The heat is deadly. It shimmers from the ground. Few are foolish enough to stir on the floor. This is why I fly. The wind sings as I stretch my wings. It carries me from the baked red clay. I see the great sea before me. It laps at the thirsty shore. I turn to the canyons. Here it is full of rocks. Here is where the prey scurries and hides. I see night rising from below. The air turns foul. That prey is already dead. I turn again. I see the river and the grasslands beyond. There are thorns now – places where I can not fly. I smell smoke. The green ones are below. There is a glimmer in the heat. I dive. I scream. The heat is deadly. This land is death. My talons sink into flesh. I will live.

A seasoned orc leaned against the stone wall of a burrow: a squat, round building partially dug into the earth. The orc had long, flat black hair that folded into braids draped across his shoulders and chest. His face was thick yet gaunt and two pale yellow tusks jutted up from his stony jaw. He wore a wild, unkempt beard that began at the chin and rose up to meet each ear, both of which were flat against the skull and slightly pointed at the top. His leathery skin was a sign of many years under sun and sweat. A long scar across his right cheek hinted at a dangerous past. The orc's frame was massive and stood clear over the top of all but the tallest humans, taller still if not for his slumped posture. The broad shoulders and chest sat upon two buckled legs and were adorned by thick, muscular arms. All but the arms and head were covered in thick metal plates adorned with spikes and padded with fur and leather. One arm had its calloused hand closed around a crude axe, its raw wooden handle fixed to a dull metal blade with cracked leather straps. Its chipped yet sharp edge reflected the primitive and savage traits of his race. This being was the very definition of orc.

"This land is harsh," the orc said in a deep gravelly voice. His fierce red eyes were fixed on the horizon where a hawk attacked a hare. "The predator can never find food, and the food will always fear the predator. Both can die without ever knowing peace. Strength against strength, fighting in an unending cycle."

"Then why can't our mighty people fetch their own water?" came a deep but smoother voice.

The older orc turned to find another male of his kind, though this one was almost a head shorter and had taut skin that spoke of youth. The grime of the day's work did little to hide the bright emerald skin typical of the orc race. The younger's face sneered and was twisted into a visage of contempt. His upper body was bare and wore nothing beyond rough cloth pants and a pair of worn sandals. By his feet were two large buckets of water chained to a long wooden post which now unceremoniously lay in the dirt behind the orc. The older stepped forward and noticed two dark blotches in the brown-red earth were the water had spilled over. His brow furrowed.

"Because, little Odok," the older calmly spoke as he strode to the other. "The rest of us have far better use of our skills elsewhere."

"I'd be better off posted with the guard than doing your filthy chores- gah!" Odok yelped as the older orc delivered a smart blow to the side of his head. He snarled as the older stared down at him.

"And I'm sure a mighty orc like yourself can fetch another two buckets," the other chided with a smirk. "This time without spilling a drop." Odok fumed.

"To hell with your damn water, Karjak!" Odok barked. "I didn't follow the Warchief here to play nurse to children and dogs! I want to fight back at our enemies! I want to make new homes for our people!" He bolted upright and started towards Karjak before he felt the cold edge of an exe against his chest. He clenched his fists and prepared for a fight. Karjak simply hoisted the water onto his shoulder with his free hand.

"You will do as you are told, whelp," Odok was shoved back and the axe returned to its sheath. "Enough pups have painted a quillboar's spear instead of being useful! And this time you can take the water straight to the pig farm!" With that the old orc turned to the nearby stables where several wolves panted before the midday heat and empty troughs. Odok swore and grabbed another yolk from inside the burrow. Karjak turned and sighed as he watched the young orc stomp out of the southern entrance.

The pigs squealed as the water was emptied into their pen. The beasts attacked the troughs and it wasn't long before one spilled over entirely. The wriggling mass broke into chaos. A few greedily lapped at the water in the standing trough. Others rolled in the fresh mud to cool themselves. A few, those last to the event, looked up at Odok and snorted expectedly. The orc couldn't help but smile. Simple joys for simple beasts. He hefted the second bucket and was about to spill it over the fence when he felt a warm but firm hand on his shoulder.

"That one is mine," cooed a light but slightly hoarse voice. Odok shifted a sideways glance and spotted three thick, blue fingers resting on his skin. He gave a heavy sigh but did not pull back his arms.

"By the spirits if I walked all this way to deliver your bath water…" Odok trailed off as he heard fits of stifled laughter from behind. He forced back a smile as two long arms draped around his neck and chest, giving a half hug. A face leaned in close to his.

"Oh a bath… that would be fantastic," the other said in a mocking tone. "You could use one too. Maybe then people could stand your company." One arm reached out and grabbed the bucket's handle.

"Between you and Karjak I'm set with company," With that he released and let the wooden pale swing out of his sight.

Odok turned and eyed the woman standing before him. She was a jungle troll: a primitive and tribal race known for their shadowy rituals and ancient mysticism. She was tall, taller than most orcs, and had long, lanky arms and legs. Her head was drawn towards the back and flanked by two long pointed ears that extended laterally past her skull. Like all trolls she had two tusks, but hers were vertical and barely reached her nose in height. The light blue hue of her skin matched her bright sapphire hair which grew long down her back and across her shoulders. She wore several ornaments that included several ear piercings and a long, thin tube that held her hair in a crude pony tail. Clothing consisted of little more than a form-fitting leather vest and pants, the latter of which ended in two large swollen feel. Both were completely bare and tapered into two swollen, stubby toes. She was grinning.

"That old fool had me fetching water for Razor Hill today," Odok grunted. "Then I had to bring water here to the pig farms! That's nearly twice the distance! Next he'll have me running supplies to the Valley of Trials! To mock me as I see the others train for battle."

"You could just ignore your duties," the troll chided. "Run off and live in the wilds." Odok ignored the bait.

"I don't see why Mother sent me to him, Jenju," Odok sighed as he leaned against a fence post. "While you are sent off to train with the shaman."

"She likes me more. Kindred spirits."

"Ancestors save me. My adopted sister is loved more than a mother's own blood" Odok playfully whined. Jenju shook her head.

"Mother and Karjak are old friends. It is no coincidence you brought me this water. Water that needs to finish its journey." Jejnu turned and spoke over her shoulder. "Are you coming to the ceremony or not?"

Odok was now fully alert. "Ceremony? What-?" But Jenju was already walking away. The orc quickly ran to catch up.

"Our peoples have spread far. Water is becoming more difficult to find," said Jenju, her playful demeanor replaced by a serious tone. "The shaman are going to ask the water spirit to bless an old dry oasis nearby. It will bring life to all the nearby farms."

"And this?" Odok asked as he gestured to the water the other was carrying.

"Our payment. Water wants to flow again but can not come on its own. We must first bring it here. That is the deal." She turned to the other, expecting a confused look. "Are you smiling?"

"Yes," he said. "I am."

It was another hour before the two reached their destination. The eastern coast could be seen in the distance; its golden sand hugging the red earth like a gilded edge. Sheer rocky walls veered in from the west and pressed in against a large bank of sandstone. The pair walked through a narrow opening in the south and saw that both walls opened into a large circular clearing. The two barriers briefly met again before parting ways and tapering off out of sight. The entire space felt closed and secure yet not unwelcoming. It was as if two great earthen arms were cradling the old oasis. The tall walls cast most of the clearing into a cool shade while a gentle wind whistled through the rocks. Odok took a deep breath and caught the faint salty scent of the sea carried in by the breeze.

"At midday the sun shines down on the exact center of the oasis," mused Jenju who had also paused to admire the scene. "It bathes the entire place in a dreamy heat."

"It is a perfect blend of the elements," remarked Odok. Jenju approved with a nod. Odok walked forward and noticed the cracked clay packed into several craters in the ground. "Or it will be once the water returns."

Just then an elderly orc male walked into the clearing from the north. He was flanked by a troll whose stooped and lanky posture gave an odd simian impression. His tusks, unlike Jenju, were long and thrust out in front of his head for several inches. As the two entered a towering figure strode into view. Odok was momentarily awed by the great being. It was a tauren, a massive creature resembling a bull whose people had allied with the orcs. This one was a male and his two cloven feet supported a broad, towering frame that put even an orc to shame. The being would be intimidating were it not for his slumped head, bent at a large hump at the back of the neck, which gave off a humble and docile appearance. His hair came down in a shaggy main and braided in several areas. The tauren's head was adorned by two great bull horns and the jaw stretched out into a muzzle, the end of which was pierced through the nose by a thick ceremonial ring. His face was obscured by a white cowl fashioned in the visage of a wolf, and Odok noticed similar cowls on the orc and troll. All three wore decorated yet simplistic leather vests and kilts and were lined about the waste with carved wooden figurines. Behind them filed in a dozen more shaman, all of various sex and race, which wore similar garments but bare heads. As more bodies began to press into the enclosed space Odok shifted nervously and shot a worried look at Jenju. The young troll was frozen in a polite bow with her attention focused on the elderly orc that now approached her.

"Be at ease, dear Jenju," the orc said in a calming voice. She complied and stood up, visibly relaxed. "How fares your mother?"

"She sends her best wishes, Elder," Jenju said with a formal tone. "Though she has been busy assisting the other shaman. Her voice is tired when she speaks. I fear her age is taking its toll."

"I'm sure she has a fire within her yet," the other replied with a warm chuckle. He looked down at her hands. "Is that the water for the ceremony?"

"It is, Elder," she said as she held out the container. Instead the male troll silently reached out and gingerly brought the offering to the center of the clearing. A quick smile kept her superior's attention. "But you have this one to thank for its delivery."

Jenju gestured to the orc standing beside her, whose tattered clothes and unwashed form looked notably out of place against the ornate mass now pressed around him. Odok watched with rapt attention as the others busied with various preparations. Suddenly he noticed the previously ignored conversation had focused on him. With a puffed chest and a locked jaw the warrior met the elder shaman's quizzical look with his own stony gaze. A few seconds of silence passed before the elder gave a knowing grin. Odok felt an eye twitch.

"That old cur," the elder spoke with a hint of nostalgia. "He said he wanted a quieter life. I did not think he would ever find one. You wear his image well."

"His image? I don't-" Odok stammered. The shaman rummaged through a pouch near his hip. He produced a poultice and placed it in Odok's hand. The rough bundled cloth gave off a rich earthen smell. Odok immediately felt his mind relax and the stiff muscles in his hand became refreshed and renewed. The old orc leaned in closer.

"You'll need this," he said in a quiet voice. "If your master is still the solider I remember. You have a great destiny before you." Odok started but was cut off as the male troll returned. The latter addressed his leader.

"Da preparations be complete," the troll drawled in a thick accent. "You all best be takin' ya places, mon."

Without another word the shaman all fell into formation around the oasis. Odok carefully shuffled aside as the various peoples brushed past him. He found a small cluster of rocks near the eastern wall and climbed up to get a better view. There was a large circle formed about the clearing as each of those assembled joined the ceremony. Many produced one of their small wooden carvings and let it drop to the floor. They all landed upright and emitted a faint blue glow. Some, Jenju among them, simply stood with bowed heads. The three head shaman stood in a triangle at the center with their right hands raised in the air. Odok's hair stood on end and he noticed a dark cloud spreading across the sky. The three elder shaman spoke in turn.

"Honored Wind, we ask that you bring the storm to carry the rain!" cried the orc. A fierce wind buffeted the assembly. Odok covered his eyes as the loose soil kicked up into the air. The gust quickly calmed but not before the sky rumbled and turned dark as night.

"Honored Earth, we ask that you harden your skin and hold the rain!" said the tauren in a great booming voice. The ground shuddered and Odok nearly lost his footing. He braced himself until the quake passed and noticed the stoic crowd stood undisturbed. Their eyes were now glowing.

"Honored Fire, we ask dat you take mercy and preserve da rain!" yelled the troll. No sooner had he finished speaking than lightning struck the center of the convocation. Odok flinched and felt a searing heat shoot through his body. His skin broke out in sweat and his throat cried out in an implacable thirst. The young orc gasped as the sensation subsided.

"Honored Water, we ask that you return! Come and flow once again!" the group called out as one. The heavens opened and a heavy rain poured down upon the land. The ground around Odok's perch greedily lapped up the moisture but the holes near the shaman began to fill with crisp, clear water. The shaman all stood staring at the sky and Odok too climbed down and looked up. He felt the cool water play across his face and down his form. It hugged his body and pooled at his feet. The sweat of the day was washed away as the drops continued to drum against the skin. The sun broke through the clouds and Odok closed his eyes. He felt its warmth blend with the cool rain. He heard the wind blowing through the rocks. He felt the muddy earth churn under his weight. The elements spoke together and he heard a word. It was not a word that could be spoken or held in thought. It was a word too pure for a quill to scribe or a chisel to carve. It spoke of harmony, of balance, of peace. Odok smiled. It spoke of life.

The old rope groaned as Odok lazily swayed in his hammock. He held his hands behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling of the simple one-room hut. He now wore a white linen shirt and light brown britches; the previous attire now lay soaked and discarded in a corner of the room. The afternoon sun tilted towards the horizon and poured in through the open door. The simple dwelling held little more than basic necessities. Another hammock hung close to the first and a pile of furs on the floor created a makeshift bed. In the center of the room was a low, round table. Various tools and satchels hung from the walls and a few crates were stuffed into what empty space was available. Odok heard footsteps outside and soon Jenju strode into their home.

"It's a bit early to be claiming the hammock," she said, slightly annoyed. Her clothes were still damp. "I see Mother isn't home yet."

"Her travel pack is gone. I suspect she'll be gone for a few days," Odok said without shifting his gaze. "Is that how all trolls talk?"

"What?" came the confused response.

"At the ceremony."

"All trolls that aren't raised since an infant by orcs…" Odok turned now and noticed the other had gone crestfallen. He swore to himself and got up. The young troll turned away as Odok put a heavy hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Jenju. It can't be easy living apart from your people," he apologized. The other's demeanor picked up. Odok took the cue and gave a jubilant pat on the back; perhaps too hard a pat if not between siblings.

"Let's go out for a walk," Odok beamed. Jenju's mood quickly matched his enthusiasm. "Dry out these clothes and see what we're working to keep. Orc or troll this is both our home."

"What happened to the sour mood from before?" Jenju teased as she grabbed a waterskin. Odok thought back to what the shaman had told him. Like before his mind turned to great warriors in epic battles.

"Something someone said," he responded curtly. Jenju seemed satisfied and walked outside. Odok grabbed a small pack hanging from the wall. It included some tough strips of jerky, flint, his poultice from before, and a hunting knife among other simple supplies. He pulled out the knife and watched the sun glint across the blade before returning it to the pack. "I am done carrying water," he muttered before joining his adopted sister.

The two left their home near the outskirts of Razor Hill and headed south. The terrain was rockier than to the north and west but the road was well traveled with few incidents. Odok recalled the various gossips he had heard while working in town. The harpies, a race of vile bird-like women, stayed in their canyons to the north. Meanwhile the quillboar, strange boar-like creatures that walked on two legs and had manes of razor sharp quills, had been driven back to the west. Nothing had been sighted in the south for months save rumors of a rogue centaur band hidden near the coast. Nevertheless the pair never strayed far from the road. It wasn't long after Razor Hill began to shrink behind them when an orc patrol came from the other end of the road. Both parties ignored the other, but Odok couldn't help but overhear the conversation they were carrying.

"-scorpid didn't look natural. Do you think we should report to Karjak?" asked one orc.

"Bah! One little bug is a different color and you start whimpering like a gnome!" replied another. The rest of the group let out a hearty laugh in response.

"There was something evil about it," snarled the first, visibly annoyed. "It felt wrong. And I've never see a scorpid that large so near the coast."

"He's right, boss," a third chimed in. "It could've been a crab!"

"A fearsome crab," the second joined in again. "Mighty harbinger of the demon army!" More laughter broke out and the group wandered out of hearing distance. Odok and Jenju were left in silence beyond the odd shout and barks of laughter. Odok turned to his companion.

"Did you hear that?" he said, an excited grin on his face.

"Hear what?" was the reply.

"That patrol found something!" Odok blurted out. Jenju was still lost. "An odd scorpid tainted by evil powers! We need to investigate." At that the young troll sighed.

"You're really going to wander off in search of some mutant bug that's likely already dead?"

"Evidence of corruption! A twisted creation killed with naught but my knife! Karjak will have no choice but to send me off to train then," Odok rambled on, ignoring the question.

"Knife? What knife? Odok?" Jenju pressed, but the impatient orc had already started east towards the coast. With an exasperated sigh Jenju chased after him.

A dark figure shifted in the rocks just off the dirt road. Its form was barely visible in the shadows cast by the setting sun. It watched as two defenseless youths, an orc and a troll, wandered off into the eastern wilderness. The figure waited until the others were well of it sight before descending with a silent, sinewy grace. After making sure no one else was traveling on the road, the dark figure sprinted after them.

It was quickly apparent that the pair was hopelessly lost. At first Odok had found a trail of footprints leading from the road to the wilds but after a few minutes it was lost in the wind-swept dirt. A cursory glance backward revealed a similar fate for the tracks the two had just made. For the next hour the two tried to make their way back west but rocky outcrops and thick, thorny foliage had made a direct route impossible. The sun was now hidden behind some hills in the far west and the bright orange sky warned that night was soon approaching.

"Can't you ask the spirits for direction?" offered Odok as he took a seat next to the latest rocky obstruction. Jenju scowled.

"What spirit would you like me to ask? Maybe Wind can follow the scent to Razor Hill?" she pointed in the vague direction of their origin. "It's over there if you want to know."

"And Earth? Water? Fire?" Odok asked while rubbing his forehead with one hand. Jenju this time pointed to a nearby stone.

"Do you think that rock cares which direction it faces?" she spat in response. "Water is no better and Fire would rather watch our corpses bake in the day's heat." Her voice was now quivering in anger and frustration. She balled her hands into fists. "Your stupid pig headedness got us into this mess. Maybe that's why Karjak has you fetching water all day instead of anything important. Maybe you should-"

"Shhh!" Odok interrupted as he spun around.

"Don't you dare-mrph!" Jenju was muffled by Odok's hand as he dragged them both down close to the ground. Odok looked down and noticed the fiery stare glaring back at him.

"Listen!" he whispered to the unspoken question. There was a moment of silence before both heard something rustling through the brush nearby. There were a few shuffling steps followed by soft snorting noise. The anger in Jenju's eyes turned to fear as both recognized the source of the sound. Odok released his hand and both fell flat to the ground and crawled behind a nearby rock. Odok rummaged through his pack and grasped the small hunting knife before risking a peak over the rock. What he saw made his heart sink and he quickly shrunk back behind his cover. Jenju gave a pressing look.

"A quillboar," Odok said, barely audible. "It looks like he's searching for something." Odok paused and held his breath as the quillboar gave a startled snort before continuing on. The orc exhaled and turned to Jenju. "I'm going to jump it as it walks by. Take it by surprise." With that he turned to climb over the rock. A firm hand spun him back around.

"Are you insane?" Jenju said in a sharp whisper. "You're going to get yourself killed!"

"No," Odok whispered back. "I can best it." He turned away again and started to climb. Suddenly he felt himself fly back and slam into the soft dirt behind the rock. Jenju was now straddling his abdomen and pinning his arms to the ground.

"I'm not going to let you get killed!" Jenju hissed. He started to struggle but relaxed lest the sound of a struggle alert their opponent. From his position Odok could peak around the side of the rock into the area below.

The quillboar walked into his vision. It carried a long spear in one hand and its head was bent low scanning the ground. It occasionally snorted and rooted in the soil. Odok swallowed hard. The beast also carried something else in its free hand though Odok couldn't quite make it out. After a few seconds the creature let out a high pitched squeal and closed in on a patch of ground. Odok felt Jenju jump at the noise and guessed she had also assumed the worst. The quillboar kneeled down and placed whatever it carried into the soil. Seemingly satisfied it then walked off out of sight. It was several more seconds before Jenju released her hold on the incapacitated orc. Both gave a sigh of relief.

"What do you think it was doing?" Jenju asked in a hushed tone. Her question was soon answered as Odok pointed to the spot where the mysterious object was buried.

"Look!"

A scorpid skittered into view. It resembled a large scorpion with two massive pincers and a fearsome stinger on its tail. It immediately went to the spot where the object was buried. It dug through the earth until it gave off a chirping cry. A thin black miasma started to cloud over the insect. The scorpid began to grow in size as its glistening exoskeleton turned jet black and a sickly green ichor oozed out of its stinger. The hapless creature kept growing until it was almost twice its original size. The substance surrounding the scorpid soon faded and it wandered off in the direction it arrived.

"The guard's story was true!" Odok exclaimed. "Something is corrupting the scorpids. We have to take it back with us." He turned to Jenju expecting an objection, but she merely nodded.

"Just be careful," she warned. "We don't know if that thing is still out there or if there's more of them."

Odok cautiously stepped out into the open. A quick look showed the coast was clear and he approached the spot where the scorpid turned. A closer inspection showed the very ground around the spot had grown dark and sickly. Odok carefully pawed the dirt away to unearth the unknown object. As the soil departed a jagged black crystal sat lying in the shallow hole. The orc opened his pack and reached out to grab the menacing thing. No sooner had his skin touched the surface of the crystal than a stabbing pain shot through his finger. Odok cried out as the pain spread through his hand and arm. In answer to his shout a low, guttural grunt sounded from a distance nearby. The quillboar bounded out from behind some brush and spied the orc near the crystal. It let out another loud, groaning cry and charged the intruder. Odok fumbled for the knife in his pack but his arm was clenched in pain and unable to act.

The quillboar quickly closed the gap and thrust out with its spear. Odok dodged to the side but not before the weapon bit a deep gash in his functioning arm. A new pain flooded the orc's mind as he struggled to maintain focus on his foe. He fell to one knee as the beast raised its spear for another thrust. Before it could finish a hard pack of earth shot up from the ground and impacted with its gut. It howled in pain and leaned on its spear to steady itself. Jenju lowered her arms as the spell finished and rushed ahead to help Odok.

"No! Stay back!" Odok grunted. The quillboar righted itself and turned to face its new challenger. Jenju froze, unable to think of what to do next. The quillboar seized the opportunity and charged, howling as it neared the lone troll.

Odok saw a glint of metal fly across his vision and before he could blink a throwing axe lodged itself in the quillboar's shoulder. The creature dropped its spear and squealed in agony. Another body leaped out from behind a nearby rock and landed next to the wounded foe. It produced a dagger in each hand and with two quick blows the quillboar fell to the ground in a bloody heap. Odok focused past his pain and saw that his rescuer was a male troll. Unlike Jenju his skin was a deep violet and his dark hair was pulled back into a simple braid. He wore dark leather armor that covered his legs and arms.

"You two shoulda been dead," the troll spoke in an accent similar to the shaman from the ceremony. He first went over to check on Jenju before bringing her next to Odok. "Next time old Zal'joo might not be comin' to save ya."

"Who the hell are you?" Odok demanded. He winced as the troll shoved some herbs into his open wound. It stung at first but the pain quickly dulled. His other arm was completely numb but no longer hurt.

"I be watchin' da road," Zal'joo muttered and pointed back towards Jenju. "An' I be watchin' her." Odok looked at Jenju who mouthed that she was just as clueless as he. "Da Darkspear have suffered greatly. I be scoutin' for Sen'jin village nearby. I swore ta protect all members of da tribe."

"But I was raised by orcs, not by your tribe," started Jenju. The male troll ignored her as he produced a cloth from his pocket. He used it to pluck the dark crystal from the ground. He then produced a jar and carefully dropped the shard inside, quickly shutting the lid afterwards. He pointed at Odok's numbed arm.

"Dat be temporary." He then pointed at his other arm. "Next time dat be deathweed if ya be doin' sometin' stupid again." He pulled Odok to his feet and shoved both him and Jenju forward. "We best be getting' you home." As Zal'joo lead them forward Odok pulled the poultice from his pack and pressed it against his limp arm. It slowly tingled back to life.

"I've met slugs with more sense than you!" Karjak screamed at the two youths assembled before him. Several orcs nearby stopped to look at the spectacle. He shot an accusing finger at Odok. "You damn near got yourself and a shaman killed! A shaman! The world can go on without your stupidity but we can't afford to lose another shaman!" Odok looked to the ground in shame. The finger swung to Jenju. "And you were stupid enough to follow him!" The yelling continued for another minute until Karjak began to calm down. The sun was now set beneath the horizon and night crept across Razor Hill. The furious orc took a deep breath and addressed Zal'joo.

"What were these two doing in the wilds?" he demanded. Zal'joo produced the jar holding the odd crystal. Even in the fading light it gave a sense of unease. Karjak's eyes noticeably widened.

"Dey be findin' dis. Da quillboar been placin' dem all over da south. Dis one be corruptin' da scorpid." Zaljoo's brow furrowed. "Dis not be a good sign, mon." Karjak gave a solemn nod.

Odok stared at the jar. His arm twitched in remembrance. Suddenly a fresh pain lanced through the fresh wound on his other arm. Karjak had slapped it hard and Odok spat into the dirt. He batted the arm away and started up towards the offender. Odok faltered. The old orc was actually smiling.

"You may be dumber than a kodo but even a fool can get lucky. It was good that you found this." Odok was speechless. Karjak gestured to his wounded arm. "And a good scar to mark the occasion. I think it's time I sent you off." Odok started towards the town exit before Karjak stopped him. "Where are you off to?"

"You said-" Odok started before he was cut off.

"I said it's time I sent you off. Zal'joo, take two guards and a few torches to the northern exit. They leave tonight." Zal'joo complied and walked off. Odok stared at Karjak.

"Do you mean?" he asked.

"That's right," Karjak beamed. "You're going to Orgrimmar."