A/N: Hyara and Galmak are back! Story order is of course: In a Dark Place, Joined Lives, Secrets and Lies, Liberation, Light and Gray. Warning: there are massive, honkin', elekk-sized spoilers in this one for In a Dark Place. It also greatly helps if you've read Liberation. There's a little bit of strongish language scattered throughout; consider yourself warned about that too. And cookies for anyone who spots the veiled Asimov tribute. Cheers, mon!
Oh, yes: I don't own WoW, Blizz, or any NPCs I use. Only my own characters and story, which I hope you enjoy enough to review. :)
Hyara was outwardly the very image of statuesque, ice-cold composure. She flicked a stray ashy-blonde curl back over her shoulder and brushed at a patch of red dust marring the emerald green of her riding skirts. Inwardly she was terrified. Orgrimmar's gates yawned ahead smugly, daring her to come inside. And that's exactly what she had to do, that's where she was headed; she was going to walk right in there, no doubt about it…
"Think we'll make it by next spring?" Galmak gave her a sidelong grin around his fangs, his dark ponytail bobbing in time with his wolf's slow shuffle.
Hyara's horse was plodding along as if it were dragging an Amani war bear. "Hopefully not," she muttered, but she reluctantly urged the animal to a trot. "I'm just going for, uh… a stately, dignified entry."
Her husband laughed, but then his face grew serious. "Look, I know old habits die hard, but you're an ambassador here at Thrall's invitation. There's no better safeguard than that."
"I know, I know." She bit her lip, then looked at him slyly. "Maybe we'll just have to see how you would do in my place, hmm? How would you feel, walking in to Exodar when we go next month?"
"Hah! I'm safe. That won't happen; they'll never let me in. You're a neutral party now, but I'm still the evil enemy."
Hyara smiled. "Don't get too complacent, my love… I may get you an invitation yet." It was probably an empty threat, though; the Kanrethad were a neutral party, it was true, but one with very little influence still. Velen had readily agreed to meet with her, but there had been no response to her request for safe passage for Galmak. How, oh how, did I ever let Remta rope me into this? But how could she refuse, after all? She'd sworn to help her new allies however she could; they'd needed an ambassador familiar with the people of Azeroth. And then there'd been Bernkh. That sadistic tauren had taken delight in insisting that her first mission in Azeroth be to pay the Kanrethad's respects to Thrall. Part of her had been elated; she'd never imagined she would get to see the great capital city of the orcs, the seat of power for her husband's people. But now the reality loomed in front of her and she found that fear was, after all, peering over her shoulder in earnest. She flicked her tail nervously. At least that meeting with Thrall himself shouldn't be too much to worry about. She, a draenei ambassador from a minor faction, didn't expect to warrant more than the briefest moment of the legendary Warchief's time. Perhaps he would even brush off their meeting at the last moment. Despite her duty to the Kanrethad, she almost wished he would. Light, what am I doing? I feel like an elekk in a dress. Gheris is the one who could talk a goblin away from a rocket launcher. I'm just a silly hunter with a penchant for running head-on into trouble.
And speaking of dresses… Hyara tugged impatiently at the divided skirts of her green riding robes. She felt more like an anchorite than a hunter. She resolved to draw the line next time: no more uncomfortable, dignified-looking clothing; she'd do perfectly fine in her old familiar armor, thank you very much. She glanced at Galmak and caught him ogling her dress's low neckline. At least one of them was enjoying her new clothes.
There were a few wolves and riders lounging idly outside the gates. As Hyara and Galmak approached, the soldiers mounted up and loped briskly over. The foremost rider, a pale green-skinned orc woman with long, violet hair woven into a braid down her back, called a greeting and saluted as her wolf pulled to a halt in front of them. Hyara smiled calmly and bowed at the waist.
"You are Hyara, emissary of the Kanrethad?" The woman's voice carried strongly. Traffic near them at the gates had slowed somewhat as people paused to watch curiously.
"Yes, I am." Hyara tried to match the strength in the orc's voice.
"I am Sergeant Lekka of the Kor'kron Elite. I have been assigned as your escort while you are in Orgrimmar. On behalf of the Warchief Thrall and the Horde, you are welcome to our city." She bowed stiffly with a rattle of chain armor and glanced briefly at Galmak.
"I am honored to be here. I thank the Warchief for his hospitality," Hyara heard herself say.
Lekka nodded curtly and wheeled her wolf. The other guards closed in around the two hunters, flanking them as they followed Lekka through the gates.
The city's entrance had the feel of a tunnel burrowing into the walls of a massive fortress. An army could wash against this place for weeks in wave after futile wave, never so much as disturbing the impassive grey stone. Murder holes and arrow slits stared down like hostile eyes. Next to Hyara, Galmak was grinning like he'd just run into an old friend. Orgrimmar was home to him, but she felt as if she were walking into the mouth of a hungry wolf. The coolness of the tunnel, at least, was a welcome relief from Durotar's searing red sunlight. Despite the feeling of menacing power that the place exuded, people of every Horde race moved freely in and out of the city gates. Merchants' stalls lined the tunnel walls in a few places; a constant swirl of foot traffic eddied around them. Hyara was surprised to see a few humans, and even a dwarf, among the many faces that turned to look curiously at her. Perhaps the occasional human or dwarf mercenary was not an entirely uncommon sight in Orgrimmar, but it was clear that a draenei was. Nearby, Gink wove like a shadow through the crowd. Hyara was grateful for the calm, confident alertness of his sense.
They rounded a last corner and Orgrimmar suddenly lay before them. Here there was none of the formality or closeness of the fortress tunnel. Durotar's sun glared down on the jagged lines of stone and clay houses, shops, and taverns spread out in a jumble across a wide valley. Dusty streets wound snakelike between buildings, seemingly without order or plan. The city was built vertically too, buildings and paths climbing the red rocky walls enclosing the valley. Scattered everywhere was the spiky green of palms and cacti, relieving the pervasive red and brown of the place. It was a warren of red stone and wood, it was a valley full of the motion and color of life, it was high walls and ledges and mysterious pathways jutting in odd directions. Hyara grinned. It was magnificent.
She stole a glance at Galmak and caught him looking at her expectantly. His lips wore a hopeful half-smile.
"I love it," she whispered. He grinned, and she could see the pride in his eyes.
Hyara lay resting in their room in the inn, gathering her strength to face so much unfamiliarity again. Sun-baked, red Orgrimmar swam before her closed eyes. The city's smells of dust and animals and warm rock drifted in to her from the street below. So different… Exodar was all cool serenity and crystalline light. This place felt like Galmak. She laughed aloud at that thought. She felt enfolded, reminded of him by this whole city.
The door opened; Galmak came in and sat on the edge of the bed. He rested a huge green hand gently on her forehead. "Are you feeling alright?" he asked.
She nodded, her eyes still closed. "Just a little overwhelmed. I'll be ready to leave again in a minute." Suddenly her joy and delight overtook her and she caught his hand and kissed it, opening her eyes and smiling at him. "It's overwhelming, but I'm so glad to be here, Galmak. I never thought I'd really get to see it."
He grinned and leaned down to kiss her. "I'm glad I can share it with you. Take your time, love. There's nowhere official you need to be today."
Hyara wriggled, adjusting her dress; it always seemed to want to twist around her in annoying ways. Galmak was eyeing her cleavage again and she stuck out her tongue. "You like to see me in dresses, don't you," she sighed ruefully. She supposed she could get used to wearing them more often if he liked it so much.
"Well… you do look beautiful." He shrugged and grinned sheepishly. She kissed him again, but longer, more passionately, and he lowered himself down next to her. "Like I said, we have plenty of time…" He traced his hand gently down her front.
Hyara smiled in contentment. "Then let's make the most of it," she whispered.
Lekka scowled. "Care to be more specific?" she spat.
"Sorry, sergeant. He said they'd be staying here for a while. He didn't say how long. Something about needing a rest." The grunt grinned and made a rude suggestive gesture.
"Alright, get out of my sight," Lekka growled. This is what she got for being the most junior officer in the Kor'kron Elite, dammit. Now Lekka was stuck here indefinitely waiting on the leisure of a draenei, and one fresh from the Alliance too, from what she'd learned at her briefing. Stuck playing nursemaid and de facto spy to a minor draenei functionary of a minor Outland faction. Why Thrall was bothering with her, bothering to waste Lekka's own time keeping an eye on the bitch, she couldn't guess. Politics was beyond her; she'd gladly leave the intrigue and syrupy politeness to those who actually enjoyed dabbling in such things. How had that creature managed to wrangle an orc into her clutches? And a most attractive orc too. Lekka snorted. Maybe he hadn't noticed the tail.
Galmak led the way out of the inn, back out into the waves of afternoon heat radiating from Orgrimmar's abundant stone and clay. Hyara tried not to shrink from all the attention she was attracting, but she fervently wished she didn't stand out like a zhevra among horses. She was surprised, though, that many of the stares she got held little or no hostility; most people seemed merely curious or perhaps puzzled at the sight of a draenei moving freely around their city in the company of Thrall's special guards.
"Light, for once I wish it were colder… I could at least wear a cloak," she muttered.
Lekka spoke suddenly behind them. "Emissary, I'm afraid I must ask where you are going. As the person put in charge of your safety while you are here, I need to be aware of all your movements, including what exactly you intend with this little walk."
Galmak frowned. "I'd just like to show her around, is all. Is that going to be a problem?"
Hyara smiled thinly. "I think what she means, love, is that she doesn't trust me and she wants to know what the hell I'm doing. Is that right, sergeant?"
Lekka stared back at her unabashedly. "Yes."
"As Galmak said, I only want to see the city. If you think I'm going somewhere I shouldn't be, please just say so."
Lekka seemed none too thrilled, but she said nothing more as they continued down the street. Hyara took Galmak's hand discreetly, ready to let go if he seemed embarrassed by the contact under so much scrutiny, but he squeezed her hand firmly and smiled at her encouragingly. She didn't feel much like a diplomat. She felt far more like a country child come to town for the first time, gazing wide-eyed at everything, excited and at the same time fearful, glad of a strong, familiar hand to cling to. People parted around them in the street, whether giving her or the guards a wide berth, she didn't know. A tall, cerulean-skinned troll woman glanced up from a merchant's booth, met Hyara's eyes for an instant, and dropped a bolt of cloth on the ground in shock. The woman scrambled to gather it up as they passed, hissing at the merchant in agitated Zandali. Children peered from among the adults and Hyara heard a few childish voices shout insults against the Alliance.
"This is the Drag," Galmak said quietly at her side. "Some of the side streets get rough at night, but this main street is one of the biggest merchant districts in the city. Everybody comes here for everything."
The buildings here crowded close to the street, shading it and giving some relief from the scorching sun. Clothing fluttered brightly on lines strung high overhead. It must dry here in about two minutes, Hyara thought, wiping a sleeve across her brow. They rounded a corner and a gentle wind riffled suddenly over them. It wasn't exactly cool, but it was a bit less hot. Hyara stopped and lifted her hair away from her neck, then realized that she wasn't the only one enjoying the breeze. Everywhere people were congregated in the street and lounging off to the sides; orcs, trolls, tauren, goblins, and even the usually aloof blood elves were talking and laughing together as they sought some relief from the heat of the day. Only the undead seemed unaware of the heat, but a few of them were idling around chatting anyway.
Galmak smiled, surveying the scene. "There's always a breeze here blowing up from the caverns below the city. Most everybody spends some time here every day cooling off." He led Hyara to the side of the street and sat on a protruding boulder. Lekka and her soldiers moved a short distance away, surrounding them discreetly.
"She is not at all happy, is she?" Hyara said in a low voice.
Galmak snorted. "She must've pulled the short straw."
Hyara traced a finger absently across the banded rock face. "I feel awfully silly that she even needs to be here. Galmak, I don't think I'll ever make a good diplomat. How am I going to survive that audience with Thrall tomorrow?"
"You did fine in Telaar, from what I hear. And Shattrath, too." He put an arm around her and gave her a comforting squeeze.
"Light, Telaar was nothing. We knew the Kurenai would welcome us. There really wasn't any question about the Sha'tar either. And besides, Remta was there; he did most of the talking." She chuckled suddenly. "Gods, if myself three years ago could see me now…"
Her husband grinned. "You're not the only one. Never could have guessed I'd be sitting in the Drag talking with my beautiful draenei wife."
He rose, helping Hyara to her hooves, and immediately Lekka was back close at hand.
"Lekka," Hyara said suddenly. "Can you recommend a place nearby to get a drink?"
The woman's eyebrows rose. She was tempted to name the rowdiest tavern she could think of, just to see this Light-groveling princess thrown completely off-kilter. But then that would make more work for herself and potentially big trouble. "There's a place just over here," she grated out, and motioned down the street.
The tavern was pleasantly dim, giving at least the illusion of coolness. There was some sort of goblin-made contraption attached to the ceiling, stirring the air with a rustle of palm leaves. Only a few patrons lounged around; Lekka had chosen this tavern for its notable lack of activity during the afternoon hours. Hyara found a table in the warm breeze from the contraption. Lekka moved to stand with her back to the wall nearby, but Hyara motioned her over.
"Please. Will you sit?" Hyara smiled hesitantly. She couldn't help noticing that Galmak didn't seem to think that was such a good idea.
"A pouty orc woman is not something you want to get involved with," he muttered as he rose to go order drinks.
"You would know," Hyara breathed back. He just shook his head minutely and walked away.
Lekka scowled, but after a moment's hesitation she clomped over and sat across from Hyara, fixing the draenei with pale red eyes. "I won't be held responsible if this interferes with my ability to keep an effective lookout. And I won't drink on duty."
"It's only cactus apple juice," Galmak said as he plunked three glasses on the table. "It's too hot to drink anything stronger. Has it been this bad for very long?"
Lekka's lip curled faintly around her small fangs. "Yes. Unusually hot for a while now. Such fascinating weather."
Galmak grunted. Hyara could tell he'd washed his hands of this woman.
"If…" Hyara floundered a little, but she'd gotten herself into this. "If you don't mind telling me, what is the Kor'kron Elite?"
"We are the Warchief's personal forces. We act as bodyguards and we also attend to… less important matters that the Warchief asks of us," Lekka finished with a disdainful sniff. She eyed the draenei. "And you… were a priestess for the Alliance, no doubt? You must have had quite a difficult change of heart, to abandon your former allies."
Hyara raised an eyebrow. "A priestess? Gods, no. Not all draenei follow the Light for a calling, sergeant. I'm a hunter. The cat is mine."
Lekka took a sip of juice to hide her surprise. Not a priestess? She'd assumed the cat and the wolf both belonged to the man.
"As for the Alliance," Hyara continued. "I believe by swearing myself to the Kanrethad I've gained more than I lost when I left the Alliance. I haven't abandoned friendship with anyone, and in fact I've opened the possibility of friendship with the Horde. The Kanrethad believe that only those who are truly evil should be combated. It's a waste of energy to fight people who shouldn't be enemies in the first place."
"Sergeant." One of Lekka's grunts spoke quietly behind her. He'd just come from the tavern doorway.
Lekka turned away from the draenei with some relief. "What is it, soldier?"
"There are several people trying to get in, wanting to see the draenei. We've told them to move on, but they seem to be getting restive."
Lekka frowned. "We can't keep them out of here, grunt. We don't have the authority to bar business from this tavern. Let them in immediately but keep a way clear for us. Don't let anyone near the emissary." She glared between Hyara and Galmak. "Time to move on. You're developing a following."
The grunt saluted and strode back outside. Galmak looked apprehensively toward the door; he didn't like the idea of a potential mob gathering demanding to see his wife.
"This is what I was afraid of," Lekka muttered. "Most people will have never seen a draenei in Orgrimmar before. Some may never even have seen a draenei at all. You attract far too much attention to be wandering the city at whim."
"So she's just supposed to sit in the inn?" Galmak growled. "Why bother guarding her if there's nothing for you to do?"
"I don't need you to tell me how to do my job," Lekka snapped, then scraped together a modicum of courtesy to address Hyara. The orc bowed her head stiffly. "I would strongly suggest that we return to the inn now, emissary."
Hyara merely nodded. She was embarrassed by all the commotion she seemed to be causing, but at the same time disappointed and sorry for Galmak that his tour of the city would have to be cut short. She gave him an encouraging smile. "It's alright," she said to him in a low voice. "I'll get to see more tomorrow."
They followed Lekka to the doorway, but stopped short. "Several people" had been something of an understatement; there were several dozen people now gathered in the street just outside trying to push their way into the tavern past the guards.
"You'll be allowed in in just a minute, people-" one of the grunts was saying as Lekka appeared in the door. The small crowd seemed to pause collectively at the sight of her. Her glare hit them like a fireball.
"Everyone back," she growled. "Stop gawking and clear a way!" The crowd shrank back a few feet and she jerked her head to the grunts, who fell in to either side of Hyara. Galmak stepped protectively in front of Hyara as they passed through the doorway, hoping to shield her from view somewhat.
"There she is!" someone near the back of the mob shouted. "Blue-blood! Alliance filth!" Hyara lowered her head and tried to make herself as small as possible as more in the crowd took up the insults. Galmak put an arm around her, but his other hand was clenched tightly into a fist and his jaw was set so hard it looked like his teeth might crack.
"Calm down, love," Hyara whispered. "We just need to get out of here without any real trouble…"
Lekka was seething. Most of these people here were probably merely curious, but if she didn't stop this now they might pick up a hundred more people on their way back to the inn; then things could get extremely ugly. Either way, Thrall would have to hear about this, a thought which angered her further. She wouldn't be seen as failing in her duty. Lekka whirled on the crowd, her eyes glowing crimson. "That's enough!" she roared. "Does this insignia mean nothing to you dogs? Honor your Warchief! This draenei is under his protection! Anyone who lays a hand on her will answer directly to Thrall!"
The crowd muttered uneasily; a few more stray insults rose half-heartedly. Then slowly the knot of people began to unravel at the edges and drift away back into the city's current of traffic. Lekka turned sharply on her heel and marched the group grimly back toward the inn. Hyara and Galmak both allowed themselves a sigh of relief.
A close one, Palla said. There were some people at the back who looked like they were ready to start throwing things.
Dammit, don't tell me that… Galmak shuddered. Coming out here had been his idea. Still, he had to admit that Hyara never would have been content to sit on her hands in the inn when she could be exploring Orgrimmar.
Back in their room, Hyara sank down onto the bed, her head in her hands. "So much for being an ambassador of peace."
Galmak sighed and shook his head ruefully. "You weren't the one threatening the peace. I should've known we'd be asking for a mess by going out there."
"You're not to blame for any of it, love. I suppose it will just take some time for me to settle into this role and learn how to play it." Hyara crossed the room to Galmak where he stood at the window looking down on the city he loved; the city that rejected the woman he loved. She brushed her fingers over his cheeks and smiled into his deep brown eyes. "Things will change. I… I'm going to see to it," she said with determination.
He laughed and hugged her close. "If there's anyone who can face down big trouble and come out the better for it, I know it's you."
Hyara sighed and kissed him lingeringly. "It's always been you who gave me the strength to do it."
Thrall wasn't particularly pleased. Lekka tried not to writhe under his piercing blue gaze. "I- I am deeply sorry, Warchief. I take full responsibility for what happened."
The Warchief's frown softened slightly. "Not particularly your fault, I suppose, sergeant. The behavior of the masses can be difficult to predict. Perhaps I misjudged the tolerance of Orgrimmar's citizens," he mused to himself. He'd also misjudged the need to get the rumor mill working; he'd have to rectify that. By tomorrow his network of rumor-circulators would have made it well-known that the draenei in Orgrimmar was not part of the Alliance. "In any case, no harm came of it. Your control of the situation was admirable," he said.
Lekka refrained from shifting uncomfortably and stared stoically ahead. "Sir, in light of this incident, I'd like to request that extra guards be dispatched tomorrow to escort her here for her audience." She'd disappointed him, but she wasn't going to let it happen again. Even if it meant admitting she wasn't up to the task she'd been assigned.
Thrall hid a grimace. Damn. Now he would indeed have to see this draenei; there'd be no last-minute polite excuse and apology for cancelling the meeting. He couldn't let her leave the city feeling like she'd been roughed up and then snubbed, no matter how small and powerless her faction. That was just generally bad for business. He nodded to Lekka. "I agree. You'll get the extra forces for that."
Lekka was dismissed; she saluted and fled.