Once Salin had come up with an idea, it was a long and grueling march away from Cenarion Refuge. Dal'bin followed the blood knight, although questioned what he had in mind for today. Excluding himself, everyone had tried to question him on what they were going to do today. The blood elf only replied that it would be a surprised. Asides from a charted map he held in his hands and a long wooden pole wrapped in linen cloth, there was no evidence on what they could be doing. There was only pointless speculation and predictions that vary from realistic to fiction.
Dal'bin recognized that Salin had a good idea when it came to team bonding. It was true that many of the teams were inexperienced when it came to working together. Out of the groups, only Oliktalv and Belara had any experience fighting together, and even then, they were not on the best of terms. Kelvin was a commander that the scout was unsure of if he could rely on. His true commander did give him his orders to follow the gnome's orders, and the tactician seemed smart enough, but something about following him seemed off.
Eventually, after a hour or two of marching, Salin stopped everyone on a large, circular island. On two other large islands, separated by rivers and smaller patches of land, were two spires that had long since fallen into ruins. Dal'bin was briefly reminded of the ruins back in Hellfire Peninsula of the Old Horde. However, the architecture did not match the orcs. Rather, the spires must have been of Outland's other natives, such as the draenei.
"Welcome, friends," Salin announced, turning to face the rest of the Vanguard. "To the first annual Vanguard Capture the Flag Tournament!"
Salin pulled off the cloth that covered the pole, revealing that the cloth itself was the flag. The rest of the Vanguard looked on, and excluding the excited Finnal, were confused and shocked by the new development. There was speculation of it being a war game of sorts, but the main thought that it would be some ridiculous bonding activity. Dal'bin smirked, figuring that the best way to bond over was to fight together. It was a shame that the blood elf would take all of the seriousness away.
"We're actually doing this?" Oliktalv questioned with a grunt.
"We are!" Salin answered. "Four teams of two! Three rounds! Winner takes all!"
"What's the prize?" Colben asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Uh, well, I didn't think that far ahead," Salin admitted, jabbing the flag into the ground. "But there will be a prize, I assure you!"
"Did you at least think of the rules?" Belara asked with a sigh. "Or was your brilliant idea a nature walk?"
"Of course I did think of the rules," Salin huffed. "The objective is simple: grab the flag, and return it to your base. The other two captains will serve as referees to ensure that no one is extremely injured during this dangerous event. We will have three rounds to determine the champion team!"
"Simple, but to the point," Kelvin nodded. "Are we sure that we will not be interrupted by naga?"
"The Cenarion Expedition reported that they swim away from the draenei ruins," Finnal reported. "We'll be safe."
"How strange that the druids did not bother setting up a base here," Kelvin analyzed. "Somewhere they could attack at all four pumps without risk of naga retaliation."
"Loosen up a little, sir," Colben grinned. "I look forward to some ass kicking. Who will I go against first?"
"That will be decided after we come up with team names!" Salin responded.
A series of groans echoed from most of the Vanguard. Dal'bin kept his mouth shut but was disappointed with the direction Salin was taking. Capture the flag was a war exercise meant to build team work. Now, the blood knight was taking a serious activity and turning it into a game. There was no need to have team names for a one shot daily activity. Looking down, the troll saw that Kelvin closed his eyes and rubbed his aching head. At least they had some common ground to build on.
"Salin, we do not need team names," Oliktalv bluntly told him. "Let's just get started."
"Who did we make in charge of planning today's event?" Salin asked.
"We should all be worried that he said today," Belara crossed her arms. "That implies that you think we'll do this again."
"Of course we'll do it again," Salin told them. "You see, I have a process on how we are supposed to do this. We follow it to the letter, and we'll receive the experience we need to work as a team and have fun together."
"Oh, Salin, could our team name be Day and Night?" Finnal asked, smiling.
"Love it!" Salin nodded. "That's our team name, right there!"
"Ugh, what's with your fascination with stupid names," Colben grunted. "Fine. Balthar, we're the Sons of Lordaeron."
"But I was born in Stormwind," Balthar told him, gulping when the undead turned his eyes to him. "I mean, sure, uh, I was raised in Lordaeron for a good part of my childhood, but-"
"I said we're the Sons of Lordaeron," Colben repeated himself.
"Uh, of course," Balthar gave in and looked down at the ground. "Sorry, sir."
"Salin, the idea of giving us team names is absurd and unnecessary," Kelvin noted. "I will not give you the satisfaction of a name."
"If you don't, you won't compete," Salin shrugged. "Oliktalv?"
"Damn you, Salin," Oliktalv grunted. "I won't pass up an opportunity to fight. Our name is Will of the Warchief. Do you have any objections, Belara?"
"I could care less," Belara answered.
Dal'bin looked down at Kelvin, seeing that he was standing his ground when it came to his reasoning. The gnome was the kind who believed that he was in the right and would not listen to any objections. Granted, he was in the right when it came to logic. However, when it came to getting able to compete in a ridiculous tournament meant to build up their bond, they needed to make some sacrifices. And seeing his new commander was not willing to make that sacrifice, it was down to him.
"We'll be da Gunners," Dal'bin announced with a mutter.
"And that's all four teams!" Salin declared.
"I never said I agreed to that!" Kelvin tried to argue. "Dal'bin, I thought you were to follow my orders."
"Ya never gave me any orders on not givin' a name," Dal'bin smirked slyly. "We be da Gunners."
"Fine," Kelvin huffed. "Do not think you will be so clever next time, rookie."
"The first round will be between the Gunners, who will be based in the eastern ruins, and Day and Night, who will be based in the western ruins. Oliktalv and Colben will serve as judges for this round, with Colben using his magic to start the round in five minutes! Let's get ready for the first round!"
A/N: A short chapter to mark the end of the hiatus, and the beginning of a new, short arc within the story. To mark this grand event, I'm going to try something new, and start a poll to see whoever is paying attention. Pick your team: Gunners or Day and Night (or the other two teams next week)
Until next time.