The battle was going badly. The Blackrocks had smashed the army in the night. Marek's company had marched to Lakeshire, meeting up with other groups on the way, but that wasn't enough. While the army and town slept the Blackrocks made a mad dash to take out all Stormish presence in Redridge. Men all around Marek were being slaughtered. All the men were barely clothed and armored. Some men only had sleeping tunics and boots on. They all fought valiantly, but in the end it wasn't enough. The orcs had firepower and outgunned and out slashed the company. Marek had been up when he heard the orc's warhorns. He had grabbed his own horn and began to shout to his squire to run orders. Marek assumed his sentries and outriders were all killed, but none of that mattered now as a big orc in thick black plate brought a nasty looking axe down upon Marek's shield almost splitting it in half. The orcs axe was stuck in the shield. Marek threw the shield away as the orc drew out a dagger. The orc charged and tried to bellow Marek out of the way, but the old man was still spry and jumped out of the way. The orc fell face first into the muddy waters of Lake Everstill. The orc tried to get up, but Marek put his sword through the orc's head. Out of breath and tired Marek sat in the mud by the stinking orc's corpse.

"You fucking bastards.. Thirty fucking years I have fought you now you may just be the end of me. Fuck you and your demon cursed blood." Marek realized he was talking to a corpse and laughed. The laugh was dry and haunting. There was to be no humor tonight. Marek took out a flask. Inside was a deep red wine. Marek took a swig and looked around. The town was on fire and he could hear the screams of battle and slaughter. He saw Keeshan's rangers take out multiple orcs, but he knew they wouldn't make it. None of them would. Marek took another pull from the flask and sighed. Marek wasn't a particularly pious man, but he prayed now. He prayed to the Light for help of any kind. He prayed for his men to survive the night. It's no use we are to die tonight. Perhaps it's destiny. Destiny won't take me without a blade in my hand. Marek stood and drank the last of the wine. He pulled his sword out of the orc and took up the orcs dagger in his other hand. Marek ran up to the fray. It was bloody. All around the ground was red and there were random body parts strewn around. The men had gotten the war wagons and ironclads up and had formed a fortification of sorts to hold back the orcs. So far it was working well and the orcs were stuck on the other side as the footmen fought them from coming over the wall. A soldier ran up and yelled to Marek.

"Sir! We need to pull back our lines are faltering and we are being surrounded on the other side of the lake. We can still make it if we just retreat!" Marek looked around and saw the footman was right. on the other side of the bridge Keeshan and some men were holding off a party of orcs trying to flank the main line.

"Alright. Get the wounded across the bridge and tell Keeshan to get up on that ridge and start covering us. All the footman I want in the line holding them back with throwing weapons and spear jabs." The soldier rushed off to give the orders. They had made a line and that was holding off the orcs for now, but soon the Blackrock War engines would burst through the line and the orc raiders and chariots would kill every last footman. It was madness all over. In the air orcs on dragons and other flying mounts were destroying the air force. Gryphons and war balloons were falling out of the sky. The ironclads and war wagons were apart of the infantry line. The cavalry were all destroyed when the orcs first attacked as they hit the stable first. The wounded were being led across the bridge in haste and Keeshan had fought of the flanking party and was now moving to the ridge. Did the light really answer my prayers? Marek ran to the front of the infantry line and saw that the orcs were holding back. What do you have up your sleeves, black bloods, just attack already and get it over with. Just then there was a loud boom and all the men's heads turned to the bridge. The bridge had been blown up while some of the wounded were crossing. Only a handful were across it when it blew. The orcs started their assault on the main line again. Javelins and bombs were now being thrown. Men were being picked off all around Marek. Many different men's blood covered Marek's armor and face. Eventually one bomb found it's mark and an ironclad blew. Killing every man behind it and destroying a war wagon. Now the orcs charged into the breach. Marek's footmen didn't have a chance. Marek charged the breach, but before he could get there the soldier from earlier held him back with the help of Marek's two squires. The soldier was yelling something to Marek, but he didn't hear him. He was to focused on the carnage. Marek felt himself being dragged backwards and the world went black.

"Sir… Sir Marek… SIR!" yelled a squire while shaking Marek. It was late morning and Marek woke up in a daze.

"Whe..Where are we Malcolm? How did we survive the night?" asked Marek in a tired faraway voice.

"We're at the Three Corners. Captain Jaime, Mark, and I dragged you to safety and met up with Keeshan and his remaining men. We… We're all that is left, sir." Marek wasn't surprised, but he let out a silent prayer to his fallen comrades.

"Somebody must get to Stormwind and warn the king!"

"Keeshan already sent one of his men out to do that. We all need to move soon. A ranger just returned from scouting and said the Blackrocks were only hour away." The squire left then to ready some things. Marek sat up then and saw their little camp right on the road. Keeshan was yelling orders to his men to start packing. Captain Jaime came up then and offered his hand and a canteen. Marek took both and two men started to walk to Keeshan.

"Good to see you are still alive Commander." said Keeshan. "We are down to twenty."

"Aye I see that. We need to move. We need to get to Eastvale and start evacuating everybody." Keeshan agreed and the party started to move. As they got near Eastvale they could hear a lot of noise and eventually stumbled upon a High elven sentry.

"HALT! Who are you and what do you want with this place." yelled a beautiful elven ranger that held a bow with a deadly looking arrow notched in it.

"I am Sir Marek the Steelsong of Stormwind. What do the High Elves have to do with Eastvale?"

"The Steelsong? I'm so sorry sir you have my apologies. I didn't know. I'm Ranger captain Alessia. I serve under Grand Marshal Merlinhaus. You are welcome to follow me into the camp." Marek was confused last he knew Merlinhaus was in the Blasted Lands helping calm down the tensions between the Horde and the Alliance there. Marek and Merlinhaus go way back to the First War where they first served together. Marek's party walked through the woods and spotted many traps and hard points. Is Merlinhaus making a stand here? After five minutes the party was in the logging camp or what was the logging camp. Now it was a full fledged military outpost. Merlinhaus had wasted no time building up fortifications. All manner of Alliance races were here. Merlinhaus was a major commander in the Stormwind and Stromgarde military. He was also a very loved person by the entire Alliance. His five thousand man army was made up of all races and nations in the Alliance and only answers to the High King. Merlinhaus' arms were shown alongside the Alliance lion. The arms are a red fist being supported by two golden lions on white. On the highest hill were the saw mill used to be was now a keep. That was were they were headed. The party was silent as they climbed the hill. Marek saw him then. Merlinhaus was tall and built like an ox. His armor was was thick silvered platemail with a tabard that showed his arms. Merlinhaus turned and smiled a big grin at Marek. Marek walked up and the two men embraced.

"Marek! My old friend. Good to see you. I'm sorry about your men. I was recalled to help settle Redridge, but alas now I'm the main force against the Blackrocks." said Merlinhaus in his deep tone.

"I'm glad to see you to friend. I'm yours to command."

"Good. I'm in need of strong leadership. First you and your men go get a meal and some baths. I'll send for you shortly. Talk to Redbeard over there for some new armor once you get the chance. Keeshan you and your rangers are now under Alessia. You report to her as soon as possible."

With that Merlinhaus turned and started to talk to a gnome engineer. Marek, Jaime, Mark, and Malcolm all made there way to the food tent. Inside they ordered some meat, bread, and ale.

"What do you think will happen with us, sir?" asked Mark. Mark was a newly made squire. At only twelve years old Marek was proud he had stood the test of battle already.

"Most likely I will be given a command and you three will accompany me. Unless you wish to leave." They all shook their heads no. Marek smiled. "I'm glad to have you three by my side." Mark and Malcolm smiled and Jaime nodded and raised his cup of ale in a toast. They all finished eating and rested for awhile. Jaime and Marek told old war stories and the two squires listened and asked many questions. Eventually Marek decided they should go see the blacksmith. Redbeard lived up to his name. A big burly dwarf with a long red beard that was tucked into his belt was hitting a red hot sword on the anvil. Marek talked to him and ordered a suit of armor for all four of them. Redbeard however was not a quartermaster and Marek had to pay a good bit of credit to the dwarf. Marek said his farewells to Jaime and the squires as they went off to find a bedroll to sleep on. Marek went to the newly made keep and asked one of the squires if they could let Merlinhaus know he was there. After about twenty minutes the squire came back and asked Marek to follow him. Marek was lead to a backroom that was obviously Merlinhaus' study as it had papers and reports strewn all around and the smell of cherry tobacco hung in the air.

"Marshal. I'm here to be given my orders." said Marek with a formal tone. Merlinhaus looked at Marek with a weird look and then laughed excusing the squire.

"Marek we are brothers in all but blood. Never call me Marshal again." said Merlinhaus with a smile.

"Aye, So what do you want with me you damned bastard?" Merlinhaus let out a gauff of laughter.

"It's good to see you haven't lost your spirit Marek." Merlinhaus' tone took a serious note. "You remember the Menethil's right?" Who doesn't remember the Menethil's?

"Aye. Who doesn't? What about them?" Merlinhaus let out a sigh.

"I have many men under my command and I only trust you with this. King Danath sent me this missive this morning."

Dear Merlinhaus

I write to you urgently as something of huge importance has arisen to my attention. Calia Menethil is in the northern riverlands in Lordaeron. She is there as a "guest" to the river princes. Once her families vassals. They have kept her hidden, but the Forsaken have launched an invasion and an assassin who was to take a prince by the name of Reginald out saw her and remembered her. The princes fought off the Forsaken for now and that is how I know of this. A paladin named Andarin in service to Reginald came to me and told me all. I have sent a copy of this letter to Varian. You two are the only ones except me who know of this. I'm awaiting my commands from Varian. I'm shoring up my armies in case Varian wants a fast response. If you were to join me it would be all for the better. I know you are commanding in the Blasted Lands, but if you can so happen to get away that would be for the best.

Best regards,

King Danath of House Trollbane, King of Stromgarde.

"Calia Menethil? Alive? No way it has to be an imposter! She had to have died with her father." Marek was shocked. There could be no way it was really her.

"Danath isn't one to get excited over rumors. This has to be true. Marek I'm held up here and I need an experienced leader to help Danath. I want you to go to Stormwind and present yourself to Varian. He'll know what to do. I'll give you fifty men to start with. I will hold here and eventually push the Blackrocks back. I'm too old to think all this happening at once is a coincidence. This all has to be linked. We must find out how and why it's all happening." Merlinhaus was afraid Marek could tell. He was brave he would stand like steel, but he was afraid. Marek nodded.

"I will go and I will find out what is happening. Keep me updated on the goings on here. I still care for redridge."

"Aye of course. Once you reach outside go to the sawmill. There should be a sergeant by the name of Edward he'll direct you to your fifty men. You may also take that captain of yours and your two squires if you wish, but please make haste. Also Redbeard sent word that your armor is done. He and his apprentices do good work." Merlinhaus nodded then and yelled for a squire to see Marek out. Marek and Merlinhaus exchanged farewells. This is about to be the most interesting mission I've ever dealt with.