Chapter Two.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything of Blizzard Entertainment 'World of Warcraft' nor do I gain any profit from writing said fiction set within the genre.

Old Timer – Bit before my time, it seems, but the oversight should return. It's shame they fixed the BG bug regarding hunter's pets. You went in mounted, and came out dismounted and the pet would come out when you returned to where you were before entry. So sad.

Coli Chibi – Thank you kindly.

Michaelnator – Yes, my main is a Hunter. She used to be Tauren, and then Troll before I faction changed to Night Elf (horrible model). Trolls do have a more than decent set of racials. :D Thank you and here's the next installment.

Her last few days had been some of the most nightmarish in her life and never before had she been so much out of her death. Which was a new thing on her, renowned for being one of the greatest Mage's of her time. But here she was, crawling through the hot sands weak and battered from a misjudged portal she had created. She was only acutely aware that she wasn't likely to survive this place... not without help. Help in Tanaris was few and far between and you had to either to know where you were going or be very lucky to come across another in this wasteland.

She cried out for help every now and again, knowing it equally used up what little strength she had left within her. But she had no choice but to try in the vainest of hopes somebody, anybody, would be out there to hear her call. She couldn't afford to let herself die. The relations between Thrall and Varian were rocky at best and she had been the negotiator between them. Though, in her heart she knew the two sides would never be at peace with each other. It had been built in too far deep for it to be removed, the hatred lived on.

After what seemed an eternity, she thought she heard faint footsteps and could have sworn she felt something but her strength gave out and blackness overtook her. She knew nothing of what happened or who had found her.

After a time, she eventually opened her eyes to find herself on her side in what little shade there was to be found in such barren land. She blinked, trying to make sense of events. She felt weak and disorientated as she tried to get up but found something preventing her. She heard a throaty growl, and frowned knowing that wasn't the growl of a Tauren. It was too predatory and untrusting but it also did not sound reptilian. She knew of no reptilian in Tanaris that made that sound and it was not one of a Hyena, which to her suggested it was a tamed creature, and that meant its master was around. Perhaps the one that had forced her down again.

She tried again and the force returned once more, accompanied by a strange and wild accent to her. It told her that it was someone of the Alliance, for none of the races within bore that general accent. She tried to look at who it was that was with her and whoever it was seemed to realise this. She saw it was at least humanoid and that he, she thought it was a he, had blue skin.

It took her a while before she realised it was a Troll that had helped her. She sat up, pushing away his suggestive hand she should stay down. She wasn't afraid of him. She had relations with the Horde, relations that did not amuse Varian one bit but she knew it was important. She studied him as he sat, haunched on his feet and she noticed he was holding something out to her in his hand. It was a water pouch. She nodded her gratitude and took it. He seemed to nod, his other hand resting on his lion's head.

Once she was satisfied, she gave it back to him knowing she was still too weak to do much. The water helped. She wondered if he knew any common, and even then she knew he would be hard to understand. She watched him watch her curiously for a moment before he finally broke the air.

"Yoo should lie down," he seemed to show hesitancy speaking the language and she guessed he wasn't comfortable with the common tongue, which was an indication he was not used to speaking it. Not that she could blame him, it was easier to speak what was already known. Still, his apparent hesitancy made it a little easier on her through his flamboyant accent.

She didn't reply at first but then smiled slightly, "Thank you," she said softly but clearly so he could understand her in return. She was used to seeing Trolls in the times she had to visit Grommash Hold in the deepest region of the Orcish city. Vol'jin was occasionally present during some times, and the Troll leader seemed used to her in return out of respect to Thrall. "I am Jaina," she placed a hand on her chest as she said her name and repeated.

He nodded slowly, frowning as he tried to understand and looked at his lion, noticeably a black lion, seemingly for reassurance. The large beast growled softly before idly licking his black nose whilst coldly staring at her. She did not blame it; it was protective of its master and all that was preventing it from removing the problem was the Troll's order.

"I am Jaina"

Zol'jin was grateful for the woman's clarity of her use of her voice and he understood most of what she said and the gestures. He looked at Leyo who growled in response to his master's expression. Zol'jin faintly smiled, knowing the cat did not trust her and quite rightly. Zol'jin did not fully understood why he had not killed or let the woman die. It was one less of the Alliance in the eyes of the Horde, right? But then he was just a simple hunter who kept much to himself, even to the other Trolls.

"Zol'jin," he repeated her action to his chest and glanced at his mount as the reptile stirred and hissed uncertainly when it realised that they had unusual company. He looked back to her to find her smiling with gratitude. He could only be fortunate she was one of the patriotic ones. He had come across a few of those in his time, mainly whilst going through contested lands such as Ashvenvale and Stranglethorn Vale.

Only thing was, he wasn't at all sure on how to continue this strangest of conversations that was nothing of a conversation. His lack of being able to speak much common wasn't going to help the situation. It was a shame she wasn't fluent in Zandali, or at least he didn't expect her to speak it... or she would have tried it already.

He decided to waver of humanoid needs and rummaged in his saddle bag before looking at her, "Yoo hunger?" he asked, frowning a little before lifting the little food he had on him. It was dried out meats from the local basilisks. He watched the much smaller woman peer at the meat for a moment before she nodded though he guessed she wasn't looking forward to the taste.

He offered it like he had with the water pouch and she took what he offer gently. He remained on his haunches, hand idly scratching behind Leyo's ear, still wondering what to do with her.

Thank ya, and ya know da drill, mon