The Airship came to rest atop the bluffs overlooking the city. The air smelled foul and was thick with acrid smoke. The sounds of hammers on steel rang out across the city, the reverberations never ceasing. The fires from the forges lit the cavernous expanse below with an eerie orange glow. This was the city of the Orcs, the city of the Warchief. This was Orgrimmar.
Thransis grabbed his gear started down the gang-plank that led from the airship to the bluff below. He was met at the bottom of the ramp by a young orc.
"I'll carry your pack. I'll show you to a warm inn. Good food, warm ale. The innkeeper can even draw a bath for you."
Thransis looked at the lad and nodded. He reached into his tunic and pulled out a few copper coins. He put them in the outstretched hand of the youth, who smiled excitedly. He awkwardly accepted his pack.
"Lead on," the blood elf said. "Where is this inn?"
"The Broken Tusk. It's near the Warchief's place. Good food, warm ale. It's not far."
Thransis grimaced.
"How about something less…" he paused while he searched for a word the boy might understand, "public?"
"It's near the Warchief," the puzzled youth began, "everyone wants to be near the Warchief. You don't want to be near him?"
The question hit Thransis hard; he was not expecting it. He wanted nothing to do with the Warchief or his war. He was loyal to the Horde, but this wasn't the same Horde that he had joined all those years ago. No, things had gotten bad, very bad. Garrosh was a tyrant. And a whole new continent was being bathed in blood by him. No, he didn't want to be near the Warchief. Not now. Not ever.
Though he knew he couldn't answer the boy honestly, he had to say something to throw off any suspicion. There were spies everywhere, and folks had a habit of disappearing when their views opposed those of the Warchief.
"The Broken Tusk sounds like a place where the very important people go. I'm not one of those. I'm just here on business."
"But you are dressed so nice. And you are a blood elf. Blood elves always want the finest things. I thought…"the young orc's voice trailed off as he looked to the coins in his hand.
Thransis quickly pulled out a silver coin and offered it to the boy.
"Do you know where The Wyvern's Tail is?"
The boy nodded slowly.
"This is yours, if you lead the way."
"Only scalawags and dangerous folks go to that place," said the boy, frowning.
"I assure you that I'm not a scalawag, but as for dangerous, I've been known to be."
Thransis looked down at the boy and saw a look of fear. He reached out and patted the youth on his head and smiled.
"But only to those who deserved it. You, my young friend, have nothing to fear."
The boy smiled weakly as Thransis pressed the silver coin into his hand. The blood elf looked around and pointed towards one of the many goblin-made elevator platforms that would take them down into the heart of the city.
"Run ahead and secure me a room. Make sure to have the innkeeper place me near a window that has a view of the Pandaren camp by the pond. If she causes you any problems, tell her that you are a messenger for Shan Dort Wiseborn."
The boy nodded, turned, and ran towards the elevator. Thransis sighed. He may have only just returned from Pandaria, but he missed it all the same. The few months that he had spent there would live forever in his heart and memories.
The land was beautiful, and the wild-life exotic. The people were simplistic in everything, yet complex. They were at peace with their surroundings, with each other, with nature itself. Their culture, music and lifestyle were tremendous. Their love for home, food and family was as strong as stone. They couldn't be shaken. The pandarens were, in his mind, free. He thought of his own wife and kids. He missed them terribly. As soon as he could, he would finish his business here in Orgrimmar and make his way home.
Thransis held out his hand and uttered a small incantation. A small swirling mass of dark air appeared there.
"Follow the lad and make sure that he arrives at the inn safely. Report to me immediately, if you observe anyone troubling him."
"Yes, milord," the small elemental said with a bow, and then took off after the young orc boy.
"Air elemental pets now? I thought you were a mage, and not some side show freak. What a waste of talent, Thransis," his gravely voice dripping with malice.
"Anything is possible when it comes to the arcane, Nexx. And I'm not the one wasting … away." he replied sarcastically as he turned to face the Forsaken.
The two mages grinned at each other and clasped hands. Thransis viewed the undead creature standing before him, who's purple and black robes hung loosely upon his skeletal frame. Though his skin was taught and pale, his eyes glowed with a bright blue light. They hid a strength and power unequalled by many. He grinned again. The undead mage motioned him to follow and the two of them began to walk in the opposite direction of the elevators.
"I see you are still wearing the same old rags that they buried you in?" chided Thransis.
"You should have gone to that inn where you could have had a bath. You smell like death itself," replied Nexx.
"Does your sense of smell even work anymore?"
"No, but your stench is so overpowering that I can smell you beyond the grave."
Thransis took a quick whiff about him and grimaced.
"Perhaps you're right. I think I do need a bath. I shall find me a place to bathe and find a beautiful young woman to enjoy it with! Nothing makes you feel more alive than a bath with a beautiful woman!"
"You are married," Nexx said gruffly.
Thransis brushed away the undead mages comment, "Eh, what she doesn't know won't kill her."
"I'd be more than happy to tell her," the undead mage grinned, "I'm sure it would kill her."
"You really are a spoil-sport, aren't you?"
"Oh, you have no idea."
"Fine, fine. The bath can wait. Where are we off to?"
"The boss wants to see you."
Thransis held up his hands, "Whoa, hey, I'm up to date on my guild dues. What on earth does he want to see me for?"
"You've spent some time in Pandaria, yes? Have you ever heard of the Mogu'shan Vaults?"
