The younger king grinned. "It's an honest compliment, and he'll work all the harder because of it," he pointed out just as quietly, "and Greymane only complains to hear the sound of his own voice."
"You've grown very wise for your age," Terenas said, laughing. "Or perhaps just wise in general."
Of course, Varian's hidden reprimand could not shut Greymane up for long. As they crossed the wide courtyard Gilneas's king began grumbling again, and soon those rumblings in his thick black beard formed words once more. "I know they are working hard," he admitted grudgingly, glaring at Varian, who grinned in reply, "but why all these buildings?" He waved a large hand at the single completed keep they were entering as they passed beneath the portcullis and up the stairs. "Why go to so much trouble — and cost — to create such a vast citadel? It is only here to maintain watch over the valley where the portal once stood, is it not? Why would a simple keep not have sufficed?"
Khadgar, archmage of Dalaran, exchanged tired but still slightly amused glances with his fellow wizards as Greymane's strong voice carried to them even before they entered the large meeting room.
"It is good to hear Greymane is his old self," Antonidas, leader of the Kirin Tor, commented dryly.
"Yes, some things never change," Khadgar replied, stroking his full white beard. He turned, his youthful quickness giving a seeming lie to his lined visage, to face the kings. "You want to know what your money has bought you, then?" he said to the newcomers, nodding a brief greeting to them but otherwise treating them as equals — for such they were, as Khadgar, a member of the Kirin Tor, was a ruler in his own right.
"Well, I'll tell you, and you can thank me. Nethergarde Keep is large, yes. It has to be. Quite a few people will be living here — the magi we brought here from Dalaran, as well as the soldiers who watch for more mundane threats. The valley below us was once the site of the Dark Portal, the Hordes entrance into our world. If they ever return, we'll be ready."