The skin color of Durotan and Draka's son, Go'el, the newborn orc, shocked Orgrim.
Green!
Orgrim had long suspected the nature of the substance Gul'dan coerced the orc warriors to consume, but he hadn't realized the fel energy's corrupting power was so potent. Durotan and Draka hadn't drunk the demon blood, yet their child was tainted in the womb!
The orcs were originally brave, martial, and traditional, but not mindless or unintelligent. However, after consuming the demon blood, under Gul'dan's influence, they became obsessed with slaughter, belligerent, easily angered, and fought like berserkers. Orgrim had hoped to prevent Gul'dan from corrupting the next generation, but it was already too late: the next generation was destined to be green orcs!
"Gul'dan has ruined the future of the orcs!" Orgrim roared.
"Durotan, Draka, you must leave the Swamp of Sorrows. It's too dangerous here, with the Shadow Council lurking. Gul'dan's influence is too strong; I can't challenge him yet. The Warchief listens to him completely. I must find a way to expose Gul'dan's treachery!"
Orgrim lamented that the orcs' homeland, Draenor, was doomed, forcing his people to follow Gul'dan from their homes to find a new world. He also regretted the countless atrocities committed against the draenei.
Orgrim knew he couldn't let anger cloud his judgment. He had to find an opportunity to overthrow Gul'dan.
He arranged for his personal guard to escort Durotan and his wife out of the Swamp of Sorrows via the Mistvale to the northeast, while he returned alone to the orc base camp in the Blasted Lands.
**********************
"Those two brown-skinned orcs are certainly expressive, don't you think, Gandalf?"
Galen, using his modified engineering telescope, observed Orgrim and Durotan's meeting. The two legendary orcs alternated between fury and despair. Though he couldn't hear their words, Galen found it entertaining.
"Stop fooling around, Galen. That orc has left, and these three are in danger."
Galen glanced at Gandalf, surprised. He knew from his past life that Orgrim's guard was a Shadow Council spy, leading to Durotan and his wife's assassination. How did Gandalf know?
Sensing Galen's question, Gandalf explained, "I felt a dark presence following them."
"Is a mage's perception that strong? If I had your power, I wouldn't have been ambushed by centaurs last night!" Galen thought, annoyed.
"Let's go," he said aloud. "We'll follow them discreetly."
This was a pivotal moment. The Shadow Council's assassination of Durotan and his wife, who had consistently opposed Gul'dan, would prompt Orgrim to launch his rebellion, kill Warchief Blackhand in a duel, and purge the Shadow Council.
Galen didn't want to miss it.
"Who's there!" Gandalf suddenly shouted at a nearby hill.
Galen and his three rogue bodyguards tensed, breaking into a cold sweat. "Master Gandalf! You said you could sense enemies from afar, but you only noticed someone behind us now! I thought you were amazing!"
Gandalf stared at the hill. After a moment, a small figure emerged from the shadows. It was a gnome. She said, in a self-deprecating tone, "Oops, I didn't expect to be discovered! Don't worry, I'm not with the orcs!"
"A gnome? One of us?" Gandalf asked, puzzled. In his two years with Galen, he had learned about the human factions and knew of the dwarves and gnomes in Dun Morogh. However, he had only encountered the Wildhammer dwarves. The Alliance of Lordaeron had not yet formed, and inter-racial communication was limited. Gandalf had never seen a gnome in the mountains.
"Yes, I'm from Gnomeregan, and I'm a priest."
While Gandalf was confused, Galen knew exactly who she was. "Let's see what happens."
'White priest robes, white hair tied in two buns... If I didn't recognize you, I would have wasted those points. A gnome? I believe you, you old rascal! Have you ever seen a gnome who's tens of thousands of years old? The kind that can transform, poof, into a bronze dragon! If I wasn't so knowledgeable, I might have fallen for it. That hateful Chromie, that bronze dragon workaholic!'
Other dragons like to disguise themselves as handsome men or beautiful women among the night elves and high elves, or at least as humans like that blue dragon. But Chromie, the source of all evil, prefers to appear as a young gnome. How can a dragon that old be so shameless?
Despite his internal complaints, Galen maintained a neutral expression.
"Don't panic! I'm the Prince of Stromgarde; I'm innocent." He had already established his cover story. All well-informed nobles knew he had only shown his extraordinary talent after becoming Gandalf's disciple. "If there's trouble, blame Gandalf."
Galen had considered the possibility of the bronze dragons investigating. If the bronze dragon king Nozdormu himself appeared, he would confess and seek leniency. Nozdormu, with his understanding of the timeline, might be willing to negotiate. After all, they shared a common enemy: the Burning Legion.
If it were lesser bronze dragons, Galen was less concerned. His level 3 castle unlocked King's Summoning, allowing him to summon legendary-level allies. He could handle anything below demigod level, including Chromie. He would deny everything and return home for the New Year.
"Just act normal," he told himself.
"Hello, Miss Gnome. I'm Galen of Stromgarde!"
"Hello, Galen. My name is Chromie. I've heard of you, the Prince of Stromgarde!"
"Ah, hello, Miss Chromie. Am I that famous?"
"Yes, you're one of the twin stars of the Stromgarde Kingdom, the youngest Duke of Tol Barad. You're well-known in the human kingdoms and even Ironforge!"
"She's been investigating me," Galen realized. "But my bases east of Arathi haven't been compromised, so she shouldn't have seen anything."
Galen trusted the Heart of Origin. The arrow towers and Tower of Mysteries around his bases had magic sentry technology, capable of detecting invisible units. The barracks of Minas Tirith and the Sanctum of Mysteries were within these defenses, designated as military zones. Galen was confident he could conceal the secret of those buildings' ability to train soldiers.
His bases had minimal external communication, and the Arathi populace hadn't noticed the population surge. Galen had also transferred most of his legions to Kalimdor, leaving only five in the Eastern Kingdoms, scattered across a dozen bases along the eastern coast.
Since Chromie wanted to play a role, Galen decided to play along. He felt his inner actor awakening.
"Thank you, Chromie. We're investigating orc movements and need to move quickly." He had to keep track of Durotan and his wife. They were more important than acting with Chromie.
"I'm also investigating these dark creatures. Let's go together!"
Galen was speechless. "She needs to be more convincing! A priest scouting for enemies?"
Galen didn't refuse. He, the three rogue agents, and Chromie followed Durotan and his wife from a distance.
For two days, the Shadow Council hadn't attacked. Galen guessed they would act that night, as Durotan and his wife would soon leave the Swamp of Sorrows.
Mistvale, a valley in the northwest of the Swamp of Sorrows, led to the Redridge Mountains to the north and Deadwind Pass near Karazhan and Elwynn Forest to the west. Galen suspected the Shadow Council would strike soon. If Durotan and his wife reached human territory, it would complicate matters.
As expected, at midnight, the Shadow Council assassins quietly approached the cave where Durotan and his wife were staying.
Galen and his group watched from a distance.
He had considered saving Durotan and his wife, as they opposed Gul'dan.
"But," he reasoned, "the orcs, regardless of Gul'dan's evil, came to Azeroth to take land. Even if Orgrim's rebellion succeeds, Durotan, as his friend, might lead the Frostwolf Clan back to the Horde, creating another enemy for the Alliance."
Besides, Chromie was watching. He couldn't tamper with history under the gaze of a bronze dragon.
Galen decided to observe, collect the heroic spirits of Durotan and Draka, and try to rescue young Go'el.
"Durotan's family wiped out in one fell swoop! Beautiful! Thanks to the Shadow Council for the gift!"
Bang! Bang!
Two orcs in black leather armor flew out of the cave, landing nearby and coughing up blood and pieces of their internal organs. They were dead.
Durotan emerged from the cave, holding a torch, followed by Orgrim's guards and Draka, carrying the child. Two huge Frost Wolves snarled, guarding them.
The Shadow Council assassins revealed themselves and surrounded the group. Galen recognized their leader: Teron Gorefiend, Gul'dan's apprentice, whom Medivh had thwarted in the Swamp of Sorrows. Galen had wanted his head, but he had escaped.
"Enemies meeting is always a pleasure!"
Durotan gripped his massive battleaxe, his arms bulging with veins, ready to fight.
Draka held two hand axes, carrying the child on her chest. Orgrim's guards held their battleaxes, but their eyes darted nervously.
A battle was about to begin. Teron Gorefiend chanted a spell under his hood.
Durotan tensed. He knew the warlocks' strange powers. Some shamans in the Frostwolf Clan, like Drek'Thar, had become warlocks.
"He can't be allowed to cast!" Durotan thought, and was about to charge when he felt a sharp pain in his back. He turned and saw Orgrim's guard, his battleaxe stained with blood, taking a step back.
"Traitor!" Durotan roared. He believed Orgrim wouldn't betray him. The guard must have turned to Gul'dan!
"Durotan!" Draka was stunned. She rushed to her husband.
The Frost Wolves snarled. One guarded Durotan and Draka, while the other lunged at the traitor!
"Go!" Durotan, ignoring the pain, pushed his wife and child onto the nearby Frost Wolf.
The Shadow Council assassins seized the opportunity and attacked.
"For Go'el! Survive!" Durotan patted the Frost Wolf, then charged to intercept the assassins!
Draka, also a warrior, glanced sadly at her husband and rode the Frost Wolf in the opposite direction.
Two Shadow Council members followed, chasing Draka.
"What an exciting scene!" Gandalf remarked, noticing Chromie's gleeful expression.
"Wonderful!" Galen agreed, smiling at Chromie.
"Team Seven, follow that female orc. Don't interfere, just keep her in sight!" Galen ordered. The three rogue agents vanished.
At the cave entrance, Durotan fought desperately. His back wound widened, and blood soaked the ground.
His Frost Wolf lay dead, a battleaxe in its belly. The traitor was also dead, his neck torn open by the Frost Wolf's teeth.
"Nightstalker!" Durotan cried, his eyes bloodshot.
He activated Blood Fury, exchanging a huge price for immense power.
His wolf's death enraged him.
He was ready to die fighting!