A/N: Please note that this is of course Fan Fiction, therefore the events described would be slightly deviated from the orginal telling.
And nope, I in fact do not own Warcraft or anything else I write about.
Chapter 20
By noon the Forsaken had fully regrouped and fortified a base on a steep snowy hilltop. The defensive power was very strong and they were able to survey the surrounding area for a vast distance. Rows of interlocking trenches were dug in the snow by the Abominations as a few hundred of the Forsaken dug themselves in.
The brilliance of the Banshee Queen's tactics was not in their defensive preparations. Any simple commander could fortify a position, but the Dark Lady intended on using every plan in the big book of warfare. She used the position as a magnet to pull the Dreadlord's forces into a meatgrinder while several scouting parties would use hit and run tactics on those that travel the roads. But with true skill befitting the Forsaken Queen, she yet again formed two separate elite groups to flank their main forces and deliver a coordinated pincer attack on the Dreadlords themselves. Of course, once all of the demons forces had been obliterated on their futile assault.
The Dark Lady was confident that they would strike against her soon. They were as blind to the true strength of the Banshee Queen, and the Forsaken as a whole, as they were about the abysmal defeat of the Burning Legion. It was evident that they had no clue about the superiority of the Forsaken over the mindless undead. Their ability to think and their devotion to their cause and Queen proved far greater then just a mindless slave blindly following orders. No matter how ill-equipped or untrained any given soldier on that hilltop would be, they would fight, and fight fiercly.
On the very top stood the Banshee Queen, giving orders. Soon her sister banshees would return with the information she would need to make her move. Wayne and Nollis helped in the preparations, though they knew they would not be fighting on the hill. Everything possible was being used for defense, from pit traps to barricades. Several Abominations busied themselves felling nearby trees to shore up their lines, and in case of emergency, could be rolled down the hill onto the attackers.
All sound made by the Forsaken sharply stilled upon hearing massive quaking noises in the distance. Undead units were being put into formation and were not far away now. Smoke was seen rising in the nearby distance where a small town of abandoned homes still stood. Visions came through Wayne's eyes from the Dark Lady of her strategy, he was to once again join a group that followed her specifically. Wayne and Nollis followed the source of her signal until they kneeled at her feet. More Forsaken quickly beginning to arrive at his side.
The Banshee Queen stood there waiting, she wore nearly the same clothes that were upon her body as it resided within the coffin. Yet no amount of ruined Elven clothing could detract from her beauty as Wayne looked upon her. After a few moments, when it seemed that all the Forsaken that she had called for now kneeled before her, she began to speak.
"We will form into two separate groups of ten each. My group will arc and flank the Dreadlords from the east, the other group, the west. Our priority is stealth and secrecy, I anticipate them to be lightly defended and to be taken by suprise. Blightcaller!" said the Banshee Queen.
"Yes My Lady!" Blightcaller said loudly.
"You will lead the group that assails from the west. Attract no attention and do not lead your attack unless my order is given, do you understand?" said the Dark Lady.
"Yes My Lady," Blightcaller faithfully said again.
Directly ahead the banshees began to return and flew in a rush towards Sylvanas. After a few seconds of hurried whispering in the ear of the Dark Lady, she gave her orders.
"Quickly now, follow my banshees towards our target," said the Dark Lady.
The group split in two and rushed in opposite directions down the hill. As soon as the Dark Lady began to run she gave visions to the rest of the Forsaken to prepare for battle, the enemy was nearly upon them. No retreat, no surrender, no mercy, that was the mantra she gave the Forsaken on the hill. That was what was expected of the Queen's soldiers.
Within minutes the path that Wayne traveled on the heels of the Dark Lady became increasingly clotted with trees and bushy undergrowth. The addition of snow made it all the more difficult to move quickly and silently. Yet the banshee in front that led the way could not be perturbed as she hovered above and through it all. Great clashing sounds were soon heard in the distance as their base came under attack. But Wayne would have no fear of defeat, victory belonged to the cause of the Forsaken, forever and always.
The run slowed as the pace of the guiding banshee slowed. Until at last she came to a halt near the clearing of the small burning town.
"There My Lady," whispered the banshee into the ear of the Dark Lady.
All moved forward slowly to observe the scene. There in the flickering light of the burning houses stood a solitary Dreadlord. Around him stood only a few undead who could not even be assumed as protection for the demon. Instead of being joyous at the easy target, the Dark Lady was enraged.
"Ohh what arrogance!" seethed the Dark Lady. "They honestly believed that was enough to finish me!"
"Let their arrogance be their undoing, My Lady," said the leading banshee.
The Banshee Queen concentrated on sending her order to Blightcaller, even though it would be impossible to know where he was or if he was ready to attack. But with the foolish Dreadlord standing there so defenseless, reinforcements would not be necessary. In a quick movement she pulled an arrow from her quiver and set it in place in the middle of her bow.
"DeLovely," whispered the Banshee Queen.
"Yes My Lady," Wayne said softly moving forward a few steps.
"Cast a field of anti magic to prevent the demon from teleporting," said the Banshee Queen.
"Yes of course, My Lady," Wayne said with his wand pointed outwards and beginning to wordlessly chant the incantation.
"Now!" said the Dark Lady loudly as she jumped forward through the trees and shot her arrow.
The Dreadlord Varimathras only had time to turn his head to see the Forsaken Queen before her arrow plunged deep into the middle of his stomach. He feel backwards onto the ground and used his left hand to steady himself from laying flat and the other hand held onto the arrow wound.
"Hold your fire!" the Banshee Queen said loudly as they rushed towards him.
Blightcaller and his group emerged from the flaming houses behind the Dreadlord. Varimathras tried desperately to teleport, but he could not overcome Wayne's barrier. He could not even defend himself against the approaching Forsaken, as all of his power was magic based. He could only move his right hand from his wound to his mouth as he coughed up his blood and tried to stifle his screams. All of the non-Forsaken that moved around the area were quickly slaughtered as they moved closer to stand around the Dreadlord in a tight circle.
"You're a complete fool to challenge me Varimathras!" said the Dark Lady in a dangerous tone.
"It was never my aim to challenge you Sylvanas," choked Varimathras.
"And yet here you are," the Dark Lady returned.
"Do not send me to my death Sylvanas, I can be of great assistance to you," Varimathras said.
"Only a fool would trust a demon," the Dark Lady retorted.
"Shall I remove his heart now My Lady?" Blightcaller said with a long knife in hand.
"No Blightcaller! I'm listening Dreadlord," said the Dark Lady.
"I can lead you to Detheroc and Tichondrius. I can reveal to you their secrets. I can swear loyalty to you only!" Varimathras bellowed, blood coming out of his mouth more quickly now.
"You're pathetic Varimathras, you would betray your kin only to live a day longer," said the Dark Lady.
Blightcaller held his knife high, waiting for the word to take out the Dreadlord's heart.
"But, I know I can find use for you. Be warned demon, you are on a short leash," the Banshee Queen said as she motioned to Wayne.
Varimathras gave his oath to the Forsaken at the feet of the Queen, he was moving closer to death by the moment. Wayne stood over the Dreadlord and dispelled his barrier, then as soon as his oath was complete, he jerked out the arrow from the demon's stomach. Varimathras roared in pain as blood drained out of his body. But the power of light healing magic would only have the demon feel pain for a few more seconds. Wayne held his bone wand in front of the wound and sent bright yellow waves of light from the wand's tip to heal his body and stop his pain. Wayne never wavered in his faith that his Queen was making the right choice in saving the Dreadlord, no matter how much he would have prefered Blightcaller to just have his heart.
End of Chapter 20
