Gerome wasn't the only one to lose everything during the fall of Stormwind. Homes were destroyed and families shattered as the orcs rampaged across the land. The surviving would flee north to find refuge with the kingdoms past the Thandol Span. Yet, despite this tragedy, at least one soul would remain strong through these trials. Matthew Collas was not your typical warrior but his reason for fighting was one of the most pure reasons to fight.
The Collas family was from Stormwind, the region of Westfall, and were a very traditional, Light-dedicated household of farmers. They were a simple family who tended to the land and provided for themselves. Matthew was the second son born to Clyde and Mary Collas. Per Collas family tradition, one child was to serve in the military and the other would stay behind to help the family at the farm. Matthew's older brother, Jacob, decided he would be the one to enlist in Stormwind's military, and left behind Matthew and his family on the farm. Life was good for the Collas family, just as it had been for many years. Matthew married his childhood sweetheart, Tara, and tended to the farm, just as he was.
The orc's invasion of Azeroth changed the Collas family forever. Jacob Collas was killed in action fighting the orcs in Redridge Mountains and the orcs continued their warpath through the kingdom. Clyde and Mary ignored their second son's plea to evacuate. The Collas family had spent their whole lives on this farm and they would see it defended. Naturally, they failed in that regard, but Matthew did not perish that day. He, Tara, and his newborn son, Balthar, fled to Stormwind City, where they were among the many refugees who made it to the north to Lordaeron.
Matthew had plenty of time to himself and his family, but his thoughts were with those he lost. The friends and family he would never be able to see again haunted him in his new home. Matthew was never a fighter. He was someone who always sought compromise, but in his mind, there would be no compromise between the humans and orcs (at least, during this time). He never picked up a sword before in his life but he decided to fight.
The refugees settled in the town of Southshore as the kings of the north gathered to discuss the orc's invasion. Some of the soldiers who made it to Southshore formed a militia with many young men joining with dreams of avenging the loss of their kingdom. Matthew joined the militia and learned how to fight, even if his improvement came slowly. Yet, he would press on, even when his remaining family had other ideas for him.
Matthew's legs ached with each step he took. His shoulders were slack and he could hardly stand up straight. He nearly tripped over his own two feet with how exhausted he was. He wondered briefly if this was how Jacob felt when he trained as a soldier. Slowly, Matthew shook his head. He knew that volunteering with the militia was nothing like actual military training. For a moment, he was thankful that Jacob joined the military, realizing that he would never survive the training. Then, Matthew remembered what happened to Jacob, and sighed heavily.
The militia conducted field exercises outside of the town of Southshore. Matthew fell behind the other trainees due to the physical toll training had on him. Training took place during the afternoon for several hours and the sun was setting when he finally came into sight of Southshore. He was glad that the port town allowed for the people of Stormwind to take shelter, although he hadn't spent much time in the actual town. Instead, the refugees had set up a large camp surrounding the town proper since there was no room for everyone in Southshore. With inn rooms and available lodging going to those of importance, Matthew and his family settled in with their own tent.
Matthew made his way through the refuge camp, giving quick nods of acknowledgment to the others that were out at the time. At this hour, he figured that the mess tent had finished serving supper, and although he considered stopping by, he figured that there were people who needed food more than he did. Tara had taken to saving a little bit of her meals when it became obvious that Matthew was missing out on meals due to training so he figured that he wouldn't go hungry tonight. Even though she disagreed with him spending his time away from the family to learn how to fight, she was willing to do what she could to support him in their time of need.
Although he wasn't confident that Tara would be happy about the offer that came up with militia training today. It was something that they would need to talk about.
Finally, Matthew arrived at his tent and entered through an open flap. The inside was dimly lit by several candles placed on crates that held his family belongings. Tara looked up from the only chair in the tent, near the bedrolls they slept on. Times had been rough on both of them, but even with her long brown hair disheveled and her eyes showing exhaustion, she smiled kindly. In her arms she carried Balthar, wrapped comfortably in small blankets, who snored quietly in his sleep. She looked up at her husband and motioned towards one of the crates with a tilt of her head; a plate with a leg of meat and a piece of bread was placed on the crate.
"The turkey's gotten cold," Tara explained. "You can make a fire to warm it up if you want."
"If it was cooked, it'll be fine," Matthew said with a shrug, too tired to go out and make a fire. "Since when did they start serving meat?"
"A group came in from Lordaeron bearing supplies to give the whole camp," Tara answered. "I don't see the meat lasting too long but it's nice to have now at least."
"Indeed it is," Matthew said and took a bite out of the cold turkey leg.
Tara stood up and walked over to Balthar's crib to put him down. "I saw Lennart at the mess tent for lunch today."
"I was wondering where he was today," Matthew said, continuing to eat but careful not to eat with his mouth full. "He missed out on training today. A lot happened."
"He said that he needed a break," Tara told Matthew, turning to face him with Balthar settled in the crib. "You're the only one who joins the militia training every day."
"It's good for me," Matthew said, placing the turkey leg down to focus on the conversation. "I wasn't in the best of shape before, you know. You've said so yourself, remember?"
"I remember," Tara nodded. "It wouldn't hurt to take a break. It would be nice for you to help around the camp and I think Balthar would appreciate having his father around more."
Matthew thought over the idea more before speaking. "I could take a break."
"That would be great," Tara said with a smile. "We could have some family time."
"We could have days of being together as a family," Matthew agreed, although he knew what he would say next would destroy the joy Tara felt now. "It would be good to have a break if I take up the offer."
"What offer?" Tara asked.
"There were a few knights that came in with the group that dropped off the food," Matthew explained. "They helped out with training today, and before they left, they told us that if we wanted better training, to head to Lordaeron City."
"Matthew…"
"I want to enlist with whatever army willing to take me in," Matthew explained. "There's no work for a farmer here but if I fight, I can send any payment to you so that-"
"That's enough!" Tara said, her voice growing sharp. "I won't have you run away to fight a war!"
"Tara, please listen to me," Matthew asked,remaining calm. "I have to do something."
"You'll get yourself killed," Tara argued. "You always told me that you were never one to fight."
"I do," Matthew nodded, looking away as he remembered his family. "Jacob was the fighter. That's why he joined the military."
"And Jacob's dead now, as is your parents, and my parents, and my sister and her children and-"
With Tara growing louder as she recalled each victim, Balthar woke up from his nap and started to cry. The cry of their child was enough to stop the argument between the parents, who grew silent. Tara fought back against the tears as she quickly went to grab Balthar to comfort him in her arms. Matthew questioned the choice of stepping up his training by enlisting. He had always been too timid to fight, only stepping up when his loved ones needed him.
Then, his thoughts turned to the orcs that ravaged his kingdom, destroyed his home, and took away most of his family. Matthew knew that if he decided to step up and fight that there was a good chance he would die in any battle, just as Jacob had. All the training in the world wouldn't be enough to save him from an unlucky blow. Still, the sight of Tara slowly swaying Balthar in her arms reminded Matthew what was at stake. He waited patiently until his son had calmed down before he stepped forward to join Tara, pressing his forehead gently to hers.
"This isn't about Jacob," Matthew quietly whispered. "This is about you and Balthar."
"I can't stand the thought of losing anyone else," Tara admitted. "We need you here."
"And if I stay, how long will we be a family before the orcs come for the rest of the kingdoms?" Matthew asked. "I want to stay, I really do. I want to see Balthar grow up to be the best man he can be. I want our family to grow even bigger, but right now, that can't happen. The world isn't safe enough for that, not now at least."
"One man can't make a difference," Tara pointed out with a sigh.
"I know that," Matthew took a breath in before continuing. "It'll take as many soldiers as the kingdoms can get to make a difference, and even then, it might not be enough."
"But you still want to join," Tara said as a statement rather than asking.
"I have to try for us."
Slowly, Tara nodded. "I don't want to see you go. Balthar shouldn't have to lose his father. But you're right. There isn't a future for us until the orcs are defeated."
"I'm not going to rush headlong into battle," Matthew promised. "I'll think for myself. I'll be careful. But I have to fight."
"I know," Tara exhaled. "Would you mind holding Balthar for me?"
"Of course," Matthew answered without hesitation.
Matthew kissed Tara on the forehead as she shifted Balthar over to his arms. She stepped away to wipe her wet eyes while her husband gently rocked his child. Balthar was awake although he wasn't crying any longer. His face poked out of the blankets, showing the strands of blond hair he inherited from his father and his wide green eyes he received from his mother. Matthew held Balthar closely to him, whispering a promise.
"I'll do everything I can to make this a world right for you."
A lot of brave souls perished during the fall of Stormwind at the hands of the Orcish Horde. Many more decided to take up the sword to fight for those lost, to do whatever they could to protect their home and their world from these invaders. Many of them have their own stories to tell of the horrors they saw and many would never get the chance to.
Many of the refugees that resided in Southshore traveled north to Lordaeron to enlist in the military. Matthew was one of those, yet while many fought out of hatred for the enemy, the hope of survival, or for loyalty to their nation, Matthew fought for his family. Fighting for family is respectful and he certainly wasn't the only one who did so, yet in my humble opinion, there is something admirable about Matthew's choice to take a stand.
Matthew trained harder and his improvement came slowly. I can safely say that he wasn't the best warrior. He may have perished earlier if not for the others he served alongside. Yet, it would not be Matthew's skill with a blade that earned him his spot among Lion's Vengeance but rather his heart. No matter what horrors war showed him, Matthew's spirit never faltered.
A/N: So, we have a shorter chapter this time around, but it's something meant to get me back into the repetition of writing.
We're going to continue on with character introductions but I do promise that there will be some action among the chapters. In fact, I think that the next chapter or two should have some, which is something to look forward to.
Until next time.
