The Failed Campaign

The trip to Icecrown Glacier had left Maiev there forever. It had also made Illidan realize that working with the Burning Legion was no different from making a deal with a tiger. More importantly, this tiger was starving. One careless move, and it would devour him without leaving so much as a scrap of bone. Ner'zhul was the perfect example.

Kil'jaeden had used him to unleash a tidal wave of Scourge upon Azeroth, while Ner'zhul had planned to use the Scourge to fight Kil'jaeden. The result was plain for Illidan to see, so he had no intention of continuing to humor Kil'jaeden. He would find a way to learn the truth about the Twisting Nether himself.

The Horde's many Warlocks gave Illidan hope that he could learn about the Twisting Nether without going through Kil'jaeden. So, Illidan planned to join the Horde.

Leiluo was well aware of what would happen if Illidan joined the Horde. The Night Elves, whose relations with the Horde seemed so cordial at present, would immediately become hostile. War might not break out, but further cooperation would certainly be impossible. Still, compared to Illidan, the Night Elves had little to offer the Horde. For one thing, Illidan still had water from the Well of Eternity in his possession. That alone was enough to make the Horde abandon its cooperation with the Night Elves in favor of Illidan.

But all of this hinged on one thing: Leiluo and his companions had to make it back alive from Icecrown Glacier today. As he watched more and more skeletons, Abominations, and Crypt Fiends closing in, he knew that if Anak and Vereesa didn't return on their Gryphons soon, the Great Chieftain might well fall here.

A fleet sailed across the sea between Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms Continent.