Yrel's sortie had yielded remarkable results.
Because of Blackhand's "death," the Horde army remained in chaos for an entire day. It was not until Gul'dan announced that their Warchief had not died, merely suffered grave injuries, and led the chieftains of the major clans to visit the recuperating Blackhand that the turmoil gradually subsided.
However, no one noticed that Blackhand, who had "survived" the duel, had become quieter and colder than before. Whenever he saw Gul'dan, he also displayed a certain instinctive obedience.
Most of the chieftains were especially relieved that Blackhand had survived. Although Blackhand had lost to the Draenei leader Yrel in the champion's duel even with Gul'dan's dishonorable assistance, dealing a severe blow to Orc morale and greatly damaging Blackhand's prestige, even Kilrogg of the Bleeding Hollow Clan, the most veteran among them, had to admit that no one in the entire Horde could have performed better than Blackhand in that contest.
Whether for the Horde's unity or to oppose Yrel, the Horde still needed Blackhand's strength.
Thus, the outcome of the Warchief's defeat was quietly brushed aside. Everyone understood but pretended not to, and no fool stepped forward to challenge Blackhand's position.
The Orcs might have been reckless and warlike, but they were not idiots.
Nor did Blackhand disappoint the others. Early the next morning, he forced his grievously wounded body back onto the battlefield and displayed his valor.
Stirred by Blackhand's courage and perseverance, the Horde regained its fighting spirit and renewed its assault on Shattrath with the conviction that they would avenge him.
Yet only then did they discover that what they were attacking was no longer a heavily defended fortress, but an empty city with nothing but appearances.
The city that had resolutely resisted them for an entire day just yesterday now had