Preparations

[archmagetrust]

King Varian Wrynn looks up as the raven lands on his throne room floor, one hand going to his sword, Shalamayne, until the bird transforms. "Khadgar," he says, relaxing. "You've returned. What news?"

The mage does not look happy. "Nethergarde Keep has fallen and the Iron Horde has taken Okril'lon Hold for their own. Maraad was planning a strike when I left." He looks troubled. "The Portal has been redirected. It still leads to Outland, but the time is different."

"Garrosh," Varian growls, his scarred face growing fierce.

Khadgar nods. "And Kairoz. It must be where- when they fled to." He frowns thoughtfully. "It leads to Draenor, then, not Outland. It would explain the orcs' brown skin."

"Maraad suspected he's altered the forming of the old Horde and created this Iron Horde instead."

"And is using it to take vengeance on Azeroth for defying him. He must have had years to plan this. The Iron Horde seems to have endless resources. The numbers coming through the Portal haven't slowed once." He looks at Varian. "We must stop them. Even if they're not fel-fueled, we know what happened the last time a Horde invaded Azeroth."

"You cannot close the Portal again?" Varian asks with dismay.

"Not from this side."

The king sighs. "We are still recovering from our siege on Orgrimmar but Maraad has already convinced me to sign the declaration of war. I will give you what aid I can and we'll put out the call to arms." He smiles grimly. "I'm sure there are many who remember the First War."

"You should know, I plan to ask the Horde for aid as well," Khadgar says carefully.

Varian's eyes narrow. "You better have a good reason."

"You said yourself the Alliance is still recovering. The first Horde invasion nearly destroyed our world. Who better to help stop it than the descendants of that invasion?"

"You play a dangerous game, Khadgar." Varian frowns. "Very well. Seek aid from the Horde, but be cautious. Garrosh may still have sympathizers among their ranks."

Khadgar bows. "Thank you, King Wrynn."

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"What's the plan, Khadgar?" The green skinned orc shaman glances down at him, then returns to watching the Portal. The factions' combined forces have cleared the Iron Horde from their stolen strongholds and pushed them back to the Portal's opening. But even now brown skinned orcs pour through only to be met by the warriors of Azeroth.

"Now we wait, Thrall," Khadgar says with a sigh.

"Go'el," the orc reminds him gently. 

"Right, sorry. I will remember eventually." He gives the orc an apologetic smile. Go'el had recently learned the name his parents called him before they'd been murdered when the shaman was just a babe. He'd given up the human-given 'Thrall' to claim it. "There has been much on my mind. Tell me of your champions?"

Go'el nods and points out the five heroes Warchief Vol'jin has sent to assist them. Gorla, an orc warrior, the tauren shaman Kanu Cloudchaser, the Forsaken warlock Norman Farnsley,a pandaren monk named Zi Swiftfist, and Kaz, a troll hunter. He is somewhat surprised to see Lady Liadrin join them as well but the blood elves also have history with Outland. "Who has the Alliance sent?"

Khadgar names the Alliance champions: Shinrea Shadeleaf, the night elf SI:7 agent he met earlier, Asurra, a draenei priest Khadgar knows from Shattrath, Balinor Highforge, a dwarf paladin, Jinks Boomfizzle the gnome mage, and Benjamin Griffin, a young worgen druid. And of course, Vindicator Maraad who fought the old Horde before it had ever invaded Azeroth. Go'el nods in acknowledgment. He has worked with some of them before.

"And the Warden?"

Khadgar smiles with some hidden amusement. "Cordana Felsong. Maiev sent her to bodyguard me, though I think she's here to make sure there isn't another Illidan through the Portal." Go'el snorts in amusement as well.

Both factions have sent troops and there has been an uneasy truce between the soldiers. Word has spread that Garrosh Hellscream is responsible for the Iron Horde invasion and many on both sides are eager to make the former Horde Warchief pay. Twice now, the troops grumble, the orc has evaded justice. Twice now he has attacked all of Azeroth. Zi, in particular, seems eager to meet Garrosh in battle and Khadgar cannot blame her. It was the pandaren's homeland Garrosh ravaged.

"Champions!" Khadgar calls, amplifying his voice magically to catch their attention. He waits for them to gather around him. "I thank you all for answering the call to arms. All of Azeroth remembers well the last invasion through this Portal." A few dark looks are sent from Alliance members to Horde. "I have once before stopped such an invasion and with your help we will do so again. We must travel through the Dark Portal and sever the Iron Horde's tie to it from the other side." He smiles at them mischievously. "Now the last time this happened I wasn't seen for twenty years but I assure you I've taken precautions! Once the Iron Horde has been dealt with you will all be able to return home again." There are nods and smiles all around except from Norman who can't seem to move his face very well.

"You are Azeroth's strongest champions," Khadgar says solemnly. "Destroying the Portal may be the only way to save our world. Go, prepare your troops, and be ready to charge at a moment's notice!"

The champions cheer and spread out to return to their preparations. Go'el, Maraad, and Khadgar watch the Portal for their chance.