"Welcome again to the city of the Wildhammer! Lads, and lasses!" Kurdran and Falstad toasted Garrosh and the others.
Sylvanas and Alleria, despite being High Elf women, were bold heroines, emptying their glasses in one gulp.
After a round of drinks, the atmosphere livened up. These leaders from Azeroth's mortal races quickly became acquainted.
Galen switched to a different keg.
"Oh! Thistlefur Brew! Thanks to our Dark Iron relatives, even though they destroyed our home, inventing this was the only good thing they did!" Kurdran exclaimed.
"Kurdran!"
A furious roar interrupted the cheerful mood. Galen turned to see an old dwarf at the hall's entrance.
Galen could easily tell the dwarf's age. Dwarves are born with beards, and their density reflects vitality. As they age, their hair thins, but their beards remain.
This dwarf had a gray beard and a balding head. Though his arms were strong, he was clearly old.
"Elder Drakkrupp!"
So this was the former High Thane Maz Drachrip, whom Kurdran had criticized!
Falstad led the elder to a seat next to Kurdran.
"As High Thane, watch your words. The Dark Irons are our enemies! They destroyed our home, Grim Batol!" Drakkrupp slammed the table, spilling Kurdran's wine.
The aroma of Hammerfall Brew filled the air.
The former High Thane's wine-soaked nose twitched. He grabbed a clean goblet, poured a full glass, and downed it.
"Firebloom! Sungrass, and magma rock. Not bad, good wine. Besides the taste, it also strengthens the will and protects against polymorph spells!"
Galen recognized an expert, an old drunkard!
"Elder, try this keg!"
"Southsea Ice Beer!"
"And this keg!"
"Winterspring Firewater!"
"I have one more hidden! Try it!"
Galen presented his last keg, the Azerothian equivalent of a secret-recipe, vodka!
"Glug, glug, glug!"
"Hmm? Good wine!"
"Glug, glug, glug!"
"Human, you are now my friend. What was in that keg?" Muradin Drakkrupp asked, having already moved the keg behind him.
"Elder!" Falstad, also curious and thirsty, protested silently.
"Old man! What are you doing? I haven't had a drink yet!" Kurdran complained. "Galen brought it for everyone, it's a gift to the Wildhammer, how dare you hoard it!"
Kurdran snatched the keg, filling his own glass. Falstad joined in, and the two began to drink.
"You are Galen ? The master of Eastshore? Old Magatha mentioned you!" Drakkrupp said, getting down to business.
Old Magatha was the leader of Kussk Haven in the Northeron Highlands, a respected shaman. Her son, Young Magatha, worked for Garrosh, spreading shamanism to the Broken Draenei.
"Magatha is a respectable elder! As are you." Galen flattered him.
"Hahaha!" Drakkrupp stroked his beard. "Thank you for your help today. I apologize for our earlier refusal to join the Alliance. The Orcs are indeed a terrible foe!"
"So, is Aerie Peak willing to join the Alliance? Ironforge is already a member; it would be great to have you too!" Galen had promised to bring a large number of Gryphon Riders to the Alliance.
"Kurdran is the current High Thane. Discuss diplomacy with him." Elder Drakkrupp said, indicating his support for joining the Alliance. The Orcish siege had shown him the danger of their isolationism.
"We haven't heard from our kin in Ironforge for over half a year. How are they?" Kurdran asked.
"They are besieged by Orcish remnants. We've sent them supplies and plan a counterattack after defeating the Orcs here!" Galen replied.
"Despite past disputes, the Bronzebeards are our kin. We must help them defeat these Orcs." Kurdran declared.
"The Wildhammer are willing to join the Alliance and fight these Orcs! So they can't threaten anyone!"
Ah ha, the sky shamans are joining! With Kurdran and Falstad, we don't have to fear Red Dragons.
"Who else is in the Alliance?" Falstad asked.
"The seven human kingdoms of Lordaeron, the High Elves, your Bronzebeard cousins, and the Thorium Brotherhood, a Dark Iron dwarf organization," Galen said.
"So those blacksmiths are in it." Drakkrupp said, "Anyone who opposes Thaurissan is our friend! Even Dark Iron dwarves!"
"That would be great!"