Galen's army and the High Elf rangers moved swiftly, reaching the vicinity of Aerie Keep around noon.
The road was scarred and battered. Strictly speaking, from Dun Algaz onward, the land belonged to Galen.
However, the Orcs had rampaged across the territory, destroying farmland, burning villages, and felling forests. The fierce fighting between the Alliance and the Horde, coupled with the magical battles between Dalaran's mages and Gul'dan, had transformed the eastern side of the Southshore River into a wasteland. Only the land near the Wall of Thorns remained relatively untouched, protected by Stromgarde.
Lothar's initial strategy was to trap the Horde's landing force, using the Southshore River and the Wall of Thorns as natural barriers to the east and west, Durnholde Keep to the north, and the sea to the south. Even if the siege failed, it would delay the Orcish advance and blunt their momentum.
Once the Orcs were exhausted, low on supplies, and weary, Lothar planned to divide them and engage them in a decisive battle with human heavy cavalry.
However, the Horde's Warchief, Orgrim, was a formidable opponent. He concentrated his superior forces, broke through Durnholde Keep's northern defenses, and entered the Hinterlands, effectively freeing a tiger into the mountains.
The Alliance's situation could have been better. The current stalemate was largely due to Galen's calculated inaction, as he withheld most of his strength.
He deployed ten legions as the main force, with over ten thousand reserves to replenish their losses. Lothar believed Stromgarde was fully committed to the war, but in reality, Thoras' army had not moved.
Galen believed his approach was correct. His priority was Stromgarde's protection. He considered the territories of other nations to be their own concern.
Moreover, Galen knew the Alliance's resources far outweighed the Horde's. The Horde's forces were incomplete, and the Alliance would eventually gain the upper hand. The longer the stalemate, the more the Alliance's potential would be realized.
Many short-sighted nobles, however, were terrified by the Orcs, focusing on their initial momentum without considering their lack of long-term sustainability.
Galen held firm at the Wall of Thorns, repelling repeated Orcish assaults. He observed the escalating conflict between the Alliance and the Horde, watching as the main forces of each nation clashed with the Orcs. After suffering initial losses, they were now fully alert and prepared.
Even so, only Stormwind, Kul Tiras, and Stromgarde had declared total war, and Stromgarde's declaration was mostly a formality.
Galen reasoned that only by allowing the Orcs to ravage the Hillsbrad region could he easily acquire land, recruit refugees, and expand his territory.
He was open about his intentions with his father. Thoras silently observed Galen's actions, confident that he would witness Stromgarde's resurgence in his lifetime.
"Chirp!"
"Chirp!"
A loud gryphon cry echoed from the mountain path ahead.
Galen waved his hand, and the army halted. This display of strict obedience surprised Sylvanas.
More than twenty gryphons landed, and the gryphon knight captain, Thor, approached with a Bronzebeard dwarf.
"Noble human prince, I am Falstad, captain of the guard of Kurdran Wildhammer, High Thane of Aerie Peak!"
"I am sent by the High Thane to request the Alliance's aid in defeating the Orcs and trolls besieging Aerie Peak. We Wildhammer dwarves are willing to join the Alliance and fight alongside you!"
The dwarves were pragmatic. Their previous rejection of the Alliance was quickly forgotten. Their distrust stemmed from the War of the Three Hammers, where they suffered at the hands of their kin.
"Sylvanas, I'll leave the infantry to you. I'll lead the knights in the first charge!" Galen declared.
In this urgent situation, Galen wasted no time. Despite the treacherous terrain, three thousand charging high-ranking knights would be sufficient. Besides, the area ahead was inhabited by dwarves, so there shouldn't be too many obstacles.
"Don't worry, Galen. I will lead the rest of the troops to follow closely behind!" Sylvanas assured him. As a ranger-general, she was a reliable commander, and Galen trusted her implicitly.
"Arliden! Take the knights and follow me!"
"Giddy up!"
With a shout, Galen cracked his whip and charged forward, followed by the paladin guard and three thousand high-ranking knights.
Within minutes, Galen and his men entered the mountain pass connecting the Hinterlands and the Hillsbrad region, leaving a cloud of dust in their wake.
Aerie Peak.
"By the ancestors! There are too many of them! Like fleas!" Kurdran cursed, surveying the densely packed Orcish and trollish forces.
Despite the slim odds, Kurdran remained defiant. The young Wildhammer warriors around him were filled with righteous fury.
"Wildhammers, attack!"
Kurdran blew the charge horn and mounted his gryphon, Sky'ree. With a sharp cry, Sky'ree ascended, then dove towards the enemy with Kurdran on its back.
The gryphons and their riders plunged downwards, the Wildhammer dwarves gripping their gryphon's reins in one hand and their Stormhammers in the other.
They hurled their Stormhammers, not at the Orcs and trolls huddled in the forest, but at the crowns of the trees. The warhammers struck the trees, causing a shower of leaves, berries, and pine needles to rain down on the enemy.
The Stormhammers arced back into the dwarves' hands, ready to be thrown again at the next tree.
The forest's thick, towering trees, laden with fruit and pine needles, became a natural catapult, bombarding the Orcs and trolls.
Driven from their cover by the falling debris, the Orcs were met with a hail of Stormhammers. Kurdran, diving from above, threw a lightning-infused hammer that shattered an Orc's jaw, killing him instantly.
"Hahaha! Die, you ugly green skins! You don't deserve to set foot in our forest!" Kurdran roared, catching his returning hammer and throwing it again, felling another Orc.
The Wildhammers used hit-and-run tactics, gaining altitude and escaping the range of the Orcish javelins before the enemy could retaliate.