When Duke Falconcrest shouted, "For Alterac," no one showed any surprise. They all watched the duke calmly, as though they had expected it.
"Open... fire!" Tandred gave the order, and the commander beside him relayed it with signal flags.
The dozen or so warships, already arrayed in a line, opened fire, bathing the coastline in gunsmoke once more and giving no enemy a chance to survive through luck.
The two great camps in the east and west had already engaged the Twilight Cultists at close quarters. Now, Lordaeron's leaders-Taelan, Marlann, Abbendis, Demetria, Kor'fax, Fairbanks, Slayer Da'Han, and Archmage Doan-were gathered aboard the warships. They had long been itching to charge onto the battlefield.
"We can prepare to land," Demetria said to Taelan, abruptly opening her eyes.
As the former chief adviser to the Grand Crusader, Demetria had held one of the highest positions in the Scarlet Crusade. Later, after Dreadlord Balnazzar and Grand Inquisitor Isillien had been dealt with, Tirion Fordring began integrating the Scarlet Crusade and the Argent Dawn to rebuild the Order of the Silver Hand. But Demetria had remained chief adviser to this day; that had never changed. They did this for no other reason than her ability to foresee the future.
Now, with Lordaeron's revival imminent, Demetria was an important figure protected at all times by more than a dozen eighth- and ninth-tier paladins and warriors. Even Tirion Fordring did not receive such treatment.
"Lord Ursoc is ready. He can act at any time to eliminate those evil followers of the Old Gods," Lyn Bluestone said from beside them.
As Grizzlemaw's representative, Lyn Bluestone was the furbolgs' only human spokesperson, and someone who had earned the recognition of the demigod Ursoc.
Patrick and Kael'thas exchanged a glance. In the end, it was Kael'thas who ordered the