Chapter 21 Chapter Twenty

"Turalyon!" Turalyon looked up at the shout, unable to believe his ears.But where the sound came from, a tall man in full body armor was riding towards him on a horse.The lion's head of the Stormwind Kingdom gleamed gold on his frayed shield, and the hilt of a greatsword poked out from behind one shoulder. "Master Lothar?" Turalyon stood up from the chair by the campfire in shock, staring at the general of the Stormwind Kingdom and the commander of the alliance on horseback.Then the old man jumped off his horse and clapped his hands at him. "Nice to meet you, young man." He could hear the sincerity in Lothar's voice. "They told me I could find you here."

"They?" Turalyon looked around, still confused by the leader's sudden appearance. "Those elves," Lothar explained, taking off his helmet and placing a hand on his bald head.He looked tired but very happy. "I happened to meet Alleria, Theron, and others while I was marching north. They told me what happened in the king's city and that you are taking the rest of the army this way to chase the rest of the Horde ’” He gripped Turalyon’s shoulders tightly. "You did very well!" "I have received help from many people." Turalyon felt embarrassed that the hero in his heart praised him so much, and he hastily corrected. "And, to be honest, I don't fully understand what happened." He sat down with Lothar again, and the old man gratefully accepted the food and a water bag containing wine from Khadgar, Turalyon began to explain.He was as surprised as anyone else that most of the Horde had suddenly turned away from the city and marched southward.Next, he received a report from Proudmoore of a naval battle and its outcome. "The remaining tribes are not strong enough to withstand our attacks, especially as King Terenas will make them suffer hard every time they come close to the walls." He speculated. "Their leader must have known that too. So they retreated, and I was right behind them."

"He may be waiting for other orcs to return from the sea." Lothar commented, biting a piece of cheese. "He'll know he's in trouble when he can't wait for these reinforcements." He laughed. "Besides, blocking the passage behind the mountain will allow them to have nowhere to escape and wait for reinforcements." Turalyon nodded. "Have you heard about Perenolde?" "Yes." Lothar's expression became grim. "I'll never understand why anyone could turn against his own race. But thanks to Trollbane, we don't have to worry about Alterac anymore."

"What about the Hinterlands?" Khadgar asked. "Cleaned up." Lothar replied. "It took us a while to find them all - some were hiding in burrows, and even made their homes underground, so they could disappear without a trace when we hunted them down - but we Found those guys after all. Of course, some Wildhammer dwarves are patrolling there to make sure." "The elves are heading to Quel'Thalas to cleanse the orcs," Turalyon added. "It looks like the orcs have left the forest but the trolls may still be hiding in the woods." He suddenly laughed as he thought of what Alleria and her people would do to the forest trolls. "I don't want to be one of them and run into these rangers." He looked around. "But where are Uther and the other paladins?"

"I sent them to Lordaeron," Lothar replied, draining the wine and throwing the waterskin aside. "They're going to secure that area and come join us." He laughed again. "He's going to be very upset if we don't leave someone for him to clean up." Turalyon nodded, imagining how his ardent fellow paladin would react when he found out he had missed the final battle.However, there are still a lot of orcs, and it is not time to relax our vigilance.He originally planned to wipe them all out under the royal city, but the escape of some tribes changed everything.Although the number of tribes has become unprecedentedly small, it also means that they will fight desperately.

"They may want to hide in Khaz Modan," Khadgar began, but Turalyon shook his head.He was glad to see Lothar doing the same. "If they do that, they will be countered by the dwarves," the general explained. "Ironforge remains unbreakable, and the dwarves are waiting for an opportunity to strike back at the orcs and take back their beautiful mountains." "We should help them," Turalyon said suddenly, and Lothar and Khadgar turned their attention to him. "We can make a detour to Ironforge to help them, and keep an eye on the Horde's path with Gryphon Riders. If we free the dwarves, they can hold the mountains so the orcs don't have a chance to return there. Likewise, They can also help us eliminate those orcs who are still hiding in the mountains."

Lothar nodded. "That's a good idea," he said with a smile. "Tell our troops that we will set off tomorrow morning." He slowly stood up. "As for me, I'm going to get some sleep," he explained, sounding displeased with himself. "I have ridden a long way, and I am no longer my young self." But before turning, he looked at Turalyon lovingly. "During the time since I left, you have handled the affairs of yourself and the army very well." Lothar paused for a moment, an expression that seemed to be mixed with sadness and respect appeared on his face. "Leon." He said softly. "You remind me of him. You are as brave and fearless as him." Turalyon froze, unable to speak a word.

Khadgar approached Turalyon after the aged warrior had left. "Looks like you've finally earned his respect," the mage teased him.He knew how much Turalyon would value the general's opinion of him, and how much he feared losing the Alliance commander. "Shut up," Turalyon said absently, nudging Khadgar slightly.He kept a smile on his face as he made his bed, though, and lay down on it with his eyes closed, trying to get a little rest before heading out. "Attack!" Lothar yelled and pulled out the giant sword he was carrying, the golden runes on the sword reflected the sunlight.They were charging up a road built into the snow-capped mountains.Near the top of the mountain, the stone was polished smooth to form a huge wall, and some of the high places on the wall were cut through to form windows.Above a short flight of stairs are a pair of massive doors, fifteen feet high, revealing a mighty sculpture of a dwarf.There is also a magnificent arch above the city gate, and a huge anvil pattern is carved on it.It's an awe-inspiring sight, right here at the gates of Ironforge.

The heavy door was quickly closed, and no other exit was seen.But that didn't stop the Horde, and they rushed up against the gate and surrounding stones, trying in vain to break through the ancient dwarf defenses. These orcs are the current target of Lothar and his soldiers. They rushed to the end of the road, and a wide platform covered by heavy snow appeared in front of the gate.The orcs turned, startled—they were too busy attacking their target, and the wind howling through the mountains prevented them from hearing the Alliance approaching.Now, they took up arms and prepared to fight the new enemy, but the orcs in the last row were felled before they could even face these attackers.

"Don't let up!" Lothar yelled, his sword slicing off one orc's arm, then splitting another down the middle. "Drive them to the stone wall!" His men obeyed the order and raised the shields in their hands, advancing steadily, attacking any orcs who tried to cross the line with sharp swords and spears, and the orcs were pushed forward step by step. He retreated to the wall of the huge building that he had been trying to break through before. But, as Lothar hoped, the dwarves were well prepared.With a short sound, the huge black city gate opened, and dwarf warriors wearing heavy mail armor swarmed out from the exit, holding warhammers, battleaxes and muskets in their hands.They attacked the orcs from behind, and under the pincers of them and humans, the orcs were quickly defeated.

"Thank you." One of the dwarves said to Lothar. "I am Muradin Bronzebeard, brother of King Magni, and the dwarves of Ironforge will be at your command." His bushy beard was the color of his name, and the notch on his battle-axe showed that he had been through many battles. fighting. "Anduin Lothar, the commander of the alliance." Lothar introduced himself and extended his hand.Muradin's grip was as strong as he'd thought. "We are glad to be able to help you. Our mutual goal is to clear this land of all tribes and their influence." "Yes, that should be the case." Muradin nodded in agreement.He frowned suddenly. "Alliance? You sent a letter a few months ago? From Lordaeron?" "That's right." Lothar suddenly realized that King Terenas had also sent news here, just like Quel'Thalas.Apparently, Lordaeron is not willing to give up contact with any potential allies. "We are united in this purpose." "What are you going to do now?" asked the other dwarf, who stepped forward to join the conversation.His face was thinner than Muradin's, but he had similar features and a beard of the same color. "My brother Bryan," Muradin explained. "We're going after the rest of the tribe," Lothar replied. "We have wiped out most of the orcs on land and sea, and are now preparing to defeat what remains and end this war." The two brothers looked at each other, then nodded. "We will assist you," Muradin announced. "Our people will continue to fight in these mountains to retake the ancestral stronghold and ensure that no orc remains in Khaz Modan." He laughed. "However, we will also send some lads to join your alliance to ensure that the Horde will never again be our common trouble." "We are happy to accept your help." Lothar said sincerely. He had seen the dwarves once or twice when he was in Stormwind City, and he was deeply impressed by their strength and patience.If the Bronzebeard dwarves could fight like their Wildhammer cousins, they would be invaluable reinforcements. "Very well. We'll send someone to tell our brother, and set out with supplies." Muradin shouldered his ax and looked around. "Which way did the Horde go?" Lothar looked at Khadgar who was laughing.Then shrugged, smiled and pointed south. "They're heading for Blackrock Spire," Kurdran announced.Lothar was sitting with his helpers around a campfire when he jumped from his griffin to join them.He and the other Wildhammers had been sent to scout out the Horde and had just returned to report. "Blackrock Spire? Are you sure?" Muradin asked.Turalyon noticed that the Wildhammers did not get along very well with the Bronzebeards.No, that's not the right way to say it.They're like rowdy brothers, he thought—they liked each other but were always arguing and trying to show off. "Of course I'm sure!" Kurdran yelled, and Scarleigh issued a soft warning from the side. "I followed them." Then, a sly look appeared on his face. "Or, would you like to go and see for yourself?" Muradin, and Brian beside him turned pale, stepped back a few steps, and a wicked chuckle came from Kurdran.Bronzebeard dwarves are as happy to fly as Wildhammers are to go underground - not at all. "Blackrock Tower." Lothar fell into deep thought. "Is that the fort on the top of the mountain?" The others nodded. "It's a strategic point," he affirmed. "The surroundings will be clear at a glance, and there are strong fortifications that can easily defend against attacks from all sides, and even control the passages in and out." He shook his head. "Whoever their leader is, he knows exactly what to do. This is trouble." "Yeah, it's still a cursed place," Muradin added. "Yes, there it is." The dwarf continued as the others watched, and Turalyon noticed that both Brann and Kurdran were nodding. "Our dark iron cousin." He paused and spat, as if the name was a very unpleasant thing for them. "The stronghold was built, but beneath his exterior there was something darker hiding there." Suddenly he and the other dwarves began to tremble. "If there was anything else in there, they would have got in the way of the orcs, but they didn't," Lothar pointed out. "They're going to retreat there, and it's going to be very difficult to break through that line." "But we can do it." Turalyon was surprised at his sudden interruption. "We have enough numbers and strength to crush them." Lothar smiled at him. "Yes, of course we can," he agreed. "It's going to be a tough challenge, but it's worth it." He was about to say something else, but everyone present heard a distinct crash from the armor.They turned to see a man striding towards them.His armor was worn but still gleaming, a breastplate bearing the same image as Turalyon's, the emblem of the Silver Hand.As the man approached them, the light from the campfire caught his fiery red hair and beard. "Uther!" Lothar stood up and stretched out his hand to the paladin, and Uther held it firmly. "My lord," Uther said.He shook Turalyon's hand too, and nodded to the others. "We rushed over as fast as we could." "Has Lordaeron been cleared?" Khadgar asked Uther, looking tired, as he sat down on a rock next to them. "Yes," he replied, a gleam of pride in his sky-blue eyes. "My companions and I have made sure of this. There are no more orcs in Lordaeron and the surrounding mountains." For a moment, Turalyon felt strangely distressed, as if he should have Also followed Uther to execute his orders.But he had been assigned another mission by Faol himself, and he had to fulfill his mission like Uther and the others. "It's perfect." Lothar smiled. "You came at the right time, Uther. We just found out where the orcs are, can they be in—?" He turned his head to look at the dwarf brothers beside him.They have been in this area for a long time and know very well how much distance is left. "Within five days," Brian replied after a moment of thought. "If they didn't leave us any surprises along the way." He looked at his brother and nodded. "If you are going to Blackrock Mountain, we will go with you. The Bronzebeard Dwarves will not let you face them alone." "I didn't see any ambushes," Kurdran said, as if the question questioned his scouting abilities. "The whole tribe formed a huge black tide and went to that tower." He looked at Lothar, as if he had guessed the commander's next question. "Ah, of course, the Wildhammers will follow you. Together we can outnumber them, though that doesn't mean we have an absolute advantage." He must have said. "I don't need an absolute advantage," Lothar replied. "Just a fair fight." His face turned serious. "Five days," he said to the others. "In five days, we will resolve this matter." Turalyon sensed an end, even annihilation, in those words.He just hoped the destruction didn't come upon them.