Lord Darius praised his own wit. As King Genn Greymane's confidant, he knew who to offend and who to avoid.
Stromgarde was a strong rival to Gilneas. Although Stromgarde's population was slightly smaller, their army was capable, and they produced warhorses. Gilneas, lacking warhorses, relied on imports from the Arathi Highlands. Despite their rivalry, they also had trade ties.
Although Stormwind was struggling against the orcs and its people were migrating north, as the second-largest human kingdom, it still possessed considerable power. Its elite forces and top experts remained formidable. Moreover, Lothar was now the Supreme Commander of the Alliance, and Gilneas didn't want to antagonize him.
Only the small kingdom of Alterac remained, a perfect target. Its population was only a few hundred thousand. While it produced excellent high mountain warhorses, the output was limited. Besides supplying its own high mountain knight order, only a small number were traded, mostly to Lordaeron.
With no significant trade relationship and a king who disliked Alterac's mercantile ruler, offending them was inconsequential.
The representative of Alterac was Count Alerix Barov. He was sitting in the tent when the blame fell on him. As a count, he was pleased to join the Alliance, but he couldn't influence his king, who was delaying the departure of the elite Skyguard Knights due to concerns about losses.
Alerix cursed inwardly. He believed his king was unwise. Having reluctantly agreed to join the Alliance, he should contribute troops and resources generously.
Everyone knew Alterac's treasury was weak, so doing their best would suffice. Their current reluctance would only alienate the other Alliance members and achieve nothing. In the end, they would still have to send troops.
Count Alerix Barov, eager to avoid conflict, stated, "Rest assured, Marshal Lothar, the Skyguard Knights of Alterac will arrive in Southshore within two days!"
His concession resolved the issue, and Lothar breathed a sigh of relief.
With the Skyguard Knights, he now commanded five knight orders:
The Brotherhood of the Horse from Stormwind, led by Bolvar.
The First Knight Order from Stromgarde, led by Galen.
The Royal Knights of Lordaeron, led by Mograine.
The Kul Tiras Knights.
This was a formidable force. Human infantry was inferior to orcs in individual combat, unable to stop their advance. But human knights could divide and destroy them!
Every human knight began as a squire, learning horsemanship, combat, swordsmanship, and noble etiquette. Knighthood, granted by a king, was equivalent to junior nobility!
These powerful knights, mounted on warhorses standing over six feet tall and clad in thick armor, could easily overwhelm even the strongest orcs with their charge.
Their only drawback was their cost.
"Lord Lothar, and everyone!"
Archbishop Alonsus's voice interrupted Galen's thoughts.
"The Church of the Holy Light has joined the Alliance, not just as battlefield priests. Our church will also provide a military force!"
Here it comes, the main event. Galen had returned early from his travels, anticipating this announcement.
"Stormwind Cathedral and Minas Tirith Cathedral have jointly developed a new application of the Holy Light."
The Archbishop smiled, pleased that Aragorn had continued the legacy of the Holy Light in Minas Tirith.
"Distinct from the priests' path, this is a new branch. We call it the Paladin."
The Archbishop paused.
"Paladins possess both unwavering faith in the Holy Light and skilled combat techniques. Their training includes prayer, healing, and using the Holy Light to fight and bless their comrades. They excel in both military and spiritual roles!"
This news wasn't entirely unexpected. The Paladins had only existed for a year, but the human leadership was aware of this new profession.
"Paladins are that strong?"
Darius, a straightforward warrior, inquired.
Galen stood up. He raised his hand, and golden light flashed. A mystical aura enveloped everyone in the tent.
Holy power coalesced into a holy seal above their heads before dissipating.
"Blessing of Kings!"
Admiral Daelin Proudmoore examined his hands, then clenched his fists. "What a remarkable profession! I feel stronger!"
"About ten percent stronger!"
The room buzzed with praise for the Paladins' power. All eyes turned to Galen with admiration!
After Galen's demonstration, the Archbishop continued, "Galen is one of the most powerful of the first generation of Paladins. He and Bishop Aragorn have explored much of this new profession's potential. He is a pioneer of the Holy Light and has made significant contributions!"
"I've proposed to King Terenas the formation of a Knightly Order of the Holy Light, under the Lordaeron diocese!"
"King Terenas has approved my proposal. They will be called the Knights of the Silver Hand! However, due to the difficulty of becoming a Paladin, the order currently has only three hundred official members!"
The Silver Hand was thus established during the first meeting of the Alliance generals!
Despite their small number, all members were Paladins, and no one would underestimate their power!
Having experienced the Paladins' blessings, Daelin was intrigued, reminded of Drustvar in Kul Tiras, where the Waycrest family seemed to have established an organization called the Ashvane Company.
Perhaps there will be an opportunity to form a Paladin order belonging to Kul Tiras!
This was the moment Galen had been waiting for. With the leader of the Church of the Holy Light establishing the Silver Hand under the Lordaeron diocese, the Arathi diocese could follow suit and form a Knightly Order of the Holy Light for the Kingdom of Stromgarde!