Reviews:

Guest 1: Not that Big of a departure, Thanqual does know success, but in a way its always pyrrhic.

Guest 2: *pop* nice.

Guest 3: A real good analysis. Also doesn't help when most the World Leaders are breathing down your neck.

Guest 4: We all knew treason was in the works, just "remember, remember, the two-hundred fifty-sixth turn-vemper, the doomsphere detonation scheme-plot. I have no expectation that the Doomsphere Detonation will ever be forgot. Listen Careful-close can you hear it?... Wait here comes the crescendo! HA HA hA HA Ha!"

Guest 5: Better Battle Pope than Toad Pope. But Aunduin probably has some hot fire to throw in any upcoming debate.

Guest 6: A very accurate analysis of the situation there to be certain. But with situations like this often a bit of a gamble is needed.

Guest 7: The thing there though is that the Empire can only act really with what's Immediately available. Kislev and the Dawi are weeks to months away, further Inperial armies are in the weeks realm. Where the Alliance can get Adventurers and limited reinforcements within hours and then armies varying from days (smallest fast reactionary forces) to months away (Stormwind's army)

Guest 8: She likely has played a large role. But there's also just inherent character flaws, and 10 years of "see something we don't like shoot it with a arrow" mentality.

Guest 9: Bad first impressions are fairly common, but I think Anduin has the right chops for making things work out. I mean, its the Height of Arrogance, but he supported and almost succeeded in getting Mass Defections from the Forsaken, and then in BFA he almost installed a Warchief who would have been more than willing to make concessions for the sake of maintaining honor. Effectively ending the Horde's threat via diplomacy alone.

To quote the best Star Trek Captain/War Criminal no questions asked, "One thing is certain: We are loosing the peace - which means a war could be our only...hope."

Hakuryuu: BM were one of the factions i actually played, always liked playing with that grey line of instinct and intellect. Also RP'd as a female beastman once, Norscan PC died of Snu-Snu...or maybe the compounding of the damage from a ram head BJ, but unless best moon was out she was always hiding behind the big hunky men...made all the more hilarious since Khorne was her main.

Questioning if the Horde are goodguys or not is a cardinal sin apparently. Makes me sad that you basically can't play as the "Bad Guys" in WoW unless it's coincidental. You could argue Undercity but 90% of that is still trying to help a kingdom defend itself.

Aunduin's just showing the skills he had been gathered since Childhood. and clearly Alliance and Empire shot that chance at "bwest fwends" in the foot but whose to say that they can't be like Bretonnia and the Empire, or WH3 Empire and Kislev with Volkmar having a "attack Kislev" condition for his item quest.

And we shall see how it all devolves or builds from here.

Jak23: The same thing most the historic examples were probably thinking. which always boiled down to, "I'm new to this situation, i need more info, surely my scouts are competent enough to avoid being attacked." followed by..."now lets send them out to acout hostiles who are actively attacking" with no self reflection in both pair of throughts...also remember Scouting on Azeroth usually means having Adventurers destroy a enemy camp, heroes walk to some cliff that conveniently overlooks some vital area, typically with some sort of central building, a mine, trees, and workers collecting resources to summon troops, weapons, and a army out of the Ether with arbitrary "training" times, or a flier of some kind do the same thing but risk getting shot at only to return mostly fine.

Random Anon: Wow way to summerize the last two Expansions for WoW in one sentance. Come on Avenah is in the Home stretch, no need to rush now.

As for the NE ages...if you played WC3 you know their age has little impact on their overbearing immaturity, much like how a SM will slaughter an entire village over a "my dad can kick your dad's butt" arguement,

Note there's a layer of sarcasm but Night Elves 1) never take responsibility for their failures, instead always assigning blame, sometimes starting eons long grudges (little better than Dawi grudges as you just spend eternity in a touture chamber/prison) over the blame they assigned onto you for someone else's, or their own, actions.

2) Never learn, a mixture of story writing and Blizzards insane and universe wrecking insistance thay gameplay=lore "remember a SC2 Battlecruiser is a mile long and only takes 1:20 to build guys"...but well NE characters having equal skill to 18 year old humans, Worgen were formed by Druids who lost themselves to a beast form and the NE fucked around trying to help them...then 10k years later the bear druids while sleeping forgot they weren't bears and the NE had to fuck around to try and help them, good thing this time it worked because this foe wasn't a bunch of self defeating incompetents. Their society never bothered to change or improve until Orcs and Human showed up, meanwhile the exiles (who more than likely were running from even worse NE blame throwing and persecution that was to come all because they shared the same...societal caste is the best description but it's almost more like race, as ONE evil bitch) actually advanced their society and knowledge before approaching humanity, and well before the Orcs ever showed up.

3) I'd say are lazy. This one is more hyperbole, but their Druids would rather spend all their time in a place called the Emerald Dream than actually helping the realm that supports the Emerald Dream, meanwhile their elite troops just sit around watching prisoners rather than hone their skills, the Wardens were supposed to be some sort of elites formed to keep one guy jailed forever for the crime of trying to help, and they get their asses kicked by a priestess who might as well be a shonen protagonist and a bunch of weekend warriors freeing the very person they were supposed to keep imprisoned...and like a shonen anime the boss of the Wardens just scoffs and acts like priestess "you haven't seen my final form" couldn't possibly take her...then she proceeds to get wrecked by people not even a quarter her age and villains who predate her by millenia just like a early season shonen anime antagonist. Another good example being that one of the Gods of the Emerald Dream created Centaur in a disgusting remeo and the beast situation, a blighted, disgusting, low polygon race that's just straight ugly and killing all the Night Elves Neighbors and will pose a threat to the Emerald dream, you know due to the god blood in their veins. The NE response to this situation once they learned of it?..."Thoughts and prayers, now back to nap time" as a species was pushed to near extinction.

But don't let those points mislead. the NE are by themselves more or less half the Alliance and far more capable of going solo Toe to Toe with the main body of the Horde than say the Forsaken are able to go Toe to Toe with the Allaince's trifacta. They just have some SEVERE issues that basically offset the advantages of 10k years worth of time to perfect their skills and train and build their civilization as immortals should have given them. Because if they had actually properly used that time, in say ironically the manner of the Wood or High Elves (Warhammers "you had how many years of training and a rodent born six months ago somehow stabbed you?") then the Night Elves would have been just flat unstoppable with Archers who could one shot siege tanks, and Druids who would have laughed off any attacks as they bounce off impossible to penetrate hides.

AReader: Yeah, but it's also in line with her overall character being a zealot whose engaging in constant military action during a time of peace.

kingbean777205: Actually the misses has a little bit of grounding in the shooting rules considering thise Hippogryph were flying at speed, basically rolling 5s to hit and still likely 4s to wound. ofc IRl shoud take effect over TT but at that point it's more likely to be misses as they probably didn't lead their targets very well, even modernly people can't seem to figure out how to lead a flying target.

Micelzod: The Empire having complicated relationships with their allies...never. Surely they don't send mad counts with the intent of triggering the other side into starting a war. Just so the Empire can kill a unstable element of their allies.

DaoistDreamwalker: Both the Alliance and and Horde show obvious signs of the globalist thinking, and it's inherit base failures that always are a point to be addressed, which lead to both world wars and all the related atrocities such as the formation of the Soviets Union and Russian Civil War. I mean at this point Greymane should just step down as King, dissolve Gilneas into Stormwind entirely he's so thoroughly abandoned his nation to Simp for the Wrynn family, much like many of the ruling nobles leading into WW1, and the national leaders who willingly disolved their countries into the powers or willfully puppeted themselves to the nations that started WW2.

Then we have the overthrowing of governments typically with far more genocidal ones in order to add/remove countires from alliances, etc. and the core issue, "we have minor dispute to fight over with us two moderate/minor minor powers" "well now we have a world wide war." Like I wish the Alliance and Horde focus was weakened enough that we could see some desperately needed minor conflicts.

Like Gilneas reclaiming its land, maybe the intigration of the Wood Trolls into the Horde formally as the Horde fully supports a take over of the land they claim, the Night Elves reclaiming their lands, maybe a Gilneas/Night Elf conflict over resources or a small space for the Humans to actually start rebuilding rather than live as perpetual refugees. etc. you know the people of Azeroth actually being alive and not NPCs waiting for the next cataclysm or BFA hoping that things just magically change for their benefit because the main character of the expansion decided to pay them attention, rather than they try claiming what they want of their own will and strength. and then maybe the Horde and Alliance send some limited support to either, rather than here is Stormwind fighting against Orc or Forsaken...Again.

OscuroSignore-51: I knew a couple IRL who when i was in high-school were just like Tyrande and Malfurion in terms of how they treated their relationship. The two leaders after thousands of years still act like in love teens planning to marry the day they graduate high-school...even after marrying eachother. But what can we say, stunted to non-existent character growth is dominant in most western media, and is still extremely common most everywhere else.

But still Night Elves are still somewhat better than any of the WHFB Elves, and the Night Elves are basically to blame for more or less everything on Azeroth playing out as poorly as it did...and unlike the 40K Eldar it's not because they didn't know how to keep it in their pants.

AN: I'm having a Mandela Effect moment, because i could have sworn when i first started writing i was spelling Anduin's name well that way but YT and Wiki both had a u suddenly in there and now suddenly it's back to An without a U.

What Could Have Been

Sunlight broke the sky, the singing of birds starting their day filled the air, and chill air washed over Anduin as he stepped out of the tent he was kept in. The King of Stormwind was allowed to keep his armor, and wore it now. A short distance away, under watch of multiple Knights of the Empire, Shalamayne was kept under close guard, but left where the High King could see it.

Already the Empire General sat at a table with a prepared meal set out for two. General Hatto Käutner tore into his meal with his hands, carefully consuming each small portion of the meal. Even as Anduin stepped out from the tent one of the aids at the general's side leaned into the Empire leader, who then without looking gestured for Anduin to join him.

The King slowly approached and took a seat, an empty plate and modest spread lay before him on the table. As Anduin began to reach for the food General Hatto spoke.

"So it appears that your Night Elf friends got the message. Seems you might actually hold some importance to them since they didn't attack last night. Though they have been shooting anyone who dares get too close to the walls. It appears that they intend to continue resisting." The General explained as casually as he would the weather.

"I'm sorry. Though you asked for their surrender, you never said that their surrender was required." Anduin tried to reason, playing the devil's advocate for the Alliance.

"I know I perfectly assume they will resist, however I intend to start applying pressure on them early. I will have the Cannon begin firing into the city walls tearing them down and exposing the city to future bombardment." The General stated, almost as if he was explaining the schedule for a nightly event.

"That would be going against your word General." Anduin pointed out, trying to match the Empire General's dominance born composure.

"Oh of course, but I intend for the attack to be limited and done after placing troops within close proximity to the wall, with your Alliance shooting down on my men, it'll just be a matter of retaliation. Unless of course the Alliance soldiers are as committed to 'peaceful resolution' as you are and instead choose to abandon the city walls to me." The General's callous approach disgusted the King.

"You would sacrifice your men for an excuse to escalate a conflict?" Anduin asked.

"No, I sacrifice men for an advantage which will prevent further loss of life." The General proclaimed flatly.

"Why would you need this advantage?" Anduin probed the General.

"It will force a surrender so long as your people are reasonable, their situation should be obvious and they should be willing to comply." The General said through a mouthful of food.

The General then swallowed his food and continued. "Since you wish to negotiate, I want to do it now with as few corpses between us as possible." As the General spoke he pointed over the walls showing the lines of Sentinels on the walls.

"I am High King, if you want to negotiate, negotiate with me." Anduin tried to impress his point on the General, who just took another mouthful of the spread before them.

"A high King who his people allows to surrender to the enemy, surrendering to a General who has orders he must obey and has no authority to negotiate. You will negotiate with whomever comes after me once I secure that portal." The General murmered through his full mouth staring at the city as blocks of soldiers prepared to march on the walls with ladders carried within the formations.

As Anduin watched, the Empire's State Troops marched on the city walls, soldiers with shields at the front, and arrows raining down on the men the moment they stepped into range. Already some of the first rank collapsed, arrows lodged in damaging or fatal locations of their bodies. Then spells and arrows clashed with the formations dropping more State Troops, and finally the Empire's troops responded with their own volleys of arrows and ranks of gunfire.

The Night Elves resistance increased as the minutes of battle dragged into a hour as the Druids moved to intercept the approaching state troops and then boulders flew over the walls eventually hitting the State Troops. It was then that the General stood up and with a gesture to the cannons then pointed to the City wall.

Moments later six booms rang from the cannons and then six cannonballs impacted the wall, two of them penetrating through the wall entirely. Even seconds after the impacts Anduin could see small portions of the wall straining, about to give way. Moments later the cannons fired again, now small sections of the wall collapsed, but the cannons continued. Half a hour later the wall was completely demolished and the Empire Troops fell back away from any Alliance retaliation.

The General once the engagement was over turned and smiled down at Anduin. "And now my King, towards the edge of my cannons range, is your base. We can move forward and I'll be able to tear it apart. Now they will have to see, surrender, or die." The General then walked away, towards his men but after a few steps stopped.

"They have until Sundown, King Anduin. I hope they choose surrender, because if your people are anything like you, I can respect your vision and their skill as warriors." The General then pressed onward.

The sky was a welcome sight to Gin as finally the Sunset Expedition left the cramped confines of the 'Under-Empire' alongside a host of their Skaven allies. The sun was rising, yet darkness still dominated the bleak landscape of what the Orc understood to be Sylvania, the irony in that name certainly not lost on the Orc.

"Halt." Launchalot ordered, finally giving the mounts and riders their first break. Though at his side the Skaven leader from atop his 'Boneripper' seemed to protest until looking to the treeline and seeing the same black coach that the rest of the Sunset Expedition could clearly see. The coach was being drawn by a team of Skeletal, nearly etherial steeds, and standing next to it was a lone armored figure. In the figure's hand was a orb which shone with a internal light that displayed the face of Sylvanas Windrunner and though Gin could barely hear, he could make out a part of the conversation.

"Your fleet better be ready once I arrive, or else I'm told the People of Ogrimar might make a good substitute and I happen to know that the city will no longer have a garrison." The man hissed at the Orb.

"Don't worry, my fleet will be ready, and my own personal guard will be waiting to escort you to the battlefield we promised you. But you better make sure things go right on your end." The disorted voice of Sylvanas replied.

"I've got my eyes on your men now." The man stated pocketing the Orb and looking over to Launchalot.

The man then bowed deeply to the Undead Knight. "Welcome to Sylvania, Sunset Expedition."

Launchalot casually dismounted and walked up to the man despite the odd aura of fear about it. Indeed the Skaven seemed to cower away from the individual and even the 'brave' Thanqual seemed to place Boneripper between himself and the monster.

The Undead knight gave a polite bow. "I am honored to be greated in such a way. I come in service of Lady Sylvanas Windrunner, Queen of the Forsaken."

The man smiled, and as a he rapped against the coach to his side, inside of it a coffin opened and oddly a Draenei rose out of it. "I am Lord Aleksandr Von Carstein, and this is Tarei Von Carstein. We have an arrangement with your lady to provide troops for her coming war and a voice supporting the Horde in the Blood Court of Sylvania's returned Lord."

Zannae seemed to widen his eyes in shock staring at the strangely dressed Draenei stepping out from the Coach, her arms drapping over the man between her and the Horde warriors whom she smiled coyly at.

"What is a Draenei doing here?" The Blood Elf asked incredulously.

In response the female released a low hiss which was enough to send several of the Skaven scurrying away. "Shuk'tar, not Draenei. Elf. Not that such distinction means much to your race. But if my wonderous dear would allow it, I am more than willing to swear fealty to your Horde so long as I can free the Shuk'tar from Velen and his pointless light."

Gin could see Zannae temble slightly and so moved over and put a comforting hand on his companion's shoulder. But this time the Elf did not draw comfort from Gin's presence and challenged the Undead before him.

"Pointless light? What the hell is that supposed to mean?" The Blood Knight demanded.

In answer the Shuk'tar smiled and purred. "The Light is nothing more than another form of Corruption, weakening those who blindly embrace it. Filling them with doubt, regrets, self-righteous 'obligation' to 'serve' not realizing that they hardly actually help and just serve to make others dependent on the Light, spreading their Corruption. The Shuk'tar shall be free of the Light and its taint upon the mind."

At this even Gin had to scowl. The Orc then walked up beside their leader. "Sir are we really putting..."

"Anything for the Horde, honor comes for the victorious, the vanquished only ever know slavery." The Undead Knight cut off his Orc companion. "And just to be certain, what is being offered to support this? Both so we can help you and so we know what sort of aid to expect."

This time Aleksandr smirked at the commander. "My army lays just outside the city, and with my precious Tarei's information a crucial blow will be struck against your foe, Exodar. If successful I shall reap a host of Draenei souls and new Shuk'tar to produce for Sylvania's Lord returned from death. Which should secure my own position in the Blood Court, and prevent my rivals from removing me. With my position I plan to push for a allaince with the Horde."

Zannae scowled. "And your army is just waiting?"

Tarei laughed. "As patiently as the dead."

Gin sighed feeling even more uneasy about everything taking place. But for now he had to follow along.

Launchalot nodded, and then remounted his horse. "Lead the way, we shall follow and ensure you make your destination."

Half a world away Alyzz shivered. Feirce battles had slowed the tribes advance through the mountains and she was still a considerable distance from where Goldtooth supposedly camped.

Again the Goblin went over her own offers, plots and schemes in her head. The one advantage of this slow approach was that she has spoken to a great number of other Tyrants other than Kogradd and was able to put the Horde's offer out to many of them already.

Before the last battle apparently the reputation of the Mawrider had preceeded her and the other tribe had been too eager to win her favor attacking Kogradd's tribe in a blind attempt to win her to their side. Alyzz's skill with a knife, and the strength of the Tribe's warriors ensured that the attempt was a certain failure.

Though it was a decent feeling to have big men fighting over her again. She had missed that from her younger years, Sadly they weren't fighting over how good she looked in a swim thong though, but a girl could dream.

"It's Sundown your majesty, and unfortunately no sign of surrender has been given." General Hatto informed Anduin. The information was obvious but somehow the announcement made the whole thing more official and in a way hurt.

"Cannons! Take Aim!" The General then shouted to the Cannon section. In response the cannon crews began making small adjustments and preparations with the cannons.

"Load!" At the command each of the cannon crews began loading powder and their cannonball into their cannons.

"And..." The General's voice was cut off by the loud sound of several horns blowing. Immediately the General, much of the army, and Anduin all turned their attention to the west. There red and black banners flew with a Imperial Eagle clutching a hammer.

"What is this? Why is Reikland here? Where is Luitgard? Someone order that damn Grey Wizard to get off her ass and find out who the hell this is!" The General fumed as the army of Reikland began its march straight toward the middle of Hatto Käutner's battlefield.

Shandris Feathermoon had spent the last night and now this morning without rest. Anduin had surrendered himself after her horrific blunder with the scouts had forced her to take to battle the Imperial gunline. His safety had been her responsibility and now she didn't even know for certain if he was dead or alive. Just going off the word of people who had thus far been far from trustworthy. And the Prisoner Kyn'ra started ranting about how Anduin, if he was alive, most certainlywas being subjected to torture.

Most of the Alliance members under her command had to be held back from rushing to the High King's rescue. And to make matters worse the Empire attacked early in the morning, rather than the promised sundown. They tore down the city wall with cannon fire then withdrew. None of the Pioneers wanted to surrender now, fearful of any form of entrapment after listening to Kyn'ra and Silandel's horror stories. Though one was driven by a hateful fanaticism, and the other just a slightly distorted retelling of facts. If the people would listen to Eike or Aursuun things would be much easier for the General to control.

"Begin forcing everyone we can back through the portal. Once everyone who'd be stupid enough to go for Anduin is through we'll try to hold out until they offer surrender again." The General ordered one of her sentinels who nodded before running off to obey.

She was outranged, forced into a close quarters defensive, and she couldn't move. But that wasn't something that Shandris had never experienced before, She would make sure she and as amny of her Sentinels as possible survived this, and she sure as hell would bloody these damn Imperials. The Night Elf general walked up onto the ruins of a building near where the wall once stood ready to deliver a speach to the women and men below her.

"They may ta..." A loud series of horns cut the General off mid speach.

"What the hell!?" The General yelled to no one in particular looking out into the fields outside the city. An new army, one of Red, Black, and white marched prominently on a course that would place themselves between her own forces and the Ostermark army that had currently been sieging her position.

Why would they need reinforcements, and what sort of reinforcements march in like this? Shandris needed more information, she needed to know what this potential threat was so she could rush the retreat, surrender, or fight to the last against such numbers.

Immediately the General pointed to five of her Sentinels. "You all with me!" This time the General would not give this task to another, she would personally set out to scout the threat. Climbing over the crumbled city wall the Night Elven General and her accompanying squad set into the field praying Elune would protect them as they snuck towards the marching army.

Avenah looked out the windows of her carraige confused as to what was happening. Just ahead of her Volkmar rode his War Altar, and on either side of the carraige Irma Schoff and Lady Emmanuelle Nacht rode their own horses while the army marched in what looked more like battle lines on either side of them placing her at the front of what might be considered a massive square.

"What is happening?" Avenah eventually asked Günther who was looking pale this entire time.

"Well...we're marching in a...a backwards-ish combat formation into what looks to be a full on siege of the city by the army of the League of Ostermark. So right now we're more or less wedging ourselves between two armies that had been fighting eachother since as early as this morning at very least." The rather nervous Empire captain stated, he too looking out over the scene playing out before them.

As the formation marched onward Avenah and Günther observed. On the slopes and fields to their left the army of Ostermark watched, their forces clearly arrayed to march on the city. To their right slowly Avenah could see signs of the Sentinels who had dug in to fighting positions.

"Whose idea was this?" Avenah asked also a little on edge finding herself in between a battle.

A knock on the carraige grabbed the Draenei's attention. "That Idea was suggested by Lady Nacht to The Grand Theologist, he then chose to use it." Irma answered blending down in her saddle to march with the carraige window.

"Any idea what were going to do it either side attacks us?" Now Relyea was asking, already in her Worgen form.

This time the Diplomat answered. "Counter volley, basic suppression and holding the line. No need to waste resources or risk giving the wrong message."

"And that message is?" Avenah asked.

"We are here, we are powerful but were not here for this battle." An answer Avenah could support fully.

"And with us in the way, if either side wants to fight they'll need to go around or have us move." Gerunn concluded giving a smirk to the Diplomat.

"Let's just hope this works." Avenah stated, before praying for the Light's guidance and protection.

General Hatto paced nervously, an army from Reikland this far was seldom a good sign, either Ostermark was being invaded, or about to be invaded. And now they were interfering with his battlefield and the General had very little sunlight left with which to start his engagement with.

Finally Luitgard appeared the Grey Wizard suddenly walking out from the General's own tent. The Wizard then stalked over to the General and whispered into his ear. Watching from the table that had been set up that morning Anduin just smiled smugly.

"It seems the battle has been postponed. Though, I want to ask, do they have the authority that we could now negotiate with me?" Anduin asked, a sense of releif washing over him.

The Ostermark General paced for a couple moments. "Send a outrider to invite The Grand Theologist to parlay. Luitgard you go to the Alliance and see if they will accept." The General ordered, defeat sweeping over his voice.

Shandris and her Night Elves were now just under a hundred yards from the new army who all seemed to still be casually marching towards the northern gates of Mordheim. Her gaze critically assessed the army noting the dramatically increased supply of cannons and handguns in this army's possession.

However the formation, suggested this army was not prepared for any sort of battle. Then at the front was a set of carts and carraiges. Walking along side one of which was a Worgen, and inside as the General focused her gaze, sat the Draenei Avenah whom she had been told to be on the lookout for.

"Let's go back." The General whispered to her Sentinels who all began their journey back to Mordheim. The six Night Elves made it to the collapsed wall when they sensed a disturbance and immediately readied their bows, snapping their aim to a human woman who suddenly appeared behind them.

The woman looked almost as suprised and confused as the Night Elves before her. The woman seemed on the verge of panic for a moment before straightening and speaking. "Mein General lädt Sie nach Parlay ein, um über die Rückkehr Ihres Königs und unsere zukünftigen Beziehungen zu verhandeln. (My General invites you to parlay to negotiate the return of your king and our future relations.)"

Shandris Feathermoon scowled at the human. "What?"

One of the Night Elves at the General's side seemed to get excited nearly bouncing, and causing a giggle in her bossum. "Oh, Oh I think I know this." The Kaldorei cheered.

Shandris just sighed. "What by Elunes' darkest hole, did this blasted woman say?"

The Night Elf put her fingers to her lips and crossed her eyes. As the Night Elf thought, the human woman repeated herself with a hopeful expression. "She says they are wanting to negotiate. And they are returning Anduin!" The Elf cried out, hugging the Kaldorei closest to her.

Shandris just shook her head. "Tell her yes, we accept."

The other Elf leveled a serious expression at the woman. "Yes, we accept." The woman blinked in incomprehension.

Hours passed, but now with torches lit all around the General's dining table had been placed outside of Mordheim's gate and three groups stood about it.

The first group was General Hatto and his staff along with Anduin and his bodyguard. The Second and largest was The Grand Theologist Volkmar, Lady Emmanuelle Nacht, Miss Irma Schoff, Captain Günther, Avenah, Gerunn, and Relyea along with several priests. The last and smallest group was General Shandris Feathermoon, Tolgar, and a recently released Aursuun and Silandel all stood about the table.

First to break the Silence was the bald headed leader of the Cult of Sigmar. "I am Volkmar, Grand Theologist of the Empire, Commander of the Reikland Expeditionary force, and Emperor's advocate for these proceedings. This..." the Grand Theologist pointed to the two human women at his side, "...is Lady Emmanuelle Nacht, the Emperor's Diplomat, and miss Irma Schoff of the Komission of the Imperial Archives. They shall serve as the official Imperial representatives for the proceedings. Representatives of Ostermark step forward and introduce yourselves."

The command brooked no disobedience and The General immediately stepped forward, least he earn the Grand Theologist's scorn. "General Hatto Käutner of Ostermark, assigned to secure the city of Mordheim and the Portal. And my Staff including Lector Adolf Heiden, and Grey Wizard Luitgard Reichen. And at my side an Alliance captive we intend to release back to the Alliance." The General offered allowing Anduin to walk over to the Alliance side of the table.

All eyes then turned to Anduin. "I am High King Anduin Wrynn. I shall take over the Alliance's side of Negotiations as of now. Avenah, thankyou for your service, as of now I releave you of your current mission until forther notice." The High King's proclamation earned some sighs and interest before he continued.

"At my side is General Shandris of the nation of Darnassus, a member of the Alliance." Anduin then gestured to the Night Elf leader.

"However If I may, Negotiations may take more time than our current set up might allow, also there is still another party I feel should be allowed representation during these events. In all consideration for each side, might I suggest that General Shandris' forces be allowed to exit Mordheim, and General Hatto be allowed to occupy the city in the place of of the Sentinels and we then move our negotiations to the mansion where the portal lays." Anduin's suggestion stunned the Allaince members.

Tolgar even leaning forward. "Ummm, your majesty, everyone is here."

Anduin gave the mage a hard look before turning to the Empire representatives. "I apologize, but I want to ensure any peace we make here will not be cut short by events in Azeroth. As such there are diplomatic representatives of another faction on our world here in Mordheim who I wish to allow a say in the negotiations."

Emmanuelle raised a eyebrow. "You wish to make these Negotiations, more difficult, by the sounds of it particularly for yourself?"

"If that's what it takes to ensure we can avoid dragging the Empire into any of Azeroth's wars." The High King reasoned, earning a smile from the Imperial Diplomat.

"If the General agrees, this has my concent." The Diplomat repleid, earning a groan from the Grand Theologist.

"That...would fullfil my mission from the League. I agree as well." General Hatto stated, not willing to disrupt the proceedings. And with that the various members began the steps of relocating to the city properly, and moving armies. The process would take hours, but as it all happened Anduin was certain that peace for maybe more than the Alliance and Empire was at hand.

Outside of Mordheim Launchalot survayed the hidden army of the dead. Thousands of skeletons and corpses lay with foliage arrayed to conceal the gathering army. Apparently the Sentinels had been thoroughly distracted for the last several days and the Vampires had been given the chance to dramatically increase the dead they had been gathering.

The Vampires army, if added to Sylvanas plan already could prove a significant blow to the Alliance, but there was another set of crucial elements. And to observe and prepare those Launchalot and the Sunset Expedition needed to get into Mordheim, which meant following Thanqual to the Skaven's secret entrance into the city.

"This feels wrong." Gin complained again, and again Launchalot dismissed the Orcs grumbling. Let him whine, either way the Undead Knight would secure the Horde's future and obey Sylvanas.

"Gin it'll be alright, with this much force we don't even need the Mana-bomb, we'll collect it and just force our way through normally." Zannae tried to resssure his companion as the group passed into a crudely made and concealed tunnel into the city, eventually entering into the city sewers and a series of underground caverns where countless ratmen were densely packed, waiting for orders to attack.

"Come Horde-things, The Madrat and your bomb should be in surface building up-above. Hurrryyy!" Thanqual growled out at his Horde travel companions with increasing rage and stress.

The members of the Sunset Expedition climbed up ladders and scaffolding to the surface emerging in a series of half burnt down, yet still standing and well concealed, buildings on the riverfront. Inside the main building there was a group of oddly dressed Skaven, standing around a series of supports that should have been holding a Mana-bomb but instead sat empty. The obvious leader of these Skaven was a armored figure with strange tubes running into the mechanical gauntlets that were over the Skaven's hands.

"Ha. Horde-Things arrive, just in time to witness my-mine greatest-best creation yet. The material brought was perfect for Experiment-betterment." The Armored Skaven loudly proclaimed as the Sunset Expedition arrived.

Beside them Thanqual gawked, his eyes wide, body trembling in endless rage. Gin could only hope that whatever the Rat was saying it meant the Bomb couldn't be used for this dishonorable scheme. Likewise Zannae felt releif, but dreaded what prospects the lack of the bomb meant, and Launchalot, like Thanqual, trembled in outrage.

"WHERE-WHERE BOMB! We need Bomb for Scheme-plot! And you-you wreck it!?" The Seer Rat screeched next to Launchalot.

"Wreck? WRECK! Iket made weapon better, reconfigured-remade for-for Doom-Rocket! Can-Can launch from here-safe, no need to carry to target!" The Armored Rat replied.

"Watch-Watch, Go to the windows to Observe Iket Claw's greatness!"

Cautiously each of the fifteen memebers of the Sunset Expedition, and Thanqual walked over to a set of glassless windows overlooking a crude ramshackle structure with what looked like a poorly designed Goblin Rocket sticking out of it. With the team there the now identified Iket, squeaked at one of his assistants who rushed out to the structure. Then a minute passed and nothing changed, then two, then suddenly flames belched from beneath the rocket for a quick moment, and a single rat came out of the structure covered in fire and screeching in agony.

"See Gin, maybe everything will work out, we just need to stay calm and keep together." Zannae whispered to his companion.

"No-NO! Bomb is part of launch mechanism. Will-will break, not explode, if it doesn't Launch!" The armored form of Iket Claw raced to a stairwell leading out of the room and moments later could be seen running to the shack and rocket.

"If that Bomb is ruined this whole operation is a bust! I'm helping." Launchalot proclaimed stepping towards the stairs.

"I wouldn't take another step if I were you... Sir." The Undead Knight froze, then looked over his shoulder. Gin had his gun pointing towards his back. The Orc glared at his leader.

"What the hell is this?" Launchalot growled at his subordinate, now gaining thr attention of all the Sunset Expedition and the Skaven.

"This is me stopping you from tarnishing our Honor forever. We're going to allow that rocket to fail, and we're going to stand here nicely as it does. Afterwards we'll figure out what to do." Gin stated.

"Zannae detain this traitor." The Undead Commander ordered with a grumble in his voice.

"Wait Sir i think we should consider this. Is a Mana-bomb really the best way to go about this?" Zannae tried to reason suddenly caught between his two companions.

"What-what are you doing. This isn't the Deal-Scheme!" Thanqual stated angrily his paw reading to a pouch in his robes.

Launchalot sighed in frustration. "Someone deal with this damned traitor!" The order was swift as was the Undead's step towards the stair, only for a gunshot to destroy the railing.

"I said don't fucking move." Gin growled his gun smoking as he reaimed towards Launchalot.

"Gin, put the weapon down." One of the Undead ordered now aiming a crossbow at the Orc hunter.

A hammer pressed against the Undead's temple. "I wouldn't if I were you." As the last Tauren of the Expedition stepped up in support of Gin.

A blade pressed into the Tauren's back. "Step down." Within moments nearly the entire Sunset Expedition were all aiming their weapons at one other, all while Launchalot stood poised to run down to help with the rocket, and Zannae attempted to keep the peace between the Horde members and the Skaven all circled, many pawing blades and weapons of their own.

"You're dooming the Horde, Gin."

"I'm saving what Honor the Horde has left because people like you."

The Knight's foot lefted, the Orc lifted his rifle.and focused on his target. "Move and I take you out."

"What-what the hell!" Thanqual squeaked.

Launchalot stepped for the stairs. Zannae raised his arms stepping ahead. "Look Gin, Launchalot I think..." A gunshot rang out. Zannae crumpled to the ground, his armor failing and the round stabbing in just below the Blood Elf's arm.

A crossbow bolt stabbed through Gin's arm but the Orc ignored it and dashed to Zannae side. "Zannae."

"It's ok." The Elf gasped out weakly.

"No, no no no. We need a healer!" Gin shouted.

"Eeeerrrrrrgh!" A high pitched voice cried before rapidly Squeaking.

"Gin, you asked about...I lo..." A claw wrapped around the Orc's head and Gin was slammed into the ground. Gin next felt his body collide with the ceiling before slamming down into the ground and the process quickly repeated two more times.

Another claw wrapped around Gin's arm and squeezed breaking the bones, and then the claw on Gin's head released and Gin was flung over Boneripper's shoulder. As he flew Gin watched many things unfolding.

First the Orc noted that he was being healed. His bones mending, the open wounds closing and bruises fading away. The power of the Light washing over him granting him new energy and focus. But even as this happened Boneripper's claw ripped around Gin's savior's head, and Zannae's head and spine were ripped from the Blood Elf's body.

Next Gin could see the Sunset Expedition, several of them lay dead, killed by eachother, but now they were fending off the Skaven, dozens of the ratmen lay dead about them, with several dozen lay dead about the Orc Death Knight who stood at the head if the group. However Gin's pride was cut short as green flames washed over all of the Horde warriors, the torrent of flame coming from a corner of the room where two rats worked a odd device which even as the flames consumed his companions, the device suddenly burst covering the two rats working it also in flame.

After that outside green flames formed a pillar into the sky, as the roar of the rocket's launch drowned out the death screams of everyone dying. The Rocket was already lost into the Night sky.

Then Gin collided with the wall next to a unguarded and open door. Stunned the Orc dropped to the ground. Across the building Thanqual survayed the scene with a wide smile. "Good-Good. Message Rat, Here-Come now!" The Seer Rat shouted in Orcish, moments later another Rat rushed up to Thanqual.

"Yes-Yes great-wise one?" The messenger responded bowing low.

The Grey Seer looked down on the messenger with a upset scowl, as he did so the Rat cowered before the Grey Seer. "Deliver the message-News to Horde as agreed-plotted with Sylvanas-thing." The Grey Seer ordered.

"Yes-Yes great one...ummm which message oh all knowing one?" The messenger asked bowing low and trembling in fear.

Thanqual growled in outrage striking the rat with his staff. "The Message we taught-learned Orcish to you for! Repeat-Say after me!" The Grey Seer growled, and the Messenger Rat nodded his head fearfully.

"The-the Horde's Brave-Smart Heroes died-died stopping the Alliance from using Mana-Bomb to kill-kill lots of Skaven. Skaven now join Horde in Conquer-Destroy Alliance forces for..." Thanqual broke out in a maddened chuckle. "...Justice." As the Seer spoke the Messenger mumbled the message back.

"Now Go-Go to the portal!" The Messenger Rat then darted to the stairs. and to deliver the message.

Gin trembled in outrage. He, everyone they had been sacrifical pawns as part of a excuse to start a war with the Alliance! Sylvanas never intended for them to return alive. He needed to tell someone the truth, to warn anyone!

The Orc dragged himself out of the unguarded doorway, stood and began. He would stop that messenger, he had to for Zannae and everyone else's sake.

Launchalot raced down the stairs avoiding Gin's mutiny. The Orc had always been a idiot, but loyal, but now his idiocy had overtaken his loyalty. The Horde needed this if they were going to survive the next decade. Traitors, defectors, Launchalot had seen more than enough to know that the Horde was falling apart and with the Alliance claiming dominance over Azerite and like Mallus trade there would be no hope of resisting the Alliance once they finally came, demanding Lordaeron, demanding Durotar.

Launchalot reached the base of the Skaven rocket, the smell of smoke, charred flesh, steam and a sense of magic filled the chamber. Launchalot could even see a glow from the Rocket where the Mana-bomb must be leaking energy.

"No-No!" Iket cried rummaging through and working on components for the rocket. Spotting the Rat Launchalot rushed up to him.

"How can I help?" The Undead Knight asked, giving the Skaven Warlock-Engineer pause as he focused his maddened gaze on Launchalot.

"Fool-Idiots broke the lever lock on launch Mechanism, without it-it ignition wont stay lit long enough for takeoff, no-no time for proper fix, Bomb is already leaking power!" The Engineer explained, panic dripping from his voice as his prideful work was falling apart in what must have been someone else's sheer incompetence.

Launchalot stared at the lever, just by the rocket's eexhaust certain to be covered in flames shortly after anyone pulled it. "So someone just needs to hold that down to launch this rocket?" The Undead asked.

"Yes-Yes dumb-thing already said that!" The reply was sharp and filled with outrage.

"I can hold it. Get out of here I'll get your rocket launched." Launchalot proclaimed earning first a incredulous glare from the Skaven, who then smiled and walked away.

"Yes-yes you will be safe-secure. Live-live after this, just hold-hold the lever down until Rocket is gone!" The Warlock-Engineer explained walking out of the chamber and closing a crude blast door behind himself.

"Not how I wanted to meet True Death..." Launchalot stated, thinking back on his existence. "Eh, I've fucked over so many people why should I get any better at my end." Launchalot rested his hand on the lever.

"For Sylvanas...FOR THE HORDE!" Launchalot pushed the lever down laying his body atop of it.

Almost immediately green flames washed over the Forsaken and immense agony which caused his body to spasm spread across his dead flesh. dried portions cracked and broke away, remaining water boiled and exploded within his body, metal armor began to glow and melt and Launchalot began to break apart under the power and heat of the rocket's thrusters.

Yet the Undead remained atop the lever, and after several intense seconds the Rocket Launched. From the Launch Chamber the rocket's takeoff make a stark presence in the clear and beautiful night sky, but Launchalot was not there to see it.

In the building Thanqual basked over the dead Elf-Thing and the burning bodies of the Horde soldiers. The stupid pawns could never possibly seen through a plan so brilliantly devised that no one could possibly have doubted the Grey Seer's intent. It had only been the sheer impossible insanity of the mocking Orc and Iket Claw which had nearly exposed the plan, but even now it all went Thanqual's way because he was smart-chosen and could never be bested.

The Grey Seer went to stomp on the Orc's corpse. Marking it with his musk and shaming the Orc seemed like such a worthy reward for putting up with the insufferable beast. However as he turned the Orc was gone, nowhere near where Boneripper had tossed him. Someone must have stolen the Orc from him, helped the Orc escape, a conspiritor looking to undermine Thanqual's greatness. Maybe even allies of Felix!

"Errrrr Where Is He-It!?" The Grey Seer demanded of those Skaven around him pointing to where he assumed the Orc should have been.

"Who Mighty-Great Lord?" The Skaven around him asked.

"The Horde Orc-Thing! Where is he, now-now!" As Thanqual demanded stomping his foot Boneripper moved to stand behind its master, ready to unleash violence against any his master commanded.

The various Skaven looked confused among eachother, none of them had seen the Orc leave. The Ratmen all had been too busy fighting, looting, and eating to care about a Orc they assumed Boneripper had killed. Still many made half hearted attempts to pin blame on rivals, or weave famtastic tales of complex conspiracies against Thanqual that only they could prevent if they only had his favor.

Still Iket was coming, and there was no way Thanqual would admit his mistake before a Skaven as highly ranked and close to the council as he. "Shut up-up Send assassin after him yes-YES! Go for the Glory of me-me and the council of course yes-yes!" Within a minute as hidden Eschin Assassins appeared, paw open waiting payment. The Assassins sudden appearance disturbed Thanqual as he certainly hadn't paid for this Assassin himself, but the Grey Seer placed a bag of Warpstone tokens in the Rat's paws and within Seconds the Assassin was gone already stalking his prey.

Thanqual dismissed the thoughts of traitors and still survivng Horde-Orcs. Now was the time to start the battle. Bravely Thanqual took up the post most suited for a wise and all powerful Grey Seer. Overlooking city maps and sending forth servants from the rear command post.

"Hurry Go-Go Victory-Glory is at Hand-Paw! Fly, use Horde Banners, march through man-city Kill-KILLLL all who stand in way. Go through Portal Kill-Slay all Elf-Things establish Skaven rule! The Great Horned Rat has given us Fool-Allies on other side who will-will help us, just fly Horde banner and not-not Kill-Slay those with Horde Banner!" The Great and Mighty Thanqual gave what was certain to the greatest speach in all Skavendom guaranteeing his ultimate victory and certainly marking himself as the Great Horned One's most favorite of all.

Kuyo Softtusk and Kaxu walked into the main hall of one of the Alliance's mansions. For Kuyo the invitation was more than unexpected, it had been the absolute joy of her stay here. Anduin himself was inviting her to join in negotiations with the Empire. Allowing the Horde a place in the first official negotiations on Mallus, and he had even promised dramatic trade concessions.

The Tauren eagerly joined the assembled representatives. Sure she earned a fair number of odd and suspicious glares, but the Tauren Diplomat attempted to brush aside the glares with a serene smile. "It is a pleasure to be included in this wonderful event. I pray for the Earth Mother to bless each of us here. I intend not to try and make much issue for the proceedings only hoping to be allowed to include the Horde in whichever trade negotiations you make."

The Tauren attempted to placate everything and quickly established her goals. No need for suspicion or ambition to ruin an opportunity that had been dropped on her lap by the Earth Mother's blessing.

One of the human women, a redhead with glasses laughed. "And now a peaceful Minotaur, at this rate I really can say I've documented everything one can."

Kuyo simply smiled, she could only hope that her vampire negotiations would go this smoothly once they likely began in the future. Since passing off the Orb she had neither been recalled, or even contacted by Sylvanas, but she still held the authority to negotiate on the Horde's behalf and she intended to make as much peace and friendship for the Horde as she possibly could.

As the Tauren began to mingle with the humans and Night Elves around her a glint of green caught her eye. With her attention caught the Tauren looked out the window, confused at first eventually recognition settled for the Ambassador who then with a roar threw herself at Anduin and the Bald man next to him, scooping both into her arms hugging them tight even as all around her people shouted and knights thrust blade into her. And then the Mana-bomb Detonated.

Post AN:

From this point in the Story I am considering breaking this story into multiple tales, each covering diffrent front, and focusing on a couple of factions at a time as certainly within the next few chapters things are about to spiral into a maelstrom of chaos. So I'd like feedback on what you all would like to see next.