The Paladin had received word of Rex's return well in advance, so he had begun waiting for him in Lordaeron City early on.
After entering the mansion, Rex went straight into the hall and spotted the Paladin at once.
The Paladin was sitting in a chair. As soon as he saw Rex enter, he stood up. He held Rex in the utmost respect.
Rex looked around the hall. Only he and the Paladin were there. He trusted the Paladin completely as one of his own, so he dispensed with formalities, walked over to a chair, and sat down. "How are the preparations coming along?"
As Rex spoke, he reached out and began unrolling the map on the table before him.
It was a map of the Alterac Mountains, detailing every part of the range and including some areas of the Hillsbrad Foothills.
Some features of the Alterac Mountains' terrain stood out. Durnholde Keep, for instance, was in a rather remote location.
"Everything is ready," the Paladin said, reaching out to help flatten the map. "The Syndicate has committed practically all its forces to the attack on Alterac City. The troops left guarding Durnholde Keep are weak. If we want to take it, we only need to appear outside its walls in an instant. Then it will be easy."
"That won't be difficult. With the archmage's help, we can have him open a portal and quickly gather our army outside Durnholde Keep," Rex said with a nod.
"Once we take Durnholde Keep and cut off the Syndicate's retreat, they'll be all right only if they manage to capture Alterac City. If their attack fails, they'll lose their base and no longer pose a threat," the Paladin said.
"No longer pose a threat? No, that isn't the outcome I want." Rex shook