AN: This is something I put together earlier this year and never released. Obvious references regarding a few character names, set after the fall of Stormwind. And yes I'm keeping with the Stormwind references rather than Azeroth because A: It is easier on my brain. B: I mostly played Horde. It is obviously AU because it will warp Kalimdor's history, at least to a small extent. Enjoy. Please forgive my poor eyesight and the laptop screen for editing errors.
Sir Damon Ashfall, Knight Commander of Stormwind, stood aboard his flagship The Avatar as the sea raged around him. Despite the waves threatening the precious transports filled with refugees fleeing from the destruction of the kingdom by the Horde, his position atop his battleship let him view the area with a certain calm.
The squadron of warships surrounding the transports had been separated from the main fleet for hours now at the mercy of the storm, and his best mages were currently gathering together in an attempt to teleport them back to the fleet. A glance up into the storm concerned him but his trust in the mages who had explained the idea held him firm in face of the fury of the elements.
When he looked to the mages gathering upon his deck, teleporting or flying in on gryphons from the other ships regardless of the storm, he saw them gathering in a great circle. His flagship lead the fleet from the front and as such was in perfect position for the portal to be created. As the waves rocked his ship several of the mages almost stumbled, just barely maintaining their position amongst the circle.
The sight of a large wave heading for his ship caused alarm to rush through him, but before he could shout a warning the mages chants rose above the noise of the storm. As the ship rocked violently he could spot several mages fall to the deck, even hearing them stumble the words powering the spell. The giant rift opening before them was upon the fleet too quickly to avoid, and as the stormy waters forced the fleet through the weather seemed to follow.
A frigate trailing behind was the last ship through as the storm and unstable portal reacted in an explosion of magic. The unfortunate frigate was surged forward on a wave from the explosion, driving past the fleet to be crashed among an unfamiliar grass and boulder covered shore. Already another frigate was closing the distance to the shore to rescue their fellow soldiers, despite the violent magically fueled storm that struck out at the fleet.
Damon turned to the captain of his ship. "Anchor the larger ships, get the refugees to land! We can't risk landing the larger vessels with these waters, but the transports won't stand a chance among the waves."
Hearing the man relay his orders, he surveyed the fleet swiftly. Satisfied that their were no immediate issues, he strode to the deck of the forecastle while grabbing his spyglass from the pouch at his waist. Directly before him was a grassy landing leading up to great cliffs above the water. A short expanse of cliff to the south separate it from another flat section of land that rolled to more hills.
"Jonathan," He called to his squire, causing the young lad from Elwynn Forest to rush up the stairs to the forecastle. "I want a boat ready to take me to shore the moment the storm calms down. I also want a company of men on that beach with the refugees. I know the platoons among the transports will need rest, and I don't want anything getting any idea about attacking us."
"Who do you want in charge milord?" The young lad, almost thirteen summers in age, was very keen on the chain of command.
"Commander Greybraid," Damon replied, referring to an older dwarven knight that had trained him as a boy. "Find out what ship it was that got sent into the shore, if it can't be easily repaired have it stripped and make a dock."
"Yes milord!" The boy ran off quickly to relay his commands and Damon turned back towards the land.
Already several transports were slowly making their way to the shore, carefully staying back while the first unloaded its passengers. A team of gryphons were carefully unloading as many supplies as they could while the ship was near land, flying low to avoid the worst of the enhanced storms winds. Once the first ship had pulled away they switched their attentions to the oncoming second ship.
A great boom followed by a loud crack rent the air and Damon turned to the sound on his right to see the ablaze mast of a frigate crash into the waves. He spotted several soldiers dragged off by it even as the closest gryphon aboard the fleet took flight to assist them, screeching as the rider tugged it aside to avoid a falling bolt of lightning. Several large birds also rose into the air as hunters released their companions to help.
He was going to have the men signal for more assistance when the bulk of a giant crab and a large turtle jumped into the water from his ship. Apparently he had some rather interesting hunters among his men. Satisfied, he turned his spyglass to the shore once more to watch the unloading.
It took until morning for the storm to calm. Several extremely long hours of watching transports depositing frightened refugees had caused Damon to retire for a brief rest to prepare for the coming day. Once he was roused and on land he sought Commander Corven Greybraid, a fellow knight in service to Stormwind.
"Commander," He greeted as he joined the dwarf, the elder Knight giving a salute. "News?"
"We've got boys fortifyin' over by that wreck." The dwarf pointed southeast towards the distant short separated by cliffs. "Seems that path leads up these here hills, so we thought it best. The few gryphons we could spare to scout didn't spot anythin' livin' in the area, so we've been movin' the people up as they come."
"You've already dispatched survey teams and architects, haven't you?" Damon gave the old dwarf a grin as he noticed a team of dwarves upon the clifftop.
"Aye, that I have," Greybraid replied with a smile. "Figured you'd want the men to work right away, rather than loungin' around and makin' trouble." At Damon's nod the dwarf continued on, "We got notice of centaurs, the filthy beasties, up past the cliffs to the east. The lads buildin' the defences have half my company with them."
"Do we need more men over there?" Damon swung his spyglass to the south to watch several teams of humans and dwarfs building a stone and wooden palisade.
"Another company on the ground wouldn't be amiss," Commander Greybraid grumbled. "We need more supplies as well, but the transports are only comin' in so fast at once and we can't unload them fully since we need to get people to land."
Damon turned to the beach and watched as another team of builders scrambled to get a wooden dock built to aid the unloading. "The refugees are being asked about their professions I assume?"
"Aye, got a clerk goin' through them. Made sure to tell them to stick to tents for now anyway." Greybraid stroked his long braid while looking at his former pupil. "I want a mine open as soon as I can. Our construction supplies are extremely limited, and I'd prefer to use stone anyway."
Damon was rather impressed at how quickly his former mentor had things progressing. "If you have any cavalry on the ground I'll take them on a patrol. We brought my horse along with me. Also have some of the frigates anchor off the southern beach to disembark from there."
"That'd be helpful, aye." The dwarf turned and shouted to a soldier to prepare the cavalry forces. "Second to last ship had them. Got a crazy battlemage with them, real thrillseeker, but he follows orders."
"That wouldn't happen to be Sir Randall's group would it?" Damon had previous experiences with the mage in question, and while he set him on edge the man could get the job done.
A chuckle rose from the dwarf as he turned a knowing eye to his former student. "Aye, that it is. Sir Randall and his men-at-arms followed by that crazy mage. I'll try to get another group out after you as soon as I can."
Damon gave a sigh but sought out his horse, his squire dutifully armoring and saddling it before saddling his own horse. They journeyed up the hill slowly, the rain having turned it slippery. By the time they arrived to the top the rain had stopped and the clouds were parting, granting an astounding view of the hills to the southeast and the ocean to the west. Waiting for them were a dozen men-at-arms, the mage, their knight, and a dwarven shaman atop a ram.
"Sir Randall Swordbreaker, it is good to see you again." Damon gave the fellow knight a nod as he stopped his horse before them. "And just who is our dwarven comrade this day?"
The dwarf saluted with an axe from his ram as he chuckled. "Seamus Greybraid at yer service Sir Ashfall. Thought yer boys could use my contact with the elements."
"Your father mentioned you once or twice, happy to have the help. Are the men ready?" Damon turned to Sir Randall who gave a nod in return. "Let us go then, and keep your eyes out for centaur."
"Aye Commander!" The men replied as they followed the now riding Damon to the eastern path down.
As they passed the fortifications being built they could see another squadron of riders slowly filtering to shore, though they would have to give their beasts a rest. A human hunter with an eagle joined the riders with his own horse, apparently having been from the frigate that had begun rescue operations for the beached ship. The bird took to the air to provide them advanced warning of any natives in these lands.
Once they had ridden to the top of the hills to the east they were struck silent as the only dwarf among them gave a gasp and leapt from his saddle. "What in the blazes?" The dwarf stared at the hilly grassland covered in groupings of trees. Several large sentient trees walked among the trees, planting saplings and flowers.
"Is something wrong?" Damon was mildly curious about the reaction the dwarf gave.
"The elements are practically singin' up here Commander," Seamus replied. "Almost like the land hasn't felt whole in years."
Several of the men-at-arms gave a cry as one of the large tree beings turned their way. As it slowly lumbered over a few of them drew their weapons and nudged their horses back in worry. Sir Randall barked a command for them to hold as Seamus and Damon moved forward in a non-hostile manner.
As the sentient tree stopped several meters from them it looked at them from above a great leafy beard. "You are the Stormbringers?" The question was spoken slowly, in an ancient voice that sounded unused for years.
After glancing at the dwarf who gave a nod Damon met the gaze of the living tree. "Our arrival did bring the storm, yes. We apologize if this caused harm to your woods."
"Harm?" The being gave a slow, rumbling laugh at this. "Nature and magic healed this land because of the storm. My brothers and I were simple trees before the storm, but old trees. The magics in the storm awoke us from our slumber, and cause our weakened and dying brethen to spread." A large branch arm pointed out a half dozen similar creatures tending to the trees around them.
"Dyin'?" The shaman beside Damon questioned. "What happened to this land?"
"Something below the land drew the life from it long ago. Then the centaurs came to despoil the ruined earth. The land remembers," The being replied.
"Do you have a name? And could you tell us where the energy was drawn to?" Damon didn't want anything that could draw the energy from the ground beneath him near.
"A name?" An arm came up to stroke the leafy beard before pausing. "Treebeard. I am named Treebeard."
"Alright Treebeard, what ruined the land?" Seamus repeated Damon's question, a look of shock on his face.
"The Earth Princess. Deep within that mountain," Treebeard pointed north, back towards their landing point. "Her centaur children live atop it and guard the entry against outsiders. They will come soon, to destroy our woods. My brothers and I shall likely end then." The sadness coming from such a deep sound was disheartening, and Damon and Seamus exchanged another look before Damon nodded.
"We need wood Treebeard," Seamus supplied hopefully. "If we keep the centaurs from burnin' yer wood, could ye spare some trees for the men to cut and help the forest grow?"
The living tree rumbled loudly and turned his trunk to the woods, staring for several minutes. Slowly more of its kind came forward, low rumbles echoing from their bark faces that Damon was unable to understand. Several of them turned to look at the woods themselves before with another rumble they departed.
"My brothers have agreed," Treebeard replied in his deep and slow voice. "We will take more saplings before we lead your men to those that can be cut to make room for growth. So long as the forest can grow, we agree."
"We can work with that," Damon agreed instantly. "I'd rather have some trees than not have any trees."
"A gift for you Stormbringer," Treebeared rumbled, slowly reaching forth with a slightly glowing acorn. "Care for her well, and avoid letting water touch her until your enemy is defeated."
"Thank you," Damon replied in confusion, carefully taking the acorn from the living tree. He put the acorn in a small phial he carried for samples before stowing it in his pouch. "It was an interesting experience meeting with you, Treebeard."
With a slow rumbling laugh Treebeard turned and departed. Damon and the shaman returned and spoke with Sir Randall about the conversation, and he quickly had the eagle sent back carrying a message to Commander Greybraid. The group swiftly set off to the east once more, moving at a careful pace to be aware of threats.
An hour later, after the eagle had returned with a note of thanks from Greybraid, the bird gave a sharp cry as a dust cloud appeared northeast of them. Considering it was from the mountain foothills they likely wouldn't have noticed it without that warning in time to reposition. Turning his horse to face the oncoming threat, Damon grimaced as he raised the spyglass to his eye. A large grouping of centaur were charging toward them.
Lifting his hammer into the air Sir Randall gave a roar. "Spears!" At his command half of the riders swung long spears down and pointed to the enemy. "Let's teach these barbarians fear! Charge!" Damon stowed the spyglass away as the men charged with a great warcry. Joining the charge he pulled his blade from its sheath, the sun glinting off the ash grey metal.
It wasn't long before the opposing forces struck each other, and Damon was quickly forced to put his sword to work cutting down a centaur rushing past his right. He caught sight of Seamus Greybraid crippling several in quick order from the back of his ram. Giving a grunt Damon caught an attempted spear with his shield, destroying the weapon with a return strike by his sword.
One of the men-at-arms fell from his horse several yards to the left of Damon, a spear through his shoulder. Damon spun his horse to the side, quickly gutting his opponent as he did so, and drove it towards the downed soldier. He noticed young Jonathan strike down a centaur attempting to take Seamus from behind, and the dwarf gave a laugh as he finished it off.
A centaur was attempting to close in on the injured soldier, but Damon reached the soldier first and stabbed his blade through the unarmoured torso of the attacker. The soldier managed to break off the length of the spear, leaving the rest in so as not to bleed out, and he stood with sword in hand.
"Thank you Commander!" The injured man shouted, running for his horse amongst the battle.
Damon had no time to reply as he was already engaging another centaur, longsword flying against scimitar and shield rising to block arrows from another centaur. With a shout Damon struck at the unprotected legs of the centaur, cutting through the foreleg and downing his opponent. Before the injured centaur could retaliate his sword flashed out and removed the head as he urged his horse towards the archer.
Cutting down the archer was a simple affair, and Damon looked around to see his men finishing the rest of the centaur warband. The injured soldier was having his wound wrapped by one of his fellows and Jonathan, Sir Randall was directing some of the men to pick up the better weapons off the centaurs, and Seamus was going around finished the injured centaur off.
Damon directed his horse to Sir Randall for a status report. "Status, Sir Randall?"
"One dead, poor fool took a spear to the throat," Sir Randall grimaced as he remembered that. "Three others with injuries, so thankfully we didn't come off too badly."
"We'll have to increase patrol sizes," Damon mused, watching the hunter send his bird aloft once more. "Larger platoons, equipped with spears."
"Commander Greybraid has likely considered that already sir." The knight looked to his men with relief. "We should return however, another fight like that would go badly."
Damon gave a nod and kept a watch on the horizon while the men picked anything that could be of use up off the battlefied. Their departure was a quiet affair as they kept a careful eye on the mountains to the north. It was only a short time later they came upon the second patrol of two dozen riders. The injured men were given a short rest as the patrols Lieutenant was informed of the attack and several spair spears were passed over to the larger patrol before they departed once more.
At the top of the path from the foothills to the eastern beach they were met with a wooden palisade and heavy stakes being driven into the ground. A dozen guards armed with spears and a half dozen archers guarded it and gave salutes as they passed through. The builders halted work for several moments as they caught sight of the casualty, bowing their heads and praying to the Light. Damon felt that there was likely not a more appropriate response.
Sitting inside his tent going over geological surveys and crude maps of the surrounding lands, Damon officially signed off on several of Greybraid's idea. As the highest ranked human among the survivors of Stormwind, Damon found himself beset on all sides by the paperwork. Commander Greybraid had firmly stepped aside from a leadership position even though he had decades of experience on Damon, citing the need for the humans to have one of their own to look up to. Damon had jokingly retaliated by assigning Greybraid as his second, and put him in charge of opening a mine at the eastern landing, a task the dwarf took to with glee.
Commander Greybraid was a well respected individual, one of the few dwarves serving in the Stormwind military prior to the arrival of the Horde. The old dwarf had seen combat against the Gurubashi trolls, and was familiar with running an operation in hostile lands. He fully agreed with avoiding tunneling into a hostile mountain, and an entry below the foothills was hastily opened by the miners instead.
The sun was low in the sky when he finally put the papers aside and left his tent. Heading for the cooking fires, Damon was distracted by several children running past. Watching the children play for a few minutes was exactly what he needed after a long day, and so he sat beside the fire as they played tag.
The cook, a middle-aged man with a wide grin, gave a chuckle as he passed Damon a bowl of stew. "Those kids are lucky aren't they Commander?"
Lifting a spoonful of the stew up, Damon blew on it gently as he watched two young boys fleeing a younger girl. "They need that happiness," Damon replied before savoring the taste of the stew. "Who knows when we'll be able to contact Lordaeron. I only pray that the prince is safe."
"The men wouldn't let anything happen to Prince Varian, Commander." The cook gave a bowl to another warrior before turning back to Damon, "I just hope my boy is alright. He's part of the Royal Guard these days."
"Truly?" A son in the Royal Guard was considered good fortune among the men. "You must be proud."
"That I am." The man gave a firm nod as he served another bowl. "His mother, Light bless her, used to tell him stories about the Knights of Stormwind and the Royal Guard."
Damon took a moment to swallow another mouthful as he looked to the cook. "She passed then?"
"Aye, a decade ago. Never fully recovered from the birth, you see." The man paused in his work as he thought back to happier times. "I swear, not a child in town would misbehave if she was near. Too afraid of her not telling them the stories, I figure."
"Sounds like a great woman," Damon replied with a chuckle. "If only I had one of those to keep the men in line. Despite the work needing to be done we've already had two brawls."
The cook grinned before he flexed a well muscled arm, "Three actually Commander. Taught the boys not to drink and fight in front of my fire or the kids myself. Sent the louts to Commander Greybraid after I was done with them."
Damon winced and choked briefly on his stew, coughing for a moment until the cook slapped him on the back. "They'll regret that brawl more than anything come morning. Greybraid will have them in the mines bright and early without remorse."
"And the headache will be a lesson for 'em," a man from nearby chimed in, to the laughter of his fellows.
"It'll be a lesson to you all if you start something in front of my fires," Cook growled, eyeing them.
An amused soldier waved his spoon in surrender as he smiled, "And miss your stew? Never Cook, never."
Damon laughed lowly as he returned the bowl with a nod and departed for his tent. The stew was delicious, and he made a note to keep that man employed and supplied. He carefully arranged the papers on his table before removing his boots and armour. Sinking onto the rather soft cot, a privilege of rank, he resolved to get as much shut eye as he could.
Before he fell asleep, he looked to the small acorn sitting in a jar on his table. "Just what are you?" No answer came of course, and he soon fell asleep to dreams of acorns and centaurs.