As usual, I gain no profit from writing this other than the welcomed replies of compliments from my readers. I own nothing of Blizzard Entertainment or World of Warcraft other than that of the characters on my account. It may be prudent to also mention that some of the characters may coincide with those on the server upon which I play. I will mention who they are when necessary.

Thank you madpostman, Michealnator and Coli Chibi for your welcomed compliments. I hope this satisfies you all and I apologise for the wait. I have recently started to Tank on my Draenei Death Knight so have been rather busy.

The two had sat in silence for a long time, the winds whistling over the dunes surrounding them. Baba, the Raptor, hissed softly and shook his head with irritation. He was wanting to get a move on, that much Zol'jin knew and sighed softly. If they could get to Gadgetzan then she could go her own way after that but her presence in Tanaris bore more questions to the hunter's mind and he peered at her over a tusk. She seemed to have a lot on her mind too and didn't seem the least bit scared of him. To a normal human, he was nothing more than a barbarian who took part in the acts of cannibalism. Course, the Darkspear had long forewent this tradition as per Thrall's request when the Orcs took them in.

He faced her now, still sitting on his haunches and tilted his head slightly, his vivid red hair falling slightly to one side in the process. She still did not seem the least bit afraid of him.

"What you doin' out 'ere alone, mon," he asked once he go the words right in his head. He hadn't spoken common for a long time and it was somewhat difficult to recall the language before scratching his nose.

She looked at him for a moment, "I have no idea,' Jaina replied, speaking at a rate that he could take time to understand without too much difficulty, 'I was forced to make a portal too quickly. I guess over judged it." she said, looking quite sheepish. So she was a Mage, Zol'jin found and sighed softly in annoyance. Not his most favourite of classes but he could not have everything his own way. That would be asking too much of the spirits.

"I'm in trouble,' she continued and seemed to regard him for a moment with a large amount of seriousness, 'I need to see Thrall but I can't go there alone. I need your help Zol'jin,"

Leyo growled as if to protest her plea for assistance and Zol'jin looked at his companion for a moment, unsure of the validity of the request. Zol'jin too shifted in uneasiness, why did she need to see Thrall? What did a human have with the Warchief?

"Thrall?" he asked, perplexed, "Why you need Thrall?"

"I cannot say Zol'jin. The situation is too delicate, but I would really be your debt if you could get me to Orgrimmar. It's a matter of grave importance both to the Alliance and to the Horde, my friend."

"Why not portal dere?" he asked, getting even more confused before frowning at being called a friend. He was but a Troll. He was no friend to her. He found the request strange and he was wary. She was a mage, wasn't she? She could just portal there herself once she had regained her strength.

"To portal to a place requires a lot of concentration and the knowledge of it. I am too weak to make this spell. I have to wait till I know I am fully recovered or there is no knowing where I will end up much less those around me," she said, looking annoyed with herself but she wanted to play it on the safe side, "A favour to one of the Alliance is worth having,"

And of that he was aware but unlike some characters, he did not care for it. "I can't get you beyond da guards. You be human. Alliance," he scowled, eyes narrowing at what she was asking of a simple hunter like himself. He was more than content to just explore, hunt and fish on the rare occasion... though he never had a knack for catching fish despite being what he was.

"We'll think of something," she said, smiling reassuringly at him. She needed his help, she knew Thrall had to hear what she had learned. "Do what you have to do to get me in front of him. He will pardon you, I will be sure to ask it of the Warchief." she added for his benefit. She hoped he would consider it at the least or it meant a long journey and a possibility of having to rely on making a portal whilst still being too weak for it. Something within her did not feel right.

The lavender-skinned troll sighed and rubbed his face, his tusks bearing him no hindrance at all. He could do it but then any Horde he ran into with her with him was within their rights to name him a traitor and have him dealt with accordingly which either meant being sent to Outland or his life. But apparently it was important enough or desperate enough for her to try and ensure him a pardon. Perhaps the Warchief did know who she was. It was no secret that Thrall was more open minded and preferred negotiation over doing what Garrosh would have the Horde do.

Zol'jin was also well aware that Vol'jin would be there and whilst Zol'jin was a loyal son of the Horde, to Thrall... his loyalty remained with his Troll leader alone. But as sure as the sun shone, there did seem something oddly familiar about all of this. He just couldn't quite place it.

In the end, he gave in reasoning that he had helped her this far and that by many of those who didn't know any better would think he had betrayed their entire cause. "All right, mon. But I don't see how you be getting past da guards. They be very vigilant." he scratched his nose trying to ignore the growls of protest by both his raptor and his loyal cat.

Jaina thought about it for a while, chewing on a piece of jerky Zol'jin had given her. He had run out of anything fresh. The taste was peculiar and foreign to her otherwise socialised tastes. She was too used to formal dinners. She frowned, the notion brought up too many bad memories. Memories she wished she could change but it was not her place.

"Well... that's easy,"

"How?"

"We pretend that you have captured me and that I have demanded to see the Warchief,"

"He don't deal with prisoners very often,"

"But I am King Varian's advisor. I am one of the most important people of Stormwind's court. Thrall would want to see to it personally. Mentioning my name in the least will grab his attention."

There was silence as she watched the troll sit on his haunches, considering the ploy. She knew it could work. All they had to be careful about was any other adventurers being too nosy for their own good. She also knew it would be a good idea to avoid any Forsaken who oft tried to attain information through seemingly idle chatter.

"It could work. We head to Gadgetzan, it be neutral town."

"I'd rather not fly..." Jaina interrupted but sounded apologetic as he blinked at her. Not fly...? He frowned, it meant having to try and skirt round Freewind Port, a Tauren outpost in Thousand Needles. And then there were the Barrens after that, a land nearly as desolate as Tanaris or Desolace itself.

"It'd be quicker,"

"And it would go against the guise, Zol'jin. I'm sure we can barter a mount off one of the Goblins. They always have mounts for hire,"

"That would be tough but manageable maybe," the Troll mused, still not quite believing that he was consciously helping one of the Alliance get into the heart and drum of the Orcish city.

"We have to try. I am really grateful, Zol'jin." she said but heistated when Leyo rose suddenly, moving off a little way. His master reacted accordingly and used his hearing before shaking his head and called Leyo back. "What is it?"

"Just a Gnome." The striders Gnome's rode had an extensive reputation for the sounds they made and were often heard easily by trolls. Troll's sense of hearing was vastly acute which explained why the ears were so long. When you lived in a place where you often heard what you couldn't see, having excellent hearing paid off.

"We go Gadgetzan then," Zol'Jin said finally and Jaina nodded.

Well, I hope that fills you up for the moment. Will probably bring one afore mentioned character in soon in the next chapter, my friend will no doubt be pleased. :D You know the drill, my lovelies. I love buttons! Nomnom mon.