Chapter Eight: Shards of the Alliance
Three days later the night elves ventured into a dark forest on the western continent. Shandris Feathermoon and Naisha had been sent back to Ashenvale. Maiev missed her companion already. She understood that there was need for some to stay behind to defend it against the naga. But she did not like it.
She looked at the land around her. The trees here were blighted. The ground beneath their feet screamed with the agony of the woodlands. The wind in the trees was like a cry of pain. Maiev did not like this place.
She liked even less the fact that their mission had been abandoned. She had not yet confronted Malfurion on the subject. But the chances of them seizing Illidan seemed to grow more faint with every passing moment.
She looked to Tyrande. 'Our forces will be able to move out soon. Although we still know next to nothing about this strange land Proudmoore has invited us to.'
Malfurion made his appearance, coming out of the trees on his stag. 'This land is called Lordaeron, Maiev. It is the homeland of the Alliance that aided us at the Battle of Mount Hyjal. I was told that its kingdoms, both human and elven, were consumed by the undead Scourge.' He sighed. 'These forests have suffered grievously. I must leave you both for a time. I will enter the woods and attempt to commune with the land itself.'
'While you're gone,' said Maiev, 'we'll set out and try to find this Dalaran place. That is where Illidan will be.'
'I expect you both to stay focused on your task.' said Malfurion. 'You can settle your personal dispute after we've dealt with the Eye of Sageras.'
'Of course, Shan'do.' said Maiev.
Malfurion nodded, then turned his steed and rode off. Maiev looked at Tyrande. 'We'd best get moving.'
Tyrande was unusually silent as they made their way along a path. Their troops scanned their surroundings uneasily. Shadows moved in the darkness and Maiev feared an attack at any moment. What kind of foul creatures would dwell here? She remembered the story of Prince Arthas, how he had told of plagues and destruction. This was where that tale had taken place, wasn't it?
Then they came to a town. It was surrounded by a large stone wall, but the gate had been broken in. The remnants of shattered towers could be seen, their wreckage still smoking. Tyrande looked over it sadly. 'This was an Alliance town. The attack must have come recently.'
As they made their way through the gate they saw elves. Yet not their kind. Their skin was fair and their hair bright, and they wore weapons and armor like that of the humans. There were others as well, no clad for war. They appeared to be loading a train of wagons, filled with supplies and people. Women, old men, and children.
One of these elves stepped forward, sword and shield in hand. 'Strangers, milord!' he said. 'They don't appear to be undead but…'
Their leader came forward. He was clad in red armor and wore a flowing black cape. His hair was long and golden and his eyes narrowed. He bowed courteously. 'Ishnu-ala, night elves. I am Prince Kael'thas. My brethren and I have been told to watch for your kind on these shores. Whatever your business, however, I fear you will find only death and shadow in this cursed land.'
'Ishnu-dal-dieb, Kael'thas.' said Maiev coming forward. 'I am Maiev Shadowsong, and this is Tyrande Whisperwind. We are here to retrieve a powerful unholy artifact that was stolen before it can be misused.'
'The Eye of Sageras,' said Kael, 'it has riled the undead based around Dalaran. They've been hounding us day and night. We were about to abandon this post and seek refuge on the other side of the River Arevass.'
'Hmm,' said Tyrande, 'then we shall lend you our aid, young Kael.'
'Wait— we have no time for this!' said Maiev.
'Perhaps once your people are safe, you will speak on our behalf.' said Tyrande.
'It would be an honor, milady.' said Kael. 'Lord Sanguinar, are all the preparations made?'
'Yes, milord.' said the soldier. 'We stand ready to withdraw whenever you are ready.'
'Good,' said Kael, 'let us do so now. Before the undead arrive.'
The wagons were finished loading. They began the long trek, leaving behind graves and open graves blighted fields. Maiev took her forces to the front, and notice something. 'Not all of these are your people.' said Maiev. 'Some are humans.'
'Lordaeron was a trusted ally of Quel'thalas.' said Kael'thas. 'Before both kingdoms were betrayed by its Prince.'
'Arthas…' said Maiev.
'You know of him?' asked Kael.
'He helped us against the Burning Legion.' said Maiev. 'And he assisted Illidan in retrieving the Eye of Sageras.'
'So I have been told.' said Kael'thas. 'Just as he betrayed us, he has now betrayed the Legion. His agents are of use to us, however. It is an alliance of convenience. The day will come, however, when I avenge my peoples' humiliation.' He spoke no more after that.
They traveled south across blighted wastes and broken roads for a day or so. During this time they saw nothing. No deer, or birds, or any other creature. This forest should have been alive, yet everything here had either died or fled. It was unnatural and it disturbed Maiev.
Then she saw the ghouls. Hundreds of undead ghouls were standing on the road before them. They rushed forward snarling with lolling tongues. Both elves readied their weapons and charged forward.
'The undead are attacking!' cried Kael. 'The caravan must be protected!'
Yet the mountain giants rushed again. Swinging their stoney arms they tore through dozens of the foul creatures in moments. The claws of the ghouls were of no use. Maiev smiled as she leaped amidst the ghouls. She unleashed her blades in every direction, slaying many.
Bolts of flame shot over Maiev's shoulder and burned the undead to a cinder. Kael'thas was wielding arcane magic!
At last, the undead were destroyed. Maiev looked at Kael. 'Do not fear, Kael. Our mountain giants are more than capable of handling these wretched curs. Their stoney hides are nearly impervious to their clumsy attacks.'
'So I see.' said Kael. 'They are a formidable ally.'
As they moved on Maiev approached Tyrande out of earshot. Kael'thas was wielding arcane magic, like Illidan. 'We are wasting time here, Tyrande. We should be hunting Illidan, not negotiating with mages.'
'These people need our help, Maiev!' said Tyrande. 'Their brethren aided us against the Legion. We will honor that debt now.'
Further on they came across a group of men who reeked of unholy magic. However even as they approached the necromancers fled from them. Maiev moved to pursue, but Kael'thas put a hand to her shoulder. 'No, we are not permitted to pursue them.'
'What?' said Maiev. 'What do you mean?'
'Undead almost never retreat.' said Kael. 'The dreadlords who command them care nothing for the casualties they suffer. When undead flee before us, it is because they are loyal to Arthas. If we slaughter his minions, he may withdraw his support.'
'And what support is this?' asked Maiev.
'You'll see soon enough.' said Kael. 'For now, we should continue.'
The ghouls were not the worst thing they faced on that road. Soon they found themselves facing a force of ghouls, supported by abominations. Monsters sewed together from many corpses. They rushed at the stone giants, and their cleavers left great marks. Night elf and their fair-skinned brethren rushed into battle.
Lord Sanguinar cleaved down two ghouls. Kael'thas unleashed a pillar of flame that consumed a vast horde of the creatures. The stone giants smashed their way through the lines. Yet even as the enemy fell a new wave of undead arose from the corpses of the old. A druid of the claw was stabbed through the heart and died. An elven swordsman was cut down. Both their corpses then arose in a new mockery of life.
Maiev knew this to be the work of the necromancers. Blinking beyond the line she hurled a knife into the throat of a necromancer. She hacked down two more in a moment. Finally, she ran the last one through, even as the last of the undead were overwhelmed.
Moving on, Kael looked suddenly both relieved and displease. 'Ah, a forest troll camp is up ahead. No doubt some of them will aid us.'
'You are allied with the forest trolls?' asked Maiev.
'Far from it.' said Kael'thas. 'However as part of our treaty with Arthas, they fight on our side. The Dreadlords are the enemies of all. Follow me.'
Sure enough, they found the forest troll encampment. Among them were also a number of ogres. They approached Kael'thas with scarcely concealed hatred. At their head was a forest troll with one arm, and he held Kael in particular contempt. 'Well, if it ain't da high an mighty high elf Prince. How's ya family?'
'Spare me your mockery, Zul'jin.' said Kael'thas. 'You know well the terms of our treaty. Or shall I put you out of your misery for breaking it?'
'I do,' said Zul'jin, 'but we be needin yer help before we offer ya ours.'
'What is it now?' asked Kael.
'Da rotting dead be setting up a slaughterhouse to the northwest of here, by da shore.' said Zul'jin. 'I cannot be leaving our village until it be destroyed. And if we be breaking it up, it'll weaken da Dreadlords in this place.'
'Very well,' said Kael, 'we have a supply cache of gold hidden in that area anyway.'
'You've hidden your hold?' asked Maiev.
'We're fighting a losing war here, milady.' said Kael. 'The undead close in around us daily It's necessary to keep our assets hidden, yet accessible. We have caches secreted throughout the wilderness.'
'Then we shall retrieve them for you.' said Maiev.
'Follow me.' said Zul'jin, hefting an axe. 'Come on boys! We'll take da fight to da Dreadlords now!'
Zul'jin led them through the trees. Coming out of them, they found the beginnings of an undead bastion. Construction was underway even now, and cultists were chanting their spells. The stone giants lumbered into battle, but suddenly there was infernal chanting. Some of the stone giants fell forward into an unnatural sleep. The undead attacked those still standing.
The trolls hurled their axes into the midsts of the undead. The elves charged to meet them in battle. Supported by both priests of the trolls and the night elves, the battle turned against the undead. Yet again and again warriors fell into unnatural slumber.
Maiev blinked forward and saw the caster. A dreadlord. Rushing forward she hurled a dagger at him. He knocked it aside, but then she was on him. Down came her blade and his head was cut from his shoulders in one swoop.
Around her, the battle had winded down. The stone giants were busy tearing up the incomplete bastion. Maiev looked to Zul'jin. 'There, your village is secure. Though I was under the impression you were evacuating?'
'We trolls don't leave our lands.' said Zul'jin. 'We be fighting to da end. We know how to hide and ambush da rotting dead. You elves want to flee from yer problems, dat be no concern of mine. The fewer elves in dis place, da better.'
'Come,' said Kael, 'we've recovered the gold. Let's continue.'
Newly bolstered by the forest trolls, Zul'jin accompanying them. It was unfortunate that they had lost many druids in the previous battle. The army they had amassed on the Broken Isles was long since disbanded. What they had now was a fraction of their previous power.
On they marched, through the dying land, until at last, they came to another town. As they approached Maiev looked to Kael'thas. 'Explain something to me, Kael. Why have you allowed yourself to be encircled like this? You should have withdrawn long ago.'
'I was assigned here to halt the advance of the undead from the north.' said Kael. 'However they outflanked us, and have infested the roads. We should have left earlier, however many do not wish to abandon their homes.' He sighed. 'We'll stop here for provisions.'
Out of the houses came more people, some elves, some humans. Repairs were made to the wagons as the wounded were healed as best they could. Kael'thas looked at what happened with a bitter air. 'Sadly, I was able to spare only a few warriors. The scourge has pressed us hard these last few months.'
'Kael,' said Maiev, 'where are your high elven brethren? Do they not fight the undead as you do?'
'The Scourge humiliated our ancient homeland of Quel'thalas.' said Kael'thas. 'The once proud bloodline of my people has been tainted by an unfathomable hunger. It transforms the weak-willed into pitiful shadows of themselves. Some among my people have turned to demons in order to stave off the madness.'
'Yeah,' said Zul'jin, 'it was a good past few years.'
'I grieve for your people, Kael.' said Tyrande, speaking for the first time in a while. 'But you must not allow rage and despair to poison your heart. You may yet lead your people to a brighter future.'
'Undead!' cried a sentry. 'They come from both east and west!'
'Watchers and Sentinels to the east!' cried Tyrande. 'Zul'jin, Kael'thas handle those to the-'
Kael'thas arose and pointed to where a column of undead was approaching. A huge pillar of fire descended to obliterate the assault. The elves and trolls quickly slaughtered those that survived. The mountain giants to the east made short work of the undead assault there.
'How can any army hope to sustain such losses?' asked Maiev.
'The undead army is almost entirely expendable.' said Kael'thas. 'So long as their core of necromancers is intact. They can continually create new warriors from corpses. We have taken to burning our dead, but it is of little effect.'
They began to head north. As they did so, they suddenly saw a band of rough looking humans come out into the open. They held spears and wore leather and bucklers. The high elves readied themselves for battle.
'We're here on behalf of Blackthorn.' said the enforcer. 'He's given us orders to pull out. You boys look like you could use some help, and we'd rather not make our way out of here alone. Mind if we tag along?'
'Who are these vagabonds?' asked Maiev.
'Bandits, who live on the fringes feasting on the misfortune of others.' said Kael'thas in a low tone. 'They serve a particularly charismatic member of the Syndicate. A former lord of Alterac named Blackthorn. Still, they may be useful.' He looked to the bandits. 'So long as you do not encumber us, you may.'
'Great,' said the man, 'figure you should know the Dreadlords are setting up a fortress to the east of here. Whole lotta corpses are being gathered into that place. If we burn it down, it'll slow them down a ways.'
'Then we will destroy it.' said Kael'thas. 'Come, Maeiv, Tyrande, if we allow the undead to establish a foothold here the Alliance may well be overrun.'
'Then we shall show these foul monstrosities the wrath of the goddess.' said Tyrande.
The Priestess led the motley army east into the woods and soon they came to the sight. A large army had been assembled there, before several structures. Huge piles of corpses were everywhere in sight. Men, women, and children. There were forest trolls, and ogres and elves and humans, all dead and lying out in the open like so much carrion.
A sudden rage beset Maiev. She and her warriors charged forward with a roar and tore apart the undead before them. Necromancers raised skeletons, but these were cut down even as they rose. High elves, forest trolls, humans, the race didn't matter.
All were united in hatred of evil for that moment as they carved through their enemies.
When at last it was over, Kael'thas raised a hand. Channeling his power, he unleashed torrents of flame which consumed the bodies. When it was done there were only ashes. As much dignity as could be managed in the situation.
Heading north they saw no sign of the undead for some days after that. No one spoke much, the horror of what they had seen too fresh in their minds. Maeiv no longer regretted going to Kael's aid. These monstrosities had to be stopped.
They met another army on the road one day. Like the ones before it, they destroyed them. Another dreadlord fell by Maiev's hand, and they marched over their corpses in a silent fury. Soon enough they came to places where the ground was not quite so blighted.
They came to a village which looked almost welcoming. Here Kael halted and breathed in relief. 'This is one of our last holdouts on this side of the river. We will rest here for a spell and gather reinforcements.'
Even this brief rest, however, did not last long. The undead launched several minor raids that had to be repelled. People gathered around them. Kael'thas spoke with the head of the village. Soon enough out came the people of the village with whatever they could carry. They were ready to abandon their home.
Finally, Kael'thas came back. 'We stand at a crossroads, my friends. There is a shorter path to our destination, but it will take us perilously close to an undead bastion. The other route is safer, but it will take us longer to reach our destination.'
Both routes will be dangerous, nonetheless.' said Maiev. 'Let us choose quickly and be on our way. Tyrande, what say you?'
'Daring the bastion would put the people of this caravan at risk.' said Tyrande. 'I say we take the longer road and risk the delay.'
'I don't be afraid of the rotting dead.' said Zul'jin. 'I say we be crushing em and throwing der ashes to da winds.'
'Loath though I am to agree with the forest troll,' said Kael, 'it cannot hurt to deny the dreadlords their holdings. Destroying that bastion may delay their coming assault by weeks, even months.'
'That doesn't sound like our problem.' said the leader of the brigands. 'I say we take the long road and keep breathing.'
'And you Maiev.' said Tyrande. 'What is your view?'
Maiev considered her answer. She was the tiebreaker. 'I tire of running from these creatures. Let us assail the bastion, and crush it once and for all.'
'So be it.' said Kael'thas. 'We got to the right, then.'
They journeyed along the right path. Soon enough they found themselves joined by yet more forest trolls. These saluted Zul'jin with profound respect. Maiev realized that the one-armed troll must be very important among his own kind.
'Tell me,' said Maiev, 'you and the high elves hold one another in clear hatred. Why?'
'We forest trolls were once da rulers of all dese lands!' said Zul'jin. 'The humans were nothing ta us! But then came the damn elves, and they taught humans magic. We was driven into hiding in our own domain.
'But those days be past. We're gonna be reclaiming our birthright, one way or another.'
On they went, further south, until at last, they saw it. It loomed against the backdrop of the sky. Ziggurats rising high above blighted, dead ground, teeming with undead of all kinds. The stench of death was everywhere.
'This is the bastion I told you about.' said Kael'thas. 'It must be destroyed if the caravan is to make it through.'
'Then let us finish this.' said Maiev.
Summoning the power she had felt before, she brought into being the Avatar of vengeance. At the same time, Tyrande fired an arrow of light into the sky. The whole army charged at the bastion, as stars fell to devastate the undead below.
For a moment the two armies met in brutal battle. Neither could gain an advantage over the other. Then the trees began to move. They rushed from the landscape and began to tear through the stones of the ziggurats. The dreadlord who commanded his forces drew them back to repel the sudden invasion, but it was too late.
His forces thrown into disarray, he moved to flee, but Kael'thas was upon him. With one strike of his sword, Kael cut the creatures head from his shoulders. Around them, the bastion was devastated utterly.
Cheers of victory came from the troops as the last undead corpse fell to the ground.
With the bastion destroyed the caravan moved steadily north towards the river. Soon Maiev could hear the sound of running water. It calmed her fractured nerves, and she found a smile coming to her face. They were coming to lands where the blight had not yet fully taken hold.
Soon they were walking amidst a village and coming within sight of a bridge.
'Ah,' said Kael, 'Pyrewood Village! The River Arevass lies just beyond.'
There was no one around them. No one peering through windows. No one coming out to meet them. 'Something… doesn't feel right.' said Maiev.
'Yes.' said Tyrande. 'Perhaps we should keep the caravan moving.'
Then the doors of every house opened and out of them streamed undead. More came from around the bend and they soon found themselves fighting for their lives. Kael'thas hacked down two ghouls with his sword before blasting a third. Maiev unleashed a fan of knives around her.
'Damn!' said Kael'thas. 'They were waiting for us! Protect the caravan at all costs!'
The initial assault of undead was crushed, but no sooner had they fallen and a new onslaught came to fight them. Tyrande shot arrow after arrow, slaying the creatures. Maiev threw her knives until she had none left. Kael'thas unleashed pillars of flame, as Zul'jin and his trolls tore through the undead.
'Their numbers are limitless.' said Tyrande. 'They just keep coming.' She reached for another arrow but found her quiver empty.
The onslaught subsided, but only for a moment. More were on their way. Maiev saw thousands more coming to replace the thousands they had slain. True to his word, Zul'jin and his warriors disappeared into the woods as if they had never been. The bandits abandoned the caravan and ran for the bridge.
She rushed up to her comrades. 'We've driven them back, but the second wave is advancing!'
'We've run out of time.' said Kael'thas. 'The caravan will not survive another assault!'
'Kael,' said Tyrande, 'get your caravan moving across the river! I will stay behind and hold the bridge!'
Without a word Kael'thas obeyed. The caravan moved over the bridge while Tyrande and Maiev trailed behind. Finally, Maiev spoke.
'That's very noble of you, Priestess.' said Maiev. 'But you're no match for a force that vast!'
'The goddess is my shield, warden.' said Tyrande. 'Elune will grant me the strength.'
Who was Maiev to argue? She rushed across the bridge and looked as Tyrande stood where she was. The priestess watched as the assembled hordes of the undead approached. Then, as they came forward, the stars fell again. Yet it was not like before. The bolts descending from the sky burned brighter than anything Maiev had seen.
As they landed each bolt killed hundreds. On and on they came, and each time they died faster than they could advance. Maiev and Kael looked on in awe.
'It's working!' said Kael. 'She's holding them back!'
Then, suddenly, the bridge beneath Tyrande's feet broke apart and collapsed beneath her. She and her tiger descended into the water and were washed away. What remained of the undead were trapped on one side.
'We must hurry to save her!' said Kael. 'That current will take her straight into the heart of the undead lands!'
'No Kael,' said Maiev, 'Tyrande is a soldier; she knew the risks she took. We have a greater mission to accomplish now, and our time grows short.
'We will regroup, get the refugees to safety and then we will talk of Tyrande.'
Tyrande had loosed Illidan from his cage in the first place. This was all her fault, to begin with. In due time they could try to rescue her. But for the moment neither night elf or high elf were in a position to do any good for anyone. They would regroup at Dalaran.
Authors Note:
And done.
The appearance of Kael'thas lets me foreshadow Arthas' relationship with the Alliance. Also, Zul'jin is working with high elves, because enemy mines are fun.
