Chapter 2
Skorrn Thunderfoot was nervous about his meeting with Thrall. He had met with supreme ruler of the Horde many times, but had never been personally summoned to his chambers in Orgrimmar, especially not at the wee hours of the morning. But Skorrn had obliged and hastily flown over to Orgrimmar.
As he entered Thrall's chambers, an Orc beat a large drum several times and announced Skorrn.
"Lieutenant General Skorrn Thunderfoot, Shaman lord of the Thunderfoot clan!" The Grunt bellowed.
Skorrn was confused by the announcement as only Garrosh Hellscream and Thrall sat in the hall, and they both outranked him, which meant that no introduction was necessary. Skorrn was puzzled.
"That introduction was not necessary, you mindless peon." Garrosh barked.
The grunt hung his head in shame and excused himself from the court. Skorrn approached Thrall's seat and bowed to the Warchief.
"Lok'tar ogar!" Skorrn bellowed, slamming his right fist to his heart.
Thrall dismissed the gesture.
"We must get down to business right away. Please, have a seat. Garrosh, will you please excuse us?" Thrall said, turning his attention to his second-in-command.
Garrosh grunted and obliged, exiting the room angrily.
"I imagine this is an urgent manner, Warchief?" Skorrn asked nervously.
"Yes. We're faced with a dire situation in Northrend. I'm aware that you have just returned from a long stay in the frozen north, but I'm afraid I must ask you to return." Thrall responded.
"Of course, Warchief. What new campaign has the Lich King launched against our forces in Northrend? News from the battlefront is sparse here in Kalimdor." Skorrn asked, innocently.
"I'm afraid a new threat has emerged, something just as dangerous as the Scourge and all the more pressing." Thrall responded.
More pressing than the Scourge? Skorrn thought.
"You fought at the Temple of Ahn'Qiraj, did you not?"
"Yes. The fight against C'Thun and his forces was grueling. Many of my friends died there." Skorrn bowed his head.
"Another Old God has emerged. His name is Yogg-Saron. He is a prisoner inside the Titan facility called Uludar, which is located in the Storm Peaks." Thrall said bluntly.
"Has he escaped?"
"No, but the defenses of Ulduar are weakened. We cannot let his influence go unchecked for another moment. We are allocating some of our forces to a cooperative effort to enter Ulduar and further investigate the matter. I'd like you to lead our Horde forces in the expedition."
"This is indeed a great honor, and one I gladly accept. If I could ask, what are forces are contributing soldiers to this expedition?"
"You will be fighting under the banner of the Explorer's League led by Brann Bronzebeard. Also present will be Rhonin, who will be leading the Kirin Tor forces inside of Ulduar."
"Excellent. The Kirin Tor Mages have proved invaluable in our fight against the Lich king. Will there be any other forces present?"
"There will be an Alliance presence. King Varian Wrynn is selecting a leader for his forces as we speak."
There was silence. Skorrn eyed the Warchief, who squirmed under the Tauren's gaze.
"A cooperative effort with the Alliance? So soon after the Wrathgate?" Skorrn questioned.
"Yes. We've been able to keep our feud with the Alliance at bay during our campaign against the Lich King, I'm sure that decorum will be maintained inside Ulduar. That is why I selected you for this position. As a Tauren, you do not hold as much hostility towards the Alliance as the Orcs do. I understand that it will be difficult, but I expect that you will keep our forces peaceful and cooperate fully with the Alliance. The safety of Azeroth is more important than any feud." Thrall said, confidently.
Skorrn nodded.
"Very well. I see the necessity in this partnership with the Alliance. I will lead our forces by example." He responded. "Have you made any selections for my Officers?"
"Yes. We have assembled a solid core to help you lead our forces. Is there anyone you would like assigned to this force?" Thrall asked.
"If it is no trouble, my wife, Stone Guard Alona Thunderfoot is currently part of the force trying to battle through Azjol-Nerub. It would be a great honor to have her by my side in this endeavor." Skorrn responded, his head pointed at the ground.
"Of course. I will have her reassigned to your force. When you arrive in Northrend, she will be waiting for you." Thrall obliged.
Skorrn nodded.
"Skorrn, I cannot stress the importance of maintaining peace with the Alliance during this operation. I expect some minor speed bumps and clashes as the expedition begins, but you must keep the peace. We cannot afford to have our relationship with the Alliance and the Kirin Tor fall apart; we need their help to defeat the Lich King. The strain of the Wrathgate will be felt for a long time on both sides. We must do our best to move past the unfortunate events that transpired in Dragonblight that day." Thrall said, a sense of grave importance underlining the sentiment.
"Warlord Thrall, I will not disappoint you. I will lead our troops with strength and determination in Ulduar." Skorrn growled, pounding his chest proudly.
"You may speak with my Mage, Zul'Tok, when you are ready to teleport to Dalaran in Northrend." Thrall said, dismissing Skorrn.
"Lok'tar ogar, Warlord!" Skorrn bellowed and exited.
A partnership with the Alliance will be difficult to manage. Skorrn thought. I do not anticipate that this will be an easy task. With Alona at my side, I will be as strong a leader as I can.
* * *
Illyria folded the letter and placed it back inside the envelope in which it had been delivered.
Leading the Alliance soldiers in the fight against an Old God should be about as fun as assaulting the Molten Core was. Illyria thought, shaking her head.
Well, at least the Horde will be there to help this time. She grimaced.
"Jacob? Jacob!" She said, attempting to summon her husband. He wheeled around the corner, alert.
"Did you receive one of these?" She asked, holding up her letter. He produced a letter that had been tucked inside of his breastplate.
"Yes. Do you know who is leading the expedition? My letter did not say." He responded.
"Yes. It's someone you know." She teased.
He stared at her. Despite her best efforts, a smile broke out across her face and she started giggling incessantly. A surprised and wide smile erupted on Jacob's face. He ran to her and picked her up in his arms. Twirling her around, he kissed her madly.
"This is magnificent! Congratulations!" He said, holding her tight.
"Jacob! Put me down! That's an order!" She said, grinning foolishly.
After a few more twirls and one last loving kiss, Jacob put his wife back on the ground. She found her footing and kept reading the letter.
"King Wrynn has assembled quit a force. The rest of my officers are very strong selections." She said, scanning the letter.
"Oh really? Who will we be with?" Jacob said, sitting down and lighting his pipe.
She crossed the room and opened a window. Below, Stormwind's marketplace bustled.
"They're sending a few other paladins along with us: Kaeg Lighthammer, Samuel Bane, and Justicar Turion the Lightsworn." She said, impressed.
"Justicar Turion? The Draenei?" Jacob asked.
"Do you know any other?" She responded.
"I was under the impression he was lost at the Wrathgate." Jacob mused. Illyria shrugged. "Who else?"
"Captain Vilena Urione, a Draenei priestess. We served together in the campaign inside Tempest Keep. There's also a warrior named Dak and Alyssa Emeraldshade, a Druid." She said, putting the letter away.
"Sounds like an impressive team." Jacob said, extinguishing his pipe and standing up. "I suppose we should pack and head over to the Mage Tower to be teleported."
"Aye." Illyria agreed. She went to their room and opened her wardrobe. She grabbed her warm drapes to throw over her armor and stuffed them into a bag. Stripping down to just her undergarments, she carefully attached her plate armor, piece-by-piece.
After she finally attached the shoulder plates, she grabbed her headpiece and mace and walked past Jacob, who was also putting on his armor. She stood in the living room of their house.
She always became sad when she left home. She enjoyed Stormwind very much. Their house, overlooking the bank and auction house, was situated in the center of Stormwind's financial district, right near the front gates.
"Jacob? Are you ready?" Illyria asked, her impatience growing.
"Aye, milady." He said, clattering into the living room. As usual, he had been unable to fasten his shoulder plates correctly. He held them in his hands and shot an innocent glance towards Illyria. She smiled and put down her baggage.
She securely fastened the shoulder plates in place and ran a hand through her husband's hair. She threw her arms around him and planted a loving kiss on his lips. This was their last chance to exchange affections before heading into battle. They liked to keep their romance private, trying to maintain military decorum whenever they were in public and in uniform. He gazed into her eyes.
"You're going to shine, with the grace of the Light." He said, assuredly.
She nestled against his breastplate.
"I do hope so." She said, closing her eyes and enjoying their last moment of affection.