The Trump Card

"Smack!"

Bovar slammed the intelligence report down on the table, looking unusually furious. Garvinrad, standing nearby, was deeply puzzled. As far as he knew, Bovar was always levelheaded and never lost his temper easily.

"What happened, Bovar? What's got you so angry?"

"Garvin, did you know Fordring actually attacked the Scarlet Crusade?"

"Fordring? How could that be? Fordring and his Silver Dawn have always stayed neutral. Why would he side with the Horde now?!"

The report only said that Fordring had sent troops against the Scarlet Crusade. It didn't explain why, so Garvinrad got the impression that Fordring had sided with the Horde and was helping them keep the Scarlet Crusade occupied.

"I just reached an agreement with Taelan. If the Scarlet Crusade sent troops, I'd find a way to get Daelin to send troops to help. But I never expected Fordring to betray the Alliance!"

"Bovar! We shouldn't jump to conclusions before we know all the facts. We need to investigate. Perhaps Fordring had his reasons for sending troops. Besides, the Scarlet Crusade isn't the same force that Turalyon once commanded."

"Hmph! What is there to investigate? Whatever his reasons, Fordring attacked the Scarlet Crusade at this moment. That's a betrayal of the Alliance!"

Garvinrad was about to say more when a deep, prolonged blast of a horn sounded outside the tent. It was the Horde's signal to attack.

"Damn it! And those Orcs in the Blasted Lands! Instead of keeping their heads down and cherishing the peace we gave them, they dare to send troops now too! I'll crush them!"

As he spoke, Bovar grabbed his sword and strode out of the tent. Garvinrad hurried after him. They rode to the front of the camp, where the Orcs had already formed ranks and prepared to attack. At the