Night fell, and a grim atmosphere settled over the Farstrider camp. Galen's knights, infantry, Farstrider rangers, and Kurdran's griffons were ready to depart.
The Flamewing Legion was excluded, denied any chance of earning battle merits due to their lack of orders.
Sylvanas and Alleria's Farstrider forces had already integrated into the Alliance's order of battle, deployable by senior Alliance generals like Galen.
However, the Flamewing Legion remained a High Elf legion, independent of the Alliance and answering only to their nation's marshal. Unfortunately, the Flamewing and Flameblade Legion commanders were at odds with Kael'thas, leaving them sidelined, unable to gain recognition, and vulnerable to blame.
"Depart!" Galen ordered from his warhorse. He disliked riding; the rough ride through the forest to rescue the Sun Sanctum had nearly shaken him apart.
Could you believe a legendary prince wasn't proficient in horsemanship?
No one would!
Galen could only remain silent. Is there a necessary connection between horsemanship and strength?
In this world, basic horsemanship cost 20 gold at level 40, and a mount cost 100 gold. At level 60, intermediate horsemanship and a 1,000-gold horse were required.
With enough money, advanced or expert horsemanship, even flying mounts, were readily available.
The Holy Knights and High Knights received their horsemanship knowledge, starting at the advanced level, directly from the Origin Heart. Galen had received nothing.
In reality, horsemanship requires practice, and I've been confined to the palace since childhood. Just being able to ride is a result of squeezing time from my busy schedule. You expect me to be proficient in all terrains?
The Vilebranch Troll territory was divided into the higher-elevation settlement of Zeb'Tela and the fortress of Brennwa at the mountain's base, where most of the tribe's warriors were concentrated.
Brennwa Fortress, once an outer defense for Zul'Aman, was naturally fortified. However, it had become dilapidated after centuries of evolution and wars with the High Elves.
Commander Vorne had suffered heavy losses in trolls and ogres in a recent defeat. He deserved severe punishment, but the Vilebranch Chieftain protected him. Zul'jin was preoccupied with his feud with Zul'Gurub over Orgrim's departure, leaving him little time for this matter. Consequently, Vorne was quietly recovering.
Because the Farstrider camp hadn't attacked, the Vilebranch tribe felt secure. With Overseer Vorne confined, the Vilebranch Chieftain only assigned routine patrols, neglecting wartime readiness.
Galen's army appeared three kilometers north of Zeb'Tela. Sylvanas's elite rangers had assassinated all troll sentries along the way.
Forest trolls are skilled forest fighters, but rangers are even better.
Poof!
As Sylvanas shot the last Vilebranch troll in a treetop, Galen signaled for the High Knights to move into charging range.
The knights wrapped cotton cloth around their horses' hooves, a standard tactic for surprise attacks that had proven effective against the Bristlebacks.
The cotton muffled the sound of the three-kilometer charge, ensuring the horses' approach wouldn't be heard beyond a kilometer. Of course, this wouldn't work if the trolls used something like buried war drums to detect movement.
But they don't!
In Azeroth, scouting relied heavily on spellcasters, like shamanistic detection. However, these spellcasters were among the trolls' middle and upper ranks and were often lazy, giving Galen an advantage.
"Our mission is to capture the Vilebranch tribe's fortress, injuring or killing only the troll warriors. We will attempt to capture the other troll women and children," Galen instructed the Farstrider commanders.
Galen's knights and infantry were completely obedient. He feared the High Elf rangers might become bloodthirsty, driven by their ancient hatred of trolls.
"Understood! The rangers know you need the troll captives and will follow your orders!" Sylvanas assured him.
Alleria was somewhat helpless. Galen's prestige among the Farstriders was nearly equal to her own.
"Are you ready?"
"We're ready. You go first; we'll support you from behind!"
"Knights! Charge!"
Galen led three thousand High Knights and over three hundred paladin guards, accelerating towards the Vilebranch fortress.
It was past midnight. Inside the fortress, only a small patrol was active; most others were asleep.
Galen felt like he was bullying them. The difference in willpower, equipment, and organization was vast. The Vilebranch patrol only noticed Galen's force when they were a kilometer away.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!" the patrol warned, turning the quiet fortress into chaos. But it was too late. The charging knights, though slower in the forest than on open plains, were still swift enough to breach the flimsy fence and storm the fortress.
The Crusader's Aura enhanced the knights' speed. They scattered a Vilebranch patrol and trampled them.
No troll, not even a Wolverine, could survive being trampled by three thousand men and horses.
The knights knocked away trolls emerging from the wooden houses. Those within reach were shot, while those sent flying were allowed to land and recover. Galen's goal was simple: to overrun the fortress!
The knights threw lit torches into the surrounding wooden houses. After Galen's initial charge, the southern part of Zeb'Tela Fortress was ablaze!
The burning houses lit the sky in fiery red, and the trolls scattered, seeking shelter.
Sylvanas and the others arrived at the fortress's edge. Mike led the infantry and musketeers into the fortress.
The Farstriders occupied high ground and began sniping the resisting forces inside!