In the Necropolis roster, the Bone Dragon is often mocked as the "shame of the Tier 7 units." However, there's no denying that its appearance is incredibly cool. Players encountering Heroes of Might and Magic for the first time usually think this unit looks badass and powerful, only to realize once they use it that it's essentially garbage.
Fortunately, it is great for intimidation. It possesses a "Morale -1" effect, which in the world of Azeroth translates to a potent deterrent skill—low morale can literally cause troops to freeze in terror.
"Go inform the Banshee Queen; I will come to meet her shortly," Straker said, nodding.
"Yes, my Lord," the undead guard replied, bowing respectfully before exiting Straker's chambers.
In the main hall of Shadowfane Bastion, a lady clad in black plate armor with pale hair, dark skin, and crimson eyes stood waiting. Beside her stood several Dark Rangers dressed in similar attire.
"Well? Does your master deign to see me?"
"Lady Sylvanas, my lord is handling an important matter. He asks that you wait a moment; he will be with you shortly," the undead guard informed her.
"I see. I will wait here, then. But he had better hurry; we don't have much time," Sylvanas replied, nodding.
Sylvanas Windrunner—once the Ranger-General of Silvermoon, now the Banshee Queen—surveyed the interior of the floating fortress with a discerning eye. Eerie blue runic fires flickered along the cold Saronite walls.
The air was thick with the eternal scent of death and frost, yet it was strangely "clean." It lacked the usual rot and chaotic stench characteristic of the Scourge, making it feel distinct from other necropolises.
The undead soldiers here were highly disciplined, executing orders in silence. In their eyes, she sensed... something else. They weren't just hollowed-out slaves.
A faint smile touched the Banshee Queen's lips. It seemed this man—who rivaled Arthas for the title of the Scourge's premier Death Knight—had also slipped the Lich King's leash, along with his soldiers.
Straker... a man who rose rapidly yet remains elusive, Sylvanas mused. She had never heard of this Death Knight before his transformation; he seemed to have had no notable achievements in life.
His entire legend was forged after death within the Scourge. He had "luckily" avoided the main front at Mount Hyjal but had achieved "miraculous" success in the purges across the Eastern Kingdoms—particularly when fighting against her own forces.
He had enjoyed the Lich King's absolute "trust." Now that the Lich King's power was waning and the bonds were loosening, she keenly sensed that Straker was breaking free. He was a potential ally—but also a dangerous competitor.
Suddenly, a powerful pressure descended from above, accompanied by the bone-grinding sound of massive shifting weight. Sylvanas looked up sharply. A colossal skeletal beast pierced through the fortress's magical shield and landed slowly in the center of the vast courtyard.
The creature's skeletal wings spanned so wide they seemed to blot out the sky. Icy soul-fire burned in its sockets. Its sheer size and the aura of death it radiated far surpassed any Gargoyle she had ever seen. It was a dragon—an undead dragon—but not the Frost Wyrms she was accustomed to seeing in the Scourge.
More importantly, her pupils constricted as she saw the figure perched upon the dragon's skull: Straker.
"I kept you waiting, Lady."
Straker was clad in heavy Saronite armor, wielding a runic greatsword that glowed with an ominous blood-red light. He sat atop the terrifying Bone Dragon, looking down from a position of absolute power.
The Banshee Queen narrowed her eyes. It was obvious this Death Knight wanted to put her in her place. Straker leaped from the dragon's head, hitting the ground with a heavy thud.
The Bone Dragon behind him raised its head, letting out a wave of dread. While undead are immune to such psychological effects, her Dark Rangers could still sense the raw combat potential of the beast.
Such a massive undead monster... Is this a new creation of the Scourge?
"I didn't expect you to have such a mount. It looks impressive, but there's no need to show off in front of me," Sylvanas said with a light snort.
The Lich King had treated this Death Knight far too well. Would he truly betray his master, even with his free will restored? If he didn't, she would have to find a way to get out of here alive.
Sylvanas quickly suppressed her shock and regained her cold composure. "Straker, your welcoming ceremony is... quite unique. This... undead dragon is indeed remarkable. It seems the Lich King has bestowed much upon you." She mentioned the Lich King intentionally, testing his attitude and his source of power.
"Hahaha, you flatter me, Banshee Queen. This fellow just looks flashy; its actual combat strength is quite poor. Any decent Death Knight could take it down," Straker said, patting the Bone Dragon.
He wasn't lying. As the strongest "Tier 6" unit, it couldn't win a duel against a Dread Knight, let alone a Death Knight hero. However, to Sylvanas's ears, this sounded like a veiled threat or a ridiculous boast. An undead dragon that can't beat a single Death Knight? Are you joking?
"Heh, is that so? If it's truly that weak, I wouldn't mind having one myself. Care to give me one? I'm quite interested," Sylvanas said, looking at him.
A small smile played on Straker's lips. I tell the truth and no one believes me! Its combat power really is terrible.
"I could give you one, but I only give gifts to allies. Are you an ally, Lady?" Straker asked.
"It seems my guess was correct; you have also broken the Lich King's control. Of course we are allies. We will have our revenge against Arthas, against the Scourge, and against the Lich King together," Sylvanas declared.
"Revenge against the Lich King and Arthas? No problem there. I've hated that brat's face from the start; I've been wanting to grind his head into the dirt for a long time. But let's be blunt: you didn't come here just to admire my new ride. You've noticed the Dreadlords' little schemes, haven't you?" Straker went straight to the point, his fingers tapping the hilt of his sword.
Sylvanas's gaze sharpened. "You know more than I thought. Yes, Arthas's power is fading. This is our chance. We must unite to break free from that patricide's control and make him pay for what he did to us! You said you wanted to teach him a lesson? This time, you might even get a chance to duel him one-on-one—and ensure he doesn't use Frostmourne."
"That is good news. We can ambush him on the road. But before that, I want to confirm one thing, Banshee Queen: Am I on your list for revenge?" Straker asked meaningfully.
During the invasion of Quel'Thalas, he had been Arthas's top general, carving through High Elves like wheat. Many of the Dark Rangers standing behind Sylvanas right now had likely died by his hand.
The atmosphere turned instantly electric. The Dark Rangers behind Sylvanas gripped their bows, their eyes filled with malice.
Sylvanas remained silent for a moment before speaking. "The true culprits are the Burning Legion, Arthas, and the Lich King. You were no different from the other mindless undead attacking our home—victims, just like the High Elves who were raised after they fell."
If you were still serving the Lich King, you'd be on the list. But right now, Straker's zombie hordes and elite Death Knights are forces I cannot afford to lose.
"Then one final question, Banshee Queen. Once we unite... who calls the shots? You, or me?"
Sylvanas's face darkened. "I don't think now is the time to discuss this. The priority is dealing with Arthas. Only once he is gone can we rest easy and truly betray the Lich King."
Humans... such a power-hungry race, she thought. They've barely agreed to cooperate and he's already thinking about the spoils of war. They were all just undead; their only goal should be revenge.
"Perhaps you're right, Sylvanas. It's not the time. We can discuss it after we are fully free," Straker said, his tone arrogant to the extreme. The Bone Dragon behind him let out a timely roar and spread its massive skeletal wings. "But I'll state this now: I have no intention of serving under a woman."
"Hmph! We'll see if you have the strength to back that up when the time comes," Sylvanas thought, though she didn't say it aloud. She had no intention of serving under anyone either; she wanted to be a True Queen.
"Here is my plan," Sylvanas began. "The Dreadlords are plotting to kill Arthas within the Capital City of Lordaeron. Arthas will fight his way out. I will send some Banshees to 'help' him on the road, leading him out of the city and into a trap under the guise of an audience with me. When the time comes, you can have your duel. I trust you can win."
She had originally planned to use poison to weaken Arthas, but now? Let Straker and Arthas fight it out. Ideally, they would kill each other. Then, the Bone Dragon, the Death Knights, and the zombie army would all belong to her.
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