My name is Charlie Maddock of the clan Maddock, and this is my story

I remember that first, fateful day when I first walked up the path to Stormwind city. I was awed by the tall walls, shining canals, and tall statues. Armed guards stood at every door, and many travelers in strange clothes were passing through. Slightly nervous, I stepped through the massive gate and into the gleaming city. I walked down the tall, stone path, statues on either side of me. I reached the end and turned right, and then left, and right again. I marched down a long path and emerged into a bustling street of tradesmen and adventurers, brigands and priests, you get the idea.

There were many colors and flashes of light from what I assumed where magic users. I saw men with purple skin, men with blue skin, and men shorter than dwarves riding little metal contraptions. I walked down the stores, not sure where I could go to find an inn. I saw a sign labeled the Gilded Lily and decided to head over there and ask directions.

I stepped through the doorway into a small, but comfortable place. A lady in a dress greeted me and asked what she could do for me. "I'm lookin' for a place to spend the night," I replied. "Well, you've come to the right place. Welcome to the Gilded Lily inn," she said.

I gave her a few silver coins and went upstairs to my room. I may have come from a barbaric and primitive place, but it was bare even to me. A simple bed filled up most of the space, and the rest was empty floor. I set down my pack and put down my claymore. Changing into more comfortable attire, I went to sleep for the night.

I woke up the next morning refreshed and ready to go out into the world. Stepping outside of the inn, I set down the road to where I knew destiny awaited me- the Command Center.

In Old Town, there's a section devoted purely to the military part of the Alliance. I walked there now, only occasionally stopping to admire one part of the city or another. After a few minutes, I reached my destination. Before me, lay a stone courtyard with three walls to separate one section from another. To my left was my destination- the Command Center. Straight ahead was SI:7, a place I knew nothing about, and to my left was the war room where a few generals planned out the war that was brewing.

Two guards stopped me and I tried to make my way into the Command Center. "What is your business here?" one of them asked me. "I'm here to join the Stormwind Guard," I replied. I wasn't sure if he heard me because of my Dwarvish Accent, but I think I got through. They let me pass and I entered another rectangular courtyard. Training dummies lined one side, where armed men hacked away at them.

I walked through the courtyard to the main building. A few of the men stopped to stare at me as I entered. Ahead of me lay a staircase leading downstairs, with another one upstairs bound across the room. In the center lay a table with a few chairs around it. Sitting on one of the chairs, talking to two other men, sat a man with black hair and blue eyes. He had a crooked nose and a strong jaw. He was adorned with plate armor and on his back sat a massive stone warhammer.

I approached them and politely waited for them to notice me. They did almost straight away and halted their conversation. "Can I help you, Highlander?" the man asked. "I'm here to join the Stormwind Guard," I replied. The man raised an eyebrow and said, "We don't just let anyone join, you know," he told me. I nodded my head and told him, "I'll gladly take any test ye have for me, sir,"

He nodded his approval and asked me, "Why do you seek a position among the guard?" "I want to help and defend th' people and meet out justice t' the wrong doers," I told him without hesitation. He nodded and asked me, "Do you have any previous command experience?" "I've led the men of me clan into battle many a time," I told him.

"You will be expected to uphold the law and protect the citizens of the Alliance at every opportunity. Will you vow to do this?" I nodded and vowed my allegiance. He then provided me with several papers to sign, after which he called in a man named Jacob to outfit me with armor. "By the way," he said as I walked downstairs with the armorer, "the name's Bastilieus."

I followed Jacob downstairs where he cast a critical eye over my long hair, beard, stocky build, and plaid kilt. After a time muttering to himself about sizes, he handed me some blue and silver armor that I put on with difficulty. The many straps and loops had me confused.

When I finished he handed me a helmet and tabard, which I equipped as well. "Now for a sword," he said half to himself. I interrupted him, saying, "I've got one of my own." He nodded his approval. "Colonel Bastilieus wanted to see you upstairs when you were done," he told me. I nodded my understanding and went upstairs.

I walked up the creaking steps and came to a landing above ground level. It had a window that gave a view out onto the courtyard. The Colonel was standing by it, looking outside. I approached him and said, "Ye wanted t' see me sir?" He nodded and motioned for me to sit in a nearby chair.

After I sat down, he began to speak. "Not many people know this Maddock, but the Guard's in trouble. We have a very small number of guards, partly because many went to the join the new Alliance Special Forces squad. There's nothing we can do about it for now, however. We'll need more men, but for now we have to stay fixed on our duties. There's a problem in Goldshire," he said. Charlie thought back to when he had visited the large, busy town.

Goldshire was a little was South Easy of Stormwind, and attracted more travelers than you could count. It was also a frequent sight of Horde raids. I frowned at that thought. He hoped that they weren't sending him there for that reason. I admired and respected the people of the Horde very strongly, especially the orcs.

"Every night, people are being kidnapped. Stolen. Gone. They go to bed and never come out of their bedroom. We don't have any idea where they're going, and that's why we're going to send you their," he said.

I nodded mu understanding. "I'll find these flee bitten, honor-less scoundrels who steal men from their beds," I said, growled. The Colonel nodded, obviously pleased by my enthusiasm. "I won't be sending you alone, however," he said. I frowned at that. Didn't he trust me enough to be able to handle this on my own? I opened my mouth to protest, but he interrupted me. "It's not that we don't think you'll be able to handle it. We want to send another new recruit along so that you both get some experience from this. If we're going to keep anyone in the Guard, we're going to have to be known as the best, so we need to be the best."

I thought it over and grudgingly admitted that it made sense. "Who is goin' with me?" I asked him. "A night elf by the name of Talfuric," he told me. I sighed in frustration. I didn't like Night Elves. "When do we leave?" I asked him

"Right away," he told me. Good. I was spoiling for some adventure. And maybe a fight or two. "Grab your sword and return here," he said. I grinned.