As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the polished marble floors of Alterac's council hall, King Aiden Perenolde paced with restless intensity. His usually composed demeanor was replaced by a growing sense of unease, a shadow of doubt that gnawed at his mind.
His sharp eyes flicked across the room, taking in the banners, the maps, and the silent figures of his advisors. Aiden knew that Salane, the messenger he sent, had failed to deliver on the letter he had promised—an alliance with the Horde.
"Lord, Sir Lothar has arrived," the guard outside announced.
Having already foreseen this outcome, Perenolde appeared in his formal attire and sat upright in his usual office seat, saying, "Let him in."
A minute later, the quiet council hall was filled with the clanging of metal armor. Sir Lothar had arrived.
Stepping into the council hall, Sir Lothar looked at King Perenolde with a calm expression.
Without any exchange of pleasantries, Sir Lothar directly slammed the letter in his hand in front of King Aiden Perenolde. The thin letter sat slightly crooked on the ancient, heavy table. But Perenolde didn't pick it up immediately, even though it was something he had sent out just two days ago.
The letter bore the insignia of the Kingdom of Alterac, which now seemed glaringly conspicuous. Perenold tried to calm himself. After taking a deep breath, he succeeded.
"Sir Lothar, I believe you have already read this letter," Perenolde said, maintaining the composure of a king.
Lothar sat down, holding the Great Royal Sword before him. He said, "Of course, King Perenolde, I now wish to hear your next decision. While this matter is still known to only a few."
The added condition surprised Perenolde.
"I admit it is a very unpleasant matter, but I have considered this matter for a long time. Even now, I am still considering it," Perenolde said calmly.
Sir Lothar said, "I only want to hear your answer, King Perenolde. You still have time to consider. The Horde's orc army will arrive in Alterac in two days at most. Whatever your choice, your time is running out."
Perenolde seemed to have aged considerably in those few minutes. In the Kingdom of Alterac, a nation bound together by aristocratic politics, he had never liked making his own choices. It had always been this way, and it remained so. The nobles feared that war would destroy their interests, and, incidentally, his.
But today, he saw Sir Lothar, alone in Alterac. He seemed to sense something, a strange feeling, devoid of fear or oppression, only the leader's charisma.
From the time of the recollections in the seven kingdoms of Lordaeron, he had been willing to believe in this general whose blood flowed with Arathi blood. Yet, the Horde had moved him.
Now, this intense feeling was once again compelling him to make a choice. Still influenced by others, but this time was different. Perenolde personally lifted the lampshade and lit the lamp. He didn't immediately cover the lamp; he was thinking.
Half a minute later, he picked up the letter. Removing the Alterac insignia, a soft note lingered beside Perenolde's white beard.
"Sir Lothar, the army will arrive tomorrow to reinforce us. Alterac Valley will not let any orc escape easily!" Perenolde made up his mind. He was old; after being King of Alterac for so long, it was time to think of his people. He was a ruler, and he knew deeply who the kingdom's interests belonged to, and who truly owned it.
Lothar was silent for a moment, then stood up. With his usual composed expression, Sir Lothar slowly walked to Perenolde's side.
"History may change because of today, King Perenolde."
After a long while, the mage outside the council hall saw Sir Lothar emerge.
"Thank you, Leylin, for accompanying me here. I originally thought coming to Alterac would be a very dangerous thing, after all, it's just the two of us." Sir Lothar said with a smile.
Waving his hand, Leylin said, "It's worth it no matter what. We got the best answer. At least, our chances of winning are greater, and our losses will be less."
This mage seemed quite realistic. Unlike Khadgar, who was always idealistic, Leylin, stripped of his mage identity, was more like a leader.
Three days later.
The Horde orcs crossed the Alterac Mountains and arrived at Wildpaw Ridge in the Kingdom of Alterac. Here, the Horde orcs encountered fierce resistance.
Direct conflict was exactly what Doomhammer wanted to see. The Horde, allied with the Dragonmaw Clan orcs from Grim Batol, along with a large number of dragons, launched a frenzied assault on the Alliance defenses at Wildpaw Ridge.
In just one day, the Alliance's makeshift defenses crumbled instantly. The Horde advanced rapidly, their target already Lordaeron.
One day may not be much, but in such a tense war situation, it was enough.
Upon receiving news of the Horde's advance on Alterac, Lordaeron rapidly mobilized its forces. From Stromgarde to Alterac and Dalaran, all remaining troops quickly converged on Lordaeron.
Even Gilneas, traditionally conservative, sent troops to aid Lordaeron.
Now, the Alliance's true strength was gathering, with soldiers from both factions converging on Lordaeron; the final battle was imminent.
"If that letter had actually reached the Horde, these refugees might not be retreating with us now," Alleria said, looking at the people fleeing towards Lordaeron.
Leylin stood to Alleria's left, holding a child from the Kingdom of Alterac. "That's right," he said, "but what about after the war? We might not even see these faces around us anymore."
Alleria stroked the child's face in Leylin's arms. "That's true," she said, "but often we only see the immediate benefits and ignore the future disasters. It was a very difficult decision, even knowing it was a mistake."
"Stop lamenting," Leylin asked. "Has Quel'Thalas' reinforcements arrived yet?"
Alleria nodded and said, "Sylvanas and Lor'themar have already set off for Lordaeron with a group of rangers. They're riding dragonhawks and should arrive soon."
"The final battle is here!" Alleria said, gripping Leylin's left hand tightly.
"We will surely win." Leylin looked towards Southshore. Gul'dan's plan would help the Alliance at the most crucial moment.