Things were unfolding quite differently from what Princess Calia had expected. Before Rhodes left, they had agreed he would integrate the remaining forces of Lordaeron, settle the people there, and bring them over to Kalimdor to start a new life while she handled the logistics on this side.
Instead, somehow, it had turned into a full-scale reclamation of the capital, and Arthas had even been driven away?
Honestly, she thought, if you're going to launch a massive military campaign, shouldn't you give me a heads-up so I can mobilize our forces and have Uther lead them?
Uther was equally bewildered. He couldn't figure out what that boy Rhodes was up to either.
They had only just finished the Battle of Mount Hyjal. Uther had been leading the Silver Hand in cleaning up the demons that had escaped the mountain, and after that, he had rushed back to the vicinity of Theramore to help the Princess clear out local Centaurs and rendezvous with Night Elf forces to push back the corruption. After two months of non-stop work, it turned out Rhodes had quietly slipped back to the Eastern Kingdoms and pulled off one miracle after another.
"Princess, are you joking? Rhodes went to Outland and brought back the Expedition?" Uther asked, taking a deep breath to steady his racing heart.
"It's true, Lord Uther. Rhodes said that he and his ally, Illidan, used teleportation magic to reach Outland. They found the missing Alliance Expedition and brought them back—though unfortunately, General Turalyon and Lady Alleria were not among them." Calia immediately handed the war report to Uther.
Uther took the letter and read it carefully. In it, Rhodes detailed his situation—though he naturally glossed over certain things, like his use of fel magic and the specifics of his deal with Illidan. He claimed he encountered Illidan in the Vault of the Wardens, and they reached a consensus to deal with the Burning Legion, leading to a series of operations.
"He... he actually did it..." Uther's voice trembled slightly. "Not only did he bring back the Expedition, but he united the Blood Elves, the Dwarves, and even... Draenei from another world? He worked with Illidan in Outland to thwart Kil'jaeden's schemes?"
The experience was so fantastical that Uther felt it could be written into a novel with Rhodes as the protagonist. It was a classic tale of individual heroism—one man saving a kingdom, and perhaps the entire Alliance.
"I can hardly believe he did so much alone in such a short time," Calia added. "And he's become the Grand Marshal of the Alliance, recognized by Dalaran, Quel'Thalas, and even Kul Tiras."
"What concerns me isn't his rank, Princess. Have you read this part? Rhodes says Arthas has fled back to Northrend." Uther's voice shook. The dream he had lived for—the vengeance he craved—had been achieved by Rhodes. Arthas had been defeated.
"There is so much shocking news; I only just saw that part myself," Calia said. "According to Rhodes, he and Illidan obtained a powerful artifact from the Tomb of Sargeras and used it to strike at the Frozen Throne, causing Arthas's power to rapidly wane. Then the Dreadlords staged a coup, and a portion of the undead regained their free will, causing Arthas' army to collapse. He was heavily wounded and fled to Northrend in total disgrace."
Arthas' undead army in the Eastern Kingdoms had been a terrifying force, numbering in the hundreds of thousands—enough to rival the Legion. Calia and Uther had previously concluded that a counterattack would take decades of recovery and population growth on Kalimdor.
Instead, Rhodes had quietly rallied the remnants of Lordaeron and launched a massive strike, causing the Scourge empire Arthas worked so hard to build to crumble into dust.
"I can't believe it's real, but Rhodes is a cautious man. He wouldn't say this if it weren't true," Uther said, laying the letter down. "Princess, it's time for you to choose: will you return to Lordaeron?"
The moment of decision had arrived. Upon her return, she would no longer just be a Princess; she would be the Queen.
Back when they first arrived on Kalimdor, Uther had urged her to take the throne, but Calia had refused. To her, they had only just found their footing on a strange continent; the people were living hand-to-mouth, and enemies were everywhere. How could she take a crown under those circumstances? Did the Menethil family even have the right to rule after what Arthas did?
But now, the situation was different. The capital was reclaimed. Arthas was gone. They could go home.
"Yes, Lord Uther," Calia said. Her voice was thick with emotion, a mix of excitement and a relieved sob. She had thought she might never see this day, even planning to have a child with Rhodes so the next generation could carry out her will to reclaim their home.
"The capital... our home... it's actually back. Balnazzar and Detheroc, those demons in the throne room, have been purified by Rhodes. He says the city needs rebuilding and the people need their sovereign. He is waiting for us."
Calia stood and walked to the window, looking out over the Great Sea toward the distant horizon. Her gaze seemed to pierce the ocean to reach the land she dreamed of every night. "We must leave immediately, Lord Uther. I need you to escort me back."
Uther took a breath, forcing himself to be pragmatic. "Princess, I understand your urgency, but this must be planned. Theramore is our vital rear base; we cannot leave it in chaos. We need reliable people to stay behind, and we must plan the fleet, the escort, and how to stabilize the situation the moment we land."
"Furthermore, Rhodes mentioned a food crisis. Even with Druids helping, the survival of tens of thousands is the priority. We may need to ship a portion of Theramore's stockpiles to Lordaeron ahead of time to alleviate the immediate hunger."
"You're right, Uther. I was too hasty," Calia admitted. "We can leave Theramore to Admiral Proudmoore and our administrators. Please, go and assemble the soldiers and civilians willing to return—especially the craftsmen and soldiers from Lordaeron. They will be the backbone of our reconstruction."
About a week prior, a massive fleet had arrived at Theramore—the fleet of Kul Tiras, led by the legendary Grand Admiral himself. Daelin Proudmoore had come to check on Calia and, primarily, to find his daughter, Jaina.
Calia hadn't hidden the truth; she told him about Jaina and Rhodes' deeds at Mount Hyjal and mentioned that Jaina had already followed Rhodes back to the Eastern Kingdoms. Daelin had decided to stay a while to help, or perhaps to wait for his daughter's return.
However, Uther knew his old comrade well. He suspected the real reason Daelin hadn't left yet was that he had discovered signs of Orcs nearby. The King of Kul Tiras harbored a bone-deep hatred for the Orcs and had already privately asked Uther to join him in a campaign to wipe them out.
Uther had refused. Humans and Orcs were currently maintaining a fragile peace treaty. Daelin had been furious.
"Princess, I think your true concern should be leaving this place to the Admiral," Uther warned. "I am very worried that he will lead our people into a war with the Orcs the moment we are gone."
"Lord Uther, you mean... the Admiral only promised not to fight on the surface, but still intends to attack?" Calia asked.
"I believe so. Though Lordaeron was devastated, the Kul Tiran fleet is intact, and Daelin brought his finest. While we are here, he won't act unilaterally. but if we leave and give him command, he will fight the Orcs. I know him," Uther said.