Galen was pleased with the title "Lord of the Holy Spirit" but decided to shelve it for now.
Compared to titles like "Destroyer of Worlds," "Dragon Slayer," and "Savior of Azeroth," "Lord of the Holy Spirit" sounded like a local deity.
A small-time rural god, too weak to suit this prince's wise and heroic image. It will be more fitting when my troll forces number four or five hundred thousand, and the Holy Spirit Religion is established!
The Alliance army was gathering in the Hillsbrad region. The seven human kingdoms of Lordaeron, along with the Bronzebeard dwarves and their gnome allies, the Dark Iron dwarves of the Thorium Brotherhood, and the high elf kingdom of Quel'Thalas, had formed a pan-racial alliance and were beginning to flex their combined might.
After diplomatic maneuvering, King Terenas Menethil II of Lordaeron was appointed leader. Despite his limited martial prowess, his political acumen enabled him to broker agreements between the various factions.
Compromise was the essence of politics, and Terenas excelled at it.
Galen was unsure of the details of these negotiations, but ultimately, Sir Anduin Lothar, a direct descendant of Emperor Thoradin, was named Supreme Commander. The Alliance members pledged troops, funds, supplies, and provisions to Lothar.
As Marshal, Lothar appointed the kings who personally led their armies into the Alliance as generals. This included the new Alliance Admiral Daelin Proudmoore and King Llane.
The other kings delegated command of their forces to their respective domestic generals. For example, the Kingdom of Alterac was represented by General Hath, Lordaeron's first commander was Alexandros Mograine, and Thoras pushed Galen forward to lead Stromgarde's army into the Alliance.
Commanding ten legions earned Galen his first Alliance rank: Lieutenant General Galen!
The Alliance army was still assembling. The armies of Alterac and Gilneas were lagging behind. Even Sylvanas, with the Farstrider Legion, had arrived in the Hillsbrad region from the Hinterlands, but the other two nations were nowhere to be seen.
Lothar was furious, angered by their negligence. Meanwhile, scouts sent south reported the latest developments.
Lothar summoned his commanders to the war tent.
"Marshal Lothar, the orcs are reinforcing the north! They've pushed the dwarves' defensive line to within three kilometers of Ironforge!"
Lothar had dispatched these scouts in advance during the northward march to monitor the orcs' movements.
"The dwarves' mountain goat riders are no match for the orcs' wolf riders, and the gnomes' strength isn't suited for direct confrontation. They can't halt the orcs' advance. However, the dwarves are excellent warriors, and Ironforge and Gnomeregan are strategically sound, so their cities aren't in immediate danger," Lothar assessed.
Lothar considered the human situation more pressing.
"Ironforge and Gnomeregan are easily defensible fortresses, built within mountains and underground. Taking them would be a nightmare for the orcs!"
Duke Mograine added his perspective. The dwarves and gnomes acted as anchors in the orcs' rear, buying valuable time for the humans.
"The orcs' northward advance is inevitable. To gain more time, we need the dwarves to hold firm and conduct guerrilla warfare in the Dun Morogh mountains, slowing the orcs' progress," Galen suggested.
Galen was the youngest in the war tent. Even Turalyon, the Archbishop's protégé and Alliance adjutant, was older. But Galen's strength was considerable, his status significant, and his forces substantial. No one dared to underestimate him!
Galen continued, "Stromgarde is already implementing this strategy. We've transported large quantities of grain from the Bay of Faldir to the northern slopes of Dun Morogh, and Ironforge has ample ore reserves, enabling them to withstand a prolonged siege!"
Galen was frustrated. As the gateway to Lordaeron, Stromgarde, located in the Arathi Highlands, was likely to be the orcs' first target after crossing Dun Morogh and the Wetlands.
This was why his father, Thoras, had been so proactive in promoting the Alliance. The dwarves, gnomes, and Stromgarde were the primary obstacles to the orcs' northward advance. They had no choice. If Stromgarde were situated near Quel'Thalas, Galen could have afforded to wait for the Alliance to form.
Why should I rush if I'm not the first one to be attacked?
Unlike now, where he was providing funds, supplies, and troops!
Terenas, with his ambitions for leadership, and Lordaeron, a wealthy and populous kingdom, could afford to be generous.
His father and Terenas had a close relationship, and Thoras had no desire to compete for leadership. Galen, however, harbored such ambitions, but his youth and lack of a royal title hindered his credibility.
If not for the orc threat, Galen would have preferred to develop Stromgarde's national strength, colonize other parts of Azeroth, and wait for the Heart of Origin to grow stronger. Once his power dominated Azeroth, who would dare challenge his claim to leadership?
"Galen is right. The orcs pose a significant threat. We must prepare thoroughly and exert our full strength to defeat them!"
"The kings have signed the alliance, raised armies, and provided funds and supplies, yet they're reluctant to commit their elite troops, and some are still dragging their feet. Do they intend to wait until the orcs reach their own borders before taking action?"
Lothar's tone was severe. As the Alliance's commander-in-chief, he demanded accountability. He would not tolerate negligence from those whose lands were further from the front lines!
Everyone knew he was referring to the kingdoms of Alterac and Gilneas. The representatives of those nations shifted uncomfortably.
"Marshal Lothar, Gilneas lacks warhorses. We've dispatched the First, Second, and Third Infantry Legions, which have now reached the South Point post in the Hillsbrad area," Lord Darius Crowley of Gilneas explained.
"Furthermore, Gilneas City is separated from this region by the Silverpine Forest, making travel difficult. The delay is understandable. I'm curious, though. Didn't His Majesty Aiden promise to send the Highland Knights of Alterac? What happened? Did their horses sprain their hooves on the mountain trails?"
Watch me deflect the blame!
Excellent!