Detained

The Alliance camp had been busy for several days, but there was still much to prepare. Lothar and the commanders could not rest easy. He had repeatedly emphasized the Horde's methods of warfare and troop formations. Alleria's Rangers had returned. The Horde was building ships, intending to transport its massive army to Lordaeron.

"That's good news," Lothar said to Alleria. "At least the Horde won't attack here anytime soon. We have more time to prepare."

The female elf smiled. It was a good thing to be of help. "Looks like my people didn't make the trip for nothing."

"Of course."

A sentry rushed in.

"You have to see this, sir!" he shouted. He tried to stop himself, then quickly bowed.

"What is it, soldier?"

"There's a young man who wants to see you. He got into a conflict with the camp guards."

"A young man? What kind of young man?" Lothar stroked his chin.

"Black hair, carrying a wooden bow, and he looks somewhat different from ordinary people. He claims he has something important to tell you."

"Nathanos?" Uther blurted out, then exchanged glances with Lothar.

"Where is he?" Lothar asked. He had some impression of Uther's apprentice, and he had always felt there was something unusual about the young man.

"Outside the camp."

Nathanos was confronting several soldiers. The one blocking him was none other than Gray. Nathanos had originally planned to sneak in, but he had run into his sworn enemy the moment he reached the camp entrance.

"I'll say it one last time. Move aside." Nathanos's voice was low, full of warning. Gray stood in front of him with four guards, mocking him smugly. "You think I'd let trash like you in? What right do you have to see Marshal Lothar? Even if you're Uther's apprentice, you can't defy military rules. I will never allow suspicious people inside."

"Looks like you didn't hear me, Gray. I've tolerated you long enough, but even the best patience runs dry. I've never forgotten what you did to me."

"So what?" Gray stepped closer and whispered, "Who can prove what you're saying?"

"Yes, no one." Nathanos admitted it. No one would come forward to testify that Gray had thrown him off the cliff. "But I remember, Gray. That's enough. I'll make you pay. I'll take my revenge myself."

The two faced off against each other. Gray heard movement behind him—Lothar had arrived—so he deliberately raised his voice.

"Please leave immediately. I can overlook your responsibility for this." As he spoke, he placed all the blame on Nathanos.

"What's going on?" Lothar called out. Alleria, Turalyon, and the others followed behind him, but Nathanos's first glance went to Uther. The paladin was puzzled as to why he was here.

"Sir." Gray saluted Lothar. "Gray, deputy commander of the Sixth Legion, reporting."

"I know you," Lothar said. "You're the adjutant to Garithos, commander of the Sixth Legion. You only reported in today. What happened here?"

Garithos? Nathanos looked at Gray. So that was the name of Gray's superior?

"It was him, sir." Gray pointed at Nathanos. "I caught him trespassing into the military camp. As far as I know, this man is not a member of the Alliance."

"You did well," Lothar said, then turned to Nathanos. This was their fourth meeting. "What do you need to see me about, Nathanos? These are critical times."

Nathanos sighed in relief when he saw Lothar. His only worry had been not being able to meet Lothar himself. He saluted the Alliance's supreme commander and immediately got to the point.

"I have important military intelligence to report, Marshal Lothar. It concerns the Horde's movements."

"We already have intelligence on the Horde, boy. The Rangers under this elven lady have reported that the Horde is building ships. They won't attack anytime soon." Lothar turned slightly and gestured toward Alleria. The female elf was carefully studying Nathanos.

"I question their scouting ability." Nathanos's words startled everyone, especially Alleria. The next second, fury slowly gathered in the female elf's eyes.

"The Horde's vanguard will land at Hillsbrad by sea in three days," Nathanos declared. His intelligence was completely opposite to what the elves had reported. Lothar asked curiously, "How can you be sure?"

"Fog. There will be heavy fog over the sea in three days. The ships the Horde has now may not be enough to bring all their people here, but no cunning commander would pass up such an opportunity. The Horde's Great Chief will definitely send a vanguard ahead to seize the beach and build fortifications." Nathanos laid out his analysis. He was certain Orgrim would do this, but the question before him was whether anyone would believe him.

Alleria's lips curled slightly as she said to Nathanos, "My Rangers have scouted the situation clearly. The Horde fleet is still being assembled. It will take at least a week. Even if, as you say, the Horde's vanguard breaks through the naval blockade under cover of fog and arrives here in three days, they still won't be able to bring the rest of their forces here so quickly. We'll have enough time to strike them. Marshal Lothar, do you think the Horde's chief wouldn't have considered that?"

"From what I know of Orgrim, he would have."

"So the Horde will not come. The intelligence my Rangers provided is accurate." Alleria looked coldly at Nathanos. Giving precious time to an underage brat to spout nonsense was simply a waste of time.

Nathanos slowly clenched his fists. Agitated, he said, "I'm not wrong. I'm certain Orgrim will do this, and I also know the Alliance navy can't stop the Horde's ships at all. Please believe me, Marshal Lothar."

"I know the Horde better than you do, Nathanos," Lothar pointed out. Indeed, among those present, only he and Khadgar had faced the orcs. His words carried more weight. "I believe Alleria. Orgrim would never do something so foolish. He may be cunning, but he won't take such a risk."

"You..." Nathanos's face went pale. He looked pleadingly at Uther, hoping his mentor would help defend him. But the paladin disappointed him.

"Trust Marshal Lothar's judgment, Nathanos." Uther sensed his student's gaze. In his eyes, Nathanos was simply too young.

"According to military regulations, anyone who trespasses into the camp should be detained," Gray said to Lothar. Nathanos was already furious beyond measure. With everyone present, Lothar could not say much. Uther and Turalyon hoped Lothar would forgive Nathanos's rashness, while Gray and Alleria insisted that military regulations had to be followed. The female elf was deeply dissatisfied with Nathanos questioning the abilities of her Rangers. She even stated that Nathanos must have followed her Rangers to arrive at such an analysis.

"Fine. Lock him up for now," Lothar said under pressure. He then looked at Uther. "He has wasted a great deal of our time, but I admire his courage. As long as he admits his mistake, I'll release him immediately and have someone send him home."

The paladin's expression eased, and he gave Lothar a grateful look. At the same time, he hoped Nathanos would accept his punishment.

Two soldiers stepped behind Nathanos and reached out to seize him. His sense of defeat made him forget to resist. He had never imagined things would end like this.

"You'll regret tonight's decision, Lothar." Nathanos looked at him helplessly. "I'll stay in that cage and wait for the Horde to level your camp."

"Enough! Lock him up!" Uther roared. After the soldiers took Nathanos away, the paladin bowed deeply to Lothar. "I apologize to you on Nathanos's behalf, Marshal. He's only too young. Please don't make things difficult for him."

"Of course I won't." Lothar shook his head. "It's nothing. I only hope he realizes his mistake sooner."

"I guarantee he will."