Chapter Summaries

Arthas learned that Terenas had ordered Jaina to marry Lord Prysto, leaving her devastated and unsure how to resist. At Grim Batol, Nathanos woke in captivity and feared what might follow his encounter with Alexstrasza as Grot Deathstrike brought him food.

• Arthas overheard Terenas arguing with Jaina and found her crying in her room.
• Jaina told Arthas that Terenas had ordered her to become engaged to Lord Prysto and marry him when she came of age.
• Arthas apologized and asked whether Jaina loved someone else, but she said Terenas had given her an order rather than a choice.
• At Grim Batol, Ner'zhul worried over whether the Demon Soul would allow Alexstrasza to lay eggs and ordered the guards to keep Nathanos alive.
• Nathanos woke in his prison, suspected he had been with Alexstrasza, and feared she might kill him to conceal what happened.
• Grot Deathstrike brought Nathanos food and remarked that he had had a wonderful night.

Sylvanas encountered Thastad and Rhonin, who asked for her help rescuing Nathanos. In Grim Batol, Nathanos and Grot agreed to cooperate against Deathwing’s control of the Dragonmaw Clan, while Deathwing hinted that Nathanos would soon be released.

• Sylvanas confronted Thastad, who claimed he wanted to help rescue Nathanos, then drew her bow when he appeared to be following her.
• Thastad called Rhonin out of hiding, and Rhonin asked Sylvanas to hear his explanation.
• Grot told Nathanos that Zuluhed had demoted him to kitchen work after his defeat and explained that Ner'zhul was keeping Nathanos alive for the Red Dragons.
• Grot offered to help Nathanos, but Deathwing appeared through a portal, called Nathanos his puppet, and said he was waiting for old friends.
• Grot revealed that Deathwing controlled the Dragonmaw Clan, and Nathanos agreed to work with him to win the clan’s freedom in exchange for his own.

Sylvanas, Rhonin, and Thastad encountered a Goblin near their camp and questioned him about Deathwing and a human at Grim Batol. The Goblin revealed that Deathwing had disguised himself as a human to command the Dragonmaw Orcs, and Sylvanas asked what he looked like.

• Sylvanas kept watch while Thastad and Rhonin slept, then heard movement nearby.
• Thastad's Gryphon chased down a Goblin, and Sylvanas stopped it from attacking him.
• Sylvanas questioned the Goblin about his connection to the Orcs and whether he had seen a black dragon.
• The Goblin said he saw Deathwing with a human at Grim Batol, then admitted that Deathwing had taken human form and ordered the Dragonmaw Orcs.
• Rhonin realized the disguise explained how the Goblin had witnessed the scene, and Sylvanas asked him to describe Deathwing's human appearance.

Rhonin discovered that Krasus had gone to Northrend and learned from him that the portrait Sylvanas drew showed Prysto, a key to Krasus’s plans. Sylvanas, Rhonin, and Thastad prepared to rescue Nathanos at Grim Batol while Krasus stood before a towering structure in the snow.

• Rhonin failed to reach Krasus, then used their magical link to glimpse Krasus in the freezing wastes of Northrend.
• Sylvanas finished a portrait of Deathwing’s mortal form, and Rhonin and Thastad did not recognize the man depicted.
• Sylvanas insisted that they rescue Nathanos from the Orcs at Grim Batol, while Thastad teased her about her feelings for him.
• Krasus contacted Rhonin and identified the portrait’s man as Prysto, calling the image an important key and urging Rhonin to help rescue Nathanos.
• Krasus ended the conversation beside a huge ring-shaped structure in Northrend and murmured, “Two more.”

Alleria defended her decision to consider Nathanos for a Ranger-Lord position when Kael'thas questioned her judgment and his suitability. Elsewhere, Krasus warned Nozdormu that Deathwing had returned, but the Time Lord refused to help, leaving Krasus to seek hope in finding Ysera.

• Kael'thas questioned Alleria about her relationship with Nathanos and her intention to promote him, but Alleria stood by her choices.
• Krasus found Nozdormu in a desert of gathered ruins and warned him that Deathwing had returned among the mortal kingdoms.
• Nozdormu dismissed the warning and accused Krasus of acting only to save Alexstrasza.
• Krasus urged Nozdormu to fulfill the Titans' mission, but Nozdormu said he could no longer see fate clearly and vanished.
• Krasus despaired over Nozdormu's refusal and hoped Christalyssa could find Ysera, who was said to dwell in dreams.

Christalyssa entered the Emerald Dream and pleaded with Ysera to help rescue Alexstrasza, receiving only a promise that Ysera would consider it. At Grim Batol, Nathanos feared Alexstrasza was pregnant, and the imprisoned queen confirmed she was carrying three children and wondered whether to let them be born.

• Christalyssa found Ysera in the Emerald Dream and asked the Green Dragonflight to help Alexstrasza and stop the Dragonmaw Clan.
• Ysera said rescuing Alexstrasza would come at an uncertain price and admitted the dragons could not defeat Deathwing, but promised to consider Christalyssa's plea.
• Nathanos studied Grot's map and gathered information about Grim Batol while planning his escape.
• Nathanos grew alarmed when Grot told him Ner'zhul had ordered bear paw prepared for him, and he asked Grot to investigate Alexstrasza.
• Zuluhed and Ner'zhul observed Alexstrasza's pregnancy and expected her to give birth within three days.
• Alexstrasza realized she was carrying three children fathered by Nathanos and wondered whether to let them be born.

Deathwing, disguised as Lord Prysto, met Terenas while pursuing a marriage alliance with Jaina and consolidating his control of Alterac. Modera and Daelen recognized clues that Prysto was Deathwing, but they feared the Alliance would not believe them.

• Deathwing prepared to meet Terenas and considered seeking Jaina’s hand to strengthen his rule over Alterac.
• Deathwing met Kirin Tor mages Modera and Daelen in Terenas’s palace and discussed Dalaran’s exclusion from Alliance negotiations.
• Terenas entered and dismissed the mages, while Deathwing remained confident that he controlled the king and had turned the Alliance against Dalaran.
• Modera and Daelen returned to Dalaran, where Modera explained that Prysto had identified them as Kirin Tor councilors despite their disguises.
• Modera and Daelen concluded that Prysto was likely Deathwing, but worried that the Alliance would not believe their accusation.

Alleria learned that Nathanos had been captured and set out with Vareesa to save him. Meanwhile, Sylvanas’s party followed a Goblin toward Grim Batol, discovered the Orcs controlled the Red Dragons with a golden disk, and continued toward Nathanos despite distrust among the companions.

• Alleria panicked after reading Sylvanas’s letter and agreed to let Vareesa join her rescue mission.
• Sylvanas, Rhonin, and Thastad found signs of Deathwing’s passage and questioned their Goblin guide, Kriel, before releasing him.
• Sylvanas learned from Kriel that a golden disk could control the Queen of Dragons.
• Grot told Nathanos that Ner’zhul possessed a golden disk and that the captured dragon would lay an egg soon.
• Sylvanas said she intended to kill the Queen of Dragons, then continued toward Grim Batol with Rhonin and Thastad to rescue Nathanos.

Prysto learned that three people were approaching Grim Batol to rescue a human, while Alexstrasza discovered that her latest eggs contained no life. As Sylvanas caught Rhonin secretly communicating with someone, he offered to let that unseen contact speak to her directly.

• Kriel told Prysto that three people were heading to Grim Batol to rescue a human, and Prysto laughed at the news.
• Alexstrasza realized her three strange Dragon Eggs held no life and only contained part of her power.
• Ner'zhul warned Zuluhed about the approaching rescuers, and Zuluhed agreed to strengthen Grim Batol's defenses.
• Sylvanas overheard Rhonin speaking with an unseen person and confronted him after he noticed her.
• Rhonin produced a glowing emblem and told Sylvanas that his friend wanted to speak with her.

Sylvanas spoke with Krasus through the insignia and agreed to continue toward Grim Batol while prioritizing Nathanos’s rescue. Rhonin returned with her, carrying Krasus’s warning to keep his existence secret and follow instructions, though he doubted Sylvanas would trust him.

• Sylvanas questioned Krasus about his role in Nathanos’s danger, and he admitted that Nathanos’s fate had been an error in his plan.
• Krasus asked whether Sylvanas would choose rescuing Nathanos or killing the Queen of Dragons, and she insisted she would pursue both goals.
• Krasus promised to help Sylvanas, said her sisters were coming, and offered an insignia as a token of cooperation, which she refused.
• Rhonin and Sylvanas returned to Thalstad, and Rhonin told her Krasus would guide them into the mountains toward Grim Batol.
• Krasus ordered Rhonin to conceal the insignia and his existence, follow instructions, and avoid rash actions before ending their communication.
• Rhonin followed Sylvanas and worried that she would distrust him because Krasus’s mission had put Nathanos in danger.

Nathanos escaped prison with Grot’s help and made his way through Grim Batol toward the Queen of Dragons, but a flaming stone guardian seized him and burned him unconscious. The chapter left his fate uncertain at the entrance to the great hall.

• Nathanos and Grot knocked out two Orc guards, and Nathanos freed himself from his shackles.
• Grot told Nathanos that Zuluhed had left to fight the invaders and that Alliance forces were approaching; Nathanos planned to kill Ner'zhul and destroy the golden disk.
• Nathanos navigated Grim Batol’s tunnels, ambushed three Orcs, and followed the sound of a dragon’s breathing toward the mountain’s heart.
• Nathanos found a motionless guardian of stone and green flames blocking the great hall and tried to approach it.
• The guardian suddenly seized Nathanos, engulfed him in soul-burning flames, and left him unconscious.

Ner'zhul interrogated Nathanos about his escape, while Sylvanas, Rhonin, and Thaurissan fought Zuluhed's forces near Grim Batol. After a strange reaction to Rhonin's insignia distracted the Red Dragon, Sylvanas and the arriving Alleria and Vareesa helped defeat the Orcs and kill Zuluhed.

• Ner'zhul beat Nathanos and demanded to know who had helped him escape, so Nathanos blamed Deathwing and suggested he had been sent to spy on Alexstrasza.
• An Orc delivered urgent news to Ner'zhul, who flew into a rage, ordered Nathanos imprisoned and tortured, and sent for Zuluhed.
• Zuluhed arrived on a Red Dragon with Dragonmaw warriors, but Rhonin threw Krasus's glowing insignia near the dragon's mouth, leaving it distracted and seated.
• Sylvanas, Rhonin, and Thaurissan fought the charging Orcs while Sylvanas attacked Zuluhed.
• Alleria and Vareesa emerged from the rainforest and shot several Orcs, allowing Sylvanas to stab Zuluhed through the chest.

Alleria reunited with Sylvanas and Vareesa, and the group prepared to enter Grim Batol while Rhonin followed Krasus's guidance. In confinement, Nathanos escaped his shackles and suspected Ner'zhul had beaten him because something was wrong with Alexstrasza or her eggs.

• Alleria reunited with Sylvanas and learned there was no definite news about Nathanos, then agreed with her sisters that they would rescue him.
• Alleria stopped Vareesa from killing the Red Dragon, and the sisters embraced before Vareesa lowered her bow.
• Rhonin retrieved the insignia from the Red Dragon and learned from Krasus that he would guide the group through Grim Batol's tunnels.
• Rhonin told the others to prepare to enter Grim Batol.
• Nathanos woke in confinement, picked his shackles with a copper wire, and reset his broken bones.
• Nathanos recalled Ner'zhul's anger and suspected it was linked to Alexstrasza or a problem with her newly laid eggs.

Ner'zhul prepared to evacuate Grim Batol after learning that Zuluhed had disappeared and his warriors were dead, then claimed command of the Dragonmaw Clan. Grot Deathstrike saw a chance to rescue the imprisoned Nathanos after the Orcs left, while Nathanos dreamed of Alleria and resolved to survive.

• Ner'zhul grew anxious as Zuluhed failed to return, the Dragon Egg remained unhatched, and the Orcs struggled to prepare for evacuation.
• Ner'zhul learned that Zuluhed's warriors were dead and the chieftain was missing, then blamed Deathwing and declared himself leader of the Dragonmaw Clan.
• Ner'zhul ordered the Orcs to load valuables onto wagons and prepare to leave, while Grot Deathstrike realized Nathanos might be left behind to starve.
• Nathanos slept in his prison, dreamed of frightening creatures and Alleria, and resolved to survive so he could find her.

Rhonin followed Krasus’s directions through Grim Batol while the group discovered the Orcs were preparing to move Dragon Eggs. They reached the chamber where the Queen of Dragons was held, and the sight of her left them speechless.

• Rhonin led Alleria, Sylvanas, Vareesa, and Thastad through the Dark Iron tunnels while Krasus remained out of contact.
• The group heard signs of turmoil and found Orcs loading wagons with Dragon Eggs, including two unusual eggs covered in red spots.
• Krasus contacted Rhonin and guided him back to a hidden route toward the Queen of Dragons.
• When the group heard a huge dragon breathing, Sylvanas urged them to trust Rhonin, and Alleria agreed for her sister’s sake.
• Rhonin followed Krasus’s directions to an empty passage and entered the Queen of Dragons’ chamber with the others.
• Alleria, her sisters, Thastad, and Rhonin stared in astonishment at the red dragon.

Nathanos learned that Ner'zhul had taken control of the Dragonmaw Clan and planned to evacuate Grim Batol with Alexstrasza, while Grot helped him escape. Rhonin and the others found the captive Dragon Queen, who warned them that Ner'zhul held the Demon Soul and that Deathwing was coming for her eggs and another target.

• Grot woke Nathanos, treated his arm, and told him Ner'zhul had seized the Dragonmaw Clan and ordered it to leave Grim Batol with Alexstrasza.
• Nathanos recognized Grot's medallion as a communicator belonging to Deathwing and urged Grot to lead him through the underground tunnels before Ner'zhul could kill him.
• Thavstad and the others confronted the enormous Alexstrasza, while Krasus urgently asked Rhonin to bring him closer to her.
• Rhonin challenged Krasus about his identity, then realized from Krasus's exchange with Alexstrasza that he was the dragon Calygros.
• Alexstrasza warned Rhonin and the others that Ner'zhul possessed the Demon Soul and that Deathwing was coming for her eggs and someone else.

Alleria and her companions confronted Ner'zhul at Alexstrasza’s prison, while Nathanos turned back through Grim Batol after finding an Elf’s waterskin. Deathwing flew toward the fortress, and Calygros raced to rescue Alexstrasza, leaving both rescue attempts heading toward danger.

• Alleria asked Alexstrasza how they could free her, and Alexstrasza revealed that the Demon Soul’s shackles held her captive.
• Ner'zhul arrived with guards, used the Demon Soul to torment Alexstrasza, and ordered the Dragonmaw Clan warriors to attack the intruders.
• Nathanos found an Elf’s waterskin in the escape tunnel and decided to return toward Grim Batol, while Grot urged him not to let Ner'zhul escape.
• Deathwing flew toward Grim Batol after learning that Ner'zhul was defying him and the Orcs planned to leave their stronghold.
• Calygros resumed his true form and flew to Alexstrasza’s side, determined to rescue her.

Ner'zhul summoned the demon Vaz'gaj, who overwhelmed the group until Alleria’s enchanted arrows and Rhonin’s protective magic turned the demon’s flames against him. Vaz'gaj exploded, and the cave collapsed around everyone.

• Ner'zhul sacrificed his fallen Orc soldiers to summon Vaz'gaj, a heavily armored demon who joined the battle.
• Vaz'gaj knocked Thastad aside, but Alleria pierced him with an enchanted arrow from Sathoryl.
• Thastad, Sylvanas, and Vareesa fought Vaz'gaj while Rhonin battled Ner'zhul, but the demon’s strength and flames drove them back.
• Alleria struck Vaz'gaj in the mouth with another arrow, and he fell before rising again and declaring he could be resurrected.
• Rhonin blasted Ner'zhul away and raised a barrier that reflected Vaz'gaj’s flames back at him, causing the demon to explode and the cave to collapse.

Rhonin and the others escaped Grim Batol by teleporting to a snowy mountain summit, bringing the injured Alexstrasza and her Demon Soul-imbued shackles with them. Alexstrasza warned that Ner’zhul might soon flee with the Dragon Eggs, and the group learned that only the Demon Soul could break her chains.

• Rhonin, Thastad, Alleria, Sylvanas, Vareesa, and Alexstrasza recovered on a snowy mountain summit after Rhonin teleported them out of Grim Batol.
• Alleria checked Alexstrasza’s injuries, and the awakened dragon thanked the mortals for helping her escape.
• Rhonin identified their location as the mountain summit, while Alexstrasza warned that Ner’zhul might soon leave the fortress with the Dragon Eggs.
• Alexstrasza explained that Ner’zhul might be fleeing Deathwing’s control and that her offspring could rebel after discovering she was gone.
• Thastad struck Alexstrasza’s shackles with his Storm Hammer, but the hammer was damaged and the chains remained intact.
• Alexstrasza told Rhonin and the others that only the Demon Soul could undo the magic binding her shackles.

After Grim Batol collapsed, Nathanos escaped the rubble and found Alleria and Rhonin trapped on the other side. Rhonin teleported Alleria and the others to safety while Nathanos remained behind, determined to pursue Ner'zhul.

• Ner'zhul abandoned the collapsed tunnels and ordered the Orcs to leave Grim Batol, believing the Queen of Dragons was dead.
• Nathanos woke beneath the rubble, escaped a narrow gap, and continued through the collapsing tunnels toward the Queen of Dragons.
• Nathanos found the entrance to the Queen of Dragons' chamber blocked and heard Rhonin and Alleria on the other side.
• Alleria told Nathanos that Rhonin was preparing to teleport her and the others out, but the spell could not take Nathanos with them.
• Rhonin teleported Alleria and the others away, and Nathanos vowed to pursue Ner'zhul.