Prologue: Hearty Meals and Hearty Lovers

Relunaara sipped at her Honey mint tea, her Draenei eyes hovering over her two closest friends as they enjoyed a warm dinner albeit the unforgiving cold outside the barracks. She giggled as the thin tentacles from behind her ear came into contact with the tea's steam. The short warmth made her feel comfortable, safe.

"Amazing, huh?" she spoke, taking a bite out of her Mead basted Caribou steak.

Doran, her warrior friend, raised a curious Night Elven brow, while Glanar, another warrior of Draenei descent, continued to stuff his mouth with food. Rel chuckled at the gluttonous Glanar, who flashed her with a cheeky grin.

"What's so amazing?" asked Doran, putting down his fork.

Rel glanced around the barracks' cafeteria, pursing her lips at all the brave, hearty soldiers. "You're all riding to battle tomorrow, and yet when it comes to food everyone seems to forget that there was even a war at all."

And that was sufficiently true. The barracks' cafeteria was so alive and filled with cheer that someone could easily mistake it for a victory party. But this was what was so admirable with the Alliance; besides their honor and valiance, they've got real heart.

Glanar wiped his mouth clean with the back of his palm. "Meal time is the soldier's only paradise in war. He might as well enjoy it!"

"True," Rel chortled, but she quickly lost her smile. With a downward glance, she spoke to her friends again. "Still, I can't help but be worried for you guys. Angrathar's as good as unassailable."

"Highlord Bolvar doesn't seem to think so," said Doran. "Nor does our Horde-" and the night elf's face twitched, "-allies."

Glanar smiled. "We'll be fine. This army's the best the Alliance has ever assembled, and if anything does happen, the reserves," and he leaned in closer, "that's you by the way, would definitely save our asses."

Doran sighed amusedly. "Glanar, I'd bet that your ass is the only one that's going to need saving tomorrow."

"Oh, we'll see, Elf. We'll see," Glanar chortled right before putting his attention back to his food. She liked that about him, his seemingly carefree attitude.

"I'll be waiting for good news then," said Rel.

They were enjoying their food when a Human soldier barged in on the far side of the meal place, panting and dripping in sweat. "Urgent news! Eighth Company's being called for! Now!"

Rel's face dissolved into a frown. "Looks like you'll be moving earlier than expected…"

"Don't worry. We'll tear down that gate," Doran reassured her. He smiled as he stood and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "…You might want to practice your spells though. Glanar's going to need a lot of healing once we're through."

But Glanar wasn't listening; he had already left his seat.

"Isn't it a little early for the Kor'kron to move out?" Sethras' fel green eyes hovered over Allandra as she checked her bags and equipment. He couldn't help but worry every time her unit would be called out to battle.

Allandra fixed the sword on her waist and secured the bags on her windrider. She glanced at the rogue watching her and smiled. "I'm a little confused myself, Seth, but orders are orders. We'll see each other again soon enough."

"If I hear any bad news, I don't care who tries to stop me, I'll fly in there and-"

"You know the risks I'm taking, Seth. A rogue should know better than anyone else," she came up to him and tightly hugged him, resting her blonde head on his shoulder. He was so tall. "I'll be fine."

Seth smiled. "A hug's all I get?"

Allandra flicked the rogue's nose with her index and giggled. "I wasn't finished," and she leaned in and kissed him.

"I'll join you as soon as I finish up here," he said as they broke off. He gave her another peck on the lips.

"Razgor's still making you do his jobs, huh?"

Seth smirked. "He knows rogues get the job done right."

She pulled away from his embrace and mounted her windrider. It growled and shook its head.

"Or he's really just a lazy bum," Allandra chortled. She gave him one final grin and beckoned her windrider forward. "I'll try not to kill too much and leave some for you. Tell Durn I've already left."

Seth took a few steps back. "I don't even know where he is," he chuckled.

The blood elf couple shared one final goodbye before parting ways, for now. Allandra joined the other Kor'kron soldiers while Sethras went back into the hold to sharpen his daggers. Come to think of it, Razgor did seem like a pretty lazy bum.