"The speed of the returning refugees is exceeding our expectations," Jaina noted, pointing to several marked locations on the map.
"Currently, we've established temporary camps outside the city, but there are massive shortages of food, medicine, and winter supplies."
In just a few short days, the news of the liberation of Lordaeron City had spread. Now, countless refugees and civilians who had been hiding in remote areas were beginning to head home—and with them came a crisis.
People need to eat. Between the tens of thousands of soldiers and the influx of human civilians, finding enough food was a monumental task. Rhodes had faced this issue once before when they first set sail for Kalimdor, at which time he had negotiated with the Goblins. By trading his own resources for Goblin grain while developing the land in Theramore, the humans had secured a steady supply. But here in Lordaeron, the land had been barren and uncultivated for over a year.
"We can organize hunting parties or fish in the sea. As for medicine, we can request aid from the other human kingdoms," a Dwarven general suggested.
"Quel'Thalas can provide a portion of magical medical supplies, but regarding food... I'm afraid we simply cannot help," Kael'thas added from the side. Although Quel'Thalas had been ravaged by the Scourge, its foundation remained; as a kingdom of immense magical power, producing healing draughts was no issue. However, that was the extent of their aid; the food problem remained a human one to solve, given the sheer numbers involved.
"Rhodes, you have a good relationship with those Goblins. Can we try to get them to send a shipment of grain over?" Jaina asked, turning toward him.
"I've considered it, but it's not as simple as you think. Their main operations are on Kalimdor. Our last trade exhausted nearly all their stockpiles in the Eastern Kingdoms. If we want it shipped over, it will take at least two months. By then, the Princess will have returned and we can get grain from Theramore; the key is surviving these next two months," Rhodes explained.
He had already contacted the Goblins, offering large quantities of anti-magic metals and diamonds for food. The Goblin representatives agreed, but stated that because they needed to consolidate supplies on Kalimdor, the transport time would be at least two months—possibly longer. Furthermore, the quantity wouldn't be massive since they had just completed a major trade with Rhodes.
"Actually, the food problem is quite easy to solve—if you ask the Night Elves for help," Maiev, standing beside Rhodes, suddenly spoke up.
"You mean ask them to donate food? I recall the Night Elves don't exactly have a habit of stockpiling grain," Rhodes said, frowning.
The Night Elves had a huge population and fertile lands, but they lived in harmony with nature. They were essentially hunter-gatherers who didn't plant crops.
They ate what the forest provided, and since they were immortal, their dietary requirements were remarkably low. When Rhodes lived in their lands, he mostly ate wild fruits and vegetables, with the occasional game brought back by the Sentinels.
They rarely hunted unless necessary; had Rhodes not craved meat, they wouldn't have hunted at all. The High Elves had kept agricultural habits, but the Night Elves were far more primitive. Plus, transporting wild fruits across the sea from Kalimdor would likely result in the food rotting before arrival.
"Please, I mean have the Druids help, not have the Night Elves ship you crates of food," Maiev said with a roll of her eyes. "The Druids are masters of manipulating flora. They have a wondrous magic called Accelerated Growth. You've mastered it too—you can make plants grow faster.
Wheat that normally takes half a year to mature can be ripened in a few days by a Druid. For a Master Druid, it might only take a few hours. You are a disciple of Cenarius; if you issue a call to the Druids, many will come to help. After all, this is a matter of saving lives."
The room brightened as everyone realized they had overlooked the Druids' capabilities. Rhodes even smacked his own forehead. Right, why am I thinking in mundane terms? I'm in a magical world; if a problem persists, solve it with magic.
"I remember Mages have a spell called Conjure Food that creates water and bread," Rhodes said.
"Er, that's true," Jaina said, rubbing her nose. "But the food and water created through magic aren't exactly... delicious. They only barely satisfy hunger." She generally avoided using this spell unless absolutely necessary because the taste was indescribable—or rather, there was no taste at all. Since the items were formed from Arcane energy, they kept the body functioning, but they were far from a culinary delight.
"It will suffice for now," Rhodes declared. "I will immediately request the Night Elves send Druids to help us plant. For now, mobilize every Mage from Dalaran, our army, and the Blood Elves to cast this spell!"
The refugees wouldn't care about the taste. For a starving man, water and conjured bread are a godsend.
"I agree, Lord Rhodes. It's not a feast, but it keeps them full."
"Then it's decided. Furthermore, the Dwarven and human engineers must expedite the wall repairs. Every Paladin and Priest capable of wielding the Light—move out! Cast the Light upon the lands surrounding the city to purify the soil of fel and death energy. Meanwhile, mobilize every soldier who can still walk to begin tilling the land. We need the crops to be at least sprouting before the Druids arrive," Rhodes commanded.
Days later, through the coordination of Jaina and Kael'thas, every Mage capable of Conjure Food and Conjure Water was mobilized. Several "Magical Food Distribution Points" were set up near the refugee camps. Mages chanted, and loaves of dry, faintly glowing Arcane bread and cups of clear water appeared on wooden platforms.
As Jaina predicted, the food was bland. The bread felt like chewing wax, lacking any scent of wheat, providing only the energy needed to stay alive. Yet to the refugees emerging from caves and the wilderness, it was manna from heaven.
"Praise the Light! Thank you, Mages!" a mother cried, feeding the tasteless bread to her child. Though the child winced at the lack of flavor, they swallowed it down greedily. This emergency measure bought precious time.
Simultaneously, led by Mograine and Dathrohan, the Paladins and Priests stood upon the cracked, blackened earth. Golden rays of Light shone upon the soil where eerie green or dark mists lingered.
"In the name of the Light, cleanse this land!"
The Light hissed as it neutralized the corruption. The deathly soil gradually regained a spark of life, though it would still require the Druids to make it truly fertile again. In the purified zones, soldiers and strong refugees, guided by Dwarven engineers, swung hoes and shovels in a frenzy of labor. They cleared stones, turned the soil, and sowed seeds, while water Mages summoned rain to nourish the new fields.
Lordaeron was recovering in an orderly fashion. Rhodes's messengers reached Kalimdor—one to Theramore to see Princess Calia and Uther, and a Watcher to Moonglade to petition Archdruid Malfurion and High Priestess Tyrande.
Upon receiving the letter, Malfurion did not hesitate. He immediately gathered a circle of Druids and led them personally to help Rhodes. Healing the land and saving lives was the Druids' calling; it was a way to mend the wounds of Azeroth.
Meanwhile, the human messenger arrived in Theramore and reported the news of the capital's reclamation. Princess Calia looked at the letter, unable to believe her eyes. She even wondered if she was dreaming.
The capital was retaken! How could it be?