For Prince Arthas Terenas his time in the war zone was incredibly boring. He expected adventure especially now that the Horde was reunited under the War Chief Thrall. However, Orc activity was next to nothing around the Azeroth region where Arthas’s task force was patrolling. Arthas was ordered here by his father, the King of Lordaeron, to help in his training into knighthood. His father also wanted him to experience what it is like to be at war so he will be properly prepared when he becomes king. Arthas was accompanied by the, Uther Lightbringer, a renowned Paladin of Azeroth.
Arthas knew in his mind that he would spend his days as a politician trying to hold the Alliance together. He knew about the political interests of many nations. He knew what Gilneas, ruled by Genn Greymane, would want to secure portions of the Great Sea for their own use. He also knew Kul Tiras, ruled by Lord Admiral Daelin Proudmoore, would never surrender control of the Great Sea. He understood how the nation of Stromgarde, ruled by Thoras Trollbane, would want to claim Alterac as part of their own nation after Lord Perenolde betrayed the Alliance nad was consequently executed. However, the Elves of Quel Thalas and the Dwarves of Khaz Modan both wanted to claim Alterac for themselves. And these situations were slowly tearing the Alliance apart. Of this Arthas knew very well. But, the biggest mystery of all f was the magical Kingdom of Dalaran. Dalaran is ruled by a magical council called the Kirin Tor. Arthas knew nothing of those mages and wasn’t sure he would ever want to, though he did enjoy the company of the younger mages who accompanied his army on there patrol.
Arthas decided to put all those bad thoughts out of his mind and focus on the lovely summer day around him. There was not a cloud in the sky and the air was perfectly clean. A slight breeze blew from the north through Arthas’s hair as it made its way south toward the dead lands in the Black Morass around the Dark Portal. He sure wished he could spend more time in Azeroth but he was always required to train every day for his eventual rise to the status of King, and training usually wasn’t in Azeroth.
All of a sudden a young footman from the scouting party came running through the ranks. Arthas recognized him as Glenn Pouchal, a young and very skilled soldier.
“My Prince, we have a very serious problem!”
***
For Constance Campelbury things couldn’t be worse. She had just left a meeting with the Alliance General Assembly, in which she realized just how bad the political situation had got. There was only one bit of good news did come from the meeting. The Elven ambassador from Quel Thalas informed the assembly that Verassa Windrunner had been appointed High Lady of The Elven Court and the elves would withdraw any claim to Alterac.
The only good news.
The next topic was the Alterac situation, and that created serious problems. Those nations not involved in this conflict would be involved in the other, The Great Sea. All of the Alliance leaders were present for the meeting except for Verassa Windrunner who was adapting still to here new position.
A rectangular table was in the middle of a massive chamber, which served as the King’s War Room during military meetings and for meetings of the Alliance. Only two massive doors allowed entry into the room and two of King Terenas’s personal guard stood watch on both sides of the doors. At one end of the table sat King Terenas, on the other end sat Constance Campelbury the King’s personal advisor. Lining the table were Thoras Trollbane, Lord of Stromgarde, Varien Wrynn, ruler of Azeroth, Lord Admiral Daelin Proudmoore, of Kul Tiras, Genn Greymane, ruler of Gilneas, Jelis Deguero a member of the Kirin Tor the ruling body of Dalaran, Goreth Stonecleaver, King of the Dwarves at Ironforge, and finally the Elves ambassador of whom Terenas did not know his name.
King Terenas spoke first. “Welcome my friends. I hope you all had a safe journey. It is also my wish that we can peacefully settle the issues with now divides our great Allaince.” Terenas stared around the room observing how each person received his opening. No one showed any emotions at all. except of course for Constance and Goreth who looked at each other smiling. What was so funny Terenas thought to himself. He continued, “Now let us discuss the first important issue at hand.”
At that moment the ambassador from Quel Thalas rose from his seat and declared, “I now speak on behalf of the Lady Verassa Windrunner the new High Lady of the Elves. I know not when The High Lady will be attending her first meeting. I am sure she will contact you soon King Terenas. Oh and one last thing. The High Lady has decided that the Elves will not lay claim to any Alterac lands.”
“Thank you for your good news Mr. Ambassador.” This was no major surprise for any of the council. And so the brief news was pushed aside so the council could discuss the two major disputes. First came Alterac. “I will be blunt,” Terenas proclaimed. “Who wishes control of Alterac lands.
Immediately Goreth Stonecleaver, Thoras Trollbane, and Varien Wrynn rose from their seats. Terenas was shocked that Wrynn rose. For what possible reason would Wrynn want to control lands located on the northern end of the continent with Azeroth so far south? This unsettled the king greatly and his arms started to shake and he started feeling nervous. He noticed that this also was unexpected to all the others assembled for even Constance stared at the young ruler of Azeroth with her mouth wide open.
Thoras was the first to speak, “What possible reason would you have for wanting Alterac Verian?!”
“I merle seek to establish some presence in the north to insure no threat may come to the fertile lands near the mountains and to ensure no one can threaten Lordaeron. Azeroth’s closest ally.” Terenas couldn’t help but admire Wrynn’s goals and his willingness to defend Lordaeron. This brought a short smile to the king’s face, but it was short lived.
“I will not hear any of this nonsense you fool,” Trollbane roared. “I will give you one chance King Terenas. Give me control of Alterac or I will take it by force and I am prepared to fight for that land! What is your response Wrynn? And What about you, Dwarf?”
“May I remind you Lord Trollbane that the dwarves played a critical role in stopping Perenolde from turning Alterac over to the Horde and many dwarves were killed as well. We feel we should receive some of the spoils of that victory,” replied Goreth.
“I agree with Lord Stonecleaver,” Wrynn replied. “Perhaps we can divide Alterac into three parts. Each controlled by one of us. The land is easy to divide and the resources would be easily divisible amongst us. What do you have to say Trollbane? I feel it’s a fair compromise.”
“I agree,” Goreth proclaimed. This brought a terrible silence to the room as all awaited Lord Trollbane’s response. But Terenas knew better than that. He knew Thoras Trollbane would never settle for anything less than all of Alterac. Terenas looked across the room, Constance’s expression matched his.
Then the silence was broken. Thoras was stern. “I will allow all of you two weeks to leave Alterac. After that my armies will enter and seize the territory. They will be ordered to forcefully remove any non Stromgarde personnel from the area. Now if you excuse me I must return to my quarters and prepare to depart. I will appoint a new ambassador soon. Good day to you all especially you Lord Wrynn and King Stonecleaver.” Wrynn and Stonecleaver were silent as Thoras Trollbane left the room.
Terenas gazed across the table. One person’s expression caught him by surprise. It appeared as if Admiral Proudmoore was trying to prevent himself from laughing. As a barely noticeable smile crossed his face. Well I guess we should move on to the second issue Terenas thought to himself. But before he could speak Lord Wrynn stood up and marched out of the room without a word. Goreth Stonecleaver not far behind him.
“I want control of the seas north of Kul Tiras and the right to construct as many warships as I please,” spoke Genn Greymane. Then he stood up and walked out of the room. The doors slamming shut behind him.
“If that bastard tries to deploy a large fleet without my approval it will be considered an act of war against Kul Tiras and we will respond accordingly. Good day to you all.” And with that Proudmoore rose from his seat and left the War Room.
“Well, that went well,” proclaimed Jelis Deguero.
“Meeting adjourned,” said King Terenas. And at that moment he realized maybe he should have slaughtered the Orcs when he had the chance.
