*Hey guys, keep on reviewing if you please. I read them ALL. Oh, and try to take breaks between readings, the computer screen isn't so forgiving over time.
DISCLAIMER: This entire story is Copywrite. MINE. Got it? World of Warcraft, however, is NOT. Most characters are my own, except characters like Thrall and such. The world, too, belongs to Blizzard.
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Of Humans and the Horde (Working Title):
Chapter 2: Back to Betrayal
"Alpine, Votheilia, we've got to get moving, and now." I said seriously as I approached them, my pace more than hurried.
"Kuj," Votheilia spoke, somewhat frailly I noticed almost too late, "What does this mean?"
"What?" I asked as I came up beside them, though I could hardly pay attention, as my mind was elsewhere.
"That." Alpine pointed to the wall, just behind and below the bridge, where the water flowed to the canals.
I peered over to where they were both staring. I barely read it once over before needing to turn my head away. The wall read, somewhat obstructed by the liquid-like running of the blood it was written in, 'Listen to my orders, or she's dead, Kujajin, fucking dead!'. I could only hope that it was the blood of another. I hid my fears though, and stood upright before Alpine and Votheilia. There needed to be a leader.
"Al, wash that slander off of the wall, before someone sees it." I asked him, as directed him with my finger.
"Right," He didn't hesitate an instant. Even though the wall was massive, Alpine had next to no trouble washing it off while it was still wet. I didn't watch though, I looked around to be sure no one else saw it. Alpine climbed back up to us, "Kujajin, what did that mean?"
"…" I hesitated for a long minute before answering, to get the words together without a falter of my voice, "…They took Nasrina."
"Shit," Alpine spilled before he could hold his tongue, and Votheilia buried her face into his arm to keep from saying anything at all. Max, whom I had left under their care when I went to find her, looked up at me knowingly. I avoided his eyes and dismissed him for the time being. I couldn't deal with his big, sad eyes.
"Like I was telling you, we have to go," I spun on my toes and began walking towards the gate.
Alpine and Votheilia looked over at each other, before they followed after obediently. Despite our discomfort, and uneasiness, we didn't speak a word, instead stalked in silence towards the entrance gate. But as we approached the last few steps out of the city, the gates before us began to close and sirens of warning blew over the walls and through the streets. We all turned towards one of the mounted city guards, who was hollering to any who listen.
"The prisoners have escaped, seal the exits!" He shouted, his arms waving around to his men.
"The prisoners?" I inquired, rushing over to him, "What do you mean?"
"Horde invaders, those that were captured when the city was attacked," He turned to me with his words, "About a dozen of them have escaped!"
"What?" I stepped forward eagerly, I knew who was the doing of this.
"There was a prison break, apparently it was broken into by a team of five Horde raiders." He informed me quickly, though that information was already mine. He didn't have names, though.
"Damn," I cursed below my breath, "They're all long gone by now, I'm sure."
"We managed to stop the raid and hold them up after they'd opened two cells, thus, the rest of the prisoners are still secured, if you have the time we'd appreciate some help." He asked urgently, "Head to the prison, they'll have more information for you."
"R-Right." I agreed hesitantly, remembering Thrall's orders to obey him.
I led Alpine and Votheilia away from the gates and back into the city. The three of us rushed to the prison with all little effort as I could have expected, considering we had more important things to do than this. We could hear the distant cries, clashing, and rioting, and it was chilling. With just a few short corners until we reached the scene, some bastardly arm grabbed my own and yanked me into an alleyway. Immediately, Votheilia and Alpine followed, as they were more set on me than their destination. I ripped my arm from the Orc's grasp and glared knowingly into his now familiar eyes.
"Throm-Ka," He started, obviously irritated by the formality. He wasn't much for being polite, as most Orcs were.
"What do you want?" I asked hurriedly. I wasn't in the mood for it either.
"Thrall told me to give you your orders," He continued, almost as uncomfortable with the situation as I was.
"Well then give them," I demanded from him. I could barely stand the smell of him, much less the sight or company. Much less.
"He wants you to help with the escape of the rest of those fucking prisoners." He let flow the words in haste.
"Of course," I had thought as much, "I knew it would be something like that."
"Yeah, well, I'd better go," He made to turn and leave but I snatched him by the collar and yanked him back over to me.
"What's your name, Orc?" I yelled, almost too loudly. I needed a name to go with his ugly face.
"What the fuck does it matter, ya damn punk?" He shouted back, grabbing my wrist with his ridiculously overpowered grip.
"You were the one who took her!" I recalled with rage, trying to rip his stupid pale yellow eyes out with my own, "I saw you, just a few minutes ago, with Thrall! She was in your arms, you goddamn-"
"So what? Like I have her now? Let me fucking go, you swine!" He struggled, and I could almost feel my wrist bone cracking.
"I swear if you lay one dirty finger on her," I started through teeth and narrowed eyes.
"I'm not makin' any fucking promises, not to you," He grinned, knowing it aggravated me more than I would let on.
"'Ey, mon," Another voice came from above, on some low rooftop, "We gotta move, wrap it up."
"Hmpf," He yanked away from me, still clutching my wrist so tight I thought it'd shatter like glass, "I'll make sure to give her a special present from her boyfriend," He placed his other hand on the top of his gun.
"Don't you even-" He cut me off as he tossed my arm downwards, nearly spraining or dislocating my shoulder.
"See ya!" He jumped to the rooftop and rushed off with the Troll. I rolled my shoulder twice before he was out of sight, then simply stared after them.
"..." I watched their retreating backs as my fingernails dug deep into my palms, as if they were searching for treasure in my flesh, "Damn it!" I hit the wall beside me and felt the shards and dust of rock fall below.
"Kujajin," Votheilia squeaked out as she nervously stepped back, "I've never seen you like this..."
"Sorry," I murmured through the gaps in my teeth. I wasn't though, not really.
"Don't you think we should get going?" Alpine finally spoke up, "We have to do what he says, right? And then we'll get her back, that's the deal?"
"Unfortunately you're right..." I admitted reluctantly, pushing past the two of them rudely. I saw myself sinking to that level, but I didn't want to stop. I was angry, infuriated even. I really should have expected retaliation, and of course, I'm always the target, everyone was out to get me.
The continued towards the prison, all the while trying to think of a way to break out the other prisoners. We really had no ideas at all. Security must have doubled after the break, and it was next to impossible just to get inside. We approached the cell guards and suddenly the idea hit me, as usually it did. I was the idea man, of course. The most intellectual of our group.
"We need help at the canals," I spoke quickly, as if it were indeed urgent, "They've located the prisoners, hiding by the freight docks. We were sent to watch over these cells, you have to hurry and back our soldiers up!"
"Who are you?" He asked, while the other two guards came over to us.
"Field Marshal Kujajin, and party." I nodded to confirm. Of course, my name was well known around here. That must have been what Thrall was counting on.
"Oh," We all turned to the third guard, "he's the guy that put all these prisoners in here," That one guard spoke up surely. He was right, of course.
"Well then," They nodded towards each other, "we're counting on you," The first one said as the three of them took off towards the canals.
"Of course." I saw them off before continuing towards the cells.
"Kuj, I don't like this," Votheilia whispered to me. Like this was all about her, please. She wasn't obliged to be here at all, this was about me. Nasrina, too, was just a way to get to me.
"Hey, it's that-that guy, the one who ruined the invasion!" One of the Orcs shouted, and suddenly there was an uproar.
"I don't like this any more than you do, Vo." I told her as I looked around for a way out. The guards had taken their keys with them, and I couldn't find any way to raise the bars.
"How in Azeroth are we gonna break all these people out?" Alpine inquired suddenly, his voice shaking with disbelief.
"Just let me think," I stood still for a moment, scanning the room with my eyes, "Ack," I rubbed my head angrily, as if it would clear my mind. I was rushing for an escape route, while trying not to be drowned out my the noise of the uproar. It was mostly unsuccessful.
I looked back at Alpine and silently asked if he had an idea, but he shook his head. Of course not, it was always up to me. He was damn near close to stabbing through a hanging Alliance flag above us with his horn as he shook his head. Huh, I had never realized before how large he was, or his horns, they were so sharp... That's it!
"Al, if there's no door, what do we do?" I asked, excited by my own brilliance.
"Uh, find a window?" He asked, unsure.
"What if there is no window?" I tried to lead him to the answer, gesturing towards the thin bars. He was silent as I continually gestured, over and over, before he made
"The..." His eyes darted around like this was some kind of test, "chim...ney?" He looked dumbfounded.
"No you idiot," I slapped my forehead, "we make a door!" I almost shouted.
"Ooooh," He raised his finger and nodded furiously like he understood, then stopped, "Wait what are you-"
"Do you remember when we were first stopping the invasion, in the Hold, and you used your horns to brake down the door?" I guess I had to spell it out and everything. "You think you can do it again?" I asked.
"Well I can try, that's for damn sure." He gave me a thumbs-up then prepared to ram the bars down. He gave an extended stretch, then kicked his foot back on the dust ground, like some superstitious ritual. I rolled my eyes.
"Don't hurt yourself," Votheilia spoke softly, as if hoping I didn't hear.
"Raaah!" He rushed the bars and smashed clean into the cell, "Oof!" He landed on the dirty cell floor, "Wait, now I'm in the cell, how exactly is this supposed to work?"
"The bars are gone, Al," I spoke, not really interested in his stupidity and his ignorance, "You can walk right back out."
"Right," Alpine stood up and smirked triumphantly as the masses around him stood in awe.
"Hey, you're bustin' us out now?" One Orc questioned, as the rest looked around at each other.
"Hurry while you have the chance," I didn't want to say it out loud, but I pointed towards the large exit door.
"Thank you, Hunter," A few of them said on their way out. Not all of them, though. They must have know I didn't do it out of the kindness in my heart.
"What have we done," I murmured but my thoughts were cut short, "To think we had just found a home that accepted us, a peaceful town where they knew us as heroes, and I had just found someone to care about..."
"Hey, we have to leave too, or they'll know we did it- and lock us away!" Votheilia cried out as she began for the door through the rushing stream of convicts.
"You guys go ahead," I sighed and spoke calmly and quietly, "I'll just stay here and be caught. If I'm in jail, Thrall can't use me and his abduction plan will have failed. He'll let Nasrina go free, and we can-"
"Are you an idiot!" Alpine shouted out of no where, shocking us both, "They won't let her go, they'll kill her!"
"So be it!" It sounded so harsh at first, but I was sure I had a reason, "They'll kill her anyway!" I shouted back, "They'll dangle her in front of my very face and make me beg and work to get her back, then they'll just snatch her away again!"
"Let them try," Alpine grabbed my arm in his massive one, dragging me forth so hard I nearly fell over, "I won't let you give up on her."
"Al..." Votheilia looked on.
"Then you go after her!" I yanked in defiance, "You follow her, impress her, chase her, stay by her side and fall in love with her, then you see how it feels when she's taken away, bloody and beaten, in front of your very eyes!"
"..." Silence followed, before his grip tightened considerably and my eyes grew large, he was certainly surprising sometimes, "If you're half the Elf you claim to be, then for God sakes, act like it!"
The pain of his palm and fingers hitting my cheek wasn't exactly expected, but I didn't flinch. I stood, still, feeling my cheek darken like my eyes. In the mess of chaos and panic around us, I only watched the floor. Perhaps he was right, Thrall and his men were getting the better of me, and I couldn't let that happen. I couldn't let them win, even if they did kill Nasrina. Looking up into his eyes I knew for once he was serious.
"Grow up!" He exhaled so loudly that even the booming of his voice could have knocked me to the floor, "Who was it that showed you what selflessness is?" He began walking away, pulling me behind him with ease, "Who was it that taught you to fight, even after being outnumbered, after being so 'beaten and bloody'," He gripped harder and walked faster.
"..." I realized what he was saying, but let him continue. He needed to get this out.
"You tell me her name, and say to my face that you won't fight back for her?" He shouted above the cries and shouts of the jail break around us, "This isn't about you!"
"You're right Al," I smiled faintly somehow, perhaps believing or at least understanding what he meant, and found the strength to lift my head, "For once, you said something smart."
"Well," He paused, as this time he was surprised, "you were being all emo, and angsty and stuff..."
"Sorry, I just got a little carried away," I admitted as we moved through the crowd, my feet moving on their own this time. My hesitance, it was embarrassing. No matter how well-placed.
"Yeah you did," He continued proudly, more sure of himself now, "I'm sick of all these cutscenes."
"That's enough you two, we've still got to find our way out of this place." Votheilia spoke up again, and I had all but forgotten her voice.
"Right," I finally started taking the situation seriously again. At least, I had to protect myself. I wasn't about to let the thought of someone else kill me, or capture me.
We hurried back down the prison corridor and escaped through the front, while the guards still recognized us as allies. Of course, we acted as though we were chasing the prisoners, but had to drop it as we saw the guards we replaced talking to superior officers. We quickly ran through back alleys and swam through the canals until we were out of any immediate. Finally, we reached the gates and hid under the main bridge, looking up at the still sealed gates.
"How are we gonna get out? The city's locked down!" Alpine asked in a whisper, though half came through bubbles as he was half under water.
"Don't worry, I've got it all figured out." I said confidently, as my arms moved to and fro across the surface.
"I knew it! What's your plan this time?" Alpine leaned forward, excited. At least he knew I was the smart one.
"Well, all those prisoners that escaped have to get out somewhere too, right?" I led him along, "So, there are dozens of them, and what, two or four gate guards. Who do you think has the upper hand?"
"Oh I see, we'll use them as cover!" Votheilia picked up before Alpine did, no surprise there.
"Exactly." I nodded surely, "Now, we just have to wait for..."
Just then, the sounds of countless heavy footsteps rushed over our heads. Alpine, Votheilia and I all exchanged knowing smirks and rushed up the side of the bridge to follow. As I expected, the guards were easily overcome and the masses flowed from the gates like rats from a sewer. Among them, the three of us clung together and raced through the thickness of the forest. Before even reaching Goldshire, however, we stopped in the cover of trees to rest.
"What now?" Alpine asked all of us.
"Honestly, Al?" I spoke through a huff, "I have no idea,"
"Well that's no fun," A booming voice sounded from near us, by some large, moss-covered boulder, "No plans, yet, Kujajin?"
"Thrall, I've done what you asked," I argued, ignoring his statement.
"You've quirked my interest, Kujajin." This time he ignored me, "That was some show. You know, I could really use a man like you on my side, willing or not."
"Why did you kidnap Na-?" I asked suddenly, but stopped halfway, "Er, Viola?" I corrected myself. I wasn't sure if I should tell him her name, in fear he might gain leverage that way.
"Would you follow me any other way?" He asked rightly.
"…" I glared at the man before me, not a word could I give to deny that. I simply waited for him to give me another task, which I knew he would.
"I needed some assistance in retrieving my lost men, so when I learned of where you were all staying," I didn't want to know how, "I thought it the perfect time for some vengeance, as well." He laughed, "Killing two stones with one bird, isn't that the expression?"
"Something like that." I replied calmly, not caring to correct him.
"I've been having a hard time motivating my own men," He went on, "so I might as well try motivating my enemies to help me instead, like, an experiment." I couldn't imagine why he would go and do something so silly as this, "And this way, the Alliance trusted you, and you used that against them. It was like having a rat in the heart of the enemy."
"Despicable." I spat the only word that seemed fitting.
"Well," Thrall sighed in an almost mortal sort of fatigued way, "It would have been easier just to move on from you and that Human girl, but it's so much more fun this way, wouldn't you say?"
"You're an ass hole." I stated with an uninterested demeanour.
"I'm so glad you noticed." He grinned an Orcish grin, but he himself didn't even believe it, "Regardless, I still have use for you, Kujajin, or did you think it would be that easy to win the girl back?" He was taunting me now. I couldn't stand when people did that, made me feel so low. My pride hated it, more.
"What do you need me to do?" I ignored the heat raging through my blood.
"Find your way to the Undercity, there's somewhat of a scuffle going on there that I could use your help with." He said almost curtly, like he was actually trying to help us, "If I were you, I'd go to Hammerfall and fly there. If you try to catch a flight around here, I doubt you'll be so lucky with either faction as of late."
"Fine." I growled before turning away. I didn't want to waste another breath in this conversation.
"Good," He nodded behind me, "I have to hurry and get back to my men, we have someone to escort. She might be in danger of death with that head wound, I'll have to get her home and taken care of." He pricked a nerve, especially with that word, home. Like her home would be with any of those Orcs he called men, "Oh, and Kujajin," He drew my attention back, despite my cringe.
"..." I peered over my shoulder.
"I wouldn't try anything noble, this time," He started, before bowing his head menacingly, so his eyes jumped from the darkness beneath his brow, and for a moment I thought he might well have known the extent of that 'nobility', or lack of, "I don't think I have to explain why not."
"Yes sir." I managed to say without breaking his teeth.
-x0x-
Preview of Next Chapter:
"The wench isn't here! Search the city!" He called over the rustling and clanging of armour and the echoing cheers and laughs of those around him.
"So, what, you guys in the Horde are just so badass that you raid your own cities now?" I joked, raising an eyebrow to him.
"Damn it Jy'ko, nice 'stalling'..." Straadlater cursed in Orcish before turning back to me, "We have to get out of here."
"Actually I was planning on just sitting here and waiting for that mass to come over and fillet me like a fish, what the hell do you think-" I was interrupted as he picked me up with ease.
"Up you go," He placed me on the back of the swift wolf.
See that bubble down there? Dare you to click it.