The Forgotten Chieftain's Wife Chapter 9
Against objections from her fellow Frostwolves Lyanna made her way to the closed off area of the Warband's camp where the prisoners were being kept in cages. She still held her son tightly in her arms. Draka was persistent trying repeatedly to convince her to turn back the entire way. Lyanna stood firm in her decision. Lyanna continued to tell herself that she had to do this.
It had been so long Since Lyanna had seen one of her own kind. The temptation was so great that she simply couldn't keep herself restrained anymore. Yes, she was concerned about somebody potentially recognizing her, but the reality of the odds on how likely that would be is seriously low. After all it had been over three years since any human had seen her face. There were portraits of her at Stormwind, but those specifically exclusive inside the palace walls. Not many commoners had seen it so that was in her favor.
Also, there was another danger Lyanna needed to be cautious of while doing this. One of the main reasons she stayed away for of fear of how other Orc's might react to her presence there should she choose to go. It could be taken the wrong way and end in violence where someone might become injured or dead. Draka excels as an ample protector, but even she wouldn't be enough against a heavy onslaught from the other clans. They'd be beaten mercilessly before any of their brothers in arms could come to their aid in time.
Lyanna and Draka were going to be required to tread carefully in this. Which is why they were keeping to the shadows in order to avoid being seen.
Fortunately luck was on their side. Having stayed in the shadows no one spotted them slipping past so they remained this way even when the two got the yard with all the multiple cages. They quite successfully reached the target hiding in between two huts for shelter.
Here they watched as Orc's doing absolutely deplorable and heinous things. The color drained from her face heart contracting with terror.
Humans of all ages, both young and old, were being herded in cramp cages filled to the point where some of them were crammed painfully against the bars of their confines. Those that protested their treatment or tried to run for freedom were swiftly apprehended. They were beaten to a pulp tossed in with their fellow prisoners. A couple of the Orc's got carried away unintentionally killing their victims instead. Well maybe the perpetrators did mean to kill them, but realized their error when superiors stalked over to severely reprimand them for it.
Each and every one of the humans was needed alive.
There were a couple of captured humans that as Lyanna observed really hit home for her. Basically they are mothers with very young children. It made her clutch the baby tighter to her chest in a bout of maternal protectiveness. Also, seeing so many of them beaten into submission unwittingly made her recollect her time as a slave in the Horde. It brought back so many terrible memories that her body began to tremble as they flashed before her very eyes. Quite surreptitiously tears streaked down her cheeks.
Seeing the sorry state Lyanna was falling into Draka felt that she had seen enough. It's long past time to removed her friend from this place.
Putting her hands on Lyanna's shoulders, squeezing gently, guiding her away from this deplorable and horrid scenario, Draka said "Come on, Lyanna. You've seen enough."
Lyanna silently concurred. Draka and the others who had objected to her coming here had been correct. That was a very bad idea indeed. So she now trailed beside Draka eyes hollow.
As they were walking the baby could somehow sense his mother's distress. The baby cooed fussing a bit in Lyanna's arms. Snapping herself out of it for the sake of the child Lyanna smiled softly down at him.
Leaning downward to nuzzle her cheek against his head, Lyanna whispered "It's all right. Everything's going to be okay."
Lyanna desperately wished that were so. But now mixed in with all that sadness anger raced through her quicker than a fire in a barn.
Lyanna blatantly ignored the look of pity that Draka sent her.
By the time they got back to the Frostwolf encampment Durotan, Orgrim, and all the other warriors that had done with them earlier had arrived.
Took them long enough.
Durotan and Orgrim were busy conversing with Drek'Thar while everyone else headed off alone or mingled with their own families. What's very telling about them is that none came close to being nearly as gleeful as the other clans. They each bore very grim facial expressions. Obviously they hadn't enjoyed the spectacle of what they'd seen out there.
Orgrim noticed them coming. He tapped on Durotan's shoulder to alert him pointing in the direction of their approach.
Durotan smiled when he saw them getting closer. That smile quickly dispersed transforming into a frown when he saw how upset and condition his beloved was in. Her shoulders sagged, face looked drawn. Any joy carried in the day had been stolen snatched from her. Even Draka did not seem to carry the air she usually would. Draka's jaw is set determinedly, teeth grinding together.
Lyanna's face remained impassive in a somber atmosphere, not slowly once in her stride. Lyanna went over to Durotan falling heavily against his chest. Durotan didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around Lyanna knowing something serious is troubling her. Lyanna managed to compose herself during the return walk. Unfortunately as soon as she was safe in Durotan's embrace all that was immediately undone. The glistening tears sticking to lashes that she'd held at bay spilled down her cheeks as sobs wracked through her small frame.
The baby was positioned in between the center of the pair. It's a miracle the end result didn't leave his squashed.
Durotan stroked her hair smoothing the strands as Orgrim questioned Draka on what happened to make Lyanna this wretched. Lyanna informed them everything that transpired, not leaving out a single detail. In the end Draka wasn't the only one to stare at Lyanna in compassion and sympathy.
Durotan had to get Lyanna out of the open away from prying eyes. He sent a request to Drek'Thar one that Lyanna could not hear. The words that passed from their lips were muffled because her face was pressed against his chest.
Durotan tenderly sat her down with their child on the bed of furs in the back of the tent.
"Wait here. I'll be back," he said, softly, exiting the tent.
The baby mewled fidgeting in his swaddling's as he searched for a spot to root. He was hungry. Lyanna bared her breast in order for him to nurse.
That's how Durotan found his family when he came back. He carried a small bowl in one of his hands.
Sitting next to Lyanna, holding the bowl in front of her, Durotan said "I've asked Drek'Thar to create a sleeping draught for you. You need to rest."
"I don't need it," protested Lyanna.
"Yes, you do," persisted Durotan. "There are shadows under your eyes. You have not been sleeping that well and your visit to the prison yard has done nothing to improve this. Lyanna, do this for me."
Visibly deflating in defeat, conceding, Lyanna said "Okay. I'll take it after our son is done with his feed."
Kissing his wife's hair in gratitude, Durotan said "Thank you."
The two of them sat there for a while observing their son as he ate his fill in content. A few minutes went by and Durotan broached a subject he'd been stalling in mentioning to her.
"I'll be leaving again within a fortnight," said Durotan.
"But you just got back," said Lyanna.
Shaking his head, Durotan said "It can't be helped. I leave at first light with a selected group of our warriors."
"But-," objected Lyanna.
Durotan reached for her then, placing a hand on each shoulder, and looked deeply at Lyanna as though willing her some of his strength to help her bear all she has bore witness to. This added to it simply created more burdens weighing on her stress levels.
"Gul'dan has commanded it and with Blackhand as head of the Warband I cannot disobey," said Durotan.
Groaning, Lyanna sighed "Just promise me one thing. Promise me you won't kill anyone unless you have to."
Caressing her cheek with the back of his knuckles, Durotan said "I will try."
The baby then dislodged from her breast coughing a little. He'd drank a bit too much milk at one time. Lyanna whipped the drop of milk that had slithered down his chin and burped him. The baby gurgled snuggling into her for a nap.
That wasn't a bad idea.
"Drink," said Durotan, offering her the sleeping drought.
Lyanna accepted the medicine downing it in one gulp. She then lay down on her back with the baby. Durotan covered them both with a blanket and left them alone as the sleeping draught took affect.
Lyanna allowed it to take her. Maybe Durotan was right. Sleep is the only way she'll heal.
Authors Note:
Hope you all had a good Fourth of July!