Many thanks to those who keep up the stead bouts of reviews. Please enjoy the next chapter! ~F

Chapter Sixty Three

The Circle Grows

Lucius was almost ready to be entertained by the look on the warlocks faces beneath the Slaughtered Lamb tavern when he entered their lair alongside Lord Nobu'tan. The sheer surprise and shock that they expressed at merely sensing the strength of the younger man in the Fel betrayed the lack of discipline that any of them had truly received on the part of their leader.

If anything, Zardeth's reaction was the best out of them all. Paling to the point of appearing like a ghost straight out of Hogwarts, and only approaching once he made a strong attempt to suppress the quaking of his hands in the presence of such a powerful user of the Fel.

"Ah, Lucius," he started, marginally regaining control of his voice, "I see you brought your leader to us at last. Splendid…"

The man seemed anything but, naturally, but neither Lucius nor Nobu'tan commented upon it. "Tobias Banu, Leader of the Order of the Black Harvest…" Nobu'tan said, offering a hand, which while seemingly a universal gesture between humans, the coven leader seemed to be confused at.

But the moment passed, and the trance that the entire circle of warlocks had fallen under seemed to dissipate, and the man returned fully to his senses, "Ah, yes, of course, Zardeth, at your service," he replied at last, taking the offered hand and shaking it.

"I have heard quite good things about the little group you've formed here," Nobu'tan said, and Lucius couldn't help but hear the slight sting of the choice of adjective that the powerful warlock used as he turned to observe the other warlocks as they went about their business, keenly trying to act as though they weren't paying complete attention to the newcomer that held more power than they all combined.

"Oh?" Zardeth said, clearly taken by surprise that Lucius and Nobu'tan were in such easy communication, even when Lucius himself had visited on a near daily basis since first discovering their existence in Stormwind.

"Yes," Nobu'tan confirmed, "there is indeed much potential here, and I think your coven will make fine additions to the Order, if you were so willing to align yourselves with us as allies. Naturally that would mean any warlocks in the Stormwind region would report to you, and from you to me in the north. We have a large territory to cover, and I need strong and wise leaders to govern the local groups and orders while I oversee the Order as a whole."

It was the perfect amount of platitudes that were sure to stroke the ego of a man like Zardeth, and Lucius could almost see the wheels spinning in the man's mind. He would keep his position of power, and have it added to with the weight of the Black Harvest, as well as having more warlocks flocking to him in order to learn and progress through the ranks of the greater Order, thereby increasing his influence throughout the region, and the world.

"By other regions, what exactly do you mean?" he still asked, "Theremore is mostly mages and others that would be vastly opposed to the practices we would teach, and while Ironforge tolerates the gnomes and their warlocks, they are in such small numbers that I could hardly consider them able to form their own group of significant size…"

Nobu'tan merely smiled, "Zardeth, what do you think of the Horde and the Alliance, and their feuds throughout the years?"

The man's eyes widened, realization striking like a hammer blow. "Surely you jest, my Lord? You cannot be suggesting that you'd willingly work alongside members of the Horde, even if they are warlocks!"

"But I am most assuredly suggesting it," Nobu'tan stated, "I have followers already entering the Horde's major cities even now to find those who would be willing to work for a larger goal, something that exceeds even the aims of the Horde or the Alliance."

Zardeth stopped even as he opened his mouth to argue further, unsure of what he was hearing. "What goal would that be, to be something that supersedes the needs of the Alliance, or even the Horde and their plans of conquest?"

Nobu'tan merely chuckled for a long moment, finding humor in the man's lack of understanding.

"A matter that concerns the safety of our entire world…" he replied, "the inevitable return of the Burning Legion, and their sadistic desire to see our entire world destroyed around us."

The Stormwind native grew still and silent for a long moment, before finally speaking, "So it is exactly as we have sensed. A growing focus from the Nether upon our world…"

"And one that we need to be prepared for," Nobu'tan drove the point home, "alongside allies from all nations and peoples. We cannot afford in the face of such power to be divided, or we will all lose."

"You have a point, Tobias…" Zardeth conceded, "but I will need time to convince my group to work alongside members of the Horde, but in an emergency you can count on the coven of Strormwind to come and fight for the protection of our world."

"Then, preemptively, I will welcome at least yourself into the Order of the Black Harvest," Nobu'tan replied with a smile, shaking the other man's hand.

"Unfortunately, time is short, and I have much to do before I leave this place, so I will bid you a good evening," the orc-raised human replied, turning to catch Lucius' eye and motion that they were to leave.

"Farewell then, sir. Until our next meeting," the warlock local leader stated, and the others bowed their heads in respect as Nobu'tan and Lucius departed back to the wizard's home.

"That was productive…" Lucius commented, smirking as they arrived at his home one more.

"Yes," Nobu'tan replied, "eventually they will see it my way, even if in the end it's when the Legion is storming across our world and they are desperate to fight it."

He sighed, "It would have been better to have their help now though, but one cannot have all that they wish. We will have to hope there is more success in the Horde, unless we can find and gain access to a different Alliance city, and see about sending envoys to any potential warlocks there."

"That could prove difficult," Lucius agreed, "as the only other city here I believe is Ironforge to the north. There is a mechanical device under the city that can take us there, but the dwarves may be less than friendly, and I do not know of any warlocks that reside in their mountain fortress."

"Perhaps you ought to ask our new friends where other allies can be found for us to entreat, while I go with Narcissa to the various townships around the city and see to our people, and scope out these human lands." Nobu'tan suggested.

"It can be easily done," Lucius replied, opening the front door at last to the mixture of aroma that cooking food produced. "Ah, I see Narcissa has made some of her own specialty for us this evening," he added, smiling. Nobu'tan smirked, the clear love for his wife on the older man's face endearing.

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Voldemort watched carefully from his hiding place, high on a rocky outcropping between the Badlands and the Searing Gorge, as the small group of figures passed into the realm of the Horde. It was only partially interesting to note the orcs and walking corpses that were part of the group, although there were some creatures that resembled minotaur, as well as the lanky figures that now came to be known as trolls by the people of this world.

While some were clearly garbed as warriors or scouts, it was the latter group that intrigued the former Dark Lord. Clad in hides and carrying strange totem implements, they seemed to be some sort of soothsayers or shaman, reading the land around them for its supposed spiritual wellbeing.

If he had encountered such things before they fought the great lord of fire below the mountain, Voldemort would have scoffed at the concept, but here the elements were very much alive and powerful, so he wasn't at all surprised that there might be beings in tune with such magic and trained in their use.

As to why they were here, knowledge of what they were helped greatly in that regard. The recent defeat of an elemental lord was likely the draw that brought these people here, and not necessarily the presence of the Horde or the newly crafted Stormreaver Clan.

And so, he waited, watching as they crossed into their territory, set up a small camp on the edge of the badlands, and more or less scouted the surrounding area. Having no need for food, drink, or any sort of relief, Voldemort was perfectly content to stay there, hidden, and watch them throughout the day and well into the night, where his vision remained perfect despite the darkness.

The warriors seemed clearly on edge, watching for any sign of attack, while the shaman gathered around a large bonfire, weaving some sort of magic together to peer into the elemental world. The rest, scouts of both troll and undead, started to move among the rocks and crags, as though looking for equally useful places of concealment, much like what Voldemort himself had found, but they were far lower on the cliffs than he, and he was well hidden from their sight.

Several days this went on, with the Dark Lord near unmoving in his vigil of the encampment, until at last, after a small tour of the area closer to the mountain, the entire camp just packed up and started to leave, almost uncaring about the residents of the area or the lack of dwarves or even natural creatures, the massive lava spiders having been eradicated by warlock magic soon after the dwarves were chased away.

Only once they were completely out of sight did Voldemort move, leaping down from the cliffs and moving stealthily toward where their camp had been. Making sure that no rearguard was watching him, Voldemort started to carefully piece together what the shaman were up to with their magic from the residual aura around the camp.

From the touches of flame and soil that were used, he could only guess that they literally communed with the natural world, seeking answers of what had occurred beneath the mountain, without the actual need to venture within. It was an interesting discovery, but one that Voldemort overall wasn't concern with. He had his orders to follow them from Potter, and while he was going to obey them, it was for his own reasons and not solely for the profit of the young man who destroyed him.

Quickly, Voldemort stalked after the slower moving party of various races, keeping well behind of the rearmost scouts, and sticking to the deepest of shadows the best he could, until they passed out of the canyon that was the easiest method of entering the Badlands from the Searing Gorge.

Voldemort knew that nearby was an outpost of the other Horde, the one not controlled by Potter, and presumed that they would be travelling there for supplies or transportation, and he dared to creep closer and try to determine their final destination.

It was difficult, with all the sharp eyes of the various creatures, but when they drew near to the larger settlement and base, Voldemort circled around behind their group, and entered on his own, discarding stealth for simply being unobserved in the crowd. There were few undead, but even the other races didn't pay him much mind, as though the walking corpses were familiar enough to be tolerated, which played well into his need.

The group seemed to be haggling with another orc, who stood in front of several massive posts, upon which perched some of the strangest creatures that Voldemort had ever seen. Some strange cross between a scorpion, bat and some sort of hound or fox, the furred creatures lounged almost lazily on the poles while saddles and harnesses were attached to their lithe and sleek bodies. When one stretched out its wings, Voldemort almost scoffed aloud. Were they intending to fly these beasts back to wherever they had come from? Surely such things could barely get off the ground themselves, let alone carry a passenger.

But almost as if to defy his logic, another orc came forward, deposited money in the keeper's hand, and swung up onto one of the beast's backs, which leapt high into the air and flew as though lighter than the air around it.

"I'm sorry," the orc said to the group as Voldemort approached from behind, "there simply aren't enough wyverns for your entire group to fly back to the Undercity. I could send a few of you for six pieces of silver and thirty copper a piece, but the rest will have to wait for my beasts to return, or go by foot…"

Fishing in the pouch of gold he was provided by the Black Harvest, Voldemort smirked at the reasonable price for such travel. "I will take one of those wyverns, sir," he said, stepping forward, and depositing a full piece of gold into the orc's hand.

The group he had been following grumbled at the loss of one of their potential mounts, but Voldemort did not care. He had tracked them this far, and knew their intended destination, this Undercity would have the answers he sought as to why they were so interested in the Stormreavers' new holdings.

Imitating the orc he had seen previously, Voldemort swung up easily into the saddle of the beast, and gripping it with the rotten knees of his body, he held on tightly to the reins as it leapt into the air, circling the outpost once before climbing high into the air and setting its sights to the north, wings beating hard to ascend over the mountains.

Even though he could no longer feel the sensation of the wind or the cold, there was a subtle memory of warmth in the former Dark Lord. He had found some potential, and at least for the time being had escaped the madness that Potter had doomed them all to. Even if it was merely a reconnaissance mission, being away from the boy would be good for him, as there might be means to escape his grasp altogether, and raise up new followers that would aid him is destroying the mad warlock once and for all.

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Jaina Proudmoore, founder and Lady of Theramore Isle, and Archamge of the Kirin Tor, took the message that was delivered to her by the Horde envoy, a Tauren with a wide, friendly face, and thanked the large creature, who bowed respectfully and turned to depart.

She quite enjoyed her new life here on Kalimdor, peaceful when compared to the horrors that she, the people who followed her, and even the Horde had faced in years past, with the Battle of Mount Hyjal behind them and the demons of the Burning Legion averted.

Old wounds were still mending between the two factions, but their uneasy truce held for now, and she expected that the Tauren envoy would face no hostility as he departed back to the lands of Mulgore. Even the people of Theramore understood that the Tauren were kind-hearted and mild mannered when dealt with respectfully, and to arous their ire was not something wisely done.

Cairne Bloodhoof was a fast friend and close ally of Jaina personally, as was Thrall, the Warchief, and it was not unusual for the three to exchanged missives from time to time, but even as she unrolled the raw parchment something about this letter seemed more intense than the ones she had received previously.

'Jaina,

There has been a great disturbance in the elemental forces of the Eastern Kingdoms. Rangaros, the Firelord of Blackrock Mountain, has been defeated and banished back to his realm. While normally this would be good news indeed for both the Alliance and the Horde, I suspect that something else is afoot here. In vision, I myself have seen more orcs arriving at the foot of the mountain, flying a banner that has not been seen since the end of the second war, before either of our time. The flag was that of the Stormreavers, the clan that was created and governed by none other than the warlock, Gul'dan.

While we of the Horde know the darkness that that orc had generated upon this world, the Alliance will know the sting of that name far more painfully, as it was he who razed Stormwind and slew the leaders of that great city to long ago, using the powers of the Legion to their advantage.

I fear that this recent resurgence of power in the center of the Eastern Kingdoms may come as a threat to Stormwind, and the people therein, and cannot in good conscious neglect our alliance by failing to tell you of the threat that this may pose to you all.

I have sent an expedition to the mountain coming down from the north to investigate, and I would advise that those of Stormwind and Ironforge be on the lookout for any unusual activity, as if it is true, and the Stormreaver Clan has returned, there might be a larger scale conflict brewing than what we have already faced. I have already learned of certain individuals in Orgrimmar that are sympathetic to the Stormreavers, if not possible members of that clan infiltrating my city, and I suspect heavily that Stormwind may have much of the same, it being the closest faction base to the mountain.

While speaking directly to the leaders of the Alliance would not be viewed in the best of light, I was hoping that you would be able to reason with them, perhaps discover if there is an increase of strange activity in and around the city, and aid them in preparing for whatever there might be to come.

Yours,

Thrall'

Jaina set the letter aside, puzzled and concerned by what she had read. She was well aware of who the warlock Gul'dan was. The Kirin Tor had taken many of the orcish spellcasters at the end of the Second War and interrogated them endlessly, recording everything that they had learned regarding the power of the warlocks and their demonic masters.

Even the thought that such a powerful servant of the Legion as Gul'dan, or any of his underlings that had strength enough to reform their destroyed clan was frightening, even more so that they were so close to Stormwind City.

Quickly, she wrote a small note of thanks to Thrall, and sending it off with a messenger that would catch up with the Tauren envoy before they left the Duskwallow Marshes, she quickly gathered her power over the Arcane around her, tearing open a portal to Stormwind Keep and stepping through to one of the side corridors.

"Aunt Jaina!" a voice said as she appeared in one of the royal family's personal chambers. Anduin darted forward, smiling widely at her, while Lady Prestor nodded in her direction.

Jaina wasn't sure how she felt regarding the counselor of the Prince and Regent of Stormwind, but the woman had never given her any reason to be suspicious of her motives, despite being somewhat unpleasant to be around, so she smiled in greeting.

"Hello Anduin," Jaina said, ruffling the young boy's hair.

"So this is the Lady Jaina Proudmoore that you've told me so much about…" another voice said, and Jaina was surprised to see yet another woman appear in the room. This woman was tall, with a very slim figure, blonde hair and piercing blue eyes that roved the room, lingering only a moment upon the image of Lady Prestor, and Jaina noted a touch of disdain in those eyes before they returned to Jaina herself.

The woman stepped forward gracefully, extending her hand, "Lady Narciss Malfoy, a pleasure to meet you at last. Anduin has spoken of you with great regard."

The air of the woman was… strange, to Jaina, clearly magical, but nothing even remotely like the power of the Arcane that she was accustomed to sensing in a mage. Taking her hand gently, she noted that the grip was firm, yet lacking in the calluses of a working class woman, and therefore she knew that the one who stood before her was some sort of noblewoman, which was odd enough for one of the upper class to so closely befriend a child, even if that child was the prince of the kingdom.

"Yes, Anduin probably exaggerated somewhat regarding me, but one cannot help adoring the boy," she said, causing the prince to flush with embarrassment.

"I need to speak with Lord Bolvar about a matter of some urgency, if I may be directed to him." Jaina pressed on, despite the urge to spend time with Anduin, matters of state always took priority, although she told herself that she might need to remain and see how the lad was progressing with his studies.

"Oh, he is in the throne room, speaking with envoys from around the city, I will take you," Lady Malfoy offered, despite the obviousness that Jaina knew her way around the Keep. Allowing her to do so, Jaina figured it would be a good opportunity to get to know the newest member that had worked herself near to the prince, and make sure that she was not trying to manipulate the boy in any fashion.

"The prince truly did not exaggerate I feel," the woman started as they slowly walked through the keep, and Jaina noticed that the guards did not even so much as question either of the women of their presence in the castle. "The magic pouring off of you if palpable, and I can tell that you wield it magnificently." She continued, smiling warmly.

"Well, when one learned at the knee of the leader of the Mages of Dalaran, one tends to aquire a certain air of power, but I've always felt it was more important what one does with the power, rather than the act of having it." Jaina countered, hinting at her knowledge that Lady Malfoy was also some sort of Mage.

The woman smirked, clearly understanding what Jaina was implying. "Yes, I heartily agree, which is why I am here in the castle so often, making sure the people that I am looking after are well taken care of, and perhaps I have in that process developed a soft spot for the prince."

Ignoring for the moment the talk about her purpose here, Jaina jumped on the thread of Anduin, "And just what is your interest in Anduin?" she asked.

Lady Malfoy actually flushed slightly, "Well, it might be a bit silly, but he reminds me so strongly of my own son when he was the Prince's age… I cannot help but feel the need to step in when he has no consistent parental figures in his life."

"And where is your son?" Jaina asked, genuinely surprised and impressed. She could sense the sincerity in the woman's words, and could tell from her aura that she had the powerful protective nature of a fierce mother.

"He is, far away, with most of the other men of our refugees; we, the women and many of the younger children were sent ahead to find places to relocate, as out lands were destroyed and taken from us." Lady Malfoy said, casting her eyes downward as she thought of those things.

It was intresting, Jaina had not heard of any human lands far south of Stormwind, least of all any that had recently been lost, but the woman was clearly telling the truth, and missed her family greatly.

"But you still hear from them I suppose?" she asked, putting a hand on the other woman's shoulder.

"Well, yes, my husband just left to rejoin them once more after visiting, and escorting our leader to Stormwind to oversee the provisions that I had arranged, I was just here telling the Prince that I would be gone for a few days as I tour our leader around the realm to visit all our people, and bring them news of their loved ones."

Jaina was about to press for more concerning this leader that the woman mentioned, but at that moment they arrived at the spacious throne room of Stormwind Keep, and all attention from those in the room turned to the new arrivals. Aside from the royal guards, fanned out around the room, Regent Fordragon and several dwarves of Ironforge were present, seemingly having been in a heated debate, which the pair of women had interrupted.

"Lady Malfoy, Lady Proudmoore, what can we do for the pair of you?" Bolvar stated, sounding almost eager for the interruption.

"Lord Bolvar," Jaina stated, stepping forward and bowing in apology to the dwarves that she was interrupting. "I have some rather disturbing news from certain allies of mine that they wished to be forwarded to you."

"Yes, I'll hear you now, as I can tell you must need to make your report and return to Theramore quickly," the Paladin Regent said, and while the dwarves seemed more than annoyed at the continued distraction, Bolvar left the room and joined the two woman as they departed into a side room.

Casting a sidelong glance at Lady Malfoy, who was still present, Jaina hesitated at presenting her knowledge from Thrall and the Horde in front of the unknown woman. The Regent caught her glance, and smiled, "Ah, yes, Lady Malfoy is very open minded about your particular allies over on Kalimdor, and she is well considered a trusted ally and friend of Stormwind, you can trust that she will keep secret anything we discuss here…"

"Yes, I do not doubt that if she is allowed such freedom within the Keep, but…" Jaina said, but the woman held up a hand.

"I understand, if it is privacy you need, I will keep the visits from Ironforge occupied while you discuss what you've come to say." Lady Malfoy stated, turning and departing back to the main reception hall of the Keep.

Bolvar looked disappointed, but returned his attention quickly to Jaina, "What news from the Horde?"

"Thrall wanted you to know, as leader of Stormwind, and thus the closest to the threat of Blackrock Mountain…" Jaina started, but at the mention of the dark mountain the paladin sighed.

"So, the Horde is concerned about the current development in the Burning Steppes, as well as our allies in Ironforge… are they afraid that the Dark Iron dwarves are attacking their lands as well?" Bolvar said, a small amount of snide and sarcasm leaking into his tired voice. Jaina said nothing to the edge in the man's voice that was quite unbecoming of him, as he must have been hearing regarding the those lands much lately.

"No, they are concerned about it regarding another matter altogether." She said after a moment of silence, where the Paladin returned to a more humble and peaceful state.

"Through their ties to the magic of the land itself, they have determined that the orcs surrounding the mountain have finally defeated the elemental lord seething under the mountain, and claimed the entire fortress for their own," Jaina said quickly, even as the paladin nodded, clearly aware of this intelligence already.

"What they have learned, and probably understand more than our allies in Ironforge, is the newcomers to the mountain that initiated these changes. The Stormreaver Clan has resurfaced, once headed by the warlock Gul'dan." She added, getting swiftly to the point of her message.

Whether the Paladin recognized what the significance of the Stormreavers was became irrelevant as the name of the destroyer of Stormwind was added, and Bolvar's eyes narrowed. "You mean to tell me the Horde believes that the legacy of the greatest evil this nation faced has returned, and is operating on our very doorstep." He asked, his tone growing cold with heavily bridled fury.

"That is indeed what they claim to have found. They've sent a delegation down from the Undercity to confirm their suspicions, but I trust Thrall's judgement on this matter." Jaina confirmed, "He also wanted us to be very much aware that foreign orcs had entered Orgrimmar, and that he fears that we too might be soon infiltrated with members of the Dark Horde, and the need for caution is greater than ever."

Bolvar was silent for a long time, clearly thinking deeply of some recent events that had occurred. "I undertand, and I think I have an idea where all these things are tying together, but how to act on them is… difficult. I will have to consult with Lady Prestor and the Prince regarding these matters."

"I trust that you will take care of the matter in a manner that Varian would want." Jaina said, knowing that the Lord Regent was greatly troubled at the nature of the Kingdom, and the still very much missing King.

"I ought not keep the envoy from Ironforge waiting any longer, thank you Jaina, this clears up what I must do to sustain the Alliance we fought so hard to establish." Bolvar said, turning back to face the throne room. "Would you stand with me while I speak to them?"

"Certainly, if you think it will help your case with them," Jain complied, and together they rejoined the others in the main hall of the Keep. The dwarves seemed to be somewhat calmed from their earlier state of annoyance, chatting amialbly with Lady Malfoy, and Jaina was surprised that there were now chairs and a small table in the middle of the room for them all, with saucers and cups of tea placed around for each member.

"Ah, Lady Proudmoore and the Lord Regent have returned," Lady Malfoy said, standing graciously, "I took the liberty of providing some refreshment for our guests, as they had journeyed far and were weary."

"As always, Lady Malfoy, you're judgment and hospitality knows no bounds," Bolvar said, smiling at the other woman, "and I think I have come to a conclusion on the matter that these fine dwarves have presented, in conjunction with the news that Lady Proudmoore has provided."

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Teg'Ramm, now acting leader of the Horde's forces with the absence of Lord Nobu'tan, frowned as he looked from the vantage point of a flying Eye of Kil'rogg over the Searing Gorge. The slow takeover of the massive pit in the center of the volcanic valley had been progressing smoothly, forgemasters and others taking up the anvils and hammers of the now fled Dark Iron dwarves that had been forced from their places of strength a short time ago, but already the stubborn creatures were starting to return, rank and file with grim looks on their many faces.

They were armed to the teeth, with massive war golems flanking their column of warriors. A coordinated assault of the mountain without their Lord and leader here to organize them. A challenge and an opportunity for them all to prove themselves to Lord Nobu'tan.

Still, it was an irritation of sorts that the ogre mage did not wish to deal with at the current moment. The dwarves were already starting to wheel up siege weapons to the outlying fortifications, which had been moved far down from the entrance of the mountain proper to add more layers of defense to their new fortress-home.

Far away from his vision, Teg'Ramm heard himself speaking, "Send out the Fel Centaur, I want those lines broken, and the Horde will charge them head on. Warlocks and mages will focus their siege equipment and golems, spreading as much devastation as they can." He ordered.

There were mutters of acknowledgement, as well as several grunts of pleased enthusiasm. The Horde was ready for warfare, and Teg'Ramm could sense that they wanted this challenge to their rule in the blackened lands.

He continued to watch, sensing other eyes flying out of the fortress as the warlocks of the mountain viewed the battle from afar as the Fel Centaur poured out of the mountain, rampaging over the crumbled ground and directly toward the lines of the dwarven attackers.

They were prepared this time, it seemed, and the front two rows of warriors dropped down a wall of spears and shields, which would have stopped any normal cavalry charge, but the Fel Centaur, driven by their mad lust for blood which Teg'Ramm had the ogre magi put upon them, continued unhindered, smashing onto the wall with abandon, their hardened hides taking the brunt of the attacks of their foes, and in most cases smashing right through into the lines of dwarves and their golems.

Centaur warlocks charges, hurling bolts of flame and shadow at the larger targets as they started to circle the column, even as arrows and bolts flew from the defenses into the midst of the advancing ranks.

Muttering spells to himself, Teg'Ramm smirked as the sky opened through the clouds of black fumes spilling form the top of the volcano, and Fel meteorites plundged to the earth at the rear flank of the dwarves, rising from the craters to form a host of infernals, which bore down on the attacks and gave them no room to retreat. The column was trapped between their forces, and thusly doomed to fall.

But, despite having a near lack of hearing through the eye itself, Teg'Ramm spotted the flash of light on armor as another host of warriors charged from the caynon and cliffs far behind the infantry column. Another regiment of dwarves, riding upon rams armored for battle, charged the infernals and crashed upon their rear with fury.

Teg'Ramm was not aware that the Dark Iron Dwarves used rams as cavalry, as it was something he had not seen as of yet, but the riders were not the ashen faces, grim-looking types that had been thrust from Blackrock, but more fair and stout, even as they blew horns to signal the advance of yet another army of the short creatures.

Realizing at last what had occurred, Teg'Ramm was impressed. The Dark Irons had sought help from their kin to the north, which must have meant that they had humbled themselves greatly to seek aid from the Bronzebeards.

There was a sharp flash of light, and even from his physical distance Teg'Ramm heard the sound of a thunder strike, and spotted the gleaming King of Ironforge, wielding battle axe and war hammer, riding down to reinforce the Dark Iron column against the Fel Centaur.

"Send out the warriors of the Horde, and command the Centaur to fall back for another charge," Teg'Ramm ordered, wondering what else would change in this battle.

The centaur withdrew, just in time for the warriors of the Horde to advance. Orc, troll and ogre alike waded forward, even as war drums pounded a continuous thrumming of encouragement for their forces.

"I want a regiment of Felguard to reinforce them, and another volley of spells on their rear lines to disrupt their forces joining together." Teg'Ramm demanded, and his will was obeyed. The demons leapt at the chance for battle, and were marshaled in the dozens, rampaging through the dust toward their newfound prey.

What the Ogre Mage did not expect was a burst of Arcane magic to erupt from the lines of the dwarves, as figures even smaller than the bearded creatures unleashed a hailstorm of fire, ice, and pure magical energy, unleashing as much devastation as the warlocks of the Horde upon the advancing demons.

The level of magic unleashed was something Teg'Ramm had rarely felt from another force, outside of their own warlocks and the Burning Legion itself, to which he was genuinely surprised. "So these are true Mages, not the rabble that we put up with on Nobu'tan's world…" he said to himself, feeling himself grin at the possibilities.

He hardly considered those that they had left behind, cowering in their fortresses and holding on moment to moment as true mages of the same caliber, even if their alternate forms of magic were impressive enough. They relied too much on the spoken incantation and the gestures of their wooden implements, and not enough on the raw force of will that accompanied a traditional Mage or Warlock.

The fact of the matter was that these spell casters were decimating their demonic reinforcements before they had an opportunity to arrive at the front lines, which was problematic for their forces in holding back the dwarves' advance.

Naturally there were plenty of resources that Teg'Ramm had yet to consider throwing at the attack, however he was not overeager to so casually announce Lord Nobu'tan's full repertoire of assets regarding warfare, even if the advantage of surprise and the unknown would be beneficial in the face of such an attack.

The other main reason that Teg'Ramm was unwilling to send out any of the more secret allies, the goblins or the black drakes to counted these mages was a personal one. He felt that this was a challenge to all warlocks, to answer magic with magic, and he was drawn to go forth himself and lead the next bout of reinforcements, in order to counter their Arcane magic. It was a rather enticing idea, the thought of powerful magic wielders that he could directly oppose, and a call that he was unable to resist.

"We will meet this challenge head on, and drive the dwarves from our lands," Teg'Ramm stated, dismissing the eye and returning to being aware of the room around him. The Horde grunts surrounding him snapped to attention as he turned toward the exit of the chamber. "We proceed to the front lines," he announced, to the roar of pleasure from his guard.

Down from the observation terrace he went, gathering more of the Ogre Magi as he went, and some orc warlocks that were of the Blackrock and Dragonmaw clans. They exited the mountain through the northern entrance to a fanfare of war cries and shots of blood and death. Teg'Ramm set his sights on the battle raging in the distance, and drew the might of the Fel to him directly, rather than invoking it over the field of power from afar.

"Attack!" the ogre mage roared, and walked forward even as the grunts and other casters charged ahead of him, drawing the attention of the Mages. Watching where the pockets of magic exploded from to counter the next charge, and trusting that the Horde's warlocks could defend themselves, he took aim at the largest pocket, and concentrated.

He poured every ounce of his knowledge and Fel magic into empowering the bolts of chaotic magic from the Nether into a powerful strike to blast the Mages into oblivion, or at the least forcing them to abandon their designs of defending their lines, changing the battle completely.