User:Joshmaul/Turalyon and Alleria: A Difficult Decision

Standing on the middle-level steps of the Stair of Destiny, General Turalyon watched as the Archmage Khadgar opened the Book of Medivh on the altar before him, and picked up the Skull of Gul'dan with his other hand. Draenor was being torn apart around them - Ner'zhul's mad bid to open portals to new worlds had resulted in this cataclysm that would consume the world of the orcs. The Horde had been defeated, Ner'zhul had acted in desperation...and this was the result.

Turalyon felt his hand squeezed by the beautiful elven ranger standing next to him. "It's for the best," Alleria Windrunner said, eyes fixed on the tall mage as he began speaking the words from the Book of Medivh. "This world is doomed, but ours will endure."

"Aye, my love," Turalyon said. "If only we could tell our son." The earth shook around them as the arcane energies blasted the world apart. Right at that very moment, Khadgar spoke the final word.

The magical gateway of the Dark Portal disappeared, leaving only the empty "frame". Turalyon bowed his head. When he joined Khadgar's expedition, this was not how he expected it to end...

Shortly before the Expedition's departure...

"We came as quickly as we were able, Uther. Apologies for the tardiness." He looked edgy, but then again, he always looked edgy when there was no enemy to battle. For the time being, at least, things had been quiet in the war against the orcish Horde. At least, here in the Capital City of Lordaeron...since the destruction of the Dark Portal.

"No apology necessary, Turalyon," Uther the Lightbringer, Grand Master of the Order of the Silver Hand, replied. He glanced at Alleria with a smile, which quickly faded as he got to the point. "We have visitors from Nethergarde. It seems that Lord Khadgar requires your expertise." He nodded to a guard to escort their visitors, waiting outside. Turalyon thought it would probably be messengers, in the purple-and-gold livery of Dalaran, the masters of Nethergarde. Instead, to his surprise, it was Khadgar himself, accompanied by a dwarf with a tattooed head and a hammer on his belt, and a tall, weathered-looking veteran wearing the colors of Stromgarde. "Well, well...was running the internment camps becoming a bore for you, Danath?" Turalyon said with a straight face to the latter man, though his eyes twinkled.

Danath Trollbane shrugged, a trickster's grin on his face. "Not quite the same as fighting them." He nodded in respect to Uther, who smiled and left the five to their privacy.

"And I see you brought Kurdran with you. Have a nice flight?"

"Fer a dwarf of the Aeries, 'tis always a nice flight," Kurdran Wildhammer said with a smile, showing white teeth in his fiery red beard. All five were good friends.

Turalyon chuckled, then sobered and turned his attention to Khadgar. "At the risk of sounding somewhat impatient, Khadgar, might I ask what this is about?"

"Very well, then...I'll come to the point," Khadgar said, his expression grim. "I assume that you've heard about the reopening of the Dark Portal between our world and that of the orcs...a world they call Draenor."

"Aye," Turalyon said, nodding. "I would be surprised if there was anywhere in the Alliance where word of this has not spread."

"We're not sure how, but the orcs managed to reopen the Dark Portal from the other side, and sent raiding parties into our world to obtain powerful artifacts. They're led by an orc named Ner'zhul. His raiding parties recently entered Stormwind, to take the Book of Medivh from the Royal Library. They also hit Dalaran and stole the Eye...and we believe they may also have the Skull of Gul'dan."

"For what purpose, Khadgar?" Alleria asked. "These are obviously very powerful artifacts...but what could this Ner'zhul have in mind?"

"Judging by the fact that one of the items is the Book of Medivh," Khadgar replied, "the High Command is of the opinion that Ner'zhul may intend to open more portals, and find new worlds for the Horde to conquer."

"King Terenas has called for an army to be formed, an expedition through the Dark Portal to Draenor," Danath added. "We have the army, but we still require leaders. Khadgar has been asked to lead it, and I am commanding the detachment from Stromgarde. However, we need a military commander - a general, to command our armies." He looked Turalyon in the eye. "We need you, old friend."

Turalyon was silent, staring intently at Khadgar. The lord of Nethergarde smiled. "I explained the situation to Lord Uther myself; he suggested you, and of course, I was happy to accept his recommendation. We all know the face of what this demonic corruption can do - you and I especially." Turalyon nodded at that; both he and Khadgar had fought alongside the Lion of Azeroth, Anduin Lothar. Khadgar had met Lothar during the First War, and both had battled the demonically-possessed Medivh in his tower of Karazhan late in that war. Turalyon had been Lothar's second-in-command, rallying the armies of Azeroth after Lothar was killed during the Battle of Blackrock Spire. He had seen some of the Horde's vilest troops for himself, including these so-called "death knights".

"Alleria's expertise will be required as well," Danath said. He glanced at the elven ranger. "Your scouting and intel gathering will be invaluable; we will need to find our way quickly and efficiently."

Turalyon was silent. He glanced at Alleria for a brief, brief moment, before saying, "We will need time to discuss this between us."

Khadgar nodded in understanding. "Of course."

Outside the meeting hall, Turalyon and Alleria were silent for a long moment. Finally, Alleria broke the silence. "This is very serious; Khadgar is not known for exaggerating. Our service is indeed necessary for this Expedition."

"We can't just leave him here," Turalyon said, his jaw clenched. "And we cannot take him with us. What can we do?"

"We can't refuse this for personal reasons, my love," Alleria said softly. "The Alliance needs us, and who are we to refuse the needs of the greater good?"

"I know..." Turalyon met her gaze evenly, then shook his head. "Still...what about our son, Alleria? We know full well that this will be dangerous, not only for us, but for our troops as well. It's bad enough he's lived the majority of his life without us already, with our constantly being on battlefields across the Eastern Kingdoms. What if he was forced to live without us..." He paused, swallowing hard. "Forever?"

The veteran ranger stroked Turalyon's cheek with one hand. "We will endure, Turalyon. Your people have endured this war for years. Mine..." She snorted. "King Anasterian could care less what happens to the Alliance now. He believes our debt to your people is repaid, now that Lord Lothar is dead." She looked into Turalyon's eyes when she spoke Lothar's name. She could still see the pain on his face as he relieved that moment in his head. "But I will stand with you. Now and forever."

"I take comfort in that," he said, and he meant it.

Alleria smiled at him. "Do not worry about our son, my love. He will be well-cared for. Even if we die, he will grow up knowing we served the Alliance. He can say that he is Arator, son of Turalyon and Alleria, who died giving their lives for the Alliance...rather than saying that he is the son of two soldiers who lost their nerve on the eve of battle."

Turalyon nodded at the truth of her words. "My conscience will not allow me to refuse...and neither will yours, I think." He chuckled. "So, should we accept?"

"I don't see how we have a choice. The soldiers of the Alliance have a war to fight, and it appears that we must lead them."

He kissed her, smiling as he did. "Where would I be without your wisdom?"

Alleria smiled at him. "You would probably do this anyway."

Turalyon chuckled. "Perhaps."

"Then let's go back in; Khadgar will probably want to leave for Nethergarde as soon as possible. Our decision is made...all we have to do now is tell them." Alleria smiled as he kissed her again. "And when we come home, we can raise our son in peace..."

Moments later, Turalyon and Alleria re-entered the room.

"Have ye come to yer decision, lad?" Kurdran asked.

Turalyon nodded. "Aye. We both have. Though we run the risk of leaving our son without his parents, our consciences prevent us from staying here while others die on far-away battlefields. We will accompany you, Khadgar - to put an end to this war once and for all."

Khadgar smiled beneath his thick, white beard. "Excellent! Now, we must travel to Nethergarde - Archbishop Faol has sent several of his colleagues, including one of his apprentices, to bless the troops before we depart. A ship is awaiting us in Southshore, to take us down into Azeroth; we'll be there in no time. Though I'll bet," he said, glancing at Kurdran with a smile as he said this, "that our esteemed dwarven friend will arrive before we do."

"Alas, Sky'ree's only got room fer one on her back - and yer lookin' at 'im!" Kurdran chuckled.

"Alright, then...it's decided." Danath held out his hand. "For Stromgarde."

Kurdran put his hand atop Danath's. "For the Aerie."

Khadgar did likewise. "For Dalaran."

Alleria followed suit. "For Quel'Thalas."

Turalyon topped it off. "For Lordaeron, and for Azeroth."

"We are the instrument of the Alliance's will," Khadgar intoned. "We and all who follow us are the heirs of the Lion of Azeroth, the greatest, bravest man we have ever known. We are the Sons of Lothar, and the Horde shall feel our vengeance."

The five raised their right fists into the air. "For the Alliance! For Lothar!"