The stench of rotting meat from the partially eaten corpses only added to the offensive odders that seemed to fill these caverns. Xue stood quietly looking over the scene and fighting back the gruesome memories of this place. Around her the Fists moved from one place to the next examining every detail of the ruins and the small piles of artefacts which the cultist had discovered.

“There was a very powerful being here,” Brimstone stated looking grim. “The Darkness seems to be thicker in these ruins than anywhere else in these caverns. I never felt anything like it before.” What do you feel Maestro?”

“Nothing much the darkness seems to overpower any other magical traces,” the mage replied as he moved to stand a spot were the bodies had seemingly be shoved aside. “What was it you said they were fighting over?” he asked Xue.

“It looked like some gems,” Xue answered. “Both groups seemed to believe that they contained magical properties.”

“Are there any bodies here from the group that won?” Tout’Sweet asked.

“None, though they could have taken them with them I suppose,” Xue replied.

“No there are no blood trails,” Rascal countered. “Which means these guys are good, very good,” the small rogue added grimly.

“Hey I got something here,” Maestro yelled, the others all looked at the mage who now stood in the centre of the cleared space. “It almost completely masked by the darker magic but I there are distinct traces of a powerful portal being opened here.”

“Can you tell where it leads to?” the Fists leader inquired, Maestro closed his eyes and a muttered a few phrases under his breath.

“It’s lay lines are unlike any I have seen before,” the mage commented looking truly suppirsed. “I cant see its exact location but it seemed to be focused on ruins near the south east of Azeroth, the closest I can get to it would be Stormwind.”

“Ok then if there is nothing else for us to do here then let follow the trail and head to Stormwind,” Tout’Sweet decided.

There was a burst of light and the portal to Stormwind was opened and cool fresh air seemed to flow from it into the cavern. With a whoop of excitement Rascal was the first too the portal leaping through it laughing as she did so, Tout’Sweet followed with a more sedate walking pace with Brimstone right after him. Maestro gestured to Xue indicating that she should go ahead of him, with a small smile she did so and found herself in the mage tower of the human capital.

“I need to confer with the mages here to see if they can identifiy the lay lines that I found go get us some mounts it’ll be quiet a ride if I’m right about its rough location,” Maestro told them.

“Can I be of any help?” Xue asked eager to show that she could be useful to them.

“Sure Xue the more minds we got on this the better.”

“Ok then we’ll split up and gather any supplies we will need for this journey,” Tout’Sweet decided. “But meet up at the stables in an hour there is not much time to loose. Its clear to us that we are dealing with someone or thing that is very powerful,” and with that the group spilt.

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

It was the snoring that woke her up deep loud and right below her ears, wearily she opened her eyes, instantly wishing she hadn’t as the light stung making them sting and water. As her senses seemed to slowly come back to her she was aware that there was not one but two different people snoring, looking down she saw on her right was a male orc and on her left was a female troll, both had their heads resting on her chest. She thought about lying there till one of them woke up but her bladder was not prepared to let her wait that long.

As she started to move the troll suddenly fired out a fist and caught the male orc in the jaw, he grunted and rolled over. With his heavier weight gone she was able to carefully disentangle herself from the troll and slowly stood up. Her skin was covered in numerous bruises, scratches and her lower lip was cut in a few places, quietly she pulled on her clothes before heading towards the door.

“I bee tellin you, you be havin some stamina, gurl” commented the female troll then looked puzzled for a moment. “Umm, what be your name?”

“Oh I didn’t tell you did I,” she replied. “It’s Ruya, and I really have to go, bye,” the troll gave her a small wave and then rolled on to her back and fell asleep once more.

Finding the bathroom was easy enough and since all the other mercenaries were out completing their assignments that the Blood Guard had given them there was no queue so she stepped in and locked the door. The inn keeper had already filled a large basin with warm water, so after reliving herself she was able to wash her face and hands, by the time she had left that small room she was a fully armed shaman once again.

“Innkeeper what is there to eat?” she called out as she entered the main room of the inn.

“We have some Hell boar bacon and Kalari eggs if you would like,” the innkeeper answered, Ruya nodded and licked her lips.

As she waited for it she looked over and spotted the young blood elf who had been in the company of the orc who had helped Blood Guard Jarax in the scuffle yesterday, now though she was alone and looking a little lost. Ruya thought about going over and talking to her but then she saw that standing just in the shadows was a Succubus which meant that she was a warlock and Ruya had as little to do with those types as possible. Unfortunately however Ruya was about to find out that she did not have much say in her dealings with this particular warlock.

For the moment however Ruya got stuck in to the large breakfast that the inn keeper had placed in front of her, as she got well and truly stuck in, she realized that for a Forsaken the inn keeper sure knew how to cook. On the other side of the room the blood elf too was eating a meal but there was also a bottle filled with a viscous blue liquid that she sipped from regularly, a clear sign of magic addiction.

Realizing that it was time for her to meet the Blood Guard who would assign her to one of the mercenary groups that were working out of Thrallmar Ruya threw her gold on the table and left. On her way she noted that even though they had been confined to the base the grunts were still training rigorously for the time when they were sent out again. Standing apart from them looking out at the walls of the base was Jarax himself.

“Ah so you’re the reason that two of my grunts who not only reported late to duty but with numerous cuts and bruises,” Jarax commented with out even turning to look at Ruya.

“Umm’ I guess I am,” Ruya replied. “Sorry about that.”

“Don’t worry, its not the first time a grunt has reported to duty late after an entertaining night,” the large orc chuckled as he turned to look at her. “So are you ready for your assignments?”

“Yes sir, I’m eager to start,” she responded enthusiastically and truthfully. “I want to do my part for the Horde,” she added causing his smile to broaden.

“Ah the eagerness of youth, well you’ll get your chance once the rest of your group arrive, in fact there is one of them now,” he stated pointing at someone behind her. As she set eyes on one of her group Ruya’s jaw tightened, because walking towards her was the warlock and her succubus.

“Ruya this is Oleysia a warlock, Oleysia this is Ruya a shaman,” Jarax said as he introduced them to each other.

“Hi there,” Oleysia said and held out her small hand to Ruya who after a pause shook it.

“All right then well if you’ll follow me the last member of your group is already waiting at the mine for us,” Jarax stated and head off to wards the back of the base. “Ok, time to bring you up to speed yesterday agents of the legion invaded our fel-ore mine at the base of this mountain. I need you to help the foreman get the mine working again, plus I think he has other problems that he has not told me about about.”

Walking down the slope they saw a goblin standing among numerous large fel hounds and razor sharp blades but what he really seemed nervous of was the large black tauren who sat on a crate and seemed to be occupied with sharpening his vicious looking weapons.

“Well girls may I introduce you to Oathbreaker the third and final member of your group.”

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

“What part of keep a low profile did you not understand??” The Master raged. “Was it to complex an order for you idiots to follow?” by now his voice had become truly horrifying to all who heard it, even the Mistress seemed to be unsure what to say. “Well I have a task that maybe you morons can handle, its simple enough after all. We have discovered a small complex of rooms in the base of this citadel. They are occupied by a group of these red skinned Fel-Orcs that you have all no doubt spotted on you way here, but this group appear to be outcasts as they all appear to have something wrong with them. So go in and clear them out so we can set up our new base here.” With a dismissive gesture he turned from them clearly still angry. As if eager to earn his favour they all drew their weapons and charged through the heavy door.

“Do you think they were followed?” Jar’ag asked as he activated his latest invention a mechanical device which he had forced his Void Walker into.

“Of course they were,” the Master replied his tone filled with scorn for them. “But there is nothing we can do about it now, and besides from everything that going on in this area they will be too stretched to bother with us. Now we need to focus on our neighbours here in this Citadel, I want to know what has happened to these orcs in outland and can we use this to our advantage.” The sounds of battle were now becoming fainter and a small green haired gnome emerged and approached warily before kneeling before the Master.

“We have secured the area master, Crux and the other orcs managed to subdue and capture a few of the Fel-orcs as well,” he said in a trembling voice.

Without even replying The Master walked past the gnome and entered the darkness, inside the crude barricades that the red orcs had built had been smashed aside and half a dozen of their bodies lay broken on the floor of the first room. Two corridors leading to more rooms branched off on both the left and right sides, in both of these the group were dragging the corpses of the previous occupants out. At the back of the room Crux and his kin stood over the five Fel-Orc prisoners, at there back was a heavy wooden reinforced door.

“Master I thought you would like some left alive so that you could question them so we captured these prisoners for you,” Crux said bowing.

“Do not think that this will absolve you of your earlier actions Crux, but yes you are right we will be able to gain valuable information from them on how they have managed this change,” The Master commented. “I’ll leave their questioning in your capable hands my dear,” he said looking at The Mistress who nodded her head and stepped back into the shadows. “Now then what is behind this door I wonder? Jar’ag bring those mechanical demons of yours over here now.”

The ground shook slightly as a huge shape loomed out of the darkness; at first glance it appeared to be a very large man encased in armour but it was too big, its hands alone were the size of a human head and you could fit a full grown gnome in its chest, but the most noticeable feature about it was the fact its face had no features apart from to burning white eyes.

“Zanggorg break down that door,” Jar’ag ordered the demonic machine, which stepped past him and raised its massive fists and smashed them into the door.

“These creations of yours Jar’ag are most impressive,” The Master commented as the door started to give under the relentless assualt. “Tell me, how does this one work?”

“Yes Master the machine enhances its strength and power ten fold,” Jar’ag replied. “If you look at its back you’ll see the compartment where I place the soul shard which I use in Zanggrog’s summoning, when it breaks down the magic that would go into forming his physical form is diverted and used to power the machine. The Succubus and Fel-Hunters will work in a similar way once I finish them.”

There was a loud crack as the wood finally gave way and the massive fist went clean through to the other side, then the second joined it. With one great pull Zangorg ripped the door from its hinges and hurled it back the length of the room causing some other members of the group to scatter out of its way. In the mid of yells of protest The Master was staring into the room that had now been reviled, it was filled with tables and machines the likes of which none of them had ever seen.

“What is it?” Falkus asked.

“It’s a laboratory and a pretty good one at that,” Jar’ag stated in an almost dream like tone. “Give me a few hours I’ll find out what they were using it for.”

“I can examine these bodies I could perhaps make some new poisons from them.” Falkus offered.

“Good both of you get to work, Ezekyle I want you to take some of our people and find out what there is to eat in this barren peninsula,” The Master ordered.

“Master I have found a room where I can ‘question’ the prisoners,” The Mistress announced reappearing from the shadows. Crux grabbed the first Fel-Orc and shoved him after her as she led them down one of the corridors with the rest of his kin bringing the other three. Secure them to the back wall,” she ordered they did so quickly, then the left the room Crux turned to watch and the Mistress who now had her back to him slid off her robe. It dropped heavily to the floor reviling her all but naked body, she turned for a moment and fixed him with a smile that was both the most seductive thing he had ever seen and the most disturbing; try as he might Crux could not tear his eyes from her. “Make sure I am not disturbed,” she demanded as her whip appeared in her hand and the door to the room which was similar to the one that had protected the lab closed seemingly of its own accord. Only moments later the screaming began.

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

The torches had long since run out leaving them in total darkness, to their dismay the faint sound of digging that they had heard earlier had ceased now only the noise of the underground stream was the only thing that filled their small cavern apart from their own voices. Knowing that rescue would not come to them they had decided to dig their own way out, before the torches had been extinquished they had used them to discover where the air that they were breathing was coming form and had begun the tunnel up wards as best they could.

“How long have we been down here?” Beladia asked her voice quiet and subdued reveialing her exhaustion.

“Not a clue,” Torgina replied in a equally exhausted tone. “But we must be near the surface now I can smell the swamp air. I’ll dig a bit more you go gather some more supports for the tunnel, don’t want it collapsing on us,” she said attempting to lighten her tone on the last part Beladia let out a small giggle as she slid back down to the main chamber.

Down in the main chamber where they had spent the last year of their lives as slaves the pair had broken all the wooden furniture for the supports that they were using in their tunnel. As she picked up another set, Beladia was glad she had been interested in her father’s work when he took her down the mine when she had been little. Grabbing as much of the wood as she could the former sentinel made her way back up the small tunnel. She had only made it half way when suddenly light blazed down from above, dazzling her.

“We made it Beladia,” Torgina yelled come on lets get out of here as the orc scrambled out into the outside word with Beladia close on her heels. For a moment neither of them could believe that they had done it, against all the odds they were both free; hugging each other fiercly they cheer and laughed before collapsing from exhaustion. They lay next to each other for a moment catching their breath. “Well I think we better getting moving it’ll be dark soon,” Torgina decided as she stood up.

“Aw cant we rest a bit longer I’m still shattered,” Beladia replied softly, Torgina laughed and reach down to pull her up, but then form nowhere a fireball smashed into the tree by the orcs back showering her with burning splitters, screaming in shock and pain Torgina collapsed to the ground. Looking wildly about for their attacker Beladia spotted a white skin creature almost identical to the hunter Ezekyle who had been part of the group which had enslaved them, without hesitation she charged.

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

Xue was stunned and her jaw ached badly but still she leapt to her feet and hurled another fireball at her fleeing enemies. She had come across what she thought had been an orc about to slay a night elf without hesitation she had unleashed a magical attack, but as the orc had fallen the mage found herself being attacked by the very person she had been trying to save.

“You’ll not take us again demon!” the night elf had yelled as she charged and before Xue could yell out that she was here to help a fist had struck her across the face knocking the mage to the ground.

Leaping to her feet Xue spot them both fleeing into the darkness, for a brief moment she wondered what their game was before unleashing another fireball at them. Her rage and anger caused her to aim once again to be off and her spell shattered the bark of a tree showering the pair with even more splinters, but they continued to run and were now out of her range so she gave chase, they could not get away.

Suddenly Xue was being passed by a pair of huge nightsabre cats, Tout’Sweet was mounted on the lead one with Rascal close behind they quickly managed to get ahead of the two who she was chasing and cut them off. Though the pair attempted to turn in another direction they were immediately blocked by Brimstone on her flaming demonic steed by now their foes had realized there was no where to run and had pressed their backs together ready for a fight.

“You won’t have us again demon spawn!” the night elf yelled, followed by a taunt from the orc.

This would be over quickly Xue thought as she began the incantations to summon her most powerful fireball yet, but suddenly her spell that she had been about ready the cast imploded in on itself and vanished. Standing in front of her was the reason why, Maestro had counter-spelled her, what was more the gnome mage looked very pissed off. With a angry nod of his head he indicated that she should look at Tout’Sweet. The leader of the ‘Fist of Fury’ had dismounted and had already removed his helmet and his weapons now he was walking towards the night elf and the orc with his hands razed slightly.

“We mean you no harm,” Tout’Sweet stated. “We can help you.”

“Some help, you travel with an Eradar who tried to kill me and my friend,” the elf snapped and raised her hands.

“She is not an Eradar she is a Draenai and she made a mistake that’s all, please will you let us help you and your friend you look hungry,” he motioned to Maestro who threw a small bag of food and water to him. “Here you are,” the warrior layed them on the ground and stepped back. The two exchanged looks before the night elf cautiously reached out and grabbed the bag before jumping back. Once they were sure it was not poisoned they began to eat quickly letting their guard down.

“Xue would you come over here please I need to speak with you,” Maestro asked quietly, they both walked a short distance away. “What the hell was that??” the mage demanded to know. “I would not of thought you were the type of person to shoot first and ask questions later.”

“I saw what looked like an orc about to hurt or kill a night elf” Xue began. “I did not think that’”

“That’s right you didn’t think,” the gnome interrupted her. “You’re lucky that for one thing that we all like you Xue and that your paying us so much, otherwise Tout’Sweet would dump your ass here and now for what you just did back there, think next time before you act.”

“Maestro, Xue,” Rascal called. “Get over here now we are leaving,” There was a strange urgency in her voice which made the two mages run quickly back. The immediately noticed that Tout’Sweet face was pale as if he had just received some very disturbing news.

“We need a portal to Shattarath now,” Tout’Sweet ordered his old friend. “These two are in need of a safe place to recover from their ordeal and I need to check up on a few things,” then he look at Xue and she was sure he was about to comment on her actions, instead though he merely added “I think this job of yours might be more complicated than even you are aware off.”

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

He roared in anger as his axe passed over her head as she dived under his blow, however now she was in the perfect position for him to gut her with his dagger so he stabbed out at her. Or at least that’s what he had intended to do but suddenly out of the corner of his eye he spotted a barely clothed exquisite female, she reached out her had and smiled seductively at him, without realizing that he was doing it he lowered his arms and stared at her.

“Thank you Bronwena,” Oleysia said as she unleashed a powerful combination of spells upon the helpless red skinned orc. The pain these caused broke the trance that orc had been under and he raised his weapons to attack the warlock once more, but he managed no more than one weak swing before collapsing to the ground, thick black mucus like fluid poired from his mouth, nose and ears. Then as if that was not enough he began to convulse violently as he hit the ground all in all it was not a nice way to die.

“Watch you head,” yelled the gruff voice of Oathbreaker as a Fel-orc, with his arms and legs waving franticly as he flew through the air over the warlock and her succubus before plunging down the massive gorge beside the camp where they were fighting. As she looked over she spotted that he had lifted two more of the red beasts off the ground, one in each hand then with a show of incredible strength he had lifted them into the air, stretching his arms to their limits before smashing the pair together so hard that their armour buckled and their long tusks broke. With a backward toss he threw the one in his left hand to the huge black wolf that was his mount and dropped the one held in his right to the ground in front of him finishing him off by crushing his skull under his hoof as his wolf tore the other to pieces.

Seizing his weapons from the ground the tauren charge over to aid Ruya who had just unleashed a powerful lighting spell that jump from one Fel-orc to the next frying each in turn. However she was not as good a fighter as the other two and it seemed their red skinned foes knew this, as they were attempting to over whelm her with numbers. It seemed like they would have managed it too but she slammed down a totem which caused the earth around her to rise up in the form of an elemental which lashed out at the orcs until both Oathbreaker and Oleysia reached her.

Three of the orcs turned and leapt on the tauren their weapons biting into his exposed arms but he suddenly spun in a circle as he charged and sliced through all of them, so while three orcs had attacked him there were six pieces that hit the ground. Striking out with his weapons he hacked open necks, torsos, removed limbs and generally rained death and destruction. Despite this the largest of their red skinned foes slipped past him and closed in on Ruya, with a blood curdling yell he charged towards the shaman weapons raised.

He never reached her however as a whip lashed out and wrapped itself around his neck though the wielder was not strong enough to stop his attack the barbed weapon did cause him to rethink the threats around him. Turning tackled the small frail looking female that had stuck him pining her to the ground under him then grabbing her wrist and he snapped it back with enough force to break it, but rather than scream in pain she let out a gasp of what seemed like pleasure and started to writhe and rub her self against him provocatively. Being an orc his race was known for liking it rough, however there was a time and place for such things too late he realized that another female had moved up behind him this red headed blood elf cast a spell and suddenly his vision was filled with a flaming black skull.

“Aww, but I was having so much fun,” complained Bronwena as she pushed the headless Fel-orc’s body off herself. “Oh and look all his friends are running away,” she added pouting.

As the Fel-orcs fled Oathbreaker and Oleysia walked towards the caged goblin miners that they had been sent to rescue Ruya cast her healing spells on them, no one spoke however as they went about their tasks. They had all fought well together and that was something considering their reactions when Jarax had first put them together.

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

You could have cut the tension with a knife when Jarax had told them they would all be working together, none of them were even remotely please far from it. For a moment they had all looked at each other then at the Blood guard to see if he had been joking when it was clear to them that he wasn’t everyone began arguing with him and each other at once. As it went on their voices grew louder and louder and soon though there was only three of them it was difficult to make out anything that was said but some of what they said was clear.

“I work alone, you know this Jarax,” Oathbreaker had stated.

“I’m not working with any demon worshiping slave,” Ruya said pointed hard at Oleysia.

“I’ll never fight along side an orc who’ll mount anyone after she has a drink in her,” Oleysia spat back and emphasized her statement with a crude thrusting of her hips.

“Their rookies, they’ll just slow me down,” the tauren warrior commented.

“I’m shocked that you’re not communicating with us in demonic tongue,” Ruya had mocked

“You’re nothing more that a green skinned succubus,” Oleysia laughed.

Jarax said nothing, he merely folded his arms and looked at them as they argued, it was not long before they had nothing else to say and all glared at him. Once they fell silent he merely shrugged and looked over towards the goblin who had been watching the whole episode with amusement. The two grinned at each other and the mine foreman went back to modifying the shredder for mining work.

“Ok then let me explain how this will all work,” Jarax said calmly as if nothing had happened. “As you know the army is being held back to secure Thrallmar, so all work within the Hellfire peninsula are to be carried out by mercenaries like you lot. However we don’t have a limitless supply of you guys either, so in order to keep as many of you alive for as long as possible I decided that you will have to fight in groups.”

“What’s in it for us?” Oathbreaker demanded. “How do you keep these mercenaries in their groups?”

“Gold, simple as that,” Jarax responded. “You will each be paid an additional ten gold on top of your fee for each mission you complete for us if every member of your group returns uninjured and ready to go out again. If one or more of your group sustains injuries that means they require time in Thrallmar to heal then you will only receive your fee and until those members have recovered you will be given no more missions. Lastly if a member of your group is killed while out on a mission then you will only be given half your fee and until a replacement can be found there will be no jobs for you and your group.”

“So basically you’re appealing to our greed,” Oathbreaker grunted. “Smart, I don’t like it, but it’s smart,” Jarax grinned. “But these two are greener than the grass of Mulgore they’ll slow me down, no offence,” he said the last part while looking at the two females who now both glared at him.

“Your right they are green and that’s why they need you to keep them alive,” Jarax agreed holding up a hand to prevent either Ruya or Oleysia from arguing. “As for slowing you down, well that’s my intention.”

“Ok now you lost me,” Oathbreaker commented looking puzzled.

“We both know that from the day you emerged from the ruins of Strathome after killing the Death knight Baron Rivendare at the bequest of the Argant Dawn you have become a legend among the warriors of the horde, hell even those of the alliance respect you, but you have a weakness and it’s a major one.”

“Is that so?” there was a rather dangerous tone to the taurens voice. “Tell me, what my weakness is.”

“Luck,” Jarax stated ignoring the unspoken threat. “You rely far too much on it Oathbreaker increasingly so, I heard about your catapult stunt in Alterac Valley. Sooner or later luck runs out and when it does you need someone to have your back more so than ever here in Outlands. Now you will work with these two, you will keep them alive and they will do the same for you.”

“Fine Jarax you win,” Oathbreaker conceded. “I guess this is you way of paying me back huh,”

“Indeed, you save my life years ago and now we’ll be even, now get to work we need this mine,” after saying all that Jarax turned and walked away, leaving the three of them staring at each other.

“Well lets get started,” Ruya said after a moment of silence. “So Foremand Razelcraz what do you need us to do?” ‘

* * * * * * * * * * *

Their first mission for the foreman had been to enter a large trench and recover crates of mining equipment that had been dropped from a Zeppelin which was supposed to have delivered them but as the craft attempted to land the legion had opened fire on it. The pilots had attempted to escape and dumped their cargo, but it was to no avail and it crash not far from the human stronghold of Honour Hold. All the three of them had to do was enter the trench and retrieve the crates, it seemed simple enough.

“Why is the ground shaking?” Oleysia asked as they approached the first crate. She got her answer soon enough as a huge armour plated worm burst out of the ground and lunged for them.

Oathbreaker met it head on grabbing the sides of its head and using his sheer strength and its own momentum to slam it into the ground. Holding it there he reach for a black metal dagger decorated with ornate skulls and bones and plunged it into the worms vulnerable soft skin behind its elaborate head armour. It gave off one last pitiful squeal before its primitive brain realized that it was dead.

“Wow,” Ruya commented. “How did you know where to strike?”

“I didn’t but it seemed like the logical place,” the warrior shrugged pulling the dagger out.

“Well that one box and now we know why the miners that came into the trench did not come back,” Oleysia stated.

“Oh Mistress Oleysia you might want to take a look over there,” Bronwena said pointing toward three trails of earth that were being thrown up into the air.

“Well Ruya I hope you heal as well as you drink,” Oathbreaker joked as he drew his two main weapons’

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

“You can’t be serious!” Oleysia said horrified by the very thought. “I’m not sticking my hand that!”

“You think either of us like this any more than you do, oh that’s disgusting,” Ruya replied shaking the green faeces off her arm. “There, your hound just produced another one get to work the sooner we find that key the better.” Waving her hand in disgust Oleysia stormed over to the very satisfied looking demon which her Succubus was fawning over.

“Oh you such a good boy aren’t you,” Bronwena cooed as she stroked its scaly hide. “Your just such a sweet little thing, producing that for Mistress Oleysia.”

“If I did not know better I would say your enjoying this Bronwena,” Oleysia spat as she kicked aside the half eaten boar, rolled up her sleeves and then with great reluctance pushed her arm into the steaming pile of demonic faeces. She started to feel for anything solid that might be a key, almost instantly her hand brushed something and quickly grabbing it she pulled it free, only to find herself holding a chewed up bone, disgusted she dropped it on the ground. “How on earth did that stupid goblin allow these hounds to eat his key,” the warlock complained.

“You know I have had just about enough of you constant bitching,” Ruya yelled. “So just keep your thoughts to yourself and keep quiet,” the shaman instructed clearing pissed off.

“How dare you speak to me like that you wanton harlot,” Oleysia responded her voice rising in volume. “I sure with you savages mucking about in dung is second nature, but we blood elves are a civilised people find these kind of task repulsive,” just as she spoke Oleysia was suddenly swept up into Oathbreakers arms as he lifted both her and Ruya up off the ground and then carried them behind a large rock.

Once there he dropped them both to the ground and carefully looked over it, Oleysia opened her mouth to demand an explination but before she could utter a word his huge tauren hand was covering not just her mouth but almost her entire face.

“You girls need to spend less time arguing and be more aware of what’s going on,” he said sternly. “That thing almost snuck up on you.”

He pointed over the rock and the pair looked over to see a monumental black metal machine stomping around the spot they had just occupied. They had heard the guards speak of them calling them Fel-Reavers but they never expect one to be so big.

“Oh you’re hurt,” Ruya said as she spotted a tusk wound on Oathbreakers side. “Here just hold still,” she told him and enchanted a healing spell.

“Thanks,” he nodded and looked out. “Well its gone lets get back to looking for that key’”

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

“Hey can I get you a drink?” Xue asked the pair who sat next to her, they smiled and nodded. “What do you want?”

“Alcohol the stronger the better,” Torgina smiled smacking the table, Beladia giggled and nodded.

“Coming right up,” Xue said and jumped off her seat. She felt guilty after her unprovoked attack on them and since then the young mage had gone out of her way to show them that she could be a friend. Not to mention that after they had told her their stories of how they ended up with the group and what they were made to do she felt even worse for her actions, but they seemed to have let it go.

“What’ll it be cutie?” the imp at the bar asked, shockingly this little demon was actually wearing clothes.

“Three shots of your strongest drink please,” Xue answered.

“Three Gordok Brews coming right up,” the imp smiled. “Jub’Jub never disappoints a beautiful lady,” he added and then vanished for a few moments before appearing with three small glasses filled with a potently smelling liquid, Xue carried them carefully over to the table.

By now the Fists had arrived in the company of a gorgeous blonde human female and menacing looking forsaken. They were all talking quietly as Xue handed the drinks out to the other two. Before she could ask if they wanted anything to drink, Tout’Sweet motioned for her to sit down.

“In light of what your friends here had told us I feel its necessary for us to bring in additional help,” the warrior stated. “Don’t worry it wont cost you any more Xue,” he added.

“Oh that’s not a problem really,” Xue protested. “I can contact the Hand of Argus for extra funds,” she assured them.

“That wont be necessary but thank you,” the human female said smiling. “Oh how rude I have not introduced myself, my name is Rhea and this is Rice,” she said placing a hand on the forsaken’s shoulder. “My brother,” she added as he gave a low bow. “We both work for the ‘Sons of Lothar’, though in Rice’s case not publicly. From the description you gave us about the human working for this cult I think I have the perfect group who could help us track them down, but’” she paused.

“What’s the problem Rhea?” Tout’Sweet asked.

“Look out,” Brimstone interupted. “Looks like some of Rokash’s friends just walked in,” she said pointing to the door to the den,Rascal shifted uncomfortably.

Three orcs a blood elf and a female forsaken had entered all of them heavily armed and wearing the tabard of the Kraken, identifying them as members of a powerful horde organisation known simply as Maligned. One of them had a small black dragon whelping flying around him squawking happily and as Torgina saw him she sucking in her breath in surprise. They had not even looked towards the Fists as they found a table and continued conversing.

“Are you ok?” Beladia asked concerned.

“It’s him, he’s older but it’s definitely him,” Torgina commented almost to herself. “Could you all excuse me for just a moment,” she added climbing to her feet and walking towards the horde group who were all to busy talking to spot her. For a moment she stood just a short distance back from them trying to think of something to say slowly they all turned to look at her.

“Umm’ hi there,” Torgina said felling very nervous.

“Can we help you?” a gruff older looking grey haired orc asked.

“No’ I’ I just came to say hi to Zujin,” Torgina stammered, the orc who was feeding the dragon whelpling looked up. “It’s me Torgina, I’m sure you don’t recognize me, last time you saw me I was a snot nosed little orphan with pig tails and dressed in rags. You looked after me during Childrens week,” Standing up he walked over to her and stared into her eyes, then suddenly laughed and hugged her fiercely.

“I thought you were dead,” Zujin laughed letting her go. “Last I heard you had gone missing while on a posting in Grom’Gol, what happened?”

“It’s complicated,” Torgina said looking over her shoulder.

“Are you running with the Fists of Furry now,” he asked clearly amused. “I would not think that you met the height restrictions,” he added.

“No’ I mean yes’ just for the moment,” she stammered.

“So I finally get to meet the infamous Zujin of Maligned,” said a voice from their waists.

“Ah the mighty Tout’Sweet,” Zujin stated shaking the extended hand.

“Why don’t you join us and Torgina here can explain how she came to be in our company,” the gnome invited Zujin to their table, much to the surprise of every one but them.

“Why not,” Zujin smiled surprising them all again. “Another orc who had been cleaning a strange looking gun started to rise but the warlock motioned for him to remain seated.

As soon as he had sat down Tout’Sweet told them about how they had been hired by Xue to track this group for her people and also how they found Torgina and Beladia. After that the young orc took over and described what happened on the day she had been taken.

“I had been sent to gather the nets that the scouts had set up for catching fish on the cost,” Togrina began. “Only when I got there the nets were gone, at first I thought it was the local Murlocs who had taken them but as I approached their village I discovered that some one was in the process of slaughtering them. I watched as a group made up of orcs humans trolls and gnomes butchered the fish men with almost sadistic glee. The one leading the attack was an orc warlock who had a very strange mechanical looking imp at his side and called out orders to the others as if it was a training exercise. But I was so caught up with watching this scene that I did not realize that a human had managed to sneak up behind me, he knocked me out and when I came round I was in a vast network of caverns beneath the swamp.” She pasued for a moment and Beladia took over.

“The orc that Torgina saw was known as Jar’ag, he joined the group not long after I was captured by the Mistress and her Master,” the night elf explained. “The human who caught her is Falkus a vicious human rogue, Torgina is lucky he did not kill her for the mere sport of it.”

“Hmm I know of this Jar’ag,” Zujin commented. “He is a genius when it comes to engineering and that’s a very bad thing,” he added producing a small metal sphere with black surfaces on it. “This is one of his inventions, its called a shadow bomb my agents picked it up when I sent them in to deal with him and his little group of followers after they launched a truly daring raided our warehouses in Undercity. It was truly audacious I’m telling you of course I could not let them live after that, this was one of the items that was recovered from their hold after they were all dead, or so I thought.”

“I told you that you should have sent me,” the orc with the gun spoke from his new position standing just behind Zujin.

“Fair point Saku, but you were on the other side of the world at the time,” Zujin sighed “But right now I have two concerns, one Jar’ag is clearly a lot more powerful now and two how can I understand you?” he asked looking at Beladia. “I don’t speak Darnasian and you’re not speaking Common,” everyone paused and looked at each other for a few moments.

Reluctantly both Torgina and Beladia held their clothes neck lines down with one hand and their hair at the top of their heads with the other. Both had what appeared to be black gems embedded within their skin one behind each ear and one at the base of their necks. There was a series of small scars surrounding each.

“We don’t know what they are or how they work but they seemed to allow us to talk in and understand other languages,” Beladia explained.

“Do they hurt?” Rhea asked, neither answered just covered up once more. Zujin’s face was one of absolute fury suddenly starteling every one he was on his feet sending his chair skidding along the floor.

“Saku, find Rykan he is somewhere in the city we’ll need fresh eyes where we are going,” Zujin ordered loudly Saku nodded and ran out the door. “Gnarl, Fallenlinoge,” he said turning back to the table. “Go to Shadowmoon and help Xanadu he is attempting to locate new resources and secure alliances with in the region help him out,” he told the grey hair orc and his blood elf friend. “Lastly Salvanes we lost contact with Aphosisa in Netherstorm, Enigmar has been sent to find out what happened to her but the goblins have a new cook in their inn and they apparently make a great variety of pies so’ well you know,” he said addressing the female forsaken. As his friends all rose from the table and left, Zujin turned to look at the First table once again.

“Tout’Sweet I have a favour to ask you,” Zujin said his voice deadly serious.

“Which is?” the gnome asked.

“Make sure nothing happens to Torgina here, other wise you’ll find that I’m a much more dangerous foe than Rokash ever could be,” and with that said Zujin was gone. For a moment no one said anything they all quietly looked at each other.

“Well Rhea you were talking about a group in Honour Hold that could help us,” Tout’Sweet said breaking the silence. “Who are they?”

“Well it’s the ‘Knights of the Rightous Path’,” Rhea admitted the gnomes all stiffened noticeably.

“Oh great, this just keeps getting better and better” Rascal sighed. “It just had to be Lord ‘oh so high and mighty’ Sim.”