As Anub’rekhan made his way through the small town of Hillsbrad—which had been converted into an Alliance stronghold—he felt a hint of wonder at how little attention the humans were paying him.

He was not sure whether they were an abnormally adaptable species, or if they simply had more important things to worry about than him. Although a quick glance at the exhausted soldiers going about their business throughout the camp made him feel as if the latter explanation was far more likely.

It had only been a few days since the Horde had made landfall in the Hillsbrad Foothills and begun swarming over it like starving skitterers. Battle had been constant ever since, with heavy casualties beginning to pile up on both sides, although the Alliance was almost certainly better off thanks to the many beasts that they had bought from Azjol-Nerub.

The Arachnathids proved to be capable of serving effectively as infantry, while also being able to deliver devastating ambushes. Flyers served as effective scouts that allowed the Alliance to have an extremely clear understanding of enemy movements. The Alliance was undoubtedly in a much better position than it would have been without Azjol-Nerub’s assistance.

However, It seemed like there was not a single moment where something was not happening in this war, and exhaustion was starting to settle in among the human leadership.

Not only that, but the Alliance navy had suffered incredible losses due to the Horde deploying undead dragons of all things. When Anub’rekhan had first heard about that, his estimation of the threat that the Horde posed increased significantly, although he had decided to reserve his judgment until he heard a full accounting of what had happened out at sea. Due to the extreme chaos that had been taking place over the past few days and the fact that the Alliance navy was unable to dock in the Hillsbrad Foothills, they had been mostly left in the dark.

However, that was finally about to change, which was why Anub’rekhan was currently making his way to the noble manor in which the human officers currently resided.

The war between the Alliance and the Horde was proving itself to be a horrible and gruesome affair that surpassed any of Anub’rekhan’s expectations… and he had never felt more alive.

Unlike many Spiderlords, who had been trained to hold important positions of leadership, Anub’rekhan had been trained primarily to be a weapon that could be turned against the enemies of his kingdom.

Yet despite this, Azjol-Nerub had been at peace for over ten thousand years, and Anub’rekhan had never been given the chance to fulfill his true purpose. He had of course been trained in a wide variety of topics so that Anub’rekhan could be useful to the kingdom outside of war, but a part of him had always yearned to see a battlefield, and now he finally had the opportunity.

Anub’rekhan was pulled away from his thoughts as he was suddenly forced to stop moving when a priest brazenly walked through his path. He turned to watch the human and felt a little of his good mood diminish as he caught sight of the medical tent in which the Alliance was keeping most of their wounded. The priest continued to ignore everything in her path as she rushed into the tent.

How annoying…

Ever since Anub’rekhan had begun learning how to channel the Light, he had started to notice that he was feeling… uncharacteristic bouts of compassion.

It was not as if compassion and sympathy were completely foreign sensations to Anub’rekhan, but it was not an emotion that was typically rewarded in Azjol-Nerub. His compassion was typically reserved for his subordinates, and he generally only acted on it when it was safe for him to do so. Anub’rekhan had known there was a good chance that the Light would begin affecting his thoughts as he started using it more and more. It was a fairly obvious possibility when almost every other kind of magic left an effect on those who wielded them.

It was not something that particularly bothered him. Everyone with sense understood that power came with a price, and a greater degree of sympathy was not the worst price to pay.

Still, it was a strange thing for him to experience…

Anub’rekhan’s attention was caught by a young human that was curling up in pain as he waited outside of the medical tent. If someone had told him a few months ago that he would be looking at the sight of an injured human and feel anything aside from apathy, then he would not even have bothered to laugh at such an absurd thought.

Yet here he was, walking toward a creature that he would not have given a second thought a few months ago.

“Human, what injuries have you sustained?” asked Anub’rekhan as he towered over the groaning soldier.

Anub’rekhan could hear the human’s heartbeat quicken as he looked up to look at the Spiderlord looming over him. Fortunately, or unfortunately, he was soon distracted from his fear by the pain of his injuries.

“One of the damned greenskins took a hammer to my side,” the human said through clenched teeth. “The bastard smashed in my armor, broke my ribs, and messed up my insides. Healers say it ain’t fatal, but it damn sure feels like I’m dying.”

Anub’rekhan hummed in interest as he considered the human before speaking again, “Risking one's life to protect your people is something that I find worthy of respect, human. I am not able to completely heal your injuries, but I am able to ease your pain. Will you allow me to do so?”

The human looked up at Anub’rekhan with surprise and suspicion, but his pain proved to be greater than his mistrust because he gave the Spiderlord a short nod after a few moments.

Seeing no reason to delay, Anub’rekhan did not hesitate to put the end of his scythe-like arms against the human's chest. Channeling the Light had gradually grown easier for him with dedicated practice, and he had reached the point where it responded nearly as soon as he called for it.

Anub’rekhan felt a soft thread of power flow through his arm and into the human. Healing complex injuries was far beyond his current capabilities, but easing pain in a person was as simple as channeling the Light and wishing for it to be done.

After a few moments, the human visibly sagged in relief and offered Anub’rekhan a grateful smile.

“Thanks for that. It would’ve been ages before the healers managed to see me. Too many people here who need help more than I do.”

“Your gratitude is unnecessary,” said Anub’rekhan, feeling vaguely uncomfortable by the human’s genuine gratitude. Seeing no reason to stay, he turned to leave and continue to his destination, only to be stopped by a familiar voice.

“Your bedside manner could use some work, big guy.”

Anub’rekhan looked down and was surprised to see a small pink-haired gnome staring up at him, especially one that he recognized. It was a rare thing for someone to successfully sneak up on him, but he had subconsciously dismissed the gnome’s tiny heartbeat as belonging to the local wildlife.

Although he had not seen much of Trixie Tinkwrench since his arrival to Capital City, the gnome had made enough of an impression that Anub’rekhan had not forgotten her. That impression was mostly due to the fact that she was the smallest sapient creature that he had ever met, even more so than skitterers and flyers, but she also managed to impress him with her Shrink Ray.

“Trixie Tinkwrench, I am surprised to see you here,” Anub’rekhan said honestly. “Were you not working alongside Gnomeregan’s representatives in Capital City? What business do you have here?”

“Ugh, I forgot how big you were. I’m going to hurt myself looking up at you like this,” Trixie said with a groan as she strained her neck to look fully up at him. “As for why I’m here and not in Capital City, there’s no need for me to be there anymore. My skills can be better used here than over there.”

“Oh? How so?” Anub’rekhan asked curiously.

“Well, I’m not exactly a diplomat, and I don’t have any fancy family connections like Malzie,” Trixie explained. “Once I told them everything I knew about you spiderfolk, there wasn’t much for me to do there that Malzie couldn’t do by himself. I’ve always been an explorer and a warrior, an embassy isn’t any kind of place for someone like me.”

“I see. Then you’ve come here to fight the Horde?”

“Of course,” said Trixie, looking at him as if the answer was obvious. “How could I live with myself if I just sat back in Capital City while everyone else is off fighting and dying?” Trixie looked away from him, her expression growing haunted. “Especially when the Horde is still trying to besiege Gnomeregan as we speak. If I had any doubt that the Horde is filled with monsters, they disappeared once the first refugees from Khaz Modan started coming in.”

Anub’rekhan barely held back an annoyed groan as he was assaulted by another uncharacteristic bout of sympathy.

How troublesome…

Anub’rekhan couldn’t help but feel a growing respect for the gnome. He had been raised from birth to become a powerful weapon that could effectively protect his people, so he held a favorable opinion toward anyone who was willing to risk their life to do the same. That was compounded by the fact that the gnome was willing to leave a comfortable position in Capital City to confront enemies that could likely slay her in a single hit.

Although Anub’rekhan had not yet faced the Horde himself, he had already managed to see an orc firsthand. The creatures were both larger and stronger than humans and were much stronger than gnomes.

“Why are you so willing to face the Horde?” asked Anub’rekhan, curious to hear the gnome's answer. “You are small and weak. Any orc would be a difficult foe for you to face, much less an ogre.”

He expected the gnome to be insulted by his question, but Trixie merely scoffed before replying, “Not all of us can be twenty-foot-tall behemoths. I’ve been small my entire life, but I’m more than able to hold my own. There’s a good reason that the Horde still hasn’t taken Gnomeregan, so you better not underestimate gnomes, big guy.”

Anub’rekhan listened closely to the gnome’s heart and decided that her confidence was genuine. How interesting.

“I look forward to watching you prove yourself, Trixie Tinkwrench,” said Anub’rekhan nodding toward the gnome.

“You’ll probably get the chance if what I heard was true. I’ve been told that you were going to head to the battlefield yourself. When’s that going to happen?” asked Trixie, her tone growing excited. “I’d love to watch you tear through the orcs with those giant scythe hands of yours.”

“The Alliance wishes to wait until the Horde sends their undead dragons,” said Anub’rekhan. He had never faced a dragon himself, so he was looking forward to it. Perhaps he would even be able to capture one of the Death Knights that were responsible for making the creatures.

The knowledge of how the Horde was able to accomplish this would be extremely valuable.

The two of them spoke about many matters related to the ongoing war before Anub’rekhan realized that he was going to be late if he stayed much longer. He was only slightly surprised to find the gnome following him as he began making his way to the local human lord’s manor.

“Where are we going?” Trixie asked curiously as she jogged at a light pace to keep up with his long strides.

“The Alliance navy has sent someone to inform the Supreme Commander of the events that happened out at sea,” said Anub’rekhan, not bothering to slow down. He was a bit surprised that the gnome was insisting on following him, but he found that he did not mind Trixie’s presence. “The Horde fared surprisingly well due to their undead dragons, and I wish to listen to their conversation. What they have to say potentially have significant implications for the future of this war.”

“How are you planning on actually hearing what they have to say?” asked Trixie, audibly confused. “You’re way too big to fit into the manor. I’m afraid there aren’t any super-powerful wizards around to bend space for you.” With that, Trixie seemed to have an idea before she looked up at him with excitement. “Do you want to borrow my Shrink Ray? You’ll still be huge, but you might be able to fit.”

“I have an extremely sharp sense of hearing,” Anub’rekhan admitted easily. He had already informed the Supreme Commander about some of his capabilities, though he kept much to himself. As long the Alliance did not know exactly how sharp his hearing was, then there was little need to keep it a secret. “I will be able to hear their conversation clearly from outside of the manor.”

In truth, Anub’rekhan could have simply asked for one of the paladins that he was acquainted with to share the information with him, but he preferred to hear the information firsthand.

Trixie’s jaw dropped open at that information. After a moment she seemed to collect herself and began drowning Anub’rekhan in a deluge of questions. “That’s amazing! How is that possible? Is it a magical artifact? No, it’s probably biological. Do you have special sensory organs somewhere in your body? Can you see really far as well? Can all Spiderlords hear that well or did your Queens make you extra special?”

“I can see about as far as any other nerubians, although my field of vision is likely better than yours, and I am indeed ‘extra special,’” Anub’rekhan said smugly.

The gnome continued to ask questions about him and his biology, but Anub’rekhan was unable to answer much of what she asked, either because he did not know or he was not permitted to say.

The questions only stopped once they reached their destination and Anub’rekhan realized that the humans were already speaking about the naval battle. A few of the guards glared at him with suspicion, but Anub’rekhan ignored them as he felt no need to hide his actions.

After bidding his gnome companion be quiet, Anub’rehkan turned his focus to the human officers and settled in to listen.

“—ragon was about to light us all on fire when a lucky shot managed to shatter its lower jaw. After that, the damned abomination and the Death Knight landed on our ship and started tearing the crew apart.”

Anub’rekhan could hear a thick layer of emotion in the human’s voice. They must have brought a member of the ship’s crew to give their direct testimony.

“Feel free to take a moment if you need to, Petty Officer Penney,” came the calm voice of Uther. “There is nothing so urgent that we cannot wait.”

“Paladin Uther is correct,” said Supreme Commander Lothar.

“With all due respect, I want to get this over with, Supreme Commander,” said the Petty Officer.

“Very well. What happened after the dragon landed on the Tidemother’s Vengeance? I find it difficult to imagine how you fought off such a dreadful creature, yet the ship managed to return to port,” said Lothar.

“Well, the wicked creature didn’t hesitate to start tearing us to pieces, you’re right about that. But it couldn’t breathe its fire, and it was slow and clumsy. After a bit, some of the other ships in the fleet started firing on it with their cannons. Sent the bastard running away real quick once one of its ribs was blown to bits.”

“Yet this left the Death Knight still on the ship, didn’t it? The one that injured Grand Admiral Proudemoore so grievously?” asked Uther, his voice filled with concern.

“Yes… the monster called itself Teron Gorefiend. I’ll be honest, I think that thing was more dangerous than the dragon it rode in on. Only man who could stand against it was the Captain, anyone else who got close just got cut down and turned into an undead.”

“Please tell us what the fight between Grand Admiral Proudemoore and this Death Knight looked like,” said Lothar, sounding focused.

Anub’rekhan couldn’t help but nod in approval. Gathering information on the capabilities of an enemy as important as the Death Knights was a high priority.

“Well, the two of them were both really fast, and skilled with the blade. I’d say the Captain was more skilled because kept managing to get past the monster’s guard and carve into him, sir.”

“How well did the Death Knight’s equipment manage to hold up to the Grand Admiral’s saber?” asked Uther. “I’ve heard tales that the Proudmoores pass down a powerful enchanted blade through their family.”

“Aye. You’re talking about Tidebringer,” said the Petty Officer, sounding awed at the mere mention of the blade. “I’ve seen that saber cut through steel armor as if it wasn’t even there, but the Death Knight’s blade managed to stand up to it. His armor didn’t fare too well though.”

Hmm… how strange.

Anub’rekhan wondered how the Horde was able to create magical weapons capable of withstanding blows from this so-called Tidebringer. The Horde’s strange magic truly could not be underestimated.

“If that’s the case, then why was the Grand Admiral harmed so grievously if he was both more skilled and better equipped?” questioned Uther.

“It’s hard to say for sure, but I think he just started to get tired,” the Petty Officer said with uncertainty in his voice. “They were going back and forth for a while, but nothing the Captain did to the freak managed to slow it down. The blows he managed to land would have killed a human, he even pulled out his pistol halfway through the fight and shot off half its face! But it just kept laughing, swinging its sword, and throwing its evil magic at anything that got near.”

The room grew silent as everyone listening paused to imagine such a fearsome foe.

“What happened next, Petty Officer?” asked the Supreme Commander, his voice more grim than Anub’rekhan had ever heard from the man.

“Eventually, it seemed like the Captain understood he wouldn’t be able to beat the thing in a fight, so he pushed the monster off and ran over to the magic thing that the Captains use to talk to each other over long distances,” said the Petty Officer, sounding subdued. “By that time the Second Fleet had gotten pretty close, and everyone was doing their best to retreat, sir. They managed to blow apart the Horde ships that were trying to board us, but it was too dangerous to stay.”

“According to the reports we’ve received, the Grand Admiral ordered a full retreat and gave permission to board his ship so that he could receive reinforcements, correct?” asked Lothar.

“Aye, that’s right. The Captain wouldn’t have wanted his crew to be stuck with that monster if it managed to kill him. It was enough to scare the Death Knight away, but not before it managed to get in a lucky hit. Didn’t look so bad at first, it was a pretty deep cut in the Captain's leg, but he could still fight well enough to stop the monster from finishing him off. It wasn’t until after that we realized something was wrong.”

“What is the Grand Admiral's current condition? Our most recent reports tell us that the Death Knight’s evil magic lingered in the wound,” said Uther, his voice filled with righteous anger.

“We got the most powerful priests we could find, but they’ve been calling it a cursed wound. They said that there was nothing they could do,” the Petty Officer said dejectedly. “When I left, they were saying that he wasn’t going to be able to keep the leg. The crew’s been taking it pretty hard, sir. We all owe the Captain our lives, but we can’t do anything for him.”

Anub’rekhan took a moment to consider the implications of this. If Proudmoore was a nerubian, then he would have been an important enough figure to warrant a Queen giving him a replacement limb, not that losing a single leg would have been that big of a loss for a nerubian.

Unfortunately for Proudmoore, he was merely a human, so his loss of a leg was a permanent affliction that would render him incapable of continuing his duties any time soon and at reduced effectiveness even when healed.

The war between the Alliance and the Horde had only just gotten started and they would already need to replace their Grand Admiral. That was not a good sign for them.

Anub’rekhan continued to listen to the conversation, but the rest of it was much less interesting. The Fleets managed to get together and retreat to a dock in Gilneas, where they had remained since. The only other topic of interest was when the Supreme Commander began asking questions about the Kul’tiran Tidesages, who had apparently betrayed their own people.

How loathsome…

They spoke of possible explanations, such as a hidden cult that practices something called ‘Shadow magic.’ A kind of magic that he had never heard of before.

That was something that Anub’rekhan would have to look into in the future, and report to the High King.

“Well? Anything interesting, big guy?” asked Trixie once it became obvious that he was no longer focused on the conversation going on in the manor.

Anub’rekhan turned his attention back down to the gnome that was currently leaning against one of his legs. Any other Spiderlord would have been affronted by such casual contact, but Anub’rekhan had never been one to concern himself with such meaningless things.

“Well, these Death Knights might prove to be a more entertaining enemy than expected,” said Anub’rekhan before beginning to share the contents of the meeting with the gnome.

If his predictions were accurate, then the Horde and the Alliance would soon be having a huge battle over the fate of Hillsbrad Foothills, and the Death Knights would be certain to participate.

Anub’rekhan looked forward to seeing their power with his own eyes.