Plans for Tempest Keep
When Nathanos emerged, it was already quite late, and the sky above Nagrand was filled with starlight.
Standing atop the mountain, gazing at the plains, the sights and surroundings reminded him of his former home. No matter what he became, no matter what suffering he endured, memories always bound him. Nathanos had to admit this.
"Excuse me for disturbing your thoughts, Master. But my next task is..." Ohan the Ogre Sword inquired, seemingly tireless like an Undead, always full of enthusiasm, perhaps because she wanted to prove something...
"Were you injured when you fought Onyxia?"
"Just some scratches, Master." Ohan was somewhat smug; she could handle a dragon, even a direct descendant of Deathwing.
Nathanos had considered telling her she had done well, or that she could rest and return to Azeroth, but that would have wasted Ohan's enthusiasm; she craved battle, craved to prove her strength. And...
... She could definitely become stronger.
The Witherer, on a sudden impulse, decided to give her a choice. "Ohan, for the time being, I don't need to use the power of the Twelve Withered Swords." Upon hearing this, he saw a flicker of disappointment in the female Orcs's eyes. "However, you can choose to return to Azeroth, back to Feralas, and continue leading the Stonemaul Ogre, or you can choose to stay, but not by my side, but to the Blade's Edge Mountains. That place is fraught with danger, with black dragons, Ogre, and Gronn. Go there to undergo trials, improving yourself by hunting the powerful creatures there."
Is this a choice? Ohan was puzzled. There was no choice at all. In Feralas, she could only watch a bunch of dumb-looking Ogre every day. Although she was separated from the Alliance by the sea, the truce prevented her from leading her soldiers to raze Shandris Feathermoon's fortress to the ground. And staying in Outland, according to the Witherer, going to the Blade's Edge Mountains would likely mean countless battles every day.
"I'm going to the Blade's Edge Mountains, sir."
Nathanos, having anticipated her choice, nodded and said, "There are Alliance and Horde members on the Blade's Edge Mountains, so be careful not to expose yourself. Also, be wary of a powerful being— Gruul the Dragon Slayer. Meryl mentioned this Gronn before, saying that Onyxia and her mother Sinestra together wouldn't be a match for Gruul."
"This only excites me more, Master." Ohan laughed. "I will give you Gruul's heart, I promise."
"Just don't die." Nathanos thought to himself, tossing a map of the Blade's Edge Mountains to Ohan. "Take this. Also, I expect the Forsaken's operations in Outland to be completed within three months. After three months, you will leave Blade's Edge Mountains and return to Azeroth to await my next instructions."
"We cannot rashly attack Tempest Keep," Sylvanas Windrunner declared. Several days had passed between her departure and her return, including the time it took for her to gather the latest information. "Kael'thas's forces outnumber ours, and the unique terrain of Tempest Keep does not allow for a direct assault."
"Kael'thas won't run out of Tempest Keep, madam," Sarodien said. "A battle is inevitable at Tempest Keep in any case."
"The commander means we can't launch an attack without enough guards around Kael'thas," Kaelia said. Although she was just a Priest, her strategic vision was remarkably far-sighted, earning Sylvanas's admiration. While the Aldor and the Starcaller often argued and embarrassed each other, they were both pragmatic. The Starcaller's agents destroyed all of Kael'thas's Manaforge. The Aldor Warrior captured Sunfury Hold and Stormspire.
"Of course, I know what Lady Sylvanas means!" Sarodien said sharply, while Archmage Laenna beside him gave a soft warning to the Draenei.
"Alright! Don't forget why you're here!" Sylvanas raised her hand to call a halt; she needed enough time to think about her next strategy.
After a moment of silence, the meeting resumed.
"Tempest Keep!" Sylvanas fell into thought. "A fortified place," she admitted, and the others nodded in agreement. "Floating in mid-air, with sturdy walls, and only one road leading to the fortress." The Elf Ranger shook his head.
Regardless of who commands this battle, it will be difficult to overcome this formidable challenge by brute force alone. This is an extremely difficult task.
For a moment, Sylvanas fell silent, recalling her past combat experiences. She thought of Quel'Thalas, where the Elven Kingdom had repeatedly besieged Zul'Aman, the capital of the Amani Troll, launching a relentless attack on the stone-built city. But they always ended in defeat. Thanks to their sturdy walls and defenses, the Troll were not afraid of the overwhelmingly numerous Elf. However, once outside the walls, in the forests, Ranger could fight the Troll usually emerged Elf.
"Yes, lure the enemy out." Sylvanas realized. Sarodien was right; Kael'thas wouldn't escape from the fortress. Kaelia was also right; they couldn't attack Kael'thas with so many guards around. "Then let's lure all those guards out, leaving the Blood Elf Prince alone in the fortress!"
The Female Elf quickly stated her idea, and seeing that both Sarodien and Kaelia nodded in agreement, she said, "Then the plan is set. The Starcaller and the Aldor will each select twelve of their most elite warriors, and I will personally lead the raid on Tempest Keep." Sylvanas then looked at both sides, as if she had thought of something, "Sarodien and Kaelia, you two will come with me. As for drawing Kael'thas's main force away..." Sylvanas's gaze swept around the room, "High Priest Aurielis, that's your responsibility!"
"As you command, madam," Aurielis said, saluting. He immediately followed up, "But how do we get Kael'thas to send reinforcements? And... how do we know where he will send troops to support?"
"Listen carefully to what I'm about to say." Sylvanas stared at him, then pointed to the map. "Kael'thas has the ability and a large army to defeat us, but I know him. What he wants is magic, always has been. So he will first send troops to recapture a few of the fallen Manaforge. And the first Manaforge he will attack is Duro, the closest facility to Tempest Keep. The second is Manaforge, which is essentially the gateway to Tempest Keep. Kael'thas will definitely attack these two places first."