Scarlet Warships
"Rend, please tell the two ladies about the defenses of Southshore." Mayor Mareb's eyes were full of smugness.
Marcus Rend straightened up, appearing even more spirited. Sylvanas could tell he was an experienced Warrior, but certainly not one who excelled against the Forsaken, let alone one facing a naval battle.
"Gentlemen, although Southshore is just a small town, it is the largest Alliance settlement in Hillsbrad. The King has stationed an Alliance guard here. At the same time, Southshore's armed civilian ships patrol the waterways to ensure the safety of the waters and allow merchant ships to reach the town's docks smoothly. Therefore, we are confident in defeating the invading enemy."
"Have you ever considered..." Jaina was about to retort to Rend, who was oversimplifying the issue. Before coming to see Mareb, she and Sylvanas had surveyed the defensive capabilities here. Frankly, all the artillery fire combined probably didn't even equal the firepower carried by a single Forsaken ship. But Sylvanas interrupted her.
The Female Elf tugged at her arm, taking over the conversation. "What you decide to do is your own business, but the inhabitants of Southshore are innocent. There are so many elderly people, women, and children here. You cannot risk exposing them to war. At the very least, you should send them to Theramore for refuge. Let them return after the war is over."
"If we could win anyway, why go to such lengths?"
A loud bang startled almost everyone in the hall. Sylvanas slammed her fist into the desk, creating a crack. Mareb jumped to his feet, quickly backing away.
The Female Elf glared at him fiercely; she didn't want to look at Mareb's repulsive, sour face at all.
"Can you guarantee that innocent people won't be caught in the crossfire? Foolish humans, if even one civilian dies in the war because of your arrogance, you will be condemned, because you have shattered their chance to live!"
"I agree with Sylvanas," Jaina said sharply. "Have you considered the consequences? Can you bear the King's wrath? What will happen to you if he finds out you don't care about the lives of the Southshore residents?"
Mareb had nothing to say, so he looked to Rend for help, hoping that Redpass would step forward and say something.
Defense Captain Rend was stroking the reddish-brown stubble on his chin. Although he admitted it was a bit embarrassing, he believed that Sylvanas and Jaina were right. Once a war broke out, civilians would be the most vulnerable, as they would have almost no ability to protect themselves.
"I think we should consider the opinions of both ladies, Mayor. There are no shelters around Southshore, and the safest place for civilians is Theramore."
Mareb glanced displeasedly at the Female Elf and the female mage. Now that even his trusted lieutenants approved of these two women, what else could he say?
"Well, you certainly are a fine diplomat, Ms. Proudmoore," Mareb said sarcastically. After Theramore was forced to relocate, a joke circulated within the Alliance that Jaina's efforts to maintain peace with the Orcs had almost resulted in her city being Orcs to the ground.
Sylvanas frowned, about to step forward and teach the human a lesson, but Jaina stopped her in time. A single glance from her conveyed to the Female Elf that she didn't care about Mareb's words. "My people will organize the town's residents to leave. As for Mayor Mareb, your soldiers and guards can leave if they've come to their senses. As an ally of the Alliance, I must remind you that the power of the Forsaken is completely underestimated by the world. Unfortunately, you don't realize this."
"Then I could say you've completely overestimated the capabilities of those dead, madam," Mareb retorted. "Southshore has never been defeated by the Scourge Undead; we've been here for decades."
"The Forsaken are not the Scourge!" Sylvanas roared. "Haven't you heard about the Battle of Stromgarde? It took the Forsaken several days to take that city!"
Mareb was speechless. In his panic, he waved his hand, indicating that he was unwilling to argue any further.
"Sir, an unidentified warship has appeared in the waters about 100 miles to the north."
Harkel turned to face his lieutenant, Bolilake, Goblins shouted at a meter on a machine as several small red dots appeared to the north of the Forsaken fleet.
"Observer, report!" Harkel looked up. The Forsaken, standing on the small platform at the top of the mast, held up a telescope.
"Indeed, a ship is approaching us, Captain, and their sails are red."
"Red?" Harkel thought of the Horde, but that was impossible. The Horde's warships had all been deployed to the Alliance battlefield, and it was rare to see a Horde ship on the Eastern Kingdoms.
"It's the Crimson Crusade!" the observer exclaimed.
"Damn it!" Harkel cursed, having almost forgotten about the fanatical followers of the Holy Light. But why did they suddenly appear, and even know the Forsaken's flight path? Harkel gathered her thoughts and decided that this question wasn't important; the key point was: the Crimson Crusade were all humans too.
"Enemy numbers!"
"Three cruisers!"
Harkel nodded. "Very good, then there's no need to inform Commander Tatsel; we can handle it ourselves."
"Firepower in position, everyone get moving, helmsman, change course, let's enjoy some tea before the main course."
The Forsaken ships on board cheered.
Tatsel was in the command room of the Zero Sword, surrounded by his trusted confidants discussing how to take Southshore as quickly and ruthlessly as possible.
The lively atmosphere was suddenly interrupted by the booming sound of artillery fire. Tatsel looked up at the door of the command room, assuming that someone would come to report the situation to her without her having to call out.
Sure enough, the messenger from the Withering Blade rushed in, looked at her, and said, "Captain Harkel is engaged in combat with three Crimson Crusade warships."
The Crimson Crusade?
"How is that possible? How did they know our whereabouts?"
Tatsel saw through it but didn't say anything. He just needed to use his brain to figure out that Veronalara and the others were up to something, trying to stop her attack plan.
Where is it located?
The messenger approached and pointed to the map. "Here it is!"
"It certainly looks like it came from Lordaeron," an adjutant noted.
"It doesn't matter how many come." Tatsel tossed aside the measuring pen in his hand. "Send the Wavebreaker and the Ragehowl to provide support. Repel the Crimson Crusade as quickly as possible. Don't linger in battle and don't delay the attack on Southshore."