Invasion

Garrosh's entire brown body leaned back comfortably on the chieftain's throne. Mannoroth's bones had been used to decorate the throne. At first glance, Grommash himself resembled a demon. Especially his eyes, which swept over everyone who entered Grommash Hold, creating a somber atmosphere.

After everyone had arrived, the chief remained silent. He simply stared at them, motionless. Time ticked by, and the growing impatience in the air became almost suffocating.

"Everyone's here, Great Chief," Malkorok broke the silence. Although many disliked this Blackrock Orc, he had undoubtedly done a good deed this time.

"Very good," said Grommash, without standing up, still looking down at the Horde's leaders. "In times of challenge for the Horde, no one chooses to run away."

Baine was eager to know what this "challenge" he was referring to. Deathwing had failed, the world was no longer threatened, Horde was now at peace. If there was a challenge, it was how to help the Horde recover from the Cataclysm.

Garrosh waved for everyone to sit down. "There is a long-standing threat, far too long, that has existed since the Horde first arrived in this world. We have always yielded to it, maintaining a mere peace with it. I hereby solemnly declare: we no longer need peace! We will eradicate this threat once and for all."

Baine had guessed this before even arriving in Orgrimmar, but he still felt a chill run down his spine. He remembered what Vol'jin had said earlier. Unbeknownst to him, the Tauren Chieftain found his friend lying there, eyes closed in agony.

The Orcs continued his speech, "We will surely triumph. We will crush those Alliance insects that have invaded our territory like Ironhoof crushing insects. They have firmly controlled the Eastern Kingdoms, yet they still dare to take root in Kalimdor. This is our territory, this is the Horde's territory. All Alliance forces must be wiped out."

"Clear?"

Finally, a voice daring to question Grommash rang out in the hall, instantly escalating the tension. Garrosh's gaze, seemingly capable of melting steel, was now fixed on the speaker with the Troll accent.

"Whom do you want to eliminate?" Vol'jin stepped to the center. Of the original three leaders of the Horde Thrall, only Vol'jin remained who could speak frankly to Garrosh, including the deceased Cairne Bloodhoof and Thrall who had left the Horde. "You mean the Night Elf?" he asked incredulously. "You want to drive this land, even the oldest race in the world? Don't you find that ridiculous? I must remind you, we tolerate the Alliance, but isn't the Alliance also tolerating us? Aren't your actions in Ashenvale, Gilneas, and Tol Barad provoking the Alliance?"

Baine thought that if his father were still alive, he would definitely agree with Vol'jin, but the person sitting on the chieftain's throne was terrifyingly different.

"So I'm fed up." Grommash's voice made the meaning of his name all the more poignant. "We've been fighting the Alliance for nearly twenty years, a back-and-forth battle of ebb and flow. We built a fortress in Stranglethorn Vale, and they came to the Barrens and built Northwatch Hold; as our numbers grew, they couldn't wait to invite all those who hated the Horde to join the Alliance ... It's time to end this."

"So you want to start a war?" Baine finally realized he couldn't sit still any longer, and his words slipped out uncontrollably. "The Horde has just experienced the Cataclysm; we need time to recover. And have you considered the consequences of rashly starting a war?"

"The consequences?" Grommash stood up, his tone devoid of any respect for the other members of the Horde. "The consequences are the destruction of the Alliance, and the world falling to the Horde."

"A fine idea," a slightly shrill voice said, "But it needs to be put into action." Trade Prince Gallywix gave a strange smile, his top hat bobbing up and down with each word. "Do you have any specific plans, Great Chief? You know, war is a good business."

Rage was eroding Baine's sanity, and even Alleria, who had always remained outside the center of Horde politics, frowned. Trading the sacrifices of both sides on the battlefield for personal gain would infuriate anyone.

"That's what you should be concerned about," Garrosh laughed, as if watching a group of children at play. "My plan will put the Horde's mission back on track. Northwatch Hold is the first target. Then the army will march straight down, and we will take Theramore as quickly as possible."

"Theramore!" Vol'jin exclaimed. "Don't you know who Jaina Proudmoore is? She never stirs up trouble and has always worked for peace between the Alliance and the Horde. Many in the Horde respect her, and now you want to destroy her city and ruin the friendship she built with Thrall."

"Thrall is no longer the chieftain of the Horde!" Grommash roared. "What he did is no longer important."

Baine instinctively wanted to aid Vol'jin, but someone else reacted faster and unexpectedly. It was a woman's voice, urgent and melodious. Regent Alleria gazed at Garrosh. "Great Chief, attacking Theramore is unwise; the Alliance will surely send reinforcements. And while our army is bogged down in the south, the Night Elf of Ashenvale will seize the opportunity to march south. Then Orgrimmar will be in danger."

Baine cast a grateful glance at Windrunner, thinking that his words would make Garrosh reconsider his actions, but Grommash's response filled him with despair.

"I'm still glad to hear you say something, Blood Elf." He didn't even mention the other's name. "I've already devised a solution to your concerns, one that will ensure the Horde's victory."

The group exchanged glances, clearly none of them knowing what Garrosh's "solution" was. In an instant, Alleria's face paled; unbeknownst to the others, she was the one most opposed to attacking Theramore. The Regent carefully concealed this fact.

"This is the Will of your Great Chief." Grommash had had enough of the questioning. "The plan is: Northwatch Hold, Theramore, and finally the Night Elf. No trade, no opposition! Your only duty is to obey the plan. Now, return to your respective territories. The time of peace is over. Prepare for war. For the Horde!"