Shadowfang Keep

"Belmont." Gizzlok approached the Undead waiting at Earthsong Waterfall with enthusiasm. As one of Nathanos' most loyal men, perhaps he knew why the Forsaken's Chief Great Craftsman had been suddenly recalled. In the past, Belmont had entrusted his loyalty and talents to Nathanos, serving him at his beck and call.

Gizzlok narrowed his brown eyes, watching Belmont's expression, and asked him in the lowest voice he could manage, "I bet something important has happened today, hasn't it?"

Belmont's face showed displeasure, and he said, "Every Withering Council has important matters to discuss, and I think you should pay more attention to them."

The Goblins jumped up, patted his companion's arm, and then stepped aside. "Okay, okay. Didn't I rush back as fast as I could? What happened?"

Belmont said little, leading the Goblins to the meeting place. The current Withering Council, compared to before, had the same aura as when Terenas received Lothar. Nathanos's seat faced the passageway leading to the meeting place, but it was currently empty. Belmont gestured for Gizzlok to sit opposite the Witherer. This wasn't preferential treatment, but rather because Gizzlok was the last of the other meeting members to arrive. The Goblins noticed that Meryl was now seated to the right of the Witherer, next to the mage, followed by the Dark Ranger Veronalara and Nathos. To the left were Belmont and Rassuvios. Unlike before, besides them, there were also carefully selected Terror Guard, standing solemnly in a circle around the meeting place.

Time ticked by, and the leaders gathered there grew increasingly restless. Low murmurs began to emanate from between Veronalara and Meryl. In Gizzlok's view, although Ranger and mages often spoke of "patience," they themselves didn't necessarily possess that quality. His keen ears picked up footsteps, and their whispers finally ceased.

"You're all here, very good!" Nathanos's voice echoed around them, and he gave Gizzlok a special look. "You are all loyal members of the Forsaken. I summoned you, and you have come as promised!"

He took his seat, gesturing for everyone else to sit down, and then got straight to the point. "A huge, yet-to-be-realized, threat is emerging that threatens our current gains. The Alliance and the Horde are likely to form a joint army; their target isn't us, but they may very well pass through our territory."

Veronalara broke out in a cold sweat. She remembered that the transformation of Razor Ridge was not yet complete. What if they were discovered? The Dark Ranger had a general idea of why Nathanos had suddenly launched the Wither Council again, but she still hoped that she was wrong.

The Witherer continued, "According to intelligence, Warchief Thrall has decided to send troops to confront the threat appearing in Silithus. They have dispatched the Tauren Hamuul Rune Totem to contact the Night Elf. Currently, the two sides are still negotiating..."

Nathanos then closed his eyes, signaling to the crowd that they could speak.

"The Alliance and the Horde, will they stop the construction plans for Razor Ridge? Should we then halt our operations?" Gizzlok's shrill voice pierced the air first. He pointed out the most serious problem, but he wasn't finished yet. The Forsaken might not only have to stop their actions on Razor Ridge, but worse, they might have to abandon the land altogether.

Veronalara was glad he hadn't said it aloud, otherwise Rassuvios would have stood up and been shouting for a fight to the death with the Alliance. "Perhaps we don't need to worry too much. Whether the Alliance and the Horde will cooperate is still unknown. You know, alliances are always the most troublesome. How many troops each side will send, the route of march, and... the commander, are not things that can be decided in a day or two, just like when the human kingdoms united to resist the Old Horde many years ago."

Of everyone present, Meryl wasn't enthusiastic about force and war, but he was quite knowledgeable in the subject. Although they were close to Veronalara, their thoughts didn't align. "I'm afraid we don't have much time left. The threat of the Qiraji is imminent. The Horde and the Alliance are well aware of the pros and cons, and they won't be slow to act. Perhaps they're currently discussing who should lead the combined forces."

"Varian's son Anduin gone missing," Belmont pointed out. "The Alliance probably won't..."

"Anduin's disappearance is a matter for Stormwind City, and has nothing to do with the Night Elf, Dwarf, or Gnome. Especially the Night Elf ..." As Meryl said this, Nathanos opened his eyes. "They experienced the evil of the Qiraji a thousand years ago, so they certainly won't stand idly by."

"Night Elf?" Nathanos paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, the atmosphere growing even more tense. "Belmont, is there any road on the map that allows the Alliance and Horde armies to bypass our territory?"

"Indeed, Master, and it's the only route," the Shadowblade leader said responsibly. "From Orgrim, through the Barrens and Mulgore, to Feralas, and then south to Silithus."

"Would they really take this route?" Veronalara asked incredulously in her Elf accent. "If so, we could not only avoid their sight, but also use this opportunity to expand our business elsewhere."

"That's true," Belmont looked at her, "But we can't control the Horde and Alliance's marching routes. Until everything settles down, the base in Razor Ridge will likely be..."

"No!" Nathanos stood up in a loud voice. "Our cause must not stop."

"But Silithus ..." Veronalara said worriedly.

"Although we can't control the Allied forces' marching route, we can lure them down the path we want them to take with a little coaxing." Nathanos looked at Belmont beside him. "I'll write a letter, and you're in charge of sending it to Feralas."

"What are your plans, Master?"

"We have no choice but to take a gamble," Nathanos said. "Meryl's words just now reminded me that the Night Elf will not stand idly by. But Darnassus is too far from Silithus. If the Night Elf are going to send an army, they will definitely go by water."

"Waterways? But there are no Night Elf ports in southern Kalimdor," Rassuvios questioned.

Nathanos shook his head, gave Belmont a look, and the latter understood, taking out a map. Nathanos took a feather from his quiver and placed it on a floating island in the western sea of Feralas. The feather, with its shimmering spots, resembled a crescent moon. "This is their port."

Silence fell upon everyone again.

"The Horde must want to join forces with the Alliance army as soon as possible..." Nathanos paused, then corrected, "... the Night Elf army. In Feralas, they can meet sooner and reach Silithus in the shortest time." He listened, and no one raised any questions.

"That's settled then, all work as usual. Also, Veronalara is right, this is a great opportunity, we can't waste it, next target: Shadowfang Keep!"