"These auras are released by some lifeless, emotionless human knights. Of course, these knights are already dead; the orcs are merely using their bodies." said Leylin.
"Incredible! What kind of creatures had the orcs created?" Things beyond human comprehension always bring fear and suspicion. The archmage of Kirin Tor, Kel'Thuzad, a member of the Council of Six, felt the same way.
Leylin pondered for a moment, then gave these creatures a name that best suited them: "Let's call them Death Knights for now; it fits them perfectly."
"It seems the battles to come will be even more difficult. These tribal wizards not only use special magical powers but can also create such bizarre creations." Kel'Thuzad said, his voice tinged with worry.
Khadgar coughed a few times and said, "Don't worry, these death knights are not invincible. During their landing operation at Southshore, the mage before you destroyed twenty death knights."
Without much surprise, Kel'Thuzad could sense the immense power of the two mages before him. Although Khadgar was a student and then an apprentice to Medivh in Dalaran, he had grown considerably stronger through his trials.
As his colleague Krasus had said, Khadgar's understanding of magic was now on par with any mage in the Council of Six, including the head of the Kirin Tor. And the mage beside Khadgar, from Quel'Thalas, he sensed that the magical elements and arcane energy around him flowed with remarkable regularity, like a finely crafted magical instrument.
He could precisely control any magical element and energy surrounding him. This was something no other mage in the Kirin Tor could do.
Kel'Thuzad was delighted to see such an outstanding mage among the young people. He expressed his pleasure: "Although we mages do not acknowledge the existence of faith, I still want to say thank you to the gods for bestowing upon humanity such powerful magic."
With a slight smile, Leylin said, "Let's set that aside for now. I know you are a member of the Kirin Tor, so I would like to show you a letter."
He took out the letter given to him by his mentor, Magister Nallorath, from his magical pouch. A golden phoenix was engraved on the front of the letter. Taking the letter, Leylin snapped his fingers, and a magical circle rose within, narrating the letter's contents to Kel'Thuzad.
"It is only natural that the Archmage from a thousand years ago wanted to retrieve what he had stored in Dalaran." Kel'Thuzad said respectfully.
"If the war is won, I hope to have the opportunity to visit Dalaran." Leylin said.
"Of course, Dalaran will never refuse an outstanding mage." Kel'Thuzad invited Leylin.
The first day of their encampment in Tarren Mill was very quiet; the orcs gathered in Southshore but did not take any action. Gavinrad led his army, assembled from Lordaeron, to officially encamp in Hillsbrad Foothills. The main forces of the Horde and Alliance were on the verge of war, making a major battle inevitable.
Early the next morning, the paladins Saidan Dathrohan and Alexandros Mograine, who had come from the Hillsbrad Plains, led their troops into Tarren Mill. In addition, Lieutenant Aedelas Blackmoore led another force to Durnholde Keep.
The clanging of armor startled Leylin awake. He stretched and patted the shoulder of the beautiful elf beside him. Alleria, still asleep, was truly beautiful; her lips curved into a smile, her long, delicate eyelashes fluttered slightly, and her frail yet spirited figure was captivating.
Fortunately, Leylin's clothing concealed his groin well, avoiding embarrassment.
Rubbing her eyes, Alleria woke up. The first thing she saw in Leylin's hazy eyes sparkled with pleasure. However, like Sylvanas before her, she didn't want Leylin to see her true feelings.
"You went to bed as soon as you got back yesterday. What happened during the meeting?" Leylin asked.
Alleria, even amidst the war, was mindful of her appearance, fiddling with a comb between her fingers. However, the flames of yesterday's battle had scorched her smooth hair, leaving it quite unruly today.
"Sir Lothar is going to engage the orcs in direct combat. Reinforcements have arrived, and he intends to inflict a heavy blow on the Horde in Hillsbrad Foothills." Alleria recounted the meeting's contents.
After hearing Alleria's words, Leylin sighed deeply. "Sir Lothar thinks we have a chance of winning. Does he really believe we can achieve victory in a direct confrontation?"
Alleria's expression changed; it was the first time she had seen Leylin so lacking in confidence. But she knew Leylin well, and she preferred to believe him more than Sir Lothar.
"Sir Lothar has already given the order; he is awaiting the orcs' attack," Alleria said, pausing her work.
Leylin pondered. Drawing on his memories from his past life, he recalled that since landing at Hillsbrad Foothills, the orcish tribes hadn't clashed with Lothar's Alliance army.
Warchief Doomhammer had assigned the Dragonmaw clan to occupy the Wildhammer dwarf stronghold, Grim Batol where they imprisoned the Red Dragon Aspect Alexstrasza and her red dragonflight.
They did achieve victory at Zul'dare against Grand Admiral Daelin's navy, nor had they attempted to assault the Wall of Thoradin, defended by Stromgarde. The Horde had simply landed in Hillsbrad Foothills and arrived in eastern Lordaeron, they would keep marching in Hinterlands, the territory of the Wildhammer dwarves.
"I have a feeling, things will change in the next few days. I've asked Sir Lothar for permission; we need to go to Durnholde ahead." Leylin said.
Alleria, following Leylin, relied solely on intuition. She didn't understand why Leylin was so sensitive. What was he worried about?
Pushing open the hall doors, Leylin went straight into the inner chamber. Sir Lothar was planning the battlefield layout. Seeing Leylin and Alleria arrive, he put down his marker.
Anduin Lothar held this mage, who had removed the greatest obstacle for the Alliance's elite forces during the war, in high esteem.
The performance of Leylin and the elves confirmed what Alleria had once told him: though the elven army was small in number, sometimes they could unleash a force stronger than an entire army.
Saidan Dathrohan rebuked the suddenly intruding mage, saying, "Sir Lothar is now making a decision with the leaders; please leave."
Lothar waved his hand, signaling Dathrohan to stay quiet: "Judging from what this mage says, I think he must have his reasons for coming."
Leylin, disregarding any of the people around him, looked at Sir Lothar and the map on the sand table and said, "Commander Lothar, I would like to request that you change your orders. Our elven combat forces wish to proceed to Durnholde."
The southeast of Tarren Mill? Just how afraid are these elves of the orcish hordes?