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Warcraft – Into the Southern Mists

Chapter II – To Join the Hunt

Karg waited quietly as the General stomped over, clapping a crimson plated gauntlet on his shoulder plate – the ornate mithril letting out a dull clang as the heavy plated hand clapped down upon it. The younger adventurer watched as the grizzled veteran studied him before speaking

"You hear that, grunt?" the General inquired, the unnervingly grim stare remaining in place as he spoke, Karg nodded simply before Nazgrim continued "There's Alliance that need killing, and I need a veteran crew. Someone of your calibre is a requirement of joining that crew. Are you coming or not?" Karg merely returned the stare before giving a simple

"Yes."

Nazgrim let out a dour smile as he walked out of the Hold "We won't be returning until our assignment's complete, so round up your things and make ready. When you're done, get aboard the gunship over Bladefist Bay. I'll be gathering more people for the job." The adventurer gave a silent nod before taking our the soul gem, his grip upon its Byzantium surface, quietly willing for the owner of the other half to pick him up.

His wait did not last long.

The beating of wings alerted him to the presence of a drake hovering above him, the mottled bronze scales shining dully in the harsh light of the sun. Tempori returned the grin he gave off as she landed, left wing folding to the floor as he clambered upon her back and into the saddle

"I take it we are needed somewhere, master (master)?" she asked, blank green eyes focusing as she took the skies once more, powerful wing muscles propelling them into the air before flapping idly as she waited for orders. Karg looked towards the bank. With a silent order Tempori took off, wings beating strong before entering a glide.

-Bank of Orgrimmar-

"Branzlit, I want my average draw." The Goblin merely looked up at the moderately well-muscled Orc stood opposite him, on the other side of the grill. Taking a small sack he reached into the large pile of coins behind him and took a handful of gold and silver before handing it to Karg

"There ya go," Branzlit said, his eyes flashing angrily at the loss of money. Karg flexed an eye brow inquisitively before the Goblin muttered something beneath his breath and handed over several more gold coins "Forgot some."

"Be lucky I don't report you, Bran." Karg stated bluntly before stomping away, the two grunts in the doorway nodding briefly as he went past. As he exited he motioned to Tempori – who had decided to perch upon the roof of the bank "Okay, Tem, remember Bladefist bay?"

"I do have ears, Karg (Karg), I can use them as well (well)."

-Hellscream's Fist, above Bladefist Bay-

Tempori landed with a light thud upon the wooden deck of the gunship hovering ominously above the bay, its wolf head figurehead barely concealing the muzzle of the immense cannon that nearly stretched halfway across the top deck. Stood in front of them was Nazgrim, at the head of several others. All of notable repute, himself having served alongside at least three of the fourteen lined up in front of them.

There was Grakua Icecry – so called because she screamed louder than a scourge banshee while drunk one night. She then proceeded to eliminate the banshee in combat, alongside the four accompanying skeletons. The latter, however, were taken out by the young Jormungar currently hovering behind her – it appeared to have grown in the few years since he'd last seen her.

Maurisan Rainheart, a Tauren shaman of some repute. Most of his exploits were actually minor, though shining highlights among them were calming a group of enraged earth elementals by playing a drum. No one had actually managed to figure out how he had pulled that one off. Another was the shale spider that walked alongside him, he never told anyone just how he came to be accompanied by the elemental creature.

The last face he could actively remember was Davius Plaguebringer, a warlock of the Forsaken, and one in a situation of actual power among his peers. Given he was the first of his dead kind to step foot in Uldum, he'd received some form of boon in exchange for whatever artefacts he could la his formerly-rotting hands on.

As he dismounted he noticed Pandaren in the crowd, both had placated looks on their faces, Before he could greet them nazgrim walked over

"Welcome aboard Hellscream's Fist, Karg!" Nazgrim barked, almost happily, as the two pandaren in the background nodded, the group seeming to disperse in order to place their packs somewhere "This'll be her maiden voyage, isn't she a beauty?"

"I believe the minds behind the cannon may be upset about their assets, sir." Karg replie, earning himself the sight of a general placing a hand to his face "But yes, she looks as dauntless as Orgim's Hammer, sir." With that he followed the rest of the group as they headed below decks, the small satchel on his back containing his few necessities.

Author's Notes:

First off, allow me to apologise profusely for that horrible bit of humour at the end. I'm sorry, truly I am, but I couldn't resist the urge, as who really would want the main gun to be impractically large?

Now then, you'll notice that I've added more speaking roles to the story, in particular to Tempori and Karg himself. Also among the changes are a few members of the 'supporting' protagonists, though they'll have their own storylines dealing with their own problems mostly. A few other supporting crew members will be introduced chapter to chapter.

Also, I'd like to thank Coincidencless for providing inspiration for bronze dragon speech. Even though the character with echoes was the Epoch Hunter.