After the War of the Three Hammers, the Wildhammer dwarves established a system of lord councils. Each lord governed their own people, and the strongest among them was chosen as the High Lord.
Kurdran, a descendant of Khardros, the Wildhammer King, and a powerful warrior, was their current High Lord—the Wildhammer King in all but name.
He was also a skilled gryphon rider. During his aerial patrols, he discovered the Orcish invasion of the Hinterlands and promptly alerted his people, allowing them to prepare their defenses and avoid heavy losses.
However, the Wildhammer dwarves, like their Bronzebeard cousins in Ironforge, were now confined to their territory by the Orcish and trollish alliance. The Orcs, having learned mountain warfare from their battles with the Bronzebeards, posed a significant threat. Only the elite Wildhammer treasure vault guards prevented the Orcs from reaching the base of Aerie Peak.
Kurdran dismounted from his gryphon, Sky'ree, and removed his helmet, revealing his weathered face.
Unlike the Bronzebeard dwarves, who lived in mountain fortresses, the Wildhammer dwarves spent much of their time soaring through the skies. This lifestyle made them taller and leaner, and they adorned themselves with feathers and jewelry. Their skin, darkened and toughened by the wind and sun, was a rough, dark hue, unlike the naturally black skin of the Dark Iron dwarves.
Kurdran stroked his copper-colored beard and addressed his cousin, "Falstad, the situation is dire. The trolls are numerous, a veritable horde!"
While the Wildhammer dwarves could use their aerial advantage against the trolls, the Orcs presented a different challenge.
The Orcs were massive, standing over two meters tall, with thick builds and immense strength. A single Orc was stronger than three trolls combined, and they wielded massive war clubs and battle axes with ease.
The Wildhammer warriors, who barely reached the Orcs' waists, were at a distinct disadvantage in close combat.
"These must be the Orcish Horde the humans speak of!" Kurdran realized. "They've broken through the human kingdoms and reached the Hinterlands!"
Kurdran and Falstad were the twin pillars of Aerie Peak. Kurdran excelled in aerial combat and warfare, while Falstad was quick-witted and managed the internal affairs of their people.
"The Orcs didn't come here alone," Kurdran added grimly. "The trolls brought them."
For two centuries, since the Wildhammer dwarves had settled in Aerie Peak, they had been locked in a bitter struggle against the Revantusk and Witherbark trolls.
"It's a pity we refused the human envoys who came twice to invite us into the Alliance," Falstad lamented. Despite Kurdran's position as High Lord, many stubborn old lords, scarred by the War of the Three Hammers, distrusted even their kin, let alone the foreign humans.
"Don't despair, cousin," Kurdran replied. "I have a feeling this war will be long, and those old fools will change their minds."
Kurdran, having scouted the Orcish forces, understood the gravity of the situation better than Falstad. The Wildhammer dwarves were no match for the Orcs, especially with the trolls at their side.
With the Orcs at their doorstep, neutrality was no longer an option. The Wildhammer dwarves had to decide whether to swallow their pride and seek help from the humans.
It was an awkward position. They had twice rejected the humans' offers of alliance, and now they had to humbly beg for assistance. Kurdran, not one for politics, blushed slightly.
"I'll work on the other lords," Falstad said. "We need a unified stance. Asking for help is essential, or Aerie Peak will be doomed."
"Where should we send envoys?" Kurdran asked. "To the human kingdom of Lordaeron?" Despite their isolation in the Hinterlands, the Wildhammer dwarves were not entirely cut off from the outside world. They knew that the human kingdoms were at war. The number of caravans visiting Aerie Peak had dwindled, and merchants spoke of a grim situation, with many fleeing north.
"No! Send them to Stromgarde! To King Thoras Trollbane!" Falstad declared. During his travels in Northrend, Falstad had visited Galen and learned of the close ties between the humans and the Wildhammer dwarves there.
Falstad knew of the strong friendship between Galen and the dwarves of the Firebeard clan and he hoped they could intercede on their behalf.
Just then, a gryphon squadron appeared from the south.
"Chirp!" Kurdran's gryphon cried out.
Kurdran, standing at the Eagle Eye Cave of Aerie Peak, was the first to spot the approaching gryphons. Following his companion's gaze, he exclaimed, "Look, cousin, a gryphon squadron!"
Falstad turned and used an engineering telescope to observe them.
"It's the emblem of the Firebeard clan!" he announced. "And the battle flag of the human kingdom of Stromgarde!"
"Falstad ! Take off and guide our guests to land!" Kurdran ordered, recognizing the gryphons as human envoys.
Galen, who had been marching for half a day, was already within sight of Durnholde Keep. The gryphon squadron was the advance party he had sent ahead.
The squadron was led by Thor, a skilled warrior from the Firebeard clan and a protege of Gryphon Captain MacKay. Given his connections with the Wildhammer dwarves, Galen entrusted him with this diplomatic mission.
Galen understood the importance of diplomacy. He was seeking an alliance with the Wildhammer dwarves, not conquest. He believed in upholding Stromgarde's reputation for diplomacy and adhering to proper protocols. Galen had long-term goals for the future.
Galen's ambitions were grand: to see his father succeed Terenas as the leader of the Alliance.
With his father leading the Eastern Kingdoms and Galen uniting the Western Kingdoms with the Tauren, Azeroth would be united and prosperous.
"Galen!"
A melodious voice interrupted his thoughts.
Sylvanas, clad in red, and Alleria, dressed in green, led the Farstrider rangers as they caught up with him.