A golden dragonhawk descended from the sky and landed in a stable near the Royal Palace of Lordaeron.
The rider on the dragonhawk's back dismounted...
He was an elven mage dressed in pale blue robes, with a shortsword at his waist and a staff with a slightly bulky head strapped to his back.
The elven mage called out to the stable keeper:
"I am Karin Sunfury, Lord Anduin Lothar's adjutant. May I ask where Lord Lothar is now?"
"Ah, Your Excellency Karin!" the stable keeper said respectfully. "Please follow me. Lord Lothar is holding a war council!"
"A war council?" Karin could not help frowning.
By rights, the war with the orcs had not officially broken out yet, so there should have been no reason to hold a war council, unless...
"Has something happened?" Karin asked at once.
"Grievous news." The stable keeper lowered his head. "The Horde's army has advanced into Khaz Modan, and the dwarves have been defeated... Their king, Modan Bronzebeard, also fell in battle against the Horde! All of Khaz Modan has fallen except Ironforge!"
When Karin saw Lothar again a little over ten minutes later...
The aging warrior wore an ornate military uniform, and his tall hat discreetly concealed his bald crown... His face seemed somewhat weary.
"You're back so soon, Karin!" Lothar was clearly pleased to see him. "I thought you would stay in Dalaran for a few more days!"
"Yes..." Karin nodded, then hurriedly asked, "My lord, what is the situation in Ironforge?"
"Ah!" Lothar sighed...
As early as a month ago, the Horde's vanguard had entered Khaz Modan, the land belonging to the dwarves... Although some clashes had occurred with the dwarves there, full-scale war had not broken out. The Horde had merely occupied a few mines without advancing farther toward