Chapter Two

A sleek and shiny form leapt high into the air, catching brilliant sunbeams and sending a kaleidoscope of color reflecting off onto the ocean surface before arcing back down and disappearing between the bluish green rolling water with barely a splash. This was repeated by others, each relishing a brief moment of freedom before rejoining the clear waters of the sea. The few clouds overhead were floating by, puffy and light, with no rain to drop. The endless stretch of waves and water was broken only by a single large ship, cutting through the waters and leaving a silent wake behind it.

Standing atop the deck of that ship, Valia and Tira gazed forward into the wind and silently wondered what they were getting in to. Tira was the one that saw the vague form ahead, and pointed, saying only, "Land." Valia squinted and saw it a moment later.

The ship sailed into the port effortlessly, edging up to the long stained wooden pier and standing still just long enough for the two to step off before it sailed back out and disappeared into the horizon quickly. Pausing only a moment, Valia glanced around the golden-sanded town and recognized a face she was looking for. Her steps were not hurried, but her stride carried her quickly into the center of the huts and buildings constructed on the beach.

Ratchet, or Racket, as she liked to call it, was almost always busy and bustling. Today was no exception, as blacksmiths and tanners, vendors and craftsmen all vied for the attention of the travelers. Most of these were members of the Horde, but in this town few even glanced twice at the two human women as they made their way uphill towards one of the larger buildings. Inter-mixing of the races was simply a fact of life in Ratchet, and the goblins enjoyed it that way, as it brought bigger profit to them.

Tira realized that Valia was following a goblin of average height, wearing well made silk clothing. He had two others with him, and the three of them barely ever looked around as they walked into the Inn. As the two women followed, Tira thought she saw a large orc watching them, but when she turned for a better look, he was gone.

The two stepped inside the Inn just in time to see their target heading down a set of stairs in the back room. As Valia headed for them, however, the Innkeeper, a short goblin wearing an obscene amount of silver and gold jewelry, stopped them and stood before them. "Ladies! How may we serve you? A room, perhaps? One with one extra large bed, hmm?" His leer made it quite plain that he had such a room, and Tira didn't doubt for a moment that he had a hole drilled somewhere as well at eye level.

Tira felt her cheeks warming, but Valia just glared at the goblin and the temperature in the Inn dropped ten degrees. She waved and he stumbled to the side out of her way, but as she took another step, a large orc with a vicious looking double-bladed axe stepped into the back doorway and glared. Tira also noticed two trolls in the corner, before they vanished into the shadows. She laid a hand on her blade.

Valia paused, her ornate robes flaring for a moment in a wind no one else could feel as she gathered energy to her. They seemed to sparkle, holding magic Valia could twist and form in an instant if needed. Valia looked back at the Innkeeper and frowned. "I want to see Graph Xa'llit. Tell him."

The Innkeeper looked startled but turned to the orc and muttered something in their guttural language. The orc responded in kind and a moment later the goblin said "He says you're either brave or a fool. Possibly both. Who are you to ask about Graph?"

Valia's lips quirked up in a very faint smile before instantly reverting to a steely glare. She thought to herself that if the orc, much less Tira, ever knew of her old lifestyle and how she knew graph, the head of one of the largest crime syndicates in Azeroth, she'd have a lot of explaining to do. Instead she just said "Tell him Whisper wants to talk with him." She ignored the odd look Tira gave her, instead focusing on the orc, whose eyes widened. He laughed, a harsh sound not unlike the machinery in Ironforge where the gnomes had made their home.

When the goblin spoke again it seemed as though his voice had a certain tinge of respect in it. "He says you are indeed brave and that you may come – alone."

Val shook her head. "My business involves my friend. We both go. With or without an invitation." She raised one hand and flames danced from it, burning into the air without touching her pale skin, shifting from a subtle blue to a bright red and back again. Tira could feel the heat from where she stood.

The orc narrowed his eyes and spoke again. The Innkeeper looked frightened, his green skin crinkling at his brow. "He says not to press your luck. But he agrees, and says you are responsible for her." Tira looked insulted, and Val laid a hand gently on her arm, giving her a look that said she'd explain later.

As they followed the orc into the back room and down that set of stairs into the basement, she noticed the two trolls were sitting at the table playing some dice game again. The Innkeeper was still standing in the side, gazing after them with a thoughtful expression on his face.

In the cellar, they looked around and saw only wine racks and crates of food. The orc, feet leaving prints in the grey dusty floor, walked to the center, though, and stomped his foot three times. A second later, a trap door opened and revealed a square of darkness. The orc swung down and disappeared within it.

The two women looked at once another and then shrugged. Val walked over and found a ladder. The two of them descended quietly into the black, and Tira wondered what she was getting into – and what other secrets her friend might be holding.