There was a decent amount of feedback based off the first chapter, but not enough for me to make a clear choice, so I decided to do something different.
The Prophecy
Arthas left his tent and turned to the soldiers gathered around the center of the camp.
"Soldiers of Lordaeron, there is a great evil that has befallen our land, the dead rise up against us, our fellow soldiers are raised from death to fight us, There is a Scourge ravaging our great Kingdom." Arthas bellowed.
"The infected grain from Andorhal has reached the citizens of Stratholme, they will die soon, and will join the enemy in undeath" Arthas continued.
"We must take action if we are to survive, My captains and I have debated what must be done, and I have decided that we need to prepare preparations to secure a new land to call our home should Lordaeron be overwhelmed by the plague. But we can't abandon our fellow countrymen to their fates, we must travel to Quel'Thalas and request the aid of their elven priests to help cure our people." Arthas dictated.
Rumbling was heard from within the crowd, some cheers, and some glares.
A loud objection was heard from the crowd. "You want us to flee from our homeland with our tails between our legs?"
Lieutenant Marwyn stepped forward "If every citizen in Stratholme will fall this Scourge soon, then we must take action now, the city must be purged of this infection, a trek to Quel'Thalas will take too long, are we supposed to just let our countrymen suffer?" came the striking response from Lieutenant Marwyn.
Arthas stared at his Lieutenant, wishing he would not have brought that option up to the men.
A few cheers were held for Marwyn's response, showing some soldiers agreed with him.
"Enough Lieutenant, I have made my decision, and I will remind that I am your sovereign Prince, you will obey my command without dissent." Came Arthas' stern reply.
Arthas looked at his men, then turned behind him, hearing the sounds hooves.
The noise grew louder and louder until, Lord Uther, and his contingent of knights and Paladins of the Silverhand entered Arthas' base camp just outside of Stratholme.
"Uther, It's good to see you here, I was thinking you wouldn't show up" Arthas said.
"It's good to see you and the men still alive, I've been hounded by the undead the entire journey". Uther replied.
"Uther there is something you need to know..." Arthas said.
Arthas then told Uther of the situation in Stratholme, and the options presented to him by his Captains and Jaina.
"My God, this is a disaster waiting to happen, but I'm happy you have shown clear leadership. Arthas do you truly want to send an expeditionary force to this ancient land, especially with the undead besieging our Kingdom?" Uther criticized.
"Uther I don't, and will not abandon my people, but you must feel it, the coming darkness, this Undead Scourge is just the beginning of something far more terrible. I was hoping you would side with me, and help me in this endeavor." Arthas said.
Jaina walked over to Uther and Arthas and added, "Uther you have not felt the immense power the Prophet who warned us wields, he is very powerful, I think he knows the future and is warning of the chaos destined to overrun Lordaeron."
"I'm sorry Arthas, I'm sorry Jaina, I can't forsake this Kingdom, I am sworn to Lordaeron, and to Teranas. I will not stop you from journeying across the sea, but I will not join you, I must continue denying the undead any foothold in Lordaeron." Uther stated.
"If you will not join us Uther, then I have one command of you, through the sovereignty of my crown, I order you to help find a cure for the people of Stratholme, deny the undead any foothold is what you call your object, then help prevent the undead from claiming Stratholme through her people." Arthas pleaded.
"Prince Arthas, lad, I will gladly see to it that I do everything in my power to rid these people of the infection that plagues them, My paladins and I will return shortly, we must venture to the Chapel of Holy Light just outside of Stratholme to gather some supplies" Uther said.
"Very good Uther, Captain Falric and I, along with a quarter of the soldiers, will be going to Quel'Thalas to request aid from the elven priests, their excellence in the healing magics may prove worthwhile in ending this plague." Arthas replied
As Arthas looks over to Jaina, he continues "Jaina and Captain Valonforth will take half the soldiers and visit as many plague free towns, and send out requests for supplies and other citizens of different kingdoms to join them in their exodus from Lordaeron. Lieutenant Marwyn shall command the final quarter of the soldiers, and remain at Stratholme to safegaurd the cities." Arthas commanded
"Arthas you must come with me to Kalimdor, I'm not a leader, I don't know how to build a city, or a new Kingdom at that." Jaina rationalized, with tears threatening to burst from her eyes
"Jaina we all have a duty, and we both have our own, Captain Valonforth will aid you in setting up a new settlement, but I believe you have what it takes to keep our people safe." Arthas said completely composed.
Arthas was sad that he would not see Jaina for some time, but he knew that she could handle herself, and do what was necessary to protect humanity.
Uther and his Knights of the Silverhand were already mounted and moving out to their destination at the Chapel of the Holy Light.
The soldiers of Lordaeron under Arthas' command slowly drifted to where they were assigned.
The largest portion, about half of the regiment followed Lady Proudmoore and Captain Valonforth as they strode out to visit the various cities of Lordaeron, and send out letters requesting supplies and followers to the various Eastern Kingdoms, notably Gilneas, Dalaran, Stromgarde, Quel'Thalas, Khaz'Modan, and Stormwind.
"Alright men... we have a lot of work to do, and a lot of traveling to do, We must rally as many people as possible, we can't fail Arthas, we can't fail Lordaeron!" Jaina urged to the soldiers newly under her command
A cheer was heard from Jaina's grouping of soldiers.
The second largest porition, under the command of Prince Arthas, and Captain Falric, marched eastward to the Elven Kingdom of Quel'Thalas to spead with the Sunstrider dynasty about securing aid to heal the people of Lordaeron, a task which may prove difficult.
"We must succeed, the citizens of Stratholme, perhaps even the Kingdom are depending on us to win the support of the elven priests, without their mastery of healing magic, many will die, we must prevent this at all costs." Arthas shouted
The smallest portion of soldiers, a contingent of soldiers and knights under the command of Lieutenant Marwyn were charged with protecting the people of Stratholme from any further undead advances, a task that could cost many their lives.
"The prince has ordered us to protect Stratholme, and we will carry out his wishes, But in order to fully realize this, we need more Soldiers, I will speak with the Captain of the Stratholme guard to secure more troops, and better weaponry to keep the undead at bay, For the Prince!, FOR LORDAERON!. " Lieutenant Marwyn declared.
The cheers of the soldiers could be heard for miles around, Lordaeron's blood still flowed with life, a testament these soldiers could make.
Authors Note: Please read and review, reviews are helpful to my motivation and will definatly speed up the writing process, and I plan to write much more frequently, now that my classes are nearly finished.