Tower of Observation fell within a single day. The news shocked every Alliance leader, and Stormwind City erupted into turmoil. Ambassadors, officers, and nobles from every Alliance faction stationed in Stormwind City all clamored for an audience with the King.
Varian Wrynn sat alone in the war room, facing a map of the Blasted Lands. It was covered with miniature markers representing troops, supplies, weapons, and a model of the Dark Portal.
This room symbolized a king's most arduous duty—formulating strategy.
No fewer than five different proposals lay before Varian. Some generals insisted they should follow Turalyon's example, answer Archmage Khadgar's call, and send an expedition to Draenor. Others believed fighting in an unfamiliar land was tantamount to seeking death and that they should focus on defense, stopping the Iron Horde in the Blasted Lands.
Arguments were unavoidable, just like war itself. No matter what choice he made, Varian would have to fight the Iron Horde to the bitter end. The only thing that comforted him was that no one dared mention the word "surrender" in front of him.
The order to deploy troops lay on the desk to his right. With a single seal, the Alliance's warriors would march upon Draenor. But it was a risky decision; the chances of the advance force surviving were almost zero.
Varian reached for the order, then suddenly stopped and turned his gaze toward the war room's entrance.
Judging from the footsteps, the visitor was not a politician, but a soldier. When the figure appeared in the doorway, Varian realized he was not even human.
Paladin Malkorath was one of the few Draenei whose name Varian remembered. Varian also knew that Malkorath had come to persuade him to send troops. After all, Draenor had once been his homeland. None of today's advisors truly