"What do you mean she has fled the city?!" The Shadowy corpse of a man bellowed from his perch on a throne like rock formation. They were deep inside a cave in the mesa desert known as Thousand Needles.

The orc cowered at the feet of this throne, nervously looking around him. "She left sometime in the past two days, sir" the orc slowly backed away, his master had always seemed fair but now he was sinister. His agitation was chilling, Ukrahm did not want to anger him further. Ukrahm had come to know his mater and the others like him during the time many horde were fighting in the Outlands. It had not taken much to persuade the young to follow a new path but where was this new path leading now.

"Ukrahm, why is it I enlisted you to help me?" The Shadowy Corpse left his place high above the orc and others gathered, he continued on without letting the orc answer. "I needed you to keep up with the girl, you were to know where she was at all times. That should have been easy in an enemy city." The Corpse voice rose as it spoke.

" I did sir, she was with that troll and his sister. They are untouchable. Rajit'kal is a good friend of Thrall, I got as close as possible but she left in the night." Ukrahms voice shook as he spoke, did he sound as weak to those gathered as he did to his own ears.

"You were sleeping instead of watching after her?" the Shadowy Corpse grabbed the orcs throat squeezing. "You are just as worthless as the others."

It seemed effortless, Ukrahm's body fell to the ground causing a small cloud of dust to rise, he was dead. Quickly and painfully gone without a chance to further explain himself.

"We must find her Selvan, she is the key, the vessal." the Shadowy Corpse walked away down a small corridor. "Once she has fulfilled her purpose she can rot for all I care."

Selvan fast on his heels. "I shall go out myself with what men are left."

"Good."

**chapter break**

"We may need to stop Raj, we have ridden hard long enough." Torq called out to his friend, they had been on the roads for hours now. Torq could feel Lianas body slowly giving out as she leaned into him more now than she had at the start. "Daybreak is a few short hours from now, we need to sleep and rest the mounts."

Rajit'kal nodded, turning Cho into the underbrush near the road. There was a small clump of trees not too far off the road with a small spring. It was frequented by trappers and hunting parties but they should be safe for the rest of the night.

The clearing was mostly empty, save for a giggling pair of young orcs across the way. Lovers sneaking away for a night alone it seemed. Raj rolled out the sleeping mats while Torq helped Lianna down. He was satisfied with himself, she had ridden with Torq and would continue to. His anger at Liana touching another man was more real than he wanted it to be but he would not allow it to overtake him. As for sleeping though, he would sleep beside her, no other man would ever be allowed to.

It occurred to Raj that if things went well for Liana she could move on and settle down with a man who would be good for her. It was possible she would not be an outcast and then she could have a real life. All he had to offer was running from place to place, never being able to live in peace. The life of a pirate, the only way it seemed the factions lived as one, was not a life for her. Liana was innocent of this world, gentle and kind.

**chapter break**

"You will need to stay wrapped in the cloak Liana." Torq nodded across the spring "We do not need those two seeing you."

The couple seemed to engrossed with each other to notice the trio occupying the opposite side of the spring. Liana smiled to herself, the couple was very young, youth sneaking away from their parents. Love was so beautiful between those allowed to experience it.

Sobering thought, they would never be regarded as cute, or wished well if people saw them in passing. Many years ago trolls were even more savage than they were seen now, by the alliance that is. Thrall had come to power, things had changed and now the once blood thirsty Darkspear were civilized. Well as civilized as a troll could be. Liana knew Rajit'Kal well, the moments when he let himself be lost to the primal urges. His eyes would flash a deep dark red, control went away and several times she bore the bruises from the loss of control.

She was not ashamed of those times, seeing him in different way than most would. He trusted her enough to show her every piece of himself, even if he did not fully realize this is what he was doing. If only they were alone, making love under the pale moon and a star filled sky would be amazing.

" Take this pallet, we will not get much sleep tonight, we rise with the sun and move out again." Raj pointed to a pallet at the edge of a small shrub tree.

"You will be well hidden and we will sleep behind you." Torq added

"Thank you" Liana replied as she knelt down to her makeshift bed for the night. Raj lay directly behind her, not close enough to touch but Liana still felt the warmth from his body. Torq lay near her feet, both Cho and the Wolf near her head. Liana was effectively surrounded by their small party.

She longed for Raj to hold her, but tonight it seemed this was not going to happen. Raj had been distancing himself from her, she knew, felt him pulling away. This would be easier in some ways and harder in others. He could put the distance between them now, causing pain in the present to prevent it in future? Somehow though Liana believed the pain would not be less, distance or not.

**chapter break**

Giggles drifted across the spring, filling the ears of the trio with the sounds of young love. Liana sighed, Torq rolled his eyes and Raj grunted. This would be a long night. Mere moments passed, Raj swore before rolling over to pull Liana into his arms.

This felt right having her in his arms. Something that felt this good could not be the curse he was making it out to be. Would daylight bring the same conclusion or would he go back to fighting what seemed inevitable? For now he would push those thoughts aside and enjoy the feel of soft curves and the gentle scent of flowers that was his Priestess.