I stayed with Ebonlocke and Stoutmantel to manage some of the particulars regarding land distribution, and how people without enough land or experience to farm would make their living.
It was decided the mines would stay under my control for safeties sake, many of the mines had fell into ill repair over the years and the chances of tunnel collapse had already been worryingly high.
We decided armed workers would be sent into Duskwood, manning the roads where the lumber and bodies where being piled, at the rate we were looking at we could have the undead and Worgen cleared in two years if the number of golems stayed the same.
In four we might have the forest itself cleared, which would open up more farmland.
The curse had effected many things, birthrates, worgen, and the living dead among them, but it had remarkably enough not effected the fertility of the land, which remained the same as ever.
Even if the scythe was never found, the land would still have value for the future.
Depending on the amount of wood we manage to harvest, I had also suggested we build walls between the roads leading to and from Stranglethorn, and Deadwind pass, the only places we could be attacked from the land in the immediate future.
Deadwind pass and Stranglethorn were both mostly closed off due to the mountains, but both had paths through the mountains which could be fortified.
It would provide defense against forces coming from those areas, and open up an opportunity for us to toll the roads for passage from merchants and travelers.
If I had my way I would have as much built within Westfall as possible, the combined population and territory of Duskwood and Westfall should see us become a major exporter of grain and other livestock.
The mines should also see to the expansion of my kingdoms wealth nicely.
With us confident in the future of Westfall the time came for us to leave for Stormwind.
I traveled on a caravan guarded by twenty men, and two Harvest Golems, with Ebonlocke and Stoutmantel.
Those two men where the only other people of high standing in the new kingdom that was forming around me.
Ebonlocke had lead the people of Duskwood with what little resources he had available incredibly well.
Stoutmantel had done the same in organizing the Westfall militia. Together with me we made up the most important people in Westfall.
When we crossed the boundary the yellowed grass and stale air of Westfall made way to a lush forest filled with the sound of chirping birds.
Our procession was met with strange looks and stares as we made our way down the well kept road of Elywnn forest to the city of idiots that was Stormwind.
It never would have been so easy if not for them. How much wealth, food, and soldiers had they lost by not protecting their own backyard?
It was shameful, an insult even. Did they really not think this wouldnt have happend?
If the people didnt rebel a warlord would have shown up at some point, or the scourge.
Someone like me would have taken advantage eventually.
A couple of Guards joined us on our way, making certain we were headed to Stormwind as we told them.
The beautiful scenery, well kept roads, and happy people clearly annoyed our escort.
I was certain when they returned they would relay just how well the other province under Stormwind was doing.
Gaurds patrolled the road regularly, keeping the people safe from any potential invaders at all times.
To the people who lived their I'm certain it was a reassurance. To the guards and Ebonlocke it was just a slap to the face.
Stoutmantel looked disappointed mostly. The old paladin was too kind for his own good.
The distance was short, and at a brisk pace we managed to reach Stormwind at the next dawn.
We entered Stormwind through two massive reinforced doors, crossing a bridge over a moat into the city proper.
Hanging under a rampart was the massive head of a Dragon.
It seemed Oxynia had met her end, and recently too if the freshness of the head was any indicator.
For the best, probably. She was the most likely being to find out I wasn't who I said I was, and I was certain she'd use that to try and control me.
I'd have had to let her too, Oxynia was the daughter of Deathwing himself, an ancient dragon. There was no fighting something like that for me.
Yet.
We were lead through winding streets past the trade district, where merchants foreign and domestic plied their trade to visitors and residents of the city.
We passed old town and got a good look at the Dwarven district, before we finally saw the keep itself.
It was a seperate fortress within the city, fortified in case the outer walls were ever breached, or the peasants grew unruly and got ideas above their station.
It was Varian Wrynn himself who welcomed us to Stormwind, he marched out from the front gates to the keep itself, a grin on his face.
He looked almost exactly like what the game presented him as.
He was a well muscled man with a ponytail, and a large scar crossing over his face.
It would be fun to see that smile disappear.
"Welcome! Welcome! You must be the procession from Westfall. I had been waiting for good news."
I nodded at the king of the greatest and only human kingdom in the Eastern kingdoms. Knowing that state of affairs wouldn't last much longer.
I smiled, stepping forward.
"I hope not to disappoint."