As outside Alonsus Chapel in Stratholme yesterday, a huge crowd had gathered at Stratholme's execution grounds.
But unlike yesterday, the crowd showed not a shred of pity for the prisoner. If anything, they were exhilarated.
Because the one to be executed that day was an Orc.
News of the Orc uprising in the south had reached Stratholme, leaving its people somewhat panicked. The terror of twenty years ago had not yet been completely forgotten, and they had begun to worry whether the current Alliance could withstand the Orcs.
Yet the news that an Orc prisoner of war from the south would be executed that day had bolstered the confidence of Stratholme's people. Orc blood would grant them a fleeting measure of courage.
To ensure that the execution went off without a hitch, Stratholme had deployed its most elite garrison forces. These human Warriors wore the finest armor and carried the sharpest weapons.
Under the gaze of Stratholme's citizens, a young Paladin clad in a full Paladin set swaggered onto the gallows. He was Balthasar, the young Paladin who had exposed Tirion.
However, Prince Arthas's intervention had prevented him from claiming the position of Lord Commander of Hearthglen. His face was dark with gloom, as though water might drip from it at any moment.
Soon, a squad of infantry marched out in a tight formation. The gathered crowd erupted into cheers, hurling stones and garbage in their direction.
Naturally, the people were not throwing those things at the infantry. They were venting their fury and fear upon the massive black figure being dragged along behind them.
Eitrigg, the old Orc from the Blackrock Clan, was being dragged forward. His powerful body was covered in grotesque wounds and even gave off a putrid stench.
Torture and pain had left Eitrigg unable to