Chapter 478: Hinterlands (Part 1)
Alaric's plan was undoubtedly a success.
By leveraging the influence of the Windrunner family among the common folk, he successfully steered public opinion among the high elves.
The deep-seated blood feud and fury against the trolls were harnessed to exert massive pressure on the Silvermoon Council, ultimately forcing the deadlocked assembly to make a decisive ruling.
In the end, the Silvermoon Council approved Alaric's war plan—uniting humans, Wildhammer dwarves, and elves to preemptively eliminate the Amani trolls, a looming threat to the Alliance, before the orcs launched their grand offensive.
The high elves also made a crucial promise: if the plan succeeded and the Amani trolls no longer posed a threat to Quel'Thalas, they would reallocate the troops originally stationed against the trolls to support the Alliance in the war against the orcs.
This agreement also entailed a series of trades, including supplies, and territorial delineations concerning Zul'Aman and other Amani troll habitats—details to be settled later.
Of course, the Silvermoon Council was no fool. The public outcry had made them aware of the Windrunner family's immense influence among the lower-class elves.
This forced them to formally acknowledge the status of a family that had bled for Quel'Thalas for over a thousand years—no longer could they be disregarded.
Fortunately, Alaric, well-versed in modern strategies of public persuasion, had orchestrated the entire narrative with meticulous precision.
As a result, to the Silvermoon Council, the entire chain of events appeared to be unintentional, originating merely from casual grievances voiced by the Windrunner sisters.
The true extent of the Windrunner family's efforts remained well concealed.
This ensured that the Silvermoon Council harbored no suspicions toward the Windrunner family.
Thus, there was no targeted suppression or political maneuvering against them.
Unlike humans, the high elves upheld a different moral code, and their political battles were far less vicious.
There was little chance that a meritorious family would be unjustly suppressed without cause.
All in all, the outcome was favorable for everyone—Alaric achieved his goal and eliminated a major threat to the Alliance, the high elves avenged their long-time foes, the Alliance's future military strength was bolstered.
And the Windrunner family not only gained political prestige but also averted the tragic fate that befell them in the original timeline when the trolls launched a devastating raid on their home.
A joyous outcome indeed.
However, Alaric did not rest on his laurels. After only a brief stay at the Windrunner estate in Silvermoon City, he set off once more.
This time, his destination was the Hinterlands, where he would seek the allegiance of the Wildhammer dwarves.
The Wildhammer dwarves were a distinct branch of their race.
Unlike the Bronzebeard dwarves, who were deeply entrenched in military and commercial endeavors, or the Dark Iron dwarves, who delved into magic and the underground riches, the Wildhammer dwarves were tenacious mountaineers, though their close kin often viewed them as uncivilized barbarians.
Following their defeat in the War of the Three Hammers, the Wildhammer dwarves initially settled in Grim Batol.
However, their continued struggles against the Dark Iron dwarves led to a catastrophic curse that rendered Grim Batol uninhabitable.
Ultimately, the Wildhammer dwarves journeyed north, crossing the sea to the continent of Lordaeron, where they eventually arrived in the lush Hinterlands.
Haunted by the grim memories of Grim Batol, this time they chose not to dwell underground but instead built a grand and majestic city among the mountains—Aerie Peak—while maintaining their deep-rooted connection with nature.
They embraced shamanistic traditions and forged a bond with the majestic half-lion, half-eagle creatures—the griffons—that resided in the secret crevices of the mountains.
Since then, the Wildhammer dwarves had continued their interactions with both humans and high elves. The griffons used by the human kingdoms also originated from this land.
However, the humans' griffon numbers were relatively limited, mostly used for messengers. The true Griffon Rider Legions remained under Wildhammer control.
In Alaric's eyes, securing the Wildhammer dwarves' alliance was the simplest part of the entire plan.
Though the Wildhammer dwarves were an isolationist tribe and generally kept their distance from other races, they still maintained a close relationship with the Bronzebeard dwarves.
Despite their historical grievances from the War of the Three Hammers, they later stood united against a common enemy—the Dark Iron dwarves, who had also been exiled from Ironforge and sought to return and conquer both clans.
Their shared victory rekindled a friendship, and they even swore a mutual non-aggression pact. The magnificent Thandol Span, connecting the two halves of the Eastern Kingdoms, was jointly constructed as a symbol of economic and diplomatic ties between their nations.
Thus, now that the Bronzebeard dwarves were in trouble, their Wildhammer kin were likely to respond favorably and join the Alliance.
However, what would truly persuade the Wildhammer dwarves was, surprisingly, the voice of the high elves.
In fact, among all races, the high elves had always been the Wildhammer dwarves' closest allies.
The two races admired each other's personalities and shared several cultural similarities, forming a lasting bond.
This was why Alaric was confident that an appeal from the high elves would be the key to securing the Wildhammer dwarves' support. Once allied, the Wildhammer dwarves were known to be steadfast and reliable.
As expected, upon arriving at Aerie Peak, Alaric and Alleria received a warm welcome from the Wildhammer dwarves—though, truthfully, it was mostly due to Alleria's presence.
Unfortunately, Alaric had little patience for their enthusiastic reception.
At the welcoming banquet, King Falstad Wildhammer repeatedly raised his tankard in honor of his guests, eagerly toasting them.
The Wildhammer dwarves were a people who thrived on revelry and alcohol, and in turn, guests who could match their drinking prowess earned their utmost respect.
Facing Falstad's challenge, Alleria merely smiled.
She shed her usual gentle and composed demeanor around Alaric and, with impressive boldness, lifted the large wooden tankard before her, downing the thick ale in a single gulp.
Then, with a loud bang, she slammed the empty tankard onto the table, signaling for another round.
Her fearless display and astonishing drinking capacity elicited a roar of approval from the dwarves.
To the Wildhammer clan, the high elves were admirable in many ways, but their drinking abilities were often deemed lacking.
In this regard, the high elves were seen as even weaker than humans. They rarely drank, and when they did, it was often mild, fruity wines—considered "dainty" by the dwarves' standards.
Yet, Alleria's bold drinking shattered that stereotype. To the dwarves, this beautiful elven woman (despite their different aesthetic standards, they still found elves attractive) was truly formidable.
"Alleria, you have my respect!" Falstad laughed heartily and downed his own tankard. "I have never seen an elf drink like you. From this day forth, you are a friend of Falstad Wildhammer!"
"And me as well!" his brother, Kurdran Wildhammer, chimed in. "If you drink one more with me, you shall have my friendship too!"
Unfazed by the challenge, Alleria smiled confidently, raised her freshly filled tankard, clinked it against Kurdran's, and once more drank it all in one go.
Another round of cheers erupted as Kurdran followed suit. Just like that, their bond grew stronger.
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