The coalition forces celebrated their victory like it was the end of world war 2.

In fact, it pretty much ended the exact same way, going on for two days straight, all the way until they ran empty of booze.

It was a season of merriment before they all decided to go their own way, and return to their respective domains… Or where they planned to settle to create those domains.

Thrall got to engage in that age-old Orcish custom of getting shitfaced with his vassals and laughing uproariously at everything under the sun.

The only people whose leaders did not drink themselves into oblivion were the Humans and Night Elves, as all 3 ended up staying both sober and somewhat melancholy, though their subjects did not retain such propriety.

There were others who did not engage with alcohol though.

While the younger Saurfang brother mingled with his fellow Orcs and partook of the glorious beer, the elder did not, and instead spent the days keeping to himself. A stranger amongst familiar faces.

The great Druid Staghelm stayed at the outskirts, happily talking with his fellow druids, but looking over at the other gathered races with something bordering on disgust.

And of course, there was her.

Fremde hadn't so much and touched a cup after the victory.

Now was NOT the time to get drunk in any way.

This was one of the most critical moments of her life. The moment she had to be Tallyrand reborn, and delicately and brazenly move around everyone around her like chess pieces on a board.

She did mingle though. She mingled A LOT. She mingled with the leadership of all the Horde races. She mingled with Theramore's nobility. She mingled with Tyrande and Malfurion.

She learned every single one of their immediate plans for how and when to leave Hyjal.

The Night Elves had agreed to let the Horde stay as they hammered out the final details of their own confederacy. Jaina though was planning on leaving before that bit of political development had reached its conclusion.

It was on that little bit of information that Fremde had to make all her plans.

It was critical she made her move BEFORE Jaina left for Theramore.

And so, on the third day, she asked Thrall for the Authority to negotiate with Malfurion Stormrage on the topic of Horde-Kaldorei borders.

She would deal with that topic first in the morning before she helped Thrall prepare for the political wrangling he would need to go through in order to get the Horde leaders onboard with their plans for the Horde, and later in the day, she would go about making her plans regarding Jaina Proudmoore come into fruition.

I


Malfurion wasn't quite sure how to read Warlord Ulfberth.

His exposure to the Orcish leaders had been… Varied to say the least. The Race was led by quite the colorful cast of characters, ranging from the likes of Thrall and Broxigar to much less savory folks.

Fremde however, was a different breed entirely.

She was far, far more cunning than the rest, and far less… Orcish he supposed was the way to describe it. He'd noticed that when she'd mingled with his fellow Druids, and helped the Tauren to set up friendly relations with his fellow Druids.

The meeting was held beside the head of the skeletal Dragon Archimonde had thrown from the mountainpath, along with a truly massive piece of stone.

The Death Knight had survived that ordeal, though the Dragon and "Hellscream" cannon had not.

Fremde sat looking wistfully over the cannon as Malfurion stepped up to her, where on a rock beside her, she'd unfolded a map, with a couple of strange cylinders on top of it.

"So much work, so much resources, gone in an instant."

"You used much for it then?"

"Oh yes, almost all the Dragon Hearts we took from the slain Dragons went into this Cannon's enchantments."

She turned to actually face him, and look him over.

"But enough about that… You and I have much to discuss, Lord Malfurion Stormrage…"

She reached down and picked up one of the cylinders.

"What are those?"

"Modern pens'. I'll make sure to send you a shipment of a few thousands, once we get trade flowing in from Kezan."

She uncorked the top of the pen, and began to draw across the map, drawing a clear line across the continent over the border between The barrens, Stonetalon mountains, and everything north of them.

"The Horde is claiming ownership over the lands south of this line. Whether it be by right of conquest such as Mulgore, Durotar and the Barrens, by colonization such as Silithus, or the Un'goro Crater, or getting the locals to join the Horde, such as Tanaris, Dustwallow marsh and Feralas."

She turned the pen, and tapped the piece with the butt end.

"It would be really, really nice, if we could just put a peg in that, and leave it as it is. A clear, nice border. Unfortunately that is not quite the case."

Malfurion nodded.

"Your Shatterspear Tribe."

"Yes, they are one of the complications to this nice and clean map… However there are others too… And not JUST on our side of the land."

She tapped Stonetalon Peak.

"The Warchief has made it clear to me that he wants me to negotiate Stonetalon Peak as part of Horde Territory… But if I'm not mistaken, there is a Night Elf presence in the vale here."

Malfurion nodded solemnly.

"There is a den of druids… And we Kaldorei hold the Mountain as sacred. I am not particularly interested in giving it up."

Fremde smiled a toothy grin of sharp canines.

"Yeah, the reasons my Warchief wishes to obtain it have similar connotations. We Horde plan to begin making pilgrimages to the site. But it perfectly illustrates my point. We could leave this as an unresolved matter… A contested territory between us, and let small, independent raids and border skirmishes become the norm. Or we can hammer out some sort of agreement where we can both worship the mountain in peace… And this is hardly the only spot where your interests are to be found south of this line."

She tapped another spot in northern desolace.

"In Desolace there is the ancient town of Nijel's Point… A spot you no doubt want to retain, given your hopes of recovering Zaetar's remains from Maraudon."

Malfurion had been contemplating the questions of politics, and how sustainable these outposts deep inside Horde territory would be… But this took him completely out of it.

"I see you know quite more than you should, Warlord."

The woman's grin turned absolutely sinister.

"So I do... But back to the matter at hand… in the south-east of Feralas there is the settlement of Thalanaar… and there is also Feathermoon Stronghold, on the island of Sardor Isle… Now the Horde doesn't have any interest in Sardor itself… But the same can not be said for the island to the south of it… The Isle of Dread."

Malfurion was starting to see where she was going with this.

"You wish to trade claims and ownership for territory in the other's lands., for something else."

"So I do."

She reflipped the pen, and began to scribble circles around certain areas. Then she recorked it, before retaking the other pen, this one green, and circling areas that the Night Elves wanted.

Of those not discussed in words so far, only Cenarion Hold had been added.

Malfurion let her finish, before he calmly began to look over the areas the Horde wanted.

There was the obvious, Shatterspear and the coast north of the cliffs leading down from their home high in the mountains… The valley of Dark Troll in the south-east of Ashenvale… Stonetalon Peak… Then he frowned.

"Nar'valas? Why do you want Nar'valas? What could you POSSIBLY wish out those islands? The soil is terrible, the north-eastern coast is haunted, and it has nothing but copper, tin, and tiny bits of silver!"

"The fish obviously!" Fremde said without missing a beat.

"The Horde plans to use it as a massive fishing hub. We don't really plan to settle the islands… As you say, they are poor, and not exactly full of opportunity… But we want official, legal ownership of the islands regardless. That will make it much easier to negotiate with… unexpected arrivals."

"Squatters and pirates you mean."

"That's one way to describe them."

Malfurion nodded.

Well… That shouldn't be too much of a problem… The Night Elves were not exactly famous for fishing… Not to mention the actually fertile Island north of Auberdine was not circled here. That was a prize he had no interest in handing over no matter what… But it seemed Fremde was not interested in it.

She was pushing this… But not so far that Malfurion could not hammer out a deal… Except…

"And here… Zoram Strand? Why in the world would you want that? It can't be as a possible invasion point in case of war… You already control the entrances from the Barrens. Those are infinitely better points to stage an attack from."

Fremde laughed.

"Believe me Archdruid… War with the Night Elves is the LAST thing I want. But to answer your question…"

She held up three fingers.

"1. The Horde needs a resupply point along the coast. We plan to eventually retake Desolace from the Centaurs, and our capital for the area is along the coast. As such, we need a way to supply it. That is infinitely easier if we have a supply post between it and Durotar. Not to mention it makes travel between Desolace and Nar'valas way easier. 2. We know for a fact that a rebellious Orc Clan called Twilight Hammer has, or at least wants, to set up shop in caverns along this strand. For obvious reasons, we want to deal with that mess ourselves without involving outsiders. 3. We want to use the post we set up there, as a trading port with the Kaldorei. It is a terrible spot for an invasion as you say… But as a place Trade Caravans can start from and return to, it is a different matter. Both of our people have much to earn by allowing easier trade with the cities and villages in your western lands."

Malfurion looked her over as he considered her words.

He… Believed what Fremde said… But the more they talked, the more convinced he became of the idea of mayhaps joining this… Alliance, might be for the best.

He had not been entirely sure what the Horde's long term goal was, but Fremde had enlightened him on the matter. The Horde, even if it had no interest in invading Kaldorei lands, was very much planning to establish itself as the new superpower of Kalimdor.

And more frighteningly… Everything he learned was telling him that they had the means, the will, and the plan to make it happen.

I


As Thrall looked over the papers he and Fremde had gone over, time and again, said Warlord reappeared with two scrolls in hand.

"How did it go?"

"Not perfect, but I got most of what we wanted."

She unfurled the scroll.

"They weren't willing to give up Stonetalon Peak… But they have agreed to let the Horde build a road to the mountain, and the right of free passage to and from it. In exchange… We have to allow free movement of Night Elven citizens to and from the mountain, through our territory, and agree not to cave in the tunnel from Ashenvale to the Stonetalon mountains."

He nodded. Not perfect… But it would do.

"It is a compromise I'm willing to sign off on. Anything else I should know?"

"Uh… Yeah. The Night Elves are willing to cede the Islands in the bay of Azshara, if we help them clear out the remainder of the demons from the Province as a whole."

"Is that… important?"

If we can get the Goblins back in line, sure. They can make something pretty neat out of them."

Thrall did not question further on what exactly that might be.

He had other things on his mind.

Instead he quickly read through the copy of the treaty written in orcish, before he signed his name to both.

"Hekazi! Get one of your runners to deliver this to the Elven Royalty."

"Yes ma Lord!"

With that done, he returned to the papers on the next meeting.

The discussion for the constitution of the Horde.

Fremde went over and sat down on the other side of the table.

She seemed far, far more confident than he felt.

"Don't be so nervous, Thrall. It's just the most important political debate of your life. The legal groundwork for everything we're trying to build. Think of the possibility for glory! Not how horribly badly this can go, if everyone shoots down everything you put up."

He smiled despite himself.

"Yes, I can see you helped raise Orgrim into who he became."

"Thank you."

He turned to look down.

"Alright… So let's recap… Leave each state's succession laws alone."

"Yes. I cannot state this enough Thrall, nobles of all stripes HATE when their liege changes whatever succession laws they have had for centuries. Even if we really don't like the way they handle it, we have to let the states handle this matter as they see fit. The important thing is that they recognize OUR succession laws. Both the Orc's royal title, as well as the Warchief's succession system."

He nodded.

The way the Dark Trolls(Sans shatterspear) had decided to elect a ruler who would rule their unified entity for 10 years before they would elect another one, was one he found both baffling and silly… But they had chosen it.

He would need to respect that.

"The point that is most likely to make everyone angry though, is the one where they can't leave once they join."

"We can't build a country where every state can just leave when it wants. That's what destroyed the Alliance after the second war… Not to mention the First Horde was torn apart by that happening several times over."

Fremde had been adamant on that point, and he agreed wholeheartedly. He just had to convince the other leaders that this was absolutely necessary for the Horde to thrive and succeed.

"And finally of the big topics that are sure to inflame our various states… You cannot compromise on the idea of a singular, professional army and navy. You can compromise that each state has the right of an internal armed force, but all states MUST contribute to our armed forces. The Warchief must have the right of conscription. Other than that, I don't think the other, must haves will get that much pushback. A singular, unified currency will probably be a big issue getting future states to join… But of our current lineup, no one uses coins for international trade, just internal. That means it shouldn't be too much of an issue to get them onboard with ditching them for the glory that is the Draka. Also, as far as I'm Aware, none of them have a bank, so a universal state bank probably shouldn't be a problem."

It was a strange feeling really. Just a year ago, his title of Warchief had been that of an absolute ruler.

Now, it was his lesser title, Lord of The Clans, that carried that level of authority. As the ruler of all Orcs, he had final say on everything within Orcish society. As Warchief though… It was going to be a far more complicated affair.

But… At least he would know where he stood in relation to each of his subject states, once this great debate was all over.

I


Jaina Proudmoore had been invited to witness the debate regarding the formation of the Horde's constitution, by both Thrall and Cairne.

She had, however, declined.

She appreciated the gesture… But she also knew from history just how long it had taken for the Gnomes to write their constitution. And those had been one people. She had no interest in sticking around for a month or two.

Instead, she was overseeing the preparations of her army leaving. It was high, high time everyone started heading back home. They had a lot of work to do after all.

It was as she oversaw those preparations, that another Orc messenger arrived to give her a second letter.

She had assumed it was another letter from Thrall… But no. It was from Warlord Fremde, who requested an urgent meeting at all haste. A meeting under four eyes.

She considered it… But in the end, she decided to meet her, and hear what she had to say.

It was, in the grand scheme of things, one of the most important choices she ever made.

She found Fremde where the older woman had asked to meet her, on a small outlook overlooking the Horde's camp.

It was quite the sight. Especially as the shadows began to fall.

Fremde sat on a rock, overlooking it all, her back toward Jaina as she came.

"Incredible isn't It? Tens of thousands of men, having made history… And now making another glorious chapter."

Jaina leaned up against the mountain wall before she answered.

"I will freely admit… I did not expect the Horde's first business to be making a constitution. Not many states make one."

"Yes. Kings aren't exactly fond of giving up power. Tell me Princess… Do you plan to make one for Theramore?"

"Yes."

Fremde finally did turn to look at her, with a raised eyebrow.

"You say that way too casually to be something you've debated. You've been planning it for a while then?"

She nodded. No point hiding it.

"The moment it became clear we might make it as a nation here… I decided then and there that I would make a constitution at some point. History has proven rather decisively, that countries with constitutions do remarkably better than those without. Ironforge and Gnomeregan are the most advanced Kingdoms in the Alliance for a reason. And the guaranteed protection of property and the right of travel is one of those."

Fremde nodded.

"Yeah… That's… Where I got the idea. A lot of the stuff I'm intending to introduce is stuff I cribbed or copied from other peoples… While making sure to avoid their mistakes of course."

Jaina did answer, but only after looking the woman over.

"You look… Different than you did on the march."

Way stronger, more confident, far more at ease.

"Of course I am. All my plans are FINALLY coming together. Once Thrall has finished the first step, my role will be to lay out a plan for economic development of the entire Horde. All my hard hard work is about to reach it's conclusion."

"I… Assume the reason you wanted to meet is related to that?"

"Oh, it absolutely is. You see lady Proudmoore… There is one final stage of my master plan. One final step, then it will have reached the ultimate good outcome. And as such…"

As that she stood, stretched, and turned around.

"Lady Jaina Proudmoore… I would like to ask you to join the Horde."

Silence.

"You… Cannot be serious…"

"Oh I am. Extremely so. The only thing that would please me more than you joining the Horde, would be if the Night Elves did as well… But that's a stillborn political project if I ever saw one."

Jaina for her part felt absolutely baffled.

"Warlord… I… Appreciate the alliance we had with the Horde… I very much intend to continue with that good relationship… But… Theramore is part of the Alliance."

Fremde cocked her head.

"Are you now? Have you signed on to that by treaty? Made promises to anyone? Have you talked it over with the Alliance leaders? Do they even know Theramore exists?"

"Nooo… But…"

"The fact of the matter is Lady Proudmoore… Is that like the Night Elves… And unlike everyone else… You and yours, are free to go your own way. Whether it be as an independent nation, a member of the second Alliance… Or the second Horde… you have the luxury of getting to make your own way. I merely want to give my pitch that the Horde is the single, best route for Theramore."

Part of Jaina felt baffled. Utterly baffled, and wanting to point out just how unpopular this decision would be in Theramore. That there was a large step between joining forces… And joining as states.

Instead… Another part of her… The curious one… Decided to let her continue, genuinely curious about what arguments she might have.

"Firstly… There is the matter of protection. As it currently stands… There are 3 great threats to your Home. Tell me Princess… Have you ever heard of Onyxia the Broodmother?"

"The… Daughter of Deathwing?"

"The same. You see lady Proudmoore, in the south of Dustwallow Marsh, there is a massive volcanic mountain… It and the region around it is known as the Wyrmbog… It is a place absolutely filled with Black Dragons… And their ruler is Onyxia, the Broodmother. She is not currently there… She is somewhere in Azeroth, though I know not where… So you have a bit of breathing room before a conflict with the Black Dragonflight arises. I also probably don't have to tell you this… But Dragons fly. The defence of living on an Island means very little to them."

"That's… Great… Just… Perfect."

"The second threat, unfortunately, is Horde in nature. For you see Princess, there are currently two Horde factions living in the Marsh. The first a section of the Grimtotem Tribe of Tauren. This branch is currently in revolt against the Horde itself. The second faction is the Stonemaul clan of Ogres. Now these are not currently part of the Horde… But that is going to change in the near future… With all that said… As things currently stands, when these two are brought back into the fold, their claims on lands Dustwallow Marsh are legitimate and legal ones. For obvious reasons, if you or yours have any intention of staking claims on the area… This would be very bad for you. However… If you join the Horde… No one will question your right to the entire thing. The Grimtotem are not exactly… Popular lets say. No one will stand up for a bunch of rebels' claims… Especially not when the "Official" order from their chieftain is to pack up things and head to Mulgore. As for the Ogres… Well that depends entirely on how we go about integrating them back into the Horde… There is actually a lot of debate of whether to keep them as separate clans living in enclaves… Or unite them into one state, with their own new homeland in Feralas… And let's just say, that it is far easier to influence that debate from INSIDE the Horde, than outside."

That… Made a lot of sense but…

"Why… Why would I be that interested in claiming the entirety of Dustwallow marsh? It's just a giant swamp."

"It is! But it can be more… I'll get to that. But first… There was that third threat… Arthas Menethil."

Jaina felt her blood freeze ice cold.

"Tell me Lady Jaina Proudmoore… And tell me true… Do you believe that the Alliance as it currently is, will be able to stop Arthas? Do you believe that the crumbling walls of Arathor will be able to do what Lordaeron, Silvermoon, and Dalaran could not? Because I don't."

Jaina didn't answer.

But that was an answer in and out of itself.

"Here is what I think is going to happen. Arthas will return to Lordaeron… And force the Alliance out of the northern continent entirely… All the way back to the Ironforge lands, where they will break the span behind them. Only then, will they get the breathing room and opportunity to rebuild… Like we are. But with that question in mind… Do you genuinely believe… That the Alliance will be able to protect you, here, on the other side of the great sea, when Arthas finally comes for you?"

Again, Jaina did not answer.

"The Horde is much closer to home for you… And that can be terrifying… But it can also be a strength. And consider this Proudmoore… Any future state who joins the Horde, will, like it or not, have to abide by the rules that Thrall and rest are putting down to paper right now. Those Horde leaders who are here, get a say in what those rules are. Oh… And one more thing."

The Orc stepped up to her, and leaned in to whisper something in her ear.

"You asked why you would want the swamp of Dustwallow Marsh… The reason… Is because amongst all the other things I have learned over the course of a life… I also have learned to turn swampland… Into fertile fields. Very easily at that. And here is a question for you Princess… Why be a lady of an island… When you can be… A Queen."

I


Jaina Proudmoore made an unexpected visit to the Gathering Horde leadership… but not to visit. To Join.

Fremde was immensely pleased with herself. She had played her cards well… Of course Jaina had no way of knowing the Arthas and the Scourge would be stopped in their tracks by the undead civil war, and Arthas eventual rise to Lich King, and his subsequent coma. As such, the threats she had raised were far, far lesser than she'd made them out to be.

I


Fremde the Warlord stepped up to the center of the gathering.

It had taken 4 days… But they had finally hammered out a constitution for their Confederacy.

Now was the next step. To make a plan forward.

I


The Warlord set up a board, where she began hanging various papers.

In Ja'karr's opinion, she looked… Well the best way to describe it was as a young lady in love. She was full of enthusiasm, joy, and energy.

Certainly better than him. The Warsong Chieftain had survived The battle… But that did not bring him joy. On the contrary, he could not imagine finding a better place to die… And unlike Fremde, he didn't exactly have a glorious future ahead of him, where he dictated the course of history.

"We'll begin with education. Now, all of these topics are divided into two sections. Our final goal that we should strive towards, and what we can realistically do with what we have. Starting with Education."

She tapped a paper with a house, with figures clearly meant to represent children walking towards it.

"The final goal of the Horde regarding education should be universal education, where every single child is put through some kind schooling from their youth to their adulthood. As far as I'm aware, the only races that actually have something along these lines are the Gnomes, where the state sponsors their education system… And the Goblin Cartels, where which Cartell you belong to determines your education."

It was actually Ja'karr who voiced the first comment on the plans.

"Really? We're copying the Goblins?"

"Indeed. The goblins are, whatever else they might be, bar none, the richest, and most developed race in the world. With Gnomes and Dwarves a distant second. The Dwarves incidentally, have the third best, or at least most widespread education system in the world. There is a reason for that connection."

She tapped the image again.

"By giving every single member of the confederation a decent education, we ensure that we can snap up every genius we produce, and actually put them to work. Countless brilliant minds are born in every civilized state across the world, every year… And almost all of them die in obscurity on their family farm, or hunting in the wilderness, or killed by enemies… All because they never had the chance to put their brains to use for the betterment of the nation. By ensuring that these are instead given the education, and opportunity to rise, we can ensure that they use that intellect to benefit their entire society. That way, everyone in the Horde benefits. However, that is not the only massive benefit."

She now tapped papers showing an Orc family outside a house.

"By giving everyone an education, we ensure that even the lowliest farmer will have a much better chance to both succeed… And thrive. After all, he will be able to math, to read, to make ledgers, to keep score of what he has. To actually read the details on new taxes, so he knows how much he has to pay. And that's just the backbone of our society… There is also the fact that if you have education, you will have a much better chance to set up a successful business. Not to mention that it makes contracts… And thus access to loans from the Bank, much easier if all can read and write. Also, an education is essential for all of us to create, and maintain modern administration systems."

He would take her word for it. It wasn't exactly like he'd live long enough to see the benefits of this.

"Of course… None of us are in a position where this is even remotely possible to implement. Ignoring the tens of thousands of fields we need to plant from scratch, the immense infrastructure that also needs to be built from scratch, and ALL the other stuff… It will take us a decade, at best, to train all the insane amounts of teachers we need to see this through. So we need to keep this small. Basic. Doable. And for that… There are 3. Things we HAVE to get done."

She tapped a paper with the words: Reading and writing.

"The first, and most basic, is simply that we need to teach everyone how to read and write. I cannot stress this enough, but this is the single most important step. The one we have to teach everyone. All future education and higher learning relies on, not only that our people know how to read, but that when they grow old enough to have their own children, they in turn will be able to use that ability to read and write to aid their own children with their education. Not to mention the benefits of having soldiers who can read and write."

Yeah… That one he actually agreed with wholeheartedly. Soldiers who could write and read messengers were valuable commodities.

"The second thing we have to train the youth in… Is basic math. Given we want to build our society on free farmers tending their own households and economies, the ability to count coins is absolutely essential for our plans forward to succeed."

He wondered what Grom would have felt about that. The man, despite his brash personality, had always been extremely devoted to logistics. He'd kinda had to be to survive in the wilds with 20 000 men for all those years.

"And finally in terms of education, a Lingua Franca is essential."

A what?

He wasn't the only one confused. None of the Trolls or Tuaren had heard the term either.

"A universal, secondary language that allows all of us to communicate with each other despite the fact we don't share a first language. Not everyone has the benefit of being, or talking to a Shaman. In other words, we need to teach a trade language… Basically what common is to the Alliance."

"So… Orcish in other words?"

"Exactly."

I


Vol'jin liked the idea of Industrializing… But he hadn't quite understood how perilous it could be.

"-in the long term, unchecked industrialization is extremely dangerous, because if allowed to just run freely, it will lead to a situation where instead of growing, or at the very least remaining stable, the population increase will plummet. Thankfully, this is a social ill that can easily be avoided by taken countersteps. The most obvious being simply giving tax cuts to people with more children… Prioritizing households with children in start up aid, and ensuring we don't shift over to an economy where the population in cities outnumber farmers. Farming communities are the key to make sure our population keeps skyrocketing. We need to make it as simple as possible to become a farmer, and that there will always be new land to be claimed for settling by any married couple."

Hm… He could see that… He was planning on creating huge plantations, where every farmer owned a plot… He would need to plan this out better then.

"The second problem is a more insidious, and a long term one. Pollution. This is a problem we need to fix as we shift over to machines and factories, as coal, gas and electricity produces extremely toxic stuff when used for energy. And a lot of that will in turn come back down to earth with the rain. To deal with this, we need to make sure that all equipment is enchanted to cleanse this pollution before it is released into the air."

"Dat… Dat will be really bloody expensive."

"It will. But the sheer amount of wealth factories will produce, far outweighs those costs."

I


"Farming is simple. Firstly we need free farmers, whether they own the land they farm directly or are employed by the lord. Even disregarding the ethics of it, serfdom, farmers forcibly bound to their land, or full on slavery simply will not work for an industrialized economy. Free farmers who earn a wage, and go out, and spend that wage benefits the economy far, far more than slaves or serfs ever could. The only exception would be industrialized cotton… But the world population isn't large enough to make that a cash crop for clothing to such a degree it would be financially beneficial to have slaves."

"That's… A very hyper-specific example, Warlord."

"I know. I've thought this through quite a bit. Slavery… Has no future in a healthy, economically developed world. And thank the Ancestors for that."

"Aye. The only ones that should be living in bondage, are death-sentenced criminals, who fight in the gladiatorial ring."

Not a one, challenged the comment from the Warsong Chieftain. Not even Jaina. It was probably the only thing that day that made Fremde feel… Very uncomfortable.

"...Right… Anyway… As for the four Crops rotation, you can interchange what crops you use, so long as Clover is two of them. Potatoes, grain, coffee, wheat, turnips, vegetables… You can plant pretty much whatever you can farm so long as you add in Colver to make the earth better and more nutritious for the plants..."

I


"So… Locomotion will make every other form of land transportation meaningless?"

"Oh yes… Everything else will be obsolete when we have created a working locomotive system. Of course that will be years and years away. Not only getting the engineering schematics from Kuzan, but also the infrastructure to make it, and the capacity to make them… But we will also have to lay the network of rails all across the nation for them to actually run on. In other words… It'll be maybe twenty years forward in time before it's a thing. Like a lot of stuff will happen in our development before then."

I


When Jaina had decided to join the Horde, she had thought that mayhaps Fremdr was bluffing her about being able to turn Dustwallow March into fertile farmlands.

She hadn't.

In fact, not only had she not done so, but Jaina had badly underestimated just how impressive the Woman's knowledge for working the earth was.

"We'll start draining the marsh by simply digging huge ditches into the earth from the wetlands into the bay, so that enormous amounts of water will simply flow out from the marsh. That will drastically reduce the amount of water all on it's own, leaving plenty of new, drained lands for farming. And we'll follow that up by installing pipes that will drain even more of the water so that it will all flow down into the ditches on their own. Gravity will keep most of the marsh clean and dry. Simple, easy, cheap, and effective. Any questions?"

Vol'jin did.

"Can't… Can't de Alliance do dis exact same thing with de Swamp of Sorrows an de Wetlands?"

"Oh most certainly. All 3 swamps lie far above the waterline, and will for the most part be very easy to drain with some ditches and pipes. I would be genuinely surprised if they don't copy within 3 years and turn their swamplands into fertile fields."

I


The various leaders of the Horde had various feelings as they laid their plans for the future. Some were interested in it all. Some hyper focused on what was relevant to them specifically.

A lot of them were bored.

One however, was full of vigor and energy.

Thrall son of Durotan.

Thrall felt… Alive as he talked with the other leaders. As they planned roads, canals, cities, Mints… Thrall knew many of his men would hate this kind of work. But not him.

On the contrary he… Enjoyed it all. He liked talking to people. He liked hashing things out. He liked being a mediator. In some ways… Far more so than he'd ever liked being a warrior… Though he had no intention of revealing that little bit of knowledge to his men.

Above everything else though… He liked the feeling of EVERYTHING coming together.

Jaina joining the Horde had been an amazing surprise… But it was hardly the only one. The constitution was done, and he was satisfied with it. He has instituted a plan going forward, with clear cut goals to reach.

The future was still dark… The Twilight Hammer needed to be dealt with, Arthas had escaped destruction, and somehow, he would still need to bring the Goblins and Forest Trolls back into the fold… And yet… Today… Now… There was peace, and the chance to rebuild.

It was time… To go home.

I


Arthas Menethil, Death Knight of the Lich King, King of Lordaeron, leaned back in his chair, as a comb, held by slender fingers went through his luscious locks, making them flow.

In front of him, on the armoire, the magically enchanted image of Kel'thuzad appeared.

Beneath him, the eternal rhythm of the bobbing the ship.

Behind him, he could hear the sound of gritted teeth.

He smiled at that, as he continued his conversation with the lich.

"Well… It went off practically perfectly. Pretty much the entire Demonic army died, including Tichondrius and Archimonde. I look forward to seeing the Dreadlords faces when they hear the news."

"Excellent my King! The Lich King will be pleased by our efforts."

"No doubt. So… How goes it in Lordaeron?"

"A tad bit worse… In your absence there have been… Changes in our enemies. 2 enormously powerful holy swords have appeared… As well as a Holy Lance. By my estimation, all 3 would be a match for Frostmourne."

"I see… And what surviving Paladin is it that has claimed them? I've killed all the good ones, so… They can't be that good. Well… Unless… It's not Morgraine is it?"

"He is! Well… That is to say, he is the only Paladin who has claimed one of the weapons. The others have been claimed by warriors. One, the King of Stromgarde… Or High-King of Arathor as he calls himself."

"My uncle in-law. Such arrogance… He really should know better than to aim so high… Someone might be inclined to kick him off his high tower… And the other one?"

"The Lance has been claimed by one Valimar Mordis… A Baron in Alterac."

"Alterac huh? So I guess Ichor didn't succeed… Who would have thought a Ghoul wouldn't be up to a Death Knight's job? Who is this Valimar? Does he have support?"

"No. Or… He does… But not from the Alliance. Instead, he has been named Defender of the Realm by the Perenolde Dynasty."

"I bet my in-laws would love that… Here you go resurrecting the Empire of old… And rebels pop up to resurrect a fallen Kingdom right in the middle of it. Ah well. What can you do? It's not like it's going to matter much."

"Indeed my King… I have been quite active trying to figure out how to deal with them… The worst case scenario is if they would join forces together on the field… But that seems unlikely… In particular because both the men who have the swords, have sons… Who desperately wants to be the man of the house."

"Trollbane? Yeah I could see that… I don't recall Morgraine's brats though… How long until it's gonna happen?"

"With Trollbane? Within the year. As for the other… I am unsure. He will need some… Prodding to get him to do it."

"Get to it then. In the meantime… We'll be consolidating our grip of Lordaeron, and dealing with the Dreadlords. By the time that's finished, hopefully there will be one blade less to worry about. Two preferably. Oh… By the way… Did you prepare what I asked for last time?"

"Of course! I have it primed and ready. All I need is the Banshee."

Arthas grinned then turned back to look over his shoulder.

"Hear that Sylvanas? You'll get a body again real soon. An upgrade from a wraith to a wench."

Sylvanas, who was still combing his hair while staring down at him, with eyes burned with hatred despite her obedience, nodded with gritted teeth.

"I must say… I think I'd rather prefer you as something nice to look at instead. Though, it's a shame to lose my comber. Maybe I'll still have you continue to do that?"

"As… My… King… Demands."

Arthas laughed.

What good was it to be king, if you couldn't Lord it over your fallen enemies?