Darezzo's Family

During the time after reaching an agreement with Mayor Heni, the guard recruitment plan was suspended. All soldiers were mobilized to level the road leading east of Southshore.

Beside the remaining buildings of Nethander Stead, teams of humans began clearing away scattered stones, sweeping the ground, and pulling weeds. Several simple wooden houses were built. Besides the frequent carts bringing in large amounts of construction materials, an occasional small boat would sail along the coast and upstream on the calm Hillsbrad River, unloading vast quantities of supplies.

The Stormpike Dwarves also sent their craftsmen to help the humans repair the damaged watchtowers. The Dun Garok garrison provided part of its forces to ensure the basic safety of the hard-working refugees.

But cooperation between the two sides could only remain at this scale for the time being. According to the information provided by Thalmar Stormpike, only after the humans of Southshore had firmly established themselves on both banks of the Hillsbrad River would the Stormpike Clan be willing to discuss the next stage of cooperation with Roderick.

Adrian and Red had been stationed at Nethander Stead for many days, accompanied by more than forty soldiers and over a hundred Northrend refugees working there. Southshore's defenses had largely been left to Alwyn and the others.

However, Roderick's trip to Hillsbrad to negotiate ended in complete failure. Mayor Bownside was satisfied with every aspect of his town and declared that they could defend their homeland with their own strength.

The sharp-tongued clerk, Heras Whitestead, even sneered at Southshore for accepting aid from the Kingdom of Stormwind. Only Hillsbrad, forever independent, was a force truly capable of representing the Kingdom of Lordaeron. Southshore was now a vassal of those southerners and had no right to meddle in Hillsbrad's affairs.

Any hope of having Hillsbrad's troops establish a defensive line near Southpoint Tower had vanished. In the end, Bondes, the foreman of the Jade Mine, also complained that Southshore had recruited away all the northern refugees, causing the mine's output to continue declining.

The two sides ultimately parted on bad terms, without reaching any agreement. Those provincial fools in Hillsbrad had never seen the wider world and simply did not understand what kind of catastrophe the Scourge was. Roderick had no solution when faced with allies like these.

They had vast stretches of fertile farmland and a productive mine, and had always lived comfortably. With Dalaran sheltering them to the north of Hillsbrad, the village's naive people believed the Undead were far away. The rest were mindlessly arrogant, expecting farmers who had only just picked up weapons and received no training to fight the Scourge. Roderick had no idea how their minds worked.

After recruiting most of the refugees here to reclaim land along the Hillsbrad River, Roderick had no choice but to admit that diplomacy with Hillsbrad had failed completely and utterly.

Somewhat dejected, Roderick returned home and found a letter from Darezzo stuffed into his doorway. The letter informed him that Darezzo's father wished to see him at home and hoped Roderick would come over as soon as he returned.

Darezzo's home lay southwest of town. It was perhaps the most luxurious estate in all of Southshore. Iron railings protected every building, and only a heavy iron gate allowed entry or exit.

Flett Family guards constantly patrolled the courtyard, each team leading a vicious wolfhound. They barked ferociously at the unfamiliar Roderick.

Roderick released a faint trace of a warrior's berserk aura. The wolfhounds immediately tucked their tails and fled from his sight. No matter how the guards behind them tugged on their leashes and shouted, they did not dare turn back.

After the butler led him into the hall, Darezzo, dressed in noble leisurewear, told Roderick that his father, Brady Flett, was waiting for him in the study on the second floor. As for what it was about, he did not know.

Brady Flett and his son Darezzo Flett looked remarkably alike.

They had long, sharp eyes, high noses, prominent cheekbones, and thin lips. The only difference was that the father had black hair, while his son had inherited his mother's fiery red hair. Such features gave off a sharp, harsh impression when they did not smile. Darezzo's gentle smile and red hair concealed that quality, but the Brady before Roderick proved it perfectly.

"Mr. Brady, what is it?" Space Marines hated this sort of noble hypocrisy most of all. If there was something to say, just ask. Why put on this aristocratic pretense? Though he used an honorific, his feelings were plain to hear.

"I heard you've run into some trouble lately, Captain Roderick." Brady was perhaps provoked by his tone and spoke bluntly.

"Is that so? What trouble are you referring to?"

"Young people are always impulsive. Your watchtower restoration work seems to have stalled because you don't have enough craftsmen?" Brady was not entirely unaware of the commotion Roderick had caused.

That was indeed true. The restoration of several watchtowers was progressing slowly. They had been left behind by Alliance forces during their war against the Orcs. Most of the structures were made of enormous blocks of cut stone, built by masons and accompanying mages. Southshore's current buildings were mainly wooden, and stoneworkers were pitifully scarce. Only a few Dwarf masons were handling the work, so progress had stalled.

"You can help us solve this problem?" Roderick asked doubtfully.

"When the fleet returned this time, it happened to encounter a group in Stormwind City that wanted to seek opportunities in the north. I asked around, and they're all skilled craftsmen." Brady's explanation sounded thoroughly unreliable.

"Darezzo is the youngest in the guard, and all of you have taken good care of him. Since the Flett Family is about to move to the Kingdom of Stormwind, I am willing to lend you a hand."

Though he knew there had to be some catch, their arrival could indeed greatly speed up the watchtower repairs. Roderick politely thanked him, then followed the butler to meet the craftsmen.

As they went downstairs, Darezzo followed. "What did my father say to you?" He looked slightly flustered.

Although Darezzo was valued and doted upon by his father, he was at an age of passion and rebellion. Years of knightly training had also left his ideals far removed from those of his family. With the family preparing to leave Southshore and force him to abandon his career in the guard, the young man had been giving them the cold shoulder for quite some time.

"Don't worry. Your father found us some craftsmen. It's a huge help," Roderick reassured him.

Only then did Darezzo relax. After exchanging a few words, they arrived at a side room in the courtyard. The butler knocked, and a burly man opened the door only a crack, watching them warily.

"I'm Roderick, captain of the Southshore guard. Mr. Brady must have told you about this already. What do you all think?"

"Just call me Borg. We'll work for you, but wages are settled daily. No delays." The man's terms were simple and direct: payment every day. It seemed their lives were quite difficult.

"Fine. A small boat will come pick you up tomorrow. The worksite is east of Southshore..."

"I heard about it. Watchtower Village, right? See you tomorrow." With a bang, the door slammed shut.

Roderick and Darezzo looked at each other. The man was certainly straightforward—he said goodbye and closed the door. Though he was a little strange, at least the construction could finally move faster. After leaving the Flett Family estate and returning home, Roderick began reading the intelligence Antoine had brought once more.