“Will this long march ever end,” K’mara thought miserably as she and the other blood elf pilgrims made their way past a ruined orc arena. They had been walking for hours since leaving the savage and primitive outpost which their allies had named Thrallmar. What was worse was that the officer in charge of security had refused point blank to give them an escort to Falcon Watch. Instead he had actually advised them to return to Silvermoon or at least pass back through the dark portal.

Needless to say K’mara and the other ten blood elves in her party were not about to listen to the advice of a savage, Prince Kelthas Sunstrider had declared this was their promised land and they were pilgrims to mighty Tempest Keep. So now they walked up a steep slope eager to arrive at their next place of rest. Darkness was beginning to fall and with it the temperature of this barren waste land, shivering K’mara looked towards the rising moon and saw a lone silhouette against the large disc. As she stared at it she realized it was not alone there was at least five others, all were moving rapidly towards them. Then a large black cloud covered the celestial body.

K’mara was about to call out a warning when she noticed a shadow moving behind her and it was no blood elf. She felt more than saw a weapon being pulled back and swung at her head. With a scream she dropped to the ground narrowly avoiding the strike and began to crawl away rapidly.

“Kaaw! Attack!!” screeched a high pitched voice and suddenly the air was filled with the sounds of fighting and screaming.

There was only ever going to be one outcome in this fight though, ambushed by superior numbers and with not even one real fighter among them the blood elves were quickly subdued. K’mara attempted to crawl away from the fight hoping that the darkness would cover her escape but the cloud had now been blown clear of the moon and the light flooded back onto the hill side exposing her attempted escape. A swift and brutal kick to her side flipped the young woman on to her back were she found herself staring into the hate filled eyes of an Arakkoa warrior.

Pulling a small knife out she stabbed it into the bird mans leg, it screeched in pain and dropped on top of her chest forcing her breath out. With an angry cry it raised its own twisted blades clearly intent on killing her. But then a larger Arakkoa was there, it grabbed the first’s arm preventing the fatal blow.

“Kaaw! Alive, Unspoiled, Kaaw!,” the larger bird man stated. “Tie them, we take home,” it yelled at the others.

Unceremoniously K’mara was pulled to her feet and her wrists were tightly bound in rough rope which was then tied to the waist of another elf, who was secured like wise to the one in front of them. Once they were all secure their captors set a gruelling pace through a deep chasm called known as ‘The Great Fissure’, all around them in the darkness the sounds of dangerous beasts echoed off the high walls.

“Horde outpost close by Kaaw,” the leader said bringing them all to a halt. “No noise from the prisoners, Kaaw,” it ordered and quickly the blood elves found themselves gagged. Soon they passed within sight of the tower at Falcon Watch, if it had been in the day time the guards would have easily seen their kin being kidnapped but the darkness covered everything. K’mara whimpered into her gag when she realized just how close the Arakkoa’s settlement was to their original destination, so close and yet so far”¦

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

The sound of metal buckling filled the training hall as the heavily armed orc flew threw the air and landed in a crumpled heap on the floor. In mere seconds though he was back up on his feet, it took a lot more than that to keep a Kor’kron grunt down. But already his opponent was on top of him swinging that wooden mace once again, the grunt barely got his shield up in time to block the blow but still the pain in his caused him to yell loudly.

“Come on Naldor,” his opponent taunted. “I thought you Kor’kron’s were tough,”

With a snarl Naldor swung his own mace at his opponents mid rift, he hit it soundly, but they again how could he miss. The blow was a powerful one that could have stunned a thunder lizard but the huge armoured figure dueling him barely seemed to notice it, instead in the next instant a huge had half the size of the grunts head smashed into his helmet and once again sent him to the ground. Back on his feet once more, though a little woozier this time, his shield arm felt heavy and he knew that it was broken in such a case a lesser warrior may have faltered but as a member of the most elite force in the horde Naldor used the pain. He attacked his opponent with renewed vigour striking with his training weapon forcing the far larger fighter backwards.

For a brief moment it looked as if he might emerge the victor in this bout, suddenly though his opponent showed speed the likes should have been impossible for some one that size, in a blur of motion he spun away from Naldor’s attack and got behind the orc.

“You’ll have to do better than that,” his opponent laughed and swung the larger mace at the orcs head. Naldor rolled away from the blow, but his broken arm off balanced him and as a result he fell to the side, this was all his opponent needed. A large hoof suddenly pressed down on his chest as he attempted to rise. “Do you Yield?”

“Never,” Naldor snarled and struggled to remove the hoof.

“Enough!” yelled a commanding voice. “Naldor you will yield now, and bring no further dishonour to this squad.”

“Yes Centurion, I yield,” Naldor obeyed, and the hoof was removed and replace by the same large hand that hand hit him, only this time it was opened with an offer of aid. He accepted and was pulled to his feet.

“You fought well,” his opponent admitted.

“That’s it for today grunts, squad dismissed,” the Centurion ordered. “Naldor, have the shamans patch up that arm of yours,” as the nine armoured orcs left the room their commander turned to the guest who had asked to help train them. “Your as good as Jarax said you were Rokash.”

“Thank you Blac’Mar,” the huge tauren responded bowing slightly. “It is not often I get a chance to train warriors of such skill, and from what I hear ‘Blac’Mar Squad’ is the best the Kor’Kron elite have. It was your efforts the destroyed the legions Death Forge in Shadowmoon Valley was it not.”

“Yes but I lost four good orcs,” Blac’Mar stated flatly. “That’s why I needed some one like you to train these new bloods.”

“I’ll be around for a few days so I’ll swing by tomorrow and see if I can’t teach them some more,” Rokash smiled. “But right now I have someone important to see.” At that moment a female tauren entered the room, a sly smile grew on Blac’Mar’s face when he saw her.

“Well, that’s my cue to leave,” he gave the female a respectful bow, she smiled and him and waved good bye as he departed.

“You didn’t hurt them too much?” she asked turning to Rokash.

“Of course not Midha,” Rokash replied. “Do you think me such a total savage,” he said in mock suffering.

“You know that’s not what I mean,” she replied and punched him in the side. He laughed and reached under her arms, lifting her up with ease till she was eye level with him which left her feet dangling off the ground and then rubbed his nose against hers.

“Come on lets get out of here,” he said.

“What ever you say, but you’ll need to put me down first,” Midha smiled.

“That, or I could just throw you over my shoulder and carry you out,” he joked.

“Don’t you dare mister,” she warned and began to wriggle about, in an attempt to escape his hold, causing him to laugh loudly.

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

She sat bolt upright in bed gasping for air, sweat clung to her body as she began to shiver. Next to her Torgina muttered something incomprehensible from the next bed then rolled over, her friends presence allowed her to settle and Beladia lay back down and closed her eyes, sleep though evaded her and soon she rose again and quietly left the room. The small building which the ‘Fists of Fury’ used as their base in Outlands one and only city, consisted of a central room, with three smaller bedrooms off it. The fire pit in the middle was the clear focal point of the whole house and Beladia sat herself down and sighed.

“Cant sleep?” asked a voice from behind her making her jump, it was Xue. “Im sorry I did not mean to startle you,” the young mage apologised.

“Its ok, and no,” Beladia smiled. “What about you?”

“Nope me neither,” Xue replied and held out a mug. “You want something to drink? Its only mage water but its cool” she offered.

“Thanks,” Beladia said taking the drink and sipping it.

“Can I ask you something?” Xue asked sitting in the chair next to the night elf.

“Shoot.”

“How did you end up in the hands of our enemies? You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

“Its ok,” Beladia reassured Xue. “I was a sentinel in Auberdine at the time and I was on patrol in the northern reaches of Darkshore. I came across a vicious battle being fought between the Naga who had occupied the ruins there for some time and a group of very nasty looking mercenaries. The fish men weren’t doing so well.”

“I can bet, I have seen those guys in action,” Xue agreed.

“Indeed, I saw, one of them remove their heavy black hooded robe and reveal themselves as a night elf, dressed in armour which did not leave much to the imagination I can tell you. Anyway she had a nasty looking whip in one hand and an exotic looking blade in the other. Using these she carved her way through to the Naga Warlord who was directing his warriors and sirens from on top of a hill. He saw her coming at him and lifted one of the largest tridents I had ever seen; when she killed last of his guards he swung it at her intent on taking her head off. But his blow past though thin air as she rolled under it and got behind him,” Beladia paused for a moment and took a drink of her water, Xue realized that she was on the edge of her seat eager to hear what happened next.

“My Mistress or Kitty, since I guess I can call her that now, lashed out with her whip the barbs on it cutting deep groves in his armour, im sure any normal Naga would have attempted to turn so they could have faced her, but not this one. No he used his snake like body to its full effect and folded back on him self stabbing at Kitty’s exposed mid rift. The attack almost worked too, but she bent in the middle resulting in only a tiny cut on her exposed belly, he then showed his races natural agility once more by coiling his lower body so that by the time he was ‘upright’ again he was facing her.” Beladia stopped again and took a long drink of water. “I thought he was going to stab at her with his trident again, but instead he lashed out and punched her in the jaw, it was a blow that would have taken a murloc’s head clean off. But instead of resisting it and being knocked on her ass she seemed to move with it using its power to spin her on the spot giving her the speed to lash out with her whip and wrap the barbed weapon around his neck. For a moment I thought she was going to use to saw of the warlord’s head, this time though he was faster, he grabbed the whip and used it to pull her into his grasp. Once he had her there he attempted to bite her with his huge jaws. She moved her head left and right in order to avoid his attacks I could hear the snapping sounds from my position way off in the other hill so they mush have been deafening for her. Then it happened, she somehow stabbed her sword up through his lower jaw with enough force to ensure the top of the blade came out of his upper one, then grabbing hold of his neck she swung herself around and up on to his shoulders as his grip loosened. She was laughing as she grabbed her whip and pulled, sawing his head off his body. By the time she had climbed off his corpse the rest of the naga had been slaughtered.”

“If they had dispatched the Naga so easily why did you attack them?” Xue asked.

“I didn’t,” Beladia admitted. “I had been so caught up watching the battle that I was unaware that the ‘Master’ had spotted me and move round so that he was standing over my prone body by the time I realised he was there it was too late. He kicked me on to my back and pressed his foot onto my throat with enough force to restrain me. His minions arrive to bind me and he told them to bring me to the tower to the south that they were using as a base.”

“Why did they he want you alive?”

“They wanted information on sentinel and druid activities in Darkshore so that they could avoid or capture them. At first I refused, until Kitty began to torture me, I held out for as long as I could but in the end I told them everything. After that the ‘Master’ turned me over to Kitty as a reward.” The bitterness in Beladia words as she said this last part was unmistakable. “She kept me isolated from all the other slaves and made sure that all the other cultists knew that they were not to touch me a point she made clear by almost killing a dwarf after he had tried to beat me when I spat in his face. In fact the only person she did allow near me was that orc warlock Jar’ag when in imbedded these in me,” she said pointing to the gems in her collar bone and just behind her ears. Tout’Sweet had guess that these were the product of a truly deranged mind, which allowed those who had them embedded within their bodies to communicate with other races.

“Those look painful, are they?” Xue’s voice was full of concern.

“They are from time to time,” Beladia admitted. “How they work I have no idea but they do.”

Just then the door opened and Torgina entered yawning widely. Xue got up and offered her some more of her water which the orc accepted and sat down next to Beladia.

“So what where you talking about?” she asked pleasantly.

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

Desperation griped the Bleeding Hollow Necrolyte as he saw seven grunts all but torn apart by the monster that was now hurtling towards him closing the distance rapidly he swore that its eyes seemed to hold a look of utter insanity and it appeared to be frothing at the mouth. His voice broke into a scream as cast the spell that caused the skeletons of orc he had once called friends burst out of their corpses and throw themselves at the beast with mindless abandon. The monster did not even slow down as it smashed the undead from its path with a snarl of contempt and then it was upon him, its two weapons raise and ready to strike.

Oleysia looked to Ruya in amazement, like her the shaman was dumbfounded by what they had just seen both stared at the back of Oathbreaker as he ripped his serrated axe and sword from the red orcs broken body. He did this with such force that he launched the corpse in to the air over his own head. Around him the bodies of their enemies lay utterly destroyed; this had not been their plan.

“What the hell was that?” the young warlock demanded to know finally finding her voice, Oathbreaker turned towards her a strange look in his eyes. “I thought the plan was to kill as few as possible so we could make it to the forge undetected.”

“The plan was inadequate, and clearly not achievable,” Oathbreaker shrugged, Oleysia gasped at his comment.

“Inadequate! Oathbreaker it was your plan,” She responded clearly shocked, she was about to say more but the sound of dozens of heavy feet pounding into the ground interrupted her. Turning she saw a dozen bleeding hollow grunts charging up the hill.

“Orc Smash!” one of orcs yelled loudly. Then as if this was not bad enough another group of around 10 more came charging out of the ruins led by large orc who was accompanied by two huge worgs.

“Break their bones!” the second large orc laughed as he urged his warriors on, in the face of such large numbers the trio stood back to back facing their attackers.

“Well were really in trouble now,” Ruya said stating the obvious, slamming down her totems into the ground.

“We’ve been in worse,” Oathbreaker stated. “Give us you best totems Ruya and lets finish this, you two handle that group down the hill, I’ll take care of these,” he told the pair then before either of them could reply he raised his gore splattered weapons and charged straight into the group attacking from the ruins. The first fel-orc he reached suddenly found him self lacking a head; while the one next to him began to suffer separation anxiety from his left arm as Oathbreaker hacked it off, that and of course severe blood loss.

Faced with such an enemy a number of the Fel-Orcs nerve broken and they fled back into the ruins from where they had come, but most remained and they threw themselves at Oathbreaker eager to bring such a foe down. The bull’s rage grew with each orc that he slew, his blows landed with such force that their bodies were thrown several feet away for the battle. No armour could withstand his axe as he carved of limbs or stop his sword as it opened throats and abdomens. He seemed unstoppable until one of the large black wolf which had some how got behind him pounced, at the last moment he saw the danger and dived to the side but the size of the beast was enough to send him crashing to the ground. He was up in an instant faster that the wolf but it was the second one that attacked him now clamping its large jaws and teeth around his right forearm. Though this caused him little pain or harm it did pin him in place as the first one moved to strike again, the tauren could swear there was a look sadistic glee in its eyes.

Moments later those eyes were ripped off as Oathbreaker’s own loyal war wolf came from nowhere it seemed and with one powerful bite tore the upper jaw of the wolf that would have killed its master. Such was the speed of its attack that none of the remaining orc could stop it as it viscously attacked the wolf biting into Oathbreaker. The two massive canines vanished in to a ruined hovel further destroying the structure. It was the last straw for the remaining grunts who turned and fled leaving only one opponent for Oathbreaker to fight and he was as large as the tauren himself.

“You kill my worgs,” the orc snarled.

“Your Worgs,” Oathbreaker stated his eye narrowing. “Then you must be Worg Master Kruush. There is a bounty on you, well on your head that is.”

“Well then, try and claim it,” the worg master yelled and charged his large fist raised and ready to strike, Oathbreaker broke into a run intending to meet him head on.

The two fighters smashed together with an almighty noise that shook the ground. Kruush’s right fist ploughed into the side of Oathbrekaer’s head with the force of a warhammer but the tauren’s axe bit deep into the orcs thigh. On a lesser opponent this would have been a fatal blow but the blood in Kruush’s veins was more concentrated with demonic magic and the wound quickly sealed as it clotted.

“Is that all you’ve got,” the orc mocked with a snorting laugh.

“I’m just getting started,” Oathbreaker responded and stabbed his sword in towards Kruush’s side. However the orc hit out with a left upper cut and sent the bull staggering back wards. ‘Weak, your weak and nothing, he is to strong for you calf,’ the voices in his head mocked and all laughed. ‘SHUT UP! He roared at them in his head I’ll show you who’s weak.’

Kruush was swing with his right again intent of delivering yet another blow to Oathbreaker’s head. Dropping his weapons he grabbed the orcs swinging fist with his own before delivering three powerful body blows with his left, before his opponent could recover he slammed his hooves into the ground the rock cracked causing the worg master to loose his footing and fall backwards. However Oathbreaker used his grip on Kruush’s right hand to swing him round and throw him several feet away.

Being a seasoned warrior however Kruush and rolled as soon as he hit the ground spring back on to his feet, using the momentum he had built up to deliver a spinning kick to Oathbreaker’s jaw as the bull rapidly approached, he followed this up with a series of left right blows to the head but his attack was cut off suddenly as the tauren dived forward smashing their heads together with such force that it shattered the orc’s two large tusks. With a roar of rage that deafened the worg master Oathbreaker grabbed the orc by the throat and belt and lifted him high in the air till he was holding Kruush above his own head with is arms fully stretched.

“Could a Weakling Calf do this,” the bull roared and hurled the orc into the air. Kruush had only a few confused moments to ponder Oathbreakers words before he was skewered on large broken piece of lumber that had once supported a building.

‘Yes you can see now, see what you can do with our help,’ the voices cheered. ‘We give you your power, make you who you are, with out us you are nothing,’ they echo’d inside his head. ‘That was all me, you have no power now SILANCE!’ he retorted and they faded away still laughing. Then he remembered that Ruya and Oleysia were still fighting for their lives, running over and grabbing his weapons he ran to their aid.

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

The roaring of the crowd was only slightly muted as by the thick stone walls as the two tauren made their way out of the Ring of Valor. Midha smiled and rested her head against Rokash’s chest as the bull had his arm across her shoulders. They had been watching the horde arena tournaments for the entire afternoon, warriors of all races not just horde had battled it out for the enjoyment of the spectators. Though all bouts were non lethal in accordance with the strict laws set down by Thrall the Warchief, nothing like the ones Rokash had fought in the Undermine, but that had been along time ago. Despite bringing back rather painful memories he had enjoyed watching Midha cheer and yell in excitement.

“I had a great time,” Midha sighed happily. “What about you?”

“Of course I did,” Rokash replied, she did not need to know much of certain parts of his past.

“Excus me sirr,” a small voice interrupted the two. “Ar you Mista Rokash?” they looked down to see a little orc boy no more that seven years old.

“Yes I am, can I help you little one?” the bull said kneeling down, the boy began to simutainusly scratch the back of his head with his right hand, pat his belly with his left and rub the back of his right leg with his left foot all without thinking about it while he tried to remember something.

“Umm”¦ a dawarf told me to find ya and say that he has some thing to tell you,” the boy said then looked delighted that he had managed to remember the message.

“A dwarf, this close to Orgrimmar?” Midha asked looking confused.

“He really smelly,” the orc boy wrinkling his nose as if the mere memory was enough to summon the smell back. “He stinks like bad meat.”

“I think I know who it is, if he has come all this way then it must be valuable,” Rokash decided standing up. “Here you go kid thanks for the message and dropped two gold coins at the boys feet.

“WOW! Thanks mista Rokash sirrr,” the boy whooped scooping up the coins and then suddenly throwing his small arms around the bulls closest leg and hugging tightly. Midha put a hand over her mouth to cover the grin as she looked at the sight and Rokash’s stunned and awkward face. “Bye bye,” the child said and ran off down the street.

“Who is this dwarf?” Midha asked as the walked away from the Ring of Valor.

“It’ll be Tedd, a pretty good information broker, but he is not knowns for being a regular bather.” Rokash explained with a grin.

“Oh lovely,” Midha sniffed not impressed. “You don’t think it could be a trap?” she asked suddenly concerned.

“I’m sure its not, Tedd would not have lived this long if he betrayed the people who pay him,” he assured her.

“Hmm”¦ Well I want you to take a weapon and your armour just in case,” she insisted, Roaksh laughed loudly. “I mean it, your not indestructible, despite the persona you created around yourself.”

“Very well if it will make you happy I’ll wear some armour and take a weapon.” He conceded still laughing and pulled her closer to him.

“Good,” she stated pacified.

When they got back to their home Rokash quickly dawned some thick leather armour since his plate would take to long to put on and retrieved his favourite weapon from is custom case which a old friend had made for him a long time ago. After rubbing noses with Midha quickly he saddled up his massive armoured tiger Kiri and rode to the back entrance to the city. The fact that the grunts had their hands pressed to their mouths told him that Tedd was still close by, in fact the dwarf sat just a few yards from the far end of the bridge.

“I hope it’s you he has come to see,” called one of the orcs. “Yeah if he is hear much longer I think we’ll need new uniforms,” called another, Roksah shook his head and rode out to talk to the dwarf.

“Ah Rokash my old friend,” Tedd called in perfect orcish climbing to his feet. “A little over dressed for a mere meeting,” he commented on the bull’s appearance. “I take it your lovely lady Midha does not trust that my intentions are honourable.”

“How did you know about us?” Rokash asked surprised, Tedd just looked at him. “Right sorry forgot who I was talking to for a moment. Well what have you got to tell me.”

“First payment, a hundred gold up front,” the dwarf stated firmly.

“What, that not what we usually do,” Rokash replied. “I’ll play you after as always, I give you my word on that.”

“I have no doubt you would but after what I tell you I think you’ll forget about everything else,” Tedd countered holding out his hand his tone broke no argument. Rokash relented and tossed a bag of gold into the dwarf’s hand, who moved it up and down slightly for a second then happily placed it in a slightly larger bag. “Well what I have to tell you is this”¦”

No sooner had he finished speaking that Rokash had spun Kiri around and charged back into the city his face a mask of rage. Tedd watched him go then with out fuss turned and started to walk towards Ratchet, though he could have afforded a fine Ram, none of the animals would carry him for some reason that he did not understand.

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

“I don’t like this one bit,” Rascal complained bitterly. “I mean, of all the people we could be dealing with in outlands, why these douche bags?” she added as they approached the Keep of Honour Hold.

“Because you need more bodies on the ground to find your quarry,” Rhea said quietly tying her long blonde hair back into a pony tail. “Now please, stop complaining, Tout’Sweet did agree to this and I’ll need to have all my wits about me to convince Commander Trollbane to let us hire the Sim and his ‘Knights of the Righteous Path.’ How’s that spell holding up Rice?” she asked quietly looking over her shoulder at a tall badly dress night elf.

“The orb has enough power to keep this illusion up for some time, do not fret little one,” the elf replied in a cold unselfish voice. “I will try to speak as little as possible though,” he reassured her.

“Halt, what business do you have in the Keep?” one of the gate guards demanded as the trio approached.

“I have come to speak with Force Commander Danath Trollbane,” Rhea stated formally flashing the guard a dazzling smile.

“Umm”¦ the commander is very busy right now,” the guard stammered under the amused gaze of Rhea.

“Could you please tell him that Rhea daughter of Hans Stori wishes to speak with him on a urgent matter one that will require the repayment of a favour,” she instructed the guard sweetly but firmly.

“Very well wait here,” the guard turned and vanished into the Keep, his fellow guardsmen who had been staring at Rhea gave the paladin a suggestive wink and grinned.

“Not a chance in hell,” Rascal heard Rhea mutter under her breath as she looked around the area, Rice’s lips broke into a mocking smirk as he to had heard his sister’s comment. Only a few minutes later the first guard returned.

“The Commander will see you but stresses that he had very little time even for old friends,” the guard explained and waved for them to follow him inside.

Force Commander Danath Trollbane hero of the alliance leader of the ‘Sons of Lothar’ stood over a massive wooden table covered in charts and scrolls. It was clear that from all the runners and advisors that there was something big in the works. He looked up and saw the trio approached and a smile grew on his face though his eyes remained serious.

“Thank you Private Ration you may return to your post,” the Commander ordered the solider, with a salute the young man turned and left. “Ok everyone take a break we’ll come back to this in fifteen minutes,” he added and the room quickly cleared. As soon as they were alone he sat back in his chair. “As you can see I have a lot going on, but I can always spare the time for the daughter of the man who saved my life on the battlefield numerous times, so what can I do you for you Rhea?”

“Commander Trollbane,” Rhea began.

“Danath please,” he interrupted her.

“Danath,” she began again. “I need your help and permission to acquire the services of one of the numerous mercenary groups that you have working for you at this time.”

“That’s quite a request Rhea, we are stretched to the limit here even with our sources of outside help,” Danath shook his head, clearly getting ready to turn her down.

“I appreciate that,” Rhea conccended. “But I come on behalf of the ‘Fist of Fury’ one of whom is here with me, this is Rascal,” she introduced the rogue. “They are perusing a dangerous group who has gone to ground in this very peninsula and though they don’t know his full intentions it is clear that if he is allowed to achieve them then things will get allot more dangerous here in outlands.”

“Indeed,” the old warrior nodded. “Tell me just to settle my curiosity which group is it that you are after?”

“We need the services of the ‘Knights of the Righteous Path’ for this task,” Rhea told him, and Danath burst into a fit of laughter which lasted a few minutes.

“Oh my I needed that,” he stated as he calmed down. “Ok I’ll do you a deal, Rascal you can speak for the ‘Fists of Fury’ can you not?” he asked looking at the young gnome she nodded. “Even I know of your groups abilities and to be honest I did send request to my counterparts back on Azeroth as to how to contact you. Currantly you can see that the Burning Legion are all but at our doorstep, no matter how many we kill they are constantly summoning reinforcements through their damn teleporters. Now on top of that my scouts have reported that they are building fresh Fel-Reavers on a ledge that is only reachable by air and I’m powerless to stop them, if you group will help destroy those teleporters and those war machines before they become active then I’ll summon that stuffed peacock Lord Sim and his attack dog Alpharious here right now.”

“Agree’d,” Rascal responded leaping onto the table and holding out her small hand, he reached over with his. “Rhea will you please brief those douche bags on who they are looking for, I’ll get back and tell Tout’Sweet about this.”

“Of course, good luck to you,” the paladin replied.

“I will send my out riders to the ‘Knight’s of the Righteous Path’s’ camp, Rhea your free to wait in the inn take this key its to my personal room you and Rice will be safe in there,” the commander said looking at the disguised forsaken in the corner with a knowing look.

“How did you know?” Rice asked.

“I have not known many night elves but my friend I have known a great number of mages, now get out of here I have to try turn chaos into order,” he bid them goodbye as his aids began to return. “I’ll send Sim and Alpharious straight to you when they arrive.”

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

Three Fel-orcs convulsed violently as the Chain-lighting attack which had struck them caused their muscles to spasm and fried their central nervous system, all collapses to the ground with out a sound as red skin turned black. Another had his chest all but obliterated by a shard of ice tearing through his, as the magical projectile had hit him it had fractured and the fragments shredded his internal organs. Still though around half a dozen of the red skins closed in on the young shaman, Ruya though with out missing a beat slammed another totem into the ground. Without warning it exploded in a fire ball, but rather than dissipate the fire reformed into a elemental, she had to hand it to the grunts, for they did not even hesitate in attacking this new threat. However having distracted them Ruya was able to heal Oleysia as the warlock cast her powerful spells.

Already five dead husks lay on the ground having vomited up their guts in viscous black fluid while a sixth had just dropped to his knees retching fiercely. Oleysia’s was trying to keep all her enemies in view at the same time which was difficult, while she had been dealing with the ones come up at her from the front another had come at her from the left his axe raised to deliver a one shot killing blow. But suddenly she spun and a green bolt leapt from her hands, the next thing he realised he was not fighting a little fragile female but a hulking great giant, he turn and fled in horror.

“Bronwena, stop spanking your ass and start kicking theirs,” Oleysia ordered her succubus.

“Anything for you Mistress,” the demonete cooed as she chased after the orc who was now running a full pelt back towards Oleysia clearly pissed about being made to look a cowered. He lash struck one of his legs and he was sent head over heals to the ground when he finally stopped he found himself looking up a very angry looking tauren, who promptly crushed his skull.

To keep up her attack Oleysia had used an old warlock power to convert her own life force into mana to be used as a result she was bleeding from wounds which she had sustained during their battles in the mine and had now reopened. Thankfully though Ruya was with her and after a quick healing spell those injuries were sealed shut once again.

“How are you girls doing?” Oathbreaker yelled as he gutted the orcs that had just finished off the fire elemental.

“Well I guess that’s all of them,” Ruya commented breathing slightly heavily, however it was only then that they noticed a large floating green eye staring at them, Oathbreaker grabbed a rock from the ground and hurled it at the orb which promptly faded away but there was the sound of laugher close by.

From their left emerging from a cave was a Fel-Orc larger even than Worg Master Kruush, he was dressed in what appeared to be shaman like armour his shoulder guard each sported two large poles each topped with a piece of metal shaped like a horse shoe close behind him were two more grunts though these looked a great deal more dangerous that the ones the trio had just slain. The new orcs walked calmly till they stood not far from the mercenaries and stopped.

“You have the honour of addressing Grillok Darkeye, Master of the Bleeding Hollow Clan, now who of you wishes to die first?” the large orc demanded. Oathbreaker was about to step forward but Ruya was there before him.

“He’s mine,” she told the others without looking over her shoulder. She moved down the slop ahead of them her gaze never breaking from Grillok’s.

“So a young blood seeks to be the first to fall by my hand,” Grillok smiled. “By the set of you jaw line and that look of hate in your eyes I can tell that the same blood run in our veins does it not dear sister.”

“I’m no sister of yours,” Ruya spat. “Your and yours betrayed our clan when you consumed demonic blood and still you seek to claim that you are Bleeding Hollow, your nothing more than filth, a throw back to when our people were the pawns of others.”

“Big words from a little girl, lets see how you speak when I burn out your tongue,” he roared and threw a lighting bolt made from shadow magic at her. It hurtled towards her but just as it was about to hit her it suddenly turned and channelled down into a totem she had just dropped. “What”¦” he began in surprise.

Ruya though was through talking and unleashed her own magic upon Grillok, with a quick incitation she hit him with a fire spell, keeping him of balance she closed the distance and cracked him on the head with her mace which felt to him as it had been made of rock. He lashed out at her with his own weapon a solid wooden staff but the blow sailed past her as she stepped back.

It was clear that he did not understand how totems worked as he failed to realise that it was them that were giving her the incredible agility and slowing him down she rained blows in on his arms and torso while side stepping, ducking or even in one case leaping over his attacks. She favoured his left side as with out his eye there he could not see where her mace was going to land and each time its rock like surface bit hard into his skin.

He tried to throw another spell at her but this time a bright flash of light and the feeling of stone hitting his face interrupted his casting, moments before she once again hit him on the back of his left leg bring him down into a kneeing position. He snarled and looked at her blood running from his nose and mouth, she held his eye as her ice slowly began to cover her hands.

“Here’s a gift from the new horde to the old,” Ruya stated coldly. “FROSTSHOCK!” she roared her voice filled with the anger that only comes from true hate and a bolt of ice shredded Grillok Darkeye’s head. His two guards had been quickly dispatched the other two, and for a moment the trio stood in silence, that was until the realised that there was a distant sound of steel on steel.

“Hey can you hear that?” Oleysia asked. “Theirs another battle going on somewhere,” she turned and ran back into the ruined settlement with the others close behind. Bronwena remained, she looked around and seeing only death around her pouted, then spanked her ass once again and gasped with pleasure before running after her mistress giggling.

She caught up with them while they all in the shadows of a massive ruin watching a small but powerful group of green orcs had just finished subduing a mob of their demonic brethren. Striding among them was something that none of them had every seen before a gold and black figure who loomed head and shoulders above them all.

“By the old gods, what is that thing?” Oathbreaker whispered.

“I can’t be sure but there is a definite demonic aura about it,” Oleysia stated. “Look it’s following the orders of that orc in warlock robes and crazy goggles,” she pointed out.

“The real question is why are they not killing them but loading them into cages on that wagon?” Ruya interrupted. “Oh shit,” she said as the huge armour figure turn to look in their direction, its head tilted slightly to the side before it began to stride towards them.

“ZANGGORG,” the warlock yelled. “Come here and help load these beasts into the cages,” then he looked at the others. “Get to work we need to be out of here before more of this scum show up,” he ordered kicking at senseless Fel-orc.

“Yes Jar’ag,” they called out, Oleysia blinked at the name and took a small step back.

“Let’s go,” she told them. “We’ll report this to Jarax, maybe he’ll know something about this.”

“Agreed lets get back to the forge and burn this place down; oh and collect that Worg Master’s head there’s a bounty on it.” Oathbreaker nodded while running his hands through the hair of his wolf that had just appeared at his side, its jaws covered in gore and blood. As they slipped away quietly they did not see that Jar’ag had like his minion glanced in the direction of the ruin, but with a shake of his head he returned to overseeing the others.

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

The room was absolutely dark as the four orcs quietly moved through it, the only light came from under the door of the room their target was in. All of them knew that their prey was powerful and had equally powerful friends, but that did not matter as knife in the back or a arrow though the heart would kill anyone warlock or not.

“You must kill him quickly before he realises that you are there,” Neeru Fireblade had instructed. “If he gets even a hit of your presence you will all be dead within seconds, but you are my best assassins I know you will not fail in bringing me the Blood of Zujin.”

Thing had happened so fast word only reach them thirty minutes ago that Zujin had dismissed his small group of guards who he employ to protect his home and business. They did not know why but Neeru had seized the opportunity to eliminate a warlock that he saw as a truly dangerous threat. Two of Zujin’s chief agents the hunter Saku and his former apprentice Rykan had also been seen leaving the building and riding away not long ago while the giant tauren bodyguard of his, was off spending time with his new love interest.

Without a sound all of them reached the door, two on with side one pair pressed up against the wall the other next to a large statue that seemed to be the symbolic guardian of the next room. It was only as they pressed up close to the sculpture that the realised it was breathing, looking up they saw a pair of large angry eyes staring down at them.

“Moo,” was all it said and then all hell broke lose.

‘Why?’ this was the only question that raged through Rokash’s head as he leapt of Kiri and entered Zujin’s home. He knew that the orc would be in his study, just as the bull knew he would need the element of surprise to make sure that their up coming confrontation would have him in a position of strength. To achieve this he quietly made his way through the rooms to the large store room at the back which would allow him to burst into the room close enough to the warlock that he could subdue him quickly.

As he was about to enter the study he heard the sound of a window opening and spotted four orcs climbing through it. Since he had trained all of Zujin’s guards he knew that these green skins were intruders so he positioned himself next to the door and became a statue, controlling his breathing so as not to be heard. Even in the darkness he could make out the poisoned daggers and arrows it was clear to him that these were not thieves but assassins. He waited calmly for them to get near him.

By the time they realised he was not a statue it was too late, in a flash he grabbed the two who had been standing next to him and them together so hard he heard their bones break. Tossing them aside he punched out with his massive fist at the assassin closet to the door launching him back past his kin and smashing him into the a large crate. The fourth orc had by now drawn his blades and was attempting to use the shadows to his advantage but Rokash had expected this and smashed his hooves into the ground causing his opponent to fall to the ground knocking over a large metal tray as he did so giving away his position. With a quick kick the bull sent his enemy across the room and through the door into Zujin’s study. Rokash was through the door in a flash and found a rather bemused looking warlock looking at the crumpled heap that was the assassin and then up into the tauren’s face.

“A simple knock would have sufficed,” Zujin joked; Rokash though was not in a joking mood and strode across the room, grabbed the warlock by the throat and slammed him into the wall.

“Why?!!” Rokash demanded to know as Zujin coughed. “Why!!” he repeated balling his free hand in to a fist and razing it slowly.

“Uncle Roky,” said a tiny female voice from the other end of the room looking over he spotted Ulric and Kelda who stood with confusion and concern on their little faces

“Are you and Uncle Zuj fighting?” Ulric asked, Rokash could not find the words to answer and dropped Zujin to the ground, the orc show surprising agility and landed soundly on his feet.

“No Children we were just have a rather animated discussion,” Zujin told them. “Now go back to your room and play, your mother will be home soon with your grandfather,” he told them.

“Can we play with Mr Fluffykins?” Kelda asked brightly meaning Kiri Rokash’s tiger. “Did Uncle Roky bring him?” he gazed flashed between Zujin and Rokash rapidly.

“Sure you can,” Rokash agreed. “I need to talk to Zujin here and then I’ll take you out to see Kiri, now go back to your rooms and play for a bit,” ith huge grins on their faces the twins vanished from the door way and ran back to their rooms Zujin turned to Rokash both took their usual seats near the central fire pit.

“You asked me a question before,” Zujin stated. “Now here is your answer.”

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

With a quick slash of his blades Ashercroft dispatched the arakkoa warrior silently before motioning for Sindri to move up. The troll hunter nodded to his forsaken partner and moved across the open ground rapidly, now they were in the heart of the bird men’s base they needed to locate those pilgrims. They had been hired by Falcon Watch because the Blood Guard in Thrallmar who was in charge of the mercenary operations claimed that he did not have the manpower to mount a search and rescue operation at this time. That had not been what the blood elves had wanted to hear and so took matters into their own hands.

It seemed that they had arrived just in time too, as the arakkoa were meeting with a strange group consisting of both horde and alliance races. The seemed to being led by a dark skinned Draenei who was talking with the largest and most brightly coloured of the bird men. Though they could not hear what was being said the pair knew that the groups were exchanging the pilgrims for a large bag of precious stones.

Using hand signals that the pair had developed after years of working together Ashercroft started to make his way down towards the deal makers. Sindri moved to locate a spot where he could shoot from; when he found it he uncovered his long scoped rifle and aimed it down towards the two groups. He saw the pilgrims dirty and dishevelled looking, the arakkoa standing over them waiting for the order to turn them over to the other group, theis leader stood counting out the gems that they were being given as payment, but of the Draenei there was no sign. He carefully scanned the valley unable to find them, until a flash of light caught his eye, his primary target was standing out in the open with a loaded crossbow pointed directly at the troll sniper. A bolt coming straight at him was the last thing Sindri ever saw and the last sound was the shattering of his scope as the bolt went straight through it and his eye, only stopping when it hit the back of his skull.

Ashercroft saw the draenei kill his partner and realized that he was far more dangerous than he had first thought and needed to be taken out fast. Sprinting he drew his daggers and prepared to strike. But suddenly there was a powerful explosion that threw the forsaken high into the air, tearing off his right arm in the process he landed hard on the ground several feet away from the draenei who was reloading his crossbow.

Knowing that he had mere seconds to close the distance Ashercroft was up on his feet running at his enemy once again, he could tell that he would get there before the crossbow was reloaded but unexpectedly his foe dropped his weapon and drew two long sabres leapt forward striking at the rogues midriff and neck. Ashercroft’s own momentum carried his past the blades and his body fell to the ground in three parts his legs his torso with its one remaining arm and his head which bounced to the feet of a particularly ugly orc who picked it up and laughed as he tossed it to another of his kin.

Ezekyle smiled to himself; that was quite a little fight and one he had not expected. Still though the mercenaries had not failed because they were bad, but because he was good after all he had been doing this sort of thing for many, many years. The look of aw that both his own group and the arakkoa were giving him was quite a boost to his already high opinion of himself.

“Ok then are you satisfied?” he asked the bird men’s leader.

“Kaww! Yes, take elves, Kaww,” the avian sated and his followers stepped away from the pilgrims.

“Hmm one appears to be sick, she wont make the trip back to our Master,” Ezekyle commented removing three of the stones from the table. “You keep her and we’ll take the rest.” The arakkoa looked over at the sick elf.

“Kaww, make good stew,” the arakkoa said making a strange nose that he assumed passed for laughter among its race.

“Crux,” he yelled at the ugly orc tossing the forsaken head about. “Move’em out!” he ordered.