The 82nd Infantry Battalion’s D-Company, dispatched to Westfall following reports of increased attacks on Breadbasket Guild caravans, has faced its first heavy casualty since being stationed in the troubled region. Sent in to safeguard the guild's supply lines, D-Company confronted an enemy that seemed to strike at a moment when the Crown’s focus was elsewhere, leaving this quiet farmland exposed to ruthless assaults.
Late into the evening, D-Company was tasked with intercepting one such caravan on its way to Sentinel Hill. What they found was nothing short of grim—a brutal ambush had already taken place, leaving little evidence beyond the carnage and the scattered remnants of a caravan that would never complete its journey. As the soldiers moved in to secure the area, Privates Verdana Lake and Karl Jervaise found themselves separated from their comrades, facing down the remaining aggressors left behind to cover up their handiwork.
Both Privates fought with unmatched valor, though the enemy showed no mercy. In the chaos of battle, Private Verdana Lake fell, succumbing to multiple stab wounds despite the company doctor's valiant efforts to save her. Her loss has struck deep in the hearts of her comrades.
In the aftermath, the soldiers of D-Company gathered for a solemn service to honor their fallen comrade. The air was heavy with grief as rifles were raised in salute to Private Lake’s sacrifice. The crack of the volleys echoed across the fields, followed by a deeply emotional ritual led by Father Aevyr. Soldiers lit candles and placed small pieces of wood into a ceremonial brazier—a symbolic act to signify the unity of the company and the enduring light that Lake had brought into their lives.
Article continues after the ad.
The camaraderie was palpable. Private Porters, trembling with emotion, lit a candle for Lake, her tears falling silently as she said her private goodbyes. Others, like Sergeant Derrick Moore, whispered words of resolve: “Rest easy, soldier. We’ll take it from here.”
Even those who had clashed with Private Lake, like Private Garran Dancer, showed regret in their final tributes. “I tried to manufacture a rivalry to impress others,” he confessed. “I regret that now. Perhaps we could have been friends.”
It was a service filled with quiet reflection. As soldiers placed their candles, the brazier’s light grew stronger, symbolizing that, though they had lost one of their own, their shared strength would see them through the trials ahead.
Looking Ahead: The Battle for Westfall Continues
Private Verdana Lake’s body will be returned to Redridge, where she will be laid to rest with her family. Her name will not soon be forgotten, etched into the hearts of those she fought beside. Yet the question remains: Who are these aggressors, and why have they targeted the Breadbasket Guild caravans?
The road ahead for D-Company remains treacherous. As the company mourns its loss, they are also tasked with pushing forward. The enemy they face is not one easily understood, nor are they likely to relent. Lake’s death marks the beginning of a long and arduous campaign, with D-Company left to carry on the fight, even as Stormwind's main forces focus elsewhere.
The Lion's Roar will continue to follow this developing story as D-Company digs in, and more information about these shadowy aggressors comes to light. For now, Westfall remains a dangerous place, but the bravery of D-Company offers a glimmer of hope.