Persuasion

Uther left the main command tent feeling both disappointed and relieved. He headed toward where Nathanos was being held and saw the boy sitting motionless in the cage from afar. Though his clothes were not exactly thin, they could not keep him warm. Uther was certain Nathanos's hands had to be freezing. A quilt and thick clothes lay within reach, while the bread and milk that had been freshly prepared for him no longer steamed.

It had already been two days. Nathanos had neither eaten nor drunk, and he had not even shifted from his spot. Dark purple frostbite had appeared on his face and hands.

"Nathanos?" Uther called softly.

"Let me guess." Nathanos spoke faintly, letting Uther know he had not passed out. His voice was so weak that only Uther could hear it. "You wanted Lothar to believe me, but you failed."

"Perhaps they are right." Uther hoped Nathanos would come out willingly. In his eyes, there was nothing dishonorable about it.

But the apprentice raised his head and asked only one question. "Do you believe me, mentor?"

"Of course. That's why I went to Lothar."

Nathanos shook his head. "Your main purpose in going to Lothar wasn't to make them believe me. You wanted Lothar to forgive me and let me out."

A sense of dread rose within the paladin. Nathanos seemed to have seen straight through him.

"You succeeded, mentor. You won Lothar's sympathy, didn't you?" Nathanos noticed that Uther was no longer looking him in the eyes.

"Come out. I'll take you home."

"Home?" Hearing those words, Nathanos forced himself to his feet. But after sitting on the icy ground for so long, his legs were numb, and he nearly fell.

"Look at the people behind you, including you and me." Nathanos shouted, "Most of them are about to die." His voice carried far in the cold weather, when people preferred to remain quiet. "The ones who survive will be terrified too. Do you know why I'm staying here, Uther?" Nathanos demanded, then immediately answered himself. "Do you think I just want to prove that everything I said was true? I'll tell you—I want to witness the moment this ridiculous camp is flattened by the Horde's raiding force. And I want everyone to know just how self-righteous you all are."

"You're the self-righteous one. Why are you always so stubborn?" Uther shouted angrily. Their argument drew nearly everyone's attention, and more and more people turned to look their way.

After a brief silence, neither of them yielded. Uther turned and walked away, tossing a key at Nathanos's feet before leaving.

"You're no longer my mentor." Nathanos's final words came from behind Uther. "All of you will regret this."

The paladin did not stop walking. He was deeply conflicted. He wanted Nathanos to forgive him, but the problem was that Uther did not even know what he had done wrong.

Inside the main command tent, Lothar and the others had heard their argument as well.

"Perhaps we really should prepare for the worst," Khadgar said to those around him after the commotion ended. Turalyon lowered his head and remained silent. Lothar sighed and shook his head.

"Then place scouts near the places where the Horde may land. Report back immediately if anything happens."

Sixth Legion Camp

Commander Osmar Garithos was reviewing Terenas's orders. The man was even more powerfully built than Larein had imagined, but his every movement made him seem like a reckless brute.

"The Horde is going to attack the Alliance camp? How many men do they have?" Garithos asked. The Lordaeron envoy turned his gaze toward Larein. The priest cleared his throat and replied, "We don't know. We only know that the Horde will attack tomorrow."

"Didn't you say before that the Horde wouldn't attack for several months?"

"That information was wrong, General. Elves... Elves can make mistakes too, can't they?"

Garithos nodded after hearing Larein's explanation. He put his feet on the table, his full suit of black plate armor polished spotless.

"Indeed. Those long-eared tree-dwellers were never worth trusting. I can't believe King Terenas invited them to help the Alliance."

Larein breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Garithos did not like Elves.

"Very well. I'll act according to His Majesty's orders. To get there sooner, we'll depart in three hours. You!" Garithos pointed at Larein. "You'll be our guide."

"It would be my pleasure."

Horde Forward Raiding Force

Rend was fortunate that they had managed to evade Kul Tiras's cruisers. Though they were now surrounded by fog, Orgrim confidently promised that they were on the correct course. Still, Doomhammer's sudden order to slow down puzzled Rend.

"Great Chief, I think we should reach shore faster. We've already drifted at sea for days, and we'll need to rest once we land." Rend stared ahead as he spoke.

Orgrim rested his black warhammer behind his back and looked in the same direction as Rend.

"We don't need rest, General Rend. Our soldiers' desire for battle grows stronger with every passing day."

"Then why aren't we advancing at full speed? We've already evaded Kul Tiras's blockade."

Doomhammer laughed, turned around, and patted Rend on the shoulder. "Don't worry. Everything is going according to my plan. I've already sent Zul'jin ahead with several ships to scout the situation. Once he finds land, he'll immediately send someone back to report. At the same time, he'll remain there and deal with any Alliance scouts they may have stationed nearby."

"You're still worried our movements will be discovered."

"It's merely a precaution. The arrow is on the string now. We have no way back."

"When will we land, then?"

"We must time it properly, but not tonight. We'll reach our destination within the two hours before dawn tomorrow, then destroy the human village there." As Orgrim spoke, he became increasingly excited. "Rend, inform everyone, including Grommash. We cannot make too much noise, we cannot set fires, and we must slaughter those human villagers before fear makes them scream. Men, women, or children—leave no one alive."

"Yes, Great Chief."

Rend began making arrangements after receiving the order. A transport ship approached from ahead, carrying several Forest Trolls.

"Zul'jin sent us to report to you, Great Chief."

"How are things?"

"The Alliance has no defenses, but they have posted lookouts. Rest assured, Zul'jin is clearing those obstacles for you now."

Orgrim nodded. "Tell him to move faster. There must be no mistakes."

"As you command."

Alliance Camp. The moon had risen high into the sky. Nathanos had once read in a book that Azeroth had two moons, though he did not know whether it was true. He tightly clutched the key that could restore his freedom, cold as his hand. These past few days, Elves, Gray, and several others had taken turns humiliating him, but Nathanos had ignored them all.

They may all die. He calculated the grave consequences this disaster could bring, yet those caught in it remained completely unaware. What would happen if the Alliance failed? Fear rose in Nathanos's heart. The Horde would destroy this place. His home, Marius Farm, would not be spared either. His parents and family might all be unable to escape the disaster. Nathanos realized he had been wrong. He had actually placed his hopes in this Alliance that had disappointed him beyond measure. Deep down, he cursed himself for being foolish. He had to leave. He made up his mind and swore to himself. A third force had now appeared on the battlefield.