After the fall of Havenshire . . . Enjoy!

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38: Subterfuge

The title of Scarlet commander is given to the leader in charge of the crusaders in a specific base or area the Crusade is located in. For example, Renault Mograine was the commander of the crusade in Tirisfal Glades and Marjhan was commander of Tyr's Hand (which was why she was sent as an ambassador to Light's Hope Chapel in the first place).

Scarlet Commander Rodrick was the commander in charge of the Scarlet Enclave.

He was a tall paladin that wore an ornate, red-and-gold legplates that resembled a skirt that went down to his feet (though no one would dare say that in his presence). He wore two heavy spaulders that had the design of an open, gold book with a dagger laying on top of it. The headpiece covered his entire head with a black hood placed over a black mask with a red-and-yellow line coming vertically down the center. His eyes glowed blue underneath the helmet. The armor is meant to invoke the idea of a faceless harbinger who delivers justice to those who deserve it. Hence its name, Judgment armor.

Rodrick resided in the Scarlet Hold in New Avalon, in a room on the second story that eerily resembles the same one Abbendis took Danthor, Jonas, Lethella, and Balean to when they first entered Tyr's Hand. Danthor, Jonas, and Lethella were standing in that room now, but Balean was no longer with them.

"Havenshire's in flames," Rodrick stated, pacing back and forth by the command table (which had few things on it—just a few pieces of paper, a map, and a book) near the back of the room. "The Scourge have already taken it up as their next base of operations, and they're setting their sights here next!"

"We know all of that," Danthor said coldly. "We were there, and we lost a good friend in that assault. So why don't you stop wasting our time and tell us something that really matters. What happened at Light's Point?"

Rodrick was a little put off by Danthor's display of defiance. So were Lethella and Jonas, for that matter. The commander cleared his throat and said, "Yes, well, the harbor's also up in flames, but from what some of our scouts could gather, we'd estimate that someone snuck onto one of the ships and used the cannons against us, killing everyone at the Point."

"Including Romvoy," fumed Jonas.

Rodrick nodded. "Including Romvoy, yes. We had five captains in Havenshire, and only three come back. I want to know—and the high general wants to know, for that matter—exactly what happened."

"What the hell do you think happened?" asked Danthor. "We were blindsided. The Scourge attacked as soon as the harbor went up in flames! We fought them off the best we could, but they severely outnumbered us. You're lucky we came back with twenty crusaders at all."

"Danthor," Lethella whispered to the knight, "don't get too out of hand."

"No one's blaming you," Rodrick said. "We just want to know the situation we're in now."

"Havenshire is done for, half of the Enclave is lost," Jonas stated. "We should be fortifying our positions here and preparing ourselves for a counterattack to force them back to Acherus, where we can fight them on their own ground."

"And we shall fortify," Rodrick said, "but we still need a bit more information. Who led the assault? How many undead were there?"

"What does that matter?" Danthor asked. "There were four commanders, but we don't know their names. As for how many, that doesn't make a difference! They have the power to raise their soldiers from the dead again and again—I saw two of their leaders do it right in front of me!"

Lethella stepped forward, saying, "Forgive him, sir! He's still visibly upset over the loss of his friend."

"Yes," Rodrick said, "I can see that. Don't worry, crusaders, we have guards at every post, and we can easily summon enough to fend off any attacks they bring. For now, go get some rest. You'll be needed to help lead the troops. You are some of our most exemplary leaders, after all."

"A lotta good that does," muttered Danthor.

"Shut up!" snapped Lethella.

The three left. Rodrick sighed and went back to his table, sat down, and opened the book that was on the table.

— — —

Highlord Mograine arrived at the Crypt of Remembrance at first light.

They had taken Havenshire and set it alight in the middle of the night. News of their conquest reached Acherus near the dawn, and Darion immediately set to work, ordering the preparations for the second phase of their plan to be set in motion. They now set their sights on Havenshire.

Wanting to overlook the progress himself, Darion rode his deathcharger out to the Scarlet Enclave crypt, located at the edge of Havenshire, just before the walls of New Avalon. Death's Breach now held little meaning—it was no longer on the front lines of their attack. The Crypt of Remembrance (as the crusaders called it) was.

As he rode through the wreck of Havenshire, he could already see his work being done. Necromancers were busy raising the corpses of the crusaders into mindless ghouls and the death knights were sitting in anticipation, grinding themselves up for war. They were anxious. The Lich King ordered them to stop their attack as soon as Havenshire was taken. Assault New Avalon directly now might hinder their plans. They had to be ready.

The crypt was right beside a large pumpkin patch that was already showing signs of death. The gravestones around the small stone mausoleum were rundown and faded to the point where they all looked alike. They don't treat their dead with much respect, Darion thought. Probably because they're afraid they'll come back and kill them.

He laughed at this as he dismounted his horse and moved towards the white-stoned entrance that led deep into the crypt. It was guarded on both sides by shades—Crypt Guardians, they were called. Darion descended the stairs.

Prince Valanar stayed back at Death's Breach, getting the death knights ready for war. Instead, the assault on New Avalon was led by his brother, Prince Keleseth. He, Baron Rivendare, Noth the Plaguebringer, and Salanar the Horseman would be leading the second phase of the assault. They were at the very bottom level of the crypt.

The bodies were cleared from the room, but it certainly wasn't spacious. There was enough space for the four to move around somewhat comfortably (and the room could house Rivendare's trademark steed), but Darion pitied the commanders a little for having to carry out their grand plans in such a dismal spot.

Noth was the first to notice Darion enter. He nodded his head, saying, "Welcome, Highlord Mograine. You honor us with your presence."

"No need for the formalities, Noth," Darion said. "You've served the Lich King longer than I have, anyways. Though this place looks like no Naxxramas."

"It isn't, I'm afraid," Noth said with a sigh. "But we have to make due."

"What brings you here?" Keleseth asked, stepping away from the table he was standing over.

The green skull of the corrupted Ashbringer continued bobbed back and forth serenely in the blade, and everyone found their eyes drawn to it. Darion pretended not to notice. "I've come to see how things are progressing."

"Faster than expected," Keleseth said. "We have enough ghouls amassing to provide enough of a distraction. It'll keep them busy, rest assured. I'd imagine the death knights you've selected for this mission are on their way?"

Darion nodded.

"Good."

"I'll admit, I'm a bit surprised we're putting such an effort into getting a few death knights on the inside." Rivendare's deathcharger whinnied as he spoke. "I think we'd just be better off gutting the whole place in one fell swoop."

"It pays to have some insurance. We're sending in Orbaz, Thassarian, and Koltira in case we need any specialized task done. As for the fourth, she'll have a bit more proactive roll." Darion smiled at the baron. "She was the one responsible for destroying the entire Scarlet fleet, and I personally vouched for her. Just in case you were wondering."

Rivendare snorted. "Watch your tongue, boy. You may be the highlord of the Ebon Blade around here, but I'll be the one taking your father's place in Naxxramas when this is all over, so don't go and cop a high-and-mighty attitude with me."

Mograine felt the corrupted Ashbringer on his back give off a little wave of anger. Unlike the blade (and the spirit that still laid dormant within it), though, Darion kept his cool. "The Lich King apparently saw differently, and as long as we're in the Enclave, I am your superior, and your job is to lead the initial assault on New Avalon with Salanar. After that, I don't quite care what you do. Are we clear?"

"Yes."

Salanar laughed.

Darion turned to Noth. "I suggest you go and get your plague cauldron set up out in the pumpkin patch. If Gothik is correct in his estimations, you'll have enough ghouls for the assault by midday. As for you two"—he turned to Salanar and Rivendare—"be ready as well. Remember, your job is to cause enough of a ruckus to get those four death knights through safely. Not to destroy the town."

"Is that all, then?" Keleseth asked.

Darion cast a quick look around. "I believe it is. Be sure to keep them all under control, Keleseth. You are the commander of this operation, after all."

"Of course, highlord. Give the Lich King my regards."

Darion started for the stairs. "I will. Good luck today."

When he was gone, Salanar chuckled a bit, pointing at Rivendare. "You should know better than to talk the Lich King's right hand like that."

"Shut up," Rivendare said. "It'll be a cold day in hell when I think of him as my superior."

"Quiet, both of you!" Keleseth said. "Noth, go and get the pumpkin patch prepared; Salanar and Rivendare, just keep quiet until the death knights show up!"

— — —

As soon as they were dismissed, Danthor, Lethella, and Jonas immediately went to the tavern near the southern tip of the Enclave, between two orchards and the Chapel of the Crimson Flame—the place of worship in New Avalon, where High Abbot Landgren spends most of his time. It was in the middle of the day, but none of them cared. They could all use a drink.

"Ah, shit," Danthor said, dropping into his chair. "How'd we get such an idiot like Rodrick to be our commander? The least Abbendis could do is take over military command, but I haven't seen her at all since she split my chin open."

"It doesn't seem like anyone's seen her," Jonas said. "She's just been giving her orders through Rodrick and never shows herself. It is pretty peculiar."

"Maybe, but that doesn't explain your behavior to the commander," Lethella said, looking directly at the knight. "Like it or not, he's calling the shots, so we do as we're told and don't give any backtalk."

Danthor tilted his head at her. Lethella didn't like the look he gave her. It seemed distant, detached. "Since when do you care about the higher-ups? I thought you're just here to kill every undead you see."

"I am!" Lethella shot back. "But that doesn't mean I don't believe in this organization. We're doing a great thing, and we lose great people every day to finally accomplish our goal."

The bartender brought drinks to the table they were sitting at. Danthor took his and downed half of it in one gulp. "Yeah, well I coulda stopped him. Dragged him back, if I needed to."

"Then you'd both be dead," Jonas said, taking a sip of his own drink. "Trust me, when Balean get's set on something, you can't do anything to change his mind."

Danthor wiped the alcohol from his mouth. "He never stood a chance. Against that many undead, he must've died in an instant."

Lethella sighed, then raised her glass up. "Let's drink to his memory then. Going out in a fashion all of us only wish we could do!'

The three clinked their glasses together and drank. Danthor finished his glass off with his second gulp. "The Light's taking good care of him now," Jonas said with a smile. "That crazy bastard . . ."

"So cheer up a bit, willya?" Lethella asked, shaking Danthor's shoulder to try and bring his spirits up.

His expression wouldn't change, though he did order a second drink. It was when the bartender was going back to oblige the knight's order when a crusader burst into the door, catching everyone's attention. The crusader looked around wide-eyed, saying, "There's an attack on the wall! Every available crusader is to come and help defend it!"

"Already?" Lethella asked, standing up. "They don't mess around."

The tavern had about ten crusaders in it, the rest were civilians. They all left the bar. Jonas went over to the stables and grabbed the horse he used to get to the tavern. He had learned from his last mistake. "I think I'll take my horse this time."

The other two captains nodded. "Good idea."

In the distance, they could hear the sound of the ghouls, the crusaders, and of steel. The humans would need someone commanding them, and Danthor, Lethella, and Jonas were happy to oblige.

Even though Danthor was the only one who visibly showed his distress, they all wanted an excuse to get rid of their pent-up rage. A Scourge attack seemed like the perfect reason to crack some heads.

Another attack so soon!

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