The Alliance of Lordaeron decided that Lothar would serve as commander of the military given his unique position being the regent of a destroyed kingdom. Lothar had to organize the might of the newly formed alliance into a fighting force. Kelvin found himself as one of the individuals selected as one of Lothar's individuals due to his knowledge on tactics. He was promoted to captain and placed in command of the Seventh Company.
The companions that brought Kelvin to his rank were placed under his command. The crew of The Curiosity was quick to support Doyle in joining the navy where the young mage continued to serve as captain of his own ship. Although technically not under Kelvin's command at the time, Doyle consulted with the gnome who suggested that The Curiosity serve as a scout ship. Gerome was promoted to sergeant major, and while he wasn't ranked as highly as other officers within the Seventh Company, he was often invited to Kelvin's strategic meetings given that he was considered an expert on orcs.
Oliver and Gregory Kell were both part of Kelvin's inner circle in the Seventh Company as a knight-captain and knight-lieutenant, respectively. An experienced soldier, Oliver fell in as Kelvin's second-in-command. Gregory, on the other hand, was often silent during the meetings, but continued to do what he could to boost the morale of the men. The volunteers that Matthew was a part of enlisted with the Seventh Company, and per Gregory's suggestion, he was promoted to corporal for his good character. Gregory and Matthew remained good friends despite the difference in ranks.
Lothar wasted little time in bolstering the military, and while he sought new allies, commanded for the military to travel south to the Hillsbrad Foothills, where he believed that they would be able to stop the Horde's advance. The Seventh Company traveled through the Alterac Mountains to reach their destination and to bolster their ranks with soldiers from the kingdom.
Baron Darvell Meadenhall accompanied King Perenolde to the Council of Seven Nations and returned to Alterac City with his king. Alterac didn't dedicate too many soldiers to the war but it needed enough men to show that they were doing their part. Darvell had strict orders from his king to remain in Alterac and help oversee the kingdom's defense while sending some of the men under his house's command to join the military in the Hillsbrad Foothills. There was one warrior in particular that Darvell knew that he had to send, and while their initial deal was no longer possible, he wouldn't deny his best fighter a war to fight in.
"Rah!" Celia screamed out, swinging a small dagger into the training dummy as if it were a sword.
Colben clapped slowly, grinning. "That's it! That's the maneuver! Now, do it again, and keep at it!"
Celia looked over her shoulder with a bright smile and turned back to face the training dummy. Colben spent a lot of time in the training yard at Meadenhall Manor, and while it was cold, he kept honing his swordsmanship. At Darvell's request, he kept up appearances as an instructor by training some of the soldiers but there were only a few that he truly took under his wing as an apprentice. Celia, the daughter of Darvell and Briana, was his favorite student if only because he had high hopes for her to surpass her father and even himself as a warrior.
Given that Celia was only five years old, she had a long way to go, but it was always best to train someone when they were young.
Celia took after Darvell not only in appearance with blonde hair and blue eyes but in nature as well. While her father acted as though he was above the thrill of the fight, Celia was always excited for a chance to fight. Briana insisted that her daughter would be raised as a proper lady but that would deny Celia's innate talent. Colben had gotten into numerous arguments with Briana over training Celia but he kept at it. It certainly helped that Darvell was neutral, and while he often sided with his wife, he never punished Colben for taking the initiative in training Celia.
With Darvell away on business, Colben had been able to spend more time overseeing Celia's training. However, Briana was always able to find out what he was up to and yell at him until he relented. Out of the corner of the eye, he could see the lady of the manor approach him and sighed, knowing that he was going to get into more trouble.
"Colben Sampson!" Briana called out furiously. "You have some nerve taking Celia out to– is that an actual sword in her hands?!"
"Mother!" Celia turned around and waved her dagger. "I'm going to become a knight!"
"For the record, it's a dagger," Colben told Briana with a smirk. "She doesn't have the muscles for a sword but we'll get there soon enough. What's important is that she learns the technique."
"She could cut herself with that dagger!" Briana exclaimed frantically.
Colben shrugged. "If she's going to fight she's going to get hurt. Better she experiences pain while training than to be overwhelmed with it on a battlefield."
"Celia won't be anywhere near a battlefield!" Briana rushed toward her daughter. "Give me that!"
"Okay…" Celia said sullenly, holding the dagger by the hilt to her mother.
Briana grabbed the dagger and pointed it toward Colben. "If you give Celia another weapon, I am going to cut you with it!"
"Then I'll give her a mace," Colben laughed.
"I wouldn't laugh, Colben. If anyone is capable of stabbing you with a mace, it'd be Briana after you upset her."
The murderous intent in Briana's eyes faded away as she, Colben, and Celia turned to face Darvell, who smiled lightly. The baroness dropped the dagger to the ground and ran to embrace her husband. Celia ran after her father, holding on tightly to his leg. Colben chuckled and stood back at the family reunion. He figured that the best thing he could do is clean up the training yard and let Briana forget her desire to kill him.
Colben toned out the conversation Darvell had with Briana and Celia when discussing the Council of Seven Nations. He never cared much for politics and didn't bother to learn what the kings were up to. The warrior was more focused on how caring Darvell was with his wife and daughter. Colben had his fair share of one night stands during his life but he never thought of settling down with a family. Marriage was too much of a commitment for him to make, and while he could train a warrior, he didn't think he could raise a child.
Eventually, Briana and Celia made their way back into the manor while Darvell approached Colben. The baron wasted no time in explaining the situation.
"Alterac is going to war against the orcs," Darvell revealed, crossing his arms.
"That they are," Colben nodded, arranging the swords on a weapon rack. "It's about damn time we fought on the same battlefield."
Darvell chuckled. "Alas, if only that were the case."
Colben turned to face Darvell with a frown. "What did Aiden say?"
"He wants me to stay in Alterac and see to the kingdom's defense," Darvell admitted with a sigh. "It's a waste of my time but I have an oath to uphold."
"We could always disappear," Colben offered. "You'd make for an excellent bandit."
"You wound me, Sampson," Darvell laughed. "Now if only you could do so during our sparring matches."
Colben shrugged. "You're getting old. I'll beat you senseless one of these days and you'll hand your entire estate over to me."
"Perhaps that day will come sooner than you think," Darvell said, seriously. "Your skills will be sharpened on the battlefield while I waste away in Alterac."
"You're sending me on my own," Colben said, the two men knowing it was a statement instead of a question.
"When I took you in, it was so that we could fight in the approaching war together. Although that may be impossible, I would like to give you a fight unlike any other."
Colben nodded, his lips curling into a grin. "It's a good call to make, Darvell. I'll end the war in six months and come back a hero."
"And Briana will finally stop asking me to kick you out," Darvell added with a mischievous smirk.
"She'll miss me when she only has you to keep her company in her bed," Colben laughed with Darvell joining in.
Darvell punched Colben's shoulder lightly. "Just do me a favor, Colben. Don't get yourself into trouble. You're one of the best warriors I know but I know you're a terrible soldier."
"So what if I am?" Colben asked, unconcerned. "What will happen if I step out of line? Will they hang me for treason?"
"They'll try, and in the attempt, you'll kill a lot of men. Human men instead of orc savages. So, I want you to follow your commander's orders, get along with the other soldiers, and don't get yourself killed."
"Don't you worry about me," Colben told Darvell. "I promise that I'll be a good soldier."
Colben held onto his training blade tightly, parrying a blow from his opponent. Matthew was a good man but he didn't have the making of a warrior. He was another of the many peasants who joined the growing Alliance military to defend the remaining kingdoms from the orcs. Colben wouldn't bother with him even in training, but after three of his previous training partners were sent to the infirmary, he had to work with the bottom of the barrel. He thought that training with the other recruits was beneath him, but until the other officers saw that for themselves, he would have to follow orders.
It was only a matter of time until someone did something about the amount of soldiers suffering from training accidents.
Although Colben didn't have a grudge against Matthew, he had to continue sending his message to his superiors. When the recruit tried to strike him, Colben struck at his wrist. Even with dulled blades, the strength behind the attack caused Matthew to yelp and drop his blade to the ground. Colben didn't back down and shoved his opponent down to the ground as well. When Matthew tried to stand up, Colben slammed his training blade down on his back, sending him back down to the dirt.
"Don't get up, kid," Colben said as a warning.
Matthew groaned in pain yet he reached for his training blade. Colben had to give him credit for continuing. Still, the orcs would cut him down before he got up from the ground and Colben still had a message to send to the leaders of the military. He raised his training blade, ready to deliver another devastating blow the moment Matthew tried to stand up.
Suddenly, someone had grabbed onto Colben's wrist, stopping his downward swing and allowing for Matthew to stand up.
"That's enough, Corporal Sampson."
Colben pulled his wrist free and turned to glare at Knight-Lieutenant Kell. He had been so focused on Matthew that he hadn't noticed Gregory enter the makeshift training ring to stop him. Colben couldn't help but grin in his victory. The knight-lieutenant oversaw training but also attended meetings with Captain Gearwork. Colben had heard rumors that Kelvin reported directly to Lothar and he had hopes that it was a matter of time for the gnome to invite him into his inner council.
Gregory wasn't alone as Colben noticed that Sergeant Major Derrington. Colben noted that Gerome kept to himself but was one of Kelvin's most trusted advisors. Typically, the sergeant major trained with other officers rather than with some of the new recruits. Colben wasn't sure why Gerome was with Gregory now but he was starting to think about how to turn it to his advantage.
"Is it?" Colben questioned, shaking his head. "We're going to war."
"That doesn't excuse your brutality during training, Corporal Sampson," Gregory told Colben. "Baron Meadenhall highly recommended you to our unit because of your swordsmanship. You have nothing to prove."
"Clearly I do if I'm at the bottom of the chain with farmers who've never picked up a sword before," Colben said and noticed Matthew looking down in shame. "If I'm going to train, let me train with the actual knights."
"Out of the question, Corporal Sampson. You have skill but it's your conduct that proves to be a problem."
"The orcs won't give a damn about conduct," Colben shrugged.
"Knight-Lieutenant Kell," Gerome said, standing at attention until Gerome turned to face him. "Permission to use Corporal Sampson as part of today's special lesson?"
"Special lesson?" Colben questioned.
Gregory smirked. "Permission granted. Everyone, line up!"
Colben blinked in confusion, watching Matthew join the other soldiers lining up in formation. He stood behind Gregory along with Gerome, who backed away from him. Colben eyed the sergeant major, trying to figure out what the special training would consist of. He noted that Gerome carried two small hand axes at his side, which was strange since swords were the primary weapon the soldiers in the Alliance used. Colben tossed his training blade back and forth, catching the hilt in his head.
Gregory addressed the group of soldiers. "Attention! I've been working with Sergeant Major Derrington on a special lesson. As some of you may know, the sergeant major has extensive knowledge over the orcs and their fighting styles. He has agreed to demonstrate one such style and Corporal Colben has volunteered to serve as his opponent. The training ring is yours."
Gerome nodded, letting Gregory step aside to join the other soldiers. "Orcs are stronger than the typical man. You may think that means they're slow but they're rather quick, especially when it comes to their attacks. They fight with different weapons but the axe is most common. Corporal Sampson, are you ready for a match?"
Colben chuckled. "Sure am."
Gerome pulled out his two hand axes. "Then we'll start immediately."
For a second, Colben was prepared to knock Gerome onto his feet. Then, he noticed that the axes' blades were sharped and not dull like a typical training weapon. His eyes went wide when the sergeant major charged at him.
"Son of a…" was all Colben managed to get out before Gerome started swinging.
Colben knew that he was good with a sword but there was only so much he could do with a training blade. He could block Gerome's swings but landing a meaningful strike would be difficult. While Colben might be able to get a swing in at his head, if it wasn't a knockout strike, he would have to endure the sharp axe edges. While blocking an attack, he tried to disarm his foe of his axes yet the sergeant major's grip was firm.
Colben could tell that while Gerome trained to fight with his weapons, he was still a novice. If he had an actual blade, he knew he could defeat the sergeant major. However, he also had to give credit to his foe. Despite how fast his swings were, Colben saw no rage in Gerome's eyes. Instead, there wasn't any emotion behind his swings aside from an occasional grunt. Colben wouldn't be able to take advantage of his anger during a rematch.
Finally, Colben's training blade snapped from enduring numerous attacks. He tossed the broken blade at Gerome's face, and although the attack struck, it didn't change the outcome of the battle aside from leaving a small gash across his chin. Gerome held his axes to Colben's neck with the warrior nodding in defeat. Gregory, who had been addressing the recruits during the training match, started to conclude his lesson.
"...so we have to fight smarter than the orcs. We have to work together to defeat the orcs. Trust in your fellow soldier. Now, let's get back to running drills."
Gerome holstered his weapons at his side and locked eyes with Colben. "You're a good swordsman, Sampson. You can beat me in a rematch and you can likely beat most of the soldiers in our group. Put that skill to bettering others than to beat them down."
Colben grunted in annoyance, watching Gerome join Gregory in walking away from the training ring. It frustrated him that he had been caught off guard by the training lesson when he was the better warrior. If he hadn't made a promise to stay out of trouble, he thought about finding a sharp sword to challenge Gerome to a rematch. Still, Darvell expected more of him. Colben struggled to adjust to life in the military but he told himself he could hold out until the fighting started.
Most of the other recruits had broken up into pairs, leaving Colben be. There was only one man from the group brave enough to approach him and hold out a new training blade for him to take. Colben looked at his challenger, wondering if he was truly brave or a fool.
"I'd like to spar," Matthew told Colben, still holding the hilt of a training blade to him.
"Seriously?" Colben sighed.
"I want to do better," Matthew said. "I have to do better. If that means trying to keep up with the best, then so be it."
"The best, huh?" Colben said with a smirk and slowly reached for the offered weapon. "Alright. It's your funeral, kid."
Matthew gave over the weapon and took a stance with his own training sword. "Ready!"
Colben looked over at Matthew, and despite seeing several openings, decided to go easy on him. He'd point out the flaws he saw during their sparring but he would put an end to his bullying. If he could teach Matthew a tenth of what he knew, then Colben would see that as a victory for what Gerome and Gregory expected from him.
Colben never had a lot of friends. He was always itching for the next fight, even when it came to training with the Alliance. Had he been assigned to any other company in the military, he likely would have been dishonorably discharged for his lack of respect for his superiors and his treatment of his fellow soldiers. There was only so much the recommendation of a baron could do.
However, the Seventh Company was different from the rest. Among the officers, Gregory and Gerome saw the potential Colben had to do good and did what they could to push him. At first, Colben couldn't stand being one of the rank-and-file soldiers, but he found some joy in training with Matthew. When Matthew started to show improvement with the sword, Kelvin decided that Corporal Sampson would serve as an instructor. Many orcs would fall at Colben's blade and many more would fall to those he trained.
The Seventh Company pressed on with its new additions from Alterac to join the rest of the military at the Hillsbrad Foothills. It was only a matter of time before they discovered what the Horde planned for its opening move.
A/N: At this point, I'm focusing on assembling the main cast to be part of the same group. It's not going to be as slow as the introductions now that mostly everyone is together already even though I have a few other things to take care of before getting to the start of the Second War.
I'd like to thank Karian1979 for the reviews. Any kind of feedback is appreciated.
Until next time.
