None of the humans took Patrick's attitude to heart. After all, High Elves had always regarded humans this way, and this visitor was a Highlord among the Elves. Antonidas, who dealt with High Elves frequently, had long since grown accustomed to it.
The humans who had been arguing also quieted down and considered Patrick's words carefully, nodding in agreement. "The Elven lord seems to have touched on a key point."
"But what would they use to compensate us?" the Dwarven lord Muradin asked mockingly. "Alterac is practically in ruins. Most of its people have fled, the country is fractured, and the nobles and royal family are estranged. Besides, this makes us sound no different from robbers." After speaking, Muradin deliberately cast a meaningful glance at the Barov Family.
"Most of the Orcs have escaped, while some have been scattered. We need a great deal of time to clear out the remaining Orcs, and there's also the fortress the Alliance plans to build beside the Dark Portal. Funds are certainly something we badly need."
Trollbane sighed. "You're quite right. In any case, I simply believe they should pay a price. After all, Alterac's betrayal caused so many casualties." Trollbane truly felt some admiration for Patrick now. With a single remark, he had gotten straight to the point.
"Perenolde's betrayal," Terenas corrected him solemnly. "We must remember that. Very few citizens of Alterac knew of their king's treachery. Perenolde merely told them to stay away from several mountain passes and allowed the Orcs to pass through those trails unimpeded. That is the issue, not that all of Alterac aided the Horde."
Patrick turned to look at Terenas. The king of the most powerful nation surely already had a way to deal with Alterac. He simply had not yet found a pretext to