Over the past few days, Rhodes had argued with the people on the ship. Many believed the large number of Lordaeron refugees should not head to Southshore, but to Stormwind City for rest and shelter.
After the First War, Lordaeron had generously taken in many Stormwind immigrants, including Prince Wrynn—now King Wrynn. When rebuilding his kingdom, the young king promised the Lordaeron royal family that if Lordaeron ever needed help, he would give it generously. Now, with Princess Calia and Regent Rhodes leading them, the Lordaeron immigrants would surely be welcomed.
Even Princess Calia felt they should go to Stormwind City instead of Southshore—it was too dangerous!
The Scourge was erupting across Lordaeron, and Southshore wasn't safe either. Rhodes knew Stormwind was no better; sailing there would take half a month.
That would delay their departure for Kalimdor. Besides, a Black Dragon Princess was in Stormwind—an utterly wicked wyrm constantly trying to incite strife among humans.
If Rhodes went there, after seeing his power, that Countess would definitely attack him. He had no intention of becoming a Dragon-Slaying Hero and saving Stormwind; it would make him miss the Third War.
Most importantly, Rhodes still planned to visit Andorhal. Southshore wasn't far, and Jaina could teleport him there. But when they reached Southshore, they didn't dock—the shoreline was swarming with undead: Skeleton Soldiers and Zombies everywhere, though a few humans still resisted.
ashbringer hadn't arrived at Southshore yet, so Scourge forces remained.
The survivors immediately pleaded for help when they saw Rhodes's fleet; it seemed they'd had no supplies or rest.
"You see, Lord Regent, I told you we shouldn't come to Southshore—we should've gone to Stormwind City," a Lordaeron Sergeant said.
"Undead everywhere here; all we'll get is more refugees."
"But our ships are already full—there's no room for more people."
At once, many Lordaeron officers and nobles began shouting.
"I also think we should go to Stormwind City. Rhodes, won't you reconsider?"
Princess Calia added awkwardly.
Over the past few days she had overruled everyone to support Rhodes in coming to Southshore, yet the port was no place to dock and rest.
They couldn't delay much longer. They had five Mage Ships and a few Lordaeron warships—only ten vessels in total.
Four of the Mage Ships had been refitted, crammed with food and supplies, but one remained completely unmodified.
It was nothing but an empty hull. Though the fastest, it held no food or water; all civilians were crammed into its lower arcane holds.
"Lord Regent Rhodes, the grain King Terenas had us stockpile will last only half a month for everyone aboard," a supply officer told Rhodes, distressed.
"If we don't find provisions soon, we won't even reach Stormwind City."
The good news: this Mage Ship needed no propulsion or sails—it could sail the open sea unaided, saving much trouble.
Originally the small Mage Ships were fast, but after refits enlarged their decks, their speed matched ordinary warships. The fastest was the new Mage Ship Baron Rhodes had just produced, completely unmodified.
"We must rendezvous here with the Kul Tiras fleet and pick up some Dalaran soldiers. Every Alliance race will send people with us," Rhodes said.
"Dwarves, High Elves, and Gnomes—we need a large port to dock and resupply."
These refugees would never survive to Kalimdor. King Terenas had prepared food for thirty thousand, but they now carried far more than that.
"Then, Lord Regent Rhodes, what do you propose? The moment we dock we'll have to take in refugees and fight the Scourge army here."
"Anchor here for a few days. Lead an elite force to clear out the undead."
The four refitted Mage Ships can't hold everyone, but the new one I produced has plenty of space.
We can't abandon these civilians to die. Let's clear the undead from Southshore first." After a moment's thought, Rhodes said.
There are only a few hundred civilians here; rescuing them is no trouble. Besides, I've already sent Angels to scout the nearby undead—just a band of mobs, not a single Death Knight or Necromancer among them. Nothing we can't handle.
The main Scourge army is currently at Andorhal. Once that city is cleansed, they'll march on Quel'Thalas, and the pressure everywhere else will ease.
I have to try to save Uther; the silver hand warhammer must not fall into the Scourge's hands. If the ashbringer could be corrupted, so could the Silver Hand.
The Alliance should reach its decision soon—within days, their westbound fleet will have the full backing of the entire Alliance.
"Understood, Lord Regent. What do you intend to do?" a paladin of the Silver Hand asked.
"I'm heading to Andorhal. Lord Uther is there, and I want him—and the Knights of the Silver Hand—to join us," Rhodes said.
Not long after King Terenas died, Uther went to retrieve his body and then traveled to Andorhal to rally the Knights of the Silver Hand.
Andorhal's fall was a major blow to the Alliance, but I've planted a spy near the Lich King, so I always know where the Scourge's main force is headed.
After reassuring everyone, Rhodes took two Angels and the rest of his troops and teleported straight to Southshore, rescuing the civilians and wiping out the nearby undead.
Only after landing did they discover Southshore wasn't entirely defenseless: a small armed band led by three youths was holding out.
They were the two sons and adopted daughter of Alexandros, a paladin of the Knights of the Silver Hand: Renault Mograine, Darion Mograine, and the famous Sally Whitemane—known to players as the female half of the "Scarlet Lovers," nicknamed Azeroth's Number-One Legs.
After receiving Rhodes's aid, the three brought their remaining troops to meet him. Learning that Princess Calia and Rhodes were present, the eldest youth dropped to one knee.
"Your Highness, Lord Regent, I am Renault Mograine."
"I am the eldest son of Alexandros Mograine. My father left for Ironforge, so we're defending Southshore against the Scourge," the youth—barely twenty—said to Rhodes.
"Rise, Renault. Did your father say when he'd return?" Rhodes asked.
"No, Lord Regent. Two months ago he took a special item to Ironforge, to forge a weapon specifically against the undead," Renault replied.
"Will you sail with my fleet to Kalimdor? We'll rest here a few days before departing," Princess Calia asked.
Leaving the three teenagers here pricked her conscience; she wanted to take them to Kalimdor.
"Thank you, Your Highness, but my brother, sister, and I will wait until our father returns," Renault Mograine politely declined.
Darion Mograine and Sally Whitemane nodded in agreement; they preferred to stay and wait for Alexandros.
"Then will you refuse even if the princess and I command it?
Staying here is certain death. If a large Scourge force arrives, you will all perish," Rhodes said from the side.
Rhodes wanted to tweak the story and take Alexandros' three children with him, to forge future ties with the ashbringer.
The ashbringer was a mighty ally; the first bearer had been fearsome indeed.
"If it is the command of Your Highness and the Lord Regent, we obey," the three youths said after exchanging glances.
Though they wished to wait for their father, a royal command could not be ignored—besides, the town was no longer safe.
"Help defend the fleet, then. We sail in a few days," Rhodes nodded.
After cleansing Southshore of undead, calming the people, and handing temporary command to Calia,
Rhodes and Jaina teleported to Andorhal to rescue Uther.