Chapter 11: Remember What You Fight For

Draggar sat within his quarters miserably. His mother was occupied tending to his little sister. He couldn't believe that his father had forced him to stay here! Did his father think of him as weak? Incapable? A mere inconvenience on the battlefield? What an insult! Draggar was constantly praised for his efforts in battle, even by his father!

"Stay here with your mother and sister. Protect them." he had said. They were perfectly safe within the city. The demons weren't even capable of breaking through the cities defenses.

Draggar lethargically tapped the tip of his blade. If his father really wanted him to protect his family he would have allowed him to accompany him and bring the fight to the demons; that was Draggar's opinion. Draggar left his house and began to roam the city until he eventually found a small tavern. Inside he found one his old friends Zenku. Zenku was a troll hunter and long time companion of Draggar. They had fought in many battles together. Zenku was one of Draggar's few friends who looked past his halfing heritage, most likely because he was ridiculed for his family as well. His mother and father were a treacherous duo that wreaked havoc across the lands. They were thieves and murderers. When they were captured, Zenku was a mere child. He was adopted by an orc family but never escaped ridicule for his parent's acts.

"Well my friend, it would seem it's da end of da world." said Zenku as he took a deep slurp of ale.

"Yes…And what're we doing? Nothing! We are merely standing by while these demons invade our world!" growled Draggar as he smashed his fist on the countertop. Zenku lazily raised his brow as he turned to his friend.

"Take it easy mon. Life aint worth living if ya can't enjoy yaself. Sure we all may die soon, but I know I'm dying happy, see?" said Zenku as he let loose a large smile and took another large gulp of ale.

" Well that may be fine for you, but I refuse to sit back idly and let these demons gain a foothold on us. There must be something I can do…" Draggar pondered the thought for a moment before slowly looking to his tipsy friend.

"Zenku…How well can you track someone?" asked Draggar. Zenku grinned in a slightly mischievous way before chuggin the rest of his ale.

"I could track a rabbit in a mountain through a blizzard blindfolded!" bragged Zenku as he burped rudely. The smell of several different spirits erupted from his mouth.

"Good. We're going on a hunt then…Meet me at the rear Orgrimmar gate in two hours" said Draggar as he rose from his seat. Zenku already had another beer in his hand before Draggar left the pub.

Draggar thought that his act was slightly rash, but maybe rash decisions were what needed to be made. His father told him to protect his family and he sure as hell was going to do it; he was just going to do it his own way. Draggar began to prepare for his journey. Once he had all the materials he needed there was only one last order of business to attend to, something that had been bothering him recently.

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Night had fallen upon the city. Kanya had just put Velemere to sleep with a lullaby. Draggar walked over and sat next to his mother as they both watched over the little one.

"When this is all over I pray that she can put this behind her. All of this…It's too much for her to deal with." whispered Kanya gently.

"Mother…There's something I have been meaning to ask you…" began Draggar.

"What is it my son?" asked Kanya. Draggar looked into his mothers gentle eyes and sighed a little.

"That draenei…Neluun…Tell me about him." asked Draggar. Kanya's eyes quickly became filled with sadness. She turned away from her son and gripped a pendant hanging from her neck. It was a blue crystal with purple rings wrapped around it. Draggar never really knew what it was or where it came from, only that in times of great sadness his mother would grip the medallion tightly.

"I guess you deserve to know. You know the history of your fathers family, it is only right you know mine…" said Kanya softly.

"Long ago, before the portal between Azeorth and Draenor opened, my parents were honorable paladins within the city of Shattrath. They were very peaceful and kind people. No matter the situation, they always sought a peaceful diplomatic solution. They lived their for many years, throughout their marriage, the gave birth to…three children." Kanya paused as a lone tear slid down her cheek and landed on her pendant, spreading across the width of the crystal.

"You see there was Neluun me and…Naruuna…" sobbed Kanya. Draggar began to feel bad for having to bring his mother to tears by forcing her to relive her past, but he was too intrigued to stop her.

"Naruuna was the youngest of us all. She was such a vibrant young girl. She was adored by everyone in the city and could lighten up anyone's day with her cheerful demeanor…" said Kanya. Although these memories brought a smile to Kanya , the tears came ever so swiftly.

"Then, one day, The orcs began to attack. We didn't think they would be able to break through the city, but they were so strong. It was decided that the strongest warriors of the city would hold off the orcs while the civilians escaped. I wasn't aware of this at the time, but it was practically guaranteed all who stayed behind would die…Your grandparents stayed behind." said Kanya. She looked down at Velemere and lightly flowed her hand through the girl's hair. Velemere smiled in her sleep and shifted a bit before laying motionless again.

"They told my brother to look after Naruuna and me. We were being rushed out of the city when I realized that Naruuna was gone. I broke free of the crowd and rushed back into the city to find her. She was at our old home. I know why she had gone back. She wanted the pendant that our parents had gotten for her when she was born. She had forget it in the rush of the evacuation." explained Kanya as she gripped the crystal tightly.

"She wasn't alone in the house. A monstrous orc was rummaging through our home when I arrived. He wasn't aware of me when I arrived. I managed to sneak past him and find my sister hiding in the in her room, with the pendant clenched tightly in her hand. I quickly began to get us out of the house, but as we were leaving the orc spotted us. He chased us out of the house and…" Kanya stopped and closed her eyes. Water gushed from beneath her eyelids like a fountain. Even Draggar could not help but allow a few tears to roll out of his eyes.

"Naruuna tried to run away but the orc cut her down as she was running. He came for me next, but just as he was about to swing, Neluun leaped onto his back and stabbed the orc in the back of the head with a kinfe he had grabbed from orcs belt. He had returned to find us. Neluun rushed me out of the city, but not before I took the crystal Naruuna gripped tightly, even after the life had left her body…" sobbed Kanya. She looked down and stared at the gem intensely.

"Eventually, we grew up and became part of the Alliance. We both became shamans and fought the Horde. For a long time I despised orcs just as much of my brother. I still saw them as monstrous creatures that didn't deserve to live; that is of course until I met your father." Kanya said. She seemed relieved to finally begin to recall the happier moments of her life.

"He was kinder to me that any other being had ever been to me, Horde or Alliance. He saved me from several perils despite my spiteful feelings toward him. No matter what I said to him or did to him he was always kind to me saying, 'I will not fight you If I do not need to. I'm a warrior, not a murderer.' Eventually, we grew fond of each other and married. He soon showed me the efforts the New Horde was making and I was convinced that the orcs I knew as a child were no more. It would seem my brother does not feel the same way…" said Kanya.

"…Mother…I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"

"It's alright my son…I knew one day I would have to tell you…" said Kanya. She turned to Velemere and smiled. "She looks just like my sister."

Draggar rose up and took one last look at Kanya and Velemere. Know he knew he had to leave not only to protect his mother and sister, but to ensure that his mother never had to endure a loss like that of her sister again.

"I will return soon mother, there are errands I must attend to." lied Draggar. He knew his mother didn't want him out fighting demons.

"You don't have to lie to me. I'm your mother I know what you're up to." said Kanya calmly. Draggar froze. How did mothers seem to know everything?!

"Look my son, You may always be my child but your an adult now. I can't tell you how to live your life and neither can your father. All we want is for you to be safe, but if you feel you must fight this war, fight with all of your heart." said Kanya as she rose from her seat. She took one last look at her pendant before removing it from her neck and placing it in Draggar's hands.

"Mother, I can't take this…" Draggar muttered as he gazed at the necklace. Kanya forced Draggar's fingers to wrap around the pendant.

"No my son, please take it. My sister died because of the very same monster that threatens our world now. You take this as a reminder of what you're fighting for. You fight to protect those who live and to honor those who have fallen to evil." Kanya said. She placed a single, soft, loving kiss upon her sons forehead.

"Be safe my son."

Draggar nodded and embraced his mother before leaving the tent.

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The moonlight cascaded over the desert lands of Durotar as Draggar rushed out of Orgrimmar on his bear. Zenku was lazily laying upon his raptors neck giggling and slobbering. His raptor did not seem to appreciate it very much. He was accompanied by a blood elf mounted upon a black wolf.

"Zenku I was hoping you wouldn't be smashed out of your mind. I prefer not to be led by someone who can't even walk in a straight line." sighed Draggar.

"Hey, we both know I do a much bettuh job at trackin when I had drink or two…or three…or ten…" giggled the troll. As much as Draggar didn't want to admit it, his troll friend was right. The entire time Draggar had known the drunkard, he performed better under inebriation than when he was sober. The only problem was his nonchalant attitude got him into trouble.

"Who is this?" asked Draggar staring down the elf. The elf was a skinny fellow with tight dark clothing and and eye patch over his left eye. His hair was shaped like fire and its orange color resembled flames as well. His eyes were abnormally bright green; they almost appeared to glow in the darkness of the night. The elf grinned evilly when Draggar asked of him.

"This be Haldamir, a great rogue fella I met while I was travelin! I figured we could use some help in case we ran into any trouble." Zenku said as he flopped around on his raptor, causing the monster to sway back and forth.

"Well, how much does he cost? I know rogues services don't come cheap." said Draggar staring at the elf with a suspicious leer.

"Oh, there is no charge my friend." said the elf cooly and politely. Draggar raised a suspicious eyeborw and turned to Zenku.

"Yup. See, Haldamir owes me. I just busted him out of the Orgrimmar holding cells. Told him if he helped us we'd let him go free." gurgled Zenku grinning as he thought how smart he was.

"You did what!? Zenku, of all of the idiotic things yo-"

"Sshhshshsh! Hush ya mouth mon! Ya don't want the guards knowin we're here with im!" said Zenku with slurred words.

"I assure you, you will change your mind when you witness my talents in action." said the elf. "Besides I have my own reason for coming with you besides paying off my debt. I need to find my mate." said Haldamir with an evil grin.

"Well, lets hope we don't have to use your talents. Zenku…lead the way." sighed Draggar. Zenku nodded and made some clicking noises to his raptor. The raptor hissed and ran off, followed closely by Draggar and Haldamir. Draggar gripped his pendant tightly and help it up in the air. The moonlight seemed to shine through the gem and cascaded a colorful light show around him. Draggar placed the necklace around his neck and tucked it in his armor. He would avenge Naruuna and all the other innocents who died because of Sargeras.