Chapter Nine: The Ruins of Dalaran

Within the throne room of the Lordaeron Capital, Balnazzar received a report. It was from the task force sent to the western coast of Lordaeron. The man was on both knees, and trembling, which meant Balnazzar would not like what he heard. Detheroc seemed to share his opinion, while Varimathras looked at least moderately optimistic.

'What news, acolyte?' he asked.

'Mighty Dreadlords, the Alliance succeeded in withdrawing from their position.' said the acolyte. 'In the midsts of their retreat, they devastated our strongholds with the aid of the night elves. Almost our entire strikeforce was obliterated trying to cross the River Aravass. The bridge was destroyed.'

Detheroc moved forward. 'Fool! Theirs was but a paltry force! And you let them escape!' He raised a claw, but Balnazzar motioned for him to halt.

'Hold, Detheroc.' said Balnazzar. 'Where are our brethren who were sent there? Why are they not reporting to us?'

'Milord…' said the acolyte, looking even more terrified. 'the dreadlords who commanded us were all killed.'

'I see.' said Balnazzar. 'Depart now and write a full report.'

The acolyte stood and took his leave quickly. Balnazzar leaned back in his throne, once the throne of the human king. Detheroc looked to him in confusion. 'Why did you spare that worm?'

'This was an unforgivable failure.' admitted Balnazzar. 'Yet the failure was our lesser brothers. Not theirs. One should always assign blame to the deserving. If we slay our subordinates for things beyond their control we will become... inefficient.'

'I understand, brother.' said Detheroc.

'In truth, there is little to be concerned over.' said Balnazzar. 'These night elves are no doubt here fleeing from the wrath of the legion. That assault was meant as a test for our less experienced brothers. Rather than a serious expedition.

'We need only hold our position until Lord Archimonde has finished his work.'

'Still, he has been a long time in completing his business in the west.' said Varimathras. 'What could be taking him so long?'

'It is not our place to question Lord Archimonde.' said Balnazzar. 'There is a time and place for everything. You yourself, Varimathras, bore witness to his power. This is no different. We will draw up more of our legions and strike Dalaran again.

'Our armies are limitless, after all.'

From where Necromancer Serena was watching through an opening above she grimaced. Turning she made her way back into the halls of Lordaeron Palace. The stench of death was everywhere, but she was well used to it by now. What she was not used to was the Dreadlords.

'What news, Serena?' asked Dar'khan. The undead, the black-haired elf was leaning against the wall. His broad-brimmed hat was pulled down over his eyes.

'What else?' asked Serena 'The Dreadlords are throwing more of our troops into a meat grinder. All they do is launch one frontal assault after another. It must be child's play for the Alliance to outwit them.'

'Well they won't be in charge for much longer, you needn't fear.' said Dar'khan. 'Prince Arthas has returned.'

At those words, Serena felt a shot of hope. Ever since he lost command things had only gone from bad to worse over and over again. There had been whispers that he would resume his command of the scourge soon. 'When will he take control?'

'Patience, Serena.' said Dar'khan. 'There are preparation to be made. Lord Kel'thuzad is meeting with him even now. For the moment you must go to your fellows and assure them that change is coming to the scourge. Soon the rightful King of this land will be restored, and the Dreadlords destroyed.'

'We can only hope.' said Serena.


Many of these trees would not live much longer. Their leaves were dropping from their branches, and their bark was flaking off. Others eked out a miserable existence, trying to survive as the blight spread around them. Malfurion walked among these plants, communing with them. He comforted them and wondered what could be done.

At last, he came to a clearing, a place at the center of the woodlands. Here the energies of nature were strong indeed, and he could see the full nature of this place. It was not heartening. 'This forest has suffered as much as Ashenvale. The vile blight of the scourge has deadened countless acres of trees. Perhaps the druids could tend to these as well as those in Ashenvale.'

Then he saw something. Arthas riding upon his skeletal horse into the midst of the clearing. Malfurion hid behind a tree and watched. There was something strange about him, he seemed at home in these forests. As though he himself were their king, returning from long ago.

It was not a relationship like the one Malfurion had. It was about domination and control. Humans forced their will upon nature. Yet this one was different. Being undead, the spirits seemed to reject him. Yet instead they accepted his coming as if…

No, that was impossible. What business had brought him out here?

The Death Knight came to a halt and out of the trees came a skeletal creature with great horns on its skull. Chains hung from its wrists and its eye sockets flared with unholy magic. It had no legs, instead it floated above the ground. A sane man would have been horrified by what they saw.

Yet Arthas dismounted and approached the creature like an old friend. 'Aren't you dead, Kel'thuzad?'

'A regrettable deception on my part.' said Kel'thuzad. 'I had more than prepared for the possibility of Dreadlord treachery. What I said then was done to motivate you against them.'

'No matter.' said Arthas. 'How do preparations proceed?'

'The Dreadlords are completely unaware of the fall of the Legion.' said Kel'thuzad. 'Their rule is lazy and inept. Whole armies are destroyed under their watch. To achieve objectives which you or I could have accomplished with ease. They are running the scourge into the ground.

'Only the fear of the Legion's return motivates their minions now. The Cult of the Damned yearns for the days of victory. They yearn for their King. Give the order and we shall throw them out.'

'Not yet.' said Arthas. 'If we moved now the Alliance would press its advantage and destroy us in the civil war. And even if they were to be defeated the Legion can still call reinforcements. The portal you opened in Dalaran is a problem.'

'Yes.' said Kel'thuzad. 'Do you have a plan?'

'I'll see to the Legion soon enough.' said Arthas. 'The problem is making sure the Alliance can't press its advantage. Once we remove the dreadlords I have no doubt they will break their pact with us.'

'You needn't fear, my King.' said Kel'thuzad. 'I will handle the Alliance personally.'

'That sounds ominous.' said Arthas, smiling. 'Remember we want to avoid a war.'

'You underestimate me.' said Kel'thuzad. 'I promise you what I will do will throw the Alliance into disarray without the need to strike a blow.'

'Honor that promise, Kel'thuzad,' said Arthas, 'and I will be very, very impressed.'

Malfurion had seen enough. Whatever his connection to this land, it was clear that the Death Knight meant to turn against them soon. He walked backward. 'I must find Maiev and Tyrande. They must know of what I have seen.'

He mounted his stag and rode hard and fast.

Malfurion was guided by the spirits through fading lands until at last, he came to the ruins of Dalaran. It looked to have once been a truly great city. Even the ruins were impressive. However, now every spire had been cast down and the gates broken. From the looks of things, there had been an attempt to repair the damage.

Seeing the night elves camp he made for it and arrived at late evening. He rode up to Maiev. 'Maiev, there was some very serious matters we must discuss. It seems that Arthas is not acting for the Alliance or Illidan. He is in league with…' He halted and looked around. 'Wait, where is Tyrande?'

'I'm sorry Shan'do,' said Maeiv. 'but the priestess has fallen. We aided a band of Alliance warriors against the undead. The Priestess fought valiantly, but I saw her dragged into the river. She was washed downstream.'

'Washed downstream?!' said Malfurion. 'Why did you not go to rescue her?'

'We were escorting many refugees, Shan'do.' said Maiev. 'Would you have had me lead them into the heart of the undead lands? Or should I have merely abandoned them to be overrun by the scourge?'

Malfurion flinched. 'Yes, of course. You are right Maiev. Tyrande… my heart… I should have been there. We can waste no more time. We must go to rescue her. I will not abandon Tyrande to the scourge.'

'What of the Eye, Malfurion?' asked Maiev. 'It and Illidan are the reason we came to this forsaken land!'

'It is in the Alliance's hands, not Illidan.' said Malfurion. 'They, at least, have earned our trust. The Eye can wait.'

'I see.' said Maiev, before looking up. 'Shan'do, this is Prince Kael'thas, the ally I spoke of.'

Prince Kael'thas appeared, very tall with blonde hair. There was a desperation, a hunger about him that put Malfurion on edge. He nodded courteously. 'Greetings, great druid. I have spoken with the Lord Antonidas of Dalaran. He has agreed to allow you a place at the council. Unfortunately, we have a grave matter to attend to first. The undead are launching another offensive, and all our forces must be drawn back to repel it.'

'It grieves me, but cannot help you.' said Malfurion. 'We must go to rescue one of our leaders.'

'Wait,' said Maiev, 'allow me to remain Shan'do. I and my Watcher's will aid the Alliance while you search for Priestess Tyrande. I can ensure the Eye is not misused at the same time.'

Then Malfurion sensed a familiar presence. Looking up he saw Illidan approaching, alongside a force of naga. The night elves set their hands to weapons and readied themselves. The vile serpents came before them. Hatred could be seen between the two sides. Yet Malfurion noted that the naga did not regard the high elves with the same venom. Why not? Maiev had told him that the naga desired the night elves destroyed to play out a long vendetta. Yet these high elves were likely descendants of those who left Kalimdor long ago. They must have been from the same stock.

There was no time to consider it, for Illidan approached. 'Brother, I have heard of Tyrande's plight, and I intend to search for her. You can assist, or be swept aside.'

'Why would you help me?' asked Malfurion.

'Believe me, brother,' said Illidan, 'despite all our differences, you know that I would never lead Tyrande to harm. And you will be helping me. My naga will scour the river for her. Your night elves will keep the undead off our backs.'

'Very well.' said Malfurion.

'What?' said Maiev. 'After all he's done you would trust this traitor to-'

'Silence!' said Malfurion. 'We will settle that matter later! Let's go, brother.'

They had not gone far before a force of riders came into view behind them. They were clad in shining mail, and at their head was a brown bearded man of perhaps thirty. On his back was a hammer and he quickly overtook them. 'Our righteous might will always overcome the forces of darkness. We shall aid you in your quest.'

'And you are?' asked Malfurion.

'I am Magroth the Defender, and these are my men!' said Magroth. 'We are at your service.'

'Brother, these are Paladins of the Silver Hand.' said Illidan. 'The order was devastated by Arthas' purge during the Third War. But those that remain are stalwart champions of the living.

'We could not ask for a finer ally against the undead.'

'Very well,' said Malfurion, 'let us hurry now.'

'Wait,' said Illidan, 'I sense a large force of undead nearby. We must proceed with caution.' He looked to his naga. 'You, my servants, scout ahead along the river and we will follow with the night elves. Find Tyrande.'

'As you wish.' said a naga myrmidon.

As the night elves made their way along the river they kept to the trees. They soon saw the wisdom of this when they found the bridge leading to Pyrwood village. Though it had been cast down the undead had found a way to cross. The corpses of innumerable ghouls and skeletons had been thrown into the waves. At last they had formed a bridge. Now the undead were crossing it in great numbers.

As they rode along the river they saw in the distance vast tides of undead flowing over a bridge of bone. Gargoyles filled the skies, and frostwyrms came behind them. Their numbers were in the thousands and more were coming all the time. Malfurion stared in awe.

'These forces…' said Malfurion, 'I pray Maiev and Kael'thas may hold out against them.'

'More to the point,' said Illidan, 'they bar our path. So long as these armies continue to cross we will be unable to assist my other servants.'

Malfurion let the line about servants pass. 'We cannot afford to fight all of these.'

'Then allow my Paladins and I to fight them for you.' said Magroth. 'The Dreadlords will not find us easy prey. We will distract them long enough for you and your warriors to go to the lady's aid.'

Malfurion looked at the other paladins. He realized they found nothing wrong with this plan. Here was a force of men who were complete strangers. And they were offering to throw themselves against an army of immeasurable strength. Simply to save a woman they had never met.

'You understand that this will mean your death.' said Malfurion.

'All men die.' said Magroth. 'Not all die with honor.' He unsheathed his hammer. 'To arms my brethren! Slay these foul abominations to the last! FOR THE LIGHT!'

'FOR THE LIGHT!' cried his warriors.

And Magroth rushed from hiding, wielding his hammer. He and all his warriors rushed into the fray to strike the undead column. They cleaved into them, and the flash of the light was all around them. They destroyed undead wherever they found them. Before long they had cut fully through the undead lines and separated the two armies.

'Quickly!' said Illidan. 'While the undead lines are in chaos.'

'Illidan is right! Press forward Sentinels!' cried Malfurion.

Arrows were launched into one side of the undead ranks, slaying many. Bear formed druids tore through the enemy ranks. The giants swung trees around to shatter great lines of the enemy. The undead flyers above were met by hippogryphs and chimeras. From their backs, archers launched their missiles into the undead below. The undead army soon fell to pieces. Magroth was swinging his hammer around. Soon Illidan was writhed in flames as he tore through the enemy. His blades were a blur, cutting everything around them to shreds.

Malfurion raised his staff and reached out to the spirits of the land. Great vines arose from the ground to catch the front ranks of the undead army, immobilizing them. He tore at them with thorns. The Druids of the Claw unleashed a vortex of wind, sending many undead spinning into the air. Further down the line the undead drew back to assault. They pressed against the paladins and night elves.

Soon they were being overrun. Raising his staff Malfurion commanded the clouds to burst and they obeyed. Healing rain descended down upon the armies, restoring the strength of the warriors. Huntresses hurled their glaives, while footmen stabbed with their swords. Knights rode down enemy after enemy.

Even as they finished these, however, still more were arriving. The rain was slackening. A knight was pulled from his horse and torn to shreds. A footman and a huntress were surrounded and both fell. An abomination cleaved the arm from a giant, while a druid of the claw was cut up by skeletons. It was only a matter of time before they were overwhelmed.

'Brother!' said Illidan. 'Our mission cannot wait! We must go!'

'You are right,' said Malfurion, 'warriors of the land, onwards! Quickly!'

As the night elves broke free of the fray to the other side of the battle, Magroth and his warriors made their stand. Surrounded and hemmed in from all sides they fought back to back. The light flashed again as they grew more distant. Magroth could be heard crying aloud to his men. He would soon be overrun.

Then there came a cry and new armies of humans rode in. They bore the symbol of a lion upon a blue standard. They crashed into the midsts of the enemy ranks, driving them before them.

Malfurion turned away, satisfied. 'It appears that this battle is only beginning.

'These paladins rush into combat without regard for the consequences.' mused Malfurion. 'I begin to wonder if their faith in this light is not a hindrance to them.'

'I know the feeling all too well.' muttered Illidan.

Malfurion had the distinct impression he had been insulted.


Authors Note:

Okay, so here we are.

This chapter took a while for two reasons. First because by this time there is no conflict at all. The naga and night elves are not killing each other. Illidan is not destroying Northrend, and Maiev has no motive to lie to Malfurion. Even if she wasn't a bit different from canon anyway. The result of all this is that we have no plot for today's mission.

Second is because I was recently flamed by someone who will remain nameless. Ordinarily, I wouldn't care. But the key thing here is that this person would act friendly, and then get really condescending to me. Then fly off the handle repeatedly over a simple comment. Then when I would apologize they would act friendly again, before flying off the handle again. Eventually, I got sick of it and tried to politely suggest we stop PMing each other. Their response was to flame me even more.

It got me really out of sorts for awhile. Anyway, fuck them.

Fortunately, it is a part of the mission that the undead attack you while you try to take out the naga. So I figured I'd make a subplot about that if only to fill out the pages. Even so, this chapter is shorter than I would have liked.