Text:
Altron
Images:
From the Argent Archives
Editing:
Alabast

I, Altron Sunbrand, present you today with a shocking material gathered thorough the weeks of searching and tracking. We’re all familiar with House Bloodwind, it’s aggressive politics and it’s nefarious Lord, Halendar Bloodwind. A man once seen as a hero, patriot and a loving husband turned out to be someone else, and the finding of who he truly was changed my point of view about him... forever.

A quick reminder of what was
House of Bloodwind was once a great court, having influence all around Quel’Thalas, it’s claws ripping apart every sort of resistance to it’s tyranny, but uniting elves and other races under a single banner of bringing justice. Lady Eludain Bloodwind, despised by her husband and lowered to a rank of a babysitter, sought to erase mistakes done by Halendar, even if it backfired at her. Lord Shar’Tal, Lord Silvermist, Lord Morningsun and Lord Sunbearer – all of them loved Eludain, and all of them knew that even if methods used by Halendar and his followers were harsh, they have been a necessary evil. That was the way the public seen it, that was the way it was meant to be seen.

Lost honor
But then, Halendar died. His wife officially announced it was because of a heart-attack he had during a walk, but the hatred gathered in hearts of Bloodwind’s enemies focused it’s fire on her. Traitors from the court seeked to destroy what was left of the Bloodwind family, and helped fueling the rumors about Eludain. Soon, from a peaceful wife, a pacifist and a loving mother, she was showed to public as a wench, who finds pleasure in torturing innocent people. Ears felt deaf on her words, people started turning their backs on a woman who sacrificed everything to protect people she had loved, and to ensure her homeland’s safety and prosperity. Her honor, her good name and many of her friends... all was lost, but she did not ceased her fight, she did not gave up on noble goals, once forgotten by Halendar. Eludain Bloodwind left Quel’Thalas in search for a safe haven where she would be able to further her goals, without the hateful eyes and harsh words thrown at her.

Lady Bloodwind in battle equipment from her husband's armory. The day of infamous slaughter in Silvermoon.

From demon to saint
The court was disbanded, it’s reign was over. But in Silvermoon, Halendar was revered as a hero. A man who crucified people outside his residence, person who was known for brining torture into a state of an art – a demon in the elven body, was made a saint. Traitors from the court of Bloodwind still resided within the city of Silvermoon, and their hatred for Eludain still burned within them. For these men and woman, exiling the Lady was not an end. They wanted to destroy her.

Sunfury Legion
I decided to take a closer look on the case when I got an anonymous mail. It was a list of names... of people supporting Kael’s forces with funds, his lieutenants, and spies inside the city who made infiltrating the Blood Knight’s quarters possible in the first place. The list was marked with the emblem of Sunfury Legion. I was truly shocked, and at first I did not want to believe any of this. Many of names on the list belonged to member’s of Silvermoon’s government, people with big influence in the kingdom. When I looked down on the vanilla envelope, I found but a small note from my informant.

“A gift from a friend. Make good use of it.”

A revelation
You have no idea how scared I was. If anyone on this list knew I had it – I shiver on a single thought what could happen. So I started to study those names, and spent a week inside my room, not leaving it for once. When I wanted to eat, I ordered the food via my imp, Juburi. I did not washed myself and I was dirty from the sweat and other foul things. Some of people from the list were already dead, but their agents were still in the city.

Halendar Bloodwind was on that list.

Lord Halendar as most remember him.

The man seen by common folk as a hero, patriot and a loving husband and father – turned out to be nothing more, then power-obsessed traitor. He used funds amassed by House of Bloodwind to support Kael’Thas Sunstrider and his demon-spawn army.

Finally, I decided to leave my residence. I peered around the inn, seeing adventurer’s and commons alike. They were unaware of the truth hidden before them. It was then when I found out, that it’s my duty to show them they have been lied to all along. For that purpose, I had to find a man who was a witness to Halendar’s actions, and his most trusted servant. His Majordomo.

Halendar the puppet
The meeting was set deep in the woods, where we were sure not single person would see us. The deafening sound of the falling water prevented eavesdropping, but also that waterfall was a curtain behind which my informant was hiding. All I could see was his figure, and a single green flame of his eye, glowing even in this dark night. His voice was lowered, and I had to listen carefully to every word he has spoken.
- So, it was you who sent me the list. – I started, shivering not so much from cold, but from fright. There was something in this person’s voice, something that was giving me the thrills.
- I haven’t sent you any list. It was you who contacted me in the first place. And here I am, ready to answer your questions. – His words were fast, but I didn’t had any problems listening in to them. It was like he already prepared his speech.
- Tell me about Halendar! Tell me about your Lord, and what’s his name doing on that piece of paper! – I shouted, but that was the only way to let him hear me through this waterfall.
- He’s no longer my Lord, and it’s time for people to see him the way he was, not the way you made him look in your pathetic interview.

I gasped in anger, but didn’t said a word. Pathetic interview... I invited this Thalassian celebrity to answer questions about himself, but I never thought of him so low as now.

- Halendar was a puppet, Sunbrand. He was putting a scary face to the scene I was a director of. His will was too weak to carry on the goals he chose, so he needed the help of his wife, which he barely accepted, and mine. He may have been a powerful warlock, but his mind was tainted and he was unable to command people like he supposedly did.
- What do you mean?! – I shouted again, feeling that I went on a road I was never supposed to be on.

- He was mad. His thoughts weren’t clear, all he had was his desire for more power and influence. And decisions I made, things his wife achieved, all was titled as his own doings. It boosted his ego greatly, made him spoiled. Together with Eludain, we had created a beast...

The orders of Lord Bloodwind
But one day, Lord Bloodwind refused to play a puppet. Closed out on his advisors words, he found it best solution to support the old “Prince”, and allow him to take over Quel’Thalas. He was always known to have dealings with demons, and thus, he has seen no problem in dealing with The Deceiver himself. First part of the plan, was to get rid of all other courts, to ensure that House Bloodwind gets dominance over the region. The attack on Silvermoon made by a private army of the Alliance was a perfect occasion. Following that attack and the battle that came after, Council of Silvermoon (consisting of leaders of all the Houses of Quel’Thalas) agreed to send [[Methalec|Lord Shar’Tal]] as negotiator with the commander of those rogue forces. On this very night, when the meeting took place, Halendar ordered his soldiers to raid and burn towns belonging to the human Alliance. And he made sure those towns were close enough to the place where meeting took place between two sides of the conflict.

Methalec escapes
Fortunately, Lord Methalec managed to escape. If it wasn’t for an accident that took place the very next morning, we would had Felblood spread like wildfire across the forest of Eversong. Then, armed subjugation of Blood Elves would have begun. This accident was Halendar’s heart attack. Even with his magical powers of enslaving, manipulating demons, even with the help of shadow and fire... he was still a mortal. Rest of the story you already know, but I think people deserve to see this. Halendar was not a hero, and he was never a patriot. He was a man lost in his own desires, abusing his own wife and children, and his will too weak to make him able to handle only the easiest decisions. He never had any influence... the real power rested in the people who made him look like that – for the public.

Atonement
- So it was all a scene? – I asked, clearly not believing in what I’ve heard. This time, I wasn’t shouting, so I had to repeat my question louder.
- You liked what you saw? Evil anti-hero, fighting for justice. Kids like it, it brings attention of older types too. – My informant was speaking slowly, and I swear that he was smiling.
- But, why are you telling me this? – I really had no idea why someone would raise a person to the status of a legend, just to bring it down later.
- Because a certain person suffers because of our sins. Mine, and Halendar’s. It’s the only way I can atone for them.

And those were last of his words that I heard. When I realized he was no longer under the waterfall, I ran straight back to my apartment. I put together all my notes, filled with excitement so much that I broke three quills and spilled a whole bottle of ink, before I even wrote an acceptable beginning of the article. I never found out who sent me that list, but I hid it in a safe place, knowing it still may come in handy.

As for Bloodwind’s Majordomo... his body was found lifeless in Alterac mountains. Investigation was hard, due to masked bandits that started appearing in the area, but those few who succeed (or claim to had) suspect suicide.

Let this article finally reveal the truth behind Halendar and his court. Let the departed ones finally find rest and atonement in death, and let the living find ease in knowing that their suffering has not been in vain. Lady Eludain, if you’re reading this... forgive us.

Altron Sunbrand
Freelance reporter, Silvermoon

This letter arrived at the Argent Post office shortly after the first edition of this article was published.

"Greetings, Reader

You think that I have failed, just because I am dead. But in Truth I never fail. The Reckoning has just began and soon a new Dawn will be upon you. As so to say "I am still amongst the living". The gap between my two pieces of text is a reserved place for someone to add more to it.

*This piece seems to have a different handwriting*

Regarding that Article which I found rather amusing, Halendar's Actions have been always out of own thought and he never bothered to listen to his corrupt advisors. His so called Majordomo Revandil was but a joke, and just a tool to hide the beings that need to be hidden. Even if he wasn't aware of it. His Wife Eludain only lay on a bed when she was again wounded or hurt. Due her rejecting true power and becoming a High elf Again. Yet now she claims herself as a Savior of Quel'thalas. That isn't in Quel'thalas. Because of Halendar. Criminals died, a whole rebellion thrown down because of his actions. What she only has done is nothing relevant in the aid of Quel'thalas. She never truely loved Halendar, She only sided with him for Political Power and Possesions. And the so called funds to Sunstrider are but a lie. As it is only me who understands Halendar and his ideals. None of you ever came close to that.

*This piece seems to have the same Handwriting as the first part*

My Family, My house was merely as a Set back, A stepping stone to a much larger plan. You really think I would trust some foolish High elf Nobles. I would laugh if you thinked that. It has all led to this. And this time you "Dare Winter to just ice one reef".

Ta ta

"H"

The Argent Post hopes to receive more letters regarding this incident in the days to come. Send your replies to the Post so that everyone can read them. OOC: Remember to link your stories to the newsitem.

Alabast H. Hughtlenoow
Chief Editor