With the arrival of the tenth spring since the opening of the Dark Portal, the weather slowly began to warm. Many of the Trolls in Zul'Aman were still mired in despondency and confusion, but plenty of them were beginning to perk up. In the empty, despairing winter, they had found new motivation and purpose in Zul'ra.
After the start of spring, Zul'ra selected more than a dozen outstanding male and female Trolls from among his many followers. They included the female farmers led by Haimuxi and the male craftsmen led by Maki. He had them lead the Trolls in production.
Production would be organized around small teams serving as leaders and examples. They would clear farmland selectively, plant crops on a large scale, train more craftsmen, and forge more weapons. Once one person mastered a skill, he would teach ten; once those ten had mastered it, they would teach a hundred.
As production got underway, Zul'ra's ideas spread rapidly through the teams. Many Forest Troll civilians and soldiers were drawn to them, creating a considerable swell of support. Amid that groundswell, news began reaching Battleaxe Ridge.
Perhaps because the expedition through the Dark Portal had ended, cracks were beginning to appear within the Alliance. Its blockade was breaking down, and Forest Troll scouts had begun gathering news from outside and making contact with the nearby Mossflayer Tribe in the Thalas Mountains.
The band that had long been wrapped around Zul'jin's neck was finally loosened, giving him room to breathe. The Amani chieftain immediately began to stir, eagerly yearning for an action that could ease his guilt and restore his reputation.
Although the Alliance was powerful, Zul'jin believed it could not have defeated the Horde without a struggle. The Alliance had suffered heavy losses. If they found the right approach and united all the Forest Trolls, they would surely gain something. At the very least, they could reclaim some of their lost lands.
The Amani and Darkpine Tribes, the Forest Trolls' two largest groups, had now been driven entirely out of Darkwood. The Mossflayer Tribe was still trapped in the wilderness between the Thalas Mountains and North Valley. All had suffered heavy losses, and the Forest Trolls urgently needed room to survive.
Zul'ra tried to dissuade Zul'jin. The Alliance of Lordaeron was on the verge of breaking apart. If they attacked now, they might drive the Alliance back together. Even if they didn't, the Elves and humans would grow wary of the Forest Trolls.
"If we put aside reclaiming our lost lands, then what can we do? How are we supposed to survive?" Zul'jin asked urgently, unable to understand Zul'ra's point.
"Zul'jin, I understand how you feel, but you need to know that we are no match for the Alliance. As for survival, we've already started clearing fields. We'll have enough food." Zul'ra tried to reassure him. If they worked hard, they could always find a place to live. There was no need to gamble with their lives.
"But that's all grain, vegetables, and fruit. My warriors shouldn't have to eat that sort of rubbish." When Zul'jin heard Zul'ra call the Alliance an unequal match, anger flashed in his eyes. He understood the truth all too well, but that only made him more frustrated.
"Those grains and so-called rubbish were grown through the hard work of our people. They were watered with their sweat, and they saved our lives." Seeing Zul'jin's furious expression, Zul'ra raised his voice. Their people had poured their blood and sweat into growing the crops. The least he could do was be grateful instead of calling them rubbish.
"Sorry." Hearing the emphasis in Zul'ra's voice, Zul'jin felt a slight pang and was ashamed of what he had said. He turned his eyes aside, unable to meet Zul'ra's gaze. Then, feeling that he was being cowardly, he looked Zul'ra in the eye and continued.
"But aside from fighting the Alliance, what else can we do? I mean things besides hunting and production. We may have crops from the fields, but we'll still need meat."
"True, we'll need meat, but we can raise livestock. That will be difficult, since we don't have many people with experience in it. As for what else we can do, I think our Orc allies have left us plenty of lessons." Zul'ra answered slowly. They couldn't live on grain and vegetables alone; they needed protein and fat. As for what they could do, there was no shortage of possibilities.
"Hm?" Zul'jin lifted his chin slightly, inviting Zul'ra to continue.
"Before our Orc allies came here, we fought the Elves and humans countless times, yet we were always on the losing end. But as soon as the Orcs arrived, they crushed a human kingdom in the south and forced the humans to ally with the Pale Ones and the Dwarves. Zul'jin, how did the Orcs manage that?" Zul'ra recalled something and explained it to him.
"Because they had many powerful warriors, and they allied with us and used the right tactics. You mean..." Zul'jin answered without hesitation. A flash of insight crossed his mind, but he couldn't quite grasp it. His knowledge and way of thinking were different from Zul'ra's.
"Exactly, Zul'jin. It's time to end the scattered rule of the various tribes and unite them under one banner. Let the flag of the Amani Empire fly once more. Then we can rebuild our strength and, when the time is right, take back our lands from the humans or the Pale Ones." Zul'ra explained why the Orcs were so powerful: the many Orc clans had united under the Warchief, while the Forest Trolls had let the Amani Empire fade away.
"They won't willingly accept that." Zul'jin fell silent in thought. Restoring the banner of the Amani Empire might repair his shattered reputation, but the tribes would never willingly give up their independence.
"Then when necessary, we'll have to show them our strength. Hold a spear in one hand and offer food with the other. If they accept the food, so much the better. If they refuse, use the spear to make them eat it." Zul'ra laid out his plan. They would need both the carrot and the stick to unite the Forest Trolls.
"I have to admit, your words have convinced me, Zul'ra." Zul'jin's eyes brightened slightly. Unite willingly or be united by force—he liked that approach.
"Have you worked out a plan, then, Chieftain?" Seeing Zul'jin's brightened expression, Zul'ra asked.
"Of course. First, we need to find out what's happening with those tribes. The Alliance's blockade has weakened our ties to one another. We don't even know whether the Vilebranch, Witherbark, and Smolderthorn are still alive, let alone the Mossflayer." Zul'jin nodded firmly and explained.
"You've thought further ahead than I have." Zul'ra offered a little praise.
"Zul'ra, your suggestion was excellent too. Once my empire is established, you'll be a capable assistant, helping me rule it." Pleased by the praise, Zul'jin gave a small, satisfied nod and made his promise.
"Thank you for your generosity, Zul'jin." Zul'ra replied with a beaming smile, privately grumbling to himself. Assistant? He was the one who was going to become the Troll Highlord.
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