"Paladin! Come close quickly, I must have a word!" Someone whispers in Ulian's ear.

He turned around to see one of the coveted Dark Rangers of the Dark Lady's favored guard. He followed her into an ally sheltered by darkness and from prying eyes.

"My queen, the Lady Sylvanas Windrunner, has uncovered a hole in the defenses of Icecrown Citadel into a place she referred to as the Forge of Souls. She sent word before she left for me to find fierce fighters to send her way. I know of you Ulian Andilien and I think you'll do. Take this map and go to her within the entrance to the forge. Time is short. Hurry."

Ulian listened to her message and thought it was the Light given sign he awaited for.

"I will assemble my team and go their at once." He said as he gave her a respectful nod.

As he watched her melt into the darkness of the ally, Ulian summoned the magic imbued in the tabard of the Argent Crusade he was given to rejoin the military ranks present at the Argent Tournament grounds. He quickly had his troops summoned only to find two of his champions missing. One of wish had the decency to leave a scribbled note he thought. By chance Captain Daxxym Bloodhawk was on tournament grounds and got recruited for his healing ability. They all met in front of the Argent Crusaders tent where Ulian swiftly gave them the just of their mission. The the rogue and three paladins mounted their flying creatures and took off toward the Citadel in hast.

As they approached, Ulian looked at the map given to him by the dark ranger and signaled the direction of the opening in the side of the citadel to the others. They soon rallied at the foot of a great door. Ulian looked at his captains and the mercenary rogue.

"This is the moment of truth. This is were we find our glory. We find the Dark Lady Sylvanas Windrunner and fight at her side into the citadel as Lord Fordring and his troops raid the front. Let's make hast. Follow my lead." Ulian spoke up before leading them forward.

It wasn't long until they found their way into the Forge of Souls. The air was damp, cold and heavy. Which made them them cought slightly. Then they spotted Sylvanas and her dark rangers who was calling them closer.

"Good. Ulian Andilien, I know of you. You'll be perfect for these tasks. We've been afforded a rare chance to delve into Icecrown Citadel, but we must move quickly if we're to avoid Arthas' notice." The Dark lady spoke.

"Yes, M'Lady." Ulian acknowledged.

"I'm glad we have someone capable to aid us in this. Delving into the Citadel with so few is risky at best, but opportunities like this are too rare to pass up." She continued.

"I'm awaiting the arrival of champions from the Coliseum, but if your reputation holds true, you should be more than equipped to fight through the forge yourself. Clear the way to the far side and secure the passage to the Pit of Saron. We will need to hold it to move our men further into the Citadel. Be quick about it, Ulian. Time is short." Sylvanas finished saying.

"Anu belore dela'na" Ulian spoke in his native tongue to the dark lady before turning to his champions.

"We move quickly and leave nothing in our wake. Netherlight, you lead us in. One your toes men. GO! GO!" Ulian ordered.

All of them moved forward in hast as the scene in front of them grew tenfold. The dark dank cavernous subterranean forge had little pleasures to offer the group. As gust of winds from the forge at the bottom of the depths swept up currents that made them move much slower than they would have liked. the smell of sulfur constantly in their nostrils. The rusted metal pathways that twisted around the circumference and towards the center where their only means of advancement with no shielding from one pathway to the next they would never be able to cover their presences.

So as soon as Ulian gave the charge they all moved forward as they made their presence loud and clear. They hacked and slave their way through various parties of undead as they advanced to what seemed the undead master of the forge within some sort of architectural turbine. The narrow entrance provided no chance of surprise. This would have to be a surefooted forward advance.

"More souls to power the engine!" This humanoid spoke up as the group of champions walked into the room.

"Not if I have anything to say about it." Netherlight yelled out as he charged it.

"I am Bronze Jam, the godfather of Soul and master of this place. You shall not strike me down." It commented.

Daxxym, Taylon and Ulian filled in to surround it as it started his magical onslaught. Taylon and Ulian taking the godfather of soul by the rear while Daxxym mending his allies every wound as soon as they happen.

"I will sever the soul from your body!" Bronze Jam suddenly shrieked out as he outstretched his arm towards Daxxym.

Not long after a purple luminescent orb formed in front of Daxxym's body. Captain Daxxym appeared weakened as the process continued.

"Guys! Help!" He called out.

Ulian and Taylon didn't hesitate to stop the orbs trajectory from reaching their foe. Seeing this it tried to perform the same act on Taylon then Ulian. But each time his orbs where stopped.

"The vortex of the harvested calls to you!" It yelled out in frustration. His word soon summoned a large vortex that quickly swirled around the room.

Ulian screamed painfully as one of his arm got caught in the storm around them. "Get closer do not touch it." Ulian then ordered the rest.

At that moment, A fear spell went of directed at Daxxym and all watched as he was forced through the winds of the vortex.

"Another soul to strengthen the host!" It squealed out.

Ulian recited his own healing spell in quick repetition to help Daxxym through the ordeal. Not soon after it was Taylon's turn.

"Enough! It's finished!" Netherlight yelled as he plunged the sword square in the godfather's chest.

"My soul for you, master." Bronze Jam's screamed before his body collapsed to the floor.

"Shut up already before I stuff a turnip down your throat." Netherlight said with a ripe attitude as he kicked the head.

Luckily his death also brought down his sorcery as the champions looked around the room. Ulian then knelt down to search the body.

"Sir?" Daxxym questioned his actions.

"You find some worthwhile loot on his body?" The Mercenary looked on with interest.

"Nothing of worth to me. Take what you can carry we move forward now. Remember nothing alive or animated in our wake gentlemen." Ulian started to walk forward out of the area and back onto the metal pathway.

The champions moved along attacking everything in sight until they reached the otherside of the circumference of the cavern. Ghostly creatures guarding the next hall were swiftly dispatched. Catain Netherlight motions everyone to keep their ground as he he twisted his head past the halls bend to see what was on the other side. His gaze back toward his allies told that something was definitely in their way. This prompted Ulian to take a glance for himself.

What Ulian saw was indeed intriguing. A floating head with many faces. A somewhat familiar creature from his Outlands adventures, but how could the Lich King find himself such a creature. He turned to look at Netherlight, Daxxym and Taylon with a grievous look about him.

"This next creature may not be as pleasant as the last one." He signaled.

Ulian tapped Netherlight on the should and gave him a smirk. "We go on your mark Captain."

"Keep on your toes. We may need to be adaptive to this creatures effects." Ulian stated to the rest.

Netherlight shouted his charge and the rest followed him as they ran the length of the rest of the hall into the room this floating organism awaited.

"You dare look upon the host of souls?! I shall devour you whole!" it's high pitched screamed echoed in the room.

"This most be what that other idiot referred to as the host then." Taylon shouted out.

"On your guards." Ulian commanded disregarding Taylon's statement.

Even as Netherlight kept it's attention and the others would take stabs at it, the creature sensed the heroes progressed and unleashed a spell that launched every single on of them out into the hall unconscious.

As each one of them groaned their displeasure as they awoke they notice the creature staring at them but not coming any closer to them.

"It may be magically bonded to the room." Daxxym stated his assertion.

"What happened?" Netherlight queried and he held his head in his hands.

"It's obviously toying with us." Taylon added as he looked on the smiling floating creature.

Daxxym walked to everyone to make sure they were still in relatively good health. Ulian stood up and simply stared at the creature. His displeasure evident. He crossed his arms and seemed pensive.

"It's evidently undead whatever it is. I can sense it." Daxxym volunteered.

"Regardless, our second assault will have to be pointed. We lost all element of surprise. Be careful and aware of your surroundings." Ulian finaly spoke.

Then Ulian proceeded to anoint blessings on each of his champions as did his fellow paladins. Once they were ready they gave ahead a charge. This time the fight lasted longer but it pulled of the same trick and sent the champions down the hall yet again. This repeated a few more times but each time the heroes refined their collective approach. The paladins calling on every aspect of the Light to aid them in their fight further taxing their abilities. However, this proved to secure victory at once as the creature slammed to the ground dead.

The timing seemed almost ironic as the Dark Lady and some reinforcements arrived to secure the room.

"Well timed, Champions! The Pit of Saron lies ahead, and if our scouts are correct, past that will be the Halls of Reflection. It is there that Arthas lets his guard down, and it is there that we hope to find a clue to his weakness...and a route to vengeance long overdue." Sylvannas announced upon her arrival.

The grunts under her command filtered into the room all dutifully securing the empty room. A handful of magis ran up the stairs and kept the portal in the room open.

"Quickly, through the portal! I'll meet you on the other side." The Dark Lady commanded the Champions.

The other three looked at Ulian who was holding his side. Their gaze seemed to beg for rest but he motioned them towards the portal. Himself wanting to rest knew better that the mission was a time sensitive task. Ulian then took his turn through the portal.

Traveling through portals was always a peculiar sensation to him. He always enjoyed more conventional means. The sick feeling hit the pit of his stomach right behind his naval as it always did until he was thrust onto his two feat on the other side of this of the event horizon. His allies now at his side and to the ready as they were met with Scourgelord Tyranus and some of his minions.

"Intruders have entered your master's domain. Signal the alarms!" Scourgelord Tyrannus yelled

Sylvannas and her forces sprang forth from the event horizon behind Ulian and surrounded the five champions.

"Soldiers of the Horde, attack!" She commanded the second she perceived the threat in front of her.

Then at once the forces at Sylvanas' command surge forward. These tournament champions were quickly met by the Scourgelord's necromantic power as black and violet lightning shot out of his hands and shock each an everyone of the advancing forces.

"Hrmph, fodder. Not even fit to labor in the quarry. Relish these final moments for soon you will be nothing more than mindless undead." The scourgelord called out.

"Your last waking memory will be of agonizing pain." Scourgelord Tyrannus continued to chant switching to another of his spells which raised the dead champions into undeath.

"Pathetic weaklings." Ulian heard Sylvanas' off hand comment.

"Minions, destroy these interlopers!"

Ulian and his champions readied themselves but Lady Sylvanas Windrunner advanced and single offhandedly dispatched them all with her brand of necromantic powers. By this time the Scourgelord flew off perhaps expecting the resistance would have been quelled. The Ulian tapped Netherlight on the shoulder and pointed at the two remaining necrolytes. No word needed as Netherlight followed by the other three champions made little work to dispatched the two necrolytes.

"Incapable fools. I begin to wonder if any of these louts from the tournament will be of any use at all. Perhaps you'll prove me wrong." Sylvanas spoke to them as she approached the edge of the plateau.

"They've put our captured soldiers to work in the quarry! Kill their captors and set them free, heroes, and do it quickly. We will need their aid when we confront Scourgelord Tyrannus. You will have to battle your way through this cesspit on your own. I will gather reinforcements and join you on the other side of the quarry." Sylvanas commanded before stepping back into the portal.

"You heard her men. It's in our hands now. The Scougelord believe he took care of business. Let's keep the element of surprise and kill everything undead or animated in our sights. Let us see if we cannot conjure up an uprising of the slaves. The Light is with us!" Ulian commanded in his turn.

Captain Netherlight lead them from one end of the quarry freeing every captive they found as they laid to ashes their resistance. As they got closer to the Eastern edge of the quarry they noticed a great figure walking within what looked like a makeshift forge. They did not hesitate to challenge the giants reign over the quarry and made quick work of it as more and more freed slaves made their way into the area.

"The quarry has another master. We need to dispatch him. Come champions this way." Some of the slaves foolishly rushed forward.

"After them before they get themselves killed." Ulian commanded as he was running after them.

"Stop!" Ulian yelled after the head-hardy slaves but it was finally too late as a crew of geist jumped them from above.

"Kill them!" Ulian ordered as he rushed into the fray.

Once again, the geist were a meager challenge for the heroes. Now their corps along with those of the slaves decorated the ground.

"Fools" Ulian disclosed his impression of the now dead slaves.

"But they where not mistaken about another master. Look!" Taylon pointed to the other side of the quarry to a collection of plague eruptors.

"What is it they are draggin. Wait is that a giant foot!" Daxxym asserted with surprise and disgust.

"Quickly, we can't leave those walking this world." Ulian commanded as Netherlight had started running toward their direction.

As they fought each one in turn several observation were shouted out amongst the heroes. Most notably the fact that these creatures had the uncanny ability to form pools of bile looking acid directly under them. By all means this challenged Daxxym's healing abilities.

"Get them my minions" Yet another high pitched voice shouted out.

"Look, that must be their master!" Captain Netherlight pointed towards what looked like a patched together eruptor with a undeath gnome on it's shoulder.

"A death knight!" Ulian commented looking into the gnomes eyes.

As they rendered their last foe into a helpless heap of rotting flesh, they turned their collective attention onto this death knight and it's pet.
"Ick take care of them!" The gnome commanded.

Then a fast pace power dance started between the champions and their two enemies. Everyone remained in motion constantly avoiding pools of green bile and necromantic bomb. This was a majestic dance of push and shove as they avoided the creatures poisons and the little death knights explosive barrage of necromantic energy. The pace increasing in intensity but Ulian and Taylon were not prepared for a poisonous explosion that came next which sent both warriors flying in the air and crashing hard onto wooden barriers on either side. Both Ulian and Taylon unconscious bodies slide down the barriers to the cold ground.

"Daxxym stay with me. We can't do anything for them now." Netherlight spoke up noticing their two comrades fall.

And the dangerous dance continued but the two paladins remained surefooted and held their weapons steady. Netherlight even more determined than before he slew the beast with several pointed slashes sending the gnome tumbling off the corps of it's pet.

Captain Netherlight steadied his blade to the death knights neck. "Do not move."

"I will see to them." Daxxym shouted to his comrade as he ran over to their rogue companion.

"Wait! Stop! Don't kill me, please! I'll tell you everything!" The gnome yelled.

"Why should the Banshee Queen spare your miserable life?" Came a voice form over Netherlight's shoulder.

The Horde slave workers circling the area. Some of them attending to Ulian and helping Daxxym with Taylon.

"What you seek is in the master's lair, but you must destroy Tyrannus to gain entry. Within the Halls of Reflection you will find Frostmourne. It... it holds the truth." The gnome offered voluntarily as it cowered in Sylvanas' presence.

"Frostmourne? The Lich King is never without his blade! If you are lying to me..." Sylvanas in turn threaten the gnome with her blades to it's neck.

"I swear it is true! Please, don't kill me!!" The gnome pleaded.

Ulian nursing his ribs walked up behind the Dark Lady. He tapped Netherlight on the should a few times and grinned down at him. Their gaze communicated Ulian admiration at the other paladins' conquest.

"Worthless gnat! Death is all that awaits you!" The scourgelord bellowed out as he now hovered above them on his frostwyrm.

Not appreciating the gnomes treachery he strangulated it with his death grip.

"Do not think that I shall permit you entry into my master's sanctum so easily. Pursue me if you dare." The sourgelord challenged them as he flew on to the top of the north-western edge of the pit.

The challenged did not go unanswered as the Dark Lady and the champions rushed onwards. Commanding the freed slaves they managed to push the scourge minions up a winding path and into a cave.

"BURY THEM ALIVE!"

They recognized the scourgelords voice as they were made aware of their new perilous situation. Other scourge warriors at their back they only had one direction to peruse.

"Up the cave everyone!" Ulian commanded.

The order seemed to have reached most of them including his fellow champions as they climb the winding path through the cave dodging falling rock and ice as best they could.

"We are being battered Legatus! We need to hurry." Daxxym commented.

As they reached the top the moving earth settled but they where also met by the Scourgelord Tyrannus.

"Alas, brave, brave adventurers, your meddling has reached its end. Do you hear the clatter of bone and steel coming up the tunnel behind you? That is the sound of your impending demise."

The champion turned to see what remained of the freed salves and a legion of scourge rumbling up the tunnel.

"Heroes! We will hold off the undead as long as we can, even to our dying breath. Deal with the Scourgelord!" One of the freed slaves yelled.

As Daxxym, Netherlight, Taylon and Ulian turned to face Tyrannus, the scourgelord jumped off his frostwyrm and seized the hilt of his rune blade firmly.

"So be it. We finish this." Netherlight charged forward.

The Scourgelord in turned charged forward and swung his sword which clashed with Nertherlights. The sheer force of the contact sending a charge of light in the air. A quick disadvantage soon formed as the scourgelord managed to keep Netherlight away from his allies. As they rallied the scourgelord manage to turn their effort to his advantage.

"Hurry Champions!" the same voice came out of the mess that was the fight amongst the scourge and the freed slaves.

As Ulian and Taylon reached the scourge lord and would land a hard blow they witnessed Netherlight state weaken.

"What sort of necromantic energy is this?" Ulian questioned as he faced his palm toward Netherlight an cast his most powerful healing spell.

The scourgelord let out a roar and kicked Netherlight square into the chest sending him flying over the edge of the bastion. Ulian quickly grabbed Taylon by the arm and look at him in the eyes.

"Follow my everyone. Disappear and tell the Dark Lady to rally back. Go to Aora and Sarafias. Tell them to send reinforcement." Ulian spat out quickly before he too received a kicked in the chest by the scourge lord.

Taylon move quickly to avoid the scourge lord and run away from the scourgelord then disappearing form view.

"Daxxym we buy him time."

These were the last words the rogue mercenary heard the legatus speak before disappearing into the shadow.