“Wow, master has some incredible items in his vault,” Oleysia commented to herself as she looked through the shelves of books, weapons and other items. Then she spotted a group of purple spheres placed within a glass case, they gave off the un-disguisable aura of magic, powerful magic. “What harm would taking a closer look do,” she thought as she opened the small door and lifted one out.

The sphere was far lighter than she had thought it would be, as she looked closer Oleysia saw that it was not actually purple at all but clear, it was magical energy inside that was. What was more, the energy seemed to be fluid, moving around its container in random unexpected patterns, unconsciously the young warlock was bringing the orb closer and closer to her face.

Gradually something was emerging from deep within the sphere, numerous Figures soon became clearly defined they were standing in a ruined hall with dead skeletons the likes of which Oleysia had never seen before Oleysia realised that the sphere was showing her a scene through another’s eyes. She spotted her master among the fighters, though he seemed much younger. Then there was a terrible roar from the beast her master and his friends were fighting, suddenly a small forsaken girl slipped and yelled out as her foot was caught in a crack between two large stones in the ground. Hands belonging to the person whose eyes Oleysia was looking through lashed out, they knocked the girl to the ground but at the last moment looked up to see a huge tail swing towards them.

The last thing the orb showed the young warlock was a rapidly shrinking platform and a rocky out crop rushing upwards, then everything went black. The vision ended so abruptly that it caught Oleysia by surprised and she let the sphere slip from her grasp, it landed on the ground with a loud ‘cluck’ that broke the blanket of silence that covered the room. With panic rising in her Oleysia made to grab for it but before she could even touch it, the orb split in two. The magical energy with in seeped out on to the floor and began to grow, upwards. Even as Oleysia turned and fled from the vault she could see that, there was a distinctive form emerging from the magic, a humanoid one. As she left the vault she ran head long into her master Zujin, literally.

“Oww,” she said loudly as she fell backward on to the floor. She sat there for a few moments stunned before seeing a large green hand appear in front of her, taking it she felt herself be pulled to her feet with ease. “Master Zujin before you say anything let me explain…” Oleysia spoke rapidly but stopped when she saw his expression.

“Have you finished packing?” he asked, whether he was angry with her or not Oleysia could not tell his voice and stance gave nothing away.

“No Master Zujin,” she replied. “I only have a few more things to pack, spell books and the like,” she added.

“Well then, off you go, Saku will be here soon and you know he does not like to be kept waiting.” She nodded and moved quickly off down the hall rubbing her sore buttocks. She was eager to escape Zujin’s gaze and whatever was opening the Vault door just behind her. “You’ll find a robe in the back of the vault,” Zujin said to the shadow.

She was almost at her room when the door across the hall from it opened and a large white tauren emerged. He was dressed in what appeared to be an outfit of leather and wood, as always the sheer size of the bovine always made her nervous and she paused for just a moment looking up at him.

“Well hello there little warlock,” The tauren greeted her with a smile, she all but ran to her room and closed the door behind her.

“Your apprentice seems a little timid for a Warlock,” she heard the tauren laughed.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The elders had arranged themselves in a half circle with her seat situated in front of them. The elders represented every class of Draenai in their small society, warriors, paladins, mages, hunters, and shamans. Not only that but sitting in the middle of the table directly in front of her was Velen himself.

She had no idea how long she spent in that room, first she was allowed to explain exactly what happened from the moment her team left the Exodar up until the point she teleported back on the brink of death. All but Velen greeted the sudden outburst of violence between the two groups that they had been observing with surprise. When it came time for her to tell how she and Farrer had discovered Thrope’s body the chamber fell totally silent, then there was a number of gasps as she told of Ezekyle’s betrayal. It took the Elders a few minutes to compose themselves after she had finished her story, but then the questions really started to fly.

“Who was this new group that joined the cultists?” the priest elder asked.

“Yes and did your night elf guide know where they had come from?” added the shaman elder.

“I have no idea who the new group were, but initially they seemed to be a higher part of the same organisation,” Xue explained “Our guide left us two days before the new group appeared, Ezekyle was the last to see her go,” she added but it was not until she said it that she realized that he could have killed the elf and hidden their body.

“It might be best to check with our night elf allies to see if their scout did indeed return,” the shaman elder stated obviously thinking the same thing Xue did.

“How can you be certain it was Ezekyle who was responsible for the death of Thrope and Farrer?” asked the hunter elder rather aggressively, Ezekyle had been a close friend of his, or at least he had been.

“It was his bolts that killed Farrer and Thrope,” Xue answered. “No one else could have commanded his pet spider to attack me with such ferocity either.” Her tone was forcefull when she emphasised this point, she would not be called a liar.

“Tell us again what started the fight between the two groups?” Xue’s own mage elder asked seeming eager to stop any unpleasantness forming.

“Yes and you said that some of the newer group had a few distinctive fighters, can you give us any more detail on those?” inquired the priest elder.

“To be truthful trouble was brewing right from the start the new group took charged put the others to work, they pushed them hard never letting them rest for more than a few hours at a time. But it was the discovery of some gems that seem to be the trigger for it all however. As for the distinctive fighters, one was a human who not only seemed very skilled in the use of his blades but also had them coated with a poison that killed his victims in the most painful way possible. Another was an orc who used a mechanical creature to aid him in slaughtering his enemies,” Xue informed the elders. “He had the appearance of a warlock,” she added as an afterthought.

They asked her many more questions after that, every detail of her story was examined, nothing was left out. Throughout it all however Velen just sat and watch Xue, gauging her reactions and answers. When she did have the courage to meet his gaze she knew that although the elders were asking her the questions it was really him who was deciding whether or not she was telling the truth. Then when she was in the middle of telling the story of the battle again for the forth time, he stood up quietly, the elders all turned looked to him and he nodded before turning away.

“Very well Xue, we are satisfied that your telling the truth about what happened.” The mage elder said as she stood up. “You may go.”

“I have one thing I would like to ask first,” Xue stated they all looked at her. “I wish to form a team to peruse Ezekyle and bring him to justice.”

“I’m sorry but that’s not possible,” one of the elders replied. He raised a hand to prevent her from speaking further, “We don’t have the resources to spare a team at this time Xue. We’ll alert all our outposts and allies to be on the look out for him however that is all we can do. You may go.”

Rising from her chair Xue bowed stiffly and left the room. This was not over despite what the elders had said she would find Ezekyle …

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Jarax was in a foul mood and had been for three days now, ever since he had told Varlet that he wanted her and the twins to remain in Grom’Gol. Their fight had all but woken every one in the camp up that day even though they were outside on the beach. Wisely he had left the children with Timur and Juna as he knew this would be Varlets reaction.

She had brought up their time when he was an outcast from the horde as examples of just how good she was in combat. He had not argued that she was capable of handling herself, but he told her that Outlands was not like anything either of them had experienced before it was a free for all basically, especially Hellfire Peninsula. Their argument went back and forth and was settled in the end by one question, did she want to run the risk of orphaning the twins, it was a low blow and even now he cringed noticeably, even now, when he remembered uttering those words. What answer could she have given other than agree to remain behind, with the condition that he try to find a safer posting where she and the kids could come and join him a soon as possible.

Since arriving in Thrallmar he could see that he had been right, more so than he could have possibly imagined. It seemed as if every enemy the horde had ever made past and present was here, alliance, the legion, the draenei and a new one in the form of their own former kin, they were being attacked on all sides and losing grunts daily. Now here he was second in command of a wolf rider patrol that was examining a series of ruins named, The Overlook, The Stadium and Broken Hill to see if they could be used as outposts with which they could observe their enemies.

“Jarax take four grunts and move to examine the Stadium, I’ll take the rest to Broken Hill and see what we can find there,” ordered Blood Guard Khan, who was in command.

“Yes sir,” Jarax answered. “Your four at the back come with me,” he ordered and they set of towards their goal.

They approached the ruins of the stadium warily as Battlecryer Blackeye had warned them that the alliance too might wish these ruins for their own purposes. With swift hand singles he ordered his grunts to dismount and draw their weapons, he then sent three around the west entrance while he and the last one came at it from the north.

“Every thing appears clear sir,” one of the grunts said quietly.

“Good have a look around and make sure though could be a few hiding in the shadows, you never can tell,” Jarax responded.

“Yes Sir,” the grunts acknowledged his order and moved apart checking every nock and cranny.

They found nothing so Jarax raised the horde standard on the flag pole in the middle, thinking it was a rather strange place for one to be, but then again the orcs of the past were a strange lot. One of the grunts had brought the wolves up and they mounted up, as they did so they heard Khan’s horn sounded indicating his group was in trouble.

“Double time Grunts,” Jarax yelled leaping on to his wolf, the others followed suit and they charged towards Broken Hill.

When they got there they found the other half of the patrol engaged in a ferocious melee with a group of human knights. Out numbered two to one the grunts were surrounded and though they were fighting hard it was clear that there was only one side that could win this. That was of course until Jarax and the rest of the patrol appeared.

“For the Horde!” yelled one of the grunts with Jarax and spurred his wolf into the rear of the knights.

Now seeing that the number of their foes had increased the humans fought harder still, but now it was them who were losing ground. One attempted to stab Jarax in his abdomen but he easily swatted the blow aside and punched them so hard sent them flying back through the air.

Even as the knight flew back knocking over two of their fellow another was suddenly in front of Jarax their blade sweeping down in an arc that was meant to sever his head. What shocked him the most however, was who was wielding the blade, the last human he had ever expected to see here, Lord Sim. The paladin aristocrat that had been behind all the troubles the horde had in the barrens and who had hired a group of female mercenaries, the ‘Fem Fatales’ after him and his friends. Now here they were finally face to face.

Sim seemed to recognize him too, as the paladin attacks became more focused and faster. But he was still just a paladin and Jarax was a battle hardened warrior, both combatants put so much force behind their blows that their weapons vibrated in their hands as they fought. Jarax scored a hit on Sim’s breastplate but the armour prevent the blow from doing any harm, to counter Sim struck out at Jarax’s shoulder but he too was prevented from drawing first blood by strong armour.

Lashing out with his foot Jarax kicked Sim in the side forcing the paladin onto the defensive as the orc rained blows down on him. For every attack Jarax made however Sim had the ability to block it, despite the intensity of the situation and the concentration etched Sim’s dark skinned face he managed to smile mockingly.

“You’re going to have to do better than that orc,” Sim said.

“You can’t keep this up forever,” Jarax replied in crude common.

“Haha, oh but I can,” Sim laughed and cast Divine Shield over himself, just as Jarax swung his axe, he hit the magical barrier with such force that his weapon rebounded causeing him to lose his balance. In that instant Sim lunged forward his blade aimed at Jarax’s chest, but the shield slowed the blow down allowing Jarax time to twist out of its way, almost.

Jarax bellowed in anger and rage as the blade went through his thigh, however he dropped his axe and grabbed for the small one shot pistol that his old friend Saku had given him and he had used to kill the gnomish mage Asta, who had been the leader of the ‘Fem Fatales’. Sim raise his sword for the killing blow Jarax fired, just as the paladins shield vanished, the shot caught Sim in the helmet above his eye slit, though the shot was not nearly powerful enough to breach the armour it did knock the veteran alliance paladin off his own feet.

The fight could still have gone either way, but then the grunts received unexpected reinforcements. A tauren bull, wielding a vicious looking serrated axe and equally horrific looking sword came charging into the ruins, riding on top of a massive black haired, and snarling, salivating wolf. The mere sight of such a foe caused the knights to turn and run back to their mounts, with the bull in hot persuit.

A grunt immediately knelt down beside Jarax and began to help him bandage his wounded leg.

“Damn it, that paladins got more skill than I gave him credit for,” Jarax complained. “Is everyone ok?” he asked and the grunts looked over their shoulder to where Blood Guard Khan’s body lay.

“The one that killed him took his horn too,” the grunt patching his leg commented with disgust. “Who was that tauren, and why did they run from him?”

“It was Oathbreaker, and from the humans reactions they have met him before as well.” Jarax answered as he climbed to his feet. “Ok this wound is going to need a shaman’s skills. Lets take Khans body back to Thrallmar, there is nothing here for us now.”

With the Blood Guard’s body slung over the top of his wolf the patrol made its way back to base.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

She knew it was wrong but Oleysia just could not help herself, Master Zujin her mentor had been in that room now for over two hours. She knew that he was a powerful warlock, and the ones in there with him now different in every way possible, but just as dangerous. Now she listened to what they were saying on the other side of the door.

Already they had discussed that their organisation had lost a few of its older more established members, some of them had died the name Azog was mentioned, others like someone called Bloodsnout, who from the name Oleysia guessed was a tauren, had gone missing. One other they called ‘The Groo’ had apparently returned to his home city of Thunderbluff to be with his mate and their newly born son ‘Groo Jr.’. This last statement caused the young warlock to smile, though she was not sure why.

Now there was a heated debate as to who was going to take charge of each ‘region’ of Outlands and over see Maligneds interests there. Apparently there was some dispute over one in particular, called Zangermarsh. Oleysia could hear two voices arguing over who should be responsible for it.

“There is a sizable troll presence in the marsh, that’s why I think you should be in charge there Rahja,” said the same tauren who had greeted her in the hall not long.

“No way Rurik mon, da druids be dere in numbas too,” countered a female troll. “Dey be da ones most concerned with does naga in da marsh, should be you in charge dere mon.”

It was getting really interesting as the young blood elf pressed herself closer and closer to the door, eager to here more. If fact she was so focused on listening to this argument that she was completely unaware that some one else was in the hall and quietly moved towards her.

“Its rude to eavesdropped you know,” commented a voice right next to her ear.

“Ahh!!” Oleysia yelled and leapt into the air, the talking on the other side of the door immediately stopped.

Standing next to her was Saku, an orc hunter and her master’s best operative. The door opened and was filled by a huge black haired tauren who had a puzzled look. Oleysia’s face turned scarlet as he looked at her, before she could move away however he reached out and gripped her shoulder lightly. He did not seem mad she hoped, before seeing an amused smile grow across his face.

“Spying on us again I see little one,” the bull commented in a jovial tone. “I can see that Zujin still has his hands full with you.” Without removing his hand he looked over to the one who had startled Oleysia in to screaming. “Having some fun at the little ones expense I see Saku,” he joked with the orc hunter who stood there laughing.

“Gryngy we really need a decision on who will be responsible for Zangermarsh,” pressed the other tauren.

“Your right Rurik, alright, Zujin manage our interests in Hellfire and Shadowmoon, take Hecavria you can bring her up to speed on what been going on” the warlock nodded and took swig from the mug in his hand, while a tired looking older female troll smiled as she nursed her own drink. “Aphosisa you’re in charge of Netherstorm,” a small forsaken mage with wild hair that pointed in all directions grinned at the news. “Diora, watch over Blades Edge mountains,” a shadow in the corner of the room moved in agreement with the bulls decision. “Rurik you look after Terokkar for us, Rahja Zangermarsh is yours, oh and you can take Zoey, that little paladin friend of yours, the one that has always got her nose in one tome or another.”

“You no be serious, mon,” Rahja cried out. “Dat elf is just one big pain in ma ass,” she complained looking rather sullen.

“Then I guess you should not have saved her life a few months back, cause she follows you round like a pet,” Zujin laughed as he fed his little dark whelpling which had flown into the room and landed in front of him, the troll warrior groaned as the rest of the room laughed. “Have you finally finished packing Oleysia?” Zujin asked looking to face his apprentice.

“Yes Master,” she said truthfully, trying to hide the fact that she was intimidated by his friends. “Velneri took Bronwena out early this morning and they have yet to return,” she added.

“Very well, this will give you a good opportunity to practice your control of your ‘Eye of Killrogg’” the orc stated with a nod.

“I think that’s our cue to leave everyone,” Gryngy announced. “Gather up and gear you might need and head for out lands, Rahja don’t forget about Zoey alright.” The others all filed out of the room quickly. “I need to swing by Thunderbluff and apparently Gentlehooves is still running around with Shortsnout and I heard they have attempted to take Groo Jr on their adventures,” He added shaking his head

“Ah young love,” joked Saku from the corner.

“It better not be that,” Gryngy retorted, clearly rankled by the idea that his little girl had interests in a boy other than as a friend. Turning he left the room a little faster than the others.

With the meeting over Oleysia followed Zujin back to his library where he stored many of his tomes, as they entered Rahja called out to a raven haired blood elf, who was reading from three large tomes, she lifted her head startled at the interruption, then rapidly stacked them on top of each other, before attempting to carry them all out of the room with not a small amount of difficulty. Oleysia smiled warmly at her kinswoman who returned the expression as they passed each other.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Xue had to look at her orders again, she just could not believe that not only had the elders decided not to pursue Ezekyle but they had chosen to send her to an outpost in the west of Ashenvale that was still under construction. Once there she was to aid in it construction and then observe the horde lumber camp, but not to engage them. She thought about appealing to her Mage elder for support, though she had a feeling it was they that had suggested her currant assignment. So it was with a resigned sigh that she began to pack her meagre belongings into her backpack.

Another thing she was finding strange to come to terms with was that her skin pigment which had been dark purple was now pure white, though her hair was still jet black. Just as she place the last item inside there was a firm knock on the door. Looking up she saw the hunter Elder entering.

“May we talk Xue?” he asked her.

“Yes of course sir,” she answered and closed her bag. “Can we talk on the move though, I have a boat to catch,” she added with a smile.

“Of course thats what I want to talk to you about, more or less” He replied, they both left the medical wards. “You are still eager to go after the traitor are you not?” he asked her directly.

“Yes sir, very much so,” she answered nodding her head.

“Very well while the elders position is unchanged there is someone I want you to meet.” He said gesturing that she should follow him to the inn. Inside was dark, the only really dark place in the whole of the Exodar, it took Xue a short time to get use to the lower light level but then she saw that the elder was making his way towards a lone dwarf female who was sitting at one of the tables. She looked up from her mug and smile broadly at the two of them.

“This is Xue the young mage I was telling you about,” the hunter elder said to the dwarf female.

“Please ta meet ya,” the dwarf welcomed Xue and wiped her hand on her leather pants before offering it to her. “People call me Unhinged,” she added and giggled as she took another gulp from her mug.

“That’s a strange name for a dwarf isn’t it?” Xue asked, though she was not sure.

“Its not me real name lassie,” Unhinged laughed. “Just what people call me, because they say I’m not all there, if you know what I’m meanin,” she explained tapping her head and winking.

“Oh, ok then, well pleased to meet you then, Unhinged,” Xue replied and sat down next to her.

“Unhinged here has links to people that could be of benefit to us in our, ‘search’ for the traitor.” The hunter elder told Xue.

“Aye, I know a great deal of, umm… well lets call them problem solvers,” Unhinged agreed nodding. “They can help you solve yours, for a price of course.”

“I see,” commented Xue who was not sure she liked what she was hearing. “And I suppose the more we are willing to pay the ‘better’ these problem solvers will be?”

“For the most part aye they will and from what he is offering I can get you the best of the best,” Unhinged declared quietly, but proudly. “I have an in with one of their members, you see.”

“And where do I come in?” Xue inquired looking at the elder.

“Well those of us, who wish the traitor brought to justice and have prepared payment for this group, need to know that there is someone close at hand who can relay our interest to them and visa versa,” He answered truthfully, Xue nodded and was glad that they were offering her this chance. “However there is one catch,” he said and paused. “You will have to resign your commission with the Hand of Argus, if you want some time to think about this I will understand.”

Without even a second hesitation Xue pulled the tabard that identified her and a member of the Hands of Argus and handed it over to him. He blinked a few times in surprised as the swiftness of her discision but then accepted the garment. Standing up he looked down and the two of them and saluted before turning a heading out of the inn.

“Bye then,” Unhinged waved at his disappearing back. “Ok lassie could you summon up a portal to Ironforge for us?”

“Yes I can do that I was there once a while back,” Xue answered “But I think we better do this outside.”

As the pair moved towards the surface the guards gave them quizzical but not unfriendly looks. For the most part Unhinged smiled back at them showing as many teeth as possible, and called out greetings. Soon they reached the surface and moved away from the crashed ship to a more suitable location where Xue could open a portal. As she uttered the spell to open the magical doorway she spotted the mage elder emerge from the Exodar with a tabard in her hand and a very angry look on her face.

“She does not look to happy, doesn’t she lassie,” Unhinged commented. “Time to go I think.”

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Their hands moved firmly across her body, massaging her limbs and easing the tension built up with in them. It had taken her many weeks to ‘train’ them but now they were experts willingly doing anything to please her. Since her master had brought their group to this network of caverns and cleared out its previous inhabitants, with the use of a good deal of violence she had gone to great lengths to make her personal chamber ‘comfortable’.

To that end she had acquired numerous creature comforts, such as two exquistly crafted chairs, their frames decorated with intraket carvings and jewels, while cushions were covered in the black satin, these matched her large four poster bed which she had placed in the back of the room. She lay there now with one of her two favourite ‘pets’ easing her tired muscles, it had been too long since she had felt this relaxed, that prolonged stay in the depths of Blackfathom had really taken its, keeping those cultists under control and mining for those gems, but she had enjoyed slaughtering them.

“Oh that’s nice Beladia,” she purred, “I see you been practicing.”

“Yes mistress,” Beladia replied in a defeated and empty tone. “As you commanded, both Torgina and myself have been improving our technique.”

Looking back over her shoulder she watched Beladia, formerly a night elf sentinel, reach over and scope up more oil on to her hands. The incense candles that she had also acquired from the ambushed convoy filled the chamber with the scent of purple lotus her favourite flower, their light also gave the chamber a dark and seductive appearance, just the way she wished. As she lowered her head once more and looked out to the side she heard feet approaching her.

“My humblest applogies mistress,” said a quiet female orc voice.

“What is it Torgina?” she asked sounding annoyed but not looking up.

“The Master wishes to speak with you urgently,” Torgina answered.

“Very well,” she said and rolled on to her back and sat up. “Beladia fetch my robe, Torgina bring me my boots.”

“Yes Mistress,” they both said in unison.

Rolling onto her back she sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed watching both of them, she had acquired Beladia after the Master had led them to ambush a sentinel patrol near the night elf town of Auberdine when they had been collecting relics from the Naga who had infested the ruins in the north of the region. They had caught the night elves so unprepared that it was only Beladia and her mount, a particularly aggressive tiger which had given them any resistance. Impressed by this she had killed the cat, incapacitated the sentinel and brought her to the caverns.

As for Torgina she had been a grunt stationed at a nearby outpost, she had been sent out to gather fish for the garrison there. A small party who had been sent out by the Master on an identical task, had jumped her and dragged her back, though it was not until Torgina had almost escaped a few days later that she had become aware of the former grunt. The young orc became her second ‘pet’ soon after.

Once they had dressed her in her robe and boots she left the chamber through the solid wooden door which she had made so as to separate her room from the others. As soon as she stepped out side the atmosphere of soft lighting and purple lotus vanished and was replaced by the sounds and smells of numerous people actively undertaking their own tasks. The sound of raised voices echo through from other areas, but she did not pay them any attention. Behind her Beladia closed and locked the door they were trained to do as no one was allowed to enter her chambers.

In the caverns next to her she saw that Jarrag, the orc warlock was working on his new project forcing his Void walker into a mechanical body, as he had done already with his imp. His power in wielding such dark magic’s was impressive not to mention his incidious, grasp of technology, but still she did not like him. Scattered around him was all manners tomes and scrolls which either had detailed schematics or demonic spell incantations of demonic spells, how he could find anything in that mess was beyond her. Though she passed without him even looking up she knew that he was aware that she had.

She had not gone more than a few steps spotted her at the last moment and stepped out of the way. Or at least he tried to, he missed his footing, and stumbled, sending the wood and himself to the floor. For a moment he scowled up at her and grabbed the handle of his hunting knife. But she reacted faster than him, and gripped him around the neck in an impossibly strong grip.

“Easy there Crux,” she said mockingly, squeezed. “You have already angered the Master with your incompetence once, do not do so again,” despite the tightening around his neck he still glared up at her with nothing but hatred in his eyes, but he did remove his hand from his weapon. “Good boy, now tidy up this mess,” she smiled, Crux had been the one who had allowed Torgina to escape, and risked the horde discovering their group’s existence. Releasing him she continued towards where the Master waited, picking up the curses he muttered at her thinking she could not hear him.

She soon passed by where Falkus’s camped within the caverns and saw that the ruthless human rogue was lying on his back with a beaten up old hat over his face so that just his mouth and chin were visible. He was the first recruit that her Master had chosen, after her of course, to join them. Once a valuable member of the Lordaeron army how he had come to be here only he and the Master knew. There was one thing that she knew for certain however and that was he was a genius when it came to the creation of poisons, in fact the only thing of any significance in his chamber other than his weapons and armour was his alchemist table with all manner of dangerous concoctions, but they were nothing to the ones he kept locked in his chest in the corner.

As she neared the Masters room she spotted the latest recruit to their group Ezekyle the Draenai hunter. He had clearly been outside doing what he did best, behind him two of the groups peons were dragging a small wagon filled with carcasses of freshly kill native wildlife. Lucius, the hunter’s huge pet spider that stood twice as large as a tamed dog, it hissed and reared up dangerously as they drew near to her. Ezekyle issued a command in his native tongue and the spider settled down. A gust of air opened her robes just slightly and he was able to see her flesh underneath, but his gaze never wavered from that of a cold hunters.

“I see that Lucius still had not warmed to me,” she commented looking at the spider as they past by.

“He hates everything,” Ezekyle stated. “It’s the best way to look at the world.” The draenai added as he and his party disappeared into the shadows.

Ezekyle she thought was a real head case so full of bitterness at what had befallen his people that he had turned his hatred upon them viewing them as weak and not worth his loyalty. He had shown great pleasure when he had dispatch the members of his former team. Still that fact that he did this meant that she for one would never trust him, once a traitor always a traitor.

Finaly she arrived at the Master’s own chamber within the caverns, the powerful wards made of shadow magic, which protect his privacy and inner sanctum dissipated as the walked up to them and then returned after she had passed through. The corridor she had now entered became narrower and she could feel the eyes of her Masters guardians watching her from the shadows. Eventually after she had gone no more than a hundred steps she came face to face with a large brass and oak door covered in what had once been powerful ruins but now had been defaced and destroyed. With little effort she pushed the door aside and stepped into the room.

Inside was more sparse and barren that any of his four key followers, especially hers. It was a large circular chamber, with an inner ring of statues that looked to be of trollish design, all of them faced inwards towards a pit which had also once been sealed and its bronze surface ingraved with intricate ruins; that were now also defaced. What was both fascinating and morbid was that there was scratch marks on the under side of the seal, large deep scratches, something had been down there once.

“The magical energy in the gems is not enough” said a dark sinister voice, turning she saw him walking out from behind a statue which was still mostly intact. “Just as the creature who the trolls imprisoned in this Vault was not enough to halt the process, it merely delayed it.” He added looking towards the decaying husk of some large insectazoid creature. She had only vague memories of how he had bested it as she was at that point too weak to fight anything. He had gone in alone broken the wards and seals and bested the monster in a furious and bloody duel.

“If you need more magic then I will send our scouts and spys out once more Master,” she stated.

“No, you need not do that,” he said and turned to face her, his burning demonic eyes gazing upon her, holding her in thrall. “There is no magic on this world that we can obtain that is sufficient for my needs,” he explain and shook his head. “It is time for us to pass through the dark portal, to Outlands.”

“Outlands?” she questioned as he turned his gaze from her. “But Master from what our spies tell us it’s total anarchy there.”

“Exactly and can you think of a better place for us to find a source of magic powerful enough?” he laughed it was a frightening sound. “Now prepare the others, we’ll need to travel light so destroy anything that we cannot carry with us.” He ordered, she nodded and started to turn.

“Umm, Master what of the slaves?” she asked, her stomach suddenly knotting.

“We can’t allow our existence to be known about even after we have passed though the portal, kill them all,” he decided.

“All Master??” she asked desperately but knowing that she was pushing her luck.

“Yes,” he said his tone broking no argument. “Now go get the others ready,” he dismissed her and returned to studying the runes in the statues.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The first thing Xue felt was the almost suffocating heat in the air, that added to the darkness the young mage felt panic rising in her chest. What was more the churning sensation left in her stomach from the portal magic meant that Xue needed to sit down. Her eyes adjusted to the light enough for her to see a small step which she could rest on.

“You ok there?” Unhinged asked, appearing in front of her, Xue nodded and smiled. “Well you just rest here a second, then make you way along the road to the inn, you can miss it, but if you hit the Auction house and the bank then, well… you have. I’ll gather information of the where abouts of the group we are after and then meet you there.”

Before Xue could give any response Unhinged was gone, soon though her eyes had completely adjusted to the light and she could see that she was in a respectively large room. Robed gnomes and dwarfs moved about talking to one and other in their own incomprehensible languages. Not long after though her body finally came to terms with the warmth and she was able to stand and head out the door.

Outside the air was cooler, though not by much, she look to see a crystal clear pool of water that was situated directly in front of the building she had just come from, kneeling down she scooped a handful of it up and drank it, cooling her mouth. She then decided that she better find the inn that Unhinged had told her about.

Walking through the city she was amazed at how the buildings were built into the side of the mountain, each being its own cave. The sign that directed her towards the inn was easy to find and shefollowed it along the left hand side of a deep trench, which as far as she could tell was designed to stop invaders to the city.

Finding the inn Unhinged had told her about was indeed a simple matter. Inside they had seemed to have taken steps to cool the air down, so that it was not comfortably warm. It was packed however, not like the one in her home, humans night elves, dwarfs and gnomes all congregated here, she could even see a few of her own people among the patrons as well.

“Hey lass, are you in or out,” called a gruff voice from behind her tail.

“Oh sorry,” she spoke and stepped out of the way.

“For one a pretty as you its ok,” laughed the dwarf as he sauntered passed and in to the crowd.

“Hey Xue over here,” called out the familiar voice of her dwarf companion. Xue spotted her on the other side of the room standing on a table. As quickly as she could Xue made her way over, having he butt pinched and her tail lightly tugged on a few occasions by the more playful patrons.

“Did you find them?” Xue asked sitting down quickly.

“Well I got some good and bad news,” Unhinged began with a sheepish smile. “The good news is that they have not been hired by anyone else and are available, sort of.”

“What do you mean sort of available?” the mage asked, slightly annoyed.

“It got to do with the bad news, recently one of their own was badly injured and they are waiting for him to heal before they take any new assignments.” Unhinged explained. “They are not in the city but they are close by, so I took the liberty of purchasing some cold weather gear for you.” Xue gave her a look of surprise. “It’s a lot colder outside than here in Ironforge, so drink you ale, I had it warmed up nicely for you.”

“So where are we heading then?” Xue inquired taking a gulp

“Gnomeregan,” Unhinged said her tone slightly apprehensive.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The party of half a dozen knights, made their way wearily into the small fortified camp they had set up a few days ago. It was guarded by four more of their number who had raised their banner signifying that the ‘Knights of the Righteous Path’ were based there. The dark red flag with its golden crossed hammers and black border fluttered in the wind, straining against the makeshift pole holding it.

“Sergeant, has Captain Alpharius and his men returned yet?” asked the leader of the party.

“No Lord Sim, he has not” a larger armoured human replied.

“Very well,” Sim replied and half turned in his saddle. “Secure your mounts and watch for any sign of Captain Alpharius party, or that tauren monster,” he ordered his weary men, there were mumbled groans of protests from the riders but they all followed orders.

“There was some trouble then, I take it my lord,” commented the sergeant.

“Yes there was, now man your post,” Sim stated dismounting; he was not in the mood for discussing the days events with someone of lower rank. All day, since that encounter in the ruins they had been on the move, trying to escape that ferocious tauren bull who they had encountered once before in Alterac Valley, even Alpharius and with his well known battle lust had not protested the decision to flee from the beast.

However no matter how fast they travelled or in which direction the tauren was always right behind them, some times he was so close that the slavering mouth of his war wolf was visable. During the briefest of respites from this persuit he had made the choice to split up, Alpharius would take six of the men and head north, while Sim would take the rest and head south. It seemed to have worked, at least for Sim’s party as after an hour without any sign of their pursuer he had ordered the men to head for base camp.

With great care Sim removed his helmet, the brief but violent encounter with the orc that had caused him a great deal of trouble and money in the past had left his face guard badly dented making it difficult and painful to take off. Still though he had managed to wound his opponent, but not as seriously as he would have liked. As he examined the damage, one of the sentries called out that the other group was approaching.

It was indeed their fellow knights with Alpharius, Sims second in command at their head, he raised the horn that he had taken as a victory token from the dead orc leader that he had slain and blew it. The sound echo’d off the large stone wall that formed the back of the encampment. The men in the camp called out greetings as their friends dismounted, though they kept a wary eye out for any sign of their enemy.

“Well looks like we both gave that monster the slip then,” commented the captain as he approached Sim.

“It would seem that way yes,” Sim agreed. “However I want the sentries double for tonight just to be on the safe side,” the other paladin said nothing but once again was looking at the horn he had won from the battle.

“This is quiet well crafted,” he commented as he stroked its smooth metal surface. “Hard to think those savages could have made something so refined as this,” he added examining it closer. “I’m guessing that the symbols on the side are the name of the orc I killed.” Alpharius seemed very pleased with himself, Sim sighed, once again his ‘friend’ had failed to see the bigger picture yes they had killed a horde officer but they had failed to secure any of the ruins. Looking out to the east he could see ‘Honour Hold’ the Alliance’s main base in the region standing on its massive plateau, he knew that unless they could fulfil the mission that they had been set by the commanders, there was little point in the ‘Knights of the Righteous Path’ returning there.

“The horde are not the barbarians you assume they are Alpharius, not anymore, remember that,” Sim told his second in command. “They successfully prevented us from securing the ruins for which I might add we were hired to do,” Alpharius looked up anger burning in his eyes that he was being talked to like a footman, Sim ignored it. “Tomorrow we will return to the ruins and raise the alliance flag over those areas, now take those men who are most tired and get some sleep, I’ll command the first watch.” Alpharius saluted and turned on his heal calling out the names of the knights who were to get rest first.

Sim removed his gauntlet and rubbed his temple, he really could not be bothered with his ‘friends’ moods at this time. Yes Alpharius was more skilled in the art of combat than himself, but his lack of good political and diplomatic skills met he was little more than a frontline commander, a weapon to be deployed where he could do the most damage. Only the captain could not see that, which was were the tension between the two came from. As if to show that he two was aware of the tension the captain had ordered those knights who sided with him when ever arguments broke out between the pair of them.

Shaking his head Sim picked up two warm mugs of whatever passed for liquid in this wasteland and headed over to the knights guarding the improvised gate. As he got close he realised that they were two of the small number of females that were part of their group. They saluted when he approached and exchanged looks of surprised when he held out the drinks but gratefully accepted them.

“Thanks sir,” they both said in unison he smiled at them.

“How are you two holding up?” he asked them, both fought in the ruins.

“We’ll be fine sir,” one answered while the other was drinking. “It not the first time we have been in combat,” she added.

“Yes but that orc you fought sir, did you know it?” the other asked. “You seemed to be really focused on killing is all,” she added quickly.

“Aye I know that orc; a long time ago he was a key part of the force that destroyed North Watch, one of our more important bases in Kalimdor, I lost a lot of good men and women in that battle, friends I had known since I was young,” Sim explained sadly.

“I sorry to hear that sir,” she answered with genuine sympathy and took another drink. “We’ll get him for you don’t you worry about that,” added her comrade aggressively.

“It’s in the past,” Sim waved his hand dismissively. “Thank you for your support though, just remember one thing unlike what many think the horde are a lot more sophisticated and dangerous than they appear,” they nodded eagerly hanging on his every word now. “Just watch each others back and you’ll keep your pretty heads,” he finished and even in the fading light he could see them both blush, he saluted them and moved to talk to another pair of sentries. ‘You still got it old man,” he thought to himself and smiled.

What he did not see however was the disappearing silhouette of a tauren riding a large wolf.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Grunting in discomfort Jarax made his way through Thrallmar towards Nazgral’s fort, the commander had asked that he come and see him as soon as his injury had been treated. While the shamans had done what they could his injury was deep and would still take days to fully heal. Just as he entered Nazgral’s chief lieutenants passed him on the way out, all were deep in conversation and none looked pleased in the slightest. Inside the large orc stood surrounded by his body guards, who nodded to Jarax when they spotted him.

“Ah Jarax please come in,” Nazgral said not looking up from his charts, till Jarax was right in front of him. “Well then you have put me in a predicament Stone Guard, that’s for sure,” the commander looked up and smiled.

“I’m sorry sir?” Jarax asked confused.

“You are a very experienced officer, and here that’s worth more than all the Arcanite in Azeroth, and we almost lost you as well as Khan,” the giant orc stated, but held up a hand before Jarax could respond. “What’s more, if you had fallen I would have had to tell your very pretty mate that she would have to raise your twins by herself and that’s something I really didn’t want to have to do.”

“But I’m still alive,” Jarax responded, not sure where this was going.

“Yes thank the warchief you are, but it was a close call, therefore I have decided that until we have sufficiently trained grunts and officers that all patrols will be recalled to Thrallmar and with the exception of the one to Fel Reaver hill will not be resumed. As for yourself Im promoting you to Blood Guard and placing you in charge of assigning tasks to the numerous mercenaries that are coming through the portal due to your previous experience as one, dismissed.”

“Thank you sir,” Jarax saluted and left. As he emerged from the fort he realized that Nazgrel had used the same argument to take any fight out of him about his reassignment that he had on Varlet. “Well better get started,” he said to himself and headed for the inn where the mercenaries would be gathering, after all that’s where the alcohol was.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Even though she had been practicing for days she had the same feeling of disorientation whenever she began to channel her vision through her ‘Eye of Killrogg’. Wobbling a little from side to side she followed the one summoned by Zujin whose years of control showed even though he was not conscious of it.

The two eyes moved through the dark streets of the drag with ease passing all manors of groups from grunts stationed at regular intervals, peons who were carrying their burdens, shop keeper who were opening up their stores and numerous heavily armed mercenaries. None paid the green orbs any attention, even if they were actually aware of them.

Soon they reach a quieter area of the city one where the streets were closer together and the inhabitants seemed to take measures to make sure their actions were not observed, some were more successful than others. Then as they turned a corner they saw a group of orcs trolls and even a tauren standing in a line seemingly entranced.

Why this was soon became apparent as Zujin’s eye led Oleysia’s around the captive audience to view what they were looking at. In front of them was a pool of crystal clear water that had several small water falls poring into it but this was not want they were all staring at, oh no. Bathing in this water was no fewer that seven succubus’s; all without their armour on.

“Oh yeah Bronwena baby that’s it,” said one of the demonetes seductively as another washed her back, “Can you two look at my nails pretty please,” she asked two more who were washing each other in the middle of the pool.

“Of course Vilneri,” the two replied simultaneously swam over to her. They immediately turned their attention to her hands, applying black nail polish to them. Meanwhile Bronwena had fiished her job and produced a small bottle of lotion and was now rubbing it on Vilneri’s back.

On the opposite side a second pair of Succubus’s was relaxing, one lay face down with her right wing raised so as to allow her fellow demonete to sensually clean it. From the cooing noises that the first one was making the technique seemed to be working.

Though the eye distorted the sight se was seeing Oleysia could tell that the demonetes taking as much pleasure from showing themselves to their captive audience as they were from the bathing. It was also clear that there was a higherarchy among them; the two who were being cleaned seem to be on top.

“Vilneri, you and Bronwena get back right away, there is work to be done.” Zujin’s eye suddenly radiated addressing the succubus being washed by three of her kin. “Oh and Druslith your mistress is looking for you too, he told the succubus having her wings cleaned.”

“What ever you say master,” Vilneri replied. “Well girls that all for today.” and with a flurry of little laughs they faded away.

Moments later Oleysia blinked rapidly as her vision returned to her own eyes, the blurs around her soon came into focus and she was greeted by the smiling mug of Saku. He held out his large green hand, she accepted it and climbed to her feet. Looking at the room see realized that Zujin had already recovered and was reading from one of the many tomes in the library, He lifted his gaze up and met hers, there was a smile of approval on his lips as he recognised the effort she had put in to controlling her ‘Eye’.

“Ah I see our minions have returned,” Zujin said as the door opened and the two succubuses entered. “Are your bags packed Oleysia,” she nodded walk over to a large backpack on the floor. “Well young one the time has come for you to try out your powers in the real world, Saku here will guide you safely to Outlands, there you can take on mercenary jobs from the army there, remember what I have taught you, just keep in mind that though you may be out on your own your still my apprentice and I will be keeping an eye one you, so should you need help just let me know.”

“Yes Master, thank you,” Oleysia replied.

“Come on the Zepplin to undercity is due to arrive any time now,” Saku stated and headed out the door.

Zujin nodded and with a wave of his hand went back to reading his book, though he did keep one eye on the back of his young apprentice as she left and hoped that she was ready for this…