A/N: Hello everyone! Welcome back to The Warcrafter! This week's chapter is shorter than I wanted, but it had to be to get it out on time, as I had a very busy week. Someone who PM'd me called one of my plans for Helios, so good work! You'll know it when you see it, whoever you are. Speaking of Helios, I have a few possible long-term plans for him. What do you guys want? A big leadership role? A frontline commander? A squad-sized group of allies, together with which he takes the role of the Adventurer and does 'dungeons'? Let me know. I have a unique experience planned, but feedback is the most useful advantage of writing chapter by chapter. I do not own World of Warcraft or any of its characters.


Western Plaguelands, The Crossroads

Argent Dawn Encampment

26 ADP, Two and a Half Weeks Before Battle of Light's Hope Chapel, Eighteen Days After Arrival

I was woken from my fitful sleep by a hand shaking my shoulder. I blearily blinked the sleep from my eyes and raised my upper body from my bed, looking up at the figure that awoke me. The lack of light in my tent showed me only a dark shape, so I waved my hand in the direction of the candle on my bedside table and lit it with a thought. It illuminated the shape enough to reveal it was one of my battle-brothers.

"I'm afraid the time for sleeping is over," Gino Yardley told me as I swung my legs off my bed to stand up. "The captains are calling a meeting now that the initial damage control is done." He eyed my careful movement as I redressed myself in the barebones of my damaged armour. "Still haven't seen a healer? I'm sorry but it'll have to wait."

I groaned. "I understand, we need to get ahead of the situation. How long has it been?"

Yardley glanced at the flap of my tent. A thin line of orange light showed the break in the fabric. "Maybe five hours. Dawn is just breaking. You're lucky you went to sleep when you did, I got drafted into burning the dead by one of the priests." He yawned. "I was on duty before the attack so I haven't slept since yesterday morning."

I rolled my shoulder a few times to get my runeblade into the most comfortable position on my back. "Let's go. Don't want to keep the captains waiting."

Yardley's words rang true: dawn was just rising as we stepped out of my tent. The lighting was still poor, especially with all the smoke that was pouring from the piles of burning dead, but it gave enough to see the state of the camp.

The attack last night had come out of nowhere around midnight when most people were asleep and only the night watch was in their full kit. But the night watch and the barricades the dwarves had rigged up had done their job in delaying the enemy sufficiently for enough people to get armoured and put a weapon in their hands. There were quite a few deaths, mostly among the night watch and their initial reinforcements, as they were less armoured. A dozen abominations had cut a swathe through our ranks, killing more than the rest of their army combined. The only thing that probably stopped us from being completely overrun was the lack of necromancers in the enemy's ranks.

Many tents near the barricades had been destroyed by our mages in their barrages of fire or ruined by the tramping of our boots as we fought. Enough that until we received more in our weekly supply train, quite a few people would have to bunk together.

Here's to hoping I'm not one of them.

Soon enough, Knight Brother Yardley was presenting me to the guards outside of the command tent. Squaring my shoulders, I ducked under the tent flap and stepped inside.

It was a flurry of activity. The tent was packed compared to my last and only meeting in here. Both of our captains, Argent Officers Garush and Pureheart, were present as was our Quartermaster General, Hasana. Our Forsaken delegation, minus Anya and her rangers who had returned to the Undercity, were off to the side, avoiding the hubbub of argument in the center. I also recognized several of our more competent soldiers and mages. The biggest surprise though was our apparent visitors.

Field Marshal Evan Chambers was recognizable by his fancy golden armour and arcanite blade, but the man at the head of the war table needed no introduction.

Lord Maxwell Tyrosus, leader of the Argent Dawn, and would later be the second in command to Tirion Fordring in the reformed Argent Crusade.

The legendary lord of the Dawn was leaning over the map of the plaguelands. Glancing at it, I could see placements of white, purple, red and black figures representing the forces of the Dawn, Forsaken, Scarlet Crusade, and Scourge, respectively.

What keyed me on to the reason for all of the activity and the presence of the Dawn's first and third in command was the new mass of black figures on the coast of the Eastern Plaguelands, just north of the red figures of the Scarlet Crusade at Tyr's Hand.

Arthas's campaign with the Death Knights of Acherus has begun.


Two Weeks Earlier

After making the choice to join the Argent Dawn full time, I'd been sent to a lieutenant to get my requisitions and be assigned to a unit. The Dawn's logistics being what it was, I was happily accepted seeing as I already had a serviceable weapon and a full set of decent armour. Once my one-man tent was squared away, I was sent to a training officer to get beaten black and blue in the name of sword practice, then spent four hours having the same done to my mind as one of our mages gave me a more structured approach to mana manipulation than the half-assed guessing I'd been doing so far.

Given our three druids from the Earthen Ring were in high demand for the restoration efforts, I'd only had two brief sessions with one, whom after wasting most of our first session trying to figure out how the hell I was able to use both arcane/fire magic and nature magic, threw his hands up in the air and decided to ignore that weirdness as just another Azeroth thing. Azerothians had recently travelled to another, destroyed planet, as well as met alien races, so I guess that made my unique abilities just another drop in the bucket.

Since I had been granted a basic skill set with the blade, most of my training time was spent learning how to channel my powers into my blade to enhance my strength and the deadliness of my strikes, as well as practicing the additional important skills for melee combat like how to correctly dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge while wearing full plate. My set may be lighter than it should be, but it still restricted my movement a fair bit and raised my center of gravity. Given how many of the elite Scourge were huge monstrosities that could bisect a man with one swing, predicting and avoiding powerful attacks became an essential skill set.

My mage trainer, a rather cheerful gnome by the name of Fitz Gearwhistle, had been alarmed that I had been using 'mana projection' as he called it, simply willing my abilities to come forth without using the structure that was the basis of all magic. I'd been exhausting myself far more than I should have been because I wasn't using the pre-trodden paths of structuring the flow of my magic in the same way that other mages had pioneered. He was also dismayed that I was determined to keep using my plate armour as according to him, the more dense and rigid the material around my body, the tougher it would be to shape and structure my magic.

And that was how I came to be standing in our magic practice range, giggling as I launched proper fireballs, fireblasts, scorches and even a wicked green-tinged pyroblast that turned the magic resistant training dummy to ash. According to Fitz, that was the addition of nature magic to the roiling mix of my pyroblast, and it would have a devastating effect on creatures born from the antithesis, death magic. The effect on everything else however would be negligible and not cost-effective for the extra mana it would take to blend the two types of magic.

Our last lesson was portal and teleportation magic, which I was delighted for. I technically already had the ability to create portals, but between my lack of knowledge surrounding theory, and my explanation for how I came to be in the Eastern Plaguelands, I needed teaching. He told me that I wouldn't be able to focus myself enough for safe portal magic until I had a better understanding of the arcane theory of our Plane, and our camp didn't have most of the textbooks I needed for that. However, teleportation was considerably easier, and lots of practice in that would give me a subconscious feel for portal magic that would suffice unless I was trying to transport a large number of people.

The extent of my training in using this so far had been mostly theoretical with the practical work being planned to start today, but our camp's new situation would no doubt change that.

The Argent Dawn had been slowly pushing the Scourge out of their last holdouts in the Western Plaguelands, wiping out small surviving pockets here and there using this camp as a command post. They'd been having more and more trouble because of the Lich King's plans for the region, which no one but me knew about so far.

Though this meeting might change that.


The Present

"They are on the move again. We're seeing increases in Scourge activity all across the Eastern Plaguelands, and we have unverified reports that Naxxramas has disappeared from the skies of Stratholme. We're looking into confirming that now. The highest concentration of Scourge is in the hills north of the Scarlet Enclave at Tyr's Hand." Officer Pureheart explained to the mishmash of officers and skilled soldiers present. "We're not sure what their primary target is yet, as the force the Scourge has at Tyr's Hand is significant enough to simply blow through the regiment of the Crusade there."

"How the hell did the Lich King get his troops into a flanking position on the Crusade? We know their teleportation skills are rudimentary and require enchanted physical structures to work even short distances." Marshal Chambers asked.

The tent became silent as the others pondered it. I was standing away from the officers leaning over the map. According to one of the guards, I had been called to give my report on the battle last night, but a message about the Scourge invasion and the subsequent arrival of Tyrosus and Chambers from Light's Hope Chapel had put a pin in that. Now I was just another soldier left forgotten in a corner of the tent.

"They could've scaled the mountains and built a teleporter, then transferred the rest of the material?" Someone dumbly suggested.

Officer Garush shook his head. "The Scourge has occupied this region for years now, and never has it succeeded at such a thing. Even when they invaded Quel'thalas, they pushed through the Thalassian Pass rather than trying to climb the mountains. Nerubians might be able to managed it, but there have never been many of those here anyways. More likely, they landed a ship at the docks of the Enclave and broke through the Crusade to secure a foothold."

Tyrosus snorted. "Like the Crusade would ever admit to that much of a failure. It was surprising enough to get a message from them of Scourge forces attacking them, it's not like those zealous bastards wouldn't stab us in the back if they could. We're only having this meeting because it was confirmed by our own sources as well. But no, the Lich King wouldn't bother with an operation like that. He'd be more likely to just steamroll the garrison with frost wyrms and shift some of his Scourge from Stratholme to hold it." He gazed over the rest of the officers at the table. "Any other ideas?"

No one spoke up, either not thinking of anything or not wanting to get their ideas shot down.

Tyrosus sighed and turned away from the table, walking over to a barrel of mulled wine for a drink.

This was my chance

Hesitantly, I stepped forward a few steps so I wasn't invisible. "My lord?"

Officer Garush looked even more tired when he saw me. "Ah, Knight Helios. I'm afraid that your report on last night's battle at the southern barricade is going to have to wait. You are free to return to your duties." He said dismissively.

I stepped forward once more "Actually, sir, I had a suggestion regarding the forces at Tyr's Hand." The captains turned to face me almost as one, rather creepily I might add. "Perhaps the Lich King has moved another necropolis to drop forces at Tyr's Hand."

Field Marshal Chambers eyed me. "What makes you say that? There's nothing to suggest he has. Surely if a necropolis had appeared over the Enclave, someone would've noticed."

I stepped between two lieutenants at the war table and pointed at the mountains north of the Scarlet Crusade's fort. "We know he has at least a few more necropoli in reserve, and with Naxxramas seemingly being recalled to Northrend, the Scourge would need a way to transfer more troops and supplies to the plaguelands. If the Scourge moved one here", I jabbed at a spot just south of the Noxious Glade "They would have a very strong position from which to assault the Scarlet Crusade and transfer troops and materials to the ground with relative safety. Naxxramas is massive and easily noticed, but we know the rest of their necropoli are smaller and harder to see. If it's one of those, it wouldn't be noticed until Scourge forces swarmed down from the hills."

An argument arose from the group, some debating in favour of my explanation while others vehemently denied the possibility. It fell to a quiet murmur when Tyrosus retook his place at the table. He studied the war map carefully. "It is a possibility." He looked up at me. "But what is the target? The Scarlet Enclave is a thorn in his side, but hardly a key strategic point. It's far out of the way." He raised his hand to silence a lieutenant that began to speak. "I want our Knight Brother to answer me." Tyrosus watched me. "What is their goal?"

I looked down at the war map and traced a path from Tyr's Hand west and north to Light's Hope Chapel. "The primary point of resistance against Scourge control of the entire Eastern Plaguelands. The same place where if you hadn't come here to discuss this news, all three of the Dawn's top officers would have been with a tough, but small force at a topographically difficult to defend location. Light's Hope Chapel."

Garush sighed. "If The Lich King is moving on Light's Hope, he won't just have ghouls, wraiths, and abominations. With how many paladins are there and its importance to us, you can bet your shiny armour that there will be Death Knights, and perhaps even the Lich King himself, there."

After a long pause and a shared glance with Field Marshal Chambers, Tyrosus nodded grimly. "It makes sense. If the Lich King is going to make a new offensive on Azeroth, the first place to start is wiping out the pockets of resistance in his territory and securing the plaguelands. With the Alliance and the Horde at each other's throats, " he glanced at the Forsaken delegation passively watching the meeting, "The Argent Dawn is an easy target. Once we're gone, he can attack each of our factions at will. Orgrimmar and Stormwind certainly wouldn't be sending aid to each other right now."

Chambers nodded. "Divide and conquer. Alliance and Horde forces are depleted from the war in Outland, and still disorganized from the losses suffered there." The field marshal turned to Garush. "Your lieutenant has a good head on his shoulders." I blinked at that, not expecting a promotion. I'd only been here a few weeks! Still, I came here for authority and I'm getting it. All it took was the death of several junior officers in last night's battle.

Tyrosus quietly conferred with Chambers, Garush and Pureheart for a few minutes in the far side of the tent. After the officers broke apart, he moved to speak with the Forsaken delegation. Being close to them, I could overhear their conversation.

"Lieutenant Danforth, can we count on support from Lady Sylvanas in this? We both know that if Light's Hope is taken this camp will fall as well, and the Scourge will be free to sweep across the land we have reclaimed from them and assault the Undercity."

The undead human spoke quietly. "Such a series of events is not guaranteed. Nonetheless, our hatred for the Scourge is greater than any others. I will return to the Undercity. I do not know what forces Lady Sylvanas will decide to send, but I can tell you now she will not send a sizable force if she thinks you are doomed to fail in this coming fight. There will be thousands of Scourge converging on Light's Hope. Perhaps tens of thousands. The forces you have at present will not be enough. You are outnumbered, Lord Tyrosus. You need mroemen."

Tyrosus was grim. "There are none. With the tensions between the Horde and Alliance, both will be extremely hesitant to send aid. We don't have much time. It won't take the Scourge long to overrun Tyr's Hand. Our force at Light's Hope is formidable for the packs of wandering Scourge we've faced in the plaguelands since the purging of Naxxramas, but against such an assault, it will not stand alone. Our list of allies grows thin. I am formally requesting that Lady Sylvanas speak to the Horde Council on our behalf. Anyone willing to fight is welcome."

Danforth nodded slightly. "I will speak to her on your behalf. Be sure to hide your movements as best you can, or else the Scourge will expect you and you may face even more of their forces."

When Tyrosus separated from the departing delegation, I weeded my way through the pack of officers that seemed to approach him. "Lord Tyrosus? I had an idea for where we may be able to get some reinforcements." This world had already proved that it was different from the games I played what feels like years ago. The Dawn may have won at Light's Hope canonically due to the Death Knights switching sides and the injury of the Lich King, but here, now? That wasn't something I was willing to count on if I was going to be facing a horde of ten thousand Scourge and a battalion of elite Death Knights.

Tyrosus smiled when he saw me. "Ah, lieutenant. Make sure you see the quartermasters to replace that armour of yours, it will not do for the coming battle." I nodded. "Now, what is this idea of yours?"

"I was thinking, there are a great many people who have suffered from the Lich King and the Scourge. Now, while the Horde and the Alliance may be more than hesitant to send aid right now, there are a few independent allies I think we could call on. Lady Jaina Proudmoore of Theramore and the dragonflights, particularly." The latter was a longshot, given their own troubles with the Scourge in Northrend, not to mention their recent coalition with the Kirin Tor to stop Malygos in Coldarra, but I was more hopeful about reinforcements from Theramore. Until her expedition into the Frozen Halls near the end of the WoTLK expansion, Jaina was cautiously optimistic that Arthas may still be there inside the Lich King. If I wanted reinforcements, I could probably count on the woman who led many of the survivors of old Lordaeron. A chance to fight the Scourge that took so much from her, and to see if there was anything of Arthas's humanity remaining? I felt she would go for it.

Tyrosus wasn't as optimistic. "The dragonflights have always been capricious when it comes to what aid they give to the mortal races, and I'm sure they have their own problems right now much like the Alliance and Horde. Lady Proudmoore is a friend of the Alliance, but what makes you think she would cross the world to defend the Dawn?"

I shrugged. "It's certainly not a guarantee, but I'd like us to try. Lady Jaina has a history with Arthas and I'm sure she would be willing to fight to defend the remnant of Lordaeron as she did during the first outbreak of the plague. As for the dragons, well, our situation seems desperate. Their home is in Northrend, so they likely are fighting the Scourge even now, but if I can frame it as helping us now so we can help them later...even if it's a low chance, we need all the help we can get."

Tyrosus shifted. "I hate to say it, but we are desperate. The Forsaken may send us some reinforcements, and we can portal the soldiers in this camp to Light's Hope Chapel for the battle. That still won't be enough. If we lose Light's Hope, this encampment would fall anyways. Perhaps some paladins will come from Stormwind to aid us. You are right, we need aid from everyone we can get." The Highlord stroked his chin. "Very well, you have my permission to take a small group to Theramore and request an audience with Lady Proudmoore. Take an experienced mage with you, you'll have to portal there to be back in time. As for the dragonflights," he hesitated "if Lady Proudmoore agrees to send troops to aid us, return here. We will have a better idea of our time frame for the attack by then. IF, IF we have enough time, you can go to Northrend to request the aid of the dragons. I foresee us fighting on the Scourge's home turf in the future, and mroe amicable relations with them could prove useful. Don't fuck up."

I nodded, grinning. "Yes sir! You can count on me!"

He placed a hand on my shoulder. "Good luck, lieutenant. Bring us back some allies. Dismissed."

I nodded and swept out of the tent, going to my first objective. Fitz had been a citizen of Theramore until he joined the Argent Dawn. Hopefully, he'd be up for a trip. Then I need to see about some new armour.


A/N: A short chapter, but I wanted to get this out today and not a few days from now, which is about how long it'll take me to formulate the details of Helios's ambassadorial mission. The Battle of Light's Hope is almost upon us! You can expect it to be different from canon. It won't be just three hundred against ten thousand this time. There are several more chapters until Light's Hope. I'm trying to avoid major time skips at the moment because of the importance current events have to Helios and the war. My entire workplace has been laid off for a month due to the microchip shortage affecting autoworkers, and final exams are almost upon me, so I'll have a few weeks coming up when I can just write. The next chapter should be out before next weekend. As always, favourite, follow, and review!

Note: Edited 12/03/22