Loading the supplies needed by the fleet of several thousand people took the entire afternoon at the harbor in The Hinterlands. Once everything was aboard, Thirteen wasted no time. He boarded his ship and set off for Stranglethorn Vale that very night.
After seeing Thirteen's fleet off, Yu Lin Bloodhawk returned to his office. He had plenty of work on his hands. As the City Lord of Quel'Danil City, he also needed to convene a council meeting before leaving, to set the course for matters that would arise in his absence.
When Thirteen returned and took the fleet to Quel'Thalas, they would also have to prepare a large quantity of military supplies for him to transport. Naturally, that shipment would include every ballista they could produce by then.
All those countless little tasks kept Yu Lin Bloodhawk running in circles during this period.
Stranglethorn Vale, Wildman Coast, the mouth of the Southfury River.
Two medium warships, two small gunships, and eleven transports floated quietly on the sea, all flying Bloodskull pirate flags.
Knock! Knock! Knock! Someone knocked on Zuga's cabin door.
Fifteen's voice came from outside. "Zuga, we're here!"
With a creak, Zuga opened the cabin door, which he had rarely opened during the voyage. A haggard, wasted troll face appeared before Fifteen.
Fifteen sighed inwardly, but said nothing more.
"We're here?" Zuga asked, straightening his clothes.
"We're here!" Fifteen said.
Zuga gave Fifteen a long look, then drew a deep breath. "I'm going ashore," he said forlornly.
Fifteen nodded without a word. He knew Zuga was suffering, but what else could he say? Whatever choice someone made, they had to bear its consequences.
After a few steps, Zuga suddenly stopped without turning around. "Fifteen, can you tell me a little more?"
Fifteen stopped. "What do you want to know?"