DISCLAIMER: This entire story is Copywrite. MINE. Got it? World of Warcraft, however, is NOT. Most characters are my own, except characters like Thrall and such. The world, too, belongs to Blizzard.
Remember: Sit up straight or you'll get a hunch! My good buddy Alpine has one! :O
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Chapter 6: Terribly Traitorous Times
My eyes flashed open and I looked at the barely light sky. It was almost sunrise, and shortly after that, well, you can fill that in. I sat up quickly and looked over at Kujajin, who was still sleeping a short distance away, turned to other direction.. I raised an eyebrow as I stared at him, so innocent and harmless. I almost laughed. That guy, looking as naïve as a child. In some ways, he was. Ignorant and sheltered, but in others, he was very much corrupted. I got up to my feet and looked around, making sure we were still secluded and unnoticed.
"Elfboy," I spoke in a hush, just to be careful, "It's morning."
"Mm," He grunted then flipped over and looked up at me, "Of course it is. The sun is rising isn't it?" He teased then stood up and put his quiver back over his shoulder.
"So," I let out a deep breath, clearing him from my mind and mentally preparing myself for what was to come, "Here we go."
"Yup." He nodded and knocked past me, nudging me off balance. Luckily, I kept on my feet, but turned a glare at him, and he seemed to be amused. He winked before beginning to walk off in the direction of the city, "You have the potions?" He asked me, looking back.
"Of course," I nodded with my eyes still narrow, though I was getting more used to the teasing. One might say I found it irritatingly entertaining, in some demented form. Hell, maybe I liked it. I don't know, but I had this uneasy feeling of anxiety and premonition anyway.
"Okay." He nodded in agreement, guiding me with a gentler gaze. He was the one giving mixed signals, it was more than confusing.
We reached the city wall relatively quickly, seeing as how we slept just a few yards away. It was huge, and looked kind of like a fort. I gulped and pulled out my daggers. Kujajin had told me that I could climb this wall easily. I had never thought of climbing a wall with my daggers before, nor did I think it was possible, but I had to try. I reached up and stabbed my dagger into the outer wall. It went in surprisingly easily when I lodged it into the wood. I shrugged and continued up the long, tower-like building protruding from the outer wall. It must have been some kind of watch tower.
I continued up the large tower until I reached a kind of stone ledge, which I climbed up on quickly and went into stealth. I took a glance at my daggers, surprised that they weren't bent or anything after all that. I hugged the wood with my back and kept my feet tight against the wall as I inched around it to the stone walkway above the entrance. Below me, I saw Kujajin give a salute to the guards and stride into the entrance hall below me. I was nervous, to say the least.
I slid stealthily over the stone watch-path to the other side, which overlooked Orgrimmar's Valley of Strength. It was bustling with Orcs, mostly. I felt odd at that moment. Up there, watching all these creatures bustle about. I kind of felt weird that they were my enemies, doing everyday tasks so simple and normal. It was as if I was overlooking any other city, as if I was watching Stormwind. They were living like us. I guess Humans aren't the only creatures that build cages for themselves to hide inside.
I, personally, didn't have anything against the Horde. I didn't mind them, but they simply hated me, just because I was Human. That's how things go around here, they always have. I never understood why we fought, and created factions and such. It seemed ludicrous, to be honest, destroying the world we fought to command. It was all over power and such. I had a feeling Kujajin knew that too. He didn't seem like the type to hate people just for the sake of hating people. But anyone who tries to attack Stormwind city with such a low blow is definitely on my blacklist, for the time being. I didn't know why though, the city never did anything for me. Technically, I was a criminal to them. The only reason I could think up is that I wouldn't let my people die like that, without choice or warning. Maybe that's the reason for war. Maybe we all think that we're safe with our own kind.
I leapt from the watch-path and onto a rooftop, landing as quietly as I could. I crouched low and waited to see Kujajin emerge from the entrance. He walked leisurely down the street until he passed the rooftop I was on, and then gave me a subtle signal, the twitch of his index finger. I followed him, climbing over rooftops and walls, hiding behind barrels and contraptions. He really knew which way to go, for except the odd pedestrian that passed Kujajin below at ground level, my advance went by easily.
We reached the pathway just beside the Grommash Hold, where Thrall resided. Kujajin leaned against the wall until the coast was clear, then climbed his way onto the roof with me and we waited. He wasn't as used to the whole sneaking around thing, so I had to lend him some expertise. Usually they came in groups of two or three, of very powerful people. It was as if they were expecting attack. So we waited, until finally one finally strolled up alone, perhaps not the brightest attendee. Kujajin jumped down in front of him and shocked him, granting me enough time to sap him, then ambush him and gave him a nasty haemorrhage. I used my Hamstring ability to reduce his movement speed, so he could no longer run for aid, while Kujajin shot stun arrows into both of his arms. In no time, he was down. He fell slowly, first to his knees, then with a groan of defiance, leaned against the wall as he temporarily lost consciousness.
We picked up his body and carried him onto the roof, careful not to shake him back awake. I was rather uncomfortable handling him in such a manner, but Kujajin continuously told me that it was necessary. We plucked some of his hair and quickly hid the body where it was difficult to find, binding it with rope and a gag; he'd still be no threat to our plan. We continued waiting, and luckily not much longer. The second guy was a little more difficult, for he saw us on the roof and launched the first attack. Well, he caught sight of Kujajin as he lost his footing and slid down a few shingles. We were almost off guard, but quickly regained our composure and fought back.
He had only seen Kujajin when he engaged, so he wasn't expecting to take on two people. We used that to our advantage. He was a Shaman, so he made some totems quickly and fought back. He switched his targets from Kujajin to me, hoping perhaps that stopping me would save him from any kind of poison attack. Unfortunately for him, I wasn't much of a poison user, instead, I relied on some Warrior techniques. I managed to use my defensive stance to help against attacks, while Kujajin worked him away. Finally, after attempting a final Chain Lightning, he, too, was out of mana. I hurriedly hit him in the soft part of his head with the bottom of my sheath, rendering him immobilized. We, again, dragged the guy behind some kind of deserted building and took DNA before tying him up next to the other one. I bowed my head to the two of them in some kind of thanks, before Kujajin spoke.
"Come on, the meeting is about to start." Kujajin warned me.
We crouched, out of sight by the who incapacitated Orcs, and mixed the DNA of the Orcs with the potions I had stolen. We dropped the small pieces of identity into both vials, and watched it bubble ominously. The potion was a strange liquid, thick in texture and steaming softly. Kujajin looked up at me over the vials and through the swirling effervescence.
"We have to drink them," He told me with a straight face.
"… You've got to be shitting me." I said evenly, sure that it was a sick joke.
"Seriously." He nodded, with no trace of lies in his voice or expression. I cringed at his request.
"Jeez, this must be some kind of teenage-wizard-movie plot twist," I muttered, downing the liquid in one, disgustingly vile gulp.
At first it felt like I had swallowed a balloon, and I felt bloated and uncomfortable. My stomach felt like it was stinging and burning, and then I felt it through my arms and to my fingertips. The effects took quickly, and I felt my skin crawl in a vulgar way. I opened my mouth instinctively, for I felt like I was about to belch, and the translucent white steam flowed from it, as it did from the vial. I quickly shut my mouth and clamped a hang over it, but watched that which has already escaped. It swirled around me and gripped my flesh. I felt myself get heavier immensely, and found it hard to remain standing. My flesh shaded green and tightened, before growing over my bones like moss. It became firm as I closed my eyes, unable to look at the mountainous forming of muscles on my arms. My hair broke from its braid and fell loosely over my shoulders and around my chin, before twisting into braids on and beside my cheeks.
My knees smacked the stones harshly, and I slammed my hands on the ground in front of me to keep from falling over. Looking down, I noticed that my hands left dents in the stone. I stared at my callused, cracked fingers bulging from my palms, and my palms from my wrists. Everything felt so big and menacing, I was almost afraid of myself. I looked to my right, over my massive shoulder to see Kujajin leaning on a wall, his body as Orcish as my own; his heavy chain and leather armour weighing him down further. I looked at my own clothes, and saw an intense chest piece and leggings. I smirked, it made me more comfortable to see this massive target of a body clad in protective vestments.
"It worked," I said eagerly, almost excited at the prospect.
"It even came with clothes, we look just like them," Kujajin added as he found himself getting used to using the Orc's strength as his own.
"Must be the new patch," I mumbled, joking to myself.
"We have to hurry, we don't want to be late to this." He urged me, as he pushed off of the wall and began walking towards the building, holding himself high, "We'll attract too much attention."
"Wait," I called to him as I found it almost impossible to stand, but got to my feet anyway, "you have to walk like an Orc." I warned him.
"Walk like a-" He stopped and blushed a bit, noticing his obviously Elven stride, "Oh, of course."
"Better." I said, nodding and following, my legs barely able to keep balance. I frowned at myself, I should be better at adaptation.
I shook my head and tried again, this time walking in a swagger with a slouch. It actually felt easier that way. I felt the strength in these muscles, and used them as leverage instead of weight. It was strange, to change yourself so drastically. It felt like a giant, full body suit of armour. A short while before, Kujajin had taught me some basics of the Orcish language. I knew a few key phrases, in case I was asked a question. For the most part, Kujajin was going to do all the talking and listening. I wasn't very good with accents. We arrived as a few other Orcs stood before the Warchief. We joined the line and mimicked their stance. Thrall seemed to recognize us as his men, and greeted with a nod.
"My men," I understood, before he began speaking far too complicated for me to understand. I made out the words Stormwind, mission, warlock, Humans, and a few other words, but nothing more. I was surprised when he spoke in a language I understood, "Can you all speak Common?"
"Yes sir." They all replied, excluding me. I felt like an idiot, not even responding to the only few words I could actually understand.
"Good, we need to sound the part." Thrall seemed set on the idea, "I will speak in Common and Orcish, if you do not understand, say so."
"Yes sir." They saluted him.
"We will split into various wagons. These wagons will travel through Stormwind City to the various districts, where our men will hide in. You few are the best men I have in situations requiring any kind of deception. We will have the few of our troops already deployed inside to tell the leaders of a Horde threat down South, where we've already staged attacks on travellers near Booty Bay." I was impressed with this Thrall already, "While their men are gone we will attack."
"Uh, sir," one Orc raised his hand, and I peeked at him through the corner of my eye.
"Yes?" Thrall addressed him, in a rather casual and respectful way.
"How get-us disguised?" He murmured Common poorly, though Thrall didn't snap at his idiocy nor his lack of linguistic prowess.
"Good question," He gestured to someone from around the corner, and a tall, lanky figure emerged.
"It's—" an Orc was cut off by the slender man.
"Yes, yes, we all know who I am," He stopped him, "but let's skip the introductions, if we may." He waved his arm casually and apathetically.
From what I could guess, he was an Undead Warlock. He had this creepy, ominous charm about him that chilled me to the bone. Perhaps it was his ever-lurking eyes, or his hunched over posture and staff, or the fact that he may be one of the strongest warlocks I had ever encountered, judging by his appearance and fame. I remained silent, not wanting to alert his observantly scouting irises as they ran over the group of us carefully.
"I have created an elixir;" He started once he was satisfied with his lingering stares, "one that will change anyone's appearance into anyone else's," He trailed off, reaching into his cloak to retrieve the liquid. He paused for a moment, looking around. "That smell is familiar to me," he mumbled, then turned to the Warchief, "Thrall, do you have a sample of the potion here?"
"No." He stated simply, watching the reaction of the Forsaken suspiciously.
"Strange. I smell something like it," he shook his head as a sweat drop rolled down my forehead, "Regardless," he pulled out the elixir, showing it to all of us, "This is the Doppelgänger Elixir."
"The raids on Ironforge were to collect DNA for the transformations." Thrall spoke up to our ignorant looks, "We've attained ten potions worth. Those are for the ten of you, though you will each be supplied with extra in the case of an emergency," Thrall continued explaining, and even the Warlock watched him, "Many other men will hide in your wagons, but you will be the only ones to be seen. Our mission relies on your judgements. Make it believable." He seemed to have great trust in the few of us, a sign that this leader understood his subordinates a great amount, "Once you get safely inside, get to a somewhat secluded area, for decreased resistance, and start your ambush."
"Understood, sir." We all said, though I was sure I was off on the timing a fraction.
"More instructions will follow," He nodded, "You," Thrall looked me dead in the eyes, causing me to sweat a little, "I need you to send word for all roaming solders to report to the entrance of Orgrimmar, and to all those who wish to enlist."
"Y-yes sir!" I nodded. There was a moment of silence as he stared at me, and I felt like he and I had some kind of connection that perhaps I didn't feel, since I wasn't truly the man he was looking at.
"…" He looked confused, but more so suspicious, "Why didn't you salute me?"
"...?" I jolted, feeling heat rise to my face, "S-sorry sir!" I saluted him quickly, though I almost smacked myself in the face from both the embarrassment and the little control I had in this massive suit of armour and flesh.
"And you're stuttering," He muttered curiously, narrowing his eyes, "Is something wrong?"
"Oh you know him, always a nervous wreck, sir," Kujajin laughed from beside me, nudging me roughly.
"That's true." Thrall shrugged as I sighed with relief, luckily I had picked an Orc who was bad in pressure situations.
"Your voice," The gout Undead Warlock spoke up from the shadows, turning to face us, "Where did you pick up that accent?"
"What accent?" Kujajin spoke again; even I could hear his faint Elven speech beneath the deep Orc voice. My stomach shrivelled and twisted in some kind of fear.
"I knew that smell was familiar," The Warlock spun around to face Kujajin, raising his hand steadily. He began chanting, and his hand began glowing.
I acted quickly and without thinking. As usual. Before the spell was finished casting, I jumped in the way of it, with both arms outstretched wide. I was hit with the force and effect of the spell, which pushed me back half a foot. I felt my Orcish body begin to fade away, taking with it the excess weight. My voice was useless, as I felt my Human form begin to return. My legs grew weak and I gripped my head in pain. It felt as though all the excess mass had been compressed into my skull. There was a long, sharp tug at my flesh as the potion was cleansed. I didn't know if they could see me before them, but at that moment I felt completely alone and exposed.
"Grab her!" I heard the Warlock say as two Orcs ran to my side and tightly griped my wrists.
I fell to my knees, being held up by the unwavering strength of the Orcs' arms. I felt the last bits of the Orc clothing evaporate and turn to dust at my feet, revealing my own rogue armour which somehow remained in tact around me. I looked up at the Warlock and clenched my teeth, forcing at least one eye open through the pain that singed my retinas. He looked down at me with a smirk, and bent down to my level, staring at me in a peculiar way.
"Well, well, well," He seemed somehow bemused by my escapades, "what a silly Human," He grinned.
"Fuck off." I barked, spitting at his face; hitting him right on the cheek, "and let me go." I said, though I was in no position to be demanding anything.
"..." He whipped the saliva off his cheek plainly, looking down at the texture on his fingers as he wiped it on his raggedy cloak, "You're kind of a bitch, aren't you?" He didn't hesitate to punch me, square below the eye.
"…" I bit my tongue to stop from yelping and stared back at him dimly, feeling my cheek begin to swell and bleed as his bony knuckles had gripped and broken my delicate flesh.
"Oh," He smirked at me quickly as if about to attack me again, "Don't think I forgot about you," The Warlock stood up and looked behind me at Kujajin in his Orc form. He took a step forward and raised his hand, a light emanating from it, "How many little Human girls do we have in our midst?"
I lunged forward, yanking on the Orcs' arms. I pressed my teeth deep into the Forsaken's leg bone. Though I'm sure it hurt me more than it did him. He barked in pain and pulled his leg away from me. He kicked me sharply in the head, causing my already aching teeth to grind together. I felt like a puppy being scolded, and I didn't like feeling so low. And why was Kujajin doing nothing at all?
"You are getting on my nerves," He growled dangerously, at me, though he didn't seem all that threatened, "You think you can hold her, this time?" He barked angrily at the Orcs.
"Y-yeah." One of them said, as I felt his arm brutally squeeze my tender arm. I wouldn't cry out, though, no, not me.
"Good." He mocked them with an angry tone.
He stepped away from me and raised his hand again. I watched as the Warlock drew the potion out of Kujajin, hearing his grunt of pain. Though somehow I felt uneasy about the way he didn't make to hide or struggle. I shut my eyes quickly, wondering what he was thinking, and hoping that they didn't find another reason to kill me. Finally the sound of evaporation and mana flowing came to a halt. I opened my eyes again to see the Undead Warlock staring behind me, presumably at Kujajin's true form.
"You're a Blood Elf." He sounded puzzled, as his eyes fixated on the man before him.
"Indeed, I am." Kujajin agreed, sounding no more discouraged than I was. That gave me some glimmer of hope.
"Why are you here, and using my spells?" He went on as if he had been betrayed, "and with a Human, of all creatures."
"…" Kujajin was silent, and since I couldn't see his face, I dared not lend my voice to him.
"I should kill you right here." He narrowed his eyes as mine widened. My head bolted up and I opened my mouth to start shouting again.
"Wait," Thrall intervened, and right before I did. He walked forward, towards the commotion, and stared at the Elf behind me with a careful gaze. He spoke easily and level-headedly, "What is your name, Blood Elf?"
"Kujajin." He replied, as easily as Thrall had.
"Kujajin," Thrall addressed him, "Blood Elves are trusted people within the Horde," he started, and I knew that meant they had some kind of connection, perhaps a reason not to kill us, "therefore, I will give you a choice."
"A choice?" Kujajin perked up, suspicion lacing his words. I, too, waited on the answer.
"You can stay here and die for treason and allying with this, this Human," he paused as his eyes met mine, holding me stiller than the hands that held my wrists like metallic confinement, "or you can leave here, alone, and go on as if nothing happened."
"What," Kujajin hesitated, "what will happen to her?" But I didn't feel his comforting eyes on my back.
"Well," He looked at me again, this time with a lighter kind of expression, "I can amend my plan, perhaps. I can use her; she will lead us to Stormwind." His eyebrows lowered menacingly to me, as if I was to remain quiet, "I can add an eleventh wagon to my army, where more of my men can conceal themselves; she'll sit up front, they'll have no denying she's Human. The perfect ambush." He grinned, as if he only added me in to hurt me more.
"Then you'll kill her." Kujajin finished, in an objective fashion.
"Well, yes. After we've got all we can from her, we'll kill her, that's more than likely," Thrall shrugged nonchalantly, though something told me he was questioning that himself, "is that a problem?"
"No, sir." His voice stung me, and confused me, "I will leave. I will tell no one, you have my word as a member of this faction, as a Blood Elf."
"Kujajin!" I spun as far around as I could, causing the first Orc holding me to sneer and grunt.
"Did you think that you actually meant more to me than my life," He laughed, "You are a silly Human," He ridiculed me, "You know, it's feels easy for me, in a way."
"Stop it, Kujajin," I glared back at him, frowning more deeply that I was sure my lips could have done without such Rage, "This isn't funny."
"Calm down, or you'll get us both killed," He shook his head and put his hands in his pockets.
"I…" I couldn't say anything else. Somehow I knew this was going to happen. It always did. But somewhere deep inside, I also knew that I was perfectly capable of protecting myself, with or without that Elf.
"I assume you'll have me guarded, in case I'm to let slip these proceedings?" Kujajin carried on without hesitation.
"For a time, yes," Thrall agreed with him, gesturing to one of his men to go and retrieve a guard for him, "Until the invasion plan is well under way, you'll have to remain in city limits."
"Fair enough, Thrall," Kujajin bowed his head, "I thank you for your consideration, and your forgiveness."
"This is my only favour, remember that well," Thrall reminded him, and I still couldn't summon the courage to make a peep out of my trembling form.
"Well then," He nodded as a guard came to his side, "Good riddance." He spun around sharply and gave a half-assed wave back. I didn't bother to watch any longer.
"Heh," the Undead Warlock shook his head and laughed, "Well, 'survival first', as those Blood Elves say."
"…" I remained silent, hearing his words echo in my head. I stopped resisting the hold of the Orcs, though their tense grips gave no compassion.
"Thrall," The Undead came closer to me again, "What should we do with these?" He took my prestigious daggers from my hips, scabbards and all.
"Sell them," He told the man, but for some reason I didn't even feel bad about it, "and let the profits go to our men, should they be successful."
"Yes sir," He handed them off to an Orc, but he came back to me, "And this, sir?"
He took my father's sword that time, from my back, and held it up. I looked up helplessly, but could only tremble wordlessly. It was the only thing I had left, and they were holding it up like a prize at an auction. I made to speak, but Thrall's silence told me he was contemplating his decision for this particular item. It wasn't worth much, I'd suppose, nor did it look like anything special. But Thrall seemed to eye it, and ponder for a moment, before vocalizing his decision.
"I'll deal with it myself," He said, and the Warlock handed it over to the Warchief's outstretched hand. He spoke again, "Throw the Human in a cell for holding," Thrall told his men as he waved a strong arm, "We leave tomorrow morning." He grinned once more, watching the Orcs push me to my feet.
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Preview of Next Chapter:
"'Ey Mon, we get to share teh' wagon with teh' 'uman." The Troll cackled lightly.
"I don't know if that's much of a privilege," a Blood Elf remarked roughly, casting me a condescending gaze from the saddle of his high horse.
"I do," The second Blood Elf retorted, "She's a female, isn't she?" He looked over at me, and though it was hard to tell with his glowing eyes, I was sure his eyes were lingering South of mine.
"Take a screenshot, it'll last longer." I muttered angrily, not wanting to bother.
"Feisty," The same Blood Elf smirked, "yum." I wasn't sure if he was mocking me or if he was just horny.
"..." I grimaced and averted my eyes, really wishing that I was back in that cell.
"This will be fun," The Blood Elf flipped his hair, "a Human to terrorize all the way there."
"I heard they're really good at the exotic arts," One Orc grinned, and I was suddenly very uncomfortable. Most men had a one-track mind, I swear they do.
WTB Reviews, pst me