The next day, Taelan Fordring finally arrived in Durnholde!
To his disappointment, though, all he saw were listless Orcs and Blackmoore, who looked righteous as could be.
At the evening banquet, Blackmoore stopped drinking after only a few glasses.
He even told Taelan Fordring, "As the warden, I can't drink too much. Life here is dull and boring, but I have to stay alert at all times in case these Orcs cause trouble."
Blackmoore had seen firsthand how formidable the Orcs had been in the Second War.
Having failed to see Thrall and Taretha, Taelan Fordring left Durnholde with regrets.
Blackmoore, who had just been promoted to lieutenant general, clearly hadn't started drinking heavily yet. As for Thrall, Taelan Fordring was certain he was already in Durnholde. Blackmoore simply wouldn't let him see him.
Blackmoore was extremely wary of Taelan Fordring. He knew the young knight commander was powerful and had many supporters and admirers in the Order of the Silver Hand. He had become a High Knight of the Silver Hand at such a young age. If he wanted to, he could strangle Blackmoore with one hand.
After all, if Blackmoore ran into several hundred Zul'Mashar Trolls, he wouldn't even get a chance to fight. They'd kill him in a few rounds.
But Taelan Fordring hadn't just survived; he had uprooted the Zul'Mashar Trolls, who had existed for thousands of years.
He had personally cut off the head of the Troll chieftain, Tareshen. He had slain the leader of a group of Fifth-Tier creatures.
In a world of swords and magic, power belonged to the individual, and strength was authority. That was why Blackmoore had the nerve to secretly challenge King Terenas and try to take his place. But he would never dare confront Taelan Fordring directly.
Taelan Fordring