The column of a thousand marched eastward along Stormwind's Kingdom Avenue with imposing grandeur. Legend holds that Sir Anduin Lothar himself had overridden all opposition to forge this grand road, linking the Redridge Mountains to the fertile fields of Westfall.
Galen could see the pride shining on young Prince Varian's face. The boy was still green, but clearly eager.
They passed through Goldshire, alongside the glimmering Crystal Lake and the pumpkin-laden fields of Blackwell's Farm. As they crossed the shimmering waters of Stone Cairn Lake, the column split—Uther and his contingent heading east toward Redridge, while Galen led his company southward, skirting the lake's edge until they reached a dock on the Elwynn River.
Galen raised a hand to halt the march. A grin tugged at his lips—he was ready to make a spectacle. Urging his steed forward, he approached the riverbank. Without pause, he extended a hand; the temperature plummeted as arcane frost coiled in the air.
With a flash of icy magic, the river's surface froze—a bridge of thick ice formed beneath his horse's hooves, ten meters long and five wide, cold and gleaming under the morning sun. Beneath it, the Elwynn's current rushed unfazed.
Danath followed first, his expression unreadable. He knew better than to offer praise—Galen thrived on admiration, and withholding it was Danath's small resistance. But others were less reserved. Turalyon looked awestruck, Gavinrad gave a silent thumbs-up, and young Varian gaped, stunned.
In Stormwind, where mages were few and Medivh was a recluse, such a display was rare. Galen's arcane prowess was undeniable.
Once the company crossed, Galen dispelled the bridge with a snap, sending chunks of ice drifting downstream. They had entered deeper into Elwynn Forest, a territory marked clearly on any map.
Gavinrad led them through the winding woodland paths until they neared the Gold Coast Quarry.
Galen had long been curious about its exact location. Judging by the terrain, he guessed it lay in the southeastern reaches of Elwynn—perhaps even the site that would later become Duskwood. He suspected the Orc Wars had razed the quarry, and Duskwood rose from its ashes.
Suddenly, alarm bells clanged in the distance.
Galen tensed and exchanged a sharp glance with Gavinrad.
"Enemy attack?"
"Enemy attack!"
"Knights! With me!" Galen bellowed, yanking his reins. His Arathi warhorse thundered forward, Gavinrad just behind him on a steed from Elwynn.
Smoke curled above the village ahead—the enemy had breached the local militia's defense.
They charged. Orcs—green-skinned, broad, and brutally armed—were burning homes, slaying civilians, and looting freely. Militiamen resisted in pockets, but the defense had crumbled.
Galen's knights smashed through the disorganized orcs. Even the fiercest infantry couldn't withstand the weight of a mounted charge. The invaders wore crude armor, bearing axes and hammers, attacking unarmed villagers without mercy.
One militiaman slashed an orc across the chest—bare flesh, yet the blade barely left a mark. In return, the orc's hammer sent him flying.
Galen lifted a hand. Holy energy surged into a glowing hammer—Judgment! It struck the orc squarely, forcing the beast back and drawing blood, but not killing him. The orc staggered, snarling.
They were stronger than Galen expected—tougher, more resilient. It was no wonder Gul'dan had been mocked for weakness. These creatures were made for war.
The village had three entrances: east, north, and west. Only the east had fallen.
"Gavin, Danath—take three hundred and secure the east gate! Hold the line! I'll handle the village interior."
Gavinrad led two hundred of his knights. Galen split off a hundred from his command. Danath followed with twenty-two paladins.
There was no protest from the Stormwind forces. Galen had proven his worth.
That left Galen with one hundred knights, plus fifty spellcasters. "Groups of three—hunt the orcs hiding in the village!"
"Turalyon, Varian—you're a team. Take a mage with you."
As his troops spread out, Galen rode ahead alone, eager. The hunt had begun.