The Kor’kron looked to their leader, who nodded. “Grosk,” Malkorok rumbled, “drinks all around.” He clapped Frandis on the back so hard the Forsaken nearly fell forward on the table. “I might expect to find tauren or Forsaken here.” He sneered as Grosk busied himself plopping down dirty glasses and a large jug of grog. “But I must say, you look sorely out of place.”
“Not at all,” said Kelantir, narrowing her eyes. “I have been in worse places than this.”
“Perhaps, perhaps,” Malkorok said. “But why are you not in Orgrimmar?”
“Iron allergy,” Kelantir said. For an instant, Malkorok stared at her, then he threw his head back in a guttural laugh.
“It does seem that you and several others prefer more rustic environments,” he said. “Where is that young bull Baine, and his toady, Vol’jin? I had hoped to speak to them.”
“I have not seen them in a while,” said Kelantir, putting her boots up on the table. “I do not much involve myself with the tauren.”
“Really?” Malkorok looked puzzled. “Yet we have witnesses that put both you and Frandis right in this very inn just last night, in close conversation with both the tauren and the troll, among others. They reported that you were saying things like, ‘Garrosh is a fool, and Thrall should return and kick him all the way to the Undercity, and it was cowardly to use the mana bomb on Theramore.’”
“And the elements,” put in another of the Kor’kron conversationally as he reached for the jug of grog and refilled his cup.
“Yes, the elements—something about how it was too bad Cairne hadn’t killed him when he had the chance, because Thrall would never utilize the elements in such a cruel and insulting fashion.”
The blood elf and the Forsaken were silent now. Malkorok pressed on. “But, if you say you haven’t seen Baine or Vol’jin recently, then I suppose those witnesses must be mistaken.”
“Clearly,” said Frandis. “You need better informants.”
“We must,” Malkorok said in agreement, “for it’s obvious to me that neither of you would ever say such things against Garrosh and his leadership.”
“I’m glad you understand that,” said Frandis. “Thanks for the drinks. Can I buy the next round?”
“No, we had best be on our way. See if we can find Vol’jin and Baine, since, unfortunately for us, they are not here.” Malkorok rose and nodded. “Enjoy your drinks.”
The two watched them go. When the Kor’kron had departed, Kelantir closed her eyes and exhaled.
“That was far too close for comfort.”
“Indeed,” said Frandis. “For half a moment, I expected to be arrested, if not outright attacked.”
The blood elf turned to signal for more drinks, then frowned. “That is odd,” she said. “Grosk is gone.”
“What? With such a crowded inn? He should be hiring more help, not skipping out with several thirsty customers waiting on him.”
Their eyes met. No word was spoken between them, but as one, they rose and charged for the door.
They almost made it until a frost grenade locked them into position. Three frag grenades finished the job, and Razor Hill Inn exploded.
King Varian Wrynn and Prince Anduin stood in a large, open chamber in Stormwind Keep known as the map room, due to the enormous raised map that occupied most of the large space. Two braziers burned, warming the stone chamber. Weapons of war lined the walls, everything from blunderbusses to swords to even three cannons. There were areas piled high with books about military strategy, but for now, Varian and the others gathered here had their attention on the map.
Assembled were representatives of all the Alliance races. Emissary Taluun represented the draenei. Broll spoke for the night elves, and King Genn Greymane for the worgen of Gilneas. Present as well were the gnomes’ high tinker, Gelbin Mekkatorque, and three dwarves, one from each of the dwarven clans: jovial Thargas Anvilmar of the Bronzebeards, the dour Dark Iron dwarf Drukan, and cheerful Kurdran Wildhammer. Differences seemed to be put aside for the moment—even Drukan was willing to speak with courtesy and listened with interest.
The blockade concerned them all, including those who hailed from the Eastern Kingdoms. No one could afford to turn a blind eye to the potential conquest of an entire continent.
Varian stood as if lost in thought. Broll cleared his throat. Varian looked up and gestured to indicate that Broll should speak, then seemed to return to his own musing.
“I will speak for my people and, I am certain, all those Alliance who suffer from this action of the Horde,” said Broll. “And while it may seem self-centered to recommend that Darkshore be the first site to be liberated, I have an offer as well as a request. We have several vessels and the elves to crew them standing ready to assist as soon as we are given the chance. Despite the hardship wrought by the Cataclysm, it is still a major hub. We have shipping lanes that connect us with Rut’theran Village and Feathermoon Stronghold. Once we free up Darkshore, we will have an advantage.”
“Our spies report that the Horde seems to think we’d choose Feathermoon Stronghold,” said Greymane. He grinned a little. “I’m continuing to let them think that. Did you know that the Grimtotem of Feralas are planning an attack on the Horde? Taking advantage of their distraction? How terrible for the Horde!”
Chuckles went around the room. Still Varian frowned slightly as he looked at the map.
“They think Shandris Feathermoon dead, as far as we can tell,” Broll said. “They see the conquest of Feathermoon Stronghold to be more than a military victory—they see it, even more so, as a symbolic one. They will be in for a surprise when they find her at the head of her troops.”
The mood sobered at once. Of all the brilliant warriors and tacticians sent to aid Theramore, only Shandris and Vereesa remained. So many had been lost. For all the passion in the room to strike back and halt the Horde’s advance, there was still much grief.
“Has… has anyone… been to Theramore?” Gelbin asked quietly.
There was an awkward silence. “Lady Jaina,” Anduin said.
“Yes indeed,” said Gelbin, “and what a blessing that she still survives. Speaking of Lady Jaina, I assume there’s a sound reason she’s not here with us, strategizing today?”
“Lady Jaina is pursuing her own methods,” Varian said, finally joining in the conversation. All eyes turned to him. “She is… too impatient to work with us. And I cannot pass judgment. What she deals with—even I cannot truly know how she feels, although I have known similar pain.”
“What happened at Theramore must never be allowed to happen again,” said Taluun. “Not by any being. All sane people must deplore such acts and forswear them utterly, or else risk destroying the very things that make us able to touch the Light.”
There were murmurs of agreement. Varian looked at Anduin and nodded, almost imperceptibly. The boy’s blue eyes had gone sad when talk of Jaina had come up, but now they crinkled slightly at the edges with a wan smile.
“I agree,” Varian said. “But Lady Jaina may be right about one thing. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this, and… I believe we should not attempt to break the blockade. Not yet.”
A chorus of surprised voices filled the room, protesting, some courteously, some angrily. Varian lifted his hands. “Hear me out,” he said, raising his voice slightly to be heard above the din but not quite shouting. The others fell silent, looking unhappy.
He continued. “Wisdom would dictate that we do as Broll and Genn suggested: misdirect the Horde to think we are attacking the blockade at Feathermoon Stronghold, and then target Darkshore. Break the blockade, liberate the trapped elven fleet, then go on from there with more ships and soldiers.”
“Wisdom would,” said Drukan in agreement, disgruntled.
“I think instead we let ‘slip’ our plan to attack Darkshore, not Feathermoon Stronghold. It’ll be all the more readily believed since we’ve already put out a false trail. Garrosh will order the bulk of his navy there. We, meanwhile, sail directly toward Orgrimmar. Attack Garrosh in his own capital. I have spies as well, Genn, and they tell me that not all are happy with Hellscream as their leader. It is… hard for me to believe, but there are some Horde who are as appalled at what happened in Theramore as we are. We take Garrosh and occupy the city. Chaos will erupt, and with any luck, the discontented among the Horde will see this as their moment to rise up. If not, then we still have disarray and hold their capital city.”