid player of Blizzard's MMORPG An avid player of Blizzard's MMORPG World of Warcraft World of Warcraft, Golden has written several novels in that world (Lord of the Clans, Rise of the Horde) with three more in the works. She has also written two Warcraft manga stories for Tokyopop, ”I Got What Yule Need” and ”A Warrior Made.”
Golden is currently hard at work on three books in the major nine-book Star Wars Star Wars series ”Fate of the Jedi,” in collaboration with Aaron Allston and Troy Denning. Her first book in the series, series ”Fate of the Jedi,” in collaboration with Aaron Allston and Troy Denning. Her first book in the series, Omen, Omen, is slated for publication in July of 2009. is slated for publication in July of 2009.
Golden lives in Colorado with her husband and two cats. She welcomes visitors to her website, .
NOTES
The story you've just read is based in part on Blizzard Entertainment's computer game Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and its expansion pack, and its expansion pack, Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne. Released in July 2002 and July 2003 respectively, these t.i.tles topped sales charts and were praised by critics, picking up ”Editor's Choice,” ”Strategy Game of the Year,” ”Game of the Year,” and other awards from numerous publications.
Over five years later, Warcraft III Warcraft III is still a popular choice for online multiplayer matches, and is a staple of professional gaming tournaments around the world. The single-player campaigns allow players to command and interact with some of the most powerful and interesting characters in Warcraft lore and to experience a pivotal time in Azeroth's history firsthand. is still a popular choice for online multiplayer matches, and is a staple of professional gaming tournaments around the world. The single-player campaigns allow players to command and interact with some of the most powerful and interesting characters in Warcraft lore and to experience a pivotal time in Azeroth's history firsthand.
FURTHER READING: If you'd like to read more about the characters, situations, and settings featured in this novel, the books listed below each offer another piece of the story of Azeroth: Thrall's story (along with more on Taretha Foxton, Aedelas Blackmoore, Durnholde Keep, and the orc internment camps) can be found in Warcraft: Lord of the Clans Warcraft: Lord of the Clans by Christie Golden. by Christie Golden.
Jaina Proudmoore plays a central role in World of Warcraft: Cycle of Hatred World of Warcraft: Cycle of Hatred by Keith R.A. DeCandido as well as the monthly by Keith R.A. DeCandido as well as the monthly World of Warcraft World of Warcraft comic book by Walter Simonson and Ludo Lullabi, Jon Buran, and Mike Bowden. comic book by Walter Simonson and Ludo Lullabi, Jon Buran, and Mike Bowden.
Kel'Thuzad's reprimand by the Kirin Tor can be seen in detail in ”Warcraft: Road to d.a.m.nation” by Evelyn Fredericksen (on worldofwarcraft.com).
The further fate of the Sunwell is revealed in Warcraft: The Sunwell Trilogy Warcraft: The Sunwell Trilogy by Richard A. Knaak and Jae-Hwan Kim (hardcover ultimate edition available). by Richard A. Knaak and Jae-Hwan Kim (hardcover ultimate edition available).
Prince Varian Wrynn of Stormwind is a young refugee in this volume, but his adventures continue in the World of Warcraft World of Warcraft monthly comic by Walter Simonson and Ludo Lullabi, Jon Buran, and Mike Bowden (hardcover collected edition available). monthly comic by Walter Simonson and Ludo Lullabi, Jon Buran, and Mike Bowden (hardcover collected edition available).
The magical city of Dalaran will also appear in Warcraft: Mage, Warcraft: Mage, a manga written by Richard A. Knaak and scheduled for release in February 2010. a manga written by Richard A. Knaak and scheduled for release in February 2010.