"So, does that mean Grim Batol's defenses are currently at their weakest?" Durotan, who had been silent, finally spoke. With him and Medivh joining the discussion, the meeting truly began.
"That's correct. Orgrim has deployed all trained red dragons, including the adult ones, to attack Quel'Thalas," Galen confirmed.
Hearing Orgrim's name from Galen, Durotan's expression shifted. The King's Altar of the Heart of Origin had forcibly changed his allegiance, but not his memories or intelligence. Durotan still cared about Orgrim.
However, they were now enemies, and Durotan's loyalty was to Galen. The fact that he and his wife could become spirit heroes after being assassinated by Gul'dan and continue to observe him was already a fortunate outcome.
"Then I suggest we gather our forces and besiege the city directly. I've seen the Dragonmaw clan warriors; they are ineffective without their flying mounts," Durotan asserted.
Twenty thousand Dragonmaw warriors were insignificant, he claimed. Five thousand Frostwolf warriors could handle them. Unfortunately, the Frostwolf clan endured the harsh cold in the Alterac Mountains. Galen had deemed it the wrong time to deploy them, and Durotan had to be patient.
"With the elite Scarlet Flame Legion and Tide of Fury Legion, along with a Gryphon Rider squadron, we can definitely take Grim Batol!"
Durotan concluded. Everyone agreed; he was considered the most experienced general present.
However, Galen had to proceed cautiously. A powerful mastermind was behind the enslavement of the Red Dragon Queen, and Galen needed to be fully prepared.
"Garona, are there any goblins among the Dragonmaw clan?" Galen asked, turning to the leader of the Root.
"Yes, a small, green-skinned creature acts as Nekros's advisor," Garona confirmed.
Galen's suspicion was correct. Nekros, a mediocre warlock, couldn't have used the Dragon Soul to subdue Alexstrasza without assistance. Deathwing was manipulating everything.
The goblin advisor, Krel, was Deathwing's means of controlling Nekros and, indirectly, the Dragonmaw clan.
"This goblin is a pawn of the former Dragon Aspect, the Black Dragon King, Neltharion!"
The orc spirit heroes remained calm, but Medivh was visibly shaken!
As a former Guardian, Medivh possessed extensive knowledge of Azeroth's secrets. He had dealt with the five Dragonflights and even slain dragons!
Even after his fall and transformation into Deathwing, the Black Dragon King's power was immense, surpassing that of ordinary demigods. Medivh was confident he could escape Deathwing, but defeating him was impossible.
"To defeat Neltharion, we need the other Dragon Aspects to intervene!" Medivh stated. At least two or three would have to combine their strength. The black dragon was the strongest combatant among all dragons.
"If the Dragon Aspects get involved, will we still have a chance to seize the Dragon Soul? That's far more difficult than stealing food from a tiger's mouth," Galen countered. He didn't want to involve the other dragon guardians. It would be nearly impossible to steal the artifact under their watch.
Currently, the King's Summoning only granted him late-stage Legend-rank strength. He could, at best, match Gul'dan and Medivh, but facing Deathwing required a team of Legends!
However, there was a potential solution. It was early April, and the Heart of Origin's population had grown from 880,000 to 950,000 in three months!
By building more town halls and barracks and fully training farmers, foot soldiers, and musketeers, he could reach a million citizens within two days, allowing him to upgrade to a level four royal palace!
That would grant him demigod-level strength. Even the weakest demigod could contend with Deathwing for a time. Once he had the Dragon Soul, he could teleport away. Galen doubted Deathwing could outrun a flash of white light.
Having decided, Galen refined his plan.
"We will unite with the Wildhammer dwarves of the Hinterlands and retake Grim Batol in their name. Transfer the Gryphon Squad back to join the Wildhammer air force." Galen habitually sought a scapegoat.
"The ground forces, including the Scarlet Flame Legion and Tidefury Legion, will act in concert. The Gale Legion and Thunder Legion will rotate to garrison the Dan Modr fortress." The Arathi Highlands must remain secure. It would be ironic to lose his own territory to the Thunder King clan while trying to seize the Dragonmaw's base.
"Gandalf, you will manage the rotations. Durin, contact the Wildhammer dwarf tribes in the Hinterlands." The ever-helpful Gandalf was put to work. The capable ones work harder. Mana could be restored, and Return Scrolls cost 350 gold each. Galen could afford it.
"Gandalf, try to contact Aegwynn of Karazhan and invite her to join us. The legion will attack head-on to draw the orcs' attention, while an elite squad infiltrates to seize the Dragon Soul!"
The plan was straightforward, relying on overwhelming force and individual power.
With both, the plan was feasible. The legion would handle the Dragonmaw clan, and the elite squad would deal with Deathwing!
The group then refined the details, such as the elite squad's need for effective disguises and a scapegoat to avoid Deathwing's future retaliation. I can't afford to have Deathwing destroy my bases. I can't build hundreds of arrow towers at each one! My economy would collapse!
Galen decided the Wildhammer couldn't bear that burden.
"Medivh, do you speak Draconic?"
"A little," Medivh replied.
Galen considered this modesty. What kind of Guardian wouldn't know Draconic?
"Write a message in Draconic, claiming Deathwing has learned of the Red Dragon Queen's location and is approaching Grim Batol. Send it to Tyranastrasz, the eldest red dragon consort, and let him take the heat for us!"
Galen, full of cunning schemes, was truly resourceful!