Barov

"The Master is displeased!"

Kel'Thuzad's angry words terrified the acolytes. They immediately dropped to their knees, trembling with fear.

Just as Kel'Thuzad was about to punish their leader, he heard the Master's voice in his mind. "Kel'Thuzad," the voice said, "Cease your efforts in Stromgarde for now. Once the Scourge's power in Lordaeron grows, that kingdom, with its meager population of less than a million, will be unable to stop us!"

The voice continued, "Instead, find a way to draw the other dreadlords to Stromgarde. My primary concern is securing a suitable vessel for myself."

"As you command, Master," Kel'Thuzad replied.

The Lich King's message was swift and direct.

Back in Draenor, Ner'zhul had felt manipulated at every turn by Kil'jaeden. The orcs were systematically pushed back from Gorgrond and Talador. Ultimately, he lost his ancestral home, Shadowmoon Valley. Even the seemingly impenetrable Hellfire Citadel fell. Until he opened the portal and fled Draenor, he constantly felt like a pawn in someone else's game.

'How could my grand army, hundreds of thousands strong, be defeated by the combined forces of the crippled Arakkoa, ogres, Draenei, and those tiger-like creatures?' he had wondered. 'It defies all logic!'

Upon arriving in Azeroth, Ner'zhul resolved to amass sufficient forces before revealing himself. Having conquered the vast underground spider kingdom of Northrend, he now turned his attention to the human kingdoms. His immediate goal was to find a powerful vessel to contain his soul, allowing him to leave the Frozen Throne and gain a physical form. This was his first step in defying Kil'jaeden, and he knew he had to proceed cautiously, avoiding the dreadlords' notice.

"You have heard the Master's orders," Kel'Thuzad told the acolytes. "Disregard Stromgarde. Spread the word and let those fools rush to the aid of their comrades. Meanwhile, deploy the plague cauldrons and guide more souls to eternal life with us!"

An acolyte raised his head and said respectfully, "The unholy cauldrons are in place at Feirstone Farm, Dalson Farm, Garrowen Farm, and other locations. The 'blessed' purification will begin within days. The local populace will be granted our eternal 'gift' and join our ranks."

"Praise our Lord!" the acolytes chanted. The Cult of the Damned's promise of an eternal kingdom, free from noble oppression and exploitation, had attracted countless followers over the years.

When Kel'Thuzad sought out Arthas, a banquet was underway at the Barov family castle, located on Caer Darrow Island in the center of Darrowmere Lake.

"Father, allow me to introduce Archmage Gaddon," a young nobleman in his twenties said, presenting a black-robed mage to the castle's lord.

Duke Alexi Barov, a man in his fifties, had seen much and met many in his life. From kingdom lords to lowly peddlers, he had encountered all sorts of people. Upon meeting Gaddon, a single thought crossed his mind: 'This man is not to be trusted.'

"Alexi, where did you find this mage?" the Duke asked. "What business does he have here?"

"Father, Alexi has never been to Dalaran," another young man, bearing a resemblance to both the Duke and Alexi, interjected. "He likely found some charlatan in a back-alley tavern!"

His timing was poor. Gaddon proved his power with a wave of his hand, striking the young nobleman with a blast of dark energy. The young man collapsed, writhing in agony.

"Wilton!" Duke Barov cried, rushing to his son's side. He found Wilton's arm already festering. "What have you done to him!"

"Merely a small lesson for his insolence," Gaddon replied. He waved his hand again, and Wilton's cries ceased. The young man stared at the black-robed mage in terror. "My sister will avenge me!" he gasped.

"Ha! Let her come," Gaddon scoffed. "The Cult of the Damned needs more talented recruits, and you, clearly, are not among them!" He reveled in humiliating Wilton.

"Enough," Duke Barov interrupted. "State your purpose, mage."

"Duke Barov, I represent the Cult of the Damned," Gaddon announced. "We are a powerful organization, devoted to serving our god-like Lord."

"I have come to Caer Darrow to invite your family to join our ranks. In return, we will help you reclaim the lands seized by Lordaeron and Stromgarde, and grant you eternal life!"

Avarice flickered in Duke Barov's eyes. Lordaeron had indeed taken a significant portion of his family's ancestral lands. However, Stromgarde had helped them retain control of Tarren Mill, and they jointly administered Southshore. The profits from Southshore alone were enough to support the Barov family's extensive household and private army.

"What... price do you ask?" the Duke inquired, certain that such an offer came at a cost.

"This island," Gaddon declared. "We require it as a base to train our new recruits. We need more necromancers to serve the Master!" His eyes gleamed with fanaticism.

"Hold on! You didn't mention taking our land!" Alexi protested. He was willing to compete with his brother, Wilton, for the family inheritance, but he would not tolerate outsiders coveting their property.

"Do you wish to share your brother's punishment?" Gaddon threatened.

"Guards! Guards! Seize this arrogant mage!" Alexi shouted.

Two fully armed guards entered the hall, advancing towards Gaddon.

"Hmph! You reject my generous offer?" Gaddon scoffed. He raised his bone staff, and a crimson light engulfed the two guards. They were consumed by flames, armor and all.

The Barovs watched in horror as their elite guards were immolated. Black smoke billowed from the seams of their armor, and then they were reduced to piles of ash.

The magical disturbance alerted Duchess Barov. A skilled illusionist, she had developed a spell to project multiple, indistinguishable images of herself. These phantoms mimicked her actions, making it nearly impossible for enemies to locate her true form.

Arriving in the hall, she witnessed the guards' demise. Fearing for her family, she immediately cast her spell, creating a dozen clones that attacked Gaddon simultaneously.

"Your attacks are pathetic. Today, I will show you the true meaning of magic!" Gaddon bellowed. "Let the lesson begin!"

He swung his bone staff, unleashing a torrent of magical fire that forced the servants to flee the hall. One by one, the Duchess's illusions were destroyed, until her true form was revealed.

"You dare defy the Cult of the Damned with such meager skills? Your refusal is irrelevant. I will slay you all and establish Scholomance here!" Gaddon's malevolent gaze swept over the trembling Barovs. "Today, your family will be united... in death. Class dismissed!"

Magic surged within Gaddon as he prepared to kill the Barov brothers.

"Is that so? I heard someone was threatening the Barov family? Are they unaware of the Trollbane's protection?" a mocking voice echoed from outside the hall.

"Who's there!" Gaddon whirled around, stunned. How had they arrived unnoticed?

Footsteps approached, and three figures entered the hall.

"Your Highness!"

"Sister! Save us!"

The newcomers were Galen Trollbane, Iliusia Barov (the eldest daughter), and Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider of the high elf kingdom, a councilor of Dalaran.

The Barovs were overjoyed and relieved, but Gaddon's face fell. Galen Trollbane and Kael'thas Sunstrider were two of the most formidable figures in the Eastern Kingdoms, far beyond his capabilities.

Gaddon bolted towards the castle window and shattered it in his escape.

"Coward! So much for your threats!" Galen shouted. "Iliusia, go after him! Avenge your family!"

Iliusia, torn between concern for her family and a desire for vengeance, ultimately obeyed Galen. She cast Feather Fall on herself and leaped from the shattered window after Gaddon.

"Your Highness, that dark wizard is powerful. I fear for Iliusia's safety..." the Barovs' mother said, her voice trembling.

Galen healed her with several Holy Light spells and surveyed the room. Only the Duchess seemed to have been targeted. Duke Barov and his sons appeared unharmed.

"Madam, do not worry," Galen assured her. "If a student of Gandalf could not defeat a mere high-level dark wizard, she would have been expelled from Dalaran long ago."

"Thank you, Your Highness. How did you come to be here?" Alexi Barov asked, helping his wife up and carefully checking her for injuries.

"The area around Lordaeron has been plagued by unrest recently. There have been frequent outbreaks of plague and undead activity. Prince Kael'thas and I are investigating the matter. Iliusia wished to return to Caer Darrow, so I accompanied her."

Galen offered a plausible explanation.

In truth, after Galen resurrected the eight thousand Blackrock and Warsong orcs, he "persuaded" them to join his cause. The "sensible" Orgrim Doomhammer and Grom Hellscream "happily" led their loyal followers to join the Scarlet Crusade, becoming Galen's devoted followers. One chose to join Magatha Grimtotem's Kor'kron elite guard, and the other, as Galen had promised Velen, joined the glorious Purification, becoming an honorable orc.

With the Horde's demise, an era had ended. Galen could now begin laying the groundwork for the Burning Legion's invasion and subtly manipulate the Lich King's plans.

Archimonde's arrival was necessary. To defeat the Burning Legion, Galen knew he had to eliminate its core leaders: the Dark Titan Sargeras and his lieutenants, Archimonde and Kil'jaeden.

Galen planned to allow the Lich King's schemes to unfold, to a limited extent, mirroring the history he knew. However, he would not permit the Cult of the Damned to cause widespread destruction. The Barov family, for example, was under his protection.

"If not for your timely arrival, Your Highness," Alexi said, shuddering, "our family would have been annihilated."

Suddenly, he seemed to recall something. He kicked his eldest son, Alexi, in the leg, sending him sprawling.

"Father! Why did you do that?" Alexi protested.

"Hmph! If you hadn't brought that dark wizard to our banquet, our family's defenses would have kept him out!"

It was true. The Barovs were one of the wealthiest families in the human kingdoms, second only to the royals. Their close ties to the mages of Dalaran allowed them to easily hire experts to establish powerful defensive magic arrays. After all, they were rich.

At that moment, Iliusia returned, carrying Gaddon's severed head.

"Well done, my precious daughter!" the Duchess exclaimed, rushing forward to ensure her daughter was unharmed.

"Father, Mother, I froze the intruder at the docks. I've ordered the guards to bring him back. I believe we should gather everyone in the castle later to... cleanse him!"

"You suspect...?"

"I believe there may be other members of the Cult of the Damned within our household. Now that Prince Galen is here, perhaps we could request that he send priests to garrison the castle, to prevent another invasion!"

"An excellent idea!" Duke Barov, a shrewd man himself, agreed. The recent unrest had put everyone on edge. His servants sent to Andorhal for supplies had not returned, and he sensed a growing danger.

Galen nodded. "I will send an elite guard and priests to secure the docks. Also, where do you usually get your food supplies?"

"We grow some food on the island, but it's not enough for the entire household. We supplement it with purchases from Andorhal."

"I hope you haven't consumed any of those supplies." Galen realized he had arrived just in time. Even if they had, a simple Dispel and Purify would solve the problem.