Well, so far I've gotten no actual "no, please, no more!" responses on my profile poll, so I guess I'm going to assume there might be a few people out there still interested (besides me- I happen to have a lot of fun writing about these two!).
As per usual, I don't own WoW or any of the NPCs I use, but I do claim my own characters and story. Thanks for reading, people!
Chronology here is (of course): In a Dark Place, Joined Lives, Secrets and Lies, Liberation.
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Hyara giggled. Galmak was awfully cute when he was confused.
"No, silly, not there…" She pushed his head gently. "There."
"But I thought you said you liked…"
"I do. But that's even better… ooh! Mmhmm…"
There was a sudden rustling of a curtain and Zarguhl's head appeared. Hyara squealed; Galmak jumped.
"Aw, shit," the Mag'har said as he ducked back out.
Hyara clapped a hand to her face and moaned. "Light, I'll never look him in the eye again."
Galmak chuckled. "Don't worry. Orcs don't think of it the same way you draenei do. He's probably forgotten already. But I guess I should go find out what was so damned important…" After a moment Galmak slipped outside the curtain that cordoned off their tiny "room" from the rest of the Garadar inn and its other rooms. He returned shortly looking puzzled and a little worried.
"Greatmother Geyah has asked that we come see her," he said.
" 'We'?" Hyara asked in surprise. As far as any but a very few here knew, Hyara was a slave and therefore of no importance.
Galmak shrugged. "That's what Zarguhl said."
As they left the inn Hyara clasped a small iron collar around her neck. Galmak loathed it; Hyara didn't much care for it herself, but it was an easy and visible way of designating her a slave and therefore under somebody's protection when she was in an area controlled by the Horde, regardless of whether Galmak happened to be close at her side. Ironically, the collar gave her greater freedom to move around a Horde village without running into the trouble she would have otherwise. Since she didn't actually have a true brand there wasn't any other way for her to prove her status as a slave.
They made their way across Garadar through Nagrand's mild afternoon sunlight. This was more a town than a village, the center of the Mag'har culture and the Horde's seat of power in Nagrand. The Mag'har population had been growing here for decades now and Hyara had been amazed at her first sight of the place: no settlement she'd seen yet in Outland could match its size or lively activity. There were various Horde races everywhere, but above all were the floods of brown orcs who made their homes here.
They walked the wide dirt streets and wound their way between the squat clay houses until they reached a small round house near the center of town with an honor guard standing sharp-eyed at the doorway. Hyara hung back a few paces and Galmak approached the guard.
"I was told the Greatmother wanted to see me. And my slave." Galmak gestured toward Hyara.
The guard nodded and stepped aside. Clearly they were expected.
Greatmother Geyah, respected elder and leader of her people, sat propped at the edge of a bed draped with hides and blankets. She had been ill for a very long time now, but the strength of her spirit kept life strong within her and her dark eyes gazed out with wisdom and clarity. She skimmed over Hyara in a brief inspection before locking eyes with Galmak as the couple entered the little hut. The green orc steeled himself under her piercing gaze and bowed respectfully. More out of an instinctive feeling than knowledge of proper custom, Hyara knelt on the floor and lowered her eyes. Here was a woman of great wisdom and power. Hyara felt humbled, her status as a slave notwithstanding.
The Greatmother addressed Galmak. "Thank you for coming," she said in a soft but unwavering voice.
He shifted uneasily. "Of course, Greatmother. There was no question of not coming if you asked it."
Her eyes narrowed and she cocked her head slightly, examining him. "Ah, but you do not owe your allegiance to me. Your loyalty lies with my grandson, the Warchief Thrall, leader of the new Horde."
"That's true, Greatmother. But he honors you, and by extension, I honor you."
"Then I would ask why you have done me the dishonor of deceiving me."
Galmak started; Hyara's eyes flew upward to rest on the Greatmother.
"Greatmother, I-" Galmak began, but she cut him off angrily.
"And still you would play games. You know exactly what I speak of. Who is this draenei?" She spat the word as if it were poison. "She is too well-treated for a slave; I have seen the way your Horde treats slaves. What mischief do you bring her here for? We Mag'har have suffered enough at the hands of the Broken. I will not allow one of their kin to cause further trouble for my people."
Galmak's mouth hung open in shock and consternation. He'd never anticipated this turn of events. It looked as though they had a choice: either tell her nothing and let her accusations stand, or throw themselves on her mercy. Now he too knelt in front of Geyah. "Greatmother, I never intended any dishonor," he said earnestly. "I mean no harm here, to your people or to anyone else."
"You are lucky that Zarguhl's honor protects you here. He is still one of us despite the transformation he has been through; his heart and honor are still Mag'har. He asked you here in trust and friendship, and for that reason I give you this chance to explain. I suggest you speak the truth."
Galmak swallowed. He glanced at Hyara, but she was staring wide-eyed at the Greatmother. This woman was honorable, but there was deep hatred here for the Broken, a hatred which spilled over to the draenei who had naturally allied themselves with some of their fallen kindred. Zarguhl hadn't protested when the two hunters had chosen to maintain the façade of Hyara's slavery here, a fact which now made Galmak uneasy. Had the shaman known that his people wouldn't accept the truth?
He forged ahead. "The truth… the truth is dangerous for us, Greatmother. For me and Hyara," he added hastily. "There are some things that every people finds difficult to accept. My own people, and most of the Horde, would find this truth difficult to accept. So we have learned to keep it hidden. We regret that necessity."
Geyah crossed her arms. "And what is this truth you must keep hidden?" she asked, but her eyes told him that she must already know.
"Hyara is my mate, Greatmother," he said.
"I see. Then I am relieved at least that you spoke the truth when you said you mean us no harm. The consequences would have been dire for both of you if you had. As to this other…" She put a hand to her head and for the first time showed a hint of weariness. "As I said, you are here at Zarguhl's invitation and I will not dishonor him by reversing that. Leave me now, wayward son of Azeroth. You are a very different people from us, despite the honor and courage I have seen in my grandson."
They both rose and left silently at her dismissal. Galmak steered them back toward the inn, his feet falling in long, angry strides. Even Hyara with her long legs had to trot a bit to keep up. She looked at him sidelong, but knew better than to speak. She herself was seething, her heart aching for Galmak. Geyah's words had cut him deeply. He'd hoped to learn from the Mag'har, maybe find something of his heritage here. They reject him because of me.
They reached the inn and Galmak ripped aside the curtain to their room. He knelt and began stuffing items back in his packs.
"We're leaving," he said as he straightened and buckled on his chestpiece.
"Galmak-"
"I'm not staying somewhere you're not even respected as much as a slave," he snarled.
There was no arguing with him, so she gathered up her own belongings. "We'll have to find Zarguhl and let him know," she sighed. Galmak nodded and left without another word. Hyara finished her packing and sat with her chin resting on her knees. She was the cause of this trouble for him. It was the first time in their years together that she felt as though she were a burden holding him back from what he truly wanted. She rubbed her knuckles against her forehead. Maybe I should leave for a while. She could go to Telaar, the Kurenai town here. She would be welcome there. Galmak could stay in Garadar without her around as a source of tension.
Galmak appeared once more in the doorway of the inn. Hyara shouldered their bags and joined him out front where he'd already brought their mounts around, saddled and ready. Palla trotted to Galmak's side. Hyara searched her mind for Gink's presence and sensed him waiting just beyond the town gates. She sighed and rubbed her head again. It was rare as rain in the Blasted Lands that her husband was in a foul mood, but when he was…
They traveled out of Garadar and set out down the road east. Nagrand's grassy openness spread out around them, Outland's hazy sun pouring down in soft splendor in the late afternoon. The tall grass swayed around them, trees whispered in the breeze. It was a beautiful day for such a black humor. Galmak remained silent as they rode and Hyara had no desire to disturb his thoughts.
Finally she decided he'd had enough time to brood. "Well… where are you taking us, love?"
He shrugged. "Terokkar Forest, I guess."
Hyara raised her eyebrows. "Oh, really. Was I consulted at some point?"
He pulled his wolf to a sharp halt. "Alright, we'll stay here. Right here, until you tell me where to go. I'm waiting; say the word."
Hyara remained silent, glaring at him. She crossed her arms. Wanted to behave like a child, did he? She wheeled her horse abruptly and galloped off the side of the road to a copse of ancient trees. She dismounted and slowly and deliberately began unpacking the things she would need to set up a small camp for the night.
Galmak's wolf padded over. "Now what is this," he said irritably. "It's nowhere near dark yet. There's no damn reason to stop yet."
"Oh, I don't think that's right," she shot back. "There's a very good reason for me to stop. You are insufferable when you get like this. You just be on your way and maybe I'll catch up when you start feeling sociable again."
"Hyara, don't be ridiculous. I'm not leaving you here."
"I do wish you would, Master," she said nastily, but regretted it immediately. She sank down and pressed her back against a tree. Tears slid down her cheeks and she sniffed. "I'm sorry."
Galmak jumped off his wolf and stood for a moment looking down at her. He slapped his palm against a trunk. "Fuck. I'm sorry too," he said. He sat down and put an arm around her. "It's not fair when I take things out on you," he sighed.
She smiled wanly and nuzzled her face against his neck, the stubble on his chin scratching her cheek. "At least you don't do it often."
"We'll just stay here tonight. No rush to get anywhere."
"No…" she sighed. "No rush." But she was considering what she needed to do.
At dusk, Hyara volunteered to take the first watch. "I'm not tired yet; I won't sleep," she told Galmak.
She kissed him and arranged the blanket around him lovingly, hoping her face wouldn't betray what she intended. Nagrand's soft night noises surrounded her as she settled by the fire to wait. A bird swooped low in the leaves overhead, startling her for a moment with a sharp cry that went unanswered in the darkness. Galmak grunted and stirred, then his breathing slowed and Hyara could tell he was deep in sleep. Gink stretched and rose at her side. He melted outside the pool of firelight, and she knew he was telling Palla to take over the watch. Like most hunters Galmak had trained himself to be a light sleeper, but Hyara could be silent as a doe in the forest when she needed to be. She slipped quietly away, leading her horse with soothing whispers.
Out from among the trees the wind blew cool, sliding through the grass and across Hyara's bare arms. The soft blue-white light of the stars bathed her and she inhaled the lingering sun-soaked smell of the earth. Galmak would wake, hopefully later rather than sooner, and he would come after her. But she would have a sufficient head start that she would make it to Telaar, and then he wouldn't have any choice but to return to Garadar. She'd send Gink out to let him know she was safe. She bit her lip and brushed back a tear threatening to slide from the corner of her eye.
Am I doing the right thing, Gink?
The cat shrugged mentally. His heritage is important to him. It was his biggest reason for coming to Outland. He's going to be awfully angry though, you know…
But at least I won't have stopped him from learning all he can here.
He doesn't see it that way.
Maybe he doesn't, but that's the way it is. You're sure Palla won't…?
No, she won't. We try to stay out of these things and let you two do what you need to.
She clicked to her horse, urging it to a trot. With luck she would have most of the night to put a good stretch of road behind her, but she knew the fierce precision with which Galmak could command his timber wolf and the feats of speed he could coax from it.
Night wore on and the sandy road wove steadily beneath her horse's hooves. Gravel and rocks flowed by, streaming brown and gold in endless twisting lines, silvered by moonlight and nether… Hyara jerked upright and realized she'd been dozing in the saddle. She had an impression of a just-departed thought from Gink lingering in her mind. Suddenly she saw his ghostly form streaking toward her from the left of the road and he was harrying at her horse's heels, snapping and snarling. The horse neighed in alarm and surged forward. Hyara shook off her drowsiness with some difficulty and put her own efforts into urging the horse.
What's wrong… she started to ask her cat, but it became apparent enough very quickly. The skeletal shape of an undead horse galloped out of the darkness from behind a stand of trees. Another followed closely, then the steel glint of an armored horse. The riders were behind, but closing quickly and moving to either side to flank her. Hyara crouched low in the saddle and begged her tired horse for a last burst of speed. Something hit her in the back, spreading icy cold between her shoulder blades and creeping like a paralyzing frost throughout her body. The breath left her in a gasp and she felt her grip on the reins slacken. Her horse screamed shrilly, then stumbled clumsily to a halt as it too was hit with a spell. Hyara slumped sideways and tumbled to the road. She lay with her face mashed painfully into the sharp gravel and one arm twisted beneath her. Her hooves, the only part of her that seemed capable of moving, scrabbled weakly in the dirt. She saw booted feet approaching; somewhere back down the road blue light flickered. The feet stopped before her; a hand reached down and shoved her roughly onto her back and she looked up into the glowing green eyes of a sandy-haired blood elf. His hair was tousled and he wore only a few pieces of blood knight's armor over wrinkled clothing, strapped on haphazardly as if in a rush. His eyes traveled over Hyara, pausing briefly at her neck.
"Get out of the way, Morios," a voice called.
The paladin straightened and turned back toward his comrades. "Wait, don't," he called. "I think we've found ourselves an escaped slave here."
Oh, shit… Hyara swallowed and now became aware of the cold iron still encircling her neck. That damned collar. She'd grown so used to wearing it that she'd forgotten to take it off when they were safely away from Garadar.
The blue flickering light died away somewhere out of her vision and she heard more footsteps crunching toward her across the gravel. Tentatively she wriggled her fingers and found that the stiffness and cold were beginning to leave her body. The paladin's hands closed around her upper arms and hauled her to sit upright. Two Forsaken stared at her with faintly glimmering eyes.
The mage moved closer to peer at her from behind stringy brown hair. He nodded. "Yeah. That's a slave's collar."
The other undead crossed her bony arms. "She looks pretty good for a slave. She's got some decent armor."
"Stolen, maybe?" the paladin said. "She must be a slave. Why wear a slave collar otherwise? She's in an awful hurry to get somewhere late at night too."
"Well, damn," the mage gave a rattling sigh. "I suppose that means we can't kill her."
The woman smacked him lightly on the back of the head. "Not unless you're an idiot, Mateo. There'll be reward money for returning her, you can bet, a slave this valuable." She knelt in front of Hyara and grabbed her arms. "What is your master's name?" the rogue asked. Hyara feigned confusion. The woman shook her impatiently. "Your master. Master!" Hyara shook her head. The rogue made a noise of disgust and rose. "Worthless bitch doesn't know orcish. What's the use of a slave you can't even communicate with?"
The men looked at each other and laughed; the rogue snorted disgustedly again and walked back to her horse. Hyara felt a headache coming on. She had to get out of this somehow… but she was damned if she'd fess up Galmak's name and get carted back to him like a wayward sack of grain that had fallen off the back of a wagon. She really was slipping if she couldn't even make it a half-day's ride through unfamiliar territory without the Horde getting the best of her.
Well, you don't usually fall asleep in the saddle, Gink thought dryly at her from somewhere in the shadows nearby.
She sighed as Morios dragged her to her hooves and started binding her hands behind her back. Where did they come from, anyway?
Camped off the road. Whoever was on watch heard you and a few of them came after you. It's not just these three, there are five more back at the camp.
Five more? Well, that did make escape a little trickier.
Hyara… you won't just tell them…?
No!
Gink left it at that. When his mistress dug her hooves in there wasn't much that could move her.
