Disclaimer: Warcraft isn't mine but I think I did find a piece of it buried in my back yard. Blizzard sued me for the charges…. --
A/N: Here I am again sitting on my computer during a day where I could be doing something far more productive. Oh well, I'm fifteen what do I care? I must warn you though, it is raining and I was warned before not to write in the rain. It produces depressing stuff. But New England is experiencing a bout of rain and I can't very well stop writing because of that, can I? No! I will continue and sigh for you all.
Chapter Twenty-Six: Under Foot
Thralk studied himself intently in the scuffed and dirty mirror. A snarl tore from his lips, long and beastly as if the very wolf that had ruined his throat was concealed within him. Thralk had never been a very good looking undead as undeads went, but now that his throat had been torn to shreds and then cauterized it made him all the worse. Small bits of flesh hung in ribbons from what was already a mess above. Where his jawbone was the bone peeked through tattered skin and supported a tissue-thin layer of melted muscle.
The summoner touched a delicate finger to the skin, raw and irritated the muscle pained him as his claw-like appendages brushed over it. Snarling to himself again the summoner took up Rockbite and gritted his teeth at the door to the dungeon. There were things to be done.
As he entered the summoner heard the pathetic skittering sound of something trying desperately to hide back in the shadows. Thralk chuckled loudly and stepped into the dungeon. Under his feet the stones were slick with blood, it was a wonder the inhabitant wasn't dead yet. But Thralk would not allow this for long.
"Mekora?" His voice was almost loving in the way it called as if he was worried for the wellbeing of the undead rogue, "Mekora where are you? Come now, you have no reason to hide from me."
The sound of clinking chains could be heard as the rogue struggled to pull himself into the light. Thralk smiled as he saw the rogue, kneeling down and petting him on the head as one would an animal or child.
"Dear Mekora, you subject yourself to this."
The rogue shivered and Thralk couldn't help but smile wider at the sight of him. Mekora was covered in oozing burns, bruises, and cuts. Where there was now open flesh it was stained purple or green or brown. His skin dripped from numerous blisters and one of the rogue's hands was missing. His legs had become tatters of bone and skin and most were lying elsewhere across the dungeon. The rogue's face remained almost untouched though, with only a few scratches and bruises. His eyes were livid with horror, glazed over with endless pain and suffering. The rogue sobbed softly.
"I c-can't t-t-tell you…" he cried out as Rockbite brushed across the wounds on his back, lightly burning the slices, contusions, and already charred areas of his body. Thralk was starting small, for he knew mental torture was a big part of any pain.
"And why not?"
"B-because she needs to stay safe."
"Why do you betray your own race?" Thralk let Rockbite fall with a heavy snap over the prone form of the rogue. He screeched out and Thralk breathed in the pain with expected joy.
"It's going to doom you, you know this right? You will die alone without her and then where will you be?"
Mekora didn't answer for a very long time. Thralk waited patiently for the response, his sick face twisted into a grin of malice which split his countenance in two.
When Mekora finally did speak his voice had lightened as if borne on wings. His bleeding countenance lit with an almost divine understanding and peace.
"I'm going to heaven."
Thralk hissed as if stung and snapped Rockbite over the rogue's back with a sneer. His grimace only widened when the undead at his feet did not cry out. Instead he brought his hand, or what could have been his hand if it were not now a severed stump, to rest against his face with a look of peace.
"Who would tell you such a thing? Lies fling from their mouth, spiders from their webs!" The summoner was infuriated although he had already guessed who had told Mekora this distasteful atrocity.
"Yawna." The answer was a simple one, Mekora's face softening and becoming faraway, "Yawna told me I would go to heaven. I don't fear dying anymore. She said that all the undead who were good would be there. She told me my mum would be there. She's in heaven Thralk. She's guiding me." The rogue's voice was no longer shaking and even though he shivered with slight pain, pain that felt as if it were far away, his eyes held peaceful rapture.
Thralk screeched, whipping Rockbite over and over upon the rogue until the summoner could barely see anymore, a splash of blood shielding his deep-set eyes. Throwing his cloak about him the undead stalked from the dungeon leaving the rogue only just clinging to life.
"Who is Yawna to tell my soldiers they will go to heaven," He raged, spitting out the last word as if he were cleaning filth from his mouth.
"Heaven is a lie!" He roared at the guards to the dungeon door, the summoner suddenly fearing that they too had been told this. The two undead stood stiffly, fear flashing through eyes that were usually so brave in battle.
With a fitful sigh the summoner stormed back into his chambers, the immense heat of the room blasting over his face without warning. This might have been able to melt flesh if Thralk had not already been able to control fire. It sifted around him instead, a low growl welcoming the summoner to his room.
Thralk smile when he saw the Demon Wolf curled up like a young pup on it's bed of bones. The creature was staring with open, eyeless sockets at the summoner, raising it's head in the perverse manner of a faithful dog and letting it's jaw drop open as if it would have panted with joy had it had a tongue.
Thralk laid a gentle hand on the hard skull of the creature, smiling as the flames that were harmless to only him lapped up around his bony wrist in an attempt to be even closer to it's master.
"Beauty." Thralk crooned. The Demon Wolf was the only thing that the undead had ever loved in this life. Caressing the creature's thick head he clucked like a reproachful hen.
"I believe it is time to check on the progress of my assassin."
As the days past Yawna regained her strength. The elves were helpful if not a little haughty. They were most often preoccupied with other goings, their elusive leader never in sight. Gwyn was often missing for prolonged times too, slipping off into the brush with the stealth only elves and rogues could master. She would come back in one of two extremes, either looking immensely pleased with herself or cursing and brooding moodily.
Kat took quickly to the elves, learning from the healers among the group what different herbs of the forest she could use. She seemed to be taking well to the fact that she had been separated from her previous village though she still put down any attempt of contact with Var'Jun.
The troll spent his time hunting or scouting, feeling almost useless among the elves. When he was not trying to pry a few words from Kat the troll was often seen sharpening weapons. On off days he would take Milla out with him when Yawna was not watching her, acting a fatherly role and teaching the troll child of her heritage.
Milla had already expressed her desire to be a healer. Putting in her blunt, childish way that she wanted to 'help all peoples.' Yawna taught her what she knew of herbs but even despite Milla's childish cuteness and charm Kat refused to educate one of her enemies.
When unoccupied with other occurrences Yawna learned about Ahusaka. She had first stumbled upon the tauren in a secluded part of the forest, arms raised as if praising a hidden god. From the ground sprung a small wooden structure which belched fire in a small wave. Ahusaka chuckled.
"You may come watch if you please." The tauren called in his rich voice, Yawna blushing an stepping from what she had though was her hiding spot.
"What are you doing?" Yawna's curiosity overwhelmed her ability to be humble. The fire washed over her feet harmlessly with nothing but a slight prickling sensation like that of a numb limb.
"I am a shaman." Ahusaka waved his hand lightly and another similar edifice sprung from the ground. Thin one pulsed green, giving off the faint sound of wind chimes and blowing leaves. "Calling upon the Earthmother I am granted a small piece of her power in order to create totems and alter other areas of the life around me."
Yawna smiled almost sadly, the totems glowing opposite in front of herm, blazing red and cooling green shared by each soft eye. The huntress did not feel compelled to tell Ahusaka of what she knew of the moon and Earthmother. Her Awareness had been yet to reach any signs of outside light. Yet the totems were endlessly interesting.
"How come the fire doesn't hurt me?"
"You are an ally. I do not wish it so, so it passes over you."
Weary Traveler shuffled from the woods, grinning sheepishly and depositing a broken arrowhead at the foot of his master. He accepted a short pat from Yawna before sauntering away, sniffing the air near Ahusaka and snuffling shortly.
"You are a huntress then." It was more of a statement than a question. Ahusaka seemed more amused than anything else by Weary Traveler's interrogation.
"Have they… Have my friends explained what kind of situation I am in?" Yawna faltered. She had expected this to happen. Soon they would have to move on. Everyone had recovered to their fullest and Yawna desperately wanted to save Mekora.
"Not truly." Ahusaka shrugged, "Your companions have hinted to something strange and I did notice that you are vegetarian." The tauren dismissed the totems with a wave of his hands and focused on the huntress.
Yawna sighed, beginning to explain her childhood and the Awareness. Soon she had explained in depth the happenings of the past two years and the prophecy that hung over her head. Yawna felt strangely as if she could trust him, the tauren shaman listened with complete concentration to the facts presented to him.
At last when her tale was completed Yawna sighed and braced for questions flooding her ears like rain drops. After a few seconds of silence Ahusaka began to laugh softly and then louder and louder until his deep voice filled the forest clearing with resounding echoes.
"You aren't a very good hunter, are you?" He demanded after calming down.
"I suppose not."
"What a mad quest you are on. Sounds like great fun."
Elves are fast runners. They have lithe bodies that don't tire easily and are able to easily navigate through the leafy areas of their forests. But when an elf runner arrived at the Oei Mahora camp she was breathless and exhausted, leaning against a strong sapling that seemed to bend to protect her.
Another Oei Mahora elf came forth and conversed with her in soft Darnassian before her face drained of it's usual healthy glow and she went rushing into the room that had been forbidden from the guests.
After a few moments an unfamiliar elf came out. It was the only male of Oei Mahora Yawna had seen and she blinked as if she thought he might be a mirage. The fair elf had high cheekbones and ears that rose above his head instead of spreading out behind like those of the usual elves.
"High elf." Var'Jun hissed out.
On his other side Gwyn growled uncharacteristically, likewise angered by the appearance of the high elf. She did provide his name though, spitting out the syllables as if she were desperate to rid her tongue of them.
"Ornis."
As the high elf reached the runner he too spoke in the soft elven language. He showed no signs of shock, instead shaking his head in an almost melancholy manner.
He began to speak then, his voice loud and rolling like thunder across the plains of Mulgore. Gwyn translated as fast as she could, her face pinched with worry. The end result sent a ripple through the crowd. It was a rough translation received by those like Var'Jun and Kat but it was enough to suffice.
"My comrades. The runner has just informed me of dire news. The humans, our Allies in this battle, have declared a war of their own upon the Night Elves. They claim that they have been setting the fires that have been erupting in our villages as well as theirs. Already the dwarves have branched from the humans and battled with the gnomes. Similar fights are happening on the Horde side. Our alliances are in great danger."
Yawna's hands shook. This was bad. This was so bad.
"I propose we call to arms," Ornis continued, "This is our chance to strike all factions and show that Night Elves and Even High elves should only associate with the pure race, only elves. If we gain enough forces and send an emissary then maybe we can keep the elves separated."
At this Gwyn laughed loudly. Ornis paused, his face hardening and turning to look at the elf with a dark glint in his eyes. In the silence Gwyn strode purposefully forward through the crowd of elves until she was level with Ornis.
"Have you not been listening to anything that I've been saying?" Gwyn demanded in common speech, " Fighting to stay separate is not the answer. Together we are strong. So what if the gnomes, dwarves, and humans are different? We elves have always retain dour culture. It is your race who hates all. You are no better than the undead who drive away their allies."
Ornis drew himself up tall and also spoke in common.
"Why should we not be by ourselves? We don't have to fight this war."
"But when the rocs are knocking on your door then where will you turn? Who will you ask for help?"
"No one, the elves need no help."
"That is a blind answer."
The crowd seemed to sway from one argument to the next. Their voices were quiet as they conversed but the point was clear, they too were undecided. Var'Jun gave Yawna a warning look. Thing could get dangerous quick. Kat, a little ways down the row of people, was watching Gwyn as if she were mad and Ornis as if she had just seen something unpleasant like a dragon or ogre. Ahusaka remained watching with intent eyes.
"You have no more power here Gwyneth. You gave that up long ago."
Yawna blinked. Gwyn had once been part of Oei Mahora?
"Only because you banned me," Gwyn was building up a head of steam now, her eyes flashing dangerously, "Your pompous overbearing attitude and your jealously lead you to throw me and my mother out on some crazy mission to bring back the other races when you despise them. And even when we requested your help you only sent us the elderly elves that you said would make an excellent council. The Caravan died because of you."
Ornis glowered and growled with rage that was uncharacteristic of him.
"If you would just listen to me instead of always wanting to do things your way, woman, then your mother might still be free and happy and those that died in the Caravan might have easily made it."
Var'Jun snickered softly. Yawna turned to watch him. There had not many times before been such an inappropriate time to laugh. Fixing the troll with a stern glance she shook her head as he stopped and snorted softly.
"They fight like troll lovers. Loud and angry."
Yawna turned back to see the feuding elves now, still locked in a play of words and snide remarks. Var'Jun was right, that was exactly how they fought. Yawna suddenly understood why the two fought with such venom.
"Or separated lovers."
"Aye," Ahusaka agreed quietly.
Unfortunately a true verdict was never reached. Ornis instead walked quickly off the stage, braking rough orders of movement to the assembled elves in Darnassian and disappearing behind the curtains to his room and staying silent.
Gwyn sighed and walked away from the shifting masses of Night Elves. When she was received back at Yawna's side she just shook her head, mumbling about walks in the forest and traipsing off.
Var'Jun paused a moment, switching his lovelorn gaze from Kat into an amused grin to Gwyn's disappearing back.
"After all the grief she used to give me about Kat and I." Var'Jun began to stealthily follow her. "My turn."
Gwyn paused in a lit clearing, her teeth clenched tightly together with irritation.
"Stupid, damned Ornis," She growled to herself, "Who does he think he is?"
"A figure of authority over you considering you used to have an intimate relationship with him."
"Shut up Var'Jun, I am in no mood for you."
"Quite a shame," Var'Jun chuckled as he sprung almost madly around the clearing, " I was never in the mood for you when you wanted to chide me about Kat and give me a woman's look on the whole thing. Now I'm here to give you the man's."
"Please," Gwyn grumbled as the troll stopped in front of him, "How could you even think on the same level as Ornis?"
Var'Jun pulled a pained expression.
"Why Gwyn you hurt me. After the time we've spent together you still think as me of the inferior brained troll with nothing of intellect to offer? How tepid. One does not become the commander of your whole race without the added advantage of intellect."
Gwyn avoided his gaze.
"I'm sorry… this whole thing just has me flustered Var'Jun. I never wanted to see him again and yet I need his help once again." Gwyn sighed softly, "Why is he so arrogant?"
"Look in a mirror," As Gwyn's temper began to flare again the troll laughed quickly, "See how it feels? Besides, the reason he's so arrogant around you is because he wants to prove how manly he is. That and he's a high elf. How did you end up falling in love with him anyhow. I thought you said your love died."
"He has to me."
"Stop being so stubborn. One day he'll be gone and you'll appreciate him more. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Look what happened to me."
"Well I don't want to accept that."
"You'll have to. I have a feeling things are going to get even more complicated."
Gwyn shook her head and suddenly smiled at the troll.
"Did Yawna put you up to this?"
"Nah, I think I've grown soft."
"The humans are going to east you alive when they find you."
"At least I'll be tender."
Var'Jun took out his sword and twirled it to make himself feel a bit better. Kat was sticking to his mind along with all the problems that his royal position faced.
"I should head home and sort out my race."
"We will come."
"I appreciate that."
"And what will you do if Kat never comes around?" Gwyn asked with sudden concern, "She might stay this way forever."
"Then that is how long I will wait."
The two began to walk back to camp in a mutual silence that had come with their companionship. A strange glow emitted from the trees on their side and Gwyn blinked.
"I wonder what that is."
"Let's take a look."
A large Tauren was hunched over the side of a root, eyes fixed downwards on a puddle giving of a strange blue aura.
"Ahusaka."
"Let us not disturb him," Gwyn pulled the troll away, "Some things are best left private."
Var'Jun grunted and followed the elf, his ears pricked as he caught a few mumbled words from the tauren.
"I think Yawna's taken a liking to him."
"You think?"
"It's only natural. She did say she lost a loved one in her home's fire."
"Do you trust him."
"Time will tell."
Back by the tree a loud chuckle passed through the elf and troll. It was from Ahusaka, but so cruel and mirthless the two could hardly recognize it.
"Keep a special eye on Yawna, Var'Jun, just in case."
"I am far ahead of you, elf."
Sorry there have been no updates as of late. My computer was damaged in the rain at the beggining and took three weeks to fix. After this my dog had to be given away and I wasn't much in the mood for writing. I hope that I am forgiven. School starts tomorrow and I promise another chapter soon. I also apologize for all the missed author responses. There wasn't enough time if I wanted to post this tonight. There will be more next chapter. So sorry.