While change brewed in Lordaeron, the south was also a cauldron of activity, as powerful storms take time to form.
In the orcish stronghold within Elwynn Forest, Gul'dan faced Orgrim, his expression dark. His plans had crumbled at the last moment. He blamed his own impatience in seeking Medivh's secrets, never believing such a being could be slain.
His mental shock had rendered him unconscious for a long time, and upon awakening, he found the Shadow Council gone!
Only he and the ogre Cho'gall remained!
Who was responsible?
Who had betrayed the Shadow Council?
Orgrim, however, was jubilant.
"Gul'dan, your time is over!" The Doomhammer descended, and as it neared Gul'dan's face, Gul'dan pleaded for his life!
"Warchief! Spare me!"
Gul'dan shouted, instinctively raising his frail hands to shield his head.
Gul'dan's plea filled Orgrim with delight. "The mighty Gul'dan begs for mercy? Beg me some more! Or the Doomhammer will taste your blood today!"
Orgrim's mocking words humiliated Gul'dan, but survival demanded submission. "I submit to your power," he said. "I offer my loyalty. Besides us, the Horde has few spellcasters left. We are useful!"
Gul'dan's words reminded Orgrim of the powerful human mage who wielded lightning. The Horde had lost most of its shamans and indeed needed warlocks like Gul'dan to counter human mages!
"You speak truth. The Horde needs your power. I will put the Horde first. Prove your worth, or face my wrath!" Though filled with hatred, Orgrim lowered his warhammer.
"We will be invaluable. I will create war machines for the Horde to counter human mages. I will not disappoint you!" Gul'dan's mind raced, searching his knowledge.
"Hahaha! Gul'dan! Well done, you have survived!"
Orgrim laughed, finding that enslaving Gul'dan allowed him to vent his rage.
Gul'dan watched Orgrim depart, his heart filled with resentment. He cursed his haste, which had left his soul weak and vulnerable, offering no resistance.
But the price, though steep, had revealed his goal: something more ancient than the Holy Mountain of Voshug, hidden in the turbulent depths. That power could reshape Azeroth, and he would claim it and become a new god!
For now, he would be patient, seeking an opportunity to reach those waters, his destiny. Destroying human kingdoms and conquering the new continent were irrelevant.
"Go," he commanded. "Gather our remaining forces, and summon your clansmen. I will form a new clan. The Stormreaver Clan will show the new Warchief the power of warlocks!"
Then, at the right moment, he would strike, delivering a fatal blow to that bastard Orgrim!
"Soon, I will possess the power I crave. Warchief? The Doomhammer will be insignificant. The Horde's power will be feeble before me. I will cleanse this world and rebuild it according to my vision!"
Gul'dan plotted, realizing the Horde was merely a tool; only power was eternal!
Orgrim, however, was not naive. He had made other preparations. His adjutant, Zuluhed the chieftain of the Dragonmaw Clan, had received guidance in a dream, leading him to a disc called the Dragon Soul, hidden deep in the mountains.
Zuluhed was one of the few old orcs who still followed shamanistic traditions. Orgrim respected him greatly and believed in the power of shamanism, trusting the old shaman to unlock the Dragon Soul's secrets and bring great power to the Horde!
Meanwhile, discussions began within the human kingdoms. Representatives gathered in Lordaeron's throne room, the same hall where Medivh had warned the kingdom and where Galen had photographed the dilapidated throne.
In this center of Lordaeron's power, Terenas sat in the main seat, flanked by Llane together with Lothar, Daelin Proudmoore and his son, Genn Greymane,, the Archmage Antonidas of Dalaran, and Thoras Trollbane with Galen. King Aiden Perenolde of Alterac and his general, Hath, occupied lower seats.
The last to arrive was Archbishop Alonsus Faol of the Holy Light.
After everyone was seated, Hath whispered to King Aiden. Aiden's eyes widened as he looked at his old rival, Thoras Trollbane, overwhelmed.
Two legends from one family!
Why was his own son so disappointing? How could Alterac compete with Stromgarde in the future?
Galen noticed the greasy middle-aged man in heavy furs staring at him.
Old geezer, what are you looking at!
The glare made Aiden shudder.
Antonidas and the Archbishop, old acquaintances of Galen, remained silent. The warriors, including Aiden's confidant, General Hath, did not notice Galen's subtle action.
Aiden, embarrassed and angered by the minor mental attack, was about to speak when Terenas, as host, began.
"First, I thank you all for traveling to Lordaeron. I have called you here for an urgent matter. Let me introduce our guests from the south: King Llane and Sir Lothar!"
The Kingdom of Stormwind had been isolated from the northern nations for decades, with only Lordaeron and Stromgarde maintaining contact. The other kings had never met Llane and Lothar.
Lothar stepped forward, a move Llane encouraged.
"Your Majesties, the capital of Stormwind has fallen, and we have fled north with hundreds of thousands of our people."
"Our enemy is a race of terrifying green-skinned monsters called orcs. They are powerful, savage, and cruel. They have slaughtered over two hundred thousand of Stormwind's soldiers and civilians. We are sworn enemies!"
"And they are not content with Stormwind. They are moving north! Toward Lordaeron!"
The well-informed kings already knew of Stormwind's destruction and had come immediately upon receiving Terenas's summons.
Most were familiar with orcs.
Terenas and the Archbishop had seen the orc corpses brought back by Uther and others. Galen had also provided them with living orc prisoners.
Kings Thoras and Daelin had personally led troops in Stormwind's defense and had ample opportunity to see orc prisoners. Genn, due to his closeness to Daelin and Thoras, had also received this 'gift'.
The wise Antonidas had only seen mages' reports and had not encountered orcs, but he remained silent.
Only the ineffectual Aiden, ignorant of the orcs, spoke with a false smile.
"I find it strange that strangers to our land are concerned about our survival? Do you bring your broken kingdom to offer us aid?"