HOME | DD

Description
THE TRANSFER

I was born in Lordaeron, though when I was little, my parents took me back to Stormwind Kingdom preparing to rebuild it. All the travelling I had ever done was about that. So... it was quite thrilling that I was eventually transferred to the Stormwind City... the capital of our nation. It wasn't ordinary for a simple corporal to see the world, but there I was. Marching with all my fellow Lakeshire soldiers, through the most majestic remaining city of our kind, the boys and I felt important. Bradley Rockhill was my name, and it still is. Why would you be interested about an insignificant soldier like me? I never said you should be. You see, the story isn't about me. I am merely a spectator. The proof will be revealed soon enough.

There were about 50 of us Lakeshire soldiers taken to Stormwind. We were led there by Lieutenant Mayhew Clayton. A good man he was... Managed to keep the military discipline and still be understanding and fair. There couldn't be too many officers like him. The only thing bugging about him was that the sun shining from the sky reflected from his bald head, but it was rather another joking matter to me and the rest of the boys, give or take a few girls. And the Lieutenant just pretended he didn't hear the joking. He hadn't spoken in a long while, before we finally reached the harbour. Clayton pointed his fist upwards, signalling us to stop as we entered the bluff overlooking the rest of the harbour.
"Take the last few minutes of rest here, and relish with me, soldiers." he exclaimed. It was easy to relish, alright. The harbour was unrivalled in its magnificence. Most of us, myself included, removed our helmets. I shook my semi-long black hair and tried to make it look less like a pile of dust after all that walking with a helmet on. At least my goatee was too short to get so messy. I looked left as Lieutenant Clayton came next to me.
"Like the sight, Corporal?"
"I sure as hell do." I replied with a nod. I was exited enough about the shot at glory when I first heard of it. But seeing the famous Stormwind Harbour got me absolutely thrilled.
"I suppose this was worth leaving your family for a while, eh?" the Colonel smirked.
"Definitely," I replied shortly. I had a good family. A dad, mom and a little sister, and we were all doing well despite the slight lack of food back home. But now I couldn't ass thinking of them. Serving the army of Stormwind itself was too much of an honour.

Suddenly, lieutenant was already commanding us to go forward. The few minutes he spoke of went so fast. I just shrugged and got back in formation with the rest. The lieutenant checked the platoon in with the admiral and then told us to do as we wanted until the actual mission began. Not only was I exited for the great mission, but I was also expecting to see a mage friend of mine residing in Stormwind. I told the others that I'd go look for him, for I knew that he was joining the mission with us. After a while of search, there was a bright flash a meter away from me. When I came to from the shock and surprise, there stood a man. The same age as me, with a short red hair dressed in mage robes.
"Larry!" I shouted, and gave a hug for my childhood friend.

"Hi, Bradley, How've you been?" Larry asked, clearly exited to see me again after a long time. It was actually as long as 10 years. After he got to the mage studies, I rarely got to meet him, but at one time the visits were just realized too difficult. I was overjoyed to see Larry again.
"I've been fine. There's been the usual trouble for food... but nothing we haven't been able to handle. With the return of king Wrynn... everything has started to look better. We're not so desperate in reinforcements anymore either."
"We should have expected a conspiracy a long ago. But enough about that... some insider info about the mission before the official briefing..." Larry said, leaning closer to me, as I listened intensely.
"We're gonna be transporting prisoners." Larry said.
"I see." I replied, getting more interested, motioning him to go on.
"The Theramore dungeons are having trouble with space. We'll need to lift some weight. We're grabbing all the Twilight's Hammer cultists we can and take them here, although, a lot of them might try to break havoc, whenever they get the chance."
"So that's why there are so many soldiers." I realized. Larry nodded.
"It is a mission with utmost importance." he went on, "The Twilight's Hammer are people who we simply cannot have on the loose, and Proudmoore doesn't believe in executing the unarmed. Wrynn might be a different story, but our job is only to keep them in place."
"Okay." I said. "I got the idea... but who's leading the armada?"
"The newly elected commodore, James Dunham," Larry said. "This voyage is his first as commodore, and the pure briefing is a great ceremony."
"Speaking of the briefing, it seems to be starting soon. I should be with my unit." I told Larry.
"Alright, let's hope we end up in the same boat. Good luck." Larry said and walked away, waving to me. Seeing my friend again gave the impression of a good day beginning. I was familiar with sailing, and I had also fought actual enemies in Redridge. The blackrock orcs had made sure of that, and it would be a base experience in case of facing any pirates or prisoner insurgences. I doubted it. From the looks of the prisoners, they weren't in a physical condition OR in the state of mind to raise proper rebellions.

I joined my unit when the ceremony was beginning. Every soldier, worker, knight, mage and rest stopped what they were working on and got into their positions. I as well got in the middle of my platoon, which based itself in the middle of the rest of the platoons. The sun was out bright, so waiting was quite dreadful. Fortunately, the wait wasn't too long. After a few minutes, the commodore came to the stage with his honour guard. He was a bit old, fifties or sixties about, but despite that he was in a great condition, standing tall and proud, like he wasn't a least bit nervous. He didn't walk to the speech table set up in front, but waited for something else. What it was was revealed an additional minute later. The applauding for the commodore turned into cheering for the king. Varian Wrynn himself walked with his magnificent guard and armour. He greeted the crowd with a grin and raised hands. I cheered along the crowd, since for myself; his return to the throne helped a great deal. I admired him, as did most of Lakeshire. Seeing him in person was unbelievable. I wondered if the day could really be this fine, for it could as well have been a dream. The king calmed down the crowd and spoke with a loud voice.
"Soldiers of Stormwind Kingdom, it is no secret that my long absence has done ill for my kingdom, but I hope that I've done good trying to repay the losses and grief, for today I wish something of you! One of my most trusted captains who is also a good friend of mine, has been recently promoted to the rank of commodore. But it does not take much to realize, that no leader is anything without the subordinates. So I hope that in return of him earning your service and trust, you all who have volunteered or got conscripted to this voyage will show him what each of you are made of, and that earning your best performance is worthwhile. For when I look at you all, I see no instruments of honour, but young men and women brave enough to do anything for their kin, and worthy of leading and treated well!"

It was a bit stunning really; I never had actually SEEN our king. Now that I did, I was positively surprised. That firm gaze on that scarred face just screamed both wisdom and toughness. I told myself then that I'd follow him always, despite anything.
"What say you, soldiers? Are you ready to shine in your full glory?!"
I gave a loud cheer with the rest of us, while the commodore himself stepped to the king's place.
"Now I'd like to thank the king and you all for this glorious welcome. I am honoured, although, I feel this all a bit needless!" the commodore shouted with his softer voice.
"Though this is a great day to me, I still see myself as another commander along the alliance army, and you as my forces. I will do whatever I can to fulfil my duty, and lead you well, but I believe that celebrations are in order AFTER the mission. That said I do not wish to make you wait any longer! So... all of you..."
The commodore bended towards us with a slight smirk, "...get back to work, landlubbers." he said. We gave it a chuckle and cheered for him too, and started working again. And it wasn't long before sunset came and we had all boarded to our ships. Luckily, Larry DID get on the same as I did. Our ship was positioned very close to the actual juggernaut of the fleet. The flagship stunned us all with its magnificence, but our boat wasn't a small deal either.
"What're you looking?" Larry said appearing next to me as I watched the juggernaut in awe.
"Just saying an oath to myself," I said "that some day... I'll get to either the 7th legion OR the royal guard, and ride one of those."
Larry chuckled and patted my shoulder guard, handing over my helmet. I looked at the very basic looking helmet, which made me wake up from my daydreaming and put it on with an optimistic face.
"We should go. I think captain has orders."