Shrouded in misty rain, the trees gently swayed their emerald leaves. Washed by falling droplets, their branches gradually drooped, drifting slowly in the cold, slanting wind with an air of desolation and gloom.
The army was about to leave Silverpine Forest. The undead army had not ravaged it too badly, and lush green trees and grass could still be seen. It was unlike northeastern Lordaeron, where the once-familiar names had been replaced by the hideous names Eastern Plaguelands and Western Plaguelands.
Rain poured from the sky, reducing visibility to roughly half its usual range and veiling the Expeditionary Alliance's camp in a whitish haze.
"Lousy weather." Rex sighed as he lifted the tent flap. Standing inside the command tent, he gazed out at the unending rain.
Only two days had passed since the Expeditionary Alliance selected its commander and began advancing. With just over a day left before they reached Lordaeron City, the weather turned foul and rain began to fall, putting something of a damper on the army's morale.
Until then, the Expeditionary Alliance had marched with soaring spirits. The Undead Scourge had stationed no troops in the field at all. Knowing its limited forces were no match for them, it had withdrawn into Lordaeron City, and the undead that had once been such a common sight had all vanished.
"Kael, did you find Muradin?" Rex asked Kael'thas, who stood beside him in fiery red Sunstrider mage robes. Surprise colored his voice. He had not expected to see Kael'thas here. The Sunwell had kept him busy, and Rex had only recently received word that Kael'thas had departed for Northrend to search for Muradin's body and locate titansteel along the way.
"No." Kael'thas shook his head, his long golden hair swaying. Disappointment showed in his eyes as he continued, "Every