Arius's POV

"Almost there everyone," I said calmly, gesturing the mob people forward. Hundreds followed, quickening their pace as they caught sight of the Great Sea and the white sand beaches beyond. Only the soldiers I brought with me kept them in line, herding the people together to maintain order.

None of them probably knew what was beyond, but after their experiences in captivity, anything that lay in the unknown was preferable that returning to the interior of the island.

After spending the rest of the night and most of the morning resting, I quickly explained to them the evacuation to Hillsbrad where they can perhaps find ships with Jaina or maybe even to Stormwind.

Many had eagerly wanted to leave this island as soon as possible and it was only everyone's exhaustion that stopped them from leaving.

Then as the wind shifted I caught the scent of smoke. Turning my head in confusion I looked up in the air for the source. I saw a plume of smoke rising from the beaches little ways off.

I felt the color drain from my face as I realize that the smoke was coming from the camp. Drawing my sword I raised it over my head and waved forward. "Soldiers to arms. We might have a battle on our hands."

A collective gasp arises from soldier and villagers. The relief quickly ebbs away from them as the newly freed captives huddle closer together while soldiers grip their weapons.

Rendal emerges from the group and approaches my side. "I saw the smoke. It looks bad. What would you have us do?"

I consider his words, thinking for a moment. "Establish a rearguard to protect the people and have the rest of the soldiers come with me."

Rendal wasted only a few moments gathering the soldiers and ordering a small squad back before rejoining me. He squared his jaw and gave me a look of determination. "Let's go."

I draw my sword, uttering a silent prayer before sprinting forward. My feet barely touch the ground as I stride towards the direction of the smoke. As I rounded there I feel my heart leap to my chest, then sink right down to the bottom of my stomach.

It wasn't a battle as I first believed. Unfortunately, it was the aftermath of one. The smoke was coming from several tents that might have been on fire an hour before but now was reduced to smoking cinders. The palisade was smashed in a number places while weapons and supplies were discarded on the ground. People lay milling about then ruins, searching for wreckage or simply staring blankly at the sight.

But oddly enough there were no bodies left from an attack. I pray dearly that it wasn't undead.

"Come on men. They still might need some help." I urge the others forward, sliding down the dune I was standing on and jog to the camp. I didn't bother sheathing my sword even as we arrive at the ruined gates.

Several men emerged at the entrance to greet us. Despite recognizing us immediately they kept their weapons drawn, only easing it a fraction when they saw the hundreds of escaped prisoners milling about.

They quickly cleared the way and let us through. Yet I still felt their eyes trailing after them as they studied the new arrivals with haunted interest. I wasn't sure what happened here, but then knot in my stomach told me that there was one person who I could inquire about it.

"I see you found the prisoners." A high pitched voice said behind me, though it lacked its slightly annoying tone, instead, it was steeled. Greebo appeared at my side with his mercenaries right at his heel.

"Yes. Now, what happened here?" I ask.

He rubbed his green eyes and I noticed a pair of dark circles underneath them that showed his lack of sleep. In his hands was his cutlass that was now stained red with dried blood. His fist clenching it tightly before throwing it to the ground. "What happened? While you were running around in the forest those trolls attacked." He snaps angrily, his voice now filled with malice. "They came by the hundreds and stormed the camp!"

The Goblin spread his small green arms around to show what was left of their camp. "We fought them until then break of dawn as they came by the hundreds. They retreated eventually, but many people are dead now like I said."

I felt my anger rise up and I turned to face the goblin, towering above him. "Well I apologize you're high and mightiness for wanting to save my people and not being able to predict the future to foresee this attack."

Then I felt the air rush out of me as Greebo struck me in the chest. "You idiot! This isn't about just saving some people. This is about keeping those you do alive. We weren't in a position to launch a rescue in the heart of troll land."

"Well, I did it." I remind him angrily. "I went to troll lands and saved hundreds of people from being sacrificed."

"And look how much it cost? Dozens of people in your camp are dead. Their bodies are now being placed in mass graves." Grebo shouts, shoving me back.

Growling I feel myself raising my sword as Grebo stepped back and readied his cutlass to block my attack. Yet before any of our blades came down, Rendal forced his way in between of us. "That's enough from both of you. We already have enough problems with keeping our people alive without having you two trying to kill each other. Can we at least try to keep it together until we get out of here?"

"Fine!" We both snap.

The sun had only started to rise when the last of my fleet had arrived in Southshore harbor. The small fishing village would not have nearly large enough to accommodate the thousands of refugees going to arrive so I had ordered the fleet to arrive in small groups.

I stood on the prow of the ship, watching as people crowded on the decks, holding their possessions or the hands of loved ones as they waited for the ship to dock.

Soldiers patrolled the length of the ship with their muskets constantly trained on the sea. Thankfully after their encounter on the troll island, they were not attacked by anyone else. Yet that did not stop any of the people from getting jumpy at the slightest provocation.

I sigh heavily and lean on my sword. The few meager ships I had were now not enough to transport all the additional survivors. So Greebo and several of his mercenaries who voluntarily remained behind until the ships could be sent back to pick them up.

In that time I spent thinking about what Greebo had said. As much as I hated him for accusing me of recklessness and for his arrogance in striking a paladin, it seemed like he was right. Unfortunately.

Throughout the trip here, I saw nothing but the heartbreak of the people who had lost their loved ones on the island, those who didn't even have bodies left and were forced to be left in mass graves or those who were traumatized by what the experienced in captivity by the trolls.

My thoughts were quickly forced back as the ships reached the harbor. The dockmaster reacted quickly and raised signal flags and started gathering others to help including a few priests. They rushed aboard to help the people down or heal those who were injured.

I and Rendal walk down the gangplank, walking past the people streaming out. "We will let the ships resupply first before leaving," I explain.

"Agreed sir, though I suggest that in the meantime we should gather reinforcements before leaving. While we may ship, we will need more soldiers if we plan to return to the front." Rendal replies.

I mumble and nod. "Indeed. Let us just hope Garithos would actually do something about it."

Just as we were about to leave, I feel a hand grabbing my shoulder and pulling me back. "Pardon me gentlemen, but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation." It was one of the priests who had joined to help the people. He was surprisingly stocky and fit for a holy man who would normally spend his time in a church, though his face was covered by a dark red hood. "So you wish to go to Dalaran?"

"That is correct." Rendal nods cautiously, eyeing the priest up and down. "What does it matter to you, good sir?"

The priest shifts from the folds of his robes and points towards Dalarans spires in the horizon. "Well, I was also planning on heading there later tonight to meet some friends. Perhaps we could journey there together?"

I consider his proposal before nodding. "Very well then."

Nori's POV

"Halt!" A harsh voice command and the guard pulls his spear back aggressively. "State your name and business here!"

I blink in surprise but quickly grips her swords. Felwyn had sent me and Vol ahead of then the main army in order to alert the town ahead so they can prepare for our arrival. "Norindari Brightsun and I am here with the Alliance and my Captain must speak to your mayor."

The soldier doesn't lower his weapon, but exchanges glance at his companions before shaking his head. "We were ordered not to let anyone in lest we risk the infection spreading into our fair city as well."

Vol'ren growls and removes his helmet to show his handsome. "Do I look like an undead to you?"

"Leave now or that face of yours won't be so pretty anymore." A second guard warns, reaching for his sword.

The two of us stand our ground, baring my teeth at him. The first guard snarls and charges forward. I easily sidestep his attack as he jabs his spear forward and elbows him in the face so hard that his helmet dents. The warrior crumples as the second slashes his sword forward at Vol.

He parries the attack with his sword and his leg rises up to kick him in the chest. The soldier stumbles back as the last guard blinks and was too stunned to move. Quickly he turns and flees into the city.

I grin and sheath my sword, stepping forward towards the guard. "Will you allow us to see your mayor now?"

"Nori!" I voice shouts angrily and caused me to stop. Captain Felwyn appeared from the road behind me. His eyes narrowed like slits as he regarded to me. "I ask you to meet up with the town and you start a fight with the guards?"

"They attacked us." I protest with a sneer. "If you want to speak to the mayor then we have to get through them!"

He suddenly grabs me and shoves me back. "Damn it, Nori. Each time I send you out you seems to become more and more of a liability."

"Don't speak to her like that!" Vol'ren snaps in my defense. He quickly calms down and interjects himself between us. "She's just doing her job and I would just like to remind you. They were the ones who attacked us."

The sound of footsteps caused me to turn around. The third guards for a while ago came running back. I readied my blades for another bout, just as he threw his hands up to show he was unarmed as a sign of peace. "Whats going on here?" A powerful voice demands.

A large, powerfully built man appears behind the guard. He was slightly overweight and dressed in an expensive one piece robe that was spotlessly clean. Though he looks rather disheveled, his hair in a mess and his eyes bloodshot as if he was just awakened.

Captain Felywn snaps in attention before bowing down. "Apologies my lord, I just needed to speak to you."

The mayor blinks in surprise but quickly sheds in confusion. "Then speak."

"I come here with a warning sir. The undead has started attacking and destroyed several villages already. There have been orders for all villages in Silverpine to be evacuated now. My men will assist in evacuating your people."

This time the men was not surprised. Instead, he simply raised an eyebrow in curiosity and shook his head, smiling faintly. "I understand your concern friends, but I assure you I am well aware of the undead and let me assure you that I have prepared my town for it."

Felwyns brows rose. "Really now? What have you planned to defend your village?"

"Well I realized something sirs, that so far the only villages that were struck were those by main roads, so since my village is more isolated, I think it would at least be safe for the moment."

Safe? I want to choke out. How could anyone possibly be safe with that undead running rampant through the forest and killing everything? The only safe thing now was to fight them and beat them back.

I look at him and catch a whiff of sulfurous smell.

"I have also stockpiled heavily in food, weapons, water and medical supplies." He continues to explain. "My guard captain says that we can withstand a protracted siege for several weeks."

Felwyn nods slightly, not speaking but takes in everything he said. "I understand what you say the mayor, but you must understand that the undead fight like nothing we've ever faced before. It is impossible to hold them back forever. I strongly suggest you join us evacuating."

The mayor turns back and begins walking towards the town gates. "Come with me. We can discuss this further inside."

The scent of sulfur was now unmistakable even as he left, the smell trailing right after him. But Felwyn followed after him, turning around with a scowl on his face. He only paid Vol any attention. "Give the army orders to move at a moment's notice."

With that, he follows after the mayor. I watch them leave and wrinkle my nose. Something didn't smell right about him, and by the look of Vol's face, he felt it too.

I crouch down on top of a church ledge, watching idly as the guards change shifts. My fingers flex as I reach for the swords at my hip, yet quickly pull them away. So far these were still fellow Alliance soldiers. I couldn't kill them.

"Steady now Nori." A voice behind me advises and a hand grabs my arm.

Nodding, I bow my head and pull my dark cloak over my head. Rain continued to shower down on them as it had for the past few hours. Up here squatting down I look more like a gargoyle. I opt to wear long-sleeved clothes to hide the glowing tattoos around my body.

I squat down and press my boots against the ground, nearly slipping as the water kept it slick and wet.

Vol was at my side, staying within the shadows of the cathedral we hid in. "Are you sure they're coming?" I inquire, trying to keep my frustration in check. It had been three hours since they left their camp under the excuse of hunting in the forest.

The two of us had made sure to leave some traps in the forest just in case someone checked there. "Yes, I am quite sure about it?"

"Of course I am." He replies patiently, though he also seems to begin getting annoyed. Vol approaches my side and peers over the ledge. "There." He points at a group of men on horseback riding through the empty streets. They all wore hoods that hide their faces.

He sniffs the air and nods. "Yes. I'm sure that's them."

"Then let's go," I say, already leaping off the ledge. Spreading my arms out, I land on the ground, causing the cobblestones to crack. Vol slides down from the pillar and joins me. The rainwater drowned out any sound we made.

Thankfully they weren't moving very quickly so it was fairly easy to keep up with them. None of the guards seem to notice us and continue to ride ahead until they see arrive at the town hall. Several more soldiers were stationed there and give them a curt nod before letting opening the door before that.

Once the door is shut. I sprint forward and stop short of reaching the tower. Squatting down, I throw myself in the air and land into the belltower. "Ready to venture into the unknown?"

A smile forms on Vol's face. "Always ready."

"Good." I grin at him and leap below.