Chapter II
"Zulshi…wake up." It was my mother. She had her hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off and turned over to go back to sleep. I felt a cold breeze as she tugged the blanket from me, leaving me curled up on my bed without a cover. I sighed and laughed to myself.
"Good mornin' to you too mum," I said as I sat up and stretched. She sat down next to me on the edge of my bed. I wanted to tell her about my dream but when I looked over to her she had on the biggest grin I had ever seen on her face and I didn't want to spoil that. Her tusks stuck out more than usual when she smiled.
I found her as one of the prettier trolls in our village. She had light blue skin, a smooth, round face, two medium-sized tusks sticking up from out of her jaw, big, shining dark orange eyes, and dark blue hair. I was glad I inherited most of her traits because I couldn't imagine life without my hair. It was what made me me. My mom had always taught me how to put it in a perfect triple mohawk and two pairs of braids−unlike the other girls who usually had their hair in high ponytails that flared out at the end like a palm tree. She had always said it was a part of our tradition from our tribe.
I had grown up in The Den. It was all I knew. My mother had told me many times the story of how the orcs had saved the trolls from rampaging murlocs. That's how the trolls ended up here in Durotar. Here in the Valley of Trials we share this burrow nestled in the side of the mountain with the orcs. I'm not complaining, they can be a highly regarded race, it's just their brutish ways can catch you off guard. The orcs have strong features, even the women, green skin, and even have tusks like us. Although we trolls are taller and leaner than them, we could never come close to the power the orcs have with an axe. They were made to be warriors.
Anyway, my mom patted my hand as she got up.
"Wait here." She said. She pushed the boar's skin–that I had used for my door–to the side as she walked through. When she came back in she was holding a long package wrapped in red and white striped paper with a red bow on top.
"Happy birthday!" She smiled as she handed the gift to me and sat down again.
I stared at it and ran my hand along the edge, just feeling the smooth paper. I couldn't help but smile.
"What joo waitin' for? Open it up!" my mom said impatiently, almost like it was her own present.
So I did. I slowly untied the bow and ripped the paper to shreds. And what I found inside made my heart jump a mile. It was a polished short bow and five arrows. I picked it up as if it was made of gold. I had never owned my own bow before.
"I…I dunno what ta say," I managed to state. I looked over at my mom with a huge smile on my face. She hugged me and I returned the hug with one free hand.
"You're welcome my dear. I knew you'd love it." I have the best mom ever. "Now come on we've gotta say g'mornin ta da others."
"I'll be with ya in a sec." I said. She nodded, hugged me again, and walked out of the room. I placed my new bow gently on my bed as I pulled on a plain shirt and ripped cloth shorts, leaving my feet bare. I grabbed my linen bag, slung it over my shoulder, and placed my arrows inside like a makeshift quiver. I also picked up my worn battleaxe; a good friend of me and my mum, Kaltunk, had given it to me a while back to help rid our cave of some unwanted vile familiars who had snuck in one night. He said I used it like a pro and that I could keep it.
I walked out of my room and into the bustling corridor. Orcs and trolls were hurrying about their business carrying weapons or food or armor. I saw one orc carrying a dull silver platter of fruit. I plucked an apple off the plate and took a bite into it. The orc gave a shout but I had already passed him. I laughed to myself, enjoying my breakfast.
The torches that burned on the wall sprayed dancing light in every direction warming the cave to an almost unbearable level. I pushed my way through the bustle of orcs and trolls and finally made it to the entrance. Fresh air.
My mother was waiting there for me, casually talking to Kaltunk in front of a huge fire that was burning in the middle of the village. The two of them noticed me and beckoned for me to join them.
The sun was just peaking over the mountain range casting its rays down into the valley. It was somewhat cool but I knew once that sun got up further it would start to heat up. The sky was speckled with dust colored clouds that turned orange from the sunlight. I breathed in the morning air and proceeded to meet my mother.
Kaltunk was wearing a light leather vest with matching pants and a black metal belt. My mom had on some light leather armor, the kind she wears on an everyday basis when she isn't out hunting.
"Well happy birthday young one," Kaltunk said in his deep, gruff, voice.
"Tank you sir," I replied happily.
"Very nice weapon you got there." He pointed to my bow and folded his arms. "About time you got somethin' that fit you."
"It was a gift from me mum." He smiled and nodded with approval.
That's when my mom stepped in, "It's time for joo to put it ta good use."
I was curious. What kind of good use?
"Right," Kaltunk grumbled. "The Horde is always looking for new recruits."
"Recruits?" I wasn't starting to like this. I began fiddling with the string on my short bow.
"You got that right!" He gave a deep bellied laugh. "The reason we've come to you today, young one, is so you can begin you're training to prepare for your quest."
"…quest?" This was all so sudden. "You mean…I have ta leave here?"
"Don't you worry 'bout it hun. It won't be 'til afta' ya trainin'," my mom said sweetly.
"But…what do I to do anyway? What kinda quest?" I was still very confused.
"Well now, that's up to you. We'll talk more 'bout that later," Kaltunk said. "First off you're gonna need to talk with Gornek. He'll be helpful in your training."
I knew who Gornek was but I had never really gotten to talk to him much. He was another orc who I saw working a lot in The Den. He never really seemed like he had time to chat so I figured I'd make it quick.
My mom made a quick gesture with her chin to the mouth of the cave. I looked at her and signed. There was Gornek standing with a hand on his hip and pointing out directions for a few of the orcs with the other. I started to slowly make my way over to him.
"Oy!" he called to me as I got closer. Once I was standing beside him I asked if he had a second to spare.
"I sure do…Off with you lot! You've got work to do!" He turned to me. "Sorry bout that. Damn lazy peons…Now anyway, what is it that you need?"
Gornek was a large burly orc. He had on about the same outfit as Kaltunk: a leather vest and matching pants, but Gornek had on metal bracers and large boots. You could tell he was a hard working man. His shoulders were broad and his muscles rippled under his bright green skin as he stretched.
"Umm," I started. "I've been uh, recruited or someting and I…" But I was interrupted.
"AHHH!" Gornek smiled. "Good ol' Kaltunk sent you to me, eh? Well I can make you a proud warrior of the Horde in no time!"
I had to think. Was this what I really wanted? To be a fighter for my faction? I guess there was some pride in that. But really, did I have a choice? I was being thrown head first into this. I mean, I'd always wanted to be a hunter, and now that I had my bow I had to perfect my skills somehow. Plus this would give me a great chance to start my own adventure in this world…yeah an adventure! I'd get to see all the different places and regions and people and cities and monsters. Yeah…I was up for it.
"I'll do et," I held my head up high. "What do I 'ave to do?"
He was shocked at my response and my willingness to get started. "Well," he grumbled. "Your first order of business will be to put a little strength in your backbone! That means for you to go out there and kill eight mottled boars. No wastin' meat now, I want you to bring them back here!"
I nodded in agreement. Then I stopped. I had only five arrows. I had to be careful on this quest. I knew exactly where I'd find those overgrown pigs. You could find hundreds of them off over the valley. Finding them was no problem, killing them was the challenge.