#liniadel

I should be there... I should be there... His thoughts betrayed him and without knowing became voiced. “I should be there...”

“You're not to blame. The vanguard surely broke through the lines, we will follow in due time. Be patient, Swiftdawn.” Tarenor turned to see the origin of the voice and it was Silane Falorus, His apprentice in the Light and a mender. Regardless of her own words she stood there, her palm on the hilt of her rapier covered in sweat and surrounded by anxious air. Clearly she felt the same.

“She's a idiot you know that. A hard headed idiot. Light only knows what's beyond that thing.” he points at the portal. “Yet if I could I'd be right beside her.” The pain stabs harder in his leg making him wince and squeeze it to just maybe alleviate it to no avail.

Silane quirks an eyebrow stepping forward and gently places a hand on his shoulder. “It's in her nature. And what if you had gone through, only be lost? The Highguard always needs a leader.” She paused a moment, forming the words in her mind. “Losing both of you would not win us this war.”

Tarenor furrowed his eyebrows, she was right but that didn't sate that irritation in him. “She still thinks me weak. I could have led it, the Highguard needs her more than I, but even after leading after her imprisonment, I am still weak.”

Silane pares a glance downwards at the book bag at her hip, affixed to which is the pocket for her communication stone. Despite the entire guard waiting for word from the advance, they had gotten nothing but arcane static. “Different morals do not make you weaker Commander, you speak as if we will not be there right along side them when they call on us.”

“I don't know I just have a bad feeling, and she did to, saying if something happens I'm in charge.” Tarenor eyes the the far off figures as they dart towards the portal, orcs, humans, gnomes, Forsaken, all the races working side-by-side. “Only a few were injured, most of us could be down there.” Silane moved her her head in front of his line of vision with a grimace. “She doesn't act that way to antagonize you. Think of it this way: it means she won't give up when faced with whatever on the other side of the portal.”

Tare snorted. “Of course by herself or with the bare minimum.” Silane shakes her head slowly. “Such is the nature of our people. Usually we don't have a choice." She stands up straight again, fingers laced behind her back. "I actually came over here to ask you to return to your tent or do something normal other than glower over the landscape... You're putting the troops on edge.”

Tarenor only half listens, he narrows his eyes as odd movings happen around the portal. “Good. They should be.”

He frowns even more. Slowly the steady stream of the coalition stops completely stop, the rest of the vanguard back away slowly, keeping up defensive positions. Tare mumbles quietly to himself. “What is going on down there...”

Silane pats his shoulder "Nothing the ground troops can't handle. Let's check on that leg." She turns to go towards the encampment before Tarenor grabs her arm stopping her. “They stopped.” Silane turns around eyes wide. “What?”

Tarenor narrows his eyes as the vanguard continues to back slowly still from the portal. “They stopped going in... no ones coming back out either.”

This is good! They've staunched the flow of Iron Horde!" The excitement spills over in her gestures as she speaks. "No doubt we'll get the call soon!" Silane fumbles with her stone from its pocket and holds it at chest-level, eagerly watching it.

His stomach sinks, as he sakes his head slowly. “No... something's not right. If we were winning more would be sent in.. or Some would come out..” Tare's words fall short to silane who looks expectantly at her comm-stone. He glances at Silane for only a moment. “Try to contact the High Commander again, or Sunwind. See if you can reac-”

A large commotion comes over the remaining Vanguard as the blood red Portal ripples for a moment, then in a flash, disappears. Leaving only the sight of the Red stone of the Blasted Lands Mountains behind it. For a few moments that seem to last an eternity, there is silence: In the Highguard camp, Coalition forces, all the Blasted Lands, not a sound.

Tarenor grabs Silane's Comm-stone, who doesn't even notice as she continues to stare at the Portal's hollow husk. "All those people," she says quietly, lips barely moving. Tare turns the stone on. “Sha'Qelas, come in.” he waits a moment but still only static, he waits for a second then tries once more. Sha'Qelas- Liniadel!” nothing. “FUCKING LINIADEL. COME IN.” nothing but the mocking spirit of silence.

Tare drops to his knees eying the portal as the comm-stone falls from his hand. “You fucking fool..” Clamor begins to build up from beyond the rocks at the Highguard's camp. Doubtless they noticed the portal's collapse and Tarenor's shouts into the stone. Faint panicked voices echo from the stone on the ground, muffled by the weight of the events.

"There has to be a way to open it again." Her eyes flicker from sky to earth, portal to Tarenor. "Have our mages do something! It's just a portal-" She brings her fingertips to her temple. "There has to- maybe if we wait for it to reopen. Maybe it's a hiccup in the magic? Tarenor?"

Tare slowly stands up, a long sigh escapes his mouth. “We don't know where they are... there's no way to reopen, the only mage who could reopen that thing is now trapped on the other side.”

Falorus hastily gathers her stone and unhooks the golden train from her waist, depositing it carelessly on the ground. She doesn't seem to hear him speak as she lowers herself, looking for a foothold to clamber down the mountain."Let's go down there and see what's going on. A mage can explain -- maybe they're already working to fix it. Maybe it's an illusion. Maybe-”

Tarenor grabs her by the shoulders. “Silane!” she looks at him startled. “They're. Gone. Our focus right now has to be was if left!” he looks at the Highguard camp, some rushing to the portal some standing stoically on the edge looking down. “Tend to the wounded, and You and Aeviana calm them down, I'll go what happened.” he lets go and eyes her. “Aye, Swiftdawn.”

Tarenor pulls out his commstone and turns it on. “Highguard...” his eyes fall onto the now empty portal. “There has been an incident.”

The following days became a blurr to Tarenor, he walked down to the fortifications near the Portal and tried to talk to anyone. The commotion and chaos was rampant, some cried, a worgen howled in anger. And even without the Iron Horde to fight, arguments and contained hatred was beginning to break open between the Horde and Alliance. Finally Tarenor made his way to a re-purposed Iron Horde Tent where commanders and officers debated next moves. He pleaded for anything but an older looking orc just eyed him and said “They succeeded in there mission.”

The Highguard did not fair better. Though fewer in number, friends, comrades, even the occasional lover to those who stayed, were now possibly gone forever. Over the course of the next week, he ordered the highguard to aid in the Iron Horde that remained behind, the Iron Horde did not last long, but there were still pockets of resistance. And morale was low.

The Call to Arms was answered swiftly by the Highguard, everyone had heard of the horrors inflicted on both the Horde and the Alliance in the Lower Eastern Kingdoms, each one ready to take the action to our new enemy deemed the Iron Horde.

We met on the slopes of the Shattered Landing near the Horde Frontlines, the battalion ready to look on the faces of our new foes. The General who has contacted me stood there with us on her vicious war wolf. General Gra'non ((I can't remember the name lol)) a fience orc woman. She was a part of Horde High Command, a commander in the navy. For weeks she's been writing me about the oddities of the portal and strange reports coming from Kalimdor, both are fears came to light early tuesday morning.

Our journey sadly will take us far from the front-lines but our mission was of equal importance, but Sha'Qelas and I both agreed that thinning our enemy here might give the Horde and yes, even the Alliance a small respite. We and the Warlord of Stormfist Dargarok Icefist, charged the Iron Horde Defense line, passing strange cannons and large containers that shot over the Horde lines filled with these new brownish orc grunts. We crushed them easily enough, their armor was thick and black with war paint, made of some type of dark material I've never seen before...

Soon we charged the portal itself, both sides clashing with ferocity, in years have I not seen such fighting, but we prevailed for now. We took the camp just yards from the now red  portal and began investigation. We found a Warsong tabard which striked me as very odd, as well as Clefthoof rations, Outland? Surely it cannot be the Mag'har, they are too few and scattered.

Then Kained De'leon brought me something that struck as at most odds... a map leading from positions in this "Tanaan Jungle" to another portal, on one half, the other half showing important targets on our side in the Blasted lands. Never had I heard of this Tanaan Jungle, could Draenor have a sister world? I showed the map to Dargarok and he spoke of one of his clansmen hearing that long ago Hellfire Pennisula use to be named such a place... this just make no sense at all...

Soon though a explosion rang out, countless new orcs charged from the portal down on us, I quickly called for a retreat. As we made our way out of the crater Iron Horde forces blocked the pass trying to box us in. Again fierce fighting, but we pushed through to relative safety of the Horde lines... just barely.

We relayed what we had found to the General who seemed ill at ease to say the least, but we could not stay. We promised we would find what is going wrong in Kalimdor and return to the fight. Light knows they need us.

As we left, what stormfist clan was there stayed behind as we made our way through Orgimmar to Ashenvale, our target.

Reports for weeks have been odd to say the least, things that would other wise be over-looked especially during an invasion of our world such as these times. One day, barrels of Oil are "misplaced" in Stonetalon. Another, entire units seem to disappear, rather from treason or other means, Light only knows. Shredders blowing up or disappearing from lumber yards. And most of all, Zoram'Gar Fortress lost contact with the Horde, multiple times, blaming it on an ailment or sick flying mounts. Something was wrong, and if eyes of the Horde are turned to the Blasted Lands, that leaves the Horde blind to all else.

We set up base at Silverwind Refuge, everything seemed normal enough in this war-torned forest, perhaps I was wrong... but sadly, I was right. I ordered scouting of the area from the Highguard, to assess the situation. Banmine Wildmane led one to the eastern reaches, at the skunkworks he found something troubling... A large goblin-made machine known as the "Goblin Mower" was being retrofitted for war. The machines are already terror to the eyes, they can deforest entire regions in the matter of days... but the goblin in charge spoke of adding extra armor, and goblin shaman totems for extra firepower... said it ment to head to Stonetalon then Feralas within a week... We asked where the orders came from the goblin spoke of a commander from Hellscream's Watch. The Group traveled to Hellscream's Watch but said commander was missing, the officer in charge spoke of steering clear of Zoram'gar for now. I agreed upon hearing. Not until we know more. Another troubling fact was at maestra's post where Horde Demolishers besiege the alliance outpost, the orc in charge told us that 10 or so Demos were ordered to Zoram'gar.... something about Orders from Orgimmar. How far does this infiltration of Hellscream Loyalist and Iron Horde go?

I sent De'leon west with a small contingent, upon the road they came across a seen of battle, a lone Orc, who seemed to be from the Near by Warsong Lumber Camp layed killed with 3 Kal'dorei Sentinels around him. They found a pendant made of the same black metal from Blasted Lands with the Iron Horde Sigil on it. There was a missive also on the bodies speaking a "Package being delivered" and he was on his way to Hellscream's Watch.

Thing's are starting to come into place. But tomorrow I am ordering a full investigation of the Lumber Camps and Hellscream's watch. Light willing, we may finally learn what we are up against. As our scouting came to an end, finally the reinforcements from Stormfist showed up. But only three of them, they spoke of their chieftain sending only them and few others to aid us. The General and I were expecting their entire clan. I hope more show up, because if not.. we may be fighting this battle alone...

Light help us all....

Signed:

Tarenor Swiftdawn,

Tarenor sat in Shrine of Two Moons reading a report, everyone around stirred around almost in a panic as the large pandaren herald read the news.

“Blasted Lands have fallen to a new threat. Hundreds loss. As Nethergarde became besieged by this new foe, Horde forces at Okril'lon Hold valiantly launched a counterattack at what is now being called the Iron Horde.”

Everyone seemed almost relieved but Tare did not listen he only focused on the report. But the Pandaren sighed with remorse before he continued.

“But... as the Horde marched towards Nethergarde to aid the Alliance... this Iron Horde swept through the Hold. How many lost... is not known.”

A wail went up from a woman in the crowd, as angry shouts went up. The pandaren herald quickly stepped down and walk away before the angry mob decided to take their anger out on him. Tarenor did not need to hear the herald, what was said was on the report in front of him. His eyebrows furrowed with irritation at the lack of response by the Horde and the Alliance. Reports have been coming in on and off of odd readings from the Dark Portal. Yet no one thought to add to the defenses, Garrosh was gone yes, and his capture was important. Turning a blind eye though, to something like that was ignorance... and both sides payed the price.

The report was written in heavy vellum with the crude writings of an orc, but the orcish was clear, and the more he read that dire feeling in the pit of Tarenor's stomach grew:

Lt-Commander Swiftdawn of the Phoenix Highguard,

Throm'ka Blood Elf, a similar letter is being sent to your High Commander as well as the Chieftain of the Stormfist Clan in the region. It is good that you have been replying my letters concerning this predicament Ashenvale, but as you are now aware of, a new threat arises. By order of the Horde High Command, I am to ask your battalion to turn away from Blasted Lands until all Horde territory is secure, so this Iron Horde can meet the might and power of the True Horde!

As you know.. At first it was a few barrels of oil going missing, then a demolisher disappearing, then entire units are said to be MIA or AWOL. We lost contact with Zoram'gar Fortress for days then re-emerged saying their runners were sick. It happened again and this time the gate was jammed closed. Treason is a word no one likes to hear elf but if it exists- kill it. You will investigate along with the Stormfist the root of this problem swiftly, then join up with the rest of the Horde on the battle front!

LOK'TAR OGAR!

General Gra'kon

Tarenor shook his head as he stood up and made his way out of the now almost empty Shrine, dozens of people have responded to the posters everywhere: “ALL WILLING ABLE BODIED HORDE CITIZENS SHOULD REPORT TO THE SHATTERED LANDING AND STONARD FOR COUNTER ASSAULT, VICTORY OR DEATH!” By the stable he mounted his charger Tereus and pulled out his Comm-stone.

Tare reached the stables and mounted his loyal charger Tereus and started trotting south. He reached for his guild stone and spoke into it. “Highguard, I'm leaving for the night, I'm going to return to Hearthglen and gather important items the battalion left behind.” Kained De'Leon immediately opened up his end, the sound of a small party breaking out “What? Why? Here let me come with you.” Tare interjected right after. “No no, stay and enjoy the evening with the Commander, you all deserve it. I'll be back soon. Swiftdawn out.” He clicked off the stone and started the long journey south in silence.

Hours past as he passed through Eversong and the Ghostlands, the only sounds occasionally a bird, or when in the Ghostlands, a bat; and the voices in his head arguing with one another. I did what I had to do. I had to choose between a stranger or the battalion, would anyone else make a different choice? But I'm not suppose to be like everyone else am I? I'm suppose to do what is right always. Always. Yet what if there is no right answer? What if it's just the lesser of two evils? There's always a right way. …...Is there? How can you keep the Monsters in check, if you can't even keep yourself in check?

The road continued on and on, Only a few traveled the roads nowadays, and those that did eyed the armored figure with suspicion who's eyes only seemed to look at the ground. Still the Silence continued, his thoughts turning inward on how he sent assassination squads, how he sent many to Pandaria with little to no information. How he let that soul get tortured, both of them. Both of them now dead, one by his hand, the other.. Light only knows. He hadn't executed anyone in years, not since the Crusade. But still, he only regretted the torture, not the execution. Justice was justice.

And most of all, he thought of the way Zalaena looked at him after she heard about what he ordered. And after she saw the execution. The Image still stained in his mind of the crowd of Highguard roaring for blood at the woman on the gallows. Wanting to defile the body, leave it to the scourge. All sorts of heinous options. They're all animals Tare, monsters, You lead them, but don't become them. Zal's voice echoed in his mind.

Dawn was near, he had long past into the eastern portion of the plaguelands and he slept in a tent in the pre-dawn coolness next to Crown Guard Tower until bout noon, He hadn't slept much. But he was ready to get this over with. As he made his way down the hill he heard a voice call for him from behind. “Tarenor. Swiftdawn. You better not be leaving here without saying hello to me!” Tare turned around with a smirk, recognizing the gruff and still fluid voice. “Hello Tris'ton. I was wondering why I didn't see you in Hearthglen.” The muscular Sin'dorei in leather pants and jerkin with a old Argent Dawn Tabard over it walked briskly to Tarenor and shook his hand with a rough chuckle. “You know how these humans build things. Got to call in people with actual skill to keep these towers in working order. That old man Highbeacon can do it all himself.” the Soldier and the Blacksmith shared a warm laugh.

Tris'ton pulled a satchel over his shoulder and eyed Tarenor holding Tereus's reins. “So where you heading I thought you Highguard were out of Hearthglen?” Tarenor nodded “We are but I left some things.. things I can't really talk about. Classified” Tris'ton made a mock serious face. “Oh yes very important, can't leave them behind.” The mock look lifted into a chuckle. “Well I'm heading back as well, how bout we share the road?” Tarenor smiled faintly. “I'd like that.”

Hours past as the two traveled west towards the non-plagued woods of the Western lands. They talked of days long gone, of weapons, battle. The good times and bad. Sharing a laugh after the good and a understandable silence as well in between the bad.

The sun hung near the edge of the horizon when they finally reached the end of the journey and the gates of Hearthglen stood in front of them. The birds hummed and a smile on both their lips as they entered. “So what will you do now Tarenor?” Tris'ton asked as they past the chapel making their way to Mardenholde. “Continue my duty as it originally was, as Lieutenant-Comman-”

Tare was cut short as 4 Argent Honor Guards approached the pair. The lead a large Orc with a brutal looking mace and spiked shield spoke. “Tarenor Swiftdawn?” Tarenor eyed the large orc with hesitation before answering. “Yes?” The orc unsheathed his mace in a aggressive manner.