Mayor Heni's Secret

Mayor Heni's Secret

Theramore Castle on the Kalimdor Continent and Southshore in the south of the Lordaeron Continent were no closer than a fisherman from Hillsbrad and a farmer from Westfall in the Kingdom of Stormwind. Putting that beautiful, noble mage out of his mind, Roderick began tending to his own affairs.

"Lieutenant, I advise against using black as the background color for the war banner."

"If it isn't black, why call it the Dark Raven Warband?" Roderick retorted.

"Based on the available information, black does not carry favorable connotations in Azeroth, so it would be best not to use it on the banner. The people here favor white more highly; the Kingdom of Lordaeron uses that color scheme."

"A white raven on a white flag? Are you kidding me? Wouldn't the enemy think we were preparing to surrender?" the Space Marine complained.

"You could still choose red or blue. To improve recognition, I recommend a red banner. It is the most eye-catching and particularly suited to the Dark Raven Knights' combat doctrine."

"Fine, I'll leave this sort of thing to you. But the name absolutely cannot be changed."

Thus, the loyal Dark Raven warriors changed their banner's colors. The Dark Raven Warband founded in Azeroth, the warriors under Roderick's command, would continue fighting beneath a white raven on a red field.

The Astartes also analyzed the situation for Roderick and concluded that Southshore's authorities truly had no need to maintain such a massive fighting force. If they really had to face an Undead invasion, even the entire town combined would not be able to stop the Undead horde. It would be more economical to reduce the troops and lower the cost of maintaining them.

Roderick scoffed at that idea. Even if the council members intended to flee by ship when the time came, they would still need time. More soldiers holding the line could buy more people time to evacuate. Though they argued over it, Roderick knew the other side's reasoning seemed more sensible. After giving it careful thought, he decided to seek Mayor Heni's help.

"This is a magical alarm clock Remi sent you. It can wake people automatically every morning. She has always wanted to come back and visit you, but the management over there is very strict. She will not have any freedom until she advances to become an official novice mage." Roderick placed the gift his younger sister had carefully prepared on the table.

"Hehe, how did Remilia become such an adult after going out?" Mayor Heni did not refuse it and looked quite pleased. Nothing made a middle-aged man like him happier than receiving affection from the younger generation.

Heni Mareb had spent half his life in the army. He had never married or had children and remained alone to this day. To him, the orphaned children of his former comrades-in-arms were like his own.

"Tell me, then. What are your plans after paying such a high price to obtain those lands?" Heni asked Roderick with a smile.

Having prepared himself, Roderick spoke freely. Before Mayor Heni, he had nothing to hide.

"I have not thought that much about it. I just feel that we cannot keep retreating before the Undead offensive. If we retreat any farther, we will be retreating into the sea."

"The Stromgarde Kingdom in the Arathi Highlands is weak beyond measure. News from the Dwarves says that Trollbane's descendants cannot even hold their royal capital now. Without outside aid, they are doomed to fall sooner or later."

"They call themselves the Alliance, but Stormwind City is thousands of miles away. If the Undead attack, by the time they receive the news and come to rescue us, they will probably only be here to collect our bodies."

"The people of Lordaeron cannot rely solely on outside help. We need strength of our own. Hillsbrad is the kingdom's last safe region. Though it lacks high-end combat power, the Undead forces here are not as strong as those in Northrend. This is also our final opportunity."

"If we establish defenses near the Eastern Watchpost, the villagers of Southshore and Hillsbrad will have enough time to evacuate should the Undead launch a major assault. If only small units come, they will not affect production in the rear. Besides, we can contact the Dwarves' Stormpike Clan. They are the force we need most right now." Heni watched the young Roderick explain his plan. After remaining silent for a long while, he asked, "Roderick, do you know why I was able to become mayor here? Uncle Heni was neither the strongest warrior nor a noble of distinguished birth. Why have I been able to sit in this position for so long?"

Roderick thought for a moment and tried to answer, "Because you are fair in your dealings and highly respected. Everyone in town is willing to follow you."

"Are you trying to fob me off with words like that?" Heni feigned anger. He took out a familiar-looking ring and pointed at it. "I know my own abilities. The greatest reason is this."

"This is the emblem of the Iron Horse Brotherhood. Back then, the Brotherhood was merely a mutual-aid organization founded by several knights in Stormwind City. Later, after Sir Lothar became its leader, the organization rapidly expanded. After numerous battles against the Orcs, the Iron Horse Brotherhood's reputation became, much like the Silver Hand afterward, a place of honor for all knights." As Heni recalled those stirring years, his tone became much lighter.

"The Brotherhood continued to grow until the day Sir Lothar died." Heni's tone did not change, as though he were speaking of someone else's affairs.

"Sir Lothar died beneath the Doomhammer of the Orc chieftain Orgrim. Hundreds from the Iron Horse Brotherhood died alongside Lothar. Your father was among them, bravely sacrificing his life with those knights."

"Although the battle was ultimately won, the Iron Horse Brotherhood was severely crippled. Its remaining members began to scatter, and in the end, it was absorbed into the Silver Hand and other knightly orders."

"That is also why I told you to seek out Gavinrad back then. He joined the Silver Hand because of Sir Lothar's recommendation. In truth, he too was a member of the Iron Horse Brotherhood."

"Whoever bears this ring is a brother. Some of the Brotherhood's members who scattered long ago may still be willing to uphold that creed."

"Southshore was responsible for supplying food to the entire Alliance in Northrend. Yet such an important position had always remained in the hands of someone who was not an official directly under the Kingdom of Stormwind. That was because people in Stormwind City had tacitly accepted this arrangement, as had Dalaran."

"Neither of those two great powers wished to replace me lightly. And even if others wanted to become mayor, they had no way to do so. That is why I have remained in this position for so many years."

"So many years have passed. Among the Iron Horse Brotherhood's members from back then, some have died, some have gone into seclusion, and some have changed their oaths. Perhaps there are still people who uphold that creed, but people like that, like Gavinrad—upright people always die young."

"Roderick, my abilities are enough only to preserve the peace of a small town. What you intend to do may give this kingdom new life. Go ahead without worry. I will fully support your cause." Mayor Heni made the decision to give his full support without hesitation.

After his father died, Mayor Heni had always cared about Roderick's growth. This increasingly balding middle-aged man had filled in part of the image of a father missing from his life. And now Mayor Heni was once again going to fully support Roderick's plans. Perhaps what Roderick was doing now had also once been the dream of Mayor Heni and his companions.