Crimson Crusade

Within Lordaeron

Battle reports kept arriving; the Undead were now plotting to retake Dalaran and even planned to advance into Silverpine Forest to attack Lordaeron. Grand Marshal Garithos tossed the reports dismissively onto his desk. This used to be where Uther conducted official business; a portrait of King Terenas hung on the wall, holding a jeweled scepter and wearing a crown—though Arthas had now taken that crown. Garithos wondered why the Prince who had murdered his father hadn't destroyed the painting when he occupied the city, and why he hadn't taken it with him when he left.

Garithos was a strong Warrior with some combat experience and strategy. However, he harbored prejudice against races other than humans. Not long ago, he drove away the Blood Elf, and those long-eared creatures dared to collude with the Naga. What was even more infuriating was that just as he was about to execute the Elf, the serpent people arrived and rescued them.

"These ungrateful Elf, once I've dealt with the Undead, I'll make you pay the price!"

It was the portrait of Terenas that calmed his anger somewhat. The Grand Marshal fantasized about the day he too could be the person in the portrait, or at least have his achievements affirmed in that way. He imagined how wonderful it would be if the people of Lordaeron could hang his portrait in their homes.

"Gray! Gray Maines!"

"I am here, Grand Marshal."

As always, Gray appeared in the marshal's sight immediately after hearing Garithos call his name. This was something Garithos had always been quite satisfied with in his lieutenant. However, aside from speaking more calmly, he didn't show any special favor. He merely nodded slightly in acknowledgment before issuing orders to Gray, as if conveying King's decree.

"Gray, how's the recruitment of soldiers I asked you to do?"

"I have recruited over a thousand soldiers as you instructed."

"Only a thousand soldiers!" Garithos's slamming of the table made Gray tremble. "I need three thousand, three thousand!"

"I know that, but you know that I've been carrying out the tasks you assigned me, but the population loss is just too severe. Besides the humans who went on the expedition to Kalimdor, tens of thousands more have trekked south to Stormwind City. So..."

"I don't need to hear excuses, I need solutions."

Gray kept his head down, not daring to look up and face Garithos's wrath.

"Grand Marshal, perhaps we should contact Stormwind City and request their assistance," Gray continued before Garithos could erupt in anger again. "I know you're thinking that Stormwind City is too far away for them to reach here. But I'm saying that Stormwind City has always been a member of the Alliance, and their King Varian King Wrynn is very benevolent; he took in civilians fleeing from Lordaeron. I believe he will send troops; it will just take some time."

Garithos stroked his mustache-covered chin. "Varian King Wrynn? I remember him. The Prince who fled to Lordaeron years ago. He's King now, but does he still remember His Majesty Terenas's kindness?"

"We must try, Grand Marshal. If Stormwind City agrees to support us, it will be a huge help in our complete annihilation of the Undead. Let me go, Garithos. If you send your most loyal lieutenant to persuade them, the chances of success will be much higher."

Garithos sat back in his chair, carefully considering the feasibility of Gray's method, but his final conclusion was that humans were always more reliable than Elf and Dwarf. "Then go! Return quickly!"

"Mission accomplished!" Gray smiled, but inwardly he was overjoyed. He could finally leave this awful place, Lordaeron. Once he reached Stormwind City, he could be completely free from the Scourge Undead invasion!

As Gray turned to leave, he suddenly remembered something. "Garithos! I have something else to report to you."

"Speak!"

Gray cleared his throat, making Garithos believe that what he was about to say was truly important. "Grand Marshal, I once had a Blood Elf girl..."

"Get out!" Garithos grabbed a file from the desk and threw it at Gray. "How dare you mention those the Betrayer in front of me! Get out!"

After being kicked out, Gray snorted coldly. Garithos had clearly misunderstood him. He had taken the important matter as a romantic tale. He hadn't even finished his sentence: he had once interacted with a female Blood Elf, and from her he had inadvertently learned that Kael'thas had fought the Undead in Dalaran, and that the Blood Elf Prince had fought a powerful Undead and been injured. But what he hadn't expected was that the Undead was Nathanos. When Gray learned this, he almost jumped up.

"You've finally met your match, you little brat from Marius Farm." Gray had originally wanted Garithos to help him get rid of him, but his superior's attitude greatly disappointed him, and Garithos was incredibly arrogant; he probably wouldn't waste his time and resources on an Undead. The thought of Nathanos injuring Kael'thas made Gray feel utterly overconfident.

"Maybe I can go find someone else!"

Hearthglen, the once-famous banner of Lordaeron now seems stained with blood. Every time Larein sees such a banner, he feels uneasy, just like his own blood-red armor. Traces of the battle against the Scourge a few days ago still remain at the valley entrance. Larein can't even tell which wave of Undead attacks this was.

The former Silver Hand Paladin is now a member of the Scarlet Monastery. His home is a small hut on the western side of Hearthglen, where he has stayed for a long time, fighting the Undead every day.

"You're back?"

"I'm sorry to have worried you," Larein said to Kasha, who was sitting on the ground, his hands resting on the embers like the girl's, feeling their warmth.

"I don't want to witness another Paladin fall." Kasha turned her gaze to Larein.

"I will never leave you, Kasha." Larein smiled at her. He could still manage a smile now.

These past few days have indeed been bloody for Hearthglen. Crusaders General Rend Abidis has fallen, sacrificing himself to protect his daughter, Bridget Abidis. This has undoubtedly fueled the hatred many Scourge.

But this made the two people inside the house feel uneasy.

"Everything has changed, Larein, ever since Uther fell."

"I know, Kasha. In fact, after Lord Uther died, I also had doubts about the Holy Light."

Kasha sighed. "General Abidis's daughter, Bridget, has taken over as Grand General. She declares that the Holy Light will only shine on humanity. I think..."

"Shh!!!" Larein interrupted her, glancing at the doorway. "Some things you just need to understand, Kasha. Never question those crazy commanders in front of others, or you'll be seen as an outcast."