Raid on Nethergarde Keep

Veronalara's first thought upon seeing Nathanos was that his transformation was astounding.

"Congratulations, my lord," she said. Tatsel nodded in agreement.

The Dark Ranger's voice failed to draw the Forsaken lord's gaze, for he was staring in the direction where the two Female Elves had vanished.

"We saw the commotion here and hurried over. We also spotted Alleria and Sylvanas on the way, but without your orders, we did not attack."

Tatsel stepped forward. "As you instructed, the Alliance and Horde have been surrounded. Should we..."

"It no longer matters," Nathanos said.

Veronalara and Tatsel exchanged a glance.

"Have the army assemble. Withdraw from the Isle of Thunder and return to Kalimdor to accelerate preparations for the attack on Orgrimmar." Nathanos looked himself over. "As for me, I need a new set of equipment. I'm going to Alterac."

"Don't you intend to let the Forsaken know this good news?"

The good news she meant was him. Nathanos turned back and glanced at Veronalara. "Stop wasting time."

The answer sounded ambiguous. The Dark Ranger could not tell whether he meant there was no need, or that they should hurry. But Nathanos had already left, his strides swift as arrows, as though only by moving forward could he ensure that every plan returned to its proper course.

Within Alterac, the hall large enough to hold hundreds stood empty. Nathanos refused every request for an audience and had the Undead guards Sansa and Malcolm stand watch at the entrance, forbidding anyone from disturbing him. He himself sat upright upon the throne that had once belonged to the Perrin family.

His armored fingers tapped against the stone throne's armrest. He had changed into a carefully selected set of armor, his entire body shrouded in black. He liked black. Like the night, it could