"Necromantic magic? I didn't expect orcs to use such unorthodox necromancy. Truly astonishing!"
Kel'Thuzad watched the fleeing death knights with a fanatical gleam, making a mental note.
The war had just begun. He would have ample opportunity to study the death knights. He sensed this war would be very beneficial, allowing him to collect corpses and observe the death knights' abilities. He hoped to use their knowledge to enhance his own necromantic skills.
"Just rudimentary death magic. The first-generation death knights without the Lich King are weak! These initial death knights can only instinctively use their deathly power to fight!"
"Hmm, lacking blood, unholy, and frost specializations. They're just a beta test version."
Galen had seen real death knights before. Their ability to command armies was impressive. Teron Gorefiend's use of a scepter instead of a runeblade was also telling. He's just a melee necromancer at best.
After shaking off Galen, Saurfang rejoined the main Orc force, relieving the pressure on the northwest defense line. Galen, concerned for Sylvanas's safety, handed command to Gandalf and followed her.
It was then that he witnessed the death knights' debut in Azeroth.
"What is the Lich King? What specializations?" A melodious voice came from behind Galen.
When did someone get behind me?
Galen turned, startled, and saw Alleria!
"Alleria, you scared me!"
Galen wiped his brow. Thank goodness it was an ally. He wondered why his battlefield intuition hadn't activated. If an Orc Blademaster had jumped me...
"Galen, you can't be distracted on the battlefield! You must always be vigilant!" Alleria lectured him.
Then, she turned to the death knights.
"What filthy magic!" Despite coming from a magical kingdom, Alleria and the rangers loved the forest and detested such dark magic.
Galen was relieved. At least Alleria didn't press the issue.
"I will suggest that Marshal Lothar disband the paladins and integrate them into the troops. That way, soldiers won't panic when they encounter this evil necromantic magic in the future!"
Of course, the elite paladin order should remain. They can fight, tank, and heal. An awesome unit.
While the northeast defense line was relieved, the western line, penetrated by the human knights, put Mograine's northern line under immense pressure.
Blocking Orgrim was already difficult. Now, Saurfang and Teron Gorefiend had joined the attack.
"We can't hold them off much longer! When will reinforcements arrive?" Darius shouted to his messenger.
"Sir, Marshal Lothar says they can spare troops in half an hour!"
"Soldiers, did you hear that! Reinforcements are coming!"
Darius shot an Orc in the head and then killed another with his rapier. A short firearm and rapier were the preferred style of Gilnean nobles.
Woo!
The Alliance's charge horn sounded. Reinforcements had arrived!
Galen secretly sent Durin's Fifth Legion to support the north. General Llane also sent reserves.
Unfortunately, the Horde gave the Alliance no time to breathe!
"Roar!"
A loud dragon roar came from the Orc rear. Dozens of Dragonmaw-ridden red dragons flew in from the sea, heading for Orgrim's central army!
"Red dragons!"
The Alliance members were worried. They hadn't expected Orcs to command red dragons.
Seeing is believing.
The familiar cloud-piercing arrows rose again. Galen seemed to have an endless supply.
Three yellow flares rose into the sky!
Soon, nearly a hundred black shadows flew in from Thoradin's Wall!
After Danath revealed the griffon riders, Thoras sent a squadron from his own forces to guard the Alliance airspace!
The griffon riders distracted Orgrim, allowing Mograine a moment to recover. He didn't counterattack, knowing he was no match for the Warchief.
"Except for those six adult red dragons, the rest are just mindless beasts spawned by evil magic. Don't worry!" Galen told Alleria. "Kill the Orc knights controlling them, and they're just winged lizards, no more dangerous than wild griffons."
"Is that why you had the Farstriders conserve their strength?" Alleria realized Galen had anticipated the Orc air force.
"That's right, Big Sister Alleria, please command the Farstrider rangers to attack the aerial targets with all your might!" Galen said confidently.
"Who are you calling Big Sister? Hmph! I'm going to command the Farstrider troops. You stay here and watch Sylvanas, don't let her be too impulsive!"
"Understood! Beautiful lady!"
In the sky, the griffon riders met the red dragons, following Galen's instructions: "Stay away from the six giant red dragons, and attack the smaller ones!"
Magic-incubated red dragon eggs produced dragons that only grew to the size of elephants and lacked intelligence.
"They are not true dragons, just freaks under the Orcs' control!"
"For Stromgarde! For the Alliance!"
After four years of training with Wildhammer dwarf instructors, the griffon riders were skilled at flying with their griffon partners!
The griffons nimbly dodged the dragon breath, flipped, and flew behind the red dragons. The griffon riders threw their enchanted Stormhammers!
Several Dragonmaw knights were killed instantly!
The Alliance cheered at the sight!
The griffon riders' arrival boosted their morale again!