Currently, the human nations had no concept of an air force. It was rumored that the high elves had a Dragonhawk Rider Corps, and the Wildhammer dwarves could tame griffons.
Lothar had some experience with griffons. Medivh had even gifted him one, and he was a skilled rider.
However, this was limited to riding griffons; there were no organized aerial units.
Then, Danath Trollbane of Stromgarde said, "Speaking of air forces, perhaps we can create one ourselves!"
Lothar, who trusted the Trollbane family, knew Danath wouldn't speak lightly.
"Danath, explain how we can have an Alliance air force," Lothar said, excited. Ground-based anti-air units were too passive, limited in mobility, and only suitable for defending key cities. An air force was the best counter to another air force.
"Last year, for Uncle Thoras' birthday, Galen sent him an entire squadron of griffon knights to guard the palace!"
"A hundred griffon knights!" the commanders exclaimed.
King Llane Wrynn thought of his son, still training in Minas Tirith. Would he receive such a gift for his birthday?
Admiral Daelin Proudmoore, still worried about his son, envied Galen.
Galen is setting a high bar. Gifting a griffon squadron is the bare minimum?
Derek Proudmoore and Varian Wrynn would be jealous.
"That doesn't even include his griffon knight training academy!" Danath added.
"Galen has a griffon knight training academy?"
Daelin and Lothar were astonished. This wasn't a one-time purchase; it was a sustainable source of griffon knights.
Aiden Perenolde of Alterac considered a marriage alliance.
His title was too low. He needed to discuss a promotion from Count to Duke with King Aiden.
His family was a collateral branch of Thoradin's lineage, making the title of Duke fitting. They also controlled half of Alterac, including Southshore.
He needed a higher title to make his daughter suitable for a prince.
"Very good. We've made progress on the air force. I'll discuss it with Galen later. Now, let's look at the orc movements," Lothar said.
With a potential solution to the red dragon threat, Lothar turned the discussion back to the orc forces, examining the map.
"The fleet saw them heading north. They're not near Southshore, so they must be heading for the eastern Hillsbrad beaches!" Daelin said. Southshore was well-defended, making it an unsuitable landing site.
"Stromgarde and the elves jointly defend the east. The orcs will suffer heavy casualties trying to land there!" Danath said confidently.
"I don't doubt Stromgarde's combat power or Galen's ability. I'm wondering what the orcs' next strategic goal is if they land successfully?" Llane asked. The strongholds in the Hillsbrad Foothills were heavily defended and could quickly reinforce each other.
"The orcs have trolls among their forces. Could they be planning to join their troll allies?" Turalyon suggested. Daelin estimated that 50,000-60,000 orcs were killed at sea, leaving over 100,000. Reinforcements would be a great help.
Danath pointed to two locations on the map. "There are only two roads into the Hinterlands: the mountain pass behind Durnholde Keep and the route north along the Thondroril River to join the trolls near Darrowmere Lake."
"Notify Lordaeron to strengthen Durnholde. Lord Alexei Barov, strengthen the defenses of Caer Darrow!"
"Understood, Marshal Lothar!"
"It's almost dawn. We must remain vigilant. Get the latest news from the Eastern Beaches Command. The orcs are about to launch a landing operation!"
"Yes, sir!"
Galen, transferred from the Dun Modr line, had established his command post west of the Darrowmere Mountains.
His command post was in the future Darrowmere Fortress, occupied by Galen.
The eastern beaches were high in the east and low in the west. The orcs could only land on the beach near the sea and then bypass the cliffs through gaps on the east and west sides.
Galen's current command post in Darrowmere was located at the eastern gap.
His defensive line consisted of three lines of blockade.
The front line was a wooden obstacle of sharpened logs to stop the orcish charge. Omar and Hani's infantry legions were responsible for resisting the impact.
The second line was a series of trenches, where Galen's musketeers were deployed.
The high elf rangers were at the rear, their superior range making them best suited for that position.
"Galen, we don't need to be at the rear. We are elite rangers and don't need protection!" Sylvanas Windrunner was dissatisfied, feeling Galen underestimated her rangers.
"Sylvanas, I'm not underestimating your rangers. I just think that only shield-bearers should be on the front line. Even in your kingdom, warriors are at the front, right? Besides, if you were in the middle, the musketeers couldn't shoot, which would waste your output. You're most important at the rear, where you can fill in any gaps!"
Galen's words made sense and pleased Sylvanas.