"So this gate structure was where the invaders came from?" Daelin Proudmoore asked, pointing at the area on the map of Northern Lordaeron where the gate was approximately located near the entrance of Quel'Thalas and Stratholme.
"After the battle ended, scouts trailing the retreating army discovered a large gateway structure where the invaders retreated through." Turalyon reported to the leadership of the Alliance sitting around a ornate wooden table. "We believe this was where the invaders came from."
"A portal then, is it related to the Dark Portal?" King Magni inquired.
"Similar yet different. Our mages have reported that the gate was conjured by a unknown form of magic. No traces of the arcane or fel in the gate."
"So it is not the work of the Burning Legion." Tyrande Whisperwind observed.
"That is troubling." Kael'Thas pondered. "A portal opening on a strategic location between two major realms, the entrance of my home and the capital of the Lordaeron remnant. They could easily attack both kingdoms with sufficient numbers."
"Invaders who came from a portal that took them from their world to ours, this is a repeat of the Orcs." King Varian muttered. "Except humans."
The irony wasn't lost on the members who lived through the First and Second War with the Orcish Horde that attacked from the dark portal. Fate seemed to have a strange sense of humor.
"Humans with species resembling orcs, ogres, goblins, and centaurs. They seem to have been used as some sort of support force." Calia Menethil said. "They nearly overwhelmed Stratholme and the defenders if it weren't for my brother and General Windrunner's reinforcements."
"The death count for the enemy forces were over 30,000 soldiers. The estimated number of enemy forces before the battle numbering over 60,000." Turalyon added in. "The number of prisoners we captured is just below 500." He added in.
"Those numbers are over thrice the size of Lordaeron's current overall forces! I do not know how much men the enemy forces have, but if they feel confident to throw around a force rivalling Lordaeron's army at its height, then they'll likely have more on their way." Calia cried out in worry.
"They may have the numbers but the report noted the lack of magic, cannons, and others within their forces. Along with our troops seen taking on several enemies and emerging victorious." Turalyon said. "They have the advantage in the quantity, but lack in quality."
"Quantity is a quality of its own." Kael'Thas muttered, remembering the Scourge onslaught on his home.
"The gate's location still poses a strategic danger to Lordaeron and Quel'Thalas. We need to see what's on the other side of the gate and prevent further attacks through it." Daelin declared.
'Here we go again' Turalyon thought to himself on what was basically another dark portal expedition, which nearly got him and the remnants of the expedition stranded on Draenor.
"Gathering up an expedition force through the gate would be a endeavour with our forces still recovering from the battles and the Third War." Varian noted. "We can't spare too much of our forces since many of them are still guarding strategic locations, observing the Horde, or engaged in skirmishes with the Undead and the remnants of the Burning Legion invasion force."
Tyrande spoke out. "I can only offer a token force of several hundred volunteers, anything larger than that would leave us stretched thin."
"Anything is better than no forces. Besides, your people are important in the observation of Horde territory and the largest Alliance force besides Theramore." Daelin nodded in understanding at the Night Elf High Priestess.
Even with the Horde suffering heavy losses during the Third War, they were still a force to be concerned with and needed to be observed if they were going to repeat the actions of the old horde. The Night Elves were excellent in observing the Horde's movement and territory in case of future tensions.
"I can send over few thousands of my people for the expedition. Repayment for the aid when the Scourge invaded." Kael'thas offered.
Turalyon attempted to volunteer himself to lead the expedition but was shot down by Calia. "Sorry High General, we need you back home defending Stratholme and more important assignments."
"Sylvanas Windrunner and Arthas Menethil shall lead the force."
Several weeks later
Arthas Menethil observed the Alliance forces gathering outside of Stratholme, referred by many as the "Gate Expedition". A large collection of humans - mainly from Lordaeron with a handful from Stormwind, Blood Elves, Dwarves, Gnomes, and handful of Night Elves. This was what the Alliance was meant to be, different races helping each other in times of need and standing together as one in the face of a great enemy.
They did so in the Third War – albeit barely – and they shall do it again here to go through the gate to investigate the other side and find the one responsible for the invasion. The prince was determined to find whoever ordered the attack that resulted in his people and city being attacked, so he could bring about justice upon them for their action.
Especially the city where everything changed in his life. His kingdom falling apart as the Scourge emerged stronger than ever as demons of the Burning Legion emerged from the portals to defile the land. He has seen cities and towns and their inhabitat slaughtered in gruesome ways or sacrificed for some twisted rituals or brought back as a mindless undead. Countless heros and soldiers gave up their lives so their world could live on.
It was also the last time he saw Jaina ever again. Dead during the Battle of Mount Hyjal against the forces of the Burning Legion from ending Azeroth. Too late for the reinforcements to aid her.
From her sacrifice and the hardships, he swore to himself that he would become a better man so that would not repeat the mistakes of the past. And because of those mistakes he decided to hand the rulership to his sister, believing himself to be unworthy of such leadership and focus on fighting for his kingdom and people.
"Prince Arthas, the army is ready to march." Captain Falric reported.
"Thank you my friend, spread the word to prepare to march upon the gate." Arthas ordered as Falric headed to the camp to relay orders.
Arthas looked around to see where the other expedition leader was and found Sylvanas talking to her sister Alleria and Turalyon. He wasn't sure exactly what they were talking about but he guessed it was advice on going on a expedition through some portal to another world, and the possibilities of getting stranded. A Few feet from her was Nathanos Marris waiting for her to finish her conversation.
"Do not worry sister, Arator would come home unharmed." Sylvanas reassured her sister.
"Alleria, Arator is skilled enough to fight on his own and he has his friends to help him." Turalyon said. "He volunteered to join this expedition himself, there's nothing more we could do."
"I understand my love, but I do not like the thought of Arator going through the gate. I do not wish the fate of him nearly trapped on the other side of the gate, far from home. A fate that nearly befelled on us." Alleria whispered out.
"Don't worry sister, our mages have been studying the gate and making sure it doesn't go unstable." Sylvanas said.
"I pray you're right." Alleria replied.
"As long as the Light is with Arator, he'll be alright." Turalyon said.
"He's trained under you two and others, along with his aunts. Even if he was alone, the enemy would have a hard time defeating him." Sylvanas declared with a smile, remembering the times she looked over Arator's training.
Turalyon then looked around to see the expedition forces getting ready to march as fires were put out, soldiers organised into their units, and siege equipment being prepared to be moved.
"Looks like the army is about to move." The High General observed.
"Lady Windrunner, lord Arthas called forth the army to march to the gate." Nathanos said to Sylvanas.
"Alright, let's go. Shorel'aran sister, Turalyon."
"Shorel'aran Sylvanas." Alleria and Turalyon replied.
"Nathanos, you're riding with me." Sylvanas ordered her right hand man as both of them got on their respective steed and made their way towards Arthas waiting on his own horse.
Arthas greeted the two. "Windrunner, Marris. We're moving up front, the scouts should be waiting near the gate."
"Here it is, the expedition is moving." Arator said looking at the moving army.
"You ready Arator?" Thorik Flameback asked, resting his rifle against his shoulder as the hunter/marksman finished packing his belongings and tools.
"Already done." Arator said as he put on the final pieces of his armor.
"Let's get moving to our formation, they're not going to wait for us." Tyrel Kimberly urged, the stout woman wielding a large shield and a mace.
"Can't wait to put my daggers on our enemies. Stratholme will see it avenged." Gimkaz Slipcue sheathed in her daggers.
Their resident elves of their team, Caeen and Nelysae were silent on the matter, but their body language showed their eagerness to get on with the coming adventure and battle. Caeen cleaned his blade one last time and gave it a experimental swing before ambuing magic to it; Nelysae put on blade fist weapons over her arms and whispered out prayers in Darnassian.
Looking to the army that was marching towards the direction of the gate, taking them to another world Light knows what was awaiting for them on the other side. He wasn't sure if the gate would close on them and leave them stranded unable to return home. Was this the feeling his parents had when they led the Alliance expedition through the Dark Portal?
Giving the sign for his friends to move, they made their way to the Alliance force, composed mostly of humans and elves with a number of other Alliance races.
One thing for sure was that interesting times were coming ahead… And he hoped they would find some good loot after this call.