It was night and a blaring storm raged overhead. Massive drops of water fell from the sky and Marek's head and back ached. Marek had ridden from Lakeshire to Stormwind in the night while in full armor. now he was paying the price, but that didn't matter now. He had to get the news of the resurgence of the Blackrock Clan to the king. Marek , just yesterday, was the captain of a company of men sent out from Stormwind with orders to spy on the remaining Blackrock clan. Most had left with their previous chief Malkorok to join with Garrosh Hellscream, but many had stayed behind and a new warchief was selected, the strong Makgor Hellfury. Even though they had lost half their orcs, the blackrock clan accepted the fealty of the 15 ogre tribes in the area, a 500 troll Amani warband that had happened in the area, the remaining Dark Iron dwarves in Shadowforge city, and a company of goblin engineers. Now with these new allies the Blackrock horde had never been more powerful.
The only Alliance presence in the area had been a ranger company under John Keeshan and a militia group under Lady Morgan Grey. These groups had been pushed back into redridge and has been defending those lands with the Stormwind garrison for months. Marek had been sent with a group of cavaliers to take control of the situation. There had been a good lot of fighting. The goblin and dwarf war engines were way more powerful than anything Marek had. The Grey Lions ,as the group began to call itself, only had three cannons and two war wagons against the heavy armored divison of the clan. Marek had to call in a lot of favors to armor Redridge against the clan, but before these favors could be fulfilled the clan smashed the lions in one pitched battle. Marek and a few others got away. They went to clear out Lakeshire and any other citizens in the area. Once they got to Eastvale the local Marshal there took in the refugees and the surviving soldiers. Marek went to ride to Stormwind so he could report to King Varian.
All night Marek had rode and now he gave his reigns to the Stormwind Keep stable hand as two royal guards ran up.
" What business do you have for the court at this hour." yelled the first guard trying to be heard over the storm. Both guards had there hands on there sword pommels.
"I'm Sir Marek the Steelsong. I here on urgent business for the King. He must hear me tonight!" yelled Marek as he took out a missive written in the King's own hand, but the two guards already knew of the Steelsong. One started to jog with Marek as the other sprinted off to wake the king. Marek hadn't waited long in front of the throne until King Varian and Prince Anduin showed up.
Marek kneeled before the king ignoring the ache in his body. "Your Majesty, I have urgent news from Redridge. I wish for you to hear" The king made a gesture to stand as he sat on the throne with Anduin taking his place to the right.
"Yes. Out with it Marek." said the King in a tired voice.
"The Blackrocks had chosen a new leader and gained Shadowforge city and the dark irons there with it, All the ogre clans in the steppes, a Amani warband, and a company of goblins. They have a strong armored division with ironclads and many cannons. They also have reenslaved the dragons of the steppes with also a few goblin war kites. They smashed through Redridge and on there way here now!". By the time Marek was done King Varian was standing and was already coming up with a battle plan.
"Thank you Marek for bringing this to my attention. Somebody wake up my war councilors and Genn. We must plan for an attack. Sir Marek is to be fed and given rest here for as long as he needs. I may have need for you once more." The king was already walking by the time he had ended talking. He and his household rushed off to do their duties. One of the guards that had met Marek at the gate walked up to where Marek was standing soaking wet and tired.
"The keep's kitchen is over there behind those doors to the right, Gabe the keep's cook should be in there preparing breakfast. He's sure to make you something. When your done there come out and I'll show you to your room." said the guard as he gestured to the room on the left of the throne. Marek said his thanks and made his way there.
Marek had eaten a fast breakfast of crispy bacon, toasted bread, a honey biscuit , and a flagon of apple cider. He then went to the guard and followed him to his rooms. His room was a nice room if not a small one in a corner by the keep's library. Marek had slept until noon when one of the King's pages came to wake him up.
" His Majesty wishes to see you in the war room, Sir Marek." said the young page. Marek had woken up to the pages knocking and had grunted his acknowledgement. Marek's back still ached from his ride and it had been tough to wake up. I'm getting too old for this. This playing at war. At 55 winters Marek was an elder amongst the masses of young soldiers. He was feeling the affects of old age. He promised himself that he would retire in a year. If I make it that long.
Marek got dressed in a borrowed doublet and we a little too small for Marek's thick build, but they were dry which Marek hadn't been in quite sometime. Marek got escorted to the king by the page. As Marek walked in he saw a tired bunch of men and women. There was about seven people in the room. Most were still in there sleep clothes. All of them were either the King's council members or military leaders. Varian was first to notice him and gestured him over.
"Sir Marek. We have been planning a response to your news. We will require your assistance if you are willing." said Varian.
"Aye sire. What is it?"
"You will lead a company of soldiers to Eastvale. Pick up the fighting men there and march to the three corners and wait there for reinforcements from Darkshire. You will be given two thousand fighters. That is a mixed group of archers, gunners, footmen, and cavalry. You will also have command of ten of our own ironclads, fifteen armored war wagons, and a air company of heliballoons and griffon riders. Also there is already a shipment of artillery and engineers from Goldshire on the way to the campsite as we speak." Marek was surprised and it showed on his face. This was a big operation he would have thought that the King would take it upon himself to lead this. Instead it had fallen on him.
"Yes sire. I will gladly accept the position." This will be my last. I will retire after this battle.
"Good. You will find your lieutenants and captains by the front gates waiting for you. May Tyr watch over you." The king then ordered everybody to leave except Mathias Shaw to leave. As everybody left Marek over heard the King whisper to Shaw something about the presence in Northrend. Marek wanted to know more, but that would have to wait. He needed to get to the gates fast.
Once Marek had ridden to the gates he saw his company. A big group of men waited for him. He formed all the men together into marching lines then started on there way to Eastvale. it had taken three hours, but they were at Eastvale. Marek collected Keeshan's rangers and Lady Morgan's men. From there they marched another two hours until they decided to wait. There would be another three hour march tomorrow until they were at the camp site. They just camped on the road. No travel would be had on this road. All the civilians had been moved back to Eastvale and were ordered to stay there as it's the most defensible point around. As the camp slept Marek found it hard to sleep. He walked the camp. it was spread out among the road, but he had the men put the ironclads and wagons around the main group to serve as a makeshift wall. Marek walked among the night guards until he saw John Keeshan sitting by a fire sharpening a dagger and some arrows. Marek didn't much care for the hotheaded Keeshan, but since they were tied together for the time being Marek decided to try to be on good terms with the man.
"How does the night fare for you Captain Keeshan?" asked Marek as he took a seat on a camp chair in front of Keeshan. John looked up from his sharpening and sighed.
"Well enough commander. Just preparing for tomorrow. When do we move?"
"Dawn. We are all still primarily packed. Just a few fires to put out and bed rolls to be tied back up, so we should get a start early. I will send out the call to wake up one hour before dawn. That should give the men time to eat and pack for the journey." Keeshan nodded his approval. The two men sat in silence for a while. Marek stared into the flames. He couldn't get out of his head what the king had said earlier about Northrend. Does this Black Rock resurgence have anything to do with it? Marek shook away those thoughts. These days did have dark feelings. It was like the world had lost something. It came up shortly after Garrosh was defeated. They had his trial and he was sent to Pandaria. Six months after that it was like the world darkened. Things started to turn for the worse. Illnesses, political strife, and more started to pop up.
Stormwind had just been able to significantly start to take back control of the lands it had lost recently. Gryan Stoutmantle took back Westfall from the Defias. Darkshire was reinforced with men and Duskwood as a whole was being resettled. The few camps in Stranglethorn were reinforced, But those good days were lost now. Some uneasiness hung in the air. Stormwind's parliament couldn't be anymore fractured. With all three estates fracturing into parties that just fought all the time. The nobles wanted their rights restored from the king as the king took more power for himself during these past few calamities. The Church of Light wanted to reassert their power that had waned since Stormwind took on a more liberal approach to policies. They started to fight back against Varians recent legalization of the darker arts. The Church had gained many fanatics and hatreds that hadn't been seen in a long time in Stormwind started to resurge. The Churches more radical bishops had been preaching hate against the other races and magic users. Many took up the call, but they were still a minority. The common leaders found themselves needing to defend there more recently won rights. A illness of some sort was crawling among the Stormish.
This was just Stormwind. Everywhere else was also falling to pieces. In Ironforge the three clans were at it again. Constant arguing. Darnassus was a hotbox of strife with the recent reintroduction of the Highborne into their nation. The Gilnean worgen started to find there place, but now there was strife between the worgen who wanted to keep their abilities and the ones who wanted to be cured. Ivar Bloodfang led the ones who wanted to keep the curse. King Genn led the ones who wanted to be cured. Darius Crowley was a mediator between the two, but ultimately sided with Genn. The Exodar Draenei were getting used to there home on Azuremyst, but some of them wanted to leave and go fight the Legion. Then there were others who wanted to stay on their adopted home. The High Prophet has been the voice of the Defenders as they have taken to calling themselves while a vindicator named Maraad has taken the leadership of the Revengers. The Gnomeregan is the only Alliance nation currently not in a flaux. The Gnomes have taken their home back and have regained their previous strength. Jojo Ironbrew wanted to stay Alliance after Alysa Cloudsinger went back to the moving turtle she called home. This caused the Tushui pandaren to split almost half. All this and there were rumors of a paladin in the north called Andarin who knew the location of Calia Menethil who would be the queen of lordaeron. Danath Trollbane and came and took back Stromgarde and the surrounding lands. Only leaving Hammerfall as per the treaty with the Horde.
Marek knew all this had to be for a reason, but that was for later. Marek stood up said his good night to Keeshan and made his way back to his spot. There was a beroll laid out with a pack on the ground. In the pack and on the ground were maps, messages, and battle plans. Shoving all the papers into the pack, Marek laid on the bedroll. It was high summer so he didn't need a blanket. He slept until a squire woke him up. It was still dark, but Marek could tell by the lightening horizon it was about an hour from dawn. As he sat up he heard the camp being packed up. The hum of the steam powered Ironclads as they got ready, horses naying, and men shouting orders filled the air. Marek had sent the air brigade ahead to scout and to meet up with the artillery. The company would be with them in about three hours. Marek strapped his armor on and got his horse ready to ride. Marek rode down the line getting men into position and then commanded the company to move. He then rode up to the front. I have been fighting these blackrocks since the First War. It's time to end them, so I can rest.