Eternal Requiem
Chapter 2: Lords of the White Dragon
The murky forest lands of Duskwood, filled with horrors like no one has ever seen. To the west, overlooking a vile graveyard, the ghost town of Raven Hill lay in ruin from years of decay. To the north, a vacant portal to the Emerald Dream dwelt, also forsaken by those who once treasured it. In the south, the trail to the jungles of Stranglethorn Vale was clear. And finally, in eastern Duskwood,
the human settlement of Darkshire, bordered by the rocky regions of Deadwind Pass further east and Redridge Mountain in the north. All was quiet on the front, just outside of Darkshire. A Horde battalion had taken vacancy in Deadwind Pass, thinking that the neutral zone would easily be their's to claim. But the Emperor would never allow that, not so long as the Empire remained absolute in the Alliance.
Mounts of all variety could be heard coming down from Redridge Mountain. They wore black leather, masked in darkness. All were of the Empire, all of different races of the Alliance. Each rode the mount of their race. In front of the massive battalion, a human in dark blue leather and bearing the Empire's tabard of the White Dragon dismounted his steed. He saluted a nearby Nightwatch Guard. It was noon, but to the lands of Duskwood, it was always dark.
"We have been expecting you, Arbiter Towns." said the guard. "The Horde, though passive at the moment, seem to be advancing their way through the Pass."
"By order of the Emperor himself, the Horde of Stonard must be eliminated for their advances." said Towns. "When will they be at Duskwood's borders?"
"By nightfall, sir." the guard said.
"Excellent." muttered Towns. "Keep all your Nightwatch guards away from Deadwind Pass. My rogues will assail the enemy when nightfall comes. Afterward I shall send a runner to pass through Darkshire. Prepare him for a long journey, for he will be traveling to Stormwind, where he will call upon Arbiter Serp and his warriors to join us in the Swamp of Sorrows."
"It shall be done, sir." bowed the guard.
And like the guard said, nightfall came, and the Horde were within a stone's throw of Duskwood, though they had no intention on crossing over. But that did not stop the unseen force of the Empire surrounding their encampment. Within a few minutes notice the entire Horde camp was unknowingly trapped within their own base. They all ate at their bonfire, oblivious to what awaited them. And after moments of wait, the roguesstruck.
Town's men backstabbed every Horde they could reach. All others were slain within seconds of each other. Out of the forty rogues Towns controlled in his current battalion, none were lost in the fray. The orcs of Stonard, on the other hand, were dealt a fatal blow. None survived. And as Towns said, a runner was sent to Darkshire, where he was properly prepared by the Nightwatch and then made his way to Stormwind. As the runner did so, Towns and his battalion took control of Deadwind Pass, marking its land in the name of the Empire. His troops quietly made their way to the Swamp of Sorrows, where they would meet Serp's warriors and continue their assault on Stonard.
On the noon of the second day, a horn was heard in the distance. A scout ran to Towns, out of breath and a grin on his face.
"Arbiter Towns, Serp has entered the pass and will arrive in a matter of minutes!" he panted.
"Take your rest, scout." said Towns. "Your work is done. But tell the rest of the troop that war will ensue on Stonard upon Serp's arrival."
All the scout said was true. From the cold, barren ground of Deadwind Pass, many a mount touched new grassland and entered the swamp. Warriors dressed in black plate armor and heavy weaponry came into sight of Towns and before them was one dressed in blue with the tabard of the White Dragon. Serp and his men came before the encampment, but they did not dismount.
"We have accepted your runner, Towns." said Serp, a night elf of muscular stature. "My battalion awaits your command."
"Our forces shall act as soon as possible." answered Towns. "Most of my rogues will mount alongside your warriors, but the craftiest of them shall join me in the assassination of their runners and chieftain."
"So it shall be." said Serp. "We will allow your group to start up ahead."
Towns and five of his most clever, most crafty rogues set off for Stonard, a decent orc settlement located inthe southern area of the Swamp of Sorrow, just before the entrance to the Blasted Lands. Serp and the rest of the Empire's troop mounted and made their way to Stonard, stopping their movement just outside.
"In the name of the Grand Requiem Empire-" barked Serp to the Stonard grunts and guards. "We shall take Stonard, whether through peaceful surrender or glorious battle. What say you?"
The green-skinned orcs looked at each other and glared at Serp and his soldiers. A larger orc, much more massive then the others, stepped forward.
"Gorsham says, let them come!" grunted the orc who musthave been Gorsham. "I fear no self-proclaimed Alliance scum! Come! We will meet your armies!"
One of Towns's rogues with Serp drew his bow and fired a perfect shot at Gorsham's chest, slaying the poor orc. With this act of war, Serp raised his sword.
"For the Empire!" cried out Serp.
The rest of them also raised their weapons, and cried out, "For the Empire!" They charged the doomed town of Stonard, trampling all other orcs in their path. Orc bodies lay scattered across their path, felled by blade and hoof. After all orcs in Stonard were slain, Serp dismounted and made his way to the chieftain's hut. As he was about to enter, Towns stepped out, the chieftain's severed head held by its hair.
"Stonard belongs to the Empire now." grinned Towns. "Runner! Send word to our dear Emperor that Stonard has been defeated and taken for his Empire!"
Serp turned to both his and Towns's men, and once again lifted his blade.
"All hail the Emperor!" he cried.
The army, seemingly tireless with bloodlust, also lifted their weapons again.
"All hail the Emperor! They cried.
Meanwhile, a few days later, Towns's runner made his way to the halls of Ironforge from the Underwater Tram in Stormwind. He asked for an audience with the Emperor, and was accepted. Through those grand doors he entered, coming upon the throne of Ironforge, home of the White Dragon of the Empire, Emperor Darithal. To the right was Magni Bronzebeard,once king of Ironforge but now seated as a member of the council on behalf of the dwarves. At his side was High Tinker Mekkatorque of the gnomes. On the left sat the Arch Druid, Fandral Staghelm of Darnassus, and Lord Bolvar of Stormwind. All have become his council, all serve his every will.
Low and behold, sitting upon his mighty throne, once athrone to many dwarves of the Magni family, was Emperor Darithal. Upon him he wore white plate armor, fashioned like that of a true warrior. His embroideries were golden and fit for a true king. His helm gave way at the side for his elvish ears, and on his chest he beared the tabard of the White Dragon. His cloak was large and black like the background of his tabard and enveloped him like a blanket. From the eye slit on his helm, you could see his eyes very distant, like as if his mind was in a far off dream.
"My Emperor and lords..." began the runner as he knelt down to his knees in homage. "I bring word from Arbiter Serp the Fierce and Towns the Sly. Stonard has been taken, as you have requested."
"Good work, lad!" cheered Magni. "About time those orcs of the swamp got what was coming to them! Well done, young runner. You are free to go."
"All Horde cur will meet their end eventually. And in the same manner, if not worse." Bolvar added in. "My only concern is that traitorous Tuvyn and his crew."
"Indeed." said Fandral sternly. "That coward has made of mockery of my people and our position in the Empire. I want to see that scum's head on a post!"
"There is no need to worry..." spoke Darithal, with a clear voice, like that of a young, strong man. "Lithius has taken care of the matter. The traitor is en route to your halls as we speak, Bolvar, to be executed in the morning."
"I was not informed." blushed Bolvar in slight embarrassment.
"Need not worry of whether you were informed, for I know." said Darithal, his head, neck, and eyes still fixed so he was looking blankly into space. "Tell me, Mekkatorque, how goes the front lines?"
"As you ordered, I have sent Arbiter Kente the Brave, Xenia the Wise, and Glacier the Pure to keep South Shore safe from Tarren Mill's forces until further orders." answered the little gnomes with his high voice.
"And what of Ashenvale's defense?" asked Darithal to Fandral.
"Just as you said, Arbiter Asmeroth the Ancient and Spade the Dark are keeping the enemy forces from drawing near to Astranaar, but we have not yet assaulted the Kargathia Outpost." responded Fandral. "They only wish to await your command, and it shall be done."
"Something just dawned on me." Magni butted in. "What of the neutral parties from all over?"
"What do you mean?" asked Fandral.
"What I mean to say is there are those who may not permit us because they are as good friends with the Horde as they are with the Alliance." continued Magni. "What of the Cenarion Circle and their relations with the tauren? What of the Argent Dawn? They may fight against the Scourge, but they take in adventurers of all races. Oh! And what of the goblins?"
There was a pause, all thinking on such a matter. From past actions, the goblins, though as greedy and sly as they were, did not at all allow violence of any kind in their towns, such as Booty Bay, Gadgetzan, Ratchet, and Everlook. If there was a large enough war, the goblins would close their ports and towns in order to keep themselves safe. Shipping supplies would be left undelivered and they would blockade their own sea routes. The economy of both sides would plummet a great deal and mistrust would spread throughout the Empire. If anyone, the goblins are the most important neutral party to the Empire.
"You speak as though we are alone, dear Magni." said Darithal, breaking the deep silence. "Snivley! Come forth!"
From the doors appeared a small and pointy-nosed goblin. His skin was pale green, like the haunted sea of Azshara. He was followed by two other goblins, also small but not as ghastly. To the council's surprise, they were wearing the tabard of the Empire; the mark of the White Dragon. They came before the council, and all fell to silence.
"Snivley of Booty Bay, at your service." he said in a nasally little voice.
"What is a goblin doing here?" questioned Mekkatorque in disgust.
"Shut up, foolish gnome!" barked Snivley.
"Silence! The both of you!" shouted Bolvar. "If Booty Bay's ambassador is here, then the Emperor must have a reason!"
"Indeed..." answered Darithal in a far-off voice. "Snivley, have you spoken with your allies in Kalimdor?"
"Yes, my lord." spoke Snivley, bowing to Darithal's greatness. "Booty Bay, Gadgetzan, Everlook, and even Ratchet have sworn their allegiance to you, Emperor Darithal,and the Grand Requiem Empire."
The council was surprised, murmuring to one another in shock. Darithal raised his right hand, calling for silence in the great halls.
"As you can see, my dear council, the Grand Requiem Empire is rising greater than any other empire ever seen." began Darithal. "The goblins have become our allies, and all others will also bow to us. Our ambassadors are sending scrying bowls to the dwarves of the Hinterlands, the Argent Dawn in Darnassus, and the Cenarion Circle in Moonglade. They will all speak to me in one meeting through these scrying bowls, and they will join the Empire. Snivley, you may leave, and make the proper preparations. I will send Arbiter Lithius of the news."
"What news, my lord?" asked Bolvar.
"Of Grom'gol's demise..." answered Darithal.
The council was then dismissed for the evening, and hours later the fourth day would dawn...
Author's Note: While writing, I realized that not everyone will know what a "scrying bowl" is. For those who don't know, a scrying bowl is a bowl of magical water that allows one to see another person and speak with them through the bowl. Just making sure everyone knows what is going on. Oh, and please R&R. Reviews help to inspire me, so if you happen to be reading this, please send a review to let me know people are actually reading it. I hope to have the next chapter up soon. Later!