Deeper within the Eastern Forest's dark, primeval woods, at the ruined capital of the Amani Empire, Zul'Aman, a massive troll army was assembling.
"Finally, I'm back here, Zul'Aman—"
The one-eyed, one-armed troll chieftain, Zul'jin, stood at the front of the army, muttering to himself as he caressed the moss-covered stone steps before Zul'Aman's gates. While this old troll was still lost in thought, a younger troll, exuding a powerful aura, approached him from behind. "Zul'jin, the elf Ranger-General has fallen for the trap."
The murkiness in Zul'jin's sole remaining eye instantly vanished, replaced by a cruel and vicious glint. "Oh, really, Malacrass? That's truly good news." He touched the small stump of his left arm. "The humiliation they brought upon me back then will soon be repaid twofold."
"Hmph, we lost three witch doctors just to reel in this big fish," Hexlord Malacrass's tone was clearly displeased. If not for Zul'jin's exceedingly high prestige among the trolls, he wouldn't have wanted to take orders from this "loser."
"Heh, we have plenty of witch doctors. How many Ranger-Generals do the elves have? Without the Farstriders, who else is our opponent?" Zul'jin was nonchalant about the cost. A few witch doctors from minor tribes—that's all. The heads of those opposing chieftains had already been made into decorations by him. Who could still support these witch doctors? Killing or capturing Sylvanas Windrunner and annihilating the elves' Ranger Corps was Zul'jin's true objective. What was a small sacrifice?
As the two conversed, a troll scout ran over. "Lord Zul'jin, Lord Malacrass, the pointy-ears' reinforcements have arrived. It's those humans."
"Humans?" Malacrass scoffed at this. "Just a bunch of pigs in tin cans."
"Don't underestimate them, Malacrass," Zul'jin frowned. "Although the failure of those useless Horde was mostly due to their own reasons, the role of humans cannot be ignored." During the Second War, Zul'jin, who had acted as a guide for the orcs, deeply understood the current strength of humans. They were no longer as weak as they had been thousands of years ago.
"The elves live in their ridiculous wards, thinking they are safe and sound. For thousands of years, ease and extravagance have permeated their bones. They are no longer the elves who fought with their backs to the wall during the troll Wars." After hearing the scout's report, Zul'jin turned to Malacrass and said, "The Loa have not yet awakened. We need a grand sacrifice to restore the Amani Empire to its former glory. Windrunner and her rangers are only the first step."
"You overestimate those humans," Malacrass retorted.
"I overestimate them? No, I never have. But after the orc invasion, humans understand the meaning of danger better than elves. At least in these past ten years, elves are easier to deal with than humans." Zul'jin's voice suddenly rose. "But their lifespan is much shorter than the elves', much shorter than ours. Before long, they will naturally become as weak as before. That will be our true opportunity. This is just a small step in the revival of our empire."
Zul'jin was a brutal leader, yet incredibly shrewd and cunning. A true hunter never strikes when the prey is strongest, but constantly weakens it, waiting until the prey's fangs and claws are no longer sharp and its body begins to weaken; only then will he deliver a fatal blow. Although Malacrass disliked Zul'jin, he also knew Zul'jin was right. He temporarily put aside his dissatisfaction. "Alright, Zul'jin, perhaps you are right, but what do we do next?"
"The human reinforcements will definitely include those glowing priests and paladins. Once they discover the curse cannot be handled, Sylvanas's only choice will be to retreat." Zul'jin gripped the fist-blade resting on the rock, flexing his sturdy right hand. "Send scouts to keep a close watch on their rear. Once they begin to retreat, have the army immediately press forward and eliminate that outpost barrier as quickly as possible."
"What if Sylvanas retreats alone?"
Zul'jin's sole eye gleamed with a fierce light. "Therefore, send Harraz with the scouts."
"Next, it's a hunting game."
"What? Use Lady Windrunner as bait?" Lor'themar's opposition was very clear. "That's too dangerous. Who knows if there are troll ambush troops on the retreat route?"
"Lor'themar, relax. I will be Sylvanas, and so will my knights." Arthas had long known this would happen. After all, the trolls had most likely set up scouts or even small ambushes in the rear, just waiting for Sylvanas to separate from the main force. But compared to the risk of the main force retreating directly and being discovered by scouts and then pursued by the troll army, luring out those scouts first was much safer.
Sylvanas stared at Arthas, seemingly deep in thought. After a moment, she stopped Lor'themar, who was about to object again, and asked Arthas, "You said you can resolve the curse?"
"Yes, but not right now. Otherwise, the trolls will certainly notice, and then they will charge the position at all costs. With a tenfold numerical disadvantage, we cannot hold this outpost alone, and we won't even have a chance to retreat." Arthas continued, "We just need to have the troops prepare for evacuation, and then act as if we haven't noticed the trolls' intentions, merely sending Lady Windrunner away. Their scouts and assassins certainly won't watch us retreat. Luring them out and eliminating them will buy us time for the safe retreat of the troops."
"But how can the Lady's safety be guaranteed?" Lor'themar said with some indignation.
"Lor'themar, I am a Paladin. No one understands how to protect others better than us. Moreover, I will be retreating with the royal knights. I am certain there are no major safety concerns, but as bait, it's impossible for there to be no danger at all."
"Alright, Lor'themar, under the current circumstances, do you have a better plan?" Sylvanas waved her hand. "Besides, my current situation isn't too bad, and I'm not entirely without the ability to protect myself."
Lor'themar fell silent, because Arthas's plan was indeed the most likely way to avoid risks at present. Furthermore, with Arthas himself, as a Prince, acting alongside Sylvanas, he really had nothing more to say. It was just that as a member of the Farstriders and the Ranger-General's adjutant, he was more concerned about his own superior's safety.
Arthas could also understand his thoughts, but Silvermoon City hadn't sent even half a person. Relying solely on the two Archmages he brought, it was impossible to teleport everyone away. Only by cutting off the trolls' eyes and ears would there be a chance for a safe retreat.
"Additionally, it's best to bury the remaining mana crystals in the position. My mages will turn them into a batch of mana bombs, which can also buy us some time." Upon hearing this, both Sylvanas and Lor'themar looked bitter. After all, human magic was learned from the High Elves, and now they actually had to rely on human mages to cover their retreat, which was utterly humiliating! If Silvermoon City had sent even a team of battle mages, Sylvanas could have led the Farstriders to come and go as they pleased right in the trolls' faces. But now they had no mages here, and Lordaeron's Archmages were unfamiliar with Quel'Thalas's ley lines, so they couldn't quickly evacuate the troops.
Her anger towards the Silvermoon Council's useless members, who only knew how to indulge, intensified—if not for Lordaeron's support, she, Sylvanas, and the Farstriders might very well have been captured by the trolls to be used as sacrificial offerings.
After negotiating with the elves, Arthas finally relaxed a little. It was fortunate that Sylvanas and Lor'themar were leading. Otherwise, given the inherent arrogance of the elves, if it had been any other High Elf general, Arthas would now be considering retreating alone.
After he explained the situation to his mentor, Uther, Uther also agreed. "At present, this is the only way. I will command the subsequent troops and proceed according to your plan."
Uther's gauntleted fist struck Arthas's breastplate, making a clear sound. "Be safe, my student. May the Light be with you."
"May the Light be with you, Master." Arthas smiled and departed to make preparations before leaving.