Eve of the Decisive Battle

Ironforge and out, a fact Alleria knew all too well. When the Female Elf saw its interior, she was utterly astonished. Contrary to her expectations of a cramped and shabby environment, Ironforge was remarkably spacious, with smooth, polished floors and surrounding stone walls, their dark purple surfaces radiating a comforting warmth. More importantly, it was bustling with activity, no less so than Lordaeron.

"I've never seen a city like this before, a civilization nestled deep in the mountains," Alleria exclaimed in her native language, her gaze sweeping around in a manner completely unlike her usual calm and collected self. "That Great Forge, I believe it can forge any weapon. No wonder the Dwarf are known as Master Blacksmith."

Nathanos, walking in front of her, glanced back at the Female Elf and smiled. "This also explains why the Horde couldn't conquer this city. They didn't realize it was no smaller than a kingdom."

"Keep up close," Kael'thas warned after hearing the whispers of the humans and Elf. They were about to meet the Dwarf King. After passing through a short passage, the number of citizens decreased, and the number of guards increased, meaning they were nearing their destination. Kael'thas led them to a Dwarf, a stronger and more experienced Dwarf, who was Kael'thas's superior. After Kael'thas gave him a low report, the Dwarf turned his gaze to Nathanos.

"It is a great honor," the Dwarf said. "I am Muradin Bronzebeard, Magni's brother. Welcome." His thick beard suited his surname perfectly, and his battle axe had seen many battles.

"Nathanos Marius, messenger of the Alliance," Nathanos introduced himself, extending a hand. Muradin's handshake was as firm as he had expected. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I have some very important matters to discuss with King Magni."

"Oh, that makes sense," Muradin agreed, frowning. "The Alliance? I recall receiving messages from the Alliance before, from Lordaeron?"

Nathanos turned to look at Alleria after hearing this, Female Elf nodded to him, telling him that the Alliance had indeed tried to contact Ironforge before.

"Yes," Nathanos replied, bewildered, though he didn't know whether it was King Terenas or Lothar who had sent them the message. But the Alliance certainly hadn't forgotten a single ally. "That must have been a long time ago."

"Yes, that was several months ago," said another Dwarf, stepping forward to join the conversation. His face wasn't as angular as Muradin's, but he had similar features and the same beard.

"My brother, Brann," Muradin explained.

"Brann?" Nathanos's eyes lit up with surprise. "That famous explorer, I've heard so much about you."

Brann glanced smugly at Muradin, who, though not skilled in hand-to-hand combat, was clearly far more famous than his brother. "Thank you for the compliment, son. I'll tell you more about my adventures sometime."

Muradin coughed and got down to business. "Enough with the small talk. Come with me to the council chamber; my brother has been waiting for you."

Five minutes later

Nathanos finally met the Bronzebeard Dwarves King, who wasn't dressed in elaborate attire. What stood out more were his distinctive features. The human realized that the three brothers each possessed their own unique traits. Brann was an explorer and archaeologist, Muradin a powerful Warrior, and Magni— Nathanos saw a resemblance to Gudul in him. A blacksmith! Yes, he was a Master Blacksmith! This was evident from his thick, calloused hands.

After a detailed explanation

"Are you chasing after the Horde of the tribe, those guys you call Orcs?" Magni asked, an uncontrollable smile on his face—the happiest thing he'd heard in months.

"Yes, the Alliance has already wiped out many Orcs at sea and in the north. Now we want to eliminate them completely and end the war."

Magni glanced at his two brothers and nodded to each other. "We will stand with the Alliance," he announced. "Our people need to fight, to restore our dominion over these mountains, to reclaim our lands, and to ensure that no Orcs remnants remain in Kaz'Modan." He grinned. "And we will bring some elite troops and join your Alliance to ensure that the Orcs can never bother us again."

"We welcome your help," Nathanos replied honestly. He was somewhat surprised that everything was going so smoothly, and the rhetoric he had prepared along the way was of no use. Nathanos was often amazed by the Dwarf's endurance and resilience. If the Bronzebeard Dwarves were as skilled in combat as their Wildhammer, their addition would certainly be invaluable.

"Very good. We will send some men to inform the various units and prepare supplies." Muradin raised his battle axe and looked around. "Which way did the Orcs go?"

"They're advancing towards Blackrock Spire." Sometime during the night, Kurdran had somehow arrived here. Two Bronzebeard Dwarves led the way. The three Bronzebeard brothers recognized him, but were equally surprised that he had been allowed in.

"I rescued two Bronzebeard who were being chased by Orcs while I was flying in the sky," Kurdran explained. "They brought me in." He leaped down from the Gryphon. Kael'thas, standing beside him, instinctively took a few steps back.

"Blackrock Spire? Are you sure?" Muradin asked. The Wildhammer and Bronzebeard Clan didn't get along well. But that's not entirely true; they were like brothers who liked to argue.

"Of course, I'm sure!" Kurdran said sharply, while Skare beside him gave a soft warning. "And the Orcs besieging Ironforge don't seem to have any intention of sending reinforcements, nor do they seem to intend to attack here. I saw them setting up defenses." Then a sly look appeared on his face. "Go see for yourself if you don't believe me." Brann, standing next to Muradin, his face pale, made a face at Kurdran. The Bronzebeard Dwarves tend to develop underground.

"Blackrock Spire!" Magni fell into deep thought, a place he didn't want to mention. "The fortress atop the mountain, a fortified place," he admitted. "Excellent location, sturdy walls, and excellent defense against attacks from below, with easy control over the roads in and out of the mountain."

"Yes, and it was cursed," Muradin added. "That's true," the Dwarf continued, as everyone watched him, and Nathanos saw Brann and Kurdran nod in agreement. "Our Dark Iron cousins..." he paused, seemingly disgusted by the name. "built this fortress, but something terrifying lurks beneath the dark depths." He and the other Dwarf shuddered.

"If anything remains there, it won't stop these Orcs," Nathanos noted. "They will take it over, and taking it over will be very difficult."

"But we will succeed," Alleria said in a human language, hoping the Dwarf would understand her. "We have the ability to defeat them and a large army."

Nathanos smiled at her. "Yes, we will succeed," he agreed. "It will be a challenge, but it's worth the risk."

Magni nodded; he had made up his mind. "Muradin," his brother said, facing him. "Two days! Defeat those Orcs outside in two days! With our most advanced weapons."

"No problem, Magni," Muradin assured him, turning to prepare.

Nathanos and his party were led to their resting place. Alleria wanted to speak with him, but Gudul pulled him away first. The Female Elf could only wait, and then she noticed the weapon the human had left in the corner of the room—a finely crafted longbow, which she hadn't noticed before.

"Lo'gresh? That weapon known as the Heart-Splitter Bow? I remember it was always kept by Sylvanas. When did it end up in Nathanos's hands?" Alleria thought to herself. She had wanted to give Nathanos a new bow after hearing that it had been damaged, but someone else had done the job for her. This, however, made her somewhat...unhappy.

"What do you have to give me?" Nathanos followed behind Gudul, the Dwarf telling him he had a weapon.

"A two-handed sword, I hope you like it." Gudul walked to a forging table, on which lay a dazzling white longsword, its blade sharp and angular like the teeth of a beast.

"What is this?" Nathanos took a liking to the weapon at first sight. Gudul smiled with satisfaction. "It's called Nightblade. Pick it up and try it out."

Nathanos nodded, reached out and grasped the hilt, finding it not as heavy as he had imagined. "Very good, very light. I believe this does not affect its toughness and sharpness."

"You have a good eye," Gudul smiled. "I'm sure you'll find it useful soon."

Blackrock Mountain

"Humans have arrived here!"

Doomhammer abruptly looked up from his reverie. The fear in Salbeck's voice filled him with rage. When had his Warrior become so cowardly?

"I know they're here!" He stood on the hilltop, surveying the vast, rocky plain below. From here, he could see the remaining Horde scattered about. The last time he looked out from here, his Warrior filled the entire plain, leaving no gaps. Now, amidst the black rocks, there were only patches of green and brown. He could even discern sparse groups of people from different clans. His Horde now appeared very small and weak.

"What should we do?" Salbeck asked from behind him. "We don't have enough men, there's no one left."

Doomhammer glared at his lieutenant, his anger causing him to shrink back. Indeed, they were now far outnumbered; his forces no longer had the numbers to sweep across the world. But in the name of their ancestors! They were Orcs! "What must we do?" he hissed at his lieutenant, drawing his warhammer from his back and roaring, "Fight! Only!"

He turned away from the trembling Salbeck, Doomhammer ascended to the top of the rock. "Warrior of the Horde! Listen up!" he roared, raising his warhammer high. Some turned to look at him, while others did not. He slammed his weapon against the cliff face, the violent echo immediately drawing everyone's attention to him.

"Listen to me!" he cried again. "I know we are suffering defeat and rout, and our numbers are dwindling! I know Gul'dan's betrayal has cost us dearly! But remember! We are still Orcs! We are still the Horde! Our steps will shake the world!" The soldiers below gave a spirited shout, but it sounded so chaotic and weak.

"Humans have chased us all the way here," he continued, enunciating each word clearly—it was the truth. "But they thought we were defeated! They thought we were just clinging to life here, but they were wrong!" He raised his warhammer once more. "We came here because this is our stronghold, our entire strength is concentrated here! We can break out again and trample this continent under our feet! So we return here to crush them again and make them tremble for our name once more!" The cheers grew louder as the Doomhammer swept over them, his Warrior rising to their feet, brandishing their weapons, their fighting spirit reignited.

The story of this volume is almost over.