The large ogres nodded respectfully to Rokash as he and entered the Den, he was here for two things, a drink and to tell Zujin that he didn’t get the book. He had been hoping that the Warlock was upstairs in one of the rooms which he had on permanent lease, but unfortunately he spotted his friend sitting in the bar talking with three females, the closest of whom saw him as he stepped inside.

“Rokash!” she called out as she leapt from her chair and ran over to him hugging him fiercely around the waist. “It’s so good to see you,” she added.

“I missed you too Torgina,” he replied patting her on the back with one huge hand.

“Come sit with us,” she demanded grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the table the way an over excited child would a parent. Rokash decided that it would be better to tell Zujin about the book first and then get his drink, but before he could speak Torgina was introducing him to her new friends. “This is Beladia,” she said introducing a night elf with long dark blue hair. “And this is Xue, she’s a draenei.”

“Well I’m pleased to meet you both,” he greeted them they both smiled all be it a little nervously at the huge armoured tauren standing before them.

“Did the shadow council operatives give you any problems?” Zujin asked, Rokash looked over at the warlock.

“No, by the time I arrived they were already dead,” he answered Zujin looked confused. “Someone got their first, your friend’s heavy hitter, Kitty.” Both Torgina and Beladia, became noticeably uncomfortable at the mention of that name. “I underestimated her and she got away with the book,” he confessed.

Zujin was silent for a short time before he spoke. “Well this complicates matters somewhat,” he commented. “But it does tell us that while our enemy does not have connections within the legion, he does have them with other powerful demon groups.” The room remained quiet as everyone waited for him to make a choice as to what to do next, finally he spoke. “Ok then I think its time that we pool our resources with all our allies. Xue I have to as a favour from you, I need you to travel to Honour Hold and bring the ‘Fists of Fury’ and whatever allies they have secured.”

“But Tout’Sweet left me here to look after Torgina and Beladia,” Xue commented though her tone was firm but not argumentative.

“I understand that, but I give you my word that they will be safe here with us, in fact I hoping Rokash here will agree to train them for the battle to come,” he responded looking from her to the large bull.

“Of course I’ll teach them,” Rokash added, Torgina leapt from her chair and hugged him once more grinning from ear to ear.

“Rokash is an excellent teacher,” she told Beladia who was still nervous about him.

“Well alright then, I’ll need to gather some supplies for the trip,” Xue agreed. “What do you want me to tell them?” she asked.

“Tell them that I now know exactly who we are facing,” the warlock stated, Xue rose from her chair and quickly left the room.

“I think we need more of our people in on this, you know in case this deal of yours goes south,” Rokash said quietly as he leaned in close to Zujin.

“Saku will be here soon with some horde mercenaries and a few old friends,” Zujin assured his friend.

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

Once again the sound of a fist slamming into a chest filled the room, breathing heavily Saku stepped back from the Arakkoa who was tied up in the chair. Nyako moved in to his spot and hit the bird man soundly across the face once, twice, three times before straightening up and looking down at him.

“Tell us about the Draenei,” she demanded. “Why did he want those pilgrims?”

“Kaw,” the Arakkoa said weakly. “No talk, you not scare Avruu,” it added looking up defiantly.

Watching this Oleysia sighed, they had been at this for hours, Saku and Nyako would question the Arakkoa and then once its body could take no more, Ruya would heal it up and they would begin again. It was brutal and savage but was the only way to extract the information from their prisoner, which it seemed was not forth coming.

So far though they had restrained themselves from any permanent damage to the bird man but it was clear that the lack of any progress was beginning to strain Saku normal thorium like composure. Pressure for results was coming from both the Captain in command of Falcon Watch and Jarax who had requested an update as soon as possible.

Adding to the problem was a growing mob of blood elves who had gathered out side the inn and were demanding that the Arakkoa be given to them for ‘justice,’ their chants had now become so loud that everyone in the room could clearly here them. Nyako indicated for Ruya to once again heal the numerous wounds which they had inflicted while she went over to talk to Saku.

“What are we going to do about that mob?” she asked. “We have to calm them down before they get up the nerve to come storming in here.” She added, Saku was silent for a moment unwittingly allowing Oathbreaker to answer first.

“I’ll go talk to them,” he told the others grimly rising from the bar stool he sat at.

“No!” everyone in the room said at once, the bull paused and looked at them.

“I need you here Oathbreaker,” Saku said quickly. “Oleysia go out there and reason with them elf to elf please.” He told the little warlock, she nodded and walked out of the room the door closing firmly behind her. Shortly afterwards they heard her voice calling out and the demands of the mob subside as she explained that they need silence to continue their investigation. Suddenly her voice stopped in mid sentence and there was a loud thump on the door.

“Saku you need to get out here,” Oleysia called through the wood her tone betraying the urgency of the matter, in the next second both the hunter and Nyako were out side.

The mob had seemingly split into two groups and all eyes were looking at a body that lay between them face down in the dirt. It was a Mag’har and in two huge steps Saku was at his side pulling the warrior over, he instantly notice two brutal wounds in his chest. The brown orc opened his eyes and groaned looking at Saku with unfocused pupils but still he seemed to recognise the hunter as kin and tried to speak.

“Don’t talk,” Saku insisted. “Save your strength,” but the Mag’har ignored him.

“Humans attacked… used poisons… many warriors captured… put on wagon,” he stuttered “Could not stop them… headed east…” then just as Ruya dropped onto her knees next to them the warrior breathed one last expelling breath and slumped in Saku’s arms.

“I’m sorry Saku,” Ruya said sadly as she reached over and closed the brown orcs eyes. The hunter though was back on his feet and literally ran into the inn his face a mask of controlled rage, something that Oleysia had never seen on his face before and scared her to death. Unsure what he was going to do she followed in his wake, he burst into the room they were using for the interrogation and paused for just a second before striding over to the bar and grabbing a large dagger.

Then before any one else could do anything he grabbed the arakkoa’s left hand, pulled it free of its bonds and brought the blade down on its wrist so hard that he cut it off in one swift motion. Even as it screamed in agony he thrust the weapon into its shoulder and snarled viciously at it.

“Tell me about the Draenei!” he yelled, “Tell me now or I’ll start cutting more and more bits off you,” Ruya entered the room at that point and seeing the injuries which Saku had inflicted rushed to heal them but Nyako stepped in front of her and shook her head firmly.

“Kaw! I speak I speak, they pay us for pilgrims,” the arakkoa screamed. “Don’t know why, don’t ask, pay well,” it blubbered.

“Where did they take them?” the hunter demanded gripping the dagger and twisting it.

“Kaw! Don’t know they not say, I not ask,” it wailed. “Stop, Stop told you all I know,” Saku seemed to believe the bird man, as he pulled the blade out, stepped back and waved Ruya over.

Despite being twice the size of the hunter Oathbreaker stepped out of his way as Saku walked over to the bar, grabbed a bottle of ale and took a large drink from it. Slowly he brought his rapid breathing back down to a normal rhythm and with it his rage, before turning and looking at the others.

“It appears that we are dealing with something that is a lot more complicated than we had first thought,” he stated. “That warrior out there told me that a group of humans attacked their small village just northwest of here, and this Arakkoa was hired to kidnap pilgrims for a Draenai, two such similar acts can not be just coincidence.”

“Saku we also something strange a few days ago,” Oleysia spoke up, he turned to look directly at her. “It might be nothing but when we were in the Bleeding Hollow stronghold we saw a group capturing fel-orcs,” Saku gaze intensified.

“Go on…” he said know that there was more to it. “What else?”

“Well their leader was a orc warlock, I think his name was Jar’ag and he seemed to have some huge mechanical creature under his command, which I am sure was demon but I had never seen anything like it before.”

“You’re sure his name was Jar’ag?” Saku inquired. “It’s very important that you’re certain of this.”

“Yes I am sure,” Oleysia insisted. “I remember when I heard it I thought it sounded familiar.”

“Ok that settles it,” Saku decided. “All of you grabbed your gear we’re going to Shattrath,” he told them. Then as if he had just thought of it he added, “Don’t worry about getting paid for your work here today, Jarax told me that until we find out exactly what happened to those pilgrims, you are all officially still on the clock.”

“What about him,” Nyako asked pointed to the bird man.

“Turn him over the watch guards that was what we agreed to do after all.” Saku instructed her.

Within the hour they had all boarded Wyverns to Shattrath the capital city of Outland. At the back of the group Oathbreaker sat on his mount with a growing sense of unease and discomfort, not from anything physically but mentally as during these quiet times his memories flooded back to him in unending and unwelcome waves.

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

As the undead guardsmen drew close they broke from their ordered lines and charged, wordlessly raising their weapons. Oathbreaker and Naraxis used their greater reach to smash the first skeletons that came in range into fragments, soon though they were surrounded with ancient rusted weapons stabbing and slashing against the heavy plate armour the bulls were encased in.

Oathbreaker slammed his shield forward and to the left into the undead that were attacking him from those directions, while sweeping sword out to the right making himself as big an obstacle as possible for the mindless warriors to over come before they could attack the more vulnerable magic users behind, a quick glance over to where Naraxis stood told him that his kinsman was doing the same. Inevitably though the numbers began to turn the battle in the scourges favour, at first a few then more went wide avoiding the bull’s and homing straight in on Heka.

Andrezi though leapt to the mages defence and being a paladin for him it did not get any better when fighting undead. With his blessed holy hammer and wielding the power of the light he attacked the scourge with all his might, dozen of the animated guardsmen crumble to dust at the merest touch of his weapons. Soon the battle turned once again this time in the smalls groups favour as the numbers of undead was whittled down to nothing.

“Well done, that was a performance worthy of a bard’s song,” mocked the Baron. “But I have one more surprise for you before you can enter my humble home, let me introduce you to a friend of mine, Ramstein please go out and greet our guest,” and the doors opened once again only this time an abomination slowly lumbered out.

“By my ancestors,” Naraixs exclaimed.

“Let him come,” Heka commented. “It’s time for the Baron to see just who he is dealing with,” she said as a fire ball leapt from her hands flew threw the air and struck the massive monster in the head. For a moment the undead creature paused in mid step, raised the largest of its largest hand up and smothered the flames.

“Hurt, don’t do again,” Ramstein said slowly, having to think hard for each word before starting to lumber towards them once again.

“Come on what are we waiting for,” Naraxis yelled and charged at Ramstein, it was too late before he realized his mistake. Like most tauren he was so used to being the larger opponent in battle that he took the fact that he had the longest reach for granted, however this was not the case this time.

With a show of speed that was totally opposite to his lumbering walk, Ramstein raised a massive mace high into the air and smashed it down on Naraxis with such force the bull was not just killed instantly but horribly mutilated and crushed half the tauren’s body. Then seemly oblivious to it, the abomination continued towards the group stepping on the gory remains of their comrade.

“Oathbreaker take the right, Andrezi you got the left come at it from both sides,” Heka ordered as she prepared yet another fire ball, the pair obeyed and started to run out and round so as to come at the abomination from different directions, but yet again they had underestimated this particular undead construct.

None of them had spotted that in Ramstein’s third arm he was dragging a huge hook and chain, as they broke apart in their attempt to out flank him he struck, hurling it ahead of him it flew above Heka’s head, but it seemed that his aim was off and it flew so far above her head that the mage did not even have to duck, but then he pulled it in. The hook surged backwards skewering the caster, pulling her through the air and into the abomination’s grasp. Oathbreaker and Andrezi could only watch in horror as even while they closed the distance Ramstein lifted the struggling mage into his mouth and bit her head clean off.

However before the monster could drop the headless corpse they were upon it, the paladins holy weapon and magic disintegrated its corrupt flesh while the warrior hacked huge lumps off its right flank, including its mace wielding arm. At this range the chain was useless so Ramstein dropped it and punched out with its hands, one hit Oathbreaker and sent him flying through the air landing heavily on the ground in front of the closed door. This left only Andrezi in range and the abomination smiled as it focused all its attacks on him, however the holy warrior threw up another protective shield around himself and as a result blows that could have and should have left the human a shattered broken corpse never landed.

“Magic, not last, Ramstien kill you,” the abomination said as it paused for a moment with its blows. Suddenly a shadow passed in front of the sun and both combatants looked up in surprise, Oathbreaker came down from the highest jump he had ever performed and plunged not only his own hooked sword into the monsters head but Naraxis’s axe as well. “No, can’t kill Ramstien…” the creature stated as it fell to one side with a ground shaking thump.

“Bravo, another sound victory, but at such a cost however, I’m so sorry about your friends,” the baron called out. “Well my doors are open to you now, of course there are only the two of you now soo…” his voice faded away chuckling, Andrezi and Oathbreaker looked at each other.

“Let’s finish this,” the paladin said.

“One way of the other,” Oathbreaker added. So side by side they walked towards the building.

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

The cage they had put her in was barely big enough for her to kneel in added to that she was on the bottom a three cage pile and both the ones above were also occupied K’mara’s situation was not the most pleasant. There were at least thirty cages in this room all of which had been filled only a short while ago, by blood elves like herself bestial fel-orcs which their huge over sized tusks spiked wrists and generally foul disposition, and then lastly there was another group of orcs who looked similar to the ones who were part of the horde except that their skin was brown not green.

A few days back, an orc walked in with a huge armour figure at his side. He looked into each one of the cages containing the fel-orcs and indicated to the giant to remove one as it did so the orc began to struggle but despite this it was still dragged out of the room with ease. A few minutes later the pair came back and this time they took a brown skinned orc, then to her horror one of her fellow pilgrims. It was not long after that her ears were filled with the screams of agony, as the sound filled her ears K’mara curled up into a ball, covered her ears and wished it would stop, but when it did the silence she found was worse.

What was going on… Why were they doing this… What did these people want with them, K’mara wished she knew.

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

The abyssal shelf was teaming with activity as the ‘Fists of Fury’ flew above it, they easily spotted the Fel-Reavers which Commander Trollbane was so concerned about, four of them each with over a hundred Gan’arg peons working on them while their larger cousins the Mor’arg appeared to be over seeing it all. Just as Tout’Sweet was waved to where they should land one to the giant war machines stood up, things it seemed had just got interesting. Despite this the warrior swooped down to a spot just out of sight of the demons with his friends in tow.

“Well this could complicate things?” Brimstone commented peering out from behind their cover. “Any thoughts on how we are going to take that thing down?” she asked, the others looked black and turned to Tout’Sweet who had the kind of smile on his face that he only used when he had one of his truly remarkable and often dangerous ideas.

“Guys do you have your remotes with you?” he asked still smiling, reaching into their bags they all produced small cube like objects covered in numerous switches, buttons and lights. “Ok here’s what we are going to do…”

“How is it looking up there?” called out a Mor’arg overseer his voice amplified by a device attached to his large mechanical arm, the Gan’arg on the Fel-Reaver’s shoulder looked down and gave a thumbs up, moments later however the machine came to a shuddering stop. Cries of alarm and surprised came from all the demons around it as they tried to figure out why it had broken down, however they all breathed a collective sigh of relief as it started moving once again. But this turned to horror as they watched their creation raise its right hand and using its large finger flick the demons that were holding on to its chassis off.

For a moment no one could do anything but watch as the Fel-Reaver turned to look at the other war machines which were still not operational. It even took two steps towards them before the builders took any action at all. One of the Gan’args activated the Fel-Cannon that it had just finished and directed the semi sentient demonic weapon to fire upon giant construct. Others soon followed its example filling the air with flaming green cannon balls all hurtling their way towards their one huge target.

Despite the huge about of firepower they were now throwing against their malfunctioning creation the builders knew that it would not be enough to stop it from reaching the closest inactive Fel-Reaver and maybe even the one after that, they had after all built these war machines to take this kind of punishment. They watched helplessly as it reached down somewhat jerkily and tore apart its first target, then proceeded to move towards the next. As it walked the demonic energies that were used to power it began to escape from the cracks which began to appear in its onyx armour.

While this was going on a group of Gan’args who were particularly sensitive to mechanical signals began to hear a strange humming noise in their ears. Looking for the source they spotted four small beings standing not far away, each held a small box and seemed to be using it in time with the ‘malfunctioning’ Fel-Reaver. Yelling in alarm they quickly spread the word to their allies and started to close in on the intruders. Just as they did so a lucky shot from one of the cannons shattered the Fel-Reaver’s right shoulder and its arm fell uselessly to the ground crushing numerous demons as it did so.

“Keep it up,” Tout’Sweet ordered as he tossed his remote back into their bags. “Work those other limbs while I keep these Gan’arg’s off you,” he added as he picked up his shield and his iconic weapon, Thunderfury. So as the Fel-Reaver which they controlled tore into another of its targets, Azeroth’s number one mercenary threw himself into a brutal melee battle with the demonic engineers.

The first demon to reach him punched out with its deadly gauntlet which made its one of its hands three times the size of the other, but Tout’Sweet not only smashed the blow a way with his shield but sent his foe flying back into its kin who were coming up behind it. Taking advantage of this the diminutive warrior leapt into the air and brought ‘Thunderfury’ down on top of a second demon promptly cutting it in two right down the middle, the next one though came at him before the blow was even threw it grabbed the blade with its armoured fist intending to rip it from his grasp. What happened instead was that the aura of lightning which surrounded the blade surged up the demon metal weapon, it screamed horribly as it was cooked from the inside out.

More and more demons closed in around the group and even Tout’Sweet began to find himself hard pressed to protect his friends, he abandoned his original tactic to kill each demon as it got close and switch to crippling them so that he could cope with his ever growing number of enemies. Much to his relief however the left arm was blown from the Fel-Reaver and this freed Brimstone to join the fight, almost instantly demonic chains formed around a Mor’arg which was towering above the groups leader and it turned on its fellow demons. Cutting a path of destruction that was only surpassed by the one created by Tout’Sweet.

Far off the now armless Fel-Reaver under the control of Rascal and Maestro was now approaching the last target when a cheer went up from the demons around it as the fourth war machine came to life. Seeing this new threat, the two gnomes looked at each other and cam up with the exact same idea, pressing the corresponding buttons and flipping the right switches they made it happen, as the newly active construct took its first step, its armless counter part started to run straight for it.

The sound of the impact filled the entire peninsula but it was nothing compare to what followed moments later. Weaken by the huge aount of damage inflicted upon it by the Fel-Cannons the chest of the gnome’s machine could take no more and was torn open exposing the unstable power core inside, the resulting explosion destroyed both Fel-Reavers as the shock wave knocked every one from their feet including the ‘Fists of Fury’.

Such was the scale of the explosion that three quarters of the demons on the shelf were killed and the rest left dazed and confused, taking advantage of this the four gnomes made good their escape. They had held up their end of the deal now they needed to see that Commander Trollbane had done the same.

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

Sleep when it came to her was filled with nightmares, but no matter how much they frightened her, the waking word was far more terrifying. This time it was worse than before as the feeling of being breathed on woke her from her troubled slumber. Opening her eyes slowly she found her vision filled with the face of the orc who had taken all of the others from their cages, his smile was that of someone truly insane.

“Well hello there little one,” he said. “I see you’re finally awake, did you sleep well?” he asked though it was clear he was mocking her.

“Please…” K’mara whimpered. “Please don’t hurt me… let me go I won’t tell anyone about this place,” she pleaded.

“I’m afraid that if I did that the Master would be most displeased,” he replied with a small shake of his head. “Besides I’m too close to my goal to stop now, I just need one more test subject to give me all the information I need, and you’re the last person in this room,” he explained, he stood up and looked over at the armoured figure behind him. “Bring her,” he ordered.

Other elfs when their time had come had gripped the cages with all their strength so as not to be taken, so in response to this the figure had simply carried them cage and all out of the room. This was how K’mara found herself being carried through the complex that the group who held her were based in.

As they did so she saw that every one of her kidnappers was preparing their weapons, armour and spells clearly getting themselves ready for a battle that was to come. She only saw these scenes for a few moments before being carried into a room right at the back, two orcs stood guard and when they saw the figure holding her approach them pulled the massive doors open, as soon as she saw what was in that room K’mara like all the elves before her started to scream…

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

Honour Hold was quiet as the gnomes entered the fortified alliance camp, though they had barely stepped through the archway when a solider came running up to them. He skidded to a stop and stood for a moment catching his breath while four sets of eye looked at him with curiosity.

“Commander Trollbane is waiting for you in the inn,” the man said still gasping for air.

“Are you alright?” Tout’Sweet asked him.

“I’m fine thank you sir,” the man replied. “Just ran here from the top floor of the keep that’s all, this armour isn’t exactly light” he explained.

“Indeed its not,” Tout’Sweet smiled. “If you would point us to the inn then we’ll be on our way,” the solider raised his left hand and pointed to a building not far off to their right.

Inside they found Rhea sitting at the bar talking with the innkeeper, she stopped in mid sentence and looked over her shoulder at the group and gave a relieved smile. Picking up her drinks Rhea turned then indicated with a nod of her head indicated that they should follow her up stairs, once they had climbed the two flights she led them into a very spacious and well decorated room. In its centre was a large round table covered in a large map with three men looking over it, one was Commander Trollbane, the other two were Alpharius and Sim.

“Ah you must be Tout’Sweet,” Trollbane said straightening up. “Please place your gear where ever you wish,” he offered. “I don’t need to ask if you held up you end of the deal, the explosion brought down one of our older defensive walls, what ever did you do?”

“The legion was closer than you thought to finishing it’s Fel-Reavers,” Tout’Sweet replied. “As we arrived one be came activated and we had to, improvise,” the warrior added.

“One day you must tell me what you did, but I have to see that our forces take advantage of the legions losses and I guess you will be wanting to talk to Sim about your mutual enemies.” And with that the Commander left the room, as he did so an uneasy silence descended over the room; as the two paladins and the mercenary group glared at each other, as both expected it was Rhea who broke the silence.

“Ok then,” she spoke up as she handed her forsaken brother his brandy. “It would be a waste of time to pretend that you guys like each other, so let’s not bother.” She gestured for the Fists to sit on one side of the table and for Sim and Alpharius to sit on the other, as they came closer to each other the silence became thicker and more hostile. “Oh by the light,” Rhea groaned rubbing her temple with her left hand. “Despite what you think of each other the fact is that all of you have a vested interest in seeing this group that we are after brought to heel, so for the moment lets put the past behind us and decided how to tackle the future.”

Sitting at the back of the room sipping his drink Rice could not keep a proud smile from his lips as he watched his little sister work, where Sim could use words to manipulate situations towards his own ends and Alpharius could use his to inspire blood lust and hatred in his fellow man, Rhea’s talent was in negotiation. Rarely if ever did she fail to find common ground on which two hostile groups could talk and work out their problems without resorting to violence and death. He knew that this time would be no different, that was until the interruption. Suddenly the doors opened and a pale Draenei walked in the likes of which Rice had never seen before, her young face was filled with urgency and importance.

“Tout’Sweet I’m so glad I found you,” the young Daenei said.

“Xue what are you doing here?” Tout’Sweet demanded to know. “Where are Beladia and Torgina?”

“They are still in Shattrath with Zujin,” she answered. “He has a huge tauren named Rokash is training them how to fight,” she added and the gnomes visibly stiffened at the name. “He sent me here to say that its time we pooled all our information and resources, I think he has figured out what our enemies are planning.”

“Then there is no time to loose,” the warrior decided and looked over at Sim. “Rhea is right Sim I don’t like you, but we have a common enemy to deal with, come Shattrath and help us.”

“Of course,” Sim replied with out even pausing. “Alpharius go back to the camp and make sure everyone is prepared to move out the moment we return,” he ordered his second. “I don’t think that we will have much time when we do.” Quickly every one grabbed their gear and weapons before flying out of the door, minutes later they were all on griffons either their own of rented that were taking them to the capital of Outland.

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

The red lights of the machine gave Jar’ag’s grin a more sadistic and unpleasant appearance than normal. In his mind all the test subjects had proved successful, more or less, at the very least they had allowed him to fine tune the engine. As he stood watching two orcs removing the last blood elves and taking her to another room the warlock became aware of some one standing just behind him.

“I trust your experiments have been successful? The Master asked him his dark powerful voice.

“Yes master,” Jar’ag said turning. “I’m almost ready to…” he stopped suddenly as he realized that the Master had his hood down so that the warlock found himself staring at the rotting face of what had once been an orc like himself.

It intrigued him greatly that the primitive magic of the trolls could animate a corpse in such a way. However the magic did not last and as time passed the zombies began to disintegrate, the one the Master possessed was no exception. When he had first been recruited to the group the Master’s face had been the same dark green colour that it had been when the body was alive now though it had turned into a decaying shade of brown. Already the skin of the left cheek had disintegrated leaving a gaping hole, both ears had long since fallen off while the nose looked as if it was about to do the same.

“Almost ready to what Jar’ag?” the Master asked clearly noticing the pause.

“I’m sorry master I have perfected the transfusion technique but I need one more subject,” he answered. “There is one final variable that I need to investigate before we can proceed,” he explained.

“Very well then, I want to know immediately once this last test of yours is finished, time is short and our enemies are gathering,” the Master stated as he turned and walked from the room, Jar’ag looked over at the orc who had stood quietly off to his right and nodded.

“Ok get in,” he told them. “And remember what ever happens you volunteered for this,” he reminded them.

“Yea, Yea what ever, just start the damn machine up,” Crux replied, unlike the blood elves he did not scream as dozens of needles pierced his arms and spine, instead he began to laugh…

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

“Strike with your left,” Rokash called out and a pair wooden swords hit off his gauntlets. “Good now your right,” he added and was hit again. “Now alternate your attacks, see if you can get past my guard.” He challenged the two smaller warriors in front of him. He smiled proudly as Torgina and Beladia her night elf companion struck at him, both had finally remembered their basics and the skills that they had developed before they had been kidnapped by their enemies.

Not far from them Zujin sat half watching them half turning his mind over just what it was the demon planned, he had a rough idea due to the fact that it had sent its best agent to retrieve that particular book but there was something else. Every instinct in his body told him that tome was only part of it he needed more information to figure out what.

Just then Beladia struck Rokash on the leg, normally such a blow would not have affected the giant at all much, but the bull was feeling generous and fell to the ground groaning in an overly dramatic fashion. Just then the door which linked the room they were in to the bar of the Den opened and Saku quickly entered followed closely by Nyako, Ruya, Oleysia and finally Oathbrekaer.

“We need to talk Zujin,” the hunter stated.

“I’m listening old friend,” Zujin replied as the room fell quiet. They all stood silently as Saku explained that had gone on, both in the Arakkoa den and Falcon Watch leaving nothing out. When he finished talking Zujin leaned back and placed his hand on his temple clearly absorbing this new information and trying to fit it into some sort of order, then in the dark recesses of his mind something fell into place and he stood up so quickly it startled everyone.

“Of course that’s it, that explains everything,” he exclaimed grinning triumphantly at everyone and receiving blank looks in return. Suddenly the door opened again and this time Xue walked in with the ‘Fists of Fury’ right behind her and a tall dark skinned blonde paladin after them. “Thank you for coming so quickly Tout’Sweet,” the warlock spoke quickly. “Please sit and have a drink, I think that after we hear what the other has to say we’ll need them.”

After they had all found seats Zujin rose and stood placing both hands on the table in front of him, he looked the gnome warrior directly in the eyes for a moment before looked slowly around the room. He seemed to be taking in everyone who was present, as if seeing them for the first time; then he straightened his back and began to speak.

“When we last spoke I did not tell you everything I knew about the group we now face, something which I think you worked out,” he began. “The reason was that at the time it was no more than a suspicion and I needed to make sure that I was correct,” he paused again an took a drink of the water in front of him. “Throughout my life I have been involved with fighting one particular demon, a Dread Lord of ferocious power, I won’t go into details but when I was a much younger orc I stopped my uncle and father from summoning him into our world. Then a few years ago with the help of others I did so again, or at least I thought I had,” another pause and another gulp of water, but no one interrupted. “After our first talk I went immediately to the Sunken Temple in the Swamps of Sorrow where that last battle took place, with Saku’s help I ‘persuaded’ the trolls there to show us the non trollish zombies. We accounted for all but one orc and a night elf mercenary, We already know that the night elf in the group we face is Kitty who should have died in that temple, but the orc corpse which was missing was that of my cousin Vasu which I now believe to be serving a shell for the demon.”

“So if this is a demon as powerful as you say why has it not just struck out against you, or anyone else for that matter?” Sim asked. “I mean why all this creeping about in the shadows?”

“Well Sim,” Zujin began. “It is Sim right? two reasons, firstly creeping about in the shadows is what Dread Lords excel at and secondly he can’t.” he answered.

“What do you mean can’t?” the paladin pressed.

“Because what animates the body of my dead cousin is undoubtedly Trollish Voodoo magic, this is not compatible with the shadow magic that is used by demons and warlocks.” Zujin explained. “Every time he used his powers Vasu’s corpse would break apart just a little bit more, and without it the he would die, this is why he has gone about gathering minions and lieutenants around himself, for protection until the time comes when he can find a solution, and I think he has found it.” He explained with a heavy emphasis of finality on his last few words.

“So this demon now will be able to use his full power soon,” Tout’Sweet summed up.

“Still though there will only be one of him,” Rascal spoke up. “And there are many of us, surely he won’t be much of a problem.”

“You would be right young rogue,” Zujin agreed. “However I have information that the demon now has in its possession a tome which is a copy of the one my uncle used in his attempts to summon them before, with it they could easily bring more demons through to our world.”

“Ok so what do we need to do to stop him?” Brimstone asked. “I can send a message to some ‘friends’ in Stormwind to see if there is a copy of this tome in their city or Ironforge,” she offered.

“No,” Maestro said shaking his head. “If such a book was being held in our cities it would have undoubtedly been used by some unscrupulous power hungry warlock by now.”

“Hey!” Zujin, Oleysia and Brimstone exclaimed at once, then the two older warlocks looked at each other and laughed, but the young blood elf though did not see the funny side and scowled. With a polite but attention grabbing cough Sim rose to his feet and moved over to stand next to Zujin.

“So you know what his plan is but I’m guessing you don’t know where he or his group are?” Sim asked rhetorically.

“No I don’t that’s why I asked for us all to meet I had a feeling that either the ‘Fists of Fury’ or their allies would have found it out by now,” Zujin replied “Since your are standing next to me with a smug look on your face I can only assume that you do,” he added, the noble smiled and unrolled the large map he had brought from Honour Hold.

“Your assumption is correct,” Sim declared and slammed his palm down right in the middle of the map. “Here is where you will find them, with in the walls of Hellfire Citadel itself.”

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

Standing before the machine the master watched Jar’ag finish the final preparations for the procedure. Standing off to one side, Ezekyle and Falkus watched the event with interest, while Kitty stood at the door with what could only be described as a concerned look on her face, not really for him but for herself since she did not know what would happen to her if he died.

“Master all is ready for you,” Jar’ag announced. “If you step in we shall begin.

Shedding his rode the Master stepped into the machine, Jar’ag pulled a leaver and the needles easily penetrated his rotting skin and decaying bones. The warlock flipped the first switch and the dark red Fel-orc blood began to empty from a tank high above and enter his body. Instantly he felt a burning pain that grew in intensity as more and more blood was pumped in, but with it he could feel his demonic energies increasing. Soon though it was becoming too much, his hands began to shake violently causing three fingers to come flying off, this was the signal for the administration of the stabilising agent the uncorrupted blood of the Mag’har. As this entered the shaking and pain quickly stopped and faded away, while his power continued to grow.

It was all over in less that ten minutes and as the needles were with drawn he fell forwards on to the floor. Though no one rushed to help him they did all move closer quietly surrounding the spot where he knelt.

“Master, are you alright?” Kitty asked

“Yes my dear I am,” he replied rising, there was a collective gasp from some of the lower ranks of the group as they looked upon him. Now towering above them all his skin was whole again but was not green but was a dark red in colour, orbs of black fire burned in his eye sockets as he smiled coldly. “I’m more that alright.” He added and filled the entire compound with the sound of his laughter.