Council of Three Hammers : Fire and Iron The Council of Three Hammers : Fire and Iron is a short story in the " Leaders of the Alliance " series by Matt Burns that follows Kurdran Wildhammer as part of the Council of Three Hammers and recollections before . The Council of Three Hammers : Fire and Iron . The sky above Aerie Peak beckoned Kurdran Wildhammer like the distant glow of a campfire on a frigid winter night . After twenty long years trapped on the hellish world now known as Outland , he was home . Never once had he regretted joining the Alliance expedition to battle the orcish Horde on its homeworld , but over the harsh years there the longing to see this sky had burned in his heart . His gryphon , Sky ’ ree , glided above him with three of her kin , as vibrant as she had ever been over the last two decades . He craved to be up there with her and feel the mountain air rushing against his face . Fate had ordained that he would walk the earth on two legs , but the sky was where he felt free . That was Sky ’ ree ’ s greatest gift to him . More than her ferocity during war or her friendship during peace , it was flight . For now , though , he would let her soar in the sky on her own . Kurdran took a deep breath and surveyed his home : verdant forests stretched out in all directions ; Wildhammer dwarves milled about in shops and homes along the mountain ’ s slopes ; and the colossal aviary , a stone enclosure sculpted in the image of one of the noble gryphons , towered atop Aerie Peak . Everything was just as he had left it . He drew a small iron scepter from his side , wrapped in strands of grass and adorned with gryphon feathers . It wasn ’ t a weapon — his battle - worn stormhammer was hanging on his back — it was a reminder . On Outland , the scepter had become almost mystical in nature , a symbol of who he was and the home he was fighting to protect . Many times he had held it close and felt hope surge through him , driving him forward . Yet now that he was home , the scepter ’ s potency seemed — A shrill cry pierced the air . Kurdran looked up , and a pang of fear stabbed him . Sky ’ ree was spiraling toward the ground , her wings twisted in unnatural ways . “ Sky ’ ree ! ” Kurdran bellowed . The gryphon slammed into the ground with a sickening thud . Jagged bones protruded from her shattered hind legs , and blood spurted from a vicious crack in her skull . Sky ’ ree attempted to rise , but she crumpled from the pain . She opened her beak , and a frail cry escaped from it . “ Dinna move , lass ! ” Kurdran yelled . He was charging toward his fallen companion , heart pounding , when suddenly his hand went stiff . The scepter he held was bubbling and transforming into something chillingly familiar … crystal … diamond . Glittering tendrils shot from it and slithered up his arm , freezing his limb as solid as stone . The viscous substance reached his chest and expanded downward until it fused his legs to the ground . Kurdran struggled for the stormhammer on his back , but diamond encased his arm before he could pull the weapon free . Frozen in place , he could only watch in helpless despair as the gryphon who had saved his life countless times , who had become an extension of his own being , slowly bled out before him . The diamond prison continued up Kurdran ’ s neck , icy and heavy , until it poured down his throat and filled his lungs . At last it covered his eyes and ears , and Sky ’ ree and the inviting blue sky were gone . But Kurdran was denied the freedom of death . He existed in a void while dread burned through his mind like liquid metal in a forge . Eventually , he heard a faint rhythmic thud , louder and louder . THUMP . THUMP . THUMP . Each blow sent dull vibrations through his body , as though someone were slamming a blunt object against his crystal death shroud , trying to liberate him . THUMP . THUMP . THUMP . The rigidness in his body faded . Feeling returned to his limbs . Then the sound took on another tone . CLANG . CLANG . CLANG . The familiar noise was all he needed to know where he was and realize that he had merely been awakened from one nightmare into another . It was the metallic twang of hammer striking anvil that went on day and night , grating in Kurdran ’ s ears . The pulse of a city not his own , built so deep within the heart of a mountain that it would never know the joy of open skies . It was Ironforge . The city of Kurdran ’ s ancestors was a simmering cauldron of old prejudice . It churned endlessly , its toxic fumes dissolving whatever logic and reason remained within the Bronzebeard , Wildhammer , and Dark Iron dwarves living together in Ironforge for the first time in over two centuries . And Kurdran was standing at the edge of it all , gazing into its fiery heart with confusion as it grew closer and closer to erupting . In an unsettling way he felt as if he were still at war with the blood - cursed Horde and trapped on Outland . Yet there were no clear enemies in Ironforge . No crazed demons . No rampaging orcs bent on decimating all life on his world . There were only words . When Kurdran had arrived in Ironforge mere weeks before , he had been treated as somewhat of a hero for his sacrifices in Outland . It was different now . Baseless rumors targeting the Wildhammer clan had emerged from the city ’ s shadowy halls like vengeful ghosts from the bloody War of the Three Hammers that had shattered the unity of the dwarf clans so many years ago . They ranged from stories of ritual sacrifice performed in Aerie Peak to tales that Kurdran had executed a dozen other Alliance fighters on Outland for retreating from battle . A week ago , the dwarves ’ attention had turned to a new topic of interest . “ The council is expectin ’ ye , Thane Kurdran . ” Kurdran ignored the Ironforge guard and clutched the Wildhammer scepter tight in his hand . From his vantage point in the city ’ s gryphon roost , Kurdran peered at the cavernous Great Forge — the aptly named heart of Ironforge . Streams of molten metal cascaded from the ceiling into scalding orange - yellow pools . Beyond the churning liquid - metal vats , dwarven smiths swung hammers down on anvils . The heat , especially so near the forge , was oppressive in an unnatural way , like being trapped in an opaque glass bottle and left to suffocate under a blazing sun . Sky ’ ree was lying atop a bed of straw at his side , her legs tucked under her massive body . Kurdran ran his callused fingers through her feathery mane and contemplated his fate . “ Why did I ever choose tae come here ? ” Kurdran muttered to himself under his breath . “ Because ye didna want tae see the bloody past repeat itself , ” a calm voice replied . Eli Thunderstrike stepped near Kurdran , raking stray clumps of straw into neat piles . “ Because King Magni , despite bein ’ a Bronzebeard , was an honorable dwarf . And because , as ye said yerself tae Falstad , ye ’ re the only dwarf fit fer the job , ” Sky ’ ree ’ s tender continued . Eli ’ s words brought stinging memories to Kurdran ’ s mind . Upon returning from Outland , Kurdran had shown great disrespect to his close friend Falstad , who had ruled over the Wildhammer clan in Kurdran ’ s absence . Dwelling on Falstad now , though , would only add to Kurdran ’ s woes , and so he forced away the thoughts concerning his friend . A low coo rumbled from Sky ’ ree ’ s throat , and she nudged Kurdran with her beak as if to punctuate Eli ’ s words . “ I wasn ’ t talkin ’ tae ye . ” Kurdran waved his hand dismissively at Eli and then turned to Sky ’ ree . “ Or ye . ” Sky ’ ree simply repositioned herself atop the straw nest , briefly revealing three cream - colored eggs dotted with blue that she had laid shortly after arriving in Ironforge . Kurdran had wanted her to return to Aerie Peak with the clutch rather than stay in the city , but she wouldn ’ t leave him . She wasn ’ t a pet . She was a free spirit , free to choose her destiny just as Kurdran was free to choose his . Sky ’ ree ’ s decision to stay filled Kurdran with a mixture of joy and anger . Immediately after laying her eggs , she had become so weak and frail that she could no longer fly . The numerous priests , gryphon masters , and alchemists who had examined her had all drawn the same conclusion . Sky ’ ree ’ s condition wasn ’ t due to some strange malady contracted on Outland or in Ironforge . It was an ailment for which there was no cure : time . “ Thane Kurdran — ” “ I ’ m comin ’ ! ” Kurdran snapped , glaring at the Ironforge guard . “ Ye canna very well do that when ye ’ re sittin ’ on the ground , now can ye ? ” Eli chided as he continued his work . Kurdran grunted and rose to his feet . The plated Bronzebeard guard abruptly turned and then clumsily threaded his way through the mounds of gryphon nests that stretched into the walkway encircling the Great Forge . The roost had more than doubled in size since the Wildhammers had arrived in the city with their own gryphons . In a way the area had become a reminder of Aerie Peak , a home away from home . With the scepter at his side , Kurdran followed the guard , nodding to Wildhammer gryphon riders who sat among the piles of straw . As forlorn as Kurdran was , the expression on the other dwarves ’ faces was as if they were watching him go off to meet his death . In a way , he was . Kurdran followed the guard around the walkway until he reached the High Seat . A boisterous crowd of dwarves stood outside the chamber , their faces awash in a combination of shadow and light from the fiery iron braziers that burned throughout the city . Members of each clan were present : Bronzebeards in polished silver plate ; tattooed Wildhammers adorned with gryphon feathers ; and ashen - skinned Dark Irons clad in work aprons and smudged with soot . The gathering provided a miniature glimpse of Ironforge as a whole , with a small number of Wildhammers and Dark Irons sprinkled among the city ’ s Bronzebeard majority . As Kurdran pushed his way through the crowd , he caught fragments of the heated conversations taking place among the dwarves . “ The Bronzebeards kept our piece o ’ Modimus ’ s hammer as it was , as it should be ! ” “ Ye kept it stuffed away in yer library , gatherin ’ dust . The Wildhammers made somethin ’ new out o ’ our piece . ” “ Och , lad , no use arguin ’ wi ’ a Bronzebeard about this . Every good piece o ’ wares that comes outta Ironforge is just somethin ’ they pilfered from an ancient vault , ” a nearby gryphon rider yelled . Someone among the throng shoved the speaker into Kurdran , and the crowd shifted , closing in around him . “ Make way ! ” Kurdran shouted . A few of the dwarves nearest to him made a path . Others glared , their faces contorted in anger . “ Make way fer Kurdran , representative o ’ the butterflies ! ” a voice roared sarcastically , using a derogatory term for Kurdran ’ s clan . “ A round o ’ ale on me if Kurdran agrees tae give up his piece o ’ the Modimus hammer ! ” “ Nae dwarf wi ’ his head on straight would pass up wagerin ’ against that ! ” Kurdran elbowed through the last line of dwarves and emerged in the High Seat . The chamber , home to Ironforge ’ s regency , was like the rest of the city — dim and shadowy , with high metallic stone walls illuminated in the glow of hanging lamps . At the back of the room , atop a raised platform , were the three identical thrones of the Council of Three Hammers . A chill went through Kurdran as his eyes locked with the middle throne , once that of King Magni . When Kurdran had joined the council , Magni ’ s brother Muradin had taken him to the lower depths of the ancient city . There Kurdran had seen an image that would haunt his dreams : Magni transformed into a diamond statue . The petrification had happened while the king had been performing a mystic ritual to commune with the earth and glean answers as to the troubling quakes , storms , and other calamities befalling the world at the time . Now Muradin stood at the central throne . Kurdran glanced at the Bronzebeard dwarf , who glared back balefully . It was a far cry from the jovial welcome that he had given Kurdran upon entering the city . In his first days on the council , Kurdran had shared many pints of ale with Muradin and recounted his tales of Outland while the Bronzebeard had told of his own adventures in the frozen continent of Northrend . As the days had worn on , Muradin had grown cold to Kurdran for reasons that the Wildhammer did not understand . To Muradin ’ s right stood Moira Thaurissan , Magni ’ s daughter . Despite having devastated her father by marrying into the Bronzebeard clan ’ s former rivals , the Dark Irons , she was the legal heir to Ironforge , as was her small toddler , Dagran , who was rocking idly in a crib at Moira ’ s feet . The heiress , her hair drawn up in perfect buns , bowed slightly at Kurdran . “ Welcome , Kurdran . ” “ Aye , ” was all Kurdran said . He marched past a wooden table standing at the bottom of the ramp to the thrones . On the table were two artifacts that had , in the past week , stirred the simmering cauldron of Ironforge into a torrent : a gnarled wooden staff with a deep - violet gem set in it and a scarred , warped hammerhead . Kurdran grimaced at the sight of the relics and took his place at the throne to Muradin ’ s left . Not for the first time since he had come to Ironforge to rule alongside Moira and Muradin , he felt out of place . The council was thick with Bronzebeard and , due to Dagran , Dark Iron blood , but not on Kurdran ’ s side of the thrones . The babble of voices at the entrance to the High Seat died down , and Advisor Belgrum , a wizened dwarf standing at the foot of the platform , bowed . Two younger historians standing nearby mirrored Belgrum ’ s gesture of respect . One of them was a short Wildhammer dwarf dressed in a bright red tunic — a very thorough fact checker by all accounts . Belgrum straightened and shuffled forward . “ Welcome , Thane Kurdran . I take it ye ’ ve made yer decision ? ” Kurdran took in the room . Everything was the same as it had been in recent days . The same question . The same crowd of bickering dwarves . The same feeling of being cornered . On each previous occasion he had answered Belgrum the same way : no . Yet just last night , a Wildhammer and a Bronzebeard had been killed during a petty brawl concerning the scepter in Kurdran ’ s hands . “ I dinna think I have a choice , ” Kurdran replied . “ Och … " Muradin sighed . “ How many times are ye gonna go on about — ” “ Kurdran , ” Moira interrupted , “ of the three of us , it is you who have the most to sacrifice . If you choose to keep your piece of the hammer , we will forgo what we have planned . ” Kurdran ’ s attention shifted to a tattered scroll in Belgrum ’ s aged and trembling fist . The parchment , discovered in Ironforge ’ s library a week prior , depicted parts of the dwarven civil war centuries past . As the story went , when the high king of Ironforge , Modimus Anvilmar , had died , the clans had battled for control of the city . In the process , Modimus ’ s weapon — the Hammer of the High King — had mysteriously disappeared . Over the years , Kurdran had heard his share of rumors regarding what had become of the hammer . The parchment put an end to the speculation . It said that Modimus ’ s hammer had been broken into three pieces . During the chaos of the war , each clan had , in one way or another , managed to obtain one of the fragments . Faced with the uncertain future of Ironforge , Kurdran surmised , the dwarves foolishly saw mending the hammer as a path to peace , or simply an outlet for their old rivalries and animosity . Kurdran shook his gaze from the scroll . “ I ’ ve made me decision , ” he yelled , lifting the iron scepter in his hand . “ This heirloom has been a part o ’ the Wildhammer clan fer centuries . I joined this council tae maintain peace , not argue over reforgin ’ an old hammer ! ” Angry shouts rose from the shifting mass of stout dwarven onlookers . “ The hammer was Modimus ’ s tae begin with ! It belongs tae the city ! ” “ If the Wildhammers dinna want peace , they dinna belong on the council ! ” Kurdran looked on , agitated , as the throng closed in on the few Wildhammer dwarves in the crowd just as armed guards were rushing in to quell the unrest . “ But one o ’ me clansmen is now dead because o ’ this hammer , ” Kurdran bellowed over the clamor . “ I ’ ll not have it happen again . ” He squeezed the Wildhammer scepter in his hand one last time and set it down on the wooden table , alongside the other artifacts , with a hollow thud . The crowd went silent . Belgrum nodded and raised his hands to everyone present . “ So it is , by decree o ’ the council , that the great hammer o ’ Modimus Anvilmar , last high king o ’ Ironforge , will be reforged ! ” A roar of applause rose from the dwarves in attendance , and Kurdran scowled . “ As ye now see , ” Belgrum continued , “ from the Wildhammers comes the handle o ’ Modimus ’ s hammer , taken by one o ’ the clan and reforged into a scepter carried by Thane Kurdran , an ’ before him , Thane Khardros . ” Kurdran eyed the scepter . Its size and shape were slightly different from the description of the hammer handle in the parchment . He remembered asking Khardros years ago where the scepter had come from . The elder dwarf had simply replied that the heirloom ’ s past was not important ; its significance lay only in what it had become . Kurdran had always viewed the thane ’ s ambiguous explanation as one of his usual philosophical musings , perhaps even a metaphor for the Wildhammer clan . Now he wondered if it had been Khardros who had taken the handle and reshaped it , never speaking of its origins again . Belgrum gestured to the deformed hammerhead atop the wooden table . “ From the Bronzebeards comes the head o ’ Modimus ’ s hammer , damaged beyond recognition in a fire durin ’ the civil war and tended tae in the city ’ s library along with other debris gathered in memory o ’ the conflict . ” Then , Belgrum extended a hand to the gnarled staff adjacent to the hammerhead . “ And from the Dark Irons comes the once - golden - hued crystal that had been set into the head o ’ Modimus ’ s hammer , found by one o ’ the clan ’ s sorcerers and altered in color tae hide its identity . ” Loud , erratic applause issued forth from the Dark Irons in attendance . “ The forgin ’ will begin three days from now . Fer the time bein ’ , the council asks that ye go about yer business as it chooses who will reforge the pieces , ” Belgrum said . The onlookers slowly dissipated , picking up their fiery arguments where they had left off as though the meeting had never happened . Kurdran stared hard at the Wildhammer scepter resting on the wooden table . A troubling question ate at him : what more , in the weeks and months to come , would Ironforge strip away from him and his clan ? Without a word he descended from the stone platform and strode toward the exit of the High Seat . “ Kurdran , ” Moira called after him with concern , “ we have yet to decide who will forge the hammer . ” “ It doesnae matter , ” Kurdran growled as he left the room . Kurdran strolled beside Sky ’ ree past rows of apartments and merchant shops at the outer ring of the city , where the sound of hammer striking anvil from the Great Forge was only a faint echo . The cloud of age was thick in the gryphon ’ s eyes , and the slowness of her gait was painfully obvious . Much to Kurdran ’ s chagrin , though , Sky ’ ree seemed to enjoy exploring every nook and cranny of Ironforge . More than anything , Kurdran longed to escape Ironforge and fly with Sky ’ ree , but a simple walk was all that the gryphon could muster . The walks were usually a welcome distraction , but today his mind was racing with thoughts concerning Modimus ’ s hammer . After Kurdran had stormed out of the council meeting the day prior , Moira and Muradin had chosen a Dark Iron smith to reforge the hammer . The decision made Kurdran ’ s blood boil , although in retrospect he had only himself to blame for not being present to argue against the choice . His dislike for the Dark Iron clan ran deep . Betrayal and treachery seemed as ingrained in the Dark Irons ’ culture as gryphons were in that of the Wildhammers . Sadly , sacrificing his scepter had done nothing to abate the tension in Ironforge . As Kurdran walked , he felt the spiteful stares of passersby gawking at his tawny , weathered skin , his fiery red ponytail , and his tattoos . Kurdran knew that the glares went much deeper than just at his outward appearance . Ironforge was a clash of cultures , each one holding itself superior . The Wildhammers preferred living on the surface and soaring in the skies of the northern lands with their beloved gryphons . The Bronzebeards preferred to dwell in the mountain as they always had . And the Dark Irons … the Dark Irons lived even deeper in the shadows , their ways shrouded in — A steel - plated shoulder rammed into Kurdran ’ s side , jolting him away from his thoughts . He turned to see two Dark Irons carrying a large keg . The dwarf who ’ d bumped into him glared at Kurdran with the glowing eyes common among the Dark Irons . They reminded Kurdran of the demonic eyes he had seen on Outland . The Dark Iron grunted , and then he and his partner continued on their way . They were followed by a line of their clansmen divided into pairs , each carrying a keg . A strong odor wafted from the containers , which Kurdran recognized as the smell of spirits brewed by the Dark Irons . The concoction wasn ’ t like the ale he enjoyed . It was the type of drink that numbed the senses and made one forget after consuming only a glass . Kurdran had seen groups of Dark Irons carrying kegs of the stuff throughout the city numerous times , apparently looking for something more potent than what Ironforge had to offer . “ Kurdran , ” someone unseen said as the last of the keg - bearing Dark Irons passed . The voice was unmistakable — calm and regal in a practiced way . Kurdran turned to see Moira approaching . Alongside her was a stout Dark Iron dwarf named Drukan , whom he had observed accompanying Moira on many occasions . “ Taking noble Sky ’ ree for a stroll , I see , ” she said with a polite smile . Kurdran searched Moira ’ s face for some sign that would belie her cordiality . He suspected that she and her Dark Irons were in some fashion responsible for the rumors circulating about the Wildhammer clan . It had , after all , been due to her aggressive actions — after Magni ’ s accident , she had held the city hostage with armed Dark Irons and had claimed the throne — that the Council of Three Hammers had been formed in the first place . The decision to reforge Modimus ’ s hammer had also come at her behest . Yet time and again Moira had proven to be Kurdran ’ s greatest ally in Ironforge . When complaints — in most cases , unfounded — had been made about the Wildhammers , blaming them for food and housing shortages and the overcrowded gryphon roost , she had defended his clan . But her apparent benevolence gave Kurdran no satisfaction . “ She needed tae get away from the heat , ” Kurdran said as he patted Sky ’ ree ’ s leonine hindquarters . Moira stepped close to Sky ’ ree and raised her hand to the gryphon ’ s beak . “ A magnificent creature . How is her condition ? ” “ Improvin ’ , ” Kurdran lied , not wanting to discuss the matter with Moira any more than necessary . He was surprised that Sky ’ ree had been able to rise from her nest today . “ I have a feeling she ’ ll be as good as new in no time , ” Moira said . She stroked Sky ’ ree ’ s mane , and the gryphon lowered her head , cooing softly . Kurdran had always known Sky ’ ree to be a good judge of character . The fact that she regarded Moira with such favor filled him with doubt about his suspicions concerning the Dark Iron leader . Moira glanced at Drukan , who stood farther back with a dour look on his face . “ Come , Drukan . Sky ’ ree is a legend . She ’ s faced dragons before : did you know that ? ” “ I dinna trust a beast that has a taste fer dwarven blood , ” Drukan said , sneering . Moira ’ s eyes grew wide in shock , and she stifled a laugh . “ Don ’ t be ridiculous . ” “ That ’ s what they say about the Wildhammer lands , ” Drukan said . “ They feed their prisoners tae the gryphons . An ’ Sky ’ ree here , well , the story goes she ’ s had more than her fill . ” Kurdran felt his body flush with heat , and he took a step toward Drukan . “ Watch yer tongue , lad . ” “ You know how these absurd rumors have been spreading , ” Moira said , placing her hand on Kurdran ’ s armored shoulder . “ Drukan is — how should I say it ? — still learning the finer points of civility . ” She turned to Drukan , and her tone was malevolent . “ Apologize . ” “ But , Yer Highness — ” “ Now . ” She glared at Drukan with a cold gaze that spoke more than words . “ Beggin ’ yer apologies , ” Drukan said to Kurdran through clenched teeth . “ Well , I don ’ t mean to trouble you and Sky ’ ree , ” Moira said , her tone cordial once again . “ I merely wanted to say that your decision yesterday was one of great humility … something I ’ ve come to expect after hearing of your heroics on Outland . Reforging the hammer will bring unity , and it will be due to your decision that this unity comes to be . ” “ I ’ m not one o ’ the dwarves out there who canna think fer themselves , ” Kurdran said harshly . “ What ’ s done is done . ” The Ironforge heiress simply smiled . “ Of course . I ’ ll leave you and mighty Sky ’ ree to your walk . ” He watched Moira and Drukan as they went on their way , his moment of peace with Sky ’ ree sullied by the interaction . He wanted Moira to be the enemy . That , at least , would make the confusion in Ironforge understandable . Yet Kurdran felt with growing unease that he was searching for reason in a city that had abandoned any semblance of it . “ Let ’ s get back tae the roost , lass , ” Kurdran said , and he tugged on Sky ’ ree ’ s wing . Kurdran stood at his throne within the High Seat , forcing himself to stay calm . It took all of his willpower to keep from lashing out at Belgrum , who was standing before the thrones . “ I take full responsibility fer this , ” the advisor said , lowering his head in respect to Kurdran and the other council members . The High Seat was empty save Belgrum and the three clan representatives . Even so , the old dwarf spoke in hushed tones . Between his words , a tense silence filled the room . Clutched in his hand was the parchment recounting the story of Modimus ’ s hammer . “ It ’ s a well - made piece o ’ lies . ” Belgrum lifted the scroll and grimaced . “ After further scrutiny , it seems as though the parchment was aged wi ’ magic . An ’ it was stuffed away in the record books . On the surface , nothin ’ was a cause fer concern . ” “ Nothin ’ a cause fer concern ? ” Kurdran said . “ One o ’ me clan is dead ! ” “ In case ye forgot , one o ’ me clan has died as well , ” Muradin retorted . “ It wouldna have come tae this if ye would ’ ve given up yer piece o ’ the hammer in the first place . ” “ Are ye deaf , lad ? It isn ’ t a piece o ’ anythin ’ ! ” “ Dinna use that as an excuse ! Ye didna want this tae begin with ! ” “ Muradin , Kurdran , please , ” Moira said , turning her attention to Belgrum . “ The reforging is a day away . You understand what this means , don ’ t you ? ” “ Aye , Yer Highness . But the parchment is a fake . I ’ d stake me life on it . Someone took a mighty effort tae pass it off as real , but the script used doesnae match that o ’ other scrolls from the same period o ’ time . ” “ So when did the pieces originate ? ” Moira asked . “ Fer all we know , the Wildhammer scepter an ’ the Dark Iron gem came about after the civil war . The parchment described the damage on the Bronzebeard hammerhead in detail , which was how we found it . But knowin ’ what we know now , there ’ s no tellin ’ when it was damaged and put into the library . ” “ Who did this ? ” Kurdran grumbled . He wiped a fresh layer of sweat from his hairless scalp . Despite his hearty constitution , the stifling heat of the city was getting to him . “ Och … impossible tae say . Many dwarves pass through the library each day , ” Belgrum replied . “ It matters not . We must go through with it , ” Moira said . “ Our fellow dwarves are expecting an act of unity . If this story comes to light and we cancel the reforging , they ’ ll want someone to blame . Word of this does not leave this room , ” she added , fixing her gaze on Belgrum . The graying dwarf nodded . Kurdran slammed his fist against his throne . “ I ’ ll not give up somethin ’ that rightfully belongs tae me clan tae keep this lie alive ! ” “ It ’ s not a lie tae the city anymore , ” Muradin said . “ Not after days o ’ arguin ’ about it . ” Much to his agitation , Kurdran recognized the wisdom in Muradin ’ s words . Discussion of the Modimus hammer had set the tension in Ironforge on an immovable path , like a roaring avalanche that would continue its course until the reforging , regardless of what the council said . Kurdran sat in the gryphon roost and mulled over the troubling situation . The truth of the Modimus hammer weighed heavy in his mind . He had hoped to take Sky ’ ree for a walk and clear his thoughts , but she couldn ’ t rise from her nest . She simply lay motionless , her breathing barely noticeable . Wildhammer gryphon riders sat near their winged companions , distraught over Sky ’ ree ’ s condition as well as the tense atmosphere in Ironforge . Even Eli ’ s usually jovial demeanor was absent , and the gryphon tender lethargically raked bundles of straw in silence . Many of the gryphon riders , including Eli , were veterans of Outland . They had followed Kurdran to Ironforge just as they had followed him to the orcish homeworld , never questioning his decisions . For the first time in Kurdran ’ s life he felt that he had led them into an unwinnable , pointless battle . Kurdran rose and paced through the roost as ten Dark Irons carrying wooden kegs began traversing the nests that stretched out into the walkway . The Dark Irons glared with their unsettling eyes at the seated Wildhammers as they passed . One of the Dark Irons tripped on a stray pile of dry straw , sending a keg crashing to the ground . The wooden container cracked open , and a pale liquid gushed out into the roost . The fallen Dark Iron beat his fist against the ground and struggled to his feet . “ Why do ye Wildhammers have tae have yer birds scattered out where we walk ? ” the Dark Iron said , and he spat on the nearest gryphon . The creature squawked and swiped the edge of his nest with a talon , sending a clump of straw into the enraged dwarf ’ s face . Eli stopped his work and calmly approached the Dark Iron . “ It ’ s not their fault , lad , ” he said in an even tone . “ Yer beasts have been nothin ’ but a nuisance since they got here . As if havin ’ tae dance around their dirty nests wasn ’ t bad enough , I can smell their stench from the city ’ s gates . ” The Dark Iron was seething . He cracked his knuckles and then took a step toward the nearby gryphon , both hands balled into fists . Eli instinctively thrust up his pitchfork toward the Dark Iron . “ Dinna ye lay a hand on the gryphon , lad . ” The Dark Iron ’ s eyes widened at the sight of the pitchfork pointed at him . “ Ye see this , lads ? ” he said to the other Dark Irons . “ A Wildhammer raisin ’ a weapon against us . ” Eli hastily lowered his pitchfork . “ Dinna make this into somethin ’ it ’ s not . ” Five gryphon riders squatting close by rose to their feet . One of them stepped forward and jabbed his finger into the Dark Iron ’ s armored chest . “ Take the rest o ’ yer swill an ’ be on yer way , ” the Wildhammer said . Kurdran could sense it coming . The cauldron boiling up , its fiery contents rising higher and higher . After the troubling revelation about Modimus ’ s hammer , a brawl was the last thing he needed to deal with . He walked toward the Dark Irons , hoping to avert the inevitable . “ Ye Wildhammers would see this city burn before harm ever came tae these beasts ! ” the Dark Iron roared , and then he turned to his companions . “ Give ’ em somethin ’ tae calm their nerves , lads . ” Without hesitation , two of the Dark Irons heaved their keg into the roost . It soared by Kurdran ’ s head and came crashing down next to Sky ’ ree , spraying her and nearby gryphons with Dark Iron spirits . Rage momentarily welled up inside of Kurdran , and he took a deep breath to regain his composure . He marched to the lead Dark Iron to send him and his clansmen on their way . At seeing Kurdran , the Dark Iron took an involuntary step back , slipping on the straw and landing on the ground with a thud . Raucous laughter erupted from the gryphon riders . “ Just seein ’ Kurdran scared the wee bairn ! ” one of them yelled . The Dark Iron glanced furtively around , his face awash with humiliation . Finally he rose and stepped forward , inches away from Kurdran . “ Butterfly Thane … why dinna ye go back an ’ sit in the straw wi ’ the rest o ’ the animals ? ” the Dark Iron growled . Then he spat in Kurdran ’ s face . The tiny force of the insult dislodged something in Kurdran , something that had been lurking deep inside of him since he had come to Ironforge . The fleeting dream of seeing the skies above Aerie Peak … his decision to give up the heirloom … Sky ’ ree ’ s condition . Everything exploded at once , blinding him with fury . Kurdran ’ s fist connected with the Dark Iron ’ s head , sending the other dwarf off his feet . Without any order to do so , the Wildhammers at Kurdran ’ s side charged forward . The Dark Irons hurled their kegs at the attackers , who expertly dodged and rolled out of harm ’ s way . Loud squawks rose from the gryphons as kegs landed throughout the roost , splintering against areas covered in only a thin layer of straw . Then the Wildhammers and the Dark Irons collided , clutching whatever limbs or armor they could grab . The groups pushed back and forth until the Dark Irons finally lost their balance and crashed into a nearby brazier . Fiery embers erupted from the iron container and caught a nearby mound of straw alight . The fire surged through the surrounding nests , fueled by the Dark Iron spirits . In seconds , the entire roost was aflame . Smoke billowed up toward the ceiling of the Great Forge . A number of gryphons voiced shrill cries and took to the air , leaving a torrent of feathers , ash , and embers swirling below them . “ Water ! ” Kurdran roared , stepping over the pile of dwarves on the ground . From other parts of the Great Forge , dwarves began rushing toward the roost . Gryphons were now circling in the shadowy recesses of the area , but four remained on the ground , three of them huddling around Sky ’ ree and her nest . “ Sky ’ ree ! ” Kurdran yelled . “ Get out o ’ there ! ” From her direction came a cry that made Kurdran clench his eyes shut in pain . It was a sound he hadn ’ t heard since Outland . A battle cry that had on many occasions been enough to send Sky ’ ree ’ s enemies fleeing in terror . Flames raged around her . Kurdran could barely see Sky ’ ree through the heavy smoke that covered the roost . One of the gryphons at her side shot upward in a blur , leaving a trail of singed feathers in the air . The two other gryphons rose as well , but they did not flee . They hovered in the air with the talons on their forelegs clutching Sky ’ ree ’ s wings , voicing brief caws to each other . In unison , the two gryphons began beating their wings furiously , trying to lift Sky ’ ree off the ground , but she jerked herself free from the grasp of her kin . Dwarves started dousing the fire with kegs of water , while a newly arrived pair of gnomes in long flowing robes muttered incantations that sent crystals of ice over the roost . The fire , however , continued to roar . Kurdran moved to strip off his armor , but in his state of shock he could do little more than fumble with the straps . He abandoned the idea and barreled toward the flames . “ Kurdran ! ” Eli yelled . The gryphon tender and two other Wildhammers wrapped their arms around Kurdran ’ s body . Even with three powerful dwarves clinging to him , Kurdran edged closer and closer to the flames . It took another two Wildhammers to finally wrestle him to the ground . Pinned down , Kurdran could only watch as the two gryphons near Sky ’ ree fled from the roost , the heat and smoke too much for them to bear any longer . After an agonizing few seconds , Sky ’ ree slumped to the ground . When the last burning embers had been extinguished , Eli and the other Wildhammers released Kurdran , and he rushed into the smoldering roost . Sky ’ ree was there , motionless . Blackened and smoking . A hand touched Kurdran ’ s shoulder . “ I … I ’ m sorry , ” Eli said in a hoarse voice . “ Why ’ d she fight her kin ? They were tryin ’ tae save her … . ” Kurdran muttered in disbelief . “ Och … o ’ course , lad . She was protectin ’ the eggs ! ” Eli said suddenly . The two dwarves carefully moved Sky ’ ree ’ s body . Underneath , where three pristine eggs had once been , were scattered fragments of charred shells and the half - cooked remains of Sky ’ ree ’ s children . Kurdran stared at the grim sight , speechless . “ She … she tried , ” Eli said , and he knelt down in front of the blackened nest . The crowd around the ruined gryphon roost stood in silence . Even the Dark Irons who had been partly responsible for the fire seemed bewildered and at a loss for words . All eyes were on Kurdran . The smoke roiling around him was tinged with the smell of burnt flesh and straw , and he felt dizzy . Kurdran wandered out of the Great Forge while gryphons were still circling in the air and the city ’ s residents were attempting to piece together what had happened . It was all he could do to keep from collapsing . The fire had burned a wound in him , and from it had drained the last remnants of hope , ambition , and joy that had once coursed through his veins . For hours he sat alone in a sparsely populated tavern with a pint of untouched ale as memories of Sky ’ ree came to him . Each one was overshadowed by images of her charred corpse . She should have died in battle , or at the very least in the comfort of her home near Aerie Peak . Not in the heart of a mountain . It was a mistake to come here , Kurdran thought . His regret dredged up reminders of someone whom he had kept almost completely out of his mind for the past few weeks : Falstad . Falstad had taken over the title of Wildhammer high thane from Kurdran during his years on Outland . After finally returning to Aerie Peak , Kurdran had felt an overwhelming urge to make up for the decades he had been absent from his homeland . Although he hadn ’ t officially laid claim to his old rank , Kurdran had issued orders to his clan without consulting Falstad , which had undermined the high thane ’ s position . Kurdran ’ s journey to Ironforge was one example of his overzealous attempts to prove that he was the leader he had always been . As current high thane , Falstad had been slated to join the Council of Three Hammers , but Kurdran had snatched the opportunity from him , stating in not - so - subtle words that his friend did not possess the experience to undertake such a task . In the jubilance surrounding Kurdran ’ s return from Outland , the clan had backed his reasoning . Kurdran could still see the anger and hurt in the high thane ’ s eyes after all had been said and done , as if Kurdran had felt that Falstad ’ s twenty years of bravely leading the clan had been meaningless . Now Kurdran realized the foolishness of what he had done . For the first time , he wished that Falstad could take his place in the city . Not because Kurdran wanted him to endure the tension rife in Ironforge , but because he believed that Falstad was a better dwarf for the job . No , Kurdran told himself . Calling upon Falstad , even after everything that had happened , would be a sign of weakness . There was still a means , Kurdran realized , to prevent Ironforge from stripping away all that he held dearest . There was still something that the city hadn ’ t taken . The High Seat was empty when Kurdran stalked through it to Muradin ’ s throne . Adjacent to the stone seat was the large iron chest where the three pieces of the Modimus hammer were stored . Each council member had been given a large , heavy key to the container . Kurdran slipped his into the lock . Slowly he opened the chest and withdrew his clan ’ s scepter . It looked barren and defiled now , stripped of its gryphon feathers and dry strands of grass in preparation for the reforging . “ I knew you would take it back , ” said a voice tinged with glee . Kurdran whirled . Moira was standing at the bottom of the ramp to the thrones , still dressed in her formal wear , holding Dagran in her arms . A shaft of light cut across the High Seat from the open door of her chambers at the back of the room . “ I ’ ll not be part o ’ this lie . ” Moira gracefully ascended the ramp . “ You remind me of Dagran clutching one of his toys for dear life and throwing a tantrum when I try to take it from him . ” “ Ye never understood what this meant tae me … an ’ ye never will . ” The Ironforge heiress strolled over to Kurdran ’ s throne and looked it up and down . “ I ’ m still puzzled as to why you ever came here , ” Moira said . “ You and your clan don ’ t belong in Ironforge . Nor do you want to be here , it seems . ” “ I was asked tae come . ” “ Not by me . ” It was true . When Moira had arrived in Ironforge with her Dark Irons , she had effectively taken the city hostage . One of the visitors trapped within had been Prince Anduin of Stormwind . In reaction , his father , King Varian , had accompanied a group of SI : 7 assassins into Ironforge , intent on killing Moira for her misdeeds . Ultimately , he had spared her , but he had resolved to create the Council of Three Hammers to maintain peace . In doing so , Varian had named Falstad as the representative of the Wildhammer clan . For a moment the two dwarves simply stared at each other , until Moira broke the silence . “ I wonder how it feels for a dwarf like you , who has won so many battles , to be defeated . ” “ What do ye mean ? ” Moira set Dagran down near Muradin ’ s throne , and the toddler climbed up onto the stone seat , giggling and oblivious to the conversation taking place . “ It must be a strange and terrible feeling . ” “ What are ye talkin ’ about ? ” Kurdran asked with growing agitation . A smile crept onto Moira ’ s face . It was the same practiced grin that Kurdran had seen countless times , but in the current situation , there was something sinister to it . A cold realization began dawning on him . “ I was concerned when you joined the council . You were a dwarf of iron will , strength , and resolve who had sacrificed everything to protect our world . But when finally you arrived , I saw how you clung so tightly to that old piece of iron . It was a strange sight … as though you had somehow put all of your pride into that single object . ” Kurdran barely heard Moira ’ s words . His thoughts were racing . The strange rumors about the Wildhammers . The steady escalation of tension brought about because of the falsified parchment found in the library . Even Moira ’ s defense of his clan . All of it had painted the Wildhammers as nonconformists and methodically eaten away at their reputation . As a result , attention had shifted from Ironforge ’ s usual object of animosity : the Dark Irons . The simplicity of it all filled Kurdran with the terrible sense of ineptitude that came with being bested by an enemy not your equal . This was the sort of devious behavior he had expected of Moira , but he hadn ’ t trusted his intuition . “ So was it ye who put the parchment in the library ? Or did ye have that rat Drukan do it fer ye ? ” The Ironforge heiress simply smirked and patted Dagran ’ s back , ignoring the question . “ I ’ ve stationed guards at the library . I can assure you something like this will not happen again . ” “ Answer me ! ” Kurdran roared , drawing his stormhammer and pointing it at Moira . Moira eyed him evenly , unfazed . “ You ’ ve slain dragons with that hammer , correct ? Countless orcs as well , I assume ? I can only imagine what it would do to me . ” “ It ’ d crack yer skull wide open before ye even made a sound . ” Moira stifled a laugh . “ And with my blood still warm on this floor , my people would rise up and burn this city . You and your brutish clan would be the first cast into the fire . ” “ If ye had even one ounce o ’ honor in ye , ye ’ d admit what ye did . ” “ It ’ s over , Kurdran . You ’ re a dwarf of action , not words . Alas , in Ironforge words are all that matter . This isn ’ t Outland , where victory is measured in the amount of blood you spill . It ’ s measured in the number of hearts you win . And you have failed quite spectacularly at that . Perhaps Falstad would have been a more appropriate dwarf to represent your clan after all . ” “ All this time ye ’ ve been blabberin ’ on about unity , ” Kurdran said , his grip tightening on the stormhammer . “ Ye dinna even know what ye want . ” Moira ’ s face stiffened , and she struggled to keep smiling . “ I know exactly what I want , ” Moira hissed . “ You were never willing to extend a hand in peace to the Dark Irons . Your opinions were already fixed when you came here , clouded by old hatred . ” “ So ye sacrificed me and me clan so the Dark Irons wouldna be treated like the scum they are ? ” Kurdran asked . “ I did what I did for the future . So that when my son inherits this throne , he will not rule over a city that treats him like a pariah due to the blood that flows through his veins . ” “ If only Magni could see ye here . I can only imagine the pain he ’ d feel , watchin ’ his degenerate trogg o ’ a daughter tear down everythin ’ he worked tae build . ” “ Do not speak to me as if you know of my past , or Magni ’ s . ” Moira was exploding with rage . “ You and your clan are guests in this city . The sooner you leave , the better ! ” Moira unconsciously squeezed Dagran ’ s arm , and the toddler began to wail . “ I always expected that — " Kurdran stopped short . A terrible thought suddenly came to him . He took a step toward Moira , the stormhammer inches from her face . “ Ye … ye killed Sky ’ ree . Ye sent yer dirty clan tae start that fire . ” “ No , ” Moira said with indignation , “ do not accuse me of something that you are responsible for . I punished the Dark Irons who participated in the fight , but from what they told me , it was you who threw the first blow . ” Guilt welled up in Kurdran . Ever since the fire earlier that day , he had tried to forget that he could have prevented the brawl . His arm went slack , and he lowered the stormhammer . “ Take it and leave , ” Moira said , eyeing the Wildhammer scepter . “ Or don ’ t . ” She scooped Dagran into her arms and descended the ramp without looking back at Kurdran . “ We will commence with the reforging regardless . On the morrow it will be a Dark Iron who brings unity to the clans , ” Moira said as she entered her private quarters , slamming the door behind her . The truth in Moira ’ s words , in everything she had said , carried a terrible weight . The enemy Kurdran had longed to find had shown herself , but he could do nothing to fight her without endangering the entire city . He was as helpless as the crystalline statue that had been King Magni . All at once , the foreign feeling of defeat washed over him . Sweat began pouring down his body . Every breath seemed filled with stagnant heat , not air . Kurdran shoved the scepter through an opening in his chestpiece near his arm . With the heirloom hidden , he rushed out of the room and toward the gates of Ironforge as the city ’ s stone walls closed in on him . Kurdran inhaled the frigid air at Ironforge ’ s gates deeply . The sweat covering his body chilled in the cold night , and he shivered . In the distance , through a curtain of snowfall , shapes illuminated by light from the open city gate were unloading crates from a cart . One of the silhouettes looked up in Kurdran ’ s direction . It trudged through the snow toward him . It was Muradin . “ Been lookin ’ fer ye , lad , ” the Bronzebeard said as he brushed snow from his plated shoulders . “ I canna say how sorry I was tae hear about Sky ’ ree . She died like she lived , free o ’ fear . Fightin ’ fer what was most important … her people . Her future . ” “ Her future died wi ’ her , ” Kurdran said . He let out a long sigh , his breath white in the cold . Muradin stood for a moment , silent . “ Aye … but I ’ d rather die fer me kin in a fight I know I canna win than not fight at all . I suppose ye wouldna understand much about that , though , would ye ? ” Kurdran ’ s eyes narrowed at the affront , but he felt weak after the encounter with Moira . “ I ’ ve been fightin ’ fer me kin since the day I set foot in Ironforge . ” “ Dinna mistake stubbornness fer bravery . They ain ’ t the same , ” Muradin replied . “ Ye wouldna understand . Ye ’ re no different than Moira . ” Muradin sighed and lowered his head . “ When ye joined the council , I thought tae meself , ’ Now there ’ s a dwarf who can set the bickerin ’ in this city straight . ’ Instead , all ye did was make things worse . ” “ Aye , because I had tae go at it alone . Ye greeted me wi ’ open arms , but as soon as I made a stand fer somethin ’ I believed in , ye turned yer back on me . ” “ How many times did I tell ye that this business wi ’ the hammer wasn ’ t worth fightin ’ over ? I stopped wastin ’ me breath when it was clear ye wouldna listen tae reason , ” Muradin retorted . To the Bronzebeard ’ s credit , Kurdran recalled numerous times in the past days when Muradin had approached him in private and spoken with him about giving up the Wildhammer scepter . But each of those conversations had seemed more like a personal attack than advice . “ Dinna ye see , lad ? ” Muradin continued . “ That old piece o ’ iron is a shackle holdin ’ ye back . Holdin ’ this whole city back . The more ye argue about it , the tighter it becomes . ” “ An ’ what if I dinna go through with the reforging tomorrow ? ” Kurdran blurted out . As the words left his mouth , he felt the scepter hidden beneath his armor dig into his ribs . Muradin ’ s brow furrowed . He looked at Kurdran with disdain . “ Magni enjoyed the tales o ’ yer fightin ’ with Sky ’ ree in Outland . I ’ m only happy that he isn ’ t here tae see the fool ye really are . ” Kurdran had considered telling Muradin about his confrontation with Moira . Now , though , he wondered if Muradin had colluded with Magni ’ s daughter . Yet there was an air of forthrightness to Muradin that lessened Kurdran ’ s fears . In a way that made the Bronzebeard ’ s words all the more painful to hear . “ That scepter kept the heart o ’ me clan alive in Outland ! ” Kurdran shouted . “ The heart o ’ yer clan is in ye ! ” Muradin ’ s voice rose to match Kurdran ’ s . “ It was in Sky ’ ree . An ’ it ’ s in all those Wildhammers in the city , sufferin ’ every moment that ye keep arguin ’ . I ’ m tryin ’ tae move this city forward , not bog it down with nonsense about old iron . ” “ Move forward ? ” Kurdran scoffed . “ The hammer wasn ’ t the right way tae move forward when we thought it was real , an ’ it sure isn ’ t the right way now that we know it ’ s a lie . ” Muradin took a deep breath and placed his hand on Kurdran ’ s shoulder . “ Just let it go , lad . Nothin ’ good comes without sacrifice . Ye know that more than any o ’ us . ” Kurdran shoved the Bronzebeard ’ s arm away . “ Is this the reason ye were lookin ’ fer me ? Tae tell me how tae run me clan ? ” Muradin ’ s face became twisted in anger . He glanced back at the shadowy forms working in the night . The other dwarves continued unloading crates , oblivious to Muradin and Kurdran . When the Bronzebeard turned back , he whipped his right hand in Kurdran ’ s face , knocking the Wildhammer back . “ Nay , lad . Just wanted tae see fer meself where the line between fact an ’ fiction lay . ” Muradin was already on his way back to the cart by the time the shock of the blow had worn off . Kurdran simply stood at the gates , staring into the dark of the night . The Wildhammer scepter felt oddly heavy at his side . Many of his memories on Outland were tied to it . But before that , he ’ d had little emotional attachment to the heirloom . In fact , he remembered nearly leaving it behind when he had set out for the orcish homeworld . The scepter had been hanging on a wall , coated with a layer of dust , when on a whim he had decided to pack it with his belongings . All at once he felt foolish for taking the scepter from the High Seat . What did he intend to do with it ? Leave the city and forsake his duties as a member of the council , tarnishing not only his own honor , but that of Falstad and the rest of his clan as well ? Kurdran mulled over the question as he walked through the gates and back into the heat of Ironforge . As he paced aimlessly at the outer ring of the city , a voice called after him , “ Kurdran ! ” Eli jogged toward him , carrying a bundle of furs . “ I ’ m nae in the mood , ” Kurdran muttered . “ Aye , aye . I know the feelin ’ . But ye ’ ll want tae see this , lad ! ” Eli said , and he nearly tumbled to the ground . The gryphon tender set the furs down on the stone floor and knelt beside them . Kurdran also knelt and watched with sudden attention as Eli unwrapped the bundle . “ It ’ s hers , ” Eli said . A smile bordered by his thick beard was stretching from ear to ear . Kurdran leaned closer to the furs in disbelief . Nestled within was an egg stained with soot . “ I found one o ’ the other gryphons carryin ’ it . He ’ d been hidin ’ up on a perch in the Great Forge . Must ’ ve grabbed the egg durin ’ the fire . None o ’ the others were tendin ’ tae eggs , ” Eli said . “ I ’ ve been lookin ’ fer ye ever since . ” Kurdran recalled then , among the chaos of the fire , the ash , the feathers , and the terrible cries , a gryphon shooting up in a blur from next to Sky ’ ree , his forelegs tucked tight to his chest . Kurdran raised his head and saw Eli ’ s eyes watering . The gryphon tender quickly wiped them . “ Dinna tell anyone about this . If the other lads knew I was sheddin ’ tears , I ’ d never hear the end o ’ it . ” “ It wouldna be the first time ye went all weepy . ” A laugh rumbled from deep within Kurdran as the words left his mouth . Yet the joy was tinged with anger as he gazed back down at the egg . It was a miraculous turn of events , but if he had the choice , he would have traded the egg for Sky ’ ree without a second thought . “ It isn ’ t Sky ’ ree … . ” Kurdran said . “ Och , a thought like that ’ ll put poison in yer head , lad . Put it tae rest now , or else ye ’ ll spend yer whole life waitin ’ fer somethin ’ that ’ ll never be . ” Eli gripped Kurdran ’ s forearm . “ This will nae ever be Sky ’ ree , ” Eli continued , his face as serious as Kurdran had ever seen it . “ But it ’ s her blood . It ’ s her gift tae ye . An ’ I can promise ye that one day it ’ ll grow into a gryphon just as great as its mother . ” “ Aye … " Kurdran said , and he felt a lump moving up his throat . Hesitantly , he placed his palm on the egg . It was somehow warm , but the sensation was altogether different than the stifling heat of Ironforge . The warmth coursed through Kurdran ’ s veins and made him feel as though he were standing under the blue skies of the Hinterlands , bathed in the light of the sun . In that moment , everything became clear . He knew what he had to do , regardless of the consequences , to honor King Magni and fulfill his own duties as a member of the Council of Three Hammers . The Great Forge was packed with dwarves shoulder to shoulder when Kurdran arrived . Nearly the entire city had turned out for the reforging of Modimus ’ s hammer . Even a few scattered gnomes , draenei , and other members of the Alliance were in attendance , although they stayed far from the dwarves gathered near the monstrous Great Anvil at the heart of the forge . A line of Ironforge guards cordoned off the area around the anvil , and only Moira , Muradin , and a Dark Iron smith stood within . Many of the dwarves present were armed , tense with bottled rage . The Wildhammers had assembled near the entrance to the High Seat , far from their usual place at the gryphon roost . After the fire , they had taken all of their winged companions out of the city . The roost , cleaned and lined with new straw , now housed only Ironforge ’ s own gryphons . Kurdran edged his way through the crowded forge . A great clamor rose from the mob around him , and among the indecipherable din Kurdran caught the word “ thief " uttered numerous times . As he neared the center of the room , he could see Moira standing just behind the guards , addressing the audience . “ We have our suspicions regarding who stole the handle of Modimus ’ s hammer , ” Moira said . “ An investigation will take place . We will not , however , allow these thieves to disrupt what we have set out to do . We will commence with the reforging as … " Moira trailed off as Kurdran shuffled through the line of guards encircling the Great Anvil . “ Kurdran , ” Moira said casually , as if their encounter the night before had never happened , “ there ’ s a thief in our midst . ” The Ironforge heiress gestured at the Great Anvil , where the Bronzebeard hammerhead and the Dark Iron gem lay in plain sight . “ Care to shed any light on this predicament ? ” she asked loud enough for the gathered onlookers to hear . Beneath her mask of civility , Kurdran could sense Moira savoring every moment of what she surely believed was her domination of the Wildhammer representative . “ I do , ” Kurdran replied , looking momentarily at Muradin . The Bronzebeard stared at Kurdran with disgust , but he said nothing . Kurdran strode to the edge of the Great Anvil . He drew the Wildhammer heirloom from inside his armor , thrusting the scepter in the air toward the watching dwarves . “ Ironforge ! ” he roared . “ It was I who took the hammer piece . ” Shouts rose from the crowd , and dwarves began pushing against the ring of guards around the Great Anvil . Others edged toward the Wildhammers at the High Seat ’ s entrance . Muradin stepped closer to the anvil and grasped Kurdran ’ s free arm . “ Kurdran ! ” The Bronzebeard was seething . “ Ye ’ re goin ’ tae start a riot ! ” “ Ye said I could be the one tae set the bickerin ’ in this city straight . That ’ s what I ’ m about tae do . ” “ How ? ” Muradin asked . “ By breakin ’ the chain , lad . ” Muradin ’ s brows furrowed in confusion . But eventually , it seemed to Kurdran as if the Bronzebeard had realized what was about to happen . Muradin walked toward the crowd and bellowed , “ Let him say his piece ! ” When the noise died down , Kurdran continued . “ Fer many years I was stuck on Outland , never knowin ’ wi ’ any certainty whether or nae I ’ d return home . Durin ’ all that time , this here piece o ’ iron gave me an ’ the lads and lasses at me side hope . It reminded us o ’ who we were an ’ what we had tae fight fer ! ” Kurdran glanced up at the heirloom . The night before , while he had knelt next to Sky ’ ree ’ s egg , he had finally realized what the scepter was — a piece of old iron . Tempered metal that had set dwarf against dwarf and instilled fear and hate in Kurdran ’ s own heart . He had been no different from the mindless , livid mob standing before him now . A dwarf afraid of the unknown , unwilling to move forward if it meant giving up something familiar . But he had done so on Outland . He had given up his title as high thane to Falstad . He had given up years of his life in Aerie Peak to secure a better future for his kind . The scepter , by comparison , was incredibly trivial . “ But this isn ’ t Outland , ” Kurdran continued , “ an ’ this isn ’ t the Ironforge o ’ our ancestors . So why are we tryin ’ tae put this hammer together tae make it that way ? This is a new Ironforge . It will nae ever be the one o ’ the past , an ’ reforgin ’ Modimus ’ s hammer surely will nae change that ! ” Kurdran slammed the Wildhammer heirloom onto the anvil . “ Me an ’ me clan will have nae part in seein ’ this era begin by chainin ’ ourselves tae a hammer ! ” The crowd ’ s movements became erratic . In the shadows of the Great Forge the dwarves looked like a single organism , expanding and contracting , a moment away from bursting apart at the seams . “ He ’ s goin ’ tae take the piece back ! ” “ The Wildhammers are showin ’ their true colors ! ” Without another word , Kurdran drew the stormhammer from his back . In one swift movement , he raised the weapon high and drove it down onto the scepter in a flash of light . The resulting thunderclap made Kurdran ’ s ears ring , despite his having used the hammer for decades . The heirloom exploded in a shower of iron shards . The dwarves in the crowd froze in sudden bewilderment . Confusion rippled across their taut faces . “ The new Ironforge begins here . Ask yerselves , do ye want tae start it by puttin ’ this hammer back together so that one day it can be broken again ? The Wildhammers have chosen tae take a step forward , not back . Who among ye is wi ’ us ? ” As Kurdran turned and extended his stormhammer to the other council members , he was surprised to find Muradin already marching to the anvil . “ The Bronzebeards are ! ” Muradin shouted , and he grasped the stormhammer with one hand . In unison Muradin and Kurdran looked to Moira , as did the entire gathering in the Great Forge . She stood alone . The Ironforge heiress glanced around as if she were searching for some escape . As the silence in the room dragged on , she finally moved toward the anvil in awkward steps , as though her body and mind were working against each other . With her eyes locked on Kurdran , she placed her hand above Muradin ’ s on the stormhammer handle . With his free hand , Kurdran moved the Bronzebeard hammerhead and the Dark Iron gem to the center of the enormous anvil . As one , the council members drove Kurdran ’ s weapon down . Another thunderclap sounded , and the remaining artifacts fractured into pieces . With them , so too did the lie . Afterward , the three dwarves stood at the anvil , each still with a hand on the stormhammer , holding it high . The crowd gave applause that soon turned to cheers . All the while , Moira glared at Kurdran as though she were expecting him to say something to her . He said nothing . By the following week , the tension among the clans had become a smoldering coal ; it was still present , but the threat of violence seemed distant . Kurdran was on his second pint of ale in the Stonefire Tavern , sitting alone at a table in a corner of the establishment . His solitude , however , was not born out of anger or guilt . He was waiting for someone with nervous anticipation . If he doesnae come , Kurdran thought , can I blame him ? As if in answer to the silent question , Falstad Wildhammer entered the tavern , his red hair pulled back in a ponytail much like Kurdran ’ s . He stopped in the doorway , eyes searching the dimly lit room until he found Kurdran . Without a smile or nod , Falstad strode toward Kurdran ’ s table and took a seat . “ Good tae see ye , lad , ” Kurdran said . “ And ye as well , ” Falstad replied in an even tone . A moment of uncomfortable silence passed . Kurdran had called Falstad to Ironforge shortly after the destruction of the Wildhammer scepter , not knowing how his friend would react to the summons . Now that Falstad was in the city , Kurdran was both relieved and unsure . “ Ye dinna need tae do this . Ye have more right tae be on this council than I do , ” Falstad said . “ Nay , ” Kurdran replied . “ Ye ’ ve been high thane o ’ the Wildhammers fer twenty years . Only thing that ’ s changed o ’ late is a thick - headed dwarf thinkin ’ he could do the job better than ye … . ” “ I spoke tae Eli a moment ago . It seems ye ’ ve made yer mark on Ironforge already . ” “ All I did was clean up a mess I made meself . A mess that wouldna have even happened if ye had been here . ” Falstad stared hard at Kurdran , his lips pursed . Kurdran steeled himself , expecting his friend to berate him for his arrogance or even gloat over the unrest he had caused in Ironforge . “ If ye will nae do it fer me , ” Kurdran said with sudden urgency , “ then take yer place on this council fer the good o ’ the clan . ” Falstad leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed , his eyes never leaving Kurdran . “ So ye expect me tae forgive ye and join the council … when ye dinna even have a fresh pint waitin ’ on the table ? ” Falstad asked , and a toothy grin stretched across his face . Kurdran let out a hearty laugh , feeling as though a great weight had been taken off of his shoulders . In that moment he recognized the immense wisdom and capacity for forgiveness that Falstad possessed . They were traits that would lead the Wildhammer clan to great things , even amid the uncertainty brought about by the formation of the council . After Kurdran had ordered a pint for Falstad , the two dwarves raised their mugs . “ Fer the council , ” Falstad said . “ Fer the high thane o ’ the Wildhammers , ” Kurdran replied . “ Fer Sky ’ ree . ” Falstad lowered his mug to his mouth before Kurdran could offer another toast . No doubt , Eli had told Falstad about Sky ’ ree ’ s death . Kurdran appreciated the brevity of the remembrance , for he knew , as Falstad and other gryphon riders did , that lengthy condolences would do nothing to soothe the pain that came with losing a friend like Sky ’ ree . Falstad set his mug down on the table with a hollow thud and asked , “ So what will ye do now , then ? ” “ I might journey down tae Stormwind . I ’ ve had good experiences wi ’ humans in me past and would like tae meet this King Varian . And … I hear there ’ s a statue in honor o ’ me death in Outland right at the city ’ s gates . ” Kurdran grinned . “ Aye … I wrote the placard . Was quite a task tryin ’ tae find somethin ’ good tae say , ” Falstad quipped with a chuckle . As the night wore on , other dwarves joined Kurdran and Falstad at their table . They talked of the great political changes occurring throughout the kingdoms of Azeroth as well as the natural calamities that had reshaped the world following the Cataclysm . Among the topics that interested Kurdran most was a discussion of the scattered Wildhammer dwarves of the Twilight Highlands . Fiercely independent , they had long remained free of governance by Aerie Peak . Recently , though , word had come that something dark had been taking root among the green hills of the northern lands . When the dwarves turned to other topics , Kurdran ’ s mind wandered . A week ago he would have been concerned that relinquishing his place on the council would diminish his strength in the eyes of his clan . Today , that mattered little . There was something in making the sacrifice , something in having the will to forgo his personal desires for the good of his people , that filled Kurdran with fire . It was the same fire that had driven him to Outland and had allowed him to break the Wildhammer scepter . His destiny wasn ’ t in Ironforge , nor was it in sitting idly in Aerie Peak . It was here , and it was there : a life guided by the winds . In that unpredictability was the strength to face any challenge , to stand firm against insurmountable odds and fight for the bleakest of hopes . That was the will of a Wildhammer . For the first time since he had come to the city — in fact , since he had returned from Outland — he felt free , as if he were flying among the clouds with Sky ’ ree . In his mind ’ s eye , he was . Kurdran was with the gryphon ’ s spirit , soaring in a cloudless blue expanse that seemed infinite in scope . Up ahead was something indecipherable , shimmering like a mirage . In his heart he knew that it was peace for Aerie Peak and all Wildhammers . Whether it would take another day , week , or ten years to reach was impossible to predict — and foolish to worry over . With resolve and determination , he gave Sky ’ ree a firm pat on her neck and let the winds guide them toward the horizon .