Danath and Alleria

Chapter 3

            "This has been a most enlightening experience," Danath told Alleria when they met in the morning, "but I'm afraid I must return to the Alliance. You see, we've been having trouble with the Orcs recently. An invasion of sorts…"

            "I know about the Orcs, Colonel Danath." Alleria interrupted. "I have been fighting the Orcs since your grandfather was in the cradle. I allow you to stay in my wood, I grant you lodging here, and you go running back to your Alliance. No, I am afraid that will not be possible as of yet."

            "The Alliance is powerful, Alleria. They have probably dispatched a search party." He drew his sword. "This sword has killed many Orcs, and I am sure it can kill an equal number of Elves. I will be going. Now."

            Many things now happened.

            Danath walked away from Alleria.

            Alleria motioned to one of her escorts.

            Danath felt a piercing pain in his side. The elf had shot him.

            "You are not going anywhere, Colonel. Guards, confine this man to his tree lodge." Alleria turned away.

**(({{[[--**--]]}}))**

            Uther Lightbringer's head was bowed in grief. A tear fell from the eye of the footman Raon. Kurdran and Lord Khadgar entered the church, both pictures of sadness. The congregation was complete.

            Turalyon began the ceremony.

            "We are gathered here today," he spoke, "to honor the death of a comrade and friend. General Lothar has been killed. Not in the line of duty, as so many of us knew he would. The General was assassinated."

            Gasps of horror came from the group.

            Turalyon continued. "Someone has come in the night and slain our General… our general and my master."

            Even the stern Khadgar was weeping.

            "Although this is a terrible happening, we must dedicate ourselves to finding who has done this thing. Our prime suspect is Teron Gorefiend, the Death Knight who has all too recently been in Azeroth."

            Kurdran's eyes were filled with a rage, a rage with purpose, a fury dedicated to finding Gorefiend and bringing him to death.

            Turalyon had yet more to say. "But Gorefiend could not have perpetrated this deed alone. My friends and companions, I must inform you that someone in this encampment may have helped to murder Lothar. I will not tell you not to grieve, for not grieving is something no man can do. But be alert. Be careful. If I am right, then we must find the killer and bring him to justice.

            "Before you leave, I must say one last thing. Colonel Danath has been missing for three days now. It is possible that he is dead or captured by the Orcs. We may have to hold a service for the Colonel if he does not return soon. You may leave."

            The people left in sorrow.

**(({{[[--**--]]}}))**

            Khadgar trained more Mages to rise against the Death Knights. Kurdran worked twice as hard tending the aviary. The three remaining Keepers of the Alliance continued to work at preparing a force to resist the onslaught of Orcs.

Next chapter coming soon!