Chapter VI

The Reunion

It was a sunny day in Orgrimmar, the capitol was as crowded as ever. Making his way through the streets was a red haired blood elf dressed azure robes with golden-brown patterns. Carrying a short black staff which looked similar to a walking stick, he was admiring the capitol. The cutlass on the mage's side merrily reflected the sunlight. The elf finally came to a tavern where he was already expected. The second he entered, a group of three Horde members sitting at the biggest table inside turned their gaze at him.

'You're late!' – the orc in heavy armor shouted. – 'Get your elfish butt over here, Zhora!'

Zhora walked to them and sat down by the table.

'Noisy as ever, huh Blant? Nice to see you guys.' – he said.

'Likewise, mon!' – Aidid replied.

'So you changed from overalls to chainmail?' – the elf laughed. The troll was indeed dressed more like a warrior this time.

'Me preparing for battles, not mechanics, mon.' – the troll grinned.

A month had passed. Naturally training in the same city made the guys see each other from time to time. They quickly became friends as unexpectedly as they have met.

'What had taken you so long?' – asked the third person in a garb made from animal skins. He was a tauren – a large, muscular humanoid, bovine in appearance, complete with hooves and horns.

'I was enjoying the city, Sluon.' – Zhora answered.

Sluon was also undergoing training (or "spiritual guidance" as he called it) in the Valley of Spirits. There he became acquainted with Zhora, and through the mage with the others.

'Lame excuse!' – Blant said. – 'Be glad you're not the last one here!'

'Those two girls ya told us 'bout?' – Aidid asked.

'Yup.' – Zhora nodded. – 'Haru sent a letter yesterday saying they'd definitely be here.'

'Ok. By the way: you got the hang of your fancy flame throwing yet?' – Blant asked anxiously.

'Kinda… Mastering pyrokinesis is harder than I thought. I mean I can do it, but it uses up a hell lot of mana… So basically it's a last resort until I learn more.' – the mage said.

'Crap… You had a whole month and you didn't master it?' – the orc sighed.

'You expect too much, friend. I doubt there is a single mage in this city who can do a similar thing. Even if it is just a last resort.' – Sluon said.

'Nah, he's right. I could've trained harder I guess.' – the blood elf said.

The door of the tavern opened. Standing in the doorway was Rico in robes as black as the night itself – a complete opposite of her old white dress.

'What's up, guys?' – she said sitting down at the table. The next moment an undead in a dark grey leather jacket appeared on a chair next to Rico.

'Long time no see.' – she said with her usual smile.

'Flashy entrance.' – Zhora laughed. The rest were startled. Even though they had heard about Haru's abilities from the mage, actually seeing it was still sort of shocking.

'So, who're these two?' – Rico asked.

'Is this not the girl you mentioned? The one that is depressed and silent all the time?' – Sluon whispered.

'To be honest – I'm not sure anymore.' – Blant whispered back.

'Rico, you seem a bit… different.' – Zhora said.

'Amazing what Undercity can do to you, huh?' – she laughed. – 'So I'll ask again. Who're these two?'

'Da name be Aidid.' – the troll said.

'The best hunter in Orgrimmar!' – Blant added.

'And my name is Sluon. Nice to meet you.' – the tauren said.

'The best shaman from Mulgore!' – Blant added again.

'Would you stop commenting us?' – Aidid and Sluon said turning to the orc.

'No!' – he answered.

'Whatever. So how was training in Undercity?' – Zhora asked.

'Awesome!' – both girls answered.

'Hold up hold up! You mean you trained to?' – Blant asked looking at Rico.

'As a matter of fact I did.' – she nodded.

'Hmmm… You sure a priest should wear dark robes?' – Zhora commented.

'I was in Undercity, duh! I'm a shadow priest now!' – she smiled proudly. – 'But I still remember a few healing spells.'

'An elf shadow priest? That is something you do not see every day.' – Sluon said.

'She also learned some demonology from the warlocks.' – Haru added.

'That even be possible, mon?' – Aidid asked.

'Turns out that way.' – Rico answered.

'Great! Six unusual freaks sitting at the same table! Hell yeah!' – Blant shouted.

'Don't be calling names, mon!' – Aidid snapped.

'Oh come on! "Freaks" sounds great!' – Rico grinned.

'Well, I'm glad you're more talkative than when we first met you.' – Zhora laughed.

'I have a question.' – Haru said modestly.

'Go ahead.'

'Well, I kinda understand why Blant is calling us four freaks. But what about you two?' – she asked looking at the troll and the tauren.

Aidid and Sluon were silent for a moment.

'Oh Sluon here is one heck of a shaman! He can cast two different elemental spells at the same time.' – Zhora said punching the tauren's shoulder. – 'You should see the combinations he can do!'

'You overestimate me, friend. Unlike most shamans, I am not skilled in healing.' – he said.

'Bah, like you need healing.' – Blant laughed.

'Sounds cool!' – Haru said. – 'And you?'

'Simple hunter.' – the troll replied.

'You kidding? You can pin a beetle to a tree with your arrow from a fifty yard distance!' – Blant said excitedly. – 'I saw you do it a few days back during your training!'

'Ya were spying on me, mon?' – Aidid smirked.

'Nah… I just came to see how you were doing while I was taking a break!' – the orc laughed.

'Sure, mon.' – the troll replied sarcastically. – 'Fifty five yards by da way.' – he added.

'Plus you can numb nerves with your fingers! You don't even need a close range weapon!' – Blant continued.

'If da target be armored, me have to use sword.' – he explained.

'So I'm still more awesome! I can punch through anything!' – the orc said proudly.

'Ya just big talk. Wanna prove it, mon?' – Aidid grinned.

'Bring it, blue boy!' – Blant grinned back.

'So… the reunion went pretty well. What do we do now?' – Zhora asked.

'What do you mean? All of us had a month of training with the best trainers. We are MIGHTY!' – Blant roared. – 'Let's go kick someone's butt!'

'Just who's "butt" are you referring to? The Lich King's?' – Sluon laughed.

'I have two fat guys in mind.' – Rico said looking at Zhora.

'You thinking payback?' – Zhora asked.

'Exactly!'

'Wait. Those from the Ghostlands you told us about? Yeah! Powerful opponents! I'm in!' – Blant said standing up.

'Me be with ya, mon!' – Aidid said. – 'Me want to see how strong me really become.'

'I'm coming to.' – Haru smiled. – 'I'm still a long way from becoming an elite assassin. Plus being with you guys is fun!'

'You can count on me as well.' – Sluon added. – 'Like everyone I too need to experience real battles.'

'Then it's settled. The six of us are going to the Ghostlands!' – Zhora said. The others cheered. The group stood up and made their way to the zeppelin tower.

'STOP!' – Blant shouted as soon as everyone got out of the tavern. Everyone froze. – 'As the main and only blacksmith in our group, I need to take a look at your gear to make sure you're well prepared! So lineup!'

Everyone sighed but did as Blant said. Zhora was first in the line. He pulled out his short staff and cutlass.

'Let's see… Your staff looks smaller…' – the orc noted.

'It's a new one.' – the elf replied. – 'It enhances my spell power a bit.'

'Great, you made it shorter…' – the orc smirked. Then his glance fell on the mage's cutlass. – 'Hah! Finally something I can check out! Wait, since when do you wield a sword?'

'Since I started Sheckelton's training.'

'Let me look at it!' – Blant said excitedly. Zhora handed him his cutlass. – 'Hmmm… Well balanced… The handle isn't bad at all… Curved quite well… Three-layer steel… I think I could have crafted a similar one with four layers…'

'Ok ok! You're the master of the anvil. Now could you give it back?' – Zhora said sounding annoyed.

'Not yet! One sec.' – the orc picked out a stone from his pocket. He rubbed the blade with it a few times, took another look at the sword and then gave it back to Zhora. – 'There. It was probably used by someone before you, so it was a little dulled. I sharpened it up for you!'

'Wow… Thanks!' – the elf said happily. From now on he didn't doubt the green blacksmith's abilities.

'Next!' – the orc shouted and moved on to Sluon. The shaman pulled out a big wooden club with a steel head. – 'Oh! A mace! Let me see, let me see!' – Sluon gladly gave Blant his weapon in hopes of getting it "tuned up". After a few seconds of looking at it, Blant gave it back. – 'Nah, the mace is good. Nothing that needs to be done.' – Sluon looked a little disappointed.

Haru already prepared her two slightly curved daggers and small throwing knives. 'Hmmm… Nice, nice…' – the orc said examining her weapons. – 'Ok, the best I can do with this is making the daggers a bit lighter and sharper. The throwing knives are pretty good.'

'That'd be great!' – she smiled.

'Then keep them for now. I need an anvil. There should be one on the way to the exit.' – he said giving her the weapons back. – 'Next!' – he turned to Rico.– 'What the hell? No weapons?'

'I don't use them. I rely purely on my magic.' – she answered.

'Even Zhora uses a sword…' – Blant growled.

Aidid was the only one left.

'Wow! I see a sword on the left and a short sword on the right! And you even wear mail armor! Finally something serious! Where have you been all this time?' – Blant asked excitedly looking at the troll.

'Here in da back of da line, mon!' – the hunter laughed.

'Whatever! Now show me!'

After inspecting Aidid's equipment for about five minutes, the orc stood there for a short looking at the ground.

'It's perfect… It's all perfect…' – he muttered angrily, but with disappointment. – 'Nothing for me to do…'

'You still have my weapons to tune, remember?' – Haru said trying to cheer him up.

'Yeah… Right! On to the anvil!' – the orc shouted.

'Hold it!' – Zhora said. – 'You checked everything we have. But it's strange you didn't brag about your own stuff.'

Everyone formed a small circle around Blant. The orc pulled out his weapon to show it off. He was now wielding a middle sized single-edged axe. The oaken handle was covered in some other material near the end for a better grip.

'Like it? I made it myself!' – the orc said proudly.

'You crafted the axe?' – Sluon asked.

'Well… Not exactly. See, I got it from Ragefist as a gift, but it was all beat up, worn out and stuff. He gave me a letter to the head blacksmith so he would fix it up for me.' – the orc explained. – 'But instead of that I got the blacksmith to teach me into upgrading weapons myself!'

'Guess you annoyed him enough, huh?' – Zhora laughed.

'Nah! I just had the potential! I just never had any weapons to manufacture. All I ever crafted was armor. Just like my armor!' – Blant hit against his breastplate with his fist. – 'Can you imagine they didn't have my size? I'm too muscular for a troll and too slim for an orc! Why is the world so cruel?'

'But you did an awesome job!' – Haru complemented him. – 'Your father taught you well in Hammerfall.'

'That guy? He's not my father – he's my uncle. I've known him for only the last four years. He was in charge of looking after me after I came to Orgrimmar when it was still being built.' – Blant said. – 'Yeah, he did teach me a lot… But he always said the worst thing about dad, so I'm glad I left! I don't want to see that lousy, no good, disrespectful…'

'I see your gaiters are handmade too?' – Zhora asked trying to change the subject.

'Sure! I even made a small soft pocket here in for Timmy!' – the orc smiled. The next second the cockroach's head popped out of there.

Everyone except Zhora were seeing Timmy for the first time.

'You're still keeping him?' – the elf asked.

'Duh! He's my little friend! And the seventh member of our group!' – Blant laughed. The others just stood there staring.

'He's… cute.' – Haru smiled.

'Haru, you're being too nice to him. You don't have to do it if you don't want to.' – Rico laughed.

'Squirts should know their place!' – the orc laughed.

'Roach-lover.' – Rico snapped.

'Would you two cut it out?' – Zhora sighed.

'Everyone freeze!' – a voice from behind them sounded.

Everybody turned around to notice they were surrounded by guards.

'What gives, mon?' – Aidid asked.

'Well, well, well… I finally caught you criminals!'

'Doesn't that voice sound familiar?' – Haru noticed.

It was the orc who was transporting Rico to Hammerfall a while back. He approached the group with his paranoid look.

'Oh! It's that dork!' – Blant laughed. The guards pulled their weapons.

'Call me what you want, pup!' – the soldier said. – 'You're all under arrest for helping that Alliance spy escape!' – he added pointing at Rico.

The group turned to her. She did look different from other elves, but her training in Undercity clearly stated she was on the Horde's side.

'Hmph. What made you think she is from the Alliance?' – Sluon asked.

'Look at her! She's a human!' – the soldier yelled.

'Judging by her looks, she be half blood elf, half human. But she be Horde, we know.' – Aidid stated.

'That could be a disguise!' – the soldier insisted.

'If she's Alliance, than I'm a gnoll.' – Blant laughed.

'Silence!' – the soldier roared.

'Don't mind him.' – Rico said to the group. – 'All he sees in me is an opportunity to get raised in rank. He's an idiot.'

'The girl's got attitude!' – Zhora smiled.

'That's what I like about this squirt!' – Blant added.

'Would you stop calling me squirt?' – Rico complained.

'Why? It makes you angry, doesn't it?' – the orc laughed.

'Here we go again…' – Sluon sighed.

'SHUT UP ALL OF YOU!' – the soldier shouted madly.

'Oh, ya still here, mon?' – Aidid asked.

'I see what's going on! You are all Alliance in disguise! You shall be executed!'

'Do you even have an order to arrest us?' – Haru asked.

'I'LL THINK OF THAT LATER!' – he shouted. – 'GUARDS! TAKE THEM TO THE DUNGEONS!'

'He seems to have serious mental problems.' – Sluon said.

The guards were closing in on the group. Rico started to whisper something.

'Soooo… Let's just knock them out with spilling any blood. Or we'll lower our reputation even more.' – Zhora suggested.

'Give us a moment!' – Blant and Aidid were rubbing their fists.

Rico's whispering stopped. The guards suddenly froze, their eyes opened widely. One of them dropped his axe and ran away screaming as if he was terrified by something. In a split second the others did the same thing. The only one left standing was the paranoid orc.

'I love black magic.' – Rico grinned.

'Fear spell, huh?' – Zhora asked.

'Yup!'

'You sure it wasn't us they were scared of?' – Blant asked with hope.

'Then why is he still here?' – Zhora noted sarcastically.

'Oh, ya still here?' – Aidid asked again looking at the soldier.

'I didn't use the spell on him. I have a little score to settle.' – Rico answered.

'CURSE YOU!' – he yelled and tried to run for it, but as he ran a few steps, Zhora blinked (teleported) himself in front of him. The soldier turned and tried to escape into a back alley, but bumped into Haru, who dashed to block his way. He turned around, but Blant was already there. He was now surrounded by the group. With an insane look on his face he tried to rush in the only direction left. Unfortunately for him Aidid was already waiting. In a matter of seconds the troll gripped the soldier's arm and twisted it so hard that the soldier fell to the ground with his face down. Aidid then quickly used his dagger to make a small hole in the back of his armor and poked the soldiers back through it. The madman let out a little scream, and fell without motion. Most of the nerves in his body were numbed, but he was conscious. The troll rolled him over on his back. Rico approached the soldier staring him in the eyes.

'So… you curse us again, huh?' – she asked. – 'But it's you who will be cursed!'

She started whispering. The few seconds of casting time seemed like an eternity to the soldier. Just what was she going to do to him? As the whispering stopped, Rico's skin started to rot, maggots began crawling out her eyes. One of her eyeballs fell down and rolled to the soldier. Then it suddenly popped, spilling blood and maggots on the soldier's face. These crawled all over him, burrowing themselves in his skin. Then everything went black.

'He lose consciousness.' – Aidid said.

'This moron brings shame on all orcs!' – Blant said angrily spitting on the ground. – 'It makes me sick just to look at him.'

'Well, he won't bother us for a long time.' – Rico said. It seemed the horrors were seen only by the soldier.

'What did you do to him?' – the tauren asked.

'Oh, I mentally terrified him.' – she answered smiling.

'That fear spell again?' – Zhora laughed.

'Bah! Like she can become any scarier!' – Blant smirked.

'Ha ha.' – Rico said sarcastically.

'I think we'd better get out of here before any more misunderstandings happen.' – Haru proposed. – 'And Blant still has my weapons to tune!'

'Right! Let me show my skills!' – Blant said proudly.

Haru gave him her weapons and the group followed the orc to the blacksmith's. It took Blant only five minutes to upgrade Haru's weapons slightly, but she was surprised by the results. The daggers did feel differently. Finally the orc declared they were all ready. The group left the city to take a zeppelin to Undercity and then take some bats from there to Tranquillen.