**Listening to Adele, Florence and the machine and as always Breaking Benjamin while writing this chapter**
It had been two days since the elf helped him escape, the journey home should have been a long one if not for a stroke of good luck. Raj had found his raptor Cho wandering the plains mid afternoon that first day. Cho had been so happy to see his master and showed his affection by knocking Raj over with his greeting. They rode hard to reach Orgrimmar by sunset the next day, Rajit'Kal wished he could remember the ride most of his thoughts were of the beautiful elven girl who burned with passion at his touch. She was brave and risked much to free him, was she smart or just naive to the world around her. Did she consider him an enemy... If they had met on the field of battle under different circumstances he and his friends would have used her body and left her broken and alone in the wilds of the Barrens. That thought turned his stomach, the little lilac eyed elf hurt and alone at the mercy of wild animals or found and turned whore by the goblins. Anger rose within Raj as he pictured his friend mating with her, never had his anger been so close to boiling. Orgrimmar loomed in the distance and the Elf was pushed away hopefully for good.
One thing he was sure of the Alliance were suffering the same problem as the Horde. Had this all been a misunderstanding, a random happenstance that put both parties against one another? Or did this softening of his have to do with his elf... HIS elf. How had she pushed her way back into his thoughts so quickly. There was little time left to dwell on it now as Raj rode through the entrance to Org, heading strait for the Warchief's chambers.
"You have returned with good news I hope" Thrall said as Raj entered the circular room where the warchief held court.
" I wish I had better news than I do." Raj replied
"Let us take a walk Rajit'Kal" Nobody dared to follow the two, Thrall's tone implied he wanted to be alone with the troll. They walked in silence down the streets of Orgrimmar, the familiar sights and sounds of the only home Rajit'Kal could remember, were comforting. He knew some of what he had to report would make his Warchief unhappy, Raj never liked to report bad news, not because he feared telling Thrall, it was more he hated to put more on his friends shoulders. Thrall had taken in Raj and his sister Niabu along with many of the Darkspear long ago, at the time Rajit'Kal was 12 summers his sister a little younger. Thrall had taken an interest in the young trolls, both were very smart, Niabu had a way with the elements and rose quickly among the ranks of the Shaman. Raj was well versed in combat, even at such a tender age and his mind sharp. Raj had been chosen to accompany Thrall many times on diplomatic visits and even into battle, the two had grown close, mutual admiration and trust sealed the bond.
They had walked to the parapets leading to the Valley of Spirits, pennants snapped int he strong breeze that blew down on the smooth sandstone walls as the pair stopped in front of a circular building, Rajit'Kal's home. "Tell me what you have found." Thrall said
Raj thought for a moment of his trip and of course the Elf was first in his mind, he shook his head trying to clear it of her image. "I was not able to speak with Jaina, she had a pressing matter to attend and was unavailable. I left the note with her halfbreed guardian."
Thrall grunted, rubbing his temples, to ease the pain or in frustration Raj could not tell. "You did not stay long enough to see her?"
"The halfbreed implied she was assisting in a birth, so I felt it best to take the long way home and maybe find out some information on my own." That he had succeeded in a very unexpected way. That thought brought up the subject of the Alliance party "The trip home was not without indecent, I came across Jorsa's hunting party and an alliance party" He told Thrall the story of his capture, the deaths of his friends and of his escape. "The Elven girl with the party, I think, was the only reason they attacked us in the first place. I overheard them talk about her safety more than once. The Alliance have been suffering the same fate as we. Someone is trying to set us against one another. "
The Warchief looked lost in thought for a moment, then said forlornly "We are destined to be at war I fear. Any time peace is at hand something pulls us apart."
The sadness Raj saw on Thrall's face was heartbreaking. "If there were more like your Jaina and the Elf we could have peace. Many alliance I have come to find are dogs."
"I am sure they would say something similar about us." Thrall, ever perceptive, turned the subject back to the elf and asked with a little too much interest "You say the elf helped you and she was the one they were protecting?"
His interest in the girl annoyed Raj "Yes, I am not sure why she let me go but I know she went to great lengths and risked her safety. She healed my wounds an even returned my prized daggers." why did he sound proud of her, why was he even volunteering this much.
"They would not have hurt her but I am sure she would have been in trouble if found assisting an enemy. You have done well Rajit'Kal take your leave and I will send for you when I need more information. I know I can always count on you" With that Thrall turned to leave, looking back only a moment to say "Tell Niabu good day for me."
Raj nodded, before opening the door to the home he shared with his sister. His bed sounded very appealing after the trip.
(Chapter Break)
Liana had grown very suspicious of Selvan after his outburst upon finding the Troll had escaped in the night. He had stayed agitated all day deciding to remain in the thicket by the stream to search for the troll rather than head for Dustwallow. That surprised Liana as Selvan had seemed to be racing home rather than keeping a good pace. The confusion she felt about Selvan was made worse by Gyran who seemed to think they were not headed to Dustwallow, may even be heding to the mesa desert of Thousand Needles. Gyran set out that morning on his bird to scout the area. She had expected him to come back quickly but by nightfall Gyran had not returned and Liana worried they would break camp in the morning. Her fears eased as they yet again searched for he troll or sat around camp talking, some of the knights seemed distant and almost lazy in their duties. They also did not seem to think anything was amiss, the atmosphere of camp had changed.
Liana kept an eye on the Captain all afternoon, a sense of dread filled her as she saw him head off alone into the woods. She had to follow him, he as up to something and it was her duty, she felt, to find out what. To keep from arousing suspicion she headed to the stream only to creep around the edge of camp, following the direction Selvan had taken. It was not a long walk before she heard voices not too far ahead on the worn out footpath.
"They have no idea what direction you are taking them?" a strange scratching sounding voice asked.
"I did not say I picked top men for this, they have been content to follow my orders and do not seem to notice much more than the Priestess." Selvan Replied "That is also what lead to the loss of our captive.."
The voice spoke again angry this time "This is why you should have at least had a few competent men in your party. That troll falling into our lap was the perfect addition to the little games we play and to think you almost killed him. That priestess is your only smart companion, well her and the pesky dwarf."
Selvan shifted uneasily at the reproach from his master "We can still accomplish the task, I had gear stripped from the other bodies."
"I knew I was keeping you around for something at least you have some smarts" the voice cackled, a horrid sound that made Liana's skin crawl. She needed to be closer to see who Selvan was speaking with, what were the games they spoke of...
"I believe she is the perfect vessel though I may have to try her out first." The voice finally took form as he stepped closer to the Captain. A shadowy figure shrouded in a heavy cloak, Liana could not see his face but she could see the swirling mists of magic around feet.
"Nobody touches her but me" Selvan growled "I have served you well.. she is my reward.."
"You will have only what I give you, if I chose to fuck the little bitch I will, your life depends on what I decide, you would do you well to remember that." The shadowy figure shook as he spoke, dislodging his hood.
Liana drew in her breath sharply at the gruesome sight of a half decayed corpse of a man. She had seen forsaken before but none looked like this. Liana took a few steps back snapping a twig or twon in the process.
"Someone may be looking for you" The corpse said "Go now by dawn the next phase of this game will be underway."
Fearing her hiding place would be found Liana headed back to camp, skirting to the stream again and into her tent. Who were they talking about, but as the question crossed her mind Liana knew they were speaking of her. She had been completely untouched by a man till that fateful night with the troll, now they spoke of her as vessel and of raping her. She would never consent to Selvan or that corpse touching her. Somewhere in her mind she knew the only person who would ever touch her was the Troll even if it meant only that once, those thoughts and feelings had not been explored too much as the worries of the last two days weighed upon Liana unceasingly. Gyran needed to return and take her away, together they could escape to Jaina and warn her of Selvan's treachery.
Raised voices drew her attention, peeking through the tent flap Liana saw knight turned against knight with Selvan int he middle of the chaos. "Join us Liana" HE called over the raised voices. "This is party you will not want to miss. These young knights are deciding the fate of you and many others."
"Have you gone mad Captain?" Liana asked as she stepped from the tent.
"I have not gone mad, my sweet Priestess." He purred "This is a chance for a new beginning, I gave these knights a chance to follow me, to shed the burden of watching pompous nobles get rich and fat off our backbreaking work. I offer them a way to power and prominence without the work, only some of them refuse to follow me, what a pity they have to die now."
The scene outside the tent was worse than Liana had thought. Knights fought against one another, tents were set to fire, bodies lay all around her, but something was not right. Some of the knights were not knights at all. Grotesque half rotting corpses dressed as knights were slaughtering the young men she had traveled with, some she had become fond of...Liana watched in stunned horror as, unable to move.
"Do you see now Priestess the future of these knights?" Selvan moved from the center of camp his long strides bringing him closer to Liana "You see Liana this is the future, unstoppable warriors" As he spoke Liana took in the sights still unable to move, to help. Bronwyn was fighting three to her right, Shay the youngest knight with them fell to her left... Selvan continued his diatribe "and with the power we will take anything we want and right now I want..."
He did not finish as Gyran and his bird Gilly slammed into Captain Selvan, knocking him to the ground. Gyran, Selvan and Gilly rolled across the ground landing with Gyran on top of Selvan. "You are a poor excuse of a human." Gyran spat.
"What is this Gyran, a poor excuse of a human." Selvan laughed "I have news for you dwarf I am no longer fully human." The two struggled with one another for a few more minuets but Selvan got he upper hand and shoved a dagger through Gyrans stomach.
"Noooooooo" the sight of her friend slumped over, broke Laina from the horror. A faint glowing started around her pulsing brighter with every beat of her heart, growing, surrounding her now. The glowing continued to grow as she walked toward Selvan, touching the combatants as she passed. The undead melted as the light passed through them giving the knights time to seek cover int he trees.
Selvan realized Liana's lips were still, the spell surrounding her was not spoken but controlled from within. A brief thought crossed Selvan's mind before she was standing before him the light burning into his flesh. "You will call off your rotting corpses and leave this place at once" Her voice was strong unwavering.
"What are you?" The nauseating voice of the shadowy figure was heard from as he glided across the clearing, careful not to touch the light radiating from the Priestess.
Upon seeing him Liana's anger grew, the light burst forth blowing men off their feet and melting the final undead warriors. The shadowy figure grabbed Selvan and vanished as the light from Liana faded and the priestess collapsed onto the ground. Dragging herself to a sitting position next to Gyran. He was alive, barley but alive non the less, she had to help him get home, he had to warn Jaina. Liana called out to Gilly, the bird reached her quickly squawking worriedly. "Gilly take Gyran home" The bird nudged Gyran with its beak but the dwarf did not move. Liana used what strength she had left to pull Gyran onto the birds back. "Home Gilly, go home."
As the bird took flight Liana crawled to a half burned tent, the image of the Troll blazed through her mind "save me" she whispered before the darkness overtook everything.