Chapter Twenty-Five

Nagrand was a long ways away, and Hyleana had left with the image of Lea crying and her mother's worried face burned in her mind the whole travel. But once they'd made it to Nagrand, things seemed to get better. The two had traveled by hippogryph to get there; they stopped in the Zangamarsh to find Haru, who'd been taken in by local draenei. Now they were in one of the most interesting places Hyleana had ever seen. "Just up over this small mountain is where we'll find the Earthen Ring's meeting area, where I work." The orc called over to his friend.

Hyleana, who'd been half awake, merely nodded as her mount followed his in suit. Her eyes did, however, widen as she saw the various waterfalls and gorgeous land that laid out before them. She gawked as they landed and could hardly find words for Nagrand's beauty as she got off the hippogryph. "Amazing, is it not?" Grothos asked as he noticed her starry-eyed expression. "More than amazing..." She hushed.

Haru practically slipped off the large mount and seemed to howl in mention of his motion sickness. Grothos pet the large cat in comfort and turned to watch the night elf timidly explore her new surroundings. He was tired and knew that soon enough members from the Earthen Ring would come to scout out who'd landed. At this point, he felt it best to simply wait and rest. Still petting the large creature, he sat down and continued to watch Hyleana fondly.

She'd followed him here, and without him even suggesting she do so. That fact alone made him more than elated, but he had to wonder why she hadn't let him go. His wishful thinking was greedy, he knew, but he couldn't help but to imagine what would happen between the two of them now. Would she want to stay in Nagrand with him? He had no intention of leaving the Earthen Ring now that he'd come home.

But Hyleana herself did not know what she was truly doing here now. She walked over to her companion and sat down beside him. "Grothos... The place you come from is simply exquisite." She pushed her long strands of hair out of her face and brushed them back to stare up at the planets in the sky. "I appreciate your admiration. But this land is only part of this world. The Outlands has been cursed for as long as I can remember. Nagrand is home, but it resides in a place that needs the Earthen Ring's help; my help." His small brown eyes stared off into the stars.

Hyleana watched him carefully and nodded in understanding. "I think you will make your people proud one day. I know that I am honored to call you friend." She smiled. He turned to her, his black hair draping down to his chest, and smiled around his tusks. "Your friendship means much to me Hyleana..." A moment of silence was shared before a call came to them.

"My brethren." Grothos grunted as he got up to call back to them. Two orcs came out and stared at Grothos as though he were a ghost; she realized that's probably what they thought. The three spoke in Orcish, leaving her to feel slightly left out, but she watched their gestures to carefully try to understand what was going on. After a few moments of speculation, the two orcs pummeled Grothos with a large dog-pile type hug. Laughing loudly, Grothos looked up and over to Hyleana, who was smiling warmly at the three.

"Hyleana... I never mentioned to you that I have two brothers. Blood related ones, that is. This is Kagus and Bodthas, my mother's other sons." He smiled. Hyleana felt rushed suddenly, and tried to look more presentable; she'd never really met another's family besides Lorus. The other two orcs looked up to notice the night elf for the first time. Almost at once, the two were on their feet and looking at her with suspicious eyes.

She watched them carefully, though she knew she was safe so long as Grothos was there to explain their position. They could have been twins, both of them shorter than their brother with bald heads, save for the long braids. The difference was the one had a large scar diagonally across his face that seemed to reason his loosing of half his left tusk. In Orcish, Grothos explained whom Hyleana was. The twins shared a strange look, but nodded after a while. "They do not speak another language, so I'll have to translate for you." Grothos reasoned their silence.

Bodthas, the one with the scar, laughed suddenly and said something to his twin. While Hyleana was not sure what it could have been, she was certain it had been embarrassing for Grothos as his face turned a darker shade and the other brother began to laugh in unison. "What did they say?" she smirked slightly. Grothos barked something in his rough accent and shook his head. "It matters not what these foolish children say." The two calmed down and moved towards the hippogryphs and smiled. Kagus said something directed toward Hyleana and Grothos translated, "He said they'll take the mounts. Follow us."

She found it funny that Grothos had not said anything about his brothers prior to, especially after meeting Hyleana's only sister. But she wondered if there was, perhaps, a reason? She began to worry that perhaps Grothos was more distant to her than she realized. Haru nudged her hand with his head and purred loudly. She smiled at the creature and decided that it didn't matter at the moment; right now she was doing better for herself.

As they made it to the Earthen Ring's small camp, Hyleana watched the happenings of Grothos being presented back to his home. Tears were shed and Orcish, perhaps prayers, were cried as his family welcomed him home. Hyleana, despite being a night elf, was the last thing anyone took notice. She was grateful, of course, but still wished that she could be of more use in the moment. Standing there awkwardly wasn't something she was accustomed to. After a few moments of waiting around, Grothos came back to her and welcomed her into the camp. "We'll be staying here with the others, I suppose." He'd shaken his head. "If you'll have me!" she laughed.

"Of course, of course!" he bellowed with her, both relieved of their journey and ready to start anew. But Hyleana felt as though something, and she was not sure what, was going to happen and soon.