Thanks to all those who've reviewed and read this story up to this point. Great news, my Twitch channel has reached affiliate status! I play several games (primarily WoW Shadowlands) there, and am more than willing to talk about fanfiction or other things while gaming on stream. the links to my Twitch, as well as my youtube Channel (where clips from my streams are posted) and the Cult of Undol discord are all on my profile. All are invited to join these communities! With that small announcement and plug out of the way, please enjoy the chapter! ~F

Chapter 121

Concurrent Threads

The disembodied spirit of Teron Gorefiend felt a surge of exhilaration. The union of his three most powerful artifacts gave him much needed strength, but it was not yet enough to break free of his prison and return to the physical realm once more.

Karsius, the tortured Draenei spirit from ages past, stood as his final obstacle. But once the boy returned with his regalia, even the ancient watcher would stand no chance to hold back the tide of the Gorefiend.

Watching from his place at the Altar of Shadows, the spirit of the ancient orc smiled as his Master's chosen heir, Nobu'tan, returned, bearing each of the powerful pieces of Teron's regalia.

"Place them upon the Altar, and grant me my freedom," Gorefiend hissed, knowing that the boy would obey. They had a bargain, and each knew the honor of the other, and would fulfill their part.

The jeweled truncheon was first, and it sparked a flow of power into Teron, even as he felt the corpse of his form stir. The cloak and armor only added more fuel to the flame.

"No, I will not allow you to wreak more havoc among the living, monster!" Karsius shouted, bringing his holy magic to bear against the first of the Death Knights.

"You have little power to stop me… now…" Teron said, reaching through realms and borrowing the corporal nature of the demonic-human warlock.

Within the realm of spirits, he felt a rush of strength and old magic, which permitted him use of many of his old abilities.

A bolt of deathly green energy flew at the paladin's spirit, staggering the Draenei as he blocked the coil of death's magic.

Creeping decay hounded the landscape, festering hatred corroding even the paladin's ghostly visage.

"I will not be denied!" Teron shouted, "The Stormreavers have fulfilled their pledge to me, and Teron Gorefiend remembers his debts!"

With a tremendous scream, the Draenei's spirit shattered into oblivion, and Teron took command of his old bones once again, rising out of the Altar of Shadows as the stones crumbled to dust.

In a dark flash of power, his regalia encircled him once more, and the skeletal form of the once human knight was again shrouded from sight, leaving Teron, glowing eyes piercing the veil of life and death, towering over the boy who had freed him. But the boy was a boy no longer, but a grown warlock in his own right.

"It is good to stand with you again, in the living world," Nobu'tan said, grasping the cold, dead hand of Teron in welcome. "There is much for us to accomplish, and little time to fill you in on all the changes the Dark Horde has taken."

"I've watched you from the moment you set foot in Outland, little one," Teron chided, remembering still the weedy sprout that had followed Gul'dan like a hound pup, "I know of your strange alliances and powers. We will have time to deepen our reunion, but I have business to take care of, and a clan to reassemble."

Turning toward the Black Temple, Teron breathed in the darkness of that place, rife with Fel energy calling to him like a beacon. "I go to the Black Temple, to call to my side those of old. Seek me out when you are ready for the confrontation with this Illidan, and the Shadowmoon Clan will rise up to meet you."

Nobu'tan looked disappointed, but the sudden appearance of a Fel eye distracted him from speaking more.

"I take my leave, and await your signal," Teron said, relishing the expression of his deathly magic as he summoned an undead mount to ride, and stole into the dead plains of the Valley. Stormrage would not deny him his rightful place in the ruins of Karabor, nor would any of his minions dare to fight him.

It was all part of a grand scheme that Teron had worked out upon realizing that Gul'dan's heir had returned. The Shadowmoon Clan would join this Dark Horde, and the first Death Knight would lead them once again.

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Blaise had been surprised at the Blood Elves' timely response to their missive regarding the return of their manaforge. All the more was the permittance of their group to approach the Tempest Keep on foot, although they were to meet with a projection of the Elven prince rather than in person.

Blaise found that acceptable enough for the time being, and sent word to Nobu'tan as they journeyed, knowing that the Lord of the Stormreavers would find them at his soonest convenience.

As they arrived at the designated place, there was already a host of elves waiting for them, fully armed and watching their every move.

The projection of their leader, this Kael'thas Sunstrider, glared at their approach. "So, these are the orcish beasts that think they can parley with us?" he demanded, "Give us a reason to not destroy you on the spot like we do all trespassers in our lands?"

Blaise did not respond, but withdrew the missive from Nobu'tan and held it aloft.

The Elf sighed, "Telonicus, read the petty scrawling of whatever brute calls himself leader of these weak orcs…"

Another Elf took the scroll, unrolling it and quickly scanning the parchment with a critical eye. "This is no brute, my Prince," Telonicas said, "according to the message, the author is called Nobu'tan, and is a warlock that learned under Gul'dan himself. He is… coming…?" the Elf summarized, even as a Fel portal shimmered to life behind Blaise.

The assassin smirked to himself as Nobu'tan stepped through the gateway.

"Kael'thas Sunstrider I presume…" Nobu'tan said, addressing the Elven Prince, "a pleasure to meet you, nearly, in person…"

"You know my name, creature," the Elf all but sneered, "but I do not recognize yours…"

"Unlikely that you would," Nobu'tan replied, "I had unforeseen delays when my master stole the powers of your people's runestones to bolster our armies in the Second War…"

All of the Elves flinched at Nobu'tan's words. Blaise tensed as well, just in case fighting broke out. With Nobu'tan at their side, he had little doubt that they would be victorious.

"I am not here, however, to dredge up old grievances," Nobu'tan said, raising his hands, "I am here about the future, and the master that we serve in common…"

Kael'thas narrowed his eyes, "I see…" turning to his advisors, the Prince continued, "Bring them to Tempest Keep, I will speak with them privately."

"Are you certain, Lord Kael'thas?" Telonicas asked, surprised.

"Obey my will," the Prince said, dismissing the projection.

"You will come with us," Telonicas said, clearly unhappy with the result of the meeting.

"As you wish," Nobu'tan replied.

Blaise only caught the briefest hint of annoyance in Nobu'tan's countenance as they went with the Elves to their Dragonhawks. It couldn't be with anything that had transpired with the meeting thus far; everything was playing exactly as they wished it to. Perhaps it had something to do with what Nobu'tan had left behind in Shadowmoon Valley.

Or at least that was what Blaise suspected as he and the other orc assassins climbed on various winged serpent mounts. Nobu'tan merely conjured his wings and lifted off the ground, following the mounts in their course up to the flying, crystalline ships that sat as sentinels over the southeastern part of Netherstorm.

Where the Blood Elves had found such odd looking vessels, Blaise couldn't hope to start guessing, but the design was certainly not of their make, so he greatly suspected that they had been stolen or captured in some fashion.

Within moments they landed on the largest of the ships, more Elven guards appeared, seemingly waiting for them. Blaise caught the agitated looks that they were giving Nobu'tan—the massive, demonic form striking in its intimidation. Nobu'tan clearly sensed this as well, and with a smirk allowed his form to shift into something closer to his old appearance as a human, but still with horns emerging from his forehead and clawed fingers.

"Better?" he asked the nearest Elf, who did not reply.

They followed Telonicas into the floating citadel, and Blaise kept his guard up at all times. These people were fanatically loyal to their prince, and could not be trusted. Still, the sheer number of guards also meant that there was no chance for him to slip away and snoop around for their secrets, which was disappointing for one of the spymasters of the Dark Horde.

The first massive chamber seemed to be some sort of nesting area for the Blood Elves' Dragonhawks. And flying overhead, blazing like a miniature sun, was a literal phoenix. "I certainly hope this is not some show to try and impress me," Nobu'tan said to Telonicas. The Elf simply glanced back in annoyance before moving to a nearby ramp that let up to another series of corridors.

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Nobu'tan could sense that the Elven Prince was near. The magic in the air was similar to that which had radiated from the projection of Kael'thas, anger tempered with great heat, like a blistering fire just waiting to spread.

Telonicas stopped just outside a large chamber, which seemed to be the heart of the massive floating ship, "Prince Kael'thas is ready for you…" he said, gesturing for them to enter.

The Grand Warlock of the Stormreavers went first, entering the wide chamber that crackled with all the gathered energy that the Blood Elves had harvested. Massive crystal structures lined the room, pulsing with magical power, the Arcane singing off of them to be released and used.

"Magnificent, isn't it?" the Elf Prince said from the far side of the room. "Energy. Power. My people are addicted to it… a dependence made manifest after the Sunwell was destroyed. Welcome, warlock of the Dark Horde, to my people's future."

"It is certainly impressive," Nobu'tan said, moving closer to the Elf lord and dipping his head with a modicum of respect, "but I do wonder, why would you care for assisting the Legion if this source of magic was all your people needed?"

"I couldn't trust this future to some blind, half-Night Elf mongrel!" Kael'thas spat, turning away to gaze lovingly at the towering crystals, "No, he abandoned us after failing in Northrend, and then the Master came to us, and offered all the power we could possibly want…"

Slowly, Kael'thas turned back to look at Nobu'tan, and the warlock saw the mad gleam in the Elf's green eyes. There was a sense of madness about him as he spoke, "The Legion's victory is inevitable. I've seen it. There is no choice but to side with them, or watch everything we hold dear burn away…"

"I understand the plight that you speak of," Nobu'tan said, "I too, have seen my world burn in the name of the Legion."

"Then you know that we cannot hope to fight them, there is only one choice…" the Elf said gleefully, "I have the key, the thing that will provide my people with unlimited magic once more, and act as the doorway for the master to enter this world…"

"Show me…" Nobu'tan said, hesitating slightly as the insane Elf dug through his robes, before revealing a glowing vial of water.

The sheer magnitude of magic within the tiny vial was stifling, and Nobu'tan couldn't help but step even closer, seeing the prismatic sheen of light as it bounced off the liquid.

"Do you know what this is?" Kael'thas asked, smirking widely as though possessing a great secret, "It is a vial of the most potent magic ever created. Water from the Well of Eternity, which the Sunwell itself pales in comparison to… with it I can birth the Sunwell anew, and liberate my people of their starvation and death…"

"Then why wait?" Nobu'tan declared, looking the Prince in the eye, "Go to them, and free your people of their need!"

Kael'thas smirked, his eyes widening once more as he contemplated the tiny vial in his hand, "That's just it… Now that it comes to it, I do not feel like parting with it. It's mine, I was chosen… It came to me!"

"But think of all the good for your people it could do." Nobu'tan said, wary of the madness that was taking the Elf, "Is it really so hard to let go of?"

Kael'thas seemed to snap out of his trance, for the briefest of moments, "Well no…" but then he looked back at the vial with greed, "and yes…"

"And so you must find another way to revitalize your people…" Nobu'tan said, striving desperately now to steer the conversation away from something that could change the Elf's demeanor so violently.

"Yes, the Master says he can do all that, and more, if we open the remains of the Sunwell to him. He has another artifact, the key that will open the doorway. Then he will free my people of their sickness, and take control of all of Azeroth, with the Sin'dorei at his side."

It was fairly obvious that Nobu'tan wouldn't get anything of use from the warped Elf, and there was a great chance that Kael'thas would decide that they were not worth keeping alive and ordered his fanatics to slaughter them. Therefore, it would be safest to bid a hasty departure, and do what was needed to avoid the Blood Elves at all costs.

"So then, my orders from the Legion do not interfere with yours…" Nobu'tan said, "I am only to deal with the disappointment that Illidan had become…"

"So that frustrating upstart is finally getting what's coming to him…" Kael'thas said, smirking sadistically as he return his full attention to Nobu'tan, "There is still a great deal of my people there serving that mongrel, traitors all of them… Beware the Demon Hunters, they are his elite. Personally trained by Illidan to fight the Legion and its supporters…"

"I thank you for the intelligence about Illidan's defenses," Nobu'tan said, "We shall incorporate it into our attack plans. But for now, we need to depart. Good day to you, Prince Kael'thas…"

But even as Nobu'tan produced and swung Atiesh to open a nether portal back to Zeth'Gor, the Blood Elf Prince snarled at him, "Where did you get that? The Staff of Medievh! How could you have something that powerful in your possession?"

In a flash, the Blood Elf Magister hurled a fireball at Nobu'tan. Bliase materialized in front of him, already blocking with a burst of shadow magic.

"Guards, seize them!" Kael'thas shouted, even as a small band of Sunfury Elves charged in to prevent any escape through the ship. Not that Nobu'tan would even have attempted that route.

"Blaise, handle Kael while I get a portal open," Nobu'tan said, knowing that his assassin would enjoy putting the Blood Elf leader in his place.

Even as the orc rogues took on the assorted Elves, Nobu'tan quickly changed his plans, tearing a new portal to Blackrock.

"No! You shall not escape, the Greatstaff will be mine!" Kael'thas shouted, but Blaise brandished his daggers, already lunging at the robed Prince, hampering his ability to freely cast.

"We're leaving!" Nobu'tan declared, even as the portal formed.

Quickly, he withdrew through it, followed by the other Dark Horde members. The enraged Blood Elf Prince was the last sight Nobu'tan saw of Tempest Keep before the portal sealed itself.

"That could have gone better…" Nobu'tan commented.

"I wouldn't say that exactly, Lord Nobu'tan…" Blaise said, smirking.

And to prove it, the assassin withdrew from his pocket the shimmering Vial of Eternity, "That Elf is one mad creature… perhaps it is best if we leave Netherstorm alone until after we deal with Illidan…" he added, handing over the powerful magical item to Nobu'tan.

"You may be right," the warlock said, looking closely at the shimmering vial of water. "Although I doubt that Kael'thas will leave us be once he realizes that this is missing."

"Better to deal with his wrath than to allow him to maintain control of such a powerful item…" Blaise said, and Nobu'tan knew that there was no arguing over the matter.

"I had a feeling that you would return here soon enough," Garona stated, emerging from one of the side chambers, "and I see that there were more than one of those magical vials…"

"More than one?" Nobu'tan said, turning to her, even as the orc assassin produced another of the Vials of Eternity.

"Most curious," he added, examining both vials together, confirming that they indeed were identical.

He would need to conduct some experiments to really understand what they comprised, outside of what Kael'thas had said. The history of Azeroth, before the orcs came to the world was still something of a mystery to Nobu'tan, and it would take a great deal of information gathering for him to figure out even a tenth of what had occurred.

Before he could even think about that however, there was Illidan to deal with. Now that he knew Kael'thas was not siding with the half-demon, and with the return of Garona he could assume the Naga were dealt with. All that remained was for Teg'Ramm and Voldemort to finish their tasks, and the Dark Horde could return to Shadowmoon Valley in full force to lay siege to the Black Temple.

"My lord," an orc grunt said, appearing in the doorway to the chamber, "There is a dragon on the upper balcony who wishes to meet with you… it's from the Bronze Dragonflight."

Nobu'tan was surprised. He hadn't been familiar with the other flights outside the red and black, and more so with the latter than the former. For one of the other dragons to have appeared, and wanting to speak with, rather than confront, him was indeed strange.

"I will be right there," he said, quietly pocketing the two vials in his robes, and with Blaise and Garona in tow, departed for the upper reaches of the Mountain.

However, as they arrived on the uppermost balcony, there was no dragon waiting for them, but rather a female gnome, seated comfortably on the throne that used to be Nefarian's.

"Hi!" the tiny creature said cheerfully, "So good to meet you again, or is it the first time? I'm Chronormu… but you can call me Chromie, everybody else does…"

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Teg'Ramm watched covertly as a line of demons under his command, comprising primarily of Felguard, marched on the main stronghold of the Bladespire ogres. Upon the lead Felguard's weapon, the skulls of the three Gronn were proudly displayed for all the ogres to see.

The demons were not sufficient to actually take control of the base, let alone pose too much of a threat to the ogres, but delivering the message that the Legion had slain the sons of Gruul would be sufficient for his needs.

The ogres knew where the Legion was hiding in these mountains, but their mutual removal from each other, bordering some manner of truce, had prevented them from open hostilities. Therefore, Teg'Ramm would make the first move.

Even as the line of demons charged the stronghold, Teg'Ramm watched as the ogres mounted their defense. He had left all strategy to the Felguard, and typically the brutes went for an all out attack. The more intelligent minds, which commanded the ogre clan, however, had an ounce of strategy in them, and did everything in their power to whittle the demons down before they reached the walls of their fortification.

The Balefire Lord was unsurprised when the demons were utterly demolished, the battle-ready ogres more than prepared for any assault on their lands, but he was more interested when the Brutes and warriors gathered around the skulls of their leader's sons.

The erupted a large argument among them, before one of the runts was forced to take up the severed heads, and carry them into the base.

"And now it's only a matter of time…" he said, leaning back against the cliff wall, where his scouts kept their watch on the Bladespire.

"What do you expect to happen chieftain?" one of the Magi asked, crafty eagerness in the two-headed ogre's eyes.

"The Bladespire will eventually bring word to Gruul of his sons' deaths, and that the Legion had their heads." Teg'Ramm explained, "And as soon as the Dragonkiller learns of that, he will command his forces to assault the Legion's position."

"So they will wipe each other out?" the Mage asked, but Teg'Ramm waved his hand dismissively.

"It doesn't matter…" he said, turning back to watch the base as another commotion started up inside the walls, "in the confusion we will enter the cave where Gruul makes his lair, and slay him. Without their leader the Bladespire will collapse to our might, and then we will utterly crush the rest of the Legion's encroachment here."

Soon enough, runners were sent out to the northeast, sprinting across the sands and around the sharp rocks toward the northmost end of the gorge.

"Follow that one," Teg'Ramm ordered, "find where Gruul's lair is hidden, and return to report. I will remain here to see when the ogre's move out to fight the Legion in retaliation."

"Yes, Chieftain," the scouts said, stealing their way down to the ground floor and carefully following the runner.

Soon, they would clear out the rebel ogres not affiliated with them, as well as the Legion's presence, which would further the goal of Lord Nobu'tan.

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Bellatrix reveled in the death that her new abilities caused. Which it was clear she had suffered a great change, and her wizarding magic had departed her, she now had power in the realms of death.

The bellowing wail of her voice crushed the weakest of enemies, and forced the robed fools to flee in terror. Additionally, she could conjure winds of nightmarish souls, which screamed out as it knocked the hulking demons aside, spreading their green blood on the pillars and walls as it passed.

The Cruciatus rang out, causing the screams of her victims to sing their music to her ears. The other followers of her Lord came in her wake, slaughtering those that she softened up for them, and clearing the way for Voldemort himself to appear.

"You've already grown accustomed to your new powers, I see, dear Bella…" he crooned, making her remember the old days, when he would shower her with praise for a job well executed.

"I had the best motivation, my Lord," she said humbly, curtseying as she floated at his side.

The final spell casters, all strange creatures with green-gray skin, were busy funneling magic into the pillars surrounding what Belltrix could only guess was some manner of demon lord.

"Pitiful fools," Voldemort said, drawing one of his two massive swords, "Their submission to demons has become their undoing."

Moving swiftly, the Dark Lord skewered the nearest caster, the blade siphoning the soul of his victim, even as the rest of the clan slaughtered the remaining channelers.

When the final one perished, the magic powering the field withholding the massive demon fell, releasing the creature. The unholy aura around the grinning maw of a face increased as it lumbered forward.

With a vicious cackle, the demon lunged forward, aiming for the Dark Lord, and Bellatrix rushed to meet the creature head on. The cruel, fiery green weapon that the demon wielded swung, aimed for Bellatrix's neck, but she wasn't about to abandon her Lord so easily.

A dome of magical force expanded out around her, shadowy purple magic colliding violently with the emerald fiend fyre, absorbing and reflecting all of the blow back at the creature,

And Bellatrix understood. She had always been gifted with the mind arts in life, and now in death the talent seemed to have been magnified, and taken a physical component to the magic. Her weapons were restored to her, and she threw her head back and laughed haughtily at her victim.

Before the demon could respond, she delved into her repertoire of mind magic, and lashed out at the metal awareness of the hideous creature, watching as beams of shadowy magic manifested from her hands, striking the creature in the head and causing it great pain.

The distraction was enough that the other lowly underlings of the dark lord were able to surround the demon, and attack all at once, unleashing their power over death itself to reduce the demon to ashes.

Bellatrix didn't need to turn to feel the approval from Voldemort for rediscovering and mastering the metamorphed abilities that she once held. Rather, she focused her sights on the next chamber, where even more demons and their acolytes milled about, resting in what seemed to be a former lecture hall, while massive female demons, scantily clad and bearing six independent arms apiece, walked among them, speaking in a harsh language, which felt like dripping poison from the feminine voices.

Bellatrix could tell instantly that these were the most dangerous among those ahead of them, although the hulking troll on the raised stage-like platform, pacing back and forth shouting in a another language that Bellatrix did not understand.

"Their words are toxic," Voldemort said, "meant to do nothing more than glorify the demonic Legion and seduce any who listen to worshipping their same master…"

"Then we stop their words by ripping out their tongues…" Bellatrix said gleefully, even as the Blightbringer Clan fanned out across the room and began butchering the demon-worshippers and their demonic tutors.

If anything, it seemed that the massive troll only laughed as his followers were slaughtered. Bellatrix took the time to get a good look at the robed creature, and was surprised to spot that beast had two independent hears atop its body. Adding to the robes that it wore and the glowing power behind its misshaped eyes, there was no doubt that the beast had magic of some sort flowing from it.

So these demons could even empower and increase the intellect of brutes such as trolls, Bellatrix mused.

Still, even from their old world, it was common knowledge that demons and truly black magic was downright dangerous, even over the Dark Arts that Bellatrix and the rest of the Death Eaters performed. In ancient times, Morgan Le Faye, and those that she had trained to oppose Merlin and the Druids had held truly terrible power.

According to legend, there had even been dark creatures that the greatest of Dark Witches had summoned to scourge the land, but Merlin had banished them beneath the oceans.

If these demons were anything similar to those ancient nightmares, then the fact that they were defeating them so easily worried Bellatrix. What other horrors would lay ahead of them? Not that she was afraid, as with her Lord at her side Bellatrix could never be defeated, but there were things, small inklings in the back of her mind, like a whisper approaching concern, that told her that something was coming.

It was an odd sensation, and as soon as she took notice of it the sensation went away. Returning her attention to the present, Bellatrix watched passively as the final group of acolytes fell, leaving the troll leader as the last one standing.

From the ground at its side, the massive beast hefted a warhammer. It bellowed some sort of challenge and advanced on the assorted Death Knights and Necrolytes.

Bellatrix took up a ranged position, lobbing her mental magical attacks over the heads of those who engaged the brute in melee combat, including Voldemort himself.

Watching the Dark Lord, even as a withered corpse, wield the two greatswords sent shivers of emotion up Bellatrix, but she kept herself composed. There was no time for indulging her feelings while there was an enemy to slay.

The troll sent out another roar, infused with magic, and Bellatrix felt a strong compulsion attempt to wash over her. But the temptation to turn on those beside her, to betray her Lord, was so revolting that she threw the spell off as quickly as it had been cast.

Some of the others weren't nearly as lucky, and the Necrolytes especially started to turn their daggers and magic upon each other.

Knowing that each of them was a useful pawn to Voldemort, Bellatrix had to act fast to prevent them from killing each other.

Blasting several of the lesser fools off their feet with sharp, howling wind, Bellatrix focused on the more distant Necrolytes. Working swiftly, Bellatrix wove together a spell to negate and hinder the casts of her temporary foes.

Mercifully, the madness didn't last long, and soon they were all unified in pelting the massive creature with their dark spells. Soon enough, with a rumbling crash the beast fell before their combined might, and the door beyond it ground itself open, revealing a dimly lit corridor ahead.

If anything, the power radiating from up ahead seemed to increase as they pushed deeper into the tunnels. The tunnel was surprisingly bare, but that betrayed the danger all around then. Bellatrix could sense it, like a frigid nexus ahead of them.

Soon enough they encountered a row of braziers, illuminating the raised dias ahead, where one of the strange, green creatures waited in robes and staff in hand. Before him, a book floated open in a pillar of shadowy power.

The creature spoke, and although Bellatrix couldn't understand, it seemed that all the others froze at his words.

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Nobu'tan had sent out the call for the rest of the Council of the Black Harvest. Those who were not already otherwise engaged had come swiftly to the topmost chamber of Blackrock Mountain. There, Nobu'tan had prepared them a large map of the Shadowmoon Valley, and strategic positions that they could use in laying siege to the Black Temple.

After the visit from the strange creature that was in reality a Bronze Dragon, Nobu'tan had spoken quickly, understanding that these dragons governed the power of time in Azeroth, and desperately needed the assistance of mortals, to prevent the destabilization of the timelines that had lead to the events of the present.

Chromie, the bronze dragon envoy that had come, refused to leave Blackrock until Nobu'tan promised to come at his earliest convince to assist their dragonflight, as they required the magic of the Vials of Eternity to open the portals to the fracturing events, and put a stop to some force calling itself the Infinite Dragonflight.

Nobu'tan had agreed, and would go alone for this mission, but first he needed to set in motion the things required to defeat Illidan in Outland.

Draco was attending to the affairs of the Alliance, and was excused, according to Lucius, who stood tall and proud as the others arrived. Blaise stood against one of the many pillars in the wide chamber, watching passively for any need of his skills or input. And finally, Yaxley, who as of yet had remained in either Stormwind or Blackrock as needed by Lucius, but had had little dealing directly with Nobu'tan till now.

Then there was the problem of Nott, now Mahan…

"Before we decide anything regarding the matter of Outland," Nobu'tan began, "there is the matter of replacing the gap in our Council."

All three of the other members were silent. They understood the reasoning already. Nott had proven impossible to persuade out of the mental trap that Lord Banehollow had placed around him, and he could not lead in the Black Harvest.

"As established when we created the Order of the Black Harvest, the next senior member, Walden Macnair, is to join us on the leading council." Nobu'tan said, to no objection. "Bring him in."

The doors to the chamber swung open, and the wiry older Pureblood entered, bowing his head respectfully to Nobu'tan and Lucius. Yaxley shook the man's hand in welcome and Blaise gave a small wave from his comfortable position.

"Welcome Walden, to the Council," Nobu'tan stated, turning his attention back to the map before them. "Now, we must decide upon how best to take control of the Black Temple, and fulfill our orders from the Legion to slay one Illidan Stormrage."

"Our assets," Lucius started, holding a roll of parchment that detailed the total forces that were under the command of the Dark Horde, "include the members of the Order of the Black Harvest, the enlarged Stormreaver Clan, and the remnants of the Blackrock Clan that have not defected to the Kalimdor Horde. Additionally we have the totality of the Bleeding Hollow, Bonechewer, and Dragonmaw Clans, both Azeroth orcs and Outland Fel Orcs. The Blightbringer, Balefire, and Dawn's Hammer Clans are still in Outland, fulfilling their own assign tasks and will be ready by the time we need to assault the fortress."

"Secretly," Nobu'tan added, "We have the Pit Lord Magtheridon in our arsenal, who has been looking forward for the chance of his revenge on Illidan, as well as the first Death Knight, Teron Gorefiend, and what I can assume will be the totality of the Shadowmoon Clan that follows him."

"Specialized forces, we have the Veela and Centaur, as well as the Gringotts goblins and their siege engineers. Trolls of the Amani and other Forest tribes, and the massive contigents of demons we had been gathering for out defense." Lucius continued, nodding at Nobu'tan.

"It would have been much more if not the betrayal in Desolace…" Nobu'tan added, still smouldering at the event. How had it not been obvious what he desired of Nott there? Establish a foothold, and hold it while funneling more demonic soldiers through the portals for their use.

Lucius changed the subject quickly, "Yes, but we may have other allies to consider that will more than make up for lost potential."

Nobu'tan nodded, knowing of the few groups that Lucius meant. He would be paying them all visits between now and dealing with the Bronze Dragonflight. "We must work to swiftly and silently gather all our forces and prepare for the battle that is to come."