Southshore

Southshore was the largest coastal town in Hillsbrad Foothills. As the seasons changed, enormous schools of fish passed through each year, swimming downstream into the sea, while others migrated from the sea up the rivers to spawn.

During fishing season, the people of Southshore could haul in great catches from the South Thondroril River, which connected Lake Darrowmere to the sea. But every reward came at a cost. When fishing season ended, they had to contend with the Murlocs that ravaged the coast in search of food.

Years of small-scale clashes with the Murlocs had made Southshore's people brave and strong. Yet even these fishermen, hardened by battles against Murloc tribes, could only look up to the Alliance army, which gathered the finest soldiers from every human kingdom.

Southshore's City Hall had once been a quiet place, frequented by only a handful of minor nobles spending their twilight years. Now it had become a temporary command center for the Alliance.

With Lothar and the Order of the Silver Hand's arrival, the entire city quickly went on a war footing. In the days that followed, troops from various nations and the High Elf "reinforcements" arrived one after another, making the already tense atmosphere even more oppressive.

The old wooden floorboards creaked softly. A tender branch from the holly tree in the courtyard reached toward the window, nosily peeking at the crowd of people inside the hall. Sunlight streaming through the pale blue glass cast golden patches and scattered shadows across the room. Light and shadow crisscrossed, lending the place a tranquil air.

But despite the gentle surroundings, the mood indoors was far from pleasant.

A huge map lay spread near the window, covered in a dense scattering of red and blue markers. It was a strategic map the command had drawn up from intelligence gathered from all sides.

"The Orcs have firmly secured the Wetlands. According to reports from the front in Arathi Highlands, they've already spotted the enemy near the fortress south of Thandol Span."

As Lothar's adjutant, Turalyon began his report at once. "But the Orcs haven't launched an attack. They're probably still gathering their forces and waiting for the main army to arrive."

"Burning Steppes, Blackrock Mountain, Searing Gorge, Dun Morogh, Ironforge." Anduin Lothar leaned over the table, his strong fingers tracing the Orcs' northward route on the map.

"Even if those green-skinned monsters march at full speed every day, the changing climate and strain on their supplies mean it'll take them at least a month to reach Ironforge."

He glanced around at everyone seated there, then continued, "I've been to Ironforge once. I have to say, the Dwarven artisans' building skills are one of Azeroth's great wonders. Taking a massive city built into the mountains won't be easy."

"So we still have time to mobilize for war?"

Turalyon spoke quickly. Alvin noticed the young man seemed to relax at that.

"If I were the Orcs' commander, I'd surround the city rather than attack it directly." The seasoned, steady marshal shook his head. "I hope those savage Orcs spend a little longer there. We're terribly short on time."

"Kul Tiras's navy is ready. We'll show those damned Orcs how fearsome warriors of the sea can be!"

Daelin Proudmoore spoke with proud confidence. He had sailed the seas far and wide, and had good reason to be proud: he had scarcely met his match among human navies.

"Of course. I'm sure the young men of Kul Tiras are the finest sea warriors," Anduin Lothar said with a nod, acknowledging the admiral.

"And we also have the High Elves' support. The number of warriors the Ranger General brought isn't large, but those battle-tested Rangers are still a force to be reckoned with."

Turalyon suddenly cut in, but his eager tone drew faintly amused looks from almost everyone present. It was clear that the young Paladin's awkwardness when greeting the High Elf reinforcements a few days earlier—especially around Ranger General Alleria—had become common knowledge.

But Supreme Commander Lothar clearly wasn't interested in the gossip. He recalled the twelve elegant ships, far fewer than expected, and the relatively small number of Elven Rangers. Disappointment was written plainly across his face. "It seems Quel'Thalas still has no intention of getting fully involved. We're missing a powerful ally."

Alvin glanced at the somewhat distracted Turalyon and spoke up in consolation. "The war hasn't reached their lands yet. Most people would make the same choice. We should be grateful to the Holy Light that we have any unexpected reinforcements at all."

"Fine. Twelve ships."

The Alliance marshal didn't dwell on the subject. Instead, he turned his attention back to the strategic map on the round table. "We can't base our hopes on the fantasy that Ironforge will stop the Orcs. Humanity's fate must be in our own hands."

He pointed to several red flags positioned around the Wetlands. "To ensure their supplies reach them, the Orcs must either seize Thandol Span or secure a port somewhere in Hillsbrad Foothills."

He turned to his adjutant. "Turalyon, if you were their commander, would you storm the treacherous span across the strait or take on the Kul Tiras navy?"

"The Orcs have shown their strength on land. We've never faced them at sea. But according to our scouts, the ships that raided Menethil Harbor were provided and operated by pirates from the south."

The Paladin recalled the report he had read and answered. At the end, he made sure to offer the admiral a small compliment. "I doubt their naval skill can compare with that of Kul Tiras."

"Latest news: the North Sea Pirates who lurk around the southern reefs of the Gilneas Peninsula recently surrendered to the Alliance. But some traitors chose to join the Orcs in the south. Those scum aren't strong enough to have a real impact on the war, but their betrayal is enough to leave us at an intelligence disadvantage."

Alvin paused and glanced at Admiral Daelin before continuing in an unhurried tone. "Remember, those vicious North Sea Pirates have plenty of experience fighting the Kul Tiras navy..."