Alfred's POV
After riding for three days and night, I have finally arrived at the chaotic city of Andorhal. The area is one of the last bastions controlled by the Scourge, and both Horde and Alliance have sent armies to retake the critical command post in the Western Plaguelands. I rode past the destroyed city gate, avoiding the fallen weaponries of war scattered around the warzone. The city is now a battleground between the Alliance and Horde troops along with the trapped Scourge in the city square. I looked to the far side, which is surrounded by the plague clouds. Can this ever end? Can't the war be stopped even after the death of the Lich King? Charger snorted to me, pulling me back to reality. I patted his armored back and continued my way into the city.
"Halt Paladin! Identify yourself!" A human guard called out from the Alliance camp, trying to do his job. I dismounted, landing safely on the ground, and then walked calmly to the camp while taking off my bulky helmet. The guard immediately saluted to me in my approach, I think he recognized the emblem sewed on my tabard. "I'm sorry to interrupt your journey sir." The guard spoke in a southern accent, Gilneas? "I have to ensure that anyone who passes through here is at least registered and prepared for the roads beyond." I nodded in agreement; Andorhal is a dangerous place without adequate gear and skills to fend off the bloodthirsty Scourge. "Wait, sir. Can I ask you a favor?" The Gilnean asked me in a pleading tone; I wonder what he will need from me, mostly probably some gold donations. I put down my helmet on a nearby table, crossed my arms and replied "What do you need from me, brave soldier?" The guard instantly looked down, some sort of embarrassing things, oh great! "Umm… I was stationed here with my brother, Sam straight after military training in Stormwind City Barracks. We did everything right, listen to superiors, did our duties and patrols. But recently my brother went missing after a patrol, I tried to find him but …" He stuttered for a moment "But the Captain says that nobody will leave the camp without his orders, and he is not going to send anyone to look for my brother, deeming him 'expendable'! He is my baby brother! Please Sir; you have to help me find him!" He begged me literally, sinking down on his knees. I scratched my head, and then held out a hand to get him up. "I will help you find your brother, but tell me, where is he last seen?" The young lad brightened up and wiped off the tears in his eyes "His last patrol is around the Western warehouses, he is instructed to scout for Horde ambushers or Scourge remnants. And sir, please don't tell the captain, he will be very upset about this and the death knight that commands here has left." Death Knight? Must be Thassarian, but where will he be? I took my helmet from the table and walked to Charger; he is waiting impatiently and shows it by stomping repeatedly on the corrupted ground. The guard once again saluted to me in gratitude, I took Charger's rein and slowly walked to the Scourge-infested area, the warehouses.
I can feel the stench and rot literally seeping through my armor when I walk the roads, what is the captain thinking? Allowing a recruit patrol alone into the den of monsters. I grunted at the thought; the Alliance hasn't changed a bit, leaving reckless leaders unchecked and send young men to their premature death! Suddenly something shifted silently around the corner; I unsheathed my newly forged longsword, a gift from the Master Blacksmith in the depths of Ironforge, and prepared myself with a strong buff that gives a brawling power. The shifting sound continues, I walked cautiously forward and I regretted on that particular step. A strong trap sprung up suddenly and clasped my foot tightly, a small groan slipped out from my lips, I checked the wounds and found out that it is a well-crafted trap, and that will only mean…
Ambushers swarmed out from the nearby wrecks and ruins, arming with metal axes and daggers, some even wielded a longbow, aiming straight for their prey. I muttered under my breath, calling the power of light to my side. The light approaches and formed as a angelic form, shielding my sides from the barrage. The leading raider, an orc apparently, shouted orcish to his subordinates, they all charged to my position. I threw a judgment to the nearby rogue, burning his shadow cloak and revealing the ugly nature of a forsaken, he yelped as his armor caught on magical fire. I barely had time to parry a swing from a berserker, stumbling back and made my wounds ever worse. I swore and swung my holy blade, slicing at least 3 attackers and took them down. Another barrage of arrows flew in a wild swarm; I concentrated the strongest light of all, pleading it to bestow power upon me. It worked, and the pure light surrounded me, incinerating all the arrows flying near my proximity. Taking the chance, I attacked the surprised ambushers, hacking and slashing my way out of the death spot. Most of them fell from my attacks but some did retaliate; I tried slashing a troll hunter with the enhanced crusader strike, but he simply shrugs the impact off like a fly on a bull. I swung my sword upright, charging it with all my powers and swung it down in the strongest impact I have ever seen. He dodged the attack and jabbed me hard on the shoulder, an electric feeling came upon me and I fell to my knees, unable to attack nor defend from the inevitable stab.
A shadow fell upon the troll suddenly, crushing the blue skinned creatures under his feet. He jumped and dodged the incoming spear from the orc leader; the horde commander was baffled from the act and will never know what hit him. The silvery blade prodding out from his chest and he fell to the muddy ditch, still in his shocked expression. I was watching the warrior in awe when he turned around and looked intently on me. He was wearing an exotic dark grey armor, armed with a unconventional curved blade and wore an eye patch on his right eye. But the fact that astounds me was that he walked towards me and extended his scarred arm, speaking in perfect common "Druggul of the Oathbringer, at your service."
The most surprising factor is that, he is an orc.