Chapter 21 Chapter 21 The Bottom Line

As the scouts trotted towards Hadrissa, she realized suddenly that she had just dozed off on the back of her mount.Fortunately, Dany or the other officers did not notice her embarrassment, they were all attracted by the shocked expressions of the returning sentries. Hadrissa counted the heads quickly, taking two small steps forward at the same time.Although the scouts came in such a hurry, it didn't look like a tribe was chasing after them. Unfortunately, the news they brought back was not much better. Silverwing Outpost has fallen. The scouts only knew a rough idea.But this bad news was soon better confirmed by the survivors who came one after another.

Only about a quarter of the once proud Silver Wing Sentinel remained, and many of them were wounded.Among the survivors, Surah, the acting commander, recounted the horror of the fall of the outpost. Hadrissa listened with a serious expression, and only one thought in her mind at the moment was that the end of the world had finally arrived.Even the cataclysm never made her feel so sad.But Silverwing Outpost fell. The Horde is about to sweep across Ashenvale... led by Garrosh Hellscream himself. "We're going to fight them now!" Dani yelled angrily. "They'll never imagine that we're so close! We'll catch them off guard!"

Several other young sentinels also voiced their support.Hadrisa noticed that Sulla - she was not a coward - was not among them.The "scout" beside her didn't agree either, and the commander thought that this kind of person would be the first to stand up and ask to go back to fight. "No," Hadrissa announced in a low voice. "We're not going." Dani was dumbfounded. "But the purpose of our sending troops is entirely to meet up with the Silver Wing Outpost, so as to form a more solid line of defense in front of the Horde—" "It's not that simple, but the key issue is...Silver Wing Outpost no longer exists. This has changed everything. We can't build a solid defense line in this area, and attacking the Horde immediately is in their hands. You Having heard her report, and knowing our own experiences, the Horde now has a new strategy, and if Garrosh Hellscream is on the front lines, they will be able to mobilize far more troops than we previously thought possible. Know."

"You don't want us to turn around, do you?" Dani's argument had come close to defying her superiors, but given the circumstances, Hadrissa forgave her. "We only retreated to the west bank of the river. We camped a short distance after we crossed the river. We could have killed the Horde more easily if they had forced their way across." Dany and the other Sentinels clearly seemed more willing to go ahead and attack, thinking that would catch the Horde by surprise.But they obeyed the order anyway.Sulla and Atil organized the survivors and distributed the mounts to those who were too weak.

They turned around.Hadrisa and Dani led a small team to cover the rear.Despite her previous contradictory words, Hadrissa's lieutenants followed through on her orders, so that no one left behind would be in danger of being hunted by Horde scouts. The night elves moved quickly, partly because they had just come from that direction and were very familiar with the road along the way.But the commander remembered the incident of the orcs invading the alliance territory before, so she still sent scouts to scout.Don't be afraid of ten thousand, just in case. They reached the river without any danger, and crossed it fairly well.Hadrissa chose an ideal position, with an open area in front of them, so that any enemy charging towards them would be a easy target for the archers.Then, she began to deploy her soldiers along the area.

Day and night are another day.Although the night elves are nocturnal, Hadrisa has fought the Horde around the clock during her war career, so she is quite used to being active during the day.She had sent couriers to the two nearest outposts, and both had returned.In this way, the alliance laid a line of defense along the west bank of the river.Throughout this period there has been no sign of any tribal activity.Although Dany repeatedly asked Hadrissa to allow her to send a small party of scouts to spy on the enemy's position, the commander rebuffed her suggestion. But they all wanted to know why the Horde didn't take advantage of the victory after winning the Silverwing Outpost, and continued to advance to confront the Sentinel head-on.Regarding that attack, Sura could not provide any useful details, and none of the suggestions of the staff officers satisfied Hadrisa.Garrosh Hellscream was waiting for something - a moment, perhaps - and until he finally made his move, the defenders had little idea.

A day or two passed like this.Hadrisa finally gave in to her lieutenant's endless pleas, allowing her to lead a party to carefully scout the Horde's lines. Diane came back before dark.To Hadrissa's relief, her team was unscathed.However, the bewildered expression on the young sentry's face made it difficult for the commander to accept. "They're assembled," Dany said. "I have never seen such an army! Legions of violent orc warriors, including infantry and wolf knights. Rows of tauren with battle axes or spears, chanting the spirit of the ancestors Guidance. There are more goblin shredders than ever seen, howling troll warriors with skeletons adorning their armor... and more!" She took a deep breath and finally explained her bewildered reason. "But while most of their warriors were eager for blood, their commanders did nothing."

"Did you see their strength?" "They've gathered a mighty army," Dany replied reluctantly. "Enough to crush us." "And they're still waiting? Did you see anything else?" "I've seen goblins working on their goddamn machines, and some of the carts look like they're used to create that fetid fog. Other than that, nothing out of the ordinary." Hadrisa remembered Sulla's report. "Where's the catapult?" "A few. Same model we've seen before. Not very accurate." The seasoned officer was not satisfied with Dani's contemptuous description, and she still remembered what Sura had said.The boulders hurled at Silverwing Outpost hit their targets almost perfectly.If it was the same kind of catapult, the orcs must have trained their operators well...in fact, never better.

The catapults may explain why the Horde has not yet launched an offensive, such heavy equipment is often slow to move to the front line.But that still didn't satisfy Hadrissa.Either Garrosh expected more reinforcements to come, or he was waiting for the Sentinels to act. But which one would it be? She asked herself again. The growing number of Horde forces forced Hadrissa to make a reluctant decision.She sent her messengers back to the outpost, and all available troops were called to reinforce the front.The alliance must hold its ground.If they let the orcs continue westward, the entire region is at risk of falling.

What she didn't expect was that the first to arrive was not the reinforcements she summoned, but a herald galloping like the wind.At first, Hadrisa feared that Garrosh would bypass her defenses and surprise the rear outpost.But the look on the rider's face when he jumped off the panting nightsaber didn't look like fear at all. "Reinforcements are coming!" he yelled at her, not minding that the others heard his exuberant cries too. "The Horde will pay for the Battle of the Silver Wings!" "What are you talking about?" Dani and others gathered around, and Hadrissa asked. "Have the reinforcements from those outposts to the west already departed?"

"They are coming, and much more, Commander! Much more! Our fleet has landed this morning! Other armies have also landed, and have triumphantly passed the Horde stronghold Zoram'gar Outpost, they There was hardly any resistance!" "'Landing'? What do you mean? Who? Where are these reinforcements coming from?" "Darnassus! Your messenger has successfully reached Darnassus!" "Aladria?" Dany blurted out. "Is she still alive?" The joy on the rider's face faded for a while. "Just enough to tell all she knew. Then her spirit ascended to the Mother of the Moon." "That's brave," Hadrissa commented. "We will remember her." "I'll make ten orcs pay for her," Dany growled. But the Commander has no time for bluffing.Combat reduces a warrior's desire to survive.She asked the rider, "Is General Shandris leading the team?" "No, even though she's here too." The male night elf couldn't help grinning. "It is the High Priestess who presides over the expedition herself!" "High-ranking priestess?" The surrounding sentries were all taken aback, showing expressions of awe.Hadrissa could hardly believe her ears. "Has Tyrande Whisperwind come to Ashenvale?" "Yes...and she's coming to us soon. She's so committed!" This shocking news could not help but make all the sentinels feel at ease.The High Priestess is Elune's spokesperson in Azeroth, and at this moment she not only knows the dangers her subordinates face, but will personally lead them to defeat the Horde. "The orcs sit around foolishly," Dany said gleefully. "It was the right decision for you to stand still, Commander! Now they will pay the price for the Silver Wing Outpost... a hundred times the price!" Hadrissa, too, felt her confidence restored.Garrosh Hellscream is a formidable foe that should not be underestimated, but Tyrande Whisperwind has nearly ten thousand years of war experience more than him.Fighting her, that orc must have no chance at all.Hadrisa told herself that the final victory would belong to the Alliance. However...she couldn't help but cast a puzzled glance in the enemy's direction. She should be in Ashenvale by now, Malfurion thought bitterly.She's in Ashenvale, but I'm chasing around... That's not the whole truth.Maiev and her brother were conducting most of the investigation, and Malfurion spent most of his time trying to persuade the Highborne to behave. The Highborne are growing increasingly annoyed by the lack of progress.They have started their own investigations, especially Waldin.Unfortunately, this has brought them into trouble with many of the citizens of Darnassus.On one occasion, even Malfurion had to intervene to avert bloodshed. Even Mordant was not so patient anymore.He and Malfurion stood on the outskirts of the Highborne encampment, arguing for three full hours about the best course of action before breaking up. "Young men like Valding, I've restrained them enough, Archdruid. And I don't want to stop them now." Malfurion clearly remembered that when Valdin was surrounded by a group of angry night elves, he almost cast a spell on them.Valding, who was asking for leads on two murders, drew outrage with his bossy attitude and insubstantial threats. "We're doing everything we can. Maiev—" "It's better to take the results. I know she has a reputation, but I don't see any credit for it. She just keeps bugging us over and over, saying there are some clues that the killer might be among us. If in If she can only do this to this extent—" "She has questioned everyone, Mordant. No one could have done it more thoroughly." Malfurion sighed. "I'll talk to her and see if there's anything else going on." "At least her brother is more tactful. Although he also got nothing, he at least showed proper respect." Malfurion resisted the urge to comment.Garrod is indeed more tactful. "We'll fix that." "As you said," the Highborne said suspiciously. "goodbye." Malfurion nodded, then walked in the direction of Darnassus.But it didn't take him very far before he sensed that someone else was nearby.He turned his head to look but saw no one.So Malfurion turned his attention back to the excursion. A figure in armor stood in front of her, and she looked eerie with her cloak tightly wrapped around her.It was a sight that apparently frightened even Illidan at times. "Arch Druid Malfurion," Maiev greeted him. He looked back to where he had left the Highborne.The distance between Malfurion and Maiev was disturbingly close. "What are you doing here?" "I'd like Valding or his master to answer a question or two about the murder. That might clear my mind." "Did you find anything?" She sighed. "I don't want to say more until I find out the truth." Malfurion accepted that reason, but was still unsure of the wisdom of what she was doing now. "Do you have to talk to them?" Maiev laughed. "Am I annoying them?" "This is not a joke." Jarod's sister grew serious. "No, at least not where the Highborne are. You're right." "Is this question necessary?" "I don't do things for no reason. And you needn't worry that I'll drive them to Darnassus. I've heard about Valdin, and that fellow will be troublesome." "If he can get this all sorted out, he'll be fine." She frowned, but replied, "Yes, I think he will." "Be careful, Maiev." "I will." Jarod's sister bowed slightly and moved on.Malfurion stared at her for a few seconds, but Maiev didn't look back. He shook his head.Responsibility lies, even in spite of dangers. Malfurion felt a sudden pang of great guilt.It has a lot to do with him that Maiev has become so obsessed with quests.She watched over his brother for thousands of years, all because of Malfurion's kindness to Illidan.Malfurion felt that he was hugely responsible for what Maiev had suffered in his life, and he wanted nothing to happen to her. And if she provoked the Highborne too much when she questioned them, Maiev might well suffer. Now he was alone again.Malfurion loved the stillness of the woods and wanted a place to sit and meditate—or even wander into the Emerald Dream for a while. ——The idea is getting stronger and stronger. But he couldn't stop there.The druids had to deal with many of the effects of the Cataclysm, and they needed Malfurion's guidance.But more importantly, Tyrande is now leading the night elves and their allies against the Horde.Malfurion was willing to sacrifice his life if necessary, given the slightest chance of being of help to her. Native trees welcome him.They were grateful for his presence, largely because the Highborne lived nearby.Those mages make the forest wary; the trees especially feel the danger inherent in their magic. The archdruid calmed the trees as best he could.However, he could only tell them that the Highborne did not cast spells on a large scale nearby.Malfurion had promised to respect the people of Mordant, and this included allowing them to occasionally practice their craft...but only in a limited fashion in a designated area near their camp that the druids had set up protective equipment. Cast a spell.The Archmage kept most of the Highborne in check, but as far as Malfurion knew, someone as ambitious as Valdin needed to be careful.Even here, Malfurion could feel the remnants of arcane magic.Once the murder case was solved, the archdruid had to have a chat with Mordant about Valdin's understanding of the bottom line. Malfurion talked to the trees and other forest creatures as he walked.He must return to the temple to deal with some more tedious leadership matters.Someone wanted to ask for an audience, someone had to submit an application... If he was an ordinary druid, he would not want to deal with such a problem anyway.Malfurion felt even more guilty when he thought of how Tyrande had served the people's well-being for thousands of years in his... absence. Someone else came over.Frowning, Malfurion saw two sentries with grim expressions. "I salute you, Archdruid Malfurion." One of the higher ranks saluted him. "What's up?" "Let's report another murder." The news left Malfurion speechless for a moment.He stood there, wanting to hear them say he had made a mistake, but soon realized that was exactly what he was expecting. "where?" "In the dense forest to the north. The watchman named Niva notified us, and then she went to find Maiev." Maiev.Notifying her was a matter of course...but the archdruid didn't want to follow her.He had promised the Highborne that these horrific crimes would be solved, and another murder would blow things out of his control. Niva will eventually notify Maiev.I have to investigate the scene as soon as possible... Malfurion was very satisfied with the idea of ​​notifying Upper Jarod's sister, so he motioned for two sentries to lead him there. The Sentinels turned and advanced.At first they kept a slow and even pace out of respect for the archdruid.So Malfurion deliberately walked a step or two ahead of them, so that the Sentinels finally realized that he cared more about speed than etiquette. Although Malfurion had a vague idea of ​​where they were going, he was glad the two guides knew exactly where.Malfurion could only guess that either the Highborne had been lured here, or, as Jarod had discovered, the victim had been brought here posthumously. Still, he grew impatient.When he saw another hill in front of him, he finally asked, "How far is it?" "According to what she told us, we should arrive after passing this mountain, Arch Druid." "Very good." He quickened his pace again, walking in front of the two sentries. The surrounding trees suddenly shook in warning.The archdruid glanced at them, feeling their fear.But what they were worried about was not themselves... but him. He has raised his arms and started casting spells.At the same moment Malfurion yelled, "Stand back! There's a—" Although he couldn't see it, he felt that the flames exploded around him.Malfurion heard the screams of the sentries behind him.A terrible crackling sound exploded in his ears, not only did he feel his whole body was burning, it was as if his skin had been ripped off alive. Yet Malfurion managed to take a step forward.The pain intensified, but the archdruid knew he had to keep going if he wanted to live.He vaguely felt the trees urging him. The shouts of the two guards had died away.The Archdruid could do nothing about it.He had to save himself first, and then he could try to save the two of them.Otherwise they are all dead. He took another step.The pain subsided slightly. As he struggled, Malfurion heard an angry voice.In great pain, Malfurion failed to recognize the voice, though it was someone he knew well.The archdruid knew only that the speaker was very close to him. Then, for a brief moment, the voice became crystal clear...and closer. "Why are you still unwilling to die?" Malfurion took a blow to the head.