Chapter Three

The darkness was so complete it was nearly a palpable force in the space below the cellar. As Tira and Valia went down the ladder, which Tira felt was endless and must go on forever until they fell off the other side of the world, that darkness pressed and tore at them, trying to smother them. Finally, she could stand it no longer and murmured a prayer, raising one hand which lit up softly, bathing the small tunnel they were in with a dim white glow. She silently sent feelings of thanks and felt a warm touch in answer.

Below her, Valia smiled softly, and the orc grunted. As they continued to descend, Tira began to wonder exactly how far down they were. The had been descending the ladder for what seemed like an hour, though in reality it was only 5 minutes or so. Finally the tunnel gave way and they found themselves in a giant cavern. Tira felt her mouth drop open as she stared down. The ladder continued down another fifty feet, and touched the ground in the center of a town larger than Ratchet if she guessed right. Torches and lanterns everywhere lit the buildings and pathways. Suddenly dizzy, she clutched at the ladder briefly until the sensation passed.

They finished climbing and stepped onto the solid rock of the cavern floor, looking back up and seeing the tiny opening of the tunnel well over their heads. It was nearly invisible unless you knew what to look for. Of course, the ladder was sort of an obvious clue.

As they got their bearings, the orc began to walk down a narrow path between buildings. A few others were walking about, mostly orcs and goblins, but Tira and Valia did see an occasional elf or human. None spoke to them, barely even glancing in their direction. Tira wondered if that were because of the orc leading them or simply an unspoken code here.

Finally the orc stopped at a large building made of brick, the only of its type they had seen in this subterranean city. Gesturing, he motioned for them to enter. Valia opened the door and walked inside, and Tira followed closely. The orc stayed outside.

Inside was a large room with seats in a circle and a table at the center. Seated in the circle were a number of orcs, Tauren and trolls. A goblin stood in the center at the table. As they stepped inside, he turned to stare at them, snapping his mouth closed on whatever he had been saying when the door opened.

His eyes narrowed and a fist came down on the table hard, making the papers and other things jump. He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, Valia took another step forward and grinned. "Hello, Graph. Miss me?"

The goblin's eyes bulged. He squeaked and coughed, clearing his throat before trying to speak again. "Whisper.. You have some nerve coming here, and bringing someone else. I planned to kill you for what you did, you have to know that. Why would you return?"

Valia looked down at the stone floor, and her grin vanished. Tira was silent, wondering what was going on. When Valia spoke again, it was subdued. "Graph, that.. That was a long time ago. I was a different person. Whisper died, let it be."

The goblin stared at her for a long moment. "Fine. If Whisper died than you two are just intruders here, and in the city of Gilderom, the penalty for that is death as well. Looks like your unlucky day." He waved an arm and all the Horde sitting around stood, turning to face the two.

Valia stared at Graph, as though daring him to give the order. Finally, she half turned and spoke to Tira instead. "I know you must be lost. A number of years ago, I went by the name of Whisper. I was a member of this organization, called the Clan. We- they.. are smugglers, criminals, but most have good hearts. The leader at the time was a half-ogre. Mean bastard. He planned an attack on Theramore, intended to kidnap a lot of people and ransack the keep. A lot of us didn't approve, and there was a sort of civil war in here. I left. Graph here had wanted me to back him, but.. I didn't want to get involved."

She paused, looking back at the goblin, who continued to glare at her. When he didn't say anything, she continued. "I lost track of them. I wasn't sure who won, if he had lived or died. I knew the attack on Theramore hadn't gone off, but that could have been any number of things. I gave up the name Whisper and returned to my magical studies at the tower in Stormwind. When I saw him in Ratchet, I.. I'm not sure, but I knew a face and thought we could ask for help."

She looked around the circle at the faces glaring at her, and sighed. "I thought Graph would forgive me because of our history together, but.. It appears I was wrong. I'm sorry for bringing up the past, Graph. We'll get out of your way." She turned and began to walk out. The others began to come forward, as though to intercept her, but Graph raised a hand and they froze.

"Wait." Valia turned back. Grapg seemed to look through her for a moment before finally raising a hand to his forehead. "I'm going to regret this, I'm sure, but.. You're right. I owe you. What do you need?"

Val grinned. "The usual, Graph. The world on a platter." Turning, she walked back over and into the circle, holding out a hand to the goblin. As he took it and they shook, Tira tried to make sense of everything, but gave up. Val began explaining their situation, and Tira sat down and tried to concentrate on the next few hours.