The two of them were effectively playing a game of shadows, each plotting to use the other. However, Sylvanas remained entirely unaware that Straker was not fighting alone; he had a peerlessly powerful benefactor behind him in Rhodes. Through his master, Straker already understood every one of Sylvanas's hidden tactics and special abilities.
Sylvanas allowed a thin smile to play across her lips. Straker, you fool!
You've exposed all your trump cards before me just to intimidate me. You clearly don't realize that a truly lethal weapon should be hidden, not paraded before your enemy.
The Banshee Queen possessed a very specific and terrifying ability: Possession. She and her Banshees could temporarily abandon their physical forms to seize control of enemy units.
Beyond retaining her lifetime skills, she—as a Dark Ranger—now wielded Shadow Arrows and Life Drain. Her Shadow Arrows could raise slain enemies as skeletons; though they lacked the necrotic energy to last long, they were more than sufficient for the duration of a battle. As for Life Drain, she had kept it hidden—it was her ultimate ace in the hole.
Furthermore, Sylvanas had gathered a group of sinister undead apothecaries who had formulated an incredibly potent poison. This toxin could even affect undead physiology.
She had originally intended to use it on Arthas; according to the Royal Apothecaries, once afflicted, Arthas's combat power would plummet to the point where a common Dark Ranger could finish him off. Now, she planned to save that poison—after Arthas was dealt with, it might be used on Straker instead.
"Hahaha! Good, very good, Sylvanas. You've made a wise choice to set personal grudges aside for now." Straker paced forward, his massive runeblade resting on his shoulder.
He scanned the Dark Rangers who were glaring at him before fixing his gaze on the Banshee Queen. "As for the matter of leadership... you are right. It is indeed too early to discuss."
You think you have hidden cards? Do you really think I don't? My Master is watching this very moment, and if necessary, he will step onto the battlefield himself. You have no chance of winning, Sylvanas. As for Arthas, the Master has specifically requested his life be spared for now; he is a key trophy for the Master's own prestige.
Straker's tone shifted, though his dominance didn't waver. "Once I have crushed Arthas with overwhelming force, we shall celebrate this great victory together!"
Behind him, as if to punctuate his words, the Bone Dragon let out a silent, bone-chilling roar. Its massive jaws snapped shut, sending a gust of icy wind that ruffled Sylvanas's silver-white hair. The Banshee Queen frowned. Despite Straker's claim that the dragon was "flashy but weak," its sheer size and the tangible aura of death it radiated still exerted immense psychological pressure.
Sylvanas's face remained like a still lake, but she sneered internally: Claiming you don't care while repeatedly using that overgrown skeleton to posturing... you arrogant, hypocritical man. You are destined to fall by my hand.
She didn't take such a boastful man seriously. Once Arthas was gone, her priority would be finding a homeland for her free-willed undead. Her eyes were set on the Capital City of Lordaeron.
It was currently held by the Scourge, but she hoped to exploit the human forces currently massing. Once the humans "reclaimed" the city, she would lead her army to strike from the shadows, take them by surprise, and seize the land for herself.
"Tell me your specific plan, Banshee Queen," Straker said, walking to a tactical sand table in the center of the hall and making a "please" gesture. "Where and how do you intend to host our 'Great' Prince?"
Suppreessing her irritation, Sylvanas stepped to the table and pointed to a rugged mountain region east of Lordaeron City. "Here, the canyon north of Deathknell." Her finger traced a winding route.
"As you noted, the Dreadlords will strike within the city. Even if Arthas breaks out, he will be heavily damaged and exhausted. I will have my Banshees 'rescue' him and guide him, telling him I have a loyalist force waiting on the other side of the canyon to escort him back to Northrend."
"Will he believe it?" Straker raised an eyebrow. This was the crux of it. Beyond just him and Sylvanas, Kel'Thuzad was also preparing to rescue Arthas—and Straker needed to make contact with the Archlich afterward.
"He has no other choice," Sylvanas said coldly.
Straker nodded. "Excellent. My Death Knight corps will seal the canyon exit and face him head-on. I will wait for him personally to show him that without Frostmourne, he is nothing."
Exactly what I wanted, Sylvanas thought, though her face remained impassive. "And what about your... 'big pet'?" She glanced at the massive Bone Dragon. "What is its role?"
At that moment, Rhodes used the Hero System to contact Straker remotely.
"Straker," Rhodes' voice echoed in his mind. "Give the Banshee Queen a Bone Dragon as a gift. Don't worry about her controlling it; that dragon will serve as our eyes to monitor her every move."
Rhodes knew the Banshee's possession ability was legendary, but her power wouldn't trump the system's authority. He suspected she wanted the dragon specifically to possess it later. If she thinks she can steal my unit, she's dead wrong. Even the Lich King doesn't have permissions as high as the system.
"As you command, Great Master," Straker replied mentally.
"And," Rhodes added, "if she asks for the price, demand her Banshee modification techniques. Our Wights need them."
If Wights were upgraded with Banshee traits, their combat effectiveness would skyrocket. Combining the Wight's mana-drain with Azeroth's death-wail would be a perfect synergy between the system and the world's lore.
"The dragon is just my mount," Straker said aloud to Sylvanas. "But if you're interested, I can lend you one. Your bat riders aren't quite up to the task of heavy lifting."
"You are surprisingly generous. What is the catch? I don't believe in free lunches," Sylvanas snorted. She didn't believe for a second that her former elven beauty still held sway over a Death Knight's heart.
"I'm interested in your Banshee techniques," Straker said. "I have a contingent of special undead who can drain enemy mana and regenerate their own wounds. They are similar to your Banshees; I would like you to use your 'special methods' to help train them."
Sylvanas's eyes lit up. The Lich King developed a unit similar to my Banshees? It seems Arthas and Kel'Thuzad never trusted me from the start. Banshees were created by Arthas during the massacre of Silvermoon, mostly from the spirits of female high elves. She assumed Kel'Thuzad had been researching a "replacement" and had given some to Straker.
However, she saw this as an opportunity. If you hand these units to me for training, they will naturally follow the command of the Banshee Queen, not some Death Knight.
"I see. I can help with that," Sylvanas said. "I am also curious about these 'Wights' of yours. May I see them?"
Straker nodded and, under Rhodes's direction, led her to the lower guest hall. There, he revealed a group of Necropolis Wights—creatures in tattered black robes with skeletal, spectral forms.
Wight (Tier 3 Necropolis Unit)
Attack: 7 | Defense: 7 | Health: 18 | Speed: 7 (Flying)
Special: Regenerates HP every turn. Drains 2 mana from the enemy hero/commander every turn.
During the Battle of Mount Hyjal, a hundred of these Wights had completely drained a Burning Legion Dreadlord commander. At Rhodes' command, two Wights demonstrated their skill on Sylvanas.
The Banshee Queen felt her mana being siphoned away instantly, her eyes widening in shock. The ability was disturbingly similar to High Elf spellcasting—but far more efficient.