Blade Dance

The weather was cloudy, making the atmosphere in the room extremely dull.

In the command room of the Stargazer's Terrace, Herman scanned the people standing around the round table.Nord Steele, the supreme commander of the garrison coalition, was frowning, staring at the map on the table.It is filled with the battle lines of the three armies, the deployment of troops of the enemy and us, the positions suitable for ambushes, water sources, etc.Commander Steele looks completely stuck on this map.Hermann realized that the commander had probably never seen such a well-planned battle plan, let alone been able to plan it to this extent.When he was explaining just now, he showed an expression that "needs extra time to understand".From the meeting until now, he was only focused on studying the map in front of him. Even if he faced a general who was much younger than himself, he could no longer suppress the opponent with experience and age and put on a superior posture.

The combat strength of the Outland army... In fact, the tragic battle of Hellfire Citadel made Herman doubtful.Lack of experience and discipline, estrangement between camps, and the unique recklessness of recruits... How did they stick to it until today?Or is it that the strength of the Illidari used to manipulate the incompetence of the coalition forces?

What surprised Herman even more was that the other deputy commander, Maureen Restalan, was a very young man.Young doesn't mean his age - he doesn't look a few years younger than he is - but his rudeness, arrogance, and impatience that's been written all over his face from the start is so blatantly outrageous .At this moment, the deputy commander was leaning sideways on the edge of the round table, playing with a flag of the Seventh Legion in his hand.He twirled the flagpole between his fingertips, occasionally dropping it carelessly on the table.The sound of metal colliding was crisp, disturbing the thought-laden silence, but he himself didn't care at all, and the impatient expression on his face became more and more exaggerated, as if he had no other wish but to end this meeting immediately.

Also, it was heard that his father had served as the supreme commander of the coalition forces.This magnified the disappointment several times.

Maiev Shadowsong stood motionless one step away from the round table, like an outsider.She lowered her head slightly, and locked her eyes on the combat map on the table.Herman couldn't see what she was staring at, or if she had already wandered off—the warden's thoughts were always elusive.She is definitely the oldest and most experienced person in this group of people, but she hasn't said a few words until now.

"So that's all."

Commander Steele spoke suddenly.

"Currently." Herman immediately withdrew his thoughts and replied, "I need your supplement."

"Let me sort it out." Steele raised his eyes and cast a narrow glance at him, and said respectfully, "Major General, this is really a very careful plan."

"Thank you."

"Then, according to the report from the front-line scouts, part of the legion has already set foot on the return journey, and they have not used the portal, so their way back must pass through the western part of Terokkar Forest - where we are. At the same time, Hellfire Citadel The army of the army has also set off. Their targets should all be Shattrath City."

"Yes. We're going to be attacked."

Steele nodded slightly, cold sweat was already oozing from his forehead.

"But we're going to wait a few more days to get them closer."

"That's right." Herman nodded.He leaned forward, pointed at the positions of the various armies on the map with his slender fingers, and said, "Our teams can't be too far apart, and we can't be too far away from Shattrath. So we have to wait for them to come over instead of taking the initiative I have checked, and Shattrath's city defense is complete enough, and it will be extremely beneficial to our operations."

As he demonstrates, he looks up at Steele's reaction to make sure he understands.Steele looked down at the map.At the same time, a mocking smile flitted across the corner of Maureen Restalan's mouth.Such a fleeting expression was noticed by Herman, which made him feel baffled.

"I understand. The garrison alliance, the Iron Horse Brotherhood, and the fine cavalry of the Silver Hand will face the legion branch from Hellfire Citadel." Steele continued, "The Seventh Legion and...how come there is no night elf army deployment? In short, the troops of the Seventh Legion and the night elves will be in charge of the branch from Shadowmoon Valley. Without going into details, this is the general plan. We will go out when the legion enters Terokkar Forest. Are there any questions?"

"I will go directly to the Dark Temple."

Deep female voice.Everyone turned their heads to look at Maiev Shadowsong.

Steele frowned all of a sudden: "Go directly to the Dark Temple? Warden, this—"

Maiev looked up at him.The commander's shoulders suddenly tensed.But he pursed his lips and spoke again.

"That's why you didn't put the battle flag on the map? Because you decided to go directly to the Black Temple and didn't plan to fight with us at all? No offense, but I don't think the Seventh Legion—"

"This is an agreement between me and Major General □. I believe he will give a clear explanation."

Maiev Shadowsong mentioned Herman, but his eyes were still on Commander Steele.In the next moment, Steele turned his eyes on the alliance major general who was on the opposite side, eager for an explanation.

Herman frowned and didn't answer right away.

"Warden, can you take a step to speak?"

His voice was low and respectful.Maiev turned her head, her eyes hidden in the armor were shining with a dark green light.Before Herman could catch a ray of that light, Maiev brushed his shoulder and walked towards the door.

"I'm very sorry to excuse you for a moment."

Hermann followed.He could feel the dissatisfied gaze attached to his back, as well as the contemptuous smile.But there was silence in the meeting room, only the sound of his own footsteps on the ground.

He was distraught.

Maiev Shadowsong waited for him leaning against the wall by the door.

Herman closed the door with his backhand, and turned to face the silent night elf warden.A deathly silence filled the corridor, and he took a deep breath.

She might be laughing at him in the shadows of her heavy armor.

"Do you want to go back on your word?"

"No," said Hermann, "it's just—"

"Then there is nothing to say."

Herman clenched his fists and hesitated to speak.Maiev didn't even look at him as he spoke.

"I think you've heard the news that the Illidari are gone," he said in a single word. "They don't exist anymore."

"If that's the case," Maiev turned her head slowly and met Herman's gaze, "you have no reason to stop me at this moment. You didn't approve of me eradicating the Illidari from the beginning, and I always knew that. You You promised me information about the Illidari, just to aid Outland. I don't know what you think of demon hunters, but you don't want me to kill or imprison them all."

Being mercilessly and completely pointed out, Herman felt his face tense like a stone wall.

"Now you're reminding me that they're 'annihilated'. If that's the case, what does it matter if I go to the Black Temple to investigate the situation?"

"You should go to war. We need your help."

"is it?"

Herman pursed his lips.

"Major General." Maiev lowered her voice, but her words sounded more menacing, "I have been guarding the wicked all my life. He is still alive, I know, I can feel it. He is still alive and well." She Suddenly he stood up straight and took a step towards Herman.

At that moment, Herman felt the oppression that would crush his heart.

"The mark of the devil on them, the blood of the devil in their body, will be their prison for eternity. I will not rest until I see them locked up with my own eyes. Don't stop me, I say it again. The Seventh Legion is enough to deal with those Devil, I will give you part of the sentinel troops, and my watchman and I will rush back to support as soon as possible. And even if there is no watchman, you will be fine, you know this very well."

After saying that, Maiev Shadowsong walked past him, reached out and pushed the door of the meeting room open again.Before going in, she turned her face and glanced past Hermann towards the end of the corridor.

"Please abide by our agreement, Major General."

Hermann closed his eyes.

----------

The atmosphere in the city is like a cloud driven by a sharply turning wind, and it changes drastically every day.Not long ago the news of the attack on the Illidari spread throughout the city. People were first panicked, and then immersed in the joy of schadenfreude.

If it was before, how could they have the guts to do this?He must have been so scared that he packed his luggage overnight and tried every means to escape to Nagrand or Blade's Edge Mountain.But it's different now.Allied soldiers of Azeroth patrolling all day long, heavily armed cities, and even the outskirts of the city are full of troops from the Seventh Legion—that is the Alliance Iron Army that has fought countless victories—plus the assistance of the night elves, The ancient and powerful race that was protected by the moon god, they came all the way to support them, so what else to worry about?

Therefore, the recent guests in the hotel are almost discussing how the Illidari, which once had an enemy of a hundred, were completely defeated by the Burning Legion, and how the Legion will collapse under the attack of "us".The praying mantis catches the cicada, and the oriole follows behind.

Joanna was wiping the glass in her hand, listening to the conversation of the guests intentionally or unintentionally.When someone spoke to her, she ignored it, as if it had nothing to do with her.

They are so excited.

You should really look at the people of Azeroth, they are so calm.You can tell at a glance that a big war is coming, and no one should let their guard down.

Joanna looked around, imagining herself sighing helplessly, then shook her head, looking at these restless fools with eyes full of disappointment.

Three guests came in at the door, not faces of acquaintances.

As soon as they came in, they scanned the store with anxious eyes until they met the emerald green eyes of the proprietress.Then they quickly avoided, whispered a few words to each other, and walked to an empty table by the window.

Joanna picked up another wine glass and wiped it, looking up at the guests at that table from time to time.One of them took their order, two Saffrons and a strong Thunder.When Joanna served the wine in person, the three of them stared at the table as if nothing had happened, or looked out the window.But when she turned around and walked back to the bar, she couldn't help but feel the eyes tightly glued to her back.

Confused, she didn't want to be bothered, so she just went on working in silence, listening to people's conversations.

"Joanna!"

The noisy conversation suddenly subsided.

Joanna stopped what she was doing, looked up and saw Orson's figure appearing at the gate.He was wearing light armor, holding a bow and arrow in his hand, and a huge quiver was exposed behind his back, which was half filled with magic iron arrow clusters.The hunter was holding on to the door frame, panting, and seemed to have rushed over from the training ground.Their eyes met, and the next moment Orson was striding across the hotel toward her.

There were whispers all around, and countless eyes were cast on them.The hotel was full, and Orson had to make "sorry" gestures while walking.His "Joanna" was so loud that it almost interrupted everyone's conversation, and at the same time aroused everyone's curiosity.Under his signal, people turned their heads one after another, no longer looking at them nosy.Only a few people were still staring at him or Joanna, looking afraid to miss something.So did the three people by the window.

Joanna put down the cup in her hand and frowned as she watched Orson getting closer.There was no need for pleasantries between them.There was an indescribable expression on Orson's face at this moment.He said he was anxious, but there was also a tinge of excitement, and amidst the excitement, there was apprehension, and... worry.

He came to Joanna, and they were separated by a bar.Orson, still panting, propped his arms on the table, stared at her with dark eyes.

"He is back."

At this moment, Joanna felt her heart stop beating.

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

"He's at Vincent's now. Vincent Lee. His friend—"

"Yes, I know." Joanna said quickly, "I know who Vincent is."

Orson's eyes flickered.

"It's safer that way... no, it's better... it won't bother you. No, I mean," Orson pressed his forehead hard, embarrassed by his choice of words, "this—"

"I know." Joanna said, "He can't come back here right away. At least not at this time, as soon as he comes back. Especially next to him..." She seemed to think of something suddenly, and looked around Orson's wide eyes shoulders, to the three suspicious guests who were sitting by the window just now.As expected, they were looking this way, and when they met Joanna's eyes, they turned their heads quickly.

"Many people know about it." Joanna murmured.

"Yes," Orson said, "almost everyone out there knows about it. The news will soon spread throughout the city. But I really don't understand what all the fuss is about, he's from Shattrath City !"

"Hush—" Joanna reached out and gently pressed his shoulder.

"I'm sorry." Orson lowered his head, and said, "There won't be any major problems. It's been so long. Besides, the Illidari is also...but he is really too much. He looked like that from the main city gate. walk in--"

"What do you mean?" Joanna suddenly tightened her five fingers and squeezed Orson's shoulder, "What do you mean by 'that look'?"

"He was dressed in black and entered the city with 'Samsara' in his hand. He was almost mistaken for a demon hunter. When walking on the streets of the city, he blatantly held a weapon in his hand, and the patrolmen didn't do it. Not to mention that weapon."

Orson showed a worried expression.

But Joanna suddenly grabbed his clothes and stared at his eyes, which were wide open, and the green eyes burst out with light.

"He's alone?"

Orson stared at her blankly.

"Yes," he seemed to have just remembered, "he's the only one who came back."