Disclaimer: I do not own World of Warcraft.

Once we came within sight of the base camp, Emala signaled a halt. Both Skydive and Lastraza went into a dive, while I directed Bonesunder to do the same. Once we had landed in Emala's selected location-a thicket of scraggly trees behind a low hill near the Scourge base camp-she began to consider the plan.

"Aright. It's going to be hard to do this, since that entire camp is full of undead bastards," Emala began in a low voice. "But, this was made slightly easier by Atlanta's...surprise encounter with us."

It occurred to me that this was the first time Emala head bothered to use my name, but I decided not to comment on it.

"What am I to do?" I said, my voice still hoarse. I usually preferred to stay silent, but this journey hadn't left me any choice but to talk more than I wished.

"Go in the entrance," Emala said flatly. " Give them false orders, that may send them away...or occupy them enough for us to silently take them out."

"Wait," Lastraza said slowly. "How are you going to take out this camp?"

A somewhat crazy grin formed on Zalleen's face. "With this, mon," he said, holding something up between both hands.

At first glance the object appeared to be a simple glass orb, about the size of a child's ball. But when I looked closer, tendrils of magic became distinct, coiling and shifting inside the orb like a next of serpents.

"It's purpose?" I asked shortly.

Skydive answered the question with vigor. "It causes a very big explosion of arcane magic," he said with relish, mimicking a explosion with his paws.

"Enough to eliminate a whole base camp," Emala finished with a savage grin.

"is it instant?" Lastraza asked cautiously, warily regarding the magical bomb.

"Detonator right here," Zalleen boasted, pointing to himself. "I was taught the spell that'll make the thing go up."

"But it needs to be hidden in the center of the base camp," Emala continued. "Dropping it from above isn't a option-that would warn the Scourge commanders it's something harmful."

"Our job's to place it there, then," I murmured.

"Correct," Emala responded grimly. "I might have considered letting you go in alone, Death Knight, but I'm not sure I fully trust you yet."

The remark sounded like a fresh accusation, although I had the feeling me and Emala were at least on neutral terms now, a far better situation than before. I had been feeling my original resolve to remain cold to Emala had been lessening, but I still wasn't quite sure about becoming friends again.

Apparently Emala felt the same. After a moment's silence she continued. "I'd like to have Zalleen stay here for to trigger the bomb, but he'll need some kind of signal. And I'm not quite sure I have one in mind yet."

"A flare?" Skydive suggested tentatively.

"Too obvious," Emala replied snappily. Then she paused, a gleam growing in her eye. "On the other hand, maybe something related to a flare would work...but on a smaller scale."

Skydive had gained a uncomprehending look. He glanced from side to side, as if he expected further explanation of Emala's idea from someone else.

"Explain?" he prompted when he was still only greeted by silence.

Emala grinned. "Not a flare...but something else."

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Decision for a signal made, it was now time to get on with the mission. As Emala adamantly enforced, I was the first stage.

I walked up to the entrance of the Scourge base camp. The cool arctic wind blew toward me, the fresh smell of snow obscured by the faint scent of rotting flesh originating from the undead in the camp. My cloak fluttered behind me, the hood pulled up. I had my runeblade drawn, though, and head held high. This way, the hope was I would be recognized as a Death Knight, but not the one that had betrayed the Lich King and to further extent, the Scourge.

The two guards, a pair of raised Vyrkul skeletons, noticed me soon enough. They crossed their spears and barred my entrance. I stopped before them, initiating face of contempt.

"State your business, Death Knight," one of the two vyrkuls stated in his grating voice.

Good, so that part had worked out. Now came the trickier part.

"I'm here for a examination." I couldn't go back on the lie now. "You two are to leave your post and tell the commander of this camp."

The vyrkul skeletons stared at me. It was hard to see any feelings in their eyes, but from the way their spears stayed firmly locked, they didn't seem to believe me.

I went with the next option. "You either do as ordered, or I tell the Lich King this outpost is a failure. And I'll make sure that two specific vryrkul skeletons will be blamed for it."

I had finally gotten to them. I could tell by the shiver than ran through the bony bodies, the slight widening of the eye.

"Very well. We will go sir," they both intoned. Letting the spears down, the two undead guards hurried off.

"Good, they've left," Emala said, coming up the road with the rest of the group, minus Zalleen, behind her. Both drakes had shape shifted into blood elven forms. Pierceclaw, still covered in grime from the earlier battles, was growling at the Scourge outpost.

I cocked an eyebrow. "True. But you know what the risk is now?"

"That whether we killed the sentries or they were ordered away, the camp will be alerted to intruders within the hour," Emala concluded grimly, shouldering her bow.

"So they'll be looking for us?" Skydive asked, a note of fear tremoring in his voice. "then why can't I stay back with Zalleen?"

"Because if we need to fight, you help will be needed," Lastraza responded, beating Emala to the explanation.

"Very true," Emala responded, gazing ahead. "And now, we head into the viper's nest."

I know this is really short, but it hasn't been updated for a long time...and school has started. I've already been busy with homework.

Still, since my high school doesn't give mountains of it, the next ch will be of longer length and make up for this, though.

Pls review :D