Volume 1
Episode 1: One long Day
Part 3
The Atmosphere of Dustwallow Mash was thick and humid. It was late in the afternoon and the sun hung low in the sky, casting an eerie setting of gloom throughout the marsh. Baaradon's kodo trotted across the marsh at a slow steady pace. The marsh like any other place in Azeroth could be very dangerous. The creatures in this area were quite aggressive and territorial. There were less intelligent creatures like crocs, spiders, and raptors, and other far more intelligent beings also inhabited the Marsh such as Dragonkin and Humans. Baaradon brought his kodo to halt as he entered Brakenwall Village. Though it had been a log time Baaradon was no stranger to Brakenwall, so he his unexpected appearance had garnered no more than a passing glance. After securing his mount his made way to the local regent dealer.
Balai Lok'Wein was rummaging through a pile of sacks when Baaradon approached her. In fact, it wasn't until he was standing over her that she had noticed him at all. Now that she found herself in his shadow she took notice of his arrival and looked up. She was very surprised to see him but to look at her no one could tell. Balai extended a hand for Baaradon to help he to her feet. At full height Balai only came up to Baaradon's chest. She swept her dark green hair back and then brushed dust off her dress and apron.
"Baaradon of da Mute Assasins, Wat brings you bock ir mon?"
"I am in need of information and I figured a woman of your talents could help me in this regard." Baaradon replied.
"Ah, might ave wat you need. Wat you lookin for?" The troll vendor inquired with a careful gaze. Baaradon reached into a pouch and pulled out the torn patch. Balai recognized it immediately and did a quick look around to see if anyone else had seen it. "You mus be bringing the Assasins if you wun trouble wit dem." She cautioned.
"No it's just me. What do you know of the Blade?"
"Best be keeping your voice down. You, gon talk bout dem. Dey pass through here few times. Must ave sum sort of base round here. Dey be meetin wit Krog he may know more."
Baaradon looked around the camp until he spotted the Orc, Balai had told him about. Krog was sitting by a post near the camp Inn, which was little more than a cave, gnawing on some cured ham. He had noticed the hunter who was walking toward him. Hunters always had the unique ability to go unnoticed when on the prowl. It wasn't a stealth like rogue no, more like a state of being completely unremarkable. Unless someone deliberately was drawn to look, they would simply not draw any attention of any kind. Baaradon often joked that Hunters were better than rogues for they could be invisible without being actually invisible. Unfortunately for Krog, Krog was not looking at the Tauren. Instead, he was face deep in his slab of meat. It wasn't until a hoof pounded the ground next to him that he realized he was in trouble. The force of the war stomp knocked him over. Before he could recover, Baaradon had leaned over and grabbed him by the collar.
"Tell me what you know of the Scarlet Blade" Baaradon's grip tightened. The Orc trembled and barley managed a reply
"If, I do they'll kill me." Baaradon smiled but this smile was one that would scare death herself.
"And you would fare better than if you don't talk. Now out with it."
The altercation with Baaradon and Krog now drew the attention of the villagers including Overlord Morokk. Morokk like most ogre was an enormous mass of muscle. He was covered in armor and sported a large spiked gauntlet. He observed the two men disapprovingly.
Baaradon barley had time to dodge the blow from Morokk. Krog, however, was not so lucky. Morokk's fist collided with Krog's face and propelled backward about 2 yards. Krog's unconscious body went limp in a pile of raptor dung. Morokk was caught off guard for a brief second. He hadn't expected the Tauren to be aware of imminent assault much less be able to avoid it altogether. Baaradon was quick to take advantage of Morokk's confusion. "This isn't a good time Morokk. Walk away." Baaradon growled as he thrust out his leg, planting his hoof firmly in Morokk's midsection. Morokk stumbled back his armor absorbing most of the blow. Baaradon was a formidable fighter to be sure, but he know that was not where his strength lied and Morokk could probably take him in a straight melee.
"Ha ha, Tis always good time for fight, Tauren." Morokk flexed his armor tighten and is anger grew.
That was Baaradon made is move. He unslung a Silver-plated Blunderbuss and fired a concussive shot a dazing Morokk. There was a loud roar like that of a wild tiger or a cheetah and suddenly with blazing fast speed he closed the distance between the two of them. The hunter stopped only briefly to plant a trap at Morokk's feet, then rolled to his left and was back on his feet. The dazed effect began to lift from Morokk and he stumble triggering the trap. Baaradon then gave a sharp whistle. In response his faithful Kodo thundered to his side. The tauren casually stepped closer to the Morokk.
"As I told you I have no time for this. The orc has given me what I need, so I will now leave you to cool your head." Baaradon the mounted his kodo and rode out of town leaving behind the ogre trapped in a block of ice.
Richard Steelhindge stared out into the dank gloom of the marsh. He wondered why was he here.
"You ever wonder why were here?" he of course of was speaking to his fellow guardsman Dexstar Brightshire. The two of them were on day watch rotation of the front gates of Theramore.
"It's one of life's great mysteries isn't? Why are we here? Are we the product of some cosmic coincidence or is there really a god; watching everything, with a plan for us and stuff? I don't know man but it keeps me up at night." Dexstar replied thoughtfully, maybe a little too thoughtful.
"What?..I mean…" That was all managed to say before the shot rang out. Dexstar turned and watch his friend fall to the ground. He spun around and reached for his sword, but it was too late. A second shot rang out. This one struck Dexstar in the chest lifting off the ground forcing to crash against the outer wall of Theramore. Two Guards on patrol heard the shots and came running. The third shot must have been a multi-shot for both guards collapsed. The lookout in the tower reach for the alarm bell only to have a dragonling attack him violently. This surprised the young guard since the Dragonkin of the marsh were not prone to attacking the Alliance city. That's when he noticed behind all the dragon squawks he heard the clicks of whirling gears and other mechanics. He may have had time to marvel at it but at moment as if to show how life like it was the dragonling incinerated the lookout with a breath of fire. Most people would have thought Baaradon had the absolute worst time to attack the Alliance camp for at that moment the Scarlet Blade were in the process of leaving Theramore. Blade Soldiers drew their swords and took up positions to protect Captain Kreig as Baaradon the entrance to Theramore. Captain Kreig a powerful human sat upon his mount and frowned. He tossed back his long blonde ponytail. His face reflected the hard years he had spent the battlefield. A long scar streaked down his left cheek. It had been rumored a dragon in the badlands had clawed Kreig as he pried the heart from the dragon. He also wore a patch over his right said to have been plucked out by Thrall himself in combat. This however, was not believed by most Horde members for they knew that such battle would have ended with Kreig losing much more than an eye. It was these types of stories and lore that help Kreig earn his fearsome reputation.
"Tauren, You must have death wish to come here alone. You face not only The Alliance but the Scarlet Blade as well. You must face me. Do you even know.." Baaradon cut him short.
"Know who you are? Yes, human I am well aware."
"You are either very brave or very foolish." Kreig remarked.
"I have been accused of both. I have no quarrel with you this day. I'm here for a thief. He has some items of mine and will have them back. I am told he is a new recruit of yours. His name is Pilfer."
