Worgen

This was a simple camp. Veronalara returned to the main tent after inspecting the area. For concealment, apart from a few transport boats that remained, the other boats were moored on a small island not far away.

"I've already checked the camp," Veronalara said before she could even see the inside of the tent. She thought Tatsel was the only one inside, but there was another guest besides the Fleet Commander.

"Who are you?" The leader of the Dark Ranger frowned. Where she should have been standing was a masked Undead, whose purple dagger was very conspicuous.

"You must be Veronalara, the commander of the Ranger. I am Lilian Voss, a spy planted by the Master of the Witherer in the Plaguelands and Silverpine Forest." Lilian removed her mask, revealing a slight smile.

Veronalara was stunned for a moment, then realized that Lillian was the helper she was looking for, her "guide." However, Veronalara was not happy. Was their camp so conspicuous that Lilian found them so soon?

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lilian. But we don't have much time. The situation in the Eastern Kingdoms is complicated. Is there anything you want to tell me?"

Like Nathanos, she prefers to get straight to the point. Lilian nodded, unfolded the map by the faint moonlight, and pointed to a castle marker on it, "This is our target, Shadowfang Keep. It is now occupied not by Undead, nor by humans, but by a more terrifying creature: Worgen."

"Worgen?" the other two Forsaken exclaimed in surprise. They had seen the Scourge, demons, and the Crimson Crusade, but the terrifying thing was the unknown, a newly appeared enemy. "What are Worgen?" Veronalara was the first to recover and ask.

"A creature that is half-human and half-wolf. Many years ago, a Dalaran mage named Arugal summoned those Worgen with magic in order to resist the Scourge. He succeeded and even controlled these Worgen to conquer Baron Shivarran's territory. The baron's castle is now Shadowfang Keep."

"Instead of thinking about how they got here, shouldn't we be thinking about how to deal with them?" Tatsel interjected. "Think about it carefully, Worgen are not so easy to deal with."

"We have no experience dealing with Worgen," Veronalara said, looking at Lilian Voss for help. Voss looked surprised and quickly shook her head.

"Don't look at me. Lord the Witherer gave me the task of monitoring the actions of all the forces in the Plaguelands, not the task of studying Worgen."

"It seems this is the current problem. In that case, I'll take some Dark Ranger to test the Worgen's strength first. If they can handle it, then we can begin the attack."

Silvermoon City

"I absolutely disagree!" Rommath roared, his magical energy becoming somewhat chaotic with his rage. His current state was all too familiar to the others.

Even when facing the Archmage's gaze, Alleria did not flinch. The Regent appeared calm, which made Rommath had risen from his seat, somewhat wary.

"Is Lord Rommath's attitude His Highness the Prince's attitude, or yours personally?"

The monk was speechless for a moment, clenching his fists and expressing all his anger through his body language.

"Your Highness the Regent is too kind," said Ranger-Lord Lord Lor'themar, attempting to smooth things over for Rommath and to keep the meeting going. "I think we should set this topic aside for now and discuss it after Rommath has informed His Highness the Prince."

"By then, the lost territories we reclaimed in the Ghostlands will have long been taken by the Scourge," Alleria rebuked, her words causing Lor'themar to lower his head. Quel'Thalas had indeed recovered somewhat compared to before, but it could only maintain order in Eversong Forest and Silvermoon City.

"We have no choice, Rommath, do you understand what I'm saying?" Lor'themar began to show his anger. "If we don't help Sylvanas, we will lose all of Quel'Thalas south of the Elrendar River!"

"Then we don't want those territories!" Rommath roared. Alleria's long eyebrows twitched violently, a surge of anger rising within her. She slowly scrutinized Rommath, her peripheral vision catching sight of a bewildered Lor'themar.

"You don't want those territories?" Her voice rose noticeably. "Whether it's the Sin'dorei of today or the Quel'dorei of the past, do you know how many Elf have sacrificed themselves to defend this land? How many more are about to die in battle? How dare you say you don't want those territories? Is this something a Blood Elf should say?"

"That's still better than living under the eaves of the Alliance!"

Alleria's mouth opened and closed. In all her years as regent, despite countless arguments with Rommath had never lost his composure like this. And now, the Archmage was trembling.

"Don't forget that His Prince almost died at the hands of the Alliance," Rommath said softly. Alleria suddenly realized that his tone was almost pleading, and this filled her with a strange... terror. "The Alliance is not trustworthy at all."

Alleria clenched her fists. "Without allies, we receive no material assistance, and we can't even conduct foreign trade." The Regent's tone became more authoritative. "Prince Highness has been searching for a cure for his Fel Addiction. My duty is to ensure the safety of the people and Quel'Thalas." She paused. "Please tell Prince Highness that finding allies is imperative. If he feels the Alliance is untrustworthy, then let other forces take its place."

"Then who else will help us?"

"It will!" Alleria replied wearily. Rommath was always so difficult, but the Lord Regent was no easier to deal with either. She stood up. "For the Sin'dorei," she said softly, her pupils seeming to dilate, "For those who have died."

Rommath was speechless. He was unwilling and unable to ponder what Alleria's words were implying. A long silence ensued between them, until finally, the Regent turned away. "Inform His Highness Prince Kael'thas of my decision." Then she left without another word.

The Archmage's emotions remained unsettled for a long time; his blood seemed to have turned to ice. He watched Alleria's figure disappear around a corner.

"This is blatant coup! She's the regent, not the King!" Rommath trembled with rage, his knuckles cracking as he gripped his staff. "Whether His Prince agrees or not, she'll do it, won't she?"

"Rommath." Lor'themar's calm voice pulled him back to reality. He turned to his friend, only to find the Ranger-Lord looking at him with a strange expression, as if he were seeing him for the first time.

"Does Your Prince really dislike us seeking outside help?" Lor'themar looked at Rommath, and the expression on his face proved that he was not joking.

"His Highness has never expressed his opinion," the Archmage replied.

Lor'themar nodded, gave him a blank look, and then left.