After reading the letter left by Garrison, Kites flew into a rage, shouting and yelling.
The guards waited patiently by. Finally, Kites, exhausted, sat down on the ground, panting heavily, and muttered listlessly to himself, "What should we do?"
With no ships, no food, and the frozen wasteland of Northrend outside, Garrosh's Orcs army was on its way, aided by Red Dragonflight and Dalaran Mages. They seemed to be in dire straits.
The numerous guards exchanged glances. They were newly promoted by Kites to replace Duke Bolvar as Royal Guards, and had not spent enough time with the King to dare to voice their opinions.
Kites felt as if he had lost his anchor. After all, he was just a lowly Night Watch and did not have the ability to make arbitrary decisions. Suddenly, he remembered the Runes left behind by Agna.
Perhaps Agna had some ideas. Kites found it particularly amusing; before meeting Agna, he thought Agna was in trouble, but it turned out he was the one who was in dire straits.
Gently stroking the Runes, Kites' heart was filled with fervent hope.
With a flash of light, a beautiful figure appeared before Kites. It was not the Orcs Agna whom he longed for, but a human woman with a fragrant scent.
Jaina looked at Kites with a smile.
"It's you, Jaina!" Kites gasped.
Jaina smiled slightly, her face beaming, and said:
"Your King, we meet again. You are in dire straits, and only I can save you now. Yes, it was I who instigated Agna to meet you. Without my help, you would have been torn apart and eaten by Garrosh without even knowing what was happening."
Kites was filled with hatred for Jaina, but since things had come to this, he could only suppress his anger and say, "Alright, Jaina, you've come at the right time. Perhaps you can help us open a Portal to Stormwind City. Damn it, why did I forget to bring a few Court Mages?"
Jaina gently shook her head and said regretfully, "That's impossible. Even I can only take a limited number of people with me, Your King. Perhaps you want to escape alone, leaving these 20,000 soldiers to become Orcs food. Your shame will be remembered forever."
Kites knew nothing about magic and didn't know if Jaina was right or wrong. He said fiercely, "As long as it lets me and the Royal Guards escape, any sacrifice is worthwhile. Jaina, there's no time to lose, open the Portal immediately."
Jaina looked at Kites in surprise; in fact, she hadn't expected this outcome. She laughed sarcastically.
"I'm sorry, but I am not your subordinate. You have no right to order me around, Your King."
Kites stared fiercely at Jaina for a long while before finally saying, "Alright, Jaina, what do you want in return? For example, half of Kingdom of Stormwind's territory, plus a large sum of money."
Jaina was taken aback and almost agreed. No wonder he was the Night Watch King; he didn't cherish the land he had acquired for free. However, a promise made under such dire circumstances was meaningless. Kites would immediately renege on his promise once he returned to Stormwind City.
"King Majesty, I have no interest whatsoever in the territory of Kingdom of Stormwind. I am driven by a sense of righteousness, concerned for all living beings, and dedicated to saving Azeroth. I care nothing for personal honor or status. Perhaps you would consider my opinion."
Kites was helpless; things had come to this point, and he could only submit to Jaina's control.
"Queen Jaina of Theramore, please speak."
Jaina said calmly:
"Vol'jin and Eitrigg's Dragonblood Orcs Legion is approaching Valiance Keep, less than two days' journey away. If your army can set off immediately and march at full speed to join the Dragonblood Orcs Legion, you can be saved before Garrosh catches up."
Kites wasn't stupid. Garrosh's attempt to use him as rations had already taught him a lesson, instilling in him a deep distrust of all Orcs. Kites asked coldly:
"Vol'jin, Eitrigg, what's the difference between them and Garrosh?"
Jaina smiled faintly and said:
"You should trust Eitrigg. After all, Tirion Fordring praised him as a noble Orcs, more kind and benevolent than human Paladins. Vol'jin and Eitrigg are both quite traditional, deeply influenced by the civilization of Azeroth, completely different from Garrosh, that barbarian. For example, they would eat your army in a very civilized way."
"Hehe!"
Kites sneered, "So you all just wanted to use us as rations. Why don't I just wait for Garrosh? I'd be eaten anyway."
Jaina shook her head and said seriously:
"I told you, it's different. Garrosh is short-sighted; he'll only devour you all. Eitrigg and Vol'jin are more far-sighted. For example, they'll treat you and your guards, as well as the noble children in your party, well. All you need to do is pay a ransom, about 500,000 humans."
"Five hundred thousand humans, have you gone mad?" Kites trembled with rage.
Jaina's gaze was cold. "When a King dies, all is lost. Your ambition, your wealth and glory, will all turn to dust. Why not agree to their demands? It's just a mere 500,000 people; they can multiply and thrive for decades."
Once he calmed down, Kites fell into thought. The loss of 500,000 humans would plunge the entire Kingdom of Stormwind into a miserable state, but if he didn't agree, he would die immediately.
It's better to agree now and then find a chance to back out once we get back to Stormwind City.
Even at the cost of 500,000 humans, Kites felt it was worthwhile; the Kingdom of Stormwind had lost far more people in the two Orcs Wars than that.
On the day Stormwind City fell alone, hundreds of thousands of humans perished at the hands of Orcs. If the foolish King Llane could do it, why couldn't King Kites?
After considering it for a while, Kites nodded in agreement.
A sinister look crossed Jaina's face. So, on the King's orders, the 20,000-strong army hastily set off. It was a miserable forced march. Most of the soldiers didn't know what was going on and just kept moving forward. Those who fell behind collapsed in the icy snow.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly, and they were expected to reunite with Vol'jin and Eitrigg. However, rumors soon began to circulate that His Majesty the King intended to send them to the Orcs as food. Panic ensued, and a small number of soldiers deserted. But Kites remained unconcerned and focused solely on urging the march forward.
On the desolate Borean Tundra, Garrosh's army was on its way. The New Warsong Orcs were not used to the cold weather, but fortunately they had the help of Dalaran Mages and Red Dragons.
The mages and Red Dragons always managed to find the most suitable path and clear obstacles like ice and snow, allowing the army to pass smoothly.
Garrosh's eyes gleamed, drool dripping from his mouth, as he drew ever closer to a pile of delicious military rations.
Unfortunately, bad news arrived: a Dalaran Mages scout reported that the human army had left Valiance Keep and was fleeing northeast, heading towards the Dragonblood Orcs Legion.
Enraged, Garrosh seized the Dalaran Mages, bit off his neck, and tore flesh apart.
The Blood Elf mage, who had lived for hundreds of years, fell silently onto the snow and was immediately devoured by a large group of Orcs, leaving not a single bone behind.
"No one can take my military rations away, not a single one."
Garrosh's eyes flashed with a fierce light as he commanded his army to give chase.