Aspect of the Wolf
Author Notes: Sorry for the long wait, but I hope everyone enjoys this chapter!
Chapter 28: The Winter's Past
Year 34 of the Fourth Age (Since the Dark Portal Opens and the Conflict between Humans and Orcs Began)
Northrend, Tundra Baise
Lo'Gosh walks into the Wyrmrest Temple, seeing countless dragons walking and flying around.
Drakes, Dragons, and Dragonflights.
Alexstrasza's pregnancy caused a lot of attention. Most of it not positive.
Garrosh Hellscream, in particular, learned of Alexstrasza's pregnancy with Lo'Gosh's child. He wanted to charge the Wyrmrest Tower, seize her child, and turn the dragonkin into the Horde's weapon.
Even the skies weren't safe in Northrend, as the Scourge were everywhere. Dead dragonflights and avian creatures flew the skies.
It was only thanks to the power of the Dragon Aspects that the dead didn't enter.
The blight's influence on the other was another matter.
Lo'Gosh walks with Valeera and Broll Bearmantle.
Vereesa Windrunner returns to Winterspring, given her pregnancy. She also was given the right to oversee the Empire production to ensure its survival during the Scourge War.
Tyrande Whisperwind was given overall command of the army. Malfurion Stormrage is still trapped within the Emerald Dream. While the Night Elves had many leaders and generals, they needed someone who can take overall command.
Realizing they could not defeat the Lich King with the military alone. A specialized vanguard squad had to be formed to venture deep behind enemy lines to carry out dangerous missions and eliminate high-profile targets.
Fortunately, Lo'Gosh has already formed a team without even trying to form one.
Valeera Sanguinar, Broll Bearmantle, and Jaina Proudmoore.
Lo'Gosh may have the skills to fight on the front, but he wasn't comfortable fighting as a Vanguard. He wasn't Broll. He was better as a ranged attacker. Supporting his teammates.
Vanessa VanCleef was somewhere, gathering intel and using her connection and position to further help the Alliance.
"Hello, uncle," said Arator Windrunner.
"Arator, I've told you before, you don't have to call me uncle," said Lo'Gosh turning to Veressa's nephew.
Arator, the son of Alleria Windrunner, was left in the care of the Windrunner family after her mother disappeared beyond the Dark Portal.
Arator is a half-elf. Having both High Elf and Human ancestry in his blood. His father, High General Turalyon, also disappeared beyond the Dark Portal.
Half-elves were not general treated with respect by their kin. Arator was an exception, given his mother and father.
"I understand, uncle," said Arator.
Lo'Gosh sighs as he turns to face one of the Commanders of the Silver Covenant.
"Is there something bothering you?" asked Lo'Gosh.
"Are you sure it's wise to place overall command to Lady Tyrande? I understand Aunt Vereesa needs to be away, given her pregnancy. Wouldn't another be more suited into leading the Silver Covenant?" said Arator.
"Tyrande Whisperwind is over ten thousand years old Arator. She has fought more battles than most of us can put together. Through the battles against the Old Gods, the Burning Legion, even the Scourge, she's seen it all. Her insight and wisdom against such foes cannot be overlooked," said Lo'Gosh.
"I'm aware of that. It's only…."
"You wish I had left a member of the Silver Covenant in charge of the expedition," said Lo'Gosh.
Arator said nothing as he looks at Lo'Gosh.
"Arator, you have to understand that what race you are doesn't matter. It's the qualities you bring that do. Tyrande is a Priestess who will never put anyone at a disadvantage. Patience is important right now. We're all apart of the Empire together. I trust Tyrande," said Lo'Gosh.
"I understand," said Arator.
"If it makes you feel better. I'll allow one of you to choose a temporary leader to represent the Silver Covenant while Vereesa is away," said Lo'Gosh.
"I understand, Uncle. Thank you," said Arator.
Lo'Gosh turns to see his companions were all packed and ready to set off.
They had to reach Wyrmrest Temple.
The head southeast.
After a short distance, they came across a lone orc wearing a wolf pelt on his head.
"Rehgar," said Broll.
"I trust you have room for one more in your company," said Rehgar.
"What are you up to, Rehgar?" said Jaina.
"Nothing. The fact doesn't change the war against the Lich King isn't going to go as well as we hope. The spirits guide me to Lo'Gosh back at Bladefist Bay. Our encounter was no accident. Furthermore, I will serve as an embassy of the Horde to the Alliance," said Rehgar.
Lo'Gosh looks at his former gladiator master.
"I trust you understand that in the Empire, I can't put the Horde's interest before ours," said Lo'Gosh.
"The spirits wish for me to be beside you. I do not know why, but I know you are destined for greatness. I'm a skilled healer and Shaman. It's time for this old orc to put his skills to good use," said Rehgar.
Rehgar did not lie. He followed the old ways of speaking the truth to others, even to his enemies.
"Very well, we could use a fellow healer in our group," said Lo'Gosh.
"Who will overtake your duties now that your going to be traveling with us?" asked Jaina.
"I have recommended Varok Saurfang," said Rehgar.
"Time is against us. We must move," said Broll.
"We must travel light and quickly," said Lo'Gosh.
"Once we passed these point. We will be in Scourge lands," said Jaina.
Lo'Gosh and his company quickly cut through the mountains and enter Dragonblight. A frozen barren wasteland, full of endless scourge minions.
At night, the temperature had dropped dangerously low. Forcing the group to seek shelter. They had found a cave and light a fire as the howling winter wind echoes outside.
"Tell me about Arthas," said Lo'Gosh.
Everyone fell silent as they look at Lo'Gosh.
"Arthas Menethil. The Crown Prince of Lordaeron and member of the Knights of Silver Hand. The man who turned against his people and kingdom and destroyed it and nearly all of northern Eastern Kingdom," said Jaina.
"Lordaeron came under attack by an unknown plague at the time. The plague killed entire villages and towns as the Silver Hand began to try to fight the plague."
"I studied at Lordearon for many years and knew Arthas as an honorable man. The rise of the Scourge… changed him. Varian and Arthas were two princes who trained together. They were equals as they trained. The rise of the Scourge caused a 'darkness' to rise within Arthas. Soon he began to take more… brutal methods in dealing with the Scourge."
"I don't like the sound of that," said Lo'Gosh.
"No. We had learned that the Necromancer Kel'Thuzad had poisoned the lands and grain, corrupting the food and water. Arthas fearing this would only give rise to more undead, wanted to destroy every town and its people," said Jaina.
"Far too barbaric. There are far better methods in handling outbreaks than simply killing everyone out of mere fear," said Lo'Gosh.
"Perhaps his actions were that of mercy," said Rehgar.
Valeera glares at Rehgar angrily, having survived the Scourge attacks on Quel'Thalas.
"In a sense, but it also wasn't done in the right state of mind. When your mind is clouded by anger and fear, it tends to make you make careless mistakes," said Lo'Gosh.
"What would you have down," asked Broll.
"Quarantine the area. Take those not infected to a safe and secure location and seek to heal those who are infected. Those who die, I would burn the bodies to ensure the Scourge wouldn't rise again. When they are still living, they still should be treated as living," said Lo'Gosh.
"Medivh came to me. Telling me, I should take the survivors of and sail west. That's where I formed Theramore and met Thrall. Thrall had reformed the Horde and the Orgrimmar," said Jaina.
"A mighty day, that day," said Rehgar.
"The Horde has been dishonorable and scattered. Thrall learn the Old Ways from Orgrim Doomhammer. Warchief Thrall is perhaps the greatest Shaman in the Horde!"
Rehgar said this proudly.
"This also caused problems for the Night Elves. Those lands the Orcs now occupied have been ours for centuries," said Broll.
"We did come together to defeat the Burning Legion Invasion," said Jaina, trying to defuse the situation.
"So what happened to Arthas?" asked Lo'Gosh.
"He went to Northrend, where we are today. I don't know exactly what happened, but the Lich King's influence in these lands was very strong. Arthas and the Paladins who were with him turned and became the first Death Knights of the Lich King. Serving the Scourge. He returned to Lordaeron and murders his father to take his place as King."
"I'm guessing once Lordearon fell, Quel'Thalas was next," said Lo'Gosh.
"That's happened. General Sylvanas knew she was outnumbered, but she continues to hold the line to buy her people the time they needed to evacuate. The plan was simple, to have her people sail south on their ships to Iron Forge and Stormwind. Iron Forge is considered to be an impregnable fortress and would have allowed us safe passage. Magister Dar'Khan Drathir betrayed his people and joined forces with the Lich King," said Jaina.
"Betrayed how?" said Valeera.
"He murdered half the Convocation of Silvermoon and open the gates of Silvermoon for the Scourge," said Jaina.
"I've heard the stories of Sylvanas stand against Arthas and the Scourge. I wonder if the woman who leads the Forsaken is the same who defended Silvermoon. Or a creature of Arthas's making," said Lo'Gosh.
"I do not know," said Rehgar.
"The Dark Lady of the Forsaken is one of the greatest generals of the Horde. There are those within the Horde who do not trust Sylvanas. We question her and doubt her loyalty every day, fearing the day she will turn on us."
"Could she be nothing but a shadow of her former self?" wonders Lo'Gosh out loud.
"We should get some sleep," said Rehgar.
Lo'Gosh lies down as both Jaina and Valeera lie down with him.
As they sleep, Lo'Gosh eyes open, hearing a bizarre sound within the cave.
Lo'Gosh sits up, not disturbing the girls.
"What is it?" asked Broll.
"Shh," said Lo'Gosh.
The noise could be heard again. Feint, soft and patient.
"What is it?" asked Rehgar.
"We're being watched," said Lo'Gosh.
Broll and Rehgar look at Lo'Gosh before they grip their weapons tightly.
Jaina and Valeera were resting and weren't aware of the danger.
It was clear, these caves housed something far more dangerous than the infamous boneyard of the Dragonblight.
Lo'Gosh shakes Jaina and Valeera awake.
"What is…" mumbles Jaina before Lo'Gosh places his hand over her mouth.
"Shh," said Lo'Gosh.
Jaina realized something was wrong to see Lo'Gosh on high alert. She sits upright and grabs her staff.
Valeera wakes quietly and sees everyone tense and alert.
"What is it?" asked Jaina.
"We're not alone. I don't think this cave… is a cave," said Lo'Gosh.
"Then we should leave this cave," said Jaina.
"Hold on, Lady Jaina. Are we sure that's a good idea? It's still dark out, and the weather has plummeted. We could freeze to death if we leave this cave," said Rehgar.
"We can't stay here either," said Broll.
"Do we even know what is lurking deeper in the cave?" said Jaina.
"No, but I don't like the feeling," said Lo'Gosh.
"Let me give us some light," said Broll.
Green spores erupted from Broll's druidic magic emitting low levels of light deeper in the cave.
A creature could be seen deeper in the cave.
It was like a mutated spider glaring at them with blind eyes.
The creature shrieks, showing its massive fangs.
Jaina launches a frostbolt hitting the creature with no effect.
The creature charges, trying to grab Valeera with his two front limbs, who brings her daggers up to prevent the creature from grabbing her.
Lo'Gosh summons Valeera to him, knowing the odds of her being grabbed by the creature.
Broll responds by summoning thrones to wrap around the creature.
The creature shrieks and cries out in an inhumanly possible way.
The sound of movement behind the creature with a slight vibration told them more were coming.
Not wanting to deal with more, the five of them bolted out of the cave and into the winter storm. Taking their chances with the cold, then the creature and its friends.