Hi everyone! I've decided to split longer chapters into parts from now on (like the last one) to keep them at a kind of standard length. This also means "faster" updates! Faster for, you know, me. I hope everyone enjoys the latest installment and my first real fight scene (bar brawls count!).

Chapter 3: A Wound Much Deeper

Part 1 of 2

After receiving his drink Drakken wandered over to over Gavin and Melaine's table and pulled over an empty chair, sitting himself down with his back to the bar. He smiled briefly in a greeting which the two lieutenants returned before ignoring him in favour of continuing with their quiet conversation, leaning into each other's space and murmuring words unintelligible to the olive skinned orc.

Drakken shook his head in exaggerated exasperation but he didn't really mind. He was satisfied for the time being with simply sitting back and enjoying the atmosphere, the comfortable feeling of being able to relax and having friends close by. It didn't take long for the duo's low tones to fade into the background as Drakken contented himself with watching the back end of the tavern with a lazy eye.

...

A short time later, as he was deciding whether to warn two men off their continued ribbing of the attractive goblin seated nearby or simply enjoy watching her turn their faces inside out with her small green fists, his attention was pulled back to his own table by a disbelieving scoff.

Brown eyes removed themselves from their potential entertainment and turned instead to the orc captain's undead companion. The unkempt rogue was leaning back in his chair with bony arms crossed over his slender chest. His glowing yellow eyes were focused past Drakken's bulk on the front of the bar; expression one of incredulous amusement.

"Unbelievable. I can't tell if they have a death wish or if they're stupid with ale. Or just stupid." He said with a sad shake of his head.

Curious, Drakken twisted in his seat, following his friend's gaze to a small confrontation taking place at the bar. His rich brown eyes widened as he took in the scene. What was taking place was not the average drunken posturing typical to such an establishment; instead a group of four unsteady men were baiting an increasingly familiar red eyed elf. The Patrol member was obviously tense; fisted hands, clenched jaw, and a glare that promised great pain to those it was directed at.

"Just stupid." Gavin declared, decision made.

"Surely that is unwise…" Drakken muttered as he observed the paladin make an obscene gesture with one pink hand. If possible Blood-Eye Blade's eyes narrowed further as his face morphed into a scowl. Inside he was aware that he should be more concerned about the blood elf's rebuttal but there was the strange sense of not believing that what he was seeing was real. For surely the aggravators' could not be so foolish; even a blind man could see that this was a truly terrible idea.

On the other side of their worn table Gavin didn't seem to be of the same mind, humour colouring his voice as he spoke.

"Most definitely not on the list of recommended actions to be taken against ridiculously deadly motherfuckers, no."

Drakken turned slowly to look back at the forsaken, his expression shifting between shock, disapproval, and amusement. Amber eyes regarded him steadily as one hairless, muted-blue brow rose; daring. Finally the orc's eyes slid shut and he just shook his head.

"I can't believe you just said that." He said, his tone scandalised even as he accepted the truth in those words. Gavin shrugged one narrow shoulder half-heartedly. Melaine fixed them both with a disapproving green stare.

"Perhaps – if you two are quite done fooling around – we should step in now, before things get-"

"Don't…TOUCH ME!"

The thundering roar that filled the tavern shook its inhabitants. Heads whipped around just in time to watch a tall, gangly troll crash heavily into the floor with a wince-worthy thud. Scores of militiamen fell silent. The confrontation before had pulled a fair amount of attention from those closer and a number of wary eyes from others elsewhere within the inn, but the commotion now assured that the entire buildings population was watching intently as the infuriated elf fell upon his opponent.

Even from half way across the room Drakken could see the Patrol member was shaking with barely suppressed rage, his crimson eyes blazing. He rose to his feet – aware Melaine and Gavin were doing the same – unsure yet if they would be required to interfere but ready to do so the moment things looked like escalating further.
Movement off to the side dragged Drakken's attention away from the brawl.

"Fuck." The oath dropped from chapped lips with all the weight of an anchor into the sea as a few of the caster's companions – two rather hefty orcs – jumped in, hauling the elf rogue off the teal skinned troll.

One of the orcs, a darker skinned warrior with not one but two, greatswords strapped across his plate-covered back threw the smaller man against the bar hard enough two wind him. Then, taking advantage of the Sin'dorei's momentary weakness, he stepped forward to deliver a devastating punch to his abdomen. Blood-Eye Blade doubled over, a breathless cough escaping his lips. He fell away from the bar, though how he managed to keep his feet under him – however unsteady – after a solid hit like that was a mystery to Drakken.

Sobered by adrenaline his assailant loomed over him, thick arms proudly crossed and a smug look on his face.

"Hn. After all this hubbub I've had to listen to about 'the great and terrifying Blood-Eye Blade'; the elf who slayed hundreds – if not thousands – of men with a grin on his face… I can honestly say I expected better. I'm beginning to think you made up all them rumours yerself." He scoffed at the blood elf who leaned heavily on the counter, panting. "Cause there ain't no fuckin' way any real warrior'd be that scared of some little cocksucker like you!" He threw back his shaven head, his laughter loud and mocking.

Having already dismissed the diminutive blonde as a non-threat he missed the fact that the Patrol member had suddenly stopped gasping for breath. A ghost of a smirk hovered behind narrowed red eyes. Subtly, the lithe rogue shifted, no longer appearing to use the worn bar to supplement his flagging strength as much as he now leaned against it in a bored manner. In one fluid movement he shoved off the bar, closing the already short distance between himself and his prey.

The still sniggering orc didn't see it coming. The elf's fist slammed into the warrior's less protected stomach with a surprising amount of force considering his size. Shock was too mild a word for the wide-eyed, slack jawed expression that settled over dark viridian features. The punch was swiftly followed by a kick; a graceful arc that connected with the man's temple. The muscular orc hit the ground heavily.

Blood-Eye Blade stared down at the dazed warrior, a mocking grin curling pink lips.

"Is this the grin you've been hearing about?"

Most of the inn seemed to be in shock. The whole of the previous fight had lasted a total of three minutes – four or five if you were generous. Blood-Eye Blade's retaliation, which had left his opponent senseless on the floor, had taken less than a third of that time.

Their numbers having dwindled to two, the remaining agitators snapped their jaws shut and glowered resentfully at the Patrol member who had dropped their friend like so much rotting meat. Enraged shouts echoed through the tavern as they made to exact revenge for their fallen brethren, approximating to "you bastard, we'll get you for this" but in far more… colourful terms. Seeing another fight imminent the crowd began to grow rowdy, shouting out words of encouragement and derision to both sides, like wolves baying for blood.

Shit. Things just got about ten times worse… Drakken whirled around to face his lieutenants, his eyes hard and determination set into every line of his expression.

The two officers straightened unconsciously under his stern gaze. The person in front them was no longer Drake; their compassionate friend and worrier. No, it was Drakken Bludwringer who stood before them now; ferocious warrior and well-respected Captain in the Warchief's military. A man who was willing and able to do whatever it took, who accepted no bullshit.

"Melaine," He jabbed one thick olive finger at the Sin'dorei, "You're on crowd control. Try to keep the peace. If things get out of hand then use whatever tricks you have to. The very last thing we need is a mob drunk on alcohol and violence." The fiery mage nodded once, her porcelain face serious, before spinning away from their table and disappearing into the masses. Drakken wasted no time watching her leave, turning immediately to the undead rogue standing ready beside him.

"Gavin, you're with me." He motioned for the smaller man to follow him. "We're going to put an end to this nonsense."

...

Blood coloured eyes flicked between the forms of the paladin and the hunter that were closing in on him, attempting to box him in against the bar. It was a useless tactic but he had to commend them for being able to scrounge even such weak strategy from their ale-scrambled brains. The orcish hunter instinctively hung back despite lacking any form of ranged weapon; so used to fighting from a distance. The space it created wasn't a lot but it was more than enough for a small, agile body to slip through – particularly if one was quick.

And quick Blood-Eye Blade rogue practically danced through the opening between his opponents, astonishing them with his bold decision and swift movements. Surprise had long been his ally and right then… it was their downfall.

By the time the orc's mind had caught up to his eyes, the Patrol member was standing poised behind his colleague. The heavily armoured male had drawn his sword and turned to engage the other blood elf in combat but Blood-Eye Blade, with one well-placed kick to the back of his right knee, knocked his legs out from under him. His knee wrenched and the Sin'dorei crashed to the floor in a pile of gleaming metal. Before he could even consider picking himself back up the sharp angled pommel of Blood-Eye Blade's signature weapon landed a heavy blow to his temple, delivering his mind to the darkness.

One down…

Invisible to the baying crowd his eyes narrowed, pain beginning to throb behind his eyeballs. His senses still dulled from alcohol it took quite some effort to focus on the fight, to appear as unaffected as ever. It is beginning to wear on me, Blood-Eye Blade thought with an internal grimace.

The sway of his attention was enough that it allowed the large hunter to slip around his guard.

Something close and sickeningly bright green moved into his line of sight. The elf realised what it meant too late. He had not even the time to gasp as one beefy forearm cut across his front, pulling him back against worn leather. The arm tightened its hold, pressing the thick metal collar around his throat painfully against his Adam's apple.

Bodily, he was lifted up and up so that his comparatively small body was pressed against a wide chest. As he attempted to struggle free his aggressor's other hand entangled itself in the Patrol member's long blonde hair and tugged sharply, yanking his head up and back and further pushing his throat against the thick limb that held him captive. This new position forced unforgiving steel harder into his neck, biting painfully into his skin and slowly depriving him of much needed oxygen. It was all he could do to choke out a curse.

A low chuckle whispered against his skin and vibrated against his back.

"Not so tough now, are you? Now that you can't skip around… I could snap your little elf neck right now if I decided I'd a mind to…" The orc's voice rumbled into his ears.

The threat in his words was real but Blood-Eye Blade paid it no mind. At least it would be a death far better than this, he thought, trying and failing to pull enough air into his lungs which were starting to burn. In the back of his mind memories roiled; suffocating, drowning, falling down, down, down, down into the nothingness before abruptly being pulled back up.

He choked on a gasp. His calloused hands fought for purchase on the hunter's arm, the sai still gripped in one fist creating thin red lines in the skin. Even as realisation dawned on him he felt the ache of relief spread through his skull and neck. His chin fell forward as the grip on his hair suddenly disappeared. It didn't take a genius to know why, to know that the orc had likely come to same conclusion as he. Against his back he could feel the shifting of muscles as the hunter's now free hand moved to take the blade from his grasp. The rogue forced himself to focus.

C'mon… Now!

With a vicious slash the elf forced steel into flesh. The timing was not perfect and their positions made the motions awkward and sloppy. The attack tore into skin and muscle, rending the underside of the orc's forearm from wrist to elbow. The orc yowled in pain, cursing the blood elf's name and dropping his captive like a red-hot coal.

Blood-Eye Blade fell to his knees. Spots filled his vision with a veritable lightshow of multi-coloured flashes and through the ringing in his ears he could make out the far away sound of someone coughing. After a few moments of pulling life giving air into his lungs his hearing returned enough for him to realise that the painful hacking sounds were coming from him.

A punch, a kick, being stabbed even – nothing. But that…

He shivered as he pulled his hand from his burning throat, realising that he didn't remember placing it there in the first place. Pushing aside his lingering dizziness he pulled himself to his feet. The orcish hunter crouched low to the ground several feet away, his injured limb cradled against his chest, useless. Blood pulsed in thick rivulets from between grassy fingers, the red clashing against unsightly green.

The elf's fingers tightened around the now wet grip of his sai, already pale skin fading to white with the force of his grasp. Without his consent his body moved, closing the short distance between himself and the injured bowman.

...

...

Getting through the horde of men and women gathered around the brawler's turned out to be much more of a challenge than Drakken expected. With every second that passed the audience grew more and more restless; rising from their seats to get a better look, cheering, jeering, screaming for blood.

With a little extra time the captain and his lieutenant were finally able to push, shove, and threaten their way through the throng of bodies to the front of the mob… only to be met with chaos.

The troll mage could be seen hanging around the edge of the makeshift arena, his eyes rolling in terror but otherwise looking none the worse for wear. He was the only one. Two of the magic wielder's companions were on the floor – one dazed and the other unmoving. The fourth was bleeding profusely, squatting down not too far from the paladin, with blood beginning to pool and stain the floorboards beneath him.

Standing in the middle of it all was Blood-Eye Blade. Bloodied but still standing and slowly closing in on the wounded hunter.

Drakken took the scene in, his mouth agape. He had only looked away for the few minutes required to push through the crowd and yet... He closed his eyes and took in a calming breath, centring himself before he stepped away from the crowd. The noise level inside the inn halved almost immediately as the men recognised their superior, continuing to fall until it was nothing more than a hum of murmurs.

He ignored the changes and focused on the Patrol member, moving cautiously towards him. He paused just outside arms reach, the other either oblivious to his presence or ignoring him in favour of the wounded hunter – he couldn't tell which.

"Blood-Eye Blade." He kept his voice low but stern.

It was strange to use the name to address the man himself, the syllables awkward and stiff on his tongue.

Wrong.

The elf stopped. When it turned to him the crimson stare was empty, as if a house left abandoned. Though even as he held the disconcerting gaze he could see Blood-Eye Blade return to himself. Drakken watched the Sin'dorei look around dazedly at the destruction he had caused. Upon seeing his enemies defeated some of the tension leaked from his posture. The sai in his hand returned to its usual place at his hip, regardless of the blood slowly coagulating on the blade.

"Right, fine." The firm, quiet words matched the hard set of his mouth, spoken as if to convince himself more than anything else. There was something small and vulnerable in his eyes that was slowly fading the more aware he became. Drakken sighed and rubbed his eyes with his fingertips.

"Okay… I want everyone who was involved in this ridiculousness…" He spared a glance at the clearly incapacitated pile of armour on the floor before reiterating. "Everyone involved who is still conscious outside, now." The bleeding hunter made to protest but was silenced by the hard eye that Drakken fixed on him.

"No exceptions."

He turned to Gavin, who appeared content standing back by the crowd.

"Could you please check the paladin over there, make sure he's still breathing? I'm going to escort these troublemakers outside and give them a good talking to." The lieutenant nodded once and moved to do as he was asked. Drakken turned to the four men still left and tilted his head towards the door. They slowly made their way out, the troll mage lending a stabilising shoulder to the warrior who was nursing an obviously killer headache.

Once they had all exited the inn Drakken followed suit, muttering unhappily as he did.

...

Outside, Drakken stalked past the awaiting misfits. Without needing to be told the four men followed him down the hill, away from the prying eyes of those in the tavern. As soon as the ground levelled out beneath his feet he whirled on them, his expression flinty.

"I'm not happy." His rough voice was as hard and cold as his eyes. "This stop over was supposed to be a relaxing break from our travels and yet you four…" He let out a slow, shaky breath before composing himself. The three instigators shared an uneasy look.

"Now…" The Captain speared the group before him with a not-quite-glare that brooked no nonsense. "Someone, I don't particularly care who, please explain to me just what occurred that triggered such a disrespectful display." As soon as the words left his mouth he was assaulted by a wave of sound as the three comrades rushed to put in their coppers, speaking over each other and clamouring for Drakken's attention.

"It was dat Patrol member! We was just havin' some fun an' enjoyin' a drink and da guy went crazy!"

"Yeah! Out of the fuckin' blue he just starts throwin' Manni here around! Beatin' on 'im for no bloody good reason. He was gonna kill 'im! We had no choice but to do somethin'…"

"He tore open my arm! I'll probably never draw a bow again now…"

"Exactly. Then the psycho went off at the rest of us! He damn near split my 'ead open, and the next thing any of us knows is Jaerryn's out cold – possibly even dead! – and Zain 'ere is bleedin' out from some great big cut on 'is arm!"

"Which you won' even let him get looked at…"

"Bloody cock-sucking bastard… Fucking monster he is…"

"ENOUGH!"

One bellowed word, filled with all his impatience and anger, momentarily halted the onslaught. The two orcs and their troll companion fell into silence, barely daring to breathe. The vein on Drakken's forehead throbbed. Behind his amber eyes an uncomfortable ache had begun to form from the sheer force of will it took not to hit something. Honestly, did they think him stupid? Blind?
I know what I saw; I know exactly who was harassing who. Blood-Eye Blade may have thrown the first punch but they are hardly blameless in this incident…

Speaking of…
He turned his gaze upon the smallest form before him. The Patrol member hadn't uttered a word since Drakken had approached him inside the tavern. Even now he stood eerily still, his red eyes staring unseeingly at a clump of dry grass and a single distressed line drawn between his brows.

"Blood-Eye Blade." The man in question straightened. At least I know he's listening, Drakken thought.

"Perhaps you have a slightly… different account of what took place?" The dark haired orc prodded. Crimson eyes flicked up to meet sun-beaten brown only briefly before falling away once more. The corners of the blood elf's mouth twitched downwards, lips turning thin and colourless. He said nothing.

"See! He doesn't deny it!" Drakken silenced the troll mage with a harsh glare.

"If you have any sense of self-preservation, then you – all of you – will shut your mouths and keep them shut for the rest of the mission, because I really don't want to hear it." He shook his head crossly, the motion heavy.
"I don't know what in the fel you lot were thinking… We are in the middle of an important mission, representing the Horde, and you four are starting drunken brawls?!"
Disregarding the instruction given to them not moments before the orc hunter jumped in. His grass green face was twisted, his voice overbrimming with resentment.

"But it was his f-"

"I don't care whose fault it is! Every one of you participated!" Drakken snapped out, tone harsh. "I'm not going to stand hear and listen to you three play a one-sided blame game. The point I am trying to get across is that the behaviour all four of you exhibited here tonight was simply unacceptable! People could have been hurt-"

"We were hurt! Zain's arm be all torn underneath!" Drakken had to physically resist the urge to roll his eyes at the troll's outburst. Honestly, dribble some liquor and a bit of contention into them and they lose all discipline…

"I wasn't talking about you. I was talking about people uninvolved: townspeople, other members of the regiment who were minding their own business, people who didn't deserve it…" The mage, Manni, stepped back from the force of the Captain's almost cruel words, but Drakken wasn't finished yet.

"…You three," he pointed one thick olive finger at the instigators, "Your punishment for your involvement in this incident will be spending the rest of the journey to Tanaris serving oats and digging latrines on chore duty. I can assure you that free time will be a distant memory until we return to Orgrimmar." Ignoring the dismayed look on his subordinates' faces, Drakken turned his stern gaze to Blood-Eye Blade.

"As for you… You will be spending the next few weeks running messages and scouting ahead. Every day I want you out there checking for potential roadblocks, bandits, or other such trouble. At any point you run into such barriers you are to report back to me, else you will return every two or three hours to check back with the main force. Understood?"
The Patrol member's eyes shot up to his, surprise obvious in the expanse of white surrounding crimson irises. Drakken raised one thick brow, waiting impatiently for a response. Blood-Eye Blade's face relaxed into his normal stoic expression and he dipped his blonde head in understanding.

"As you wish… Captain." The words, quiet and unexpected – not unlike the man who said them –, were almost lost beneath the distressed shouts of the orc warrior.

"What?! He's the fucking problem 'ere, why does he get the cushier job while we 'ave to do chores?!" The large orc's discontent faded out into a whine. Drakken growled, feeling his headache spike.

"If you don't cut it out with the swearing you'll be on fourth shift night watch on top of your chore duties."
Even the Patrol member grimaced at the threat.

"As for Blood-Eye Blade's punishment, I thought it made more sense since he actually has his war wolf… but if you and your friends here really want to spend the next few weeks sprinting back and forth all day then feel free." The Captain shrugged his plate-covered shoulders, the metal grating against his mail shirt. His comment, casually thrown in the three comrades' faces was received with fearful silence.

"Yes, that's what I thought too." Drakken said, this time not even bothering to hide the sarcastic rolling of his eyes. "Maybe," If I'm fucking lucky… "You'll think better of it the next time you're about to do something incredibly stupid." Looking at the men bristling under his gaze he sincerely doubted it. A heavy sigh passed through chapped lips, releasing some of the tension trapped in his muscles.

"Alright, dismissed."

...

...

One and only reality
Fatal journey to infinity
Chase the monster of the seven seas
Face it, kill it, and you'll be free
I am thy strength, I am thy sword.

My name is madness
And I'm the light you need in darkness
You can't escape from me
'Cause I'm madness
And I will tear your soul apart
We die as one...
As one!

Know your demons to know where to strike
Dark is their home and well they hide
Bloodbound battle, a quest for truth
I'm the last one to die in you
I am berserk, I fear no fear.

My name is madness
And I will hunt you down in darkness
You can't escape from me
'Cause I'm madness
The demon slayer in your head
I'm always there!

No one can hear you scream
No one will find you
There's no way out of here alive.

My name is madness
And I'm the light you need in darkness
You can't escape from me
'Cause I'm madness
And I will tear your soul apart
We die as one...

My name is madness
And I will hunt you down in darkness
You can't escape from me
'Cause I'm madness
The demon slayer in your head
I'm always there...

Until the end!

...

Madness by Battle Beast

Hoping everyone enjoyed themselves. I'll see everyone next time! Any reviews are always appreciated.