The Orcish army continued forward until it halted before Stone Throat Fortress.
Thirty thousand cavalry formed ranks as their War Horses neighed and the orcs drew their bowstrings taut.
On the fortress's towering black-stone walls, dwarf warriors had already formed up to defend. They wore Chainmail and carried heavy hammers and crossbows, their facial muscles tense.
At their head stood the dwarf commander Mogdin. Draped in an iron-gray cloak, he gripped a battle-axe and stared coldly down below.
Alba did not advance personally. Instead, he ordered Eugene to go forward and demand an answer.
Wearing light armor, Eugene urged his War Horse to within three hundred paces of the city and shouted up, "Mogdin! Open the gates! I want to speak with your chieftain!"
Mogdin looked down at him and replied in a booming voice, "Chieftain Imaer isn't here. I'm the supreme commander here. If you have something to say, say it to me."
Eugene's voice suddenly rose as he angrily denounced the dwarves:
"You betrayed the alliance! You once swore before the royal tent that the Rocky Mountains passage would never be opened to Aldo! But what happened now? Not only did you let the human army charge straight through, you also killed our warriors and offered their heads as gifts to curry favor! Where is your dignity? Where is your word?"
"It was the royal tent that gave Imaer his current position, but when he was expelled from the clan and begged for help among the various factions like a stray dog, the only one to extend a helping hand was Abaal Great Chieftain. He let Imaer reclaim the position of chieftain and placed him in charge of the Iron Mine and tunnels! But how did he repay us? He actually dared to trade our blood for the