Augustine of the Silver Dawn

Augustine of the Silver Dawn

At Light's Hope Chapel, not far from Tyr's Hand, these renowned paladins were also discussing matters related to Southshore.

"After verification, he was indeed a member of the Silver Hand who once joined the Knights of Ultimate Power. The one who performed his initiation was the late vice commander, Gavinrad. Our clerks have found the roster from that year." Someone stepped forward to confirm Roderick's identity.

"Knight Roderick's methods are exceedingly cruel. What he did to those Undead prisoners of war is unacceptable to any kind person who holds the Holy Light in their heart. Our enemy should be the Scourge, not the Forsaken." Voices of opposition rose from the gathering as well.

"Can the crimes those damned Undead committed in Southshore simply be forgiven?" News of Roderick's attacks on the Undead did not bring comfort to the Silver Dawn knights. Some doubted his identity as a member of the Silver Hand, while others were dissatisfied with his brutal methods. At last, someone stood up to speak for Roderick.

"Knight Augustine, please calm down. We also condemn the Forsaken's actions, but that does not mean Roderick's slaughter of prisoners was right. His abuse of prisoners of war showed no knightly virtue. It is not something a noble knight should do," an officer at the side said righteously.

"Is that so? Seeing how indignant you are, I thought you were about to head to Lordaeron City to defend your queen! They turned every dead person in Southshore into skeletal monsters! Why does no one care about the Southshore those monsters destroyed? If I had been in Southshore then, I would have joined Roderick's ranks too!" Augustine roared without restraint.

Watching the paladins argue among themselves, the assassin Lohan and Mataus the Furious exchanged glances and chuckled. The Silver Dawn actually wanted to join forces with the Forsaken against the Scourge. Who knew what was going through their heads?

Under the others' persuasion, the dejected Augustine gave up the argument. Yet their prejudice against his friend left him angry and powerless. His companion, whom he had not seen for many years, had caused such a huge incident the moment he appeared. The Scarlet Crusade next door must have been especially pleased.

Augustine deeply loathed the Scarlet Crusade's fanatical hostility toward all opposing views. Many who were dissatisfied with their methods had been executed by the Scarlet Crusade in the name of justice. This was also something he firmly opposed.

But now, the Silver Dawn actually wanted to ally with the Horde against the Burning Legion, and that was equally difficult for him to accept. No one would be willing to fight alongside greenskins, least of all descendants of the Iron Horse Brotherhood. Yet now even the Forsaken had become allies. Augustine felt that the Silver Dawn's upper ranks must have gone mad.

Maxwell Tyrosus saw Augustine sitting outside alone in frustration. The tall, one-eyed man said in a calm tone, "They are not targeting your friend. But the Scourge is the enemy of us all, and its power is too great. That is why we must unite every force we can."

"Including Orcs and Undead? My father died beneath Blackrock Mountain, and the kingdom's last troops were likewise destroyed by the Undead of Lordaeron!" Augustine gripped his weapon and spoke in pain.

"Though it is difficult to accept, we have no other choice if we wish to defeat the Scourge. Roderick's actions will give the forces hostile to us within Lordaeron an excuse, and that will affect our operations against the Scourge. I hope you can understand."

"I once swore an oath. The Orcs must pay for what they did. Sir Lothar gave his life for the cause of humanity, yet the Orc chieftain who killed him received no punishment. Instead, those savage creatures hailed him as a great protector. I will not fight beside any Orc!"

"As for the Undead,

what difference is there between the forces hiding in Lordaeron and the Scourge here? Perhaps the Undead forces in the Tirisfal Glades are weaker, but they are still enemies of all humanity." After days of repression, Augustine finally voiced his true thoughts. Watching Augustine leave, Tyrosus knew that his attempt at persuasion had failed. This paladin, who had always fought bravely, was likely unable to accept the Silver Dawn's ideas. Yet for the greater cause of defeating the Scourge, all knights had to endure temporary compromises and concessions. He could only hope Augustine would come around.

As for that Roderick from Southshore, he was a typical battle fanatic. People like him only deserved to fight Ghouls on the front lines. Like the Scarlet Crusade, they had burned their brains out with revenge.

Duke Nicholas Zverenhoff looked at the resignation Augustine had submitted and said in a low voice, "Knight Augustine, do you truly wish to leave the Silver Dawn? We are severely short-handed on the front lines."

Augustine wanted badly to tell him that they could go recruit the dead from Tirisfal, along with the greenskins across the sea, to fight the Scourge. But a knight's reason allowed him to say calmly, "I will not fight alongside those Orcs and Undead. I voluntarily withdraw from the Silver Dawn."

Tyrosus, standing nearby, continued to persuade him. "Augustine, this is all for the greater good. If we cannot defeat the Scourge, no living creature will ever know peace..."

"That is not necessarily true. The Banshee Queen controlling Lordaeron might join the Scourge once again. Isn't betrayal her specialty?"

"We are short-handed here. You know the losses on the front lines have always been heavy." Tyrosus did not want to give up. Every knight who left was a tremendous blow to the Silver Dawn.

"I thought you had already recruited enough greenskins to fight the Scourge, assuming they can swim over here." Augustine could no longer endure the other man's endless nagging and mocked him.

Why ally with greenskins? Had humanity not been resisting the Scourge's attacks all along? What use was such an alliance?

Augustine's sarcasm left Tyrosus speechless, and Duke Nicholas Zverenhoff had no choice but to smooth things over. "Then I wish you a safe journey. May the Holy Light be with you."

"May the Holy Light protect you as well." Augustine said nothing more and turned to leave the chapel.

"Hey, kid. You really should have seen Tyrosus's expression change. It was absolutely wonderful." A gleeful voice came from behind him.

"Thank you, but I have even less interest in the Scarlet Crusade. Your skill at massacring civilians is far greater than your performance when attacking the Scourge." Augustine loathed the Scarlet Crusade even more.

"I do not wish to trade insults with you. I merely heard that you are a friend of Knight Roderick?" Lohan, a high-ranking Scarlet Crusade assassin, asked directly.

"Is there a problem?" Augustine was puzzled.

"Then you should hear my plan. Knight Roderick's actions are perfectly in line with the Scarlet Crusade's principles. We will send an envoy to Southshore. You can travel with her. What do you say?"

"Very well. I can accept this mission. I will guarantee with my life that she reaches Southshore safely." Although he frowned slightly, Augustine still accepted the request. Helping all those in need was a knight's virtue.

"We do not need your life, but you truly amused me. The Scarlet Crusade remembers anyone who has ever helped us. I will contact you when it is time to depart. Trust me, she is also a powerful knight and will not hold you back," Lohan said with a smile.

A female knight? It did not matter. He would certainly tell Roderick about the Scarlet Crusade's terrifying fanaticism and ensure their recruitment plan failed. Of that, he was confident.

"Mataus sent word from next door. One of Roderick's friends has left the Silver Dawn, an upright knight. He is willing to escort you to Southshore and even offer his life to protect you. What a fine young man, isn't he?" Marlene said to Abbendis, who had finished preparing for departure.

"Though the Silver Dawn's knights are somewhat weak, they are still true knights. Marlene, I'll leave things here to you for the time being. As for the High Inquisitor..." Abbendis was somewhat worried.

"Go without worry. I will find a way." Marlene spoke with complete confidence. At Tyr's Hand, the High General was the leader of all soldiers.

And so, Scarlet High General Abbendis and Augustine, Roderick's friend, set out together on their journey south. The Scarlet Crusade and the Silver Dawn, these two great knightly organizations, would soon make their first contact with Roderick, while his former close comrade would return once more to his homeland and friends.