Plan

"Keep moving!" Doomhammer roared, looking at the marching Horde ahead. "We need to cross these mountains as soon as possible!"

"Why?" Rend Blackhand asked. He and his brother Maim hated Doomhammer —because he had killed their father and usurped the chieftainship. They were among the few who dared to question Doomhammer's orders. But Doomhammer didn't care, because the Blackfang Clan was a large and powerful clan, and they were very useful. Besides, while the two brothers might question some orders, they never disobeyed them.

"Why what?" Orgrim retorted. The Horde was struggling with the steep mountain path, the chieftain's attention mostly focused on the rocks below. The Forest Troll had already passed them, climbing the cliffs as easily as trees, then throwing down ropes to help the Orcs Warrior. But Doomhammer, while using the ropes, also allowed the Orcs waiting behind to climb the peaks directly, thus speeding up the march.

Rend wrapped a sturdy rope around his left arm and slowly followed the pace of Doomhammer. "Why are we taking the mountain path?" he asked. "We could easily go around these mountains; it would shorten the distance, but the steep rocks would slow us down!"

Doomhammer climbed to the top of the cliff, caught his breath, wiped his arms, and then brushed the dust off his hands. When the other clan leaders reached the summit and joined him, he turned to Rend.

"Those humans already know we're cunning, ever since the attack months ago," Doomhammer explained, making sure everyone could hear him. He didn't want another guy like Rend to ask him the same question. "They'll be wary of us; the human leaders probably already know what we're going to do next." He turned to look down at the Ogre struggling to climb the ropes behind them. Although they were strong enough, they were too clumsy to move properly.

"I almost wish humans thought that way," Orgrim grinned, revealing his teeth. "That way they'd march at breakneck speed to Quel'Thalas to stop us, and once they're in the woods." His eyes flashed with murderous intent, and his smile was chilling. Rend swallowed hard; he knew exactly what Orgrim was planning.

Orgrim picked up a small stone and threw it down as he spoke. "We've already outmaneuvered them once. When we arrived in the Hinterlands, we sent some troops to keep the Alliance busy. Now we're on this path, and we're about to cross these mountains."

"But we're heading towards Quel'Sara...rath, aren't we?" Maim asked, the strange city's name making it a little difficult for Maim to pronounce. "Why not use ships to get closer and create more distance between us and the humans in the Hinterlands?"

"That would make our intentions very obvious," Doomhammer pointed out. "The Alliance will pursue us from the sea, and Zul'jin told me that Elf are excellent archers; they will rain arrows down on us, trapping us on the ship and causing us to lose countless Warriors. Even if we land, if the Alliance warships catch up, we will be surrounded." Some Orcs around him began to whisper after hearing this. The Horde was still not very accustomed to using ships, except for a few like the Stormreaver Clan.

"But we can move around these mountains," Rend brought it up again. "It's a longer distance, but much easier."

Doomhammer scoffed at the idea. "Looks like you're afraid of this challenge, aren't you?" Some Orcs laughed, while Rend was furious.

"Of course not!" he shouted, raising a fist, looking ready to fight anyone who dared to mock him like that again. "I was perfectly capable of this task! I didn't fall behind at all throughout the entire process!" No one pointed out that he had used ropes to climb; the Blackrock Clan were fearsome Warrior and widely respected.

"So you accept the challenge?" Doomhammer asked suddenly, his voice low and menacing. When Rend understood the implication, he recoiled in terror, taking several steps back. To lead the Horde, one had to challenge and defeat Doomhammer. However, Rend also knew that even if he and Maim attacked together, Orgrim could kill them, allowing Doomhammer to rightfully replace them as leader of the Blackfang Clan.

"Going around might be faster," Doomhammer concluded, sensing that Rend didn't dare challenge him. "But that would make our movements easier to detect. Choosing this route would allow us to appear before the Elf when they're least expecting it." He grinned again. "If the humans are smart, they should have already realized something is wrong. They'll march around these mountains, perhaps keeping up with us. The Elf will ally with them. They should already be gathered by the time we attack." He laughed. "Then they'll have nowhere to run, the forest! I'll use this forest to wipe them out, and then take that land." Doomhammer was very confident, then calmed down slightly and offered another possibility. "If they're hopelessly stupid and don't understand our intentions until we reach Quel'Thalas, then we'll have enough time to conquer Quel'Thalas. Then we can attack the Alliance from the north and south, leaving them attacked from both sides. Either way, we'll win."

The others began to whisper among themselves, some of them starting to laugh. Rend nodded. "You're very wise," he reluctantly admitted. "It is indeed a brilliant plan. But..."

Doomhammer frowned. "But what?"

"Judging from your plan, the first possibility seems to end this war faster, and I believe you also hope for the first possibility to occur. But will Zul'jin agree to your plan? We are going to..."

"Keep going," Doomhammer told the others. "We still have a few more mountains to cross." Then he turned to Rend, not wanting a third person to hear what he was about to say. "He has no choice. He's now loyal to me, loyal to the Horde. This sacrifice of the Forest Troll ... is worth it. I just hope Zuluhed moves quickly and discreetly."

"They're on their way," Rend replied, believing Orgrim had nothing to worry about. "They have a long way to go, but they're fast and will catch up with us. The whole world will tremble at their arrival."

"Very good." Doomhammer then turned to the tall man not far away, his long scarf fluttering in the wind. "How far are we from Quel'Thalas?"

"It's still five days' journey from here," Zul'jin replied. "But the Troll can get there much faster." He gazed into the distance, his eyes darting absently, while unconsciously reaching for the axe hanging at his waist.

"No," Doomhammer refused, ignoring the Troll's disappointment. "You must stay with us and lower ropes for the troops to help them climb." He grinned, trying to reassure the Troll chieftain. "Don't worry, you will take your revenge. But only if the Horde stands behind you; together we can crush them."

Zul'jin thought for a moment and agreed with the Orcs's statement. "They'll be very surprised," he continued, then laughed. "Caught off guard, they'll scatter like sheep, while we are the wolves."

"Exactly." Doomhammer liked the analogy. A single wolf is not frightening, but a pack of wolves can terrify any hunter, coming together to subdue a creature much larger than themselves.

Aerie Peak

"They went north to meet up with the others?" Kurdran asked, puzzled.

Alleria nodded quickly and explained, "My Ranger said only a small portion of the Horde remained here. The rest turned north, bypassing our forest, and continued towards the mountains." She looked at their faces. "You didn't know that?"

Everyone shook their heads, Lothar cursed. "It was their plan," he said. "We've been tricked."

"We've been tricked?" Kurdran frowned. "My homeland is in danger; this can't just be a smokescreen!"

"Yes, that is indeed a threat," Lothar agreed. "Whoever is leading the Horde, he's done a great job. He knew we would come here to help you. He led his remaining forces north, leaving some behind to slow us down. Now he has distanced himself from us."

"And he's heading to Quel'Thalas!" Alleria shouted. "I must go and warn them."

Lothar nodded. "We'll assemble the army immediately and set off, if we act swiftly..."

The Female Elf interrupted him. "There's no time!" she emphasized. "You yourself admit that the Horde has left us behind. We're already lagging behind. Gathering troops takes time, and that will only make us fall further behind. I'll go back myself."

"No." The word wasn't loud, but it carried an unyielding tone. "You can't go alone," Lothar told her, meeting Alleria's glare head-on. "Turalyon, you take all the cavalry and half the army, along with Khadgar. You all go together. I need Alliance forces to help defend Quel'Thalas." He turned to Kurdran, the Wildhammer leader who had left a deep impression on him. "There are still Horde in these forests; we can't let them follow us or get ahead of us. We'll stay here and make sure this forest is completely cleared. Then, we'll continue on to Quel'Thalas."

Kurdran nodded. "Thank you for your assistance," he said respectfully. "When the Hinterlands are safe again, the Wildhammer will accompany you north to deal with the remaining Horde."

"Thank you." Lothar bowed, then turned to face Alleria, Turalyon, and Khadgar. "You're still here? Get moving. Every second we delay will allow the Horde to get closer to Quel'Thalas." The three bowed and left the room.

Lothar was chasing an army, moving desperately while also warning the Elf of the approaching danger; he only hoped they could get there in time.

Marius Farm

Nathanos repaired the damaged fence, then his gaze fell upon the dark, meter-deep crater in the ground, caused by ChristaSA's flames. The Horde was going to attack Quel'Thalas? Should he go and warn Sylvanas? No, he had already warned her. Nathanos told himself this. He knew the Forest Troll had joined the Horde and would definitely attack the Elven Kingdom, but he hadn't told the haunting Female Elf the details.

'What if the Red Dragon into their forest?' The thought suddenly crossed Nathanos's mind, and he stood there, stunned, a sense of panic rising within him. 'Red Dragon in the Elf forest?' His eyes widened as he scanned the pit and the warehouse where Grot was imprisoned. Finally, he dropped everything and ran toward the warehouse.

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