Three minutes later, the griffin landed on the deck.
The ship continued sailing towards Faldir's Cove. Jiang Jie increased the power of the game pod, keeping a close watch on possible reefs, Naga, and Murloc. He then asked Sally how many troops she had brought and why Jaina was there.
" Nicholas, we built Theramore on a peninsula in Dustwallow Marsh, and I am the lord of Theramore. We planned to open up the marshland between Theramore and Northwatch Hold to grow new crops, but that's not possible yet. Theramore's food reserves are running low, so I brought three ships to Lordaeron to buy food."
Jaina met Jiang Jie and seemed to have endless things to say. The Archmage transformed into a little woman, chattering incessantly. " Kul Tiras is a maritime kingdom with limited farms. The food we grow is only enough for our own consumption, so we have to buy from Lordaeron. We just landed in Southshore when we saw Sister Sally requisitioning fishing boats and learned about Stromgarde, so we brought them here first. Nicholas, congratulations on becoming the Grand Duke of Stromgarde."
Jaina holds a unique position as the lord of Theramore, Theramore was built by a coalition of forces from multiple nations and refugees. Therefore, Theramore is essentially an independent city, a free city, or even an independent kingdom outside of the Alliance nations. This was created by the special circumstances at the time and the background of Jaina's three kingdoms, and it cannot be replicated.
Theramore now has a population of 30,000, almost the same as Hearthglen. Jaina's power and status are unmatched by any marquess or duke.
Tirion Fordring was under the dual control of Calia and Uther, while Jaina was not responsible to anyone.
But now Jiang Jie has become the Grand Duke of Stromgarde, the theoretical master of the entire Arathi Highlands. Because of King Thoradin, Calia has given Jiang Jie too much power, and the entire Arathi Highlands is basically equivalent to a vassal duchy of the Kingdom of Lordaeron. Therefore, Jiang Jie's status is the same as Jaina's.
Of course, we have to get past this hurdle first.
"I brought seven hundred soldiers, including one hundred and fifty Paladin and fifty Priest."
Sally's face remained cold as she stared unblinkingly at the sea ahead. "Grand Duke," she said, "This is all the troops I can muster. A portion of the forces must remain in Southshore. You may already know, Arthas has appeared! Responding to your plea for help was my own decision, and I haven't informed my father yet. If he finds out, I'm afraid... he won't agree."
If Old Mograine knew about this, he might not agree, because Southshore is extremely important. With Arthas's appearance, it must be defended with sufficient troops and cannot be lost.
Stromgarde was important, but this key military stronghold, lost under his son's rule, was even more important to him.
Even considering only geographical location, Southshore is the only port in Hillsbrad Foothills, the southern gateway to Dalaran and even Lordaeron. It is directly related to the safety of the 150,000 people in Hillsbrad Foothills, 30,000 people in Dalaran, 30,000 people in Fenris Isles, and 250,000 people in Dalaran. Stromgarde, on the other hand, has only 20,000 people, and even with those scattered outside Arathi Highlands, the total is only around 30,000. Even if it were to be breached, there is the Thoradin's Wall to block it. To Lordaeron, Southshore is really not as important as it is.
In this situation, it was commendable that Sally was able to take the initiative and respond to his request for help.
" Sally, thank you. Also, please don't call me Grand Duke, just call me by my name."
try{mad1('gad2');} catch(ex){}