Sometimes I wonder mother. Is this the way things have to be? Is this the legacy we want to create for our children? Even now over twenty years after it started the war still rages. I don’t understand father’s unwillingness to negotiate peace. If the orcs are truly a changed people perhaps we owe them a chance to make peace. I know, I’ve heard the rumors about Black Rock Spire and the orcs there. But what proof is there that they will attack Azeroth?
I think father is still trapped in the past. People like him are just so stuck in there own ways. Unwilling to change. I still feel that the orcs could make powerful allies. Just imagine it, a world of peace where families need not worry in the dark of night. Where shadows are powerless and the light grows ever stronger in the hearts and minds of humans and orcs alike.
Now the Horde has no home. no place to go but out amongst there hated enemies in a world that is out to kill them. Can there ever be peace? Can war be prevented? Can the shadows be destroyed by the light? So many questions and yet not one concrete answer. At least there is hope of better days to come. You of all of people understood my dream of peace mother. It was also your dream.
I remember very clearly the last thing you taught me before passing on to the next world. You taught me that with a lot of effort and a little luck we could make our dreams come true. What about my dream? Could my dream exist in a world of darkness? Truly we are a lost people. Even the Elves and Dwarves suffer from the same darkness we do. I cannot help but feel sorry for people like Lady Constance, who spend there entire adult years fighting. Whether it’s on the battlefield or planning strategy for an attack. There still stuck fighting a war that serves no purpose. A war fought for the sake of fighting.
All the mortals of our world struggle for what they believe in. Struggle to find that which will give there life meaning. We all have different philosophies that we follow. The orcs live for battle, the Elves live for perfection and purity, even the dwarves live for ale and their weird contraptions. But what about humans, what do we live for? To crush those who think differently? To hate that which we do not understand? Sometimes I wonder.
Are the orcs really evil or are they puppets dangling by a thread? Being made to serve that which they do not understand. And are we all just little puppets dancing for the amusement of a greater master?
So many possibilities and we cannot comprehend any of it.
But I still have hope. Hope that one day man, elf, dwarf, and orc alike will live together in a world where no shadows fall. In a world where peace reigns and the darkness dare not show itself.
This was your dream as well mother and you have passed it on to me and I will do my best to save the world from itself.
Prince Arthas Terenas
Chapter 1
Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place
“What do you have to report?” Arthas asked.
“My Prince! Elven scouts bring grim news from the north,” Glenn responded.
“What is it?” Uther Lightbringer asked.
“The Orcs, we’ve been cut off from Ironforge. Here let me explain.”
Arthas dismounted from his horse and followed Uther and Glenn into his tent. In the middle of the tent was a large square table. On another table in the back of the tent were a group of maps. Glenn spent a few minutes looking for the right map. When he found it he placed it flat on the table.
“Here my Prince. Look at this.” Arthas studied the map for a moment. The map displayed the region north of Azeroth. On the bottom of the map was Black Rock Spire surrounded on the southern and western sides by mountains, and the Black Morass to the south. On the northern tip of the map was Grim Batol, the former source of oil for Horde activity in Khaz Modan. To the south of that was the Dwarven capitol of Ironforge inside Mt. Ironforge. Mountains lined the entire western coast of the map and water lined the east. It was then that Arthas realized what Glenn was talking about.
The Orcs had reestablished a strong presence in Grim Batol and Black Rock Spire. The Orcs had already established massive fortifications in those areas and only Ironforge prevented them from isolating Azeroth by land. However, there was one other line of defense for the Alliance. The twin Stromgarde cities of End O’ The World and Caracas are located about twenty miles south of Ironfroge.
“The orcs are attacking these two cities,” Arthas whispered almost to himself.
“Yes my Lord you are correct. Our scouts report that both End O’ The World and Caracas are under siege by Horde forces. And I don’t need to tell you what would happen if those cities fall,” Glenn spoke nervously.
“The Horde will isolate Ironforge and because the dwarves and Stormgarde don’t get along the dwarves would stand alone. After that the Horde would be free to… Oh my God there going to invade Azeroth,” Arthas gasped.
All three men were silent for a moment as they realized the severity of the new threat. For Arthas the plan was clear. Prevent the twin cities from falling and then rally Stromgarde and Dwarven troops to defend the territory while a small task force circumvented the Orcs and alerted the Stromgarde main army at the capitol city. Arthas would have preferred not to have to kill any orcs, but that seemed unavoidable right now. Arthas couldn’t help but realize just how bad the war could become. Maybe there is no hope for peace after all. A great sadness filled his heart.
“Let’s move out gentlemen. We have a lot of work to do,” Arthas finally said. “Prepare to break camp and head north. Glenn, I want you to lead a small portion of our forces and help defend Caracas. Uther, you take another quarter of our troops and defend End O’ The World. I will lead the primary attack on the Orc encampments once our scouts find them,”
“I’m afraid I cannot obey, my Prince,” Uther responded.
“And why not Sir Lightbringer.”
“I promised your father I would insure your safety. Allow me to lead the attack on the encampments. You defend End O’ The World.”
“Perhaps your right Sir Lightbringer. Very well. We will divide into three groups. Half to you Uther and a quarter to both Glenn and myself,” Arthas commanded.
“Thank you highness.”
“Wait a minute my prince,” Glenn said. “I believe I have a plan that might allow the entire army to stay together and ensure the Horde will not threaten Ironforge or Azeroth..”
“Well don’t just stand there. Let’s hear your plan Glenn.”.
***
What a beautiful night King Terenas thought to himself. Each night when the sun began to set in the northern sky King Terenas would walk the battlements staring at the sky as it shifted color. Tonight was a lovely, a crimson light cascaded from the horizon. Crimson was the Queens favorite color. Each night Terenas walked the battlements thinking of his beloved wife who died years earlier. What a dark day that was for all of Lordaeron. And each night he’d climb the northern tower to get the best possible view of the night sky.
He was surprised to see a single individual standing in the tower, he didn’t recall even posting a guard here. Terenas recognized the woman standing in the tower. It is Constance Campelbury an old friend.
Constance was a tall woman, about 6’2 Terenas estimated, and very beautiful. She was nearing her forty-third birthday, but age had obviously been left far behind. Her blonde hair flowed smoothly past her shoulders and her bright blue eyes shined and sparkled like few others. Constance was a former Paladin of the Azeroth Guard. One of very few women strong enough to fight Orcs and win in direct melee combat. She served as Sir Lothar’s highest advisor for many years before she was appointed her position in Terenas’s court after the refugees arrived from Azeroth. Though not heavily muscled like her male counterparts Constance’s muscles were well shaped and curved. She made a very impressive appearance.
“Magnificent isn’t it,” Constance said in the direction of Terenas.
“Yes it is,” replied Terenas. “What brings you outside at this hour?”
“I usually go inside by now but tonight I felt like staying out longer. I guess I just needed some quite time to think, that’s all.”
“I understand completely,” Terenas explained. “And what are you thinking about?
“The meeting this morning, I guess it didn’t go exactly as we would have hoped. I think we may have to face the fact that this Alliance simply can’t stay together without a common enemy. I know the Horde is gathering their forces, but they won’t attack for years and by the time we find them it maybe to late to reunite this Alliance,” Constance explained.
“I understand what you mean Constance,” the King responded as he moved beside her. “And maybe your right. Maybe we can’t hold the Alliance together but we have to try.”
Terenas paused and began thinking of Arthas, his son. Was it a good idea to send him away? The King was shaken from his thought when Constance put her head on his shoulder.
Terenas was never allowed to feel the thrill of actual battle but was determined to let Arthas become his own man and make his own descions. Something his parents never let him do. He has to waste his youth in the castle learning the ways of diplomacy.
Constance’s arms rapped around his left arm as she leaned even more against him. Terenas figured she was cold, she wore only long brown tunic that ran to her feet.
“Is there a problem?”
Constance immediately released her grip and stood straight up. Then she said, “I’m sorry my lord. I didn’t mean to act so disrespectful.”
“I never said you had to release me,” the King replied.
Constance stared for a moment at her king and then returned to his shoulder. The two of then stared silently into the darkening sky. And before leaving for bed they shared a strong embrace.
***
Glenn Pouchal was a young man in his mid twenties. Usually, someone at this age not be assigned to the Arthas’s personal guard, but Glenn was a special case. He’s father was a Stromgarde captain, his mother was a sorceress of Dalaran and Glenn inherited traits from them both. Glenn stood about 6’5 and was already heavily muscled. His hair was black and curly while his eyes showed a dark brown. He was one of the finest soldiers in his class. As if being a great warrior wasn’t enough, Glenn was one of very few to receive the title of battlemage. He had a warrior’s strength and the arcahne knowledge of a sorcerer. He was already well known amongst the Lordaeron generals and had met King Terenas himself upon being assigned as Prince Arthas’s advisor.
Glenn Pouchal’s plan was a simple one. Once the scouts returned from their patrol, Arthas, Glenn and Uther planned out their attack. Messengers had been sent to relay the plan to End O’ The World and Caracas.
The Orcs formed a perfect circle around the cities and were moving closer. Glenn’s plan required that Uther takes a third of the troops and swings to the Orc’s west flank and prepare to attack. Arthas would do the same from the eastern flank. Glenn would go with Arthas and then head north to attack the northern flank of the orcs. Because the walls of the cities were a mere half-mile apart, the Orcs didn’t bother placing troops within the gap. At a predetermined time the city guards would throw open their gates and attack the orcs southern forces. Arthas and Uther would push the orcs south toward Black Rock Spire. While Glenn would force the orcs to move within range of the catapults and archers that remained stationed on the city walls. The northern forces would all die and the rest would be squeezed together and forced to retreat south or face four Alliance armies. This brought a large smile to Glenn’s face.
The one thing Arthas loved about orcs was just how stupid they really were. Arthas had split his troops up to cover the more northeastern areas so as to make the push south easier. All he was waiting for was the signal to charge.
The orcs were within a mile of Caracas when the signal came. A massive explosion sounded as the catapults of Caracas began their barrage on the Horde’s southern forces. Arthas watched as the orcs scrambled for there weapons and charged toward town. The heavy trees of the forest provided the perfect cover for all of Arthas’s troops as well as the messengers sent to relay the plan.
“Attack!”
Upon his command Arthas’s troops sprang into action and charged at the surprised and disorganized orcs. Within a matter of seconds elven and human archers fired a wave of arrows most of which made contact with orc flesh.
Arthas unsheathed his sword and set his mighty horse into a charge. He remembered Uther’s words attacked cautiously. He found his first opponents in a group of four orc grunts that were still charging into the battle. He quickly moved to intercept, the foolish orcs never saw him. Arthas came up from behind them slashed at the two rear grunts. The other two swung around but by that time Arthas had leapt off the horse and run his sword right through the grunt on the right. The left grunt raised his axe and swung. Arthas ducked the blow and swung his sword at the orcs head. However, the orc was faster than Arthas expected. The grunt dived to the right, but was caught off balance in the process. Arthas swung his sword but the orc was able to block with his axe. Arthas came around again for another attack and again the orc blocked but this time he lost his balance. Arthas took full advantage of this by running the orc through the chest plates. Death came swiftly for the grunt.
The plan was working perfectly, his troops had forced the Orcs south. He hoped the others were doing just as well. Arthas then remounted his horse and rejoined the primary force. As the sound of catapults sounded in the distance, Arthas knew everything was going exactly according to plan. It had to, for the sake of all Azeroth.
***
Jelis Deguero sat alone in his guest bedroom on the castle’s second level. He rose from his seat and walked over to his bed to grab his bag and the bright blue crystal that was inside. He returned to his seat and began to focus his power into the crystal. After a few moments the crystal glowed and an image was projected in front of him.
Within the image Jelis saw four mages, the leaders of the Kirin Tor. How could he tell them that the Alliance was doomed? How could he tell them that they couldn’t win the upcoming war? That the entire world was nearing death. This brought another thought into the mages head. Why couldn’t they just tell the other nations of the coming of the Burning Legion? And the rise of the Undead Army? The questions left his mind quickly though as he addressed his companions.
“Good evening my friends,” Jelis began.
“What do you have to report,” the figure in the center asked.
“The situation is not good. In fact, it is even worse than we could have thought. We stand on the verge of war between Gilneas and Kul Tiras and between Azeroth, Stromgarde, and the dwarves.” Jelis paused for a moment wondering if he should ask his questions and seek answers now.
A mage interrupted his thoughts. “We are saddened to hear this,” the mage on the right spoke in the voice of a young man. “However our allies cannot risk openly informing the Alliance. We have reason to believe agents of the Burning Legion are already amongst us. They must not know that we are aware of them. We have a new assignment for you Duguero.”
“How may I be of service.”
The mage on the far left spoke next, “You must help to create a new alliance within the Horde.”
Jelis fell right into his chair stunned by the statement. “Peace with the orcs? It would never work. The orcs would sooner slaughter all of mankind than make peace!”
“Perhaps not. Maybe if they have truly changed they will agree to help us fight the legion when it arrives in force. Trust us in this matter Jelis, as you always have. We know it will be hard, but with the Horde on our side and our new allies from across the sea we may have a fighting chance.”
Jelis couldn’t find any reason not to obey. “Very I will do as you ask and speak to King Terenas. Perhaps we can convince the Horde to talk peace.”
“Good luck Jelis. Were counting on you.”
Then the projection disappeared and Jelis sat alone in his room again. So many thoughts swirled through his head. The next few weeks would prove very interesting and dangerous.
Yes, very interesting indeed, a voice sounded within.
