Varok Saurfang strode towards their makeshift shack, tossing the bundle on his shoulder to the ground. Through the gaps, one could see it contained freshly hunted seabirds, fish, and hares.
He entered the shack and asked in a deep voice, "How is he, Rhonin?"
Rhonin frowned, shaking his head, "Still no improvement."
"Should we try feeding him 'that'?" Saurfang looked at Krasus, whose face was pale in the tent. The red dragon, transformed into a high elf, was devoid of color, with thick bandages wrapped around his left shoulder and chest. Days had passed, yet fresh blood still soaked through the white gauze, revealing bloodstains.
"Let's wait a little longer; we don't know if it will work. If we use it up, our mission will be a complete failure," Rhonin hesitated. The orc's "that" referred to the life essence obtained from the Red Dragon Queen. When Krasus transformed into his red dragon form, everyone understood that the success in acquiring the life essence wasn't purely due to Alexstrasza's righteousness, but also because of Korialstrasz, a red dragon very friendly to humans. On the night the flying fortress ascended, the missing Krasus had apparently gone to the dragon shrine to inform the Red Dragon Queen.
Now Krasus was seriously injured, and the red dragon life essence might help heal him, or it might not. No one could guarantee that. If they used it, what about breaking the plague?
Rhonin only hoped Krasus could heal himself. But he knew in his heart that even if that happened, the severely injured Krasus probably wouldn't be able to take them back to Lordaeron.
Broxigar had indeed perfectly completed the Lich King's mission, successfully trapping this crucial team in the vast sea.
If Rhonin's magic carpet hadn't found this small, nameless island before its magic was exhausted, they would have truly drowned in the Endless Ocean.
Rhonin used magic to cook the ingredients. After a hurried meal, Saurfang left the shack, leaving him to continue caring for the unconscious Krasus.
Saurfang went to the beach, hoping a fleet might pass by. But both he and Rhonin thought it was almost impossible because Northrend was occupied by the Scourge, and no human ships would pass here before the army's northern expedition. The orc simply felt that sitting around was meaningless. They had discussed that if Krasus still didn't wake up in three days, they would use the life essence on him. In any case, they couldn't be trapped to death on this island. The Alliance needed Rhonin, and the orcs needed Saurfang.
Saurfang sat cross-legged on a reef, thinking of his former brother, Broxigar. What a brave and fearless warrior he had once been! It was a pity he had fallen into becoming a death knight who had committed countless evils. This simply tarnished his honor in life and caused Saurfang grief and sorrow.
He recalled the past when the two brothers fought side by side. Time passed quickly, and an afternoon was about to be spent like this. The sunlight falling towards the sea softened a lot, and the blue sea sparkled. He looked into the distance, trying to spot any activity on the sea.
He seemed to see a black dot.
Was that real?
Saurfang suspected it was his hallucination, so he quickly called out to Rhonin in the shack. Mages always had some strange spells; perhaps he could see more clearly.
"Rhonin! Come here!"
Rhonin thought something had happened and strode out, seeing Saurfang standing on the reef and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Look there! Is that a ship?" Saurfang pointed in the direction where the sun was setting. He felt it might not be a hallucination because hallucinations wouldn't last this long.
"Why would there be a ship at this time?" Rhonin muttered. If it were a few years ago, he would have spoken in a very sarcastic tone, but as he grew older, he became much more steady. He looked in the direction Saurfang was pointing, and the sunlight reflected off the sea was blinding. He cast a small spell on himself, and now the light was no longer an obstacle.
Then he saw it—"It really is a ship! A fleet! Three ships!"
He jumped up excitedly, shouting, "Saurfang, quick, let's light the beacon!"
Rhonin moved swiftly, striding towards the mountain. Saurfang jumped off the reef, equally excited. May the spirits of the ancestors bless them, they were really saved!
The orc was strong, and he caught up with the mage in a few steps, reaching out his thick arm to grab Rhonin's arm and drag him along.
When they were stranded on this island a few days ago, they had collected a large pile of firewood at the highest point on the mountain, hoping to get rescued when ships passed by. Now that ships had actually appeared on the sea they thought no ships would sail, they couldn't help but rejoice that they hadn't wasted their efforts.
Rhonin was almost carried up the mountain by the orc. He didn't care about being out of breath and quickly cast a spell to ignite the entire pile of firewood. The semi-dry and semi-wet branches produced a thick column of smoke under the burning flames, soaring into the sky. It was particularly noticeable at this time of near dusk. Even from a dozen nautical miles away, it could be seen clearly.
Rhonin's eyes streamed with tears from the smoke, but his heart was extremely happy. He used magic to enhance his eyes, then looked anxiously into the distance, constantly praying in his heart: "Please see it, please come over..."
Rhonin stared intently. About a few minutes passed, but it felt like a century—he saw the fleet indeed change course and head towards their island.
Rhonin jumped up happily, excitedly patting the orc's shoulder and shouting, "Saurfang, the fleet is coming! We're saved!"
Saurfang nodded repeatedly, "I see it, I see it!"
After confirming this fact, they quickly ran down the mountain. Rhonin packed up their belongings, while Saurfang carried the unconscious Krasus on his back and went to the beach to wait for rescue.
The fleet was getting closer and closer, and they were too excited to control themselves.
Saurfang grinned and laughed, "If the humans on the ship are prejudiced against me, you better remember this place and send a ship to pick me up. Otherwise, I can only die of old age here!"
Rhonin laughed, "Don't worry, Saurfang. I promise to explain it to them clearly and won't leave you here alone!"
The two smiled at each other. At this moment, they felt that racial hatred and prejudice were no longer important. The experience of sharing life and death had bound them together with a bond of friendship.
Those were indeed three large ships, two-masted seagoing vessels over a hundred feet long, capable of carrying at least two or three hundred people. Judging from the ram and decorations, these were warships, not merchant ships.
As the fleet approached, they could see figures swaying on the ship's rails. Were they coming to greet them? The two thought.
Rhonin looked at the flag hanging at the bow and found it somewhat unfamiliar: the crude pattern seemed to form the shape of a mask, and below it seemed to be the image of a rag doll.
Rhonin was very certain that no one in the Alliance would use this kind of flag.
Witchcraft mask, voodoo doll… He immediately thought of something very bad. Rhonin looked at Saurfang, who had obviously noticed this scene as well:
"This should be a troll ship!"
The two spoke in unison. The hope in their eyes quickly turned into despair—it turned out that what awaited them was not salvation, but becoming troll dinner meat?
"We're finished, Saurfang," Rhonin sat down on the reef in despair, muttering to himself, "Vereesa, I'll never see you again…"
Saurfang swallowed, feeling his throat very dry. During the last war, Zul'jin, the ruler of the forest trolls, had allied with the orc warchief Orgrim Doomhammer, and the trolls under his command had joined the Horde, jointly attacking the Alliance.
After the war failed, Zul'jin almost died. He took his people back to the forest, licking their wounds while waiting for a chance for revenge. He no longer trusted anyone, humans, high elves, or even orcs were his enemies!
"We…" Saurfang wanted to say something, but couldn't open his mouth.
The figures on the ship's rails gradually became clearer, and it was exactly as they had expected: they were all fully armed trolls.
"I never thought I would die in battle with an orc!" Rhonin mocked himself with a bitter smile. He clenched his staff, even if he died, he couldn't let these trolls eat his flesh easily!
Saurfang opened his mouth and laughed heroically, "Then how about dying in battle with a friend?"
Rhonin looked at this sincere orc and felt that this unprecedented friendship of sharing life and death completely overcame the fear of impending death. His heart was burning:
"Alright, I'm willing!"
Saurfang raised his giant axe and said, "Stand behind me! I will protect you until the moment my blood runs dry!"
…
The village of Blackwood in Gilneas was the territory of Lord Darius Crowley. When King Genn Greymane built the Greymane Wall, the planned defense line did not include this territory belonging to Gilneas. This wall forcibly separated the Crowley family's territory from Gilneas, which was one of the reasons Darius was dissatisfied with King Genn.
In order to quickly support Gilneas City, the Valoran Allied Forces dispatched Aiden's engineering unit to rush and repair a temporary airport in the wilderness of Blackwood Village, providing take-off and landing platforms and supplies for the Screaming Serpent's air force.
Fortunately, these Piltover-tech-made helicopters had low ground requirements. Unlike modern fighter jets, they did not require high-standard concrete avenues and could be put into use with just a little leveling.
The valiant Grenadier Corki, the hero Aiden had just summoned, immediately came in handy. After Corki and the Screaming Serpent pilots completed their replenishment at the Blackwood Village temporary airport, they immediately took off and crossed the Greymane Wall to support the war in Gilneas City.
The yordle pilots brought enough bombs and missiles that had been improved with explosives by the Hexplosives Expert Ziggs, ready to let the Scourge taste something powerful!
"Ah ha, the passion is burning!" Corki howled excitedly on the communication channel while driving the helicopter.
Ace pilot, on his way to the battlefield!