Nijel's Point

The Forsaken's ships docked not far from Ratchet, a major southern port city on the Kalimdor. Ratchet is a bustling hub for merchants and travelers, situated in the heart of Horde territory. Its rulers, like those in Booty Bay, are Goblins. However, it maintains neutrality, serving as a buffer zone between the Horde and the Alliance.

But the Forsaken thousands of miles to Kalimdor, wouldn't linger in the Goblins cities. They headed northwest, eventually reaching the Stonetalon Mountains. Nathanos remembered this place. It was here that Jaina and Thrall forged their alliance. And now, to find refuge, he had to cross it. The Wailing Caverns that Za'tar spoke of lay to the south of the mountains.

Originally, heading west from Ratchet would have been the fastest way to reach Wailing Caverns, but this route would have passed through Thunder Bluff, Tauren territory. To conceal their movements, Nathanos decided to take a longer route.

"My lord, we have investigated thoroughly." Belmont and several of his chosen scouts returned. Nathanos was waiting for them at the pass leading from the Stonetalon Mountains to Wailing Caverns. "As you said, there are indeed four Centaur Horde in Wailing Caverns, and they are hostile to each other."

"Is the map ready?" Nathanos asked. Belmont had already smiled and handed the map to him.

As the Witherer unfolded the map, Belmont was still beside him, reporting on the situation. The map marked the locations of four Centaur Horde, all on the edge of Wailing Caverns, but one of Horde had occupied Maraudon. Meanwhile, Belmont's intelligence indicated that there were other enemies in the area.

"You marked this location with a red cross," Nathanos said, pointing to the northwest on the map, not far south of their position. In fact, there were many such markings on the map, but Nathanos was most concerned about the one closest to them. "Does this mean there's some other threat there?"

"You are a wise leader, sir. There is an Orcs stronghold over there."

"Orcs?" Nathanos frowned. "Have you seen Horde banners?"

"No, I'd guess they're an Orcs that hasn't submitted to the Horde. Each of them is hiding themselves under a dark red turban. And there are no Warrior among them, they seem more like..." Belmont paused, searching for the right words.

"A cult?" Nathanos said for him.

"A cult, yes!" Belmont agreed. "Of course, we also sensed a demonic power flowing through their veins."

"Then there's no problem, "The Witherer relaxed.

"Is there a suitable place to set up camp?" Nathanos asked.

"Yes, there is." Belmont pointed to a mountain pass nearby, but then shook his head. "The Alliance are stationed there."

"How did the Alliance end up here?" Nathanos followed up, seeing the same puzzled look on Belmont's face.

"We do not know, sir," Belmont replied, adding, "But we have learned that the Alliance's commander is a captain named Bendigas. His camp is called Nijel's Point."

"An outpost? Then there shouldn't be many humans stationed there." Nathanos glanced at him thoughtfully. "Tonight, that place will belong to the Forsaken."

Captain Bendigas of Stormwind City is currently drafting a report on Wailing Caverns, which will be sent to Theramore and then to King Varian. The Alliance approved a strategy against the Horde several months ago. Due to the complex power dynamics across the Eastern Kingdoms, the Alliance cannot completely control the entire continent, but it also cannot allow the Horde to monopolize Kalimdor. As far as Bendigas knows, Lady Jaina is actively trying to persuade the Night Elf to join the Alliance. Their force, which has penetrated deep into Kalimdor, will thoroughly investigate the situation Horde Thunder Bluff territory. If possible, the Alliance will establish numerous outposts on this continent in the future.

Bendigas wrote his name at the end of the report, letting out a sigh of relief, thinking he could finally rest. But then he paused, a slight frown creeping over him, a sense of unease creeping in. He turned his gaze to the night sky outside the window. He could hear it—faint, but growing louder. It was the sound of arrows striking their targets. Bendigas knew that the soldiers' training was long over.

"Enemy attack!" Bendigas shouted, then rushed out, yelling warnings as he grabbed his warhammer from the wall. He charged out of the camp. He had just opened his mouth to call for the guards to prepare for battle when a bright light suddenly shone in his eyes—the searchlight from the watchtower.

Bendigas raised a hand to his eyes, shielding them from the glare of the searchlight, but still heard no one else shout. The captain squinted; he saw a figure appear where no one had been before in the light. It didn't seem to be a Centaur or an Orcs, but Bendigas felt the temperature in front of him drop sharply.

The person in the light raised a hand, and the light shining on Bendigas's face disappeared. The captain hadn't noticed before, but as soon as his vision returned, he immediately smelled blood. At the same time, in the dim darkness, he saw pairs of yellow eyes staring at him, while the one in front of him was red. The only campfire in the camp couldn't help the captain make out what was happening, but he already felt fear...

Silvermoon City

Alleria, cloaked, patrolled the streets and alleys of the capital alone. The Sin'dorei had finally regained control of the capital, and through tireless efforts, Silvermoon City was nearing its former glory, except for the Death's Scar left by Arthas. That black road crawling with Scourge Worms was a wound that Quel'Thalas could never heal, a wound in the heart of every Elf. Alleria vowed that she would restore Quel'Thalas to its former glory.

Upon arriving at the Garden Market, the Regent paused briefly. She sat on a bench, behind her three lifelike statues of maidens, their heads raised, each holding a disc from which clean water sprinkling out, forming a fountain. Here, Alleria could feel a refreshing coolness that soothed her soul.

Silvermoon City has been recaptured and rebuilt, but it's never been as lively as it used to be. The High Elf who once lived here had little sense of time. Once dusk fell, they would often gather and revel in the Garden Market. Alleria remembered that she had been here before. It was to celebrate her brother Lirath's acceptance into magic school; the four siblings had come here together for a banquet.

Thinking of her family, Alleria was shocked to realize that the number of people she cared about was dwindling. Lirath was traveling, Vareesa was still by her side, and as for Sylvanas ... Alleria took a heavy breath. She hadn't spoken to Sylvanas in a long time. Quel'Thalas was in dire need of manpower. Alleria had repeatedly urged her sister to serve the kingdom again, but Sylvanas had consistently refused, even when Vareesa offered to hand over the Ranger-General's authority to her.

Alleria didn't go to see Sylvanas herself, knowing that a meeting between the two would inevitably lead to an argument. The reason for the argument was that she had personally planned and participated in the siege of Nathanos. For this reason, Sylvanas might never be able to forgive herself.

This was a silent cold war. Vareesa had tried to mediate between her and Sylvanas on several occasions, but with little success. The rift was difficult to bridge with words.

Sylvanas remains in Silvermoon City. As her older sister, Alleria knows perfectly well that her sister's actions stem from her and Nathanos's child. Her sister often secretly visits Belorell, making him laugh and bringing him toys. Several times, Alleria has tried to use the child to have a proper conversation with Sylvanas, but what would Sylvanas think if she used her own son as leverage? The sisters' relationship is already strained, Alleria doesn't want Sylvanas's gaze to grow even colder.

"Elder sister!"

The only person who could address her like that now was Vareesa. Alleria watched the silver-haired Female Elf run towards her. This was the sixth time she had been "caught" by her.

"I'm here, Vareesa."

"You shouldn't be here, sister. It's very late now, you should be resting."

Alleria smiled slightly. "I'm just resting. Even sleeping on the Sunstrider Throne would make me feel tired. But here, the cool night breeze and the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves allow me to temporarily escape from my heavy duties." She patted the other side of the bench. "Sit with me for a while, sister."

Vareesa nodded, resting her longbow against the armrest of the bench. She actually had something important to tell Alleria, but her sister's words made her hesitant to speak.

"No need to hide it, Vareesa. Just say what's on your mind."

The Ranger-General was taken aback, feeling that Alleria had reverted to her regent persona. She couldn't hide her true thoughts at all.

Vareesa coughed lightly and said in a low voice, "We haven't received any news from Prince Kael'thas for a long time, Sin'dorei are trusting you more and more."

"From what you're saying, it sounds like this isn't a good thing."

Vareesa's eyes darted around. "With Prince Kael'thas gone and the Windrunner family in power, gossip is inevitable. But you're not the only one with considerable prestige in the Windrunner family. There's also..." The young Windrunner paused, unwilling to say the name, and simply said, "And my second sister."

"You mean a coup?" Alleria glared angrily at Vareesa. Her anger wasn't about whether her sister was telling the truth, but rather that her sister suspected her own family. Sylvanas did have conflicts with her, but not to the point of drawing swords. Those who were sowing discord clearly had ulterior motives.

"That's not what I meant, sister. It's just that lately, there's been a growing clamor in Silvermoon City to reclaim Eversong Forest. They want to give Prince Kael'thas a complete Quel'Thalas before he returns. Several generals have come to you, hoping you can persuade you to send troops."

"Absolutely not!" Alleria's answer was exactly the same as what she had said to other high-ranking officers in the council. "The situation has only just stabilized, and besides the Scourge Undead, we also have to deal with those Mindless Ones have absorbed corrupted magic. In short, now is not the time to reclaim lost territory. Sylvanas knows this too, which is why she didn't try to persuade me."

"But between you and your second sister..."

"She just doesn't talk much." Alleria's gaze fell on the full moon in the capital's sky. She made the problem sound so simple, as if she didn't care at all, but Vareesa knew that her sister actually cared a lot. But the conflict between her two older sisters would probably never be resolved.