Chapter 14: The Motive
-(Torivan's Point of View)-
"You told your men Sanctum of the Stars right Danath?" the woman I've come to find as Vereesa Windrunner asked seeming agitated. We had been waiting for several hours on this force Trollbane had sent up ahead to gather information for us. I could only grip onto my quiver pack in my own nervousness.
"I did, and I assure you they are coming. I have nothing but trust in Trameria's group." Trollbane replied smoothly.
"I do hope they show soon Danath," Captain Sunchaser spoke up softly, "It won't take long for the orcs to notice the large force of elves right near their territory."
"Have faith in my men Auric. I wouldn't put Little Val's life in their hands if I didn't trust them with my own."
"Up above!" someone spoke up bringing everyone's attention to the sky right above the sanctum.
"That should be them! Told you two to have faith!" Trollbane smiled walking to the base of the steps as a small group landed flying creatures and got onto the ground themselves.
"Commander Trollbane, sorry to keep your waiting sir." A human woman spoke up picking up a small imp and setting it to the ground.
"Hea! Hea! I can get to the ground myself lady! No need to help." The creature snapped hopping furiously in place.
"I'm sorry Naltog didn't want you to hurt yourself like last time." The human laughed patting the imp on the head.
"Sheesh! Some warlock you are! You're way to much of a goody two shoes if ya ask me. If you need me, I'll be around here… somewhere. Peace out!" The imp suddenly stealthed to be on it's own I could only assume.
"Trameria how are you?" Trollbane asked holding his hand out to the woman.
"We're fine commander. Sorry it took us awhile. Flory is kind of still learning how to fly the gryphon and we had to go catch him before he found himself in the twisting nether." She nervously laughed shaking his hand.
"Any information about Valarisa Windrunner?" Ranger-General Windrunner asked walking up to the group.
"General Windrunner, I was told you'd be here." The human spoke up holding her hand out in a business manner.
"Yes, I would like to find my niece as soon as possible. Did you all find anything?" Vereesa asked shaking the human's hand.
"Actually we did." Announced another voice. Looking over, I saw another human walking up to the group. By the looks of it, he seemed to be a paladin like Val's brother.
"Sajuuk, is that you?" Arator suddenly asked pushing through the crowd to see the assembled group.
"Arator good to see you, just sorry it had to be on these terms old friend." The human replied shaking Arator's hand.
"What did you all find out Sajuuk?" Trollbane asked in a serious tone. The smiles and greetings stopped as the small group looked at one another. The paladin sighed before speaking up.
"Well from our work with the local dragons, it seems this group of orcs has taken over their younger generation enslaving them to do their bidding."
"You mean Alexstrasza's children?" Vereesa asked in shock.
"No, they are children of Death wing actually. Seems the eggs became corrupted with the nether energy around here making this new breed," the one called Trameria began, "But anyway, it seems these orcs had a powerful leader when the Sons of Lothar entered to stop The Dark Portal invasion. Supposedly that leader was imprisoned several years ago by some of the Sons of Lothar."
"There has been talk spreading amongst them that he is returning soon." Another voice spoke up. Glancing back, I noticed a female Night Elf walking up to the group.
"General Windrunner, this is our companion Kristalia of Darnassus. She was the one who went under cover amongst the orcs with the help to the dragon Neltharaku's magic." The warlock introduced.
"You were saying Kristalia." Vereesa nodded.
"There have been rumors of this powerful leader who was locked away fifteen years ago by the leaders of the Sons of Lothar."
"Are you sure it's been fifteen years not more?" Vereesa asked quickly.
"Yes, I know it hasn't been longer then fifteen years General. That anniversary hasn't arrived yet. The orcs seem to have a ceremony every year on the anniversary of his binding in hopes that he will break free and lead them once again." She nodded.
"What makes this year different?" I suddenly asked. All eyes seemed to look at me for a moment.
"The rumor is that they have finally found the secret to his binding. No magic could break the chains, since the artifact was doused in blood."
"Blood!" Danath gasped.
"It seems that the ones who bound him sealed the spell using their blood so the only way to free him is to use the same combination. The two beings that sealed the orc away were no other than-"
"My parents." Arator spoke up in a low tone.
"Correct. Ranger Captain Alleria Windrunner and High General Turalyon bound the orc so he could not make his move upon the Expedition marching through Draenor almost fifteen years ago."
"So that's why they chose Valarisa? She's the daughter of the two. Therefore, she has both of their blood." Vereesa questioned slowly. The Night elf only nodded.
"How much blood is required for this spell to take effect?" Arator asked.
"That's where I come in!" announced a cheeky voice. It took me a second to find the small gnome running up the stairs. "Aleasea of Gnomergon at your service. I'm the spell research specialist for this group of crazies."
"So, what's the answer?" Danath inquired.
"Well looking back I could only guess at least half the body's supply would be strong enough to seal something that powerful."
"Are you saying Alleria and Turalyon were killed in the binding?" Vereesa gasped.
"No no no! Seeing two people did the binding, that means each only needed to contribute half the needed supply. Therefore, I'm going to calculate that the two had plenty of their own blood to walk away from the binding on their own. They may have been a little dizzy though." The gnome shrugged.
"Is the same amount needed to unbind the being?" Arator asked grimly. That's when I realized what he was getting at.
"Well yes you will need the same amount to release the binds. That's normally how it works." She shrugged.
"That amount of blood loss would kill anyone." Captain Sunchaser thought aloud. My heart sank as I heard the words. I glanced over as Arator fell to his knees in shock. This had to be hard for him to hear.
"Kristalia, you said he hasn't been freed yet correct?" Vereesa asked quickly.
"Correct. It seems they are waiting for the ceremony later this evening to unbind him. I can only assume we have that long to crash the little party and save young Valarisa." The Night Elf replied.
"S-so there's a chance that Val is still alive?" Arator stammered getting to his feet hope present in his eyes.
"If the orc is still imprisoned then I would say Val is still alive yes. The spell requires the blood to be fresh therefore they can't kill her before the binding." The gnome answered.
"That means we still have time!" Sunchaser announced.
"I would enjoy a little orc hunting if you ask me Sunchaser." Vereesa stated grasping onto her bow.
The Captain nodded walking back to the assembled group.
"You all heard the same I did! We have a small window of opportunity to not only save Valarisa's life, but us all! These orcs want to unleash something our people worked to lock away. We are not going to let that happen. We will start our march right away so gather your things and be ready within the hour!"
Members of the group acknowledged the order with cheers and hurrahs before going back to gather their things. This was it! The fight was upon us!