WoW Rest Stop

Mathias pointed at the door and the guards left the room and Ellias locked the door behind him as he stepped outside.  He saw Jaina chanting a spell suddenly the walls seemed to have a soft blue glow to them.  Mathias then spread a map out on the table that Anduin recognized a map of Azeroth.

The king started, "I want to again thank you all for coming to Stormwind on such short notice.  I'm sure you are all needed elsewhere but there have been some recent developments that need to be discussed."

Jaina waved her hand and tiles appeared on the map that represented Alliance units.  She waved her hand again and Horde Units appeared on the map as well.

"What I'd like to begin with is an update of the current situation in each of your area's of responsibility.  That way everyone here know's the big picture before we start planning.  Since the majority of our forces are involved in the Barrens campaign I thought we'd start with you General Twinbraid."

The stocky built dwarf looked a bit surprised then stood.

"I've not prepared anythin yer hi'ness nor met with my commanders recently but I suppose ye knew dat." 

He first looked to Commander's Roberts, Singleton and Admiral Aubrey then began, "As ye know, we decided to push into the Barrens after the Horde invaded our allies in Ashenvale.  The thought was that it was much easier for us to support them by invading through our bases in Theramore and Northwatch than try to create new base on the west coast of Darkshore.  As the bulk of the Horde forces where already engaged in the North we made rapid progress.  Then the Horde hit us hard from their base in the Crossroads and both sides dug in for fight.  It was at that point that the cataclysm occured and a Chasm formed right in the middle of the Barrens.  All our alliance forces North of the chasm were eliminated and in the south we still quite a fight on our hands.  I'll let my commander's fill you in from this point - Why don't you start Admiral Aubrey?"

Anduin saw that Aubrey was a younger man but one that already showing the signs of a man that one day would be quite portly.  He walked over to the map where his forces were portrayed and began to speak, "As you know my navy was almost completely destroyed when the chasm formed and since then have held the beachhead from the Horde fleet that are besieging Northwatch Keep.  We've held them off so far but we are low on supplies and I'm only feeding my men by sending hunting parties into the barrens.  We've got the high ground so we should be ok for a while but it is only a matter of time unless I get some supplies."

The King nodded and looked back to Twinbraid who pointed to Commander Singleton.  Singleton was even younger than Aubrey and he looked a bit nervous.

"Um sir, your highness.  You see my men are ... well ... you see."

Varian smiled.  "Slow down son, we have time.  Start from the beginning."

Singleton smiled and took a deep breath, "Well you see everything went well at first.  I was in command of the western flank of the attack and we had just taken Honor Stand when Deathwing struck.  It was horrible!  The sky exploded and the ground started to move.  We didn't know what else to do so I had my men form a defensive line.  That's when the earth split apart and I watched as half my command suddenly disappeared into the smoke.

Singleton stopped for a moment as his eyes began to tear.  He cleared his throat to compose himself.

"When the smoke cleared I realized that some of my men had survived but were on the other side of the chasm.  We looked a way to get to them but had to watch helplessly as the Horde forces surrounded then cut them down.  Not one survived."

Anduin saw his dad grind a fist into his other palm.  "The bastards."  Then he looked at Jaina.  "If that bastard Thrall hadn't attacked Ashenvale none of this would be necessary."

Jaina looked solemn but said nothing.

"Sorry for the interruption Commander Singleton, please continue."

"Well that's about it.  I sent scouts to the North and we have made contact with the Night Elves but we aren't in any position to help them.  In some ways the chasm is a blessing as the Horde can't attack us from the East but the problem isn't the Orcs, it's the Tauren.  They are slowly butchering our forces and most of the supplies that are sent North never reach us because of Tauren ambushes."

Varian almost laughed, "Tauren ambushes?  Tauren aren't exactly known for their stealth."

"It isn't stealth they use, it's the hills.  My entire left flank rests against a hill full of Tauren.  They've been running up and down them for centuries so they know every nook.  Every night we go to sleep the Tauren slip some forces into our camp and kill us.  I lose a few every night, I swear it's like they have a sixth sense for our weak spot.  We attempted to build a road to the top so we could have our engineers build a fortifications but its just not possible due to the incline.  Right now I'm slowly losing the ability to do any offensive action and soon I will have no choice but to retreat."

Anduin suddenly felt the need to talk and interrupted, "I don't understand." which draw a sharp look from his dad but he continued, "I don't understand why the Tauren are being so bloodthirsty.  I've met Baine and he's an honorable ... um ... Tauren."

The room was silent for a moment as no one knew how to respond so Commander Singleton added, "Everything changed after Taurajo was destroyed."

Anduin look horrified for a moment then said, "Destroyed? Why?"

The king looked at his son with sad eyes for a second.  "Son, things happen in war.  Things you don't plan.  Things you don't want but they happen all the same."

The King looked at Commander Singleton and asked, "Anything else?"

"No sir."

"Ok then.  General Twinbraid?"

"Ah yes.  Well that leaves Commander Roberts at Fort Truimph."

Anduin saw a small man with sunken eyes stand and walk to the map.

"In looking at the map you'd think I have the easiest job of any of the forces in Kalimdor.  We are in the process of building a fort with secure flanks and easy access to the military road to Theramore.  Even after the Cataclysm hit we were barely affected.  Recently a small chasm has formed in middle of the valley floor and the Horde used that as an opportunity to build a fort directly across the valley from us.  Considering this fort is far from any major Horde city we thought we could starve them out.  As the months passed we decided that if we stopped the supplies coming from Taurajo their fort would have no choice but to surrender.  General Hawthorne planned a raid and waited until the hunter's left camp then stuck hard.  The attack was supposed to be a simple process of burning their stores then retreating.  It soon became a full fledged fight and before we knew it the whole town was on fire and everyone was dead.  Old-young, women-children.  Everyone.  It just got out of hand."

Roberts left hand began to shake.

"That's when the attacks started for real.  I have got to say that I've been in a few battles but facing a charge of a hunder grief stricken Tauren is something I'd rather not experience ever again.  Many died on both sides but the sad thing there was no effect on either fortress.  A few weeks later a Horde assassin killed General Hawthorne which left me in charge of the fort.  Every day we face more Horde troops charging our lines.  I'm not sure where they get all their men because even with our advantages my men are growing weary of the continuous attacks."  Roberts looked at Twinbraid to let him know he was done talking.

"Aye ... thanks Com'deer for your report.  So that's our current status.    Bottom line, we are barely holding on in every sector and desperately need to shore up our supply lines.  We can't go North through the Barrens because of the chasm.  We can't go Northwest to Stonetalon mountains because it would be too easy to cut our supply lines.  Our only choices are to either do nothing and starve, retreat and consolidate our position, or take the fight to the Tauren and attack them in Mulgore."

Anduin stood and practically yelled.  "Why would we attack the Tauren!?!?!"

The king suddenly looked weary.  "Let's take a break but first I'd like to take a moment to remember the sacrifice of General Hawthorne."  Everyone bowed their heads for a few moments then the king raised his head and said, "Meet back here in 10 minutes."  As people started to mill about Varian turned to Anduin and said, "Meet me in my chambers." and walked out of the room.

All eyes turned to Anduin and as he watched his dad retreat into the distance.  Others in the room continued to steal glances at him which distracted him from noticing Jaina was standing beside him.

"You know have a lot of your mother in you."

He turned to her and noted a smile on her face, "Why are you so happy?"

"Because I'm glad I wasn't the one that had to say that.  Now hold your ground with your dad.  He will respect you more if you do."

"I'm guessing this isn't going to be a fun experience."

"It never is Anduin but don't think your dad is going to enjoy it any either."  She placed a hand on Anduin's shoulder.  "Good luck."

And with that Anduin left the room and entered the King's chamber.