Gorthan slept peacefully, just as Utaki had said he would. With the passing of the hours, the injured orc’s skin regained its color and warmth, his wounds ceased to seep and bleed, and it appeared the wondrous salves that Utaki had employed, had made a marked difference in his recovery. The witch doctor reassured her that he would live, and be made whole.
Sasha sat dutifully by Gorthan’s side, she found she could not sleep, even though she was most weary. Frostfyre sat just behind her, her furry back making contact with Sasha’s own. Sometimes the young woman’s dark-lashed eyelids would flutter closed, and she would lean back, to drowse momentarily against her furry friend. When she awoke from these periodic rests, she sat tracing the familiar lines of her long-lost love with her fingers. Delighting in all he was, overjoyed to be by his side again. Willing him to pull through.
Her friends sat about the fire or snoozed in their bedrolls. There was no time here in these ancient catacombs far beneath the earth. Sometimes the adventurers would talk amongst themselves softly, mostly benign small talk. Sasha would often look up to see Erin's small hand clasped in Kali’vas’ strong ones. They made such a fine couple, she thought, she hoped that in time her Aunt and Uncle could see Kali’vas for the wonderful being, he truly was. This adventure had been proof of that.
Eventually, Sasha could remain a watchful sentinel no longer, and she fell asleep, her arms entwined about her love.
Sasha dreamed of happy things. Bright, golden, sunny days, her close-knit and loving family, the little rented cottage in Elwynn, that she and her father had shared. Her subconscious mind knew she could never return there, to the places of her heart. Places where no orc or human could ever find peaceful acceptance. She dreamed all of these things, and more, as if saying one last, long goodbye, one she knew she could never make in person.
When she finally awoke, the others were sleeping, but there was still a hot, blazing fire to see by. Sasha sat for a moment, collecting her waking thoughts from sleep, she stroked her love’s cheek with much affection. His ears twitched, and his lip drew back from his tusks at her light caress. He can feel me. That made her abundantly happy and gave her courage for what must be done.
Sasha had, in a time that had seemed so long ago, packed in her backpack, some paper, ink, and a quill. Though in her heart she had dreaded to write this letter.
‘My Dearest Papa,'
'It is with great sadness, that I must say my farewell to you in this way. Mere words on paper are not something I am comfortable with as a parting, and yet my choice in the matter is made. Last year I tried to tell you of my heart, and I knew you understood, even if you told me it could never be.''
'You told me to forget him, however I could not, just as you have never forgotten Mother. I know my heart Papa, and I had to follow it, even if it is to places, far from my family and home. I fully intend to be with Gorthan, Papa. I know there is no place in the kingdom for a human and an orc to be together in peace. I am well aware that this love we share will take me far from home and family, perhaps forever. I will miss Aunt Evelyn, Uncle Ben, and Erin, but especially you my Dear Papa. You will always hold the biggest place in my heart.'
'I hope that one day, I will be able to return to a time and place of better understanding, until then, know I love you greatly, and you will always have my greatest fondness,'
'your loving daughter Sasha.’
Tears spilled from her dark eyes that sparkled in the firelight, as she reached the conclusion of her notation. She carefully let the ink dry, then neatly rolled the missive, securing it in one of her best hair ribbons. One her father had given her.
Then she just spent time admiring her love and willing him back to health.
*****
Gorthan remained in a deep, sleep, for two cycles of the sun. The adventurers had been dragging in more wood from the surface for the fire. Sasha was becoming very impatient for her love to awaken. Utaki had to constantly reassure her that he was fine and that the orc was healing as fast as could be expected. The potion of dreamless sleep was powerful, he went on to state, made from the purple lotus, found to grow mostly around the ruins in Tanaris. Sasha knew this firsthand, as she had no recollection of the night after the battle when the deceptive doctor had made her drink a lesser tincture of the plant.
“Sasha is that you?” She heard a deep gravelly voice ask from the darkness, beyond the bright circle of hungrily licking flames.
She turned suddenly, dropping the bundle of logs she had been carrying with a loud clatter on the flagstones. Frostfyre bounded from her place and whimpered.
“My love,” she said timorously at first, rushing at once to his side. Gorthan had partially arisen from the bed to look about him. He was examining the extent of his wounds by the firelight.
He looked up at the young woman's silhouette, smiling one of his crazy-toothed smiles.
“Sasha.” His one word held tones of reverence and love.
The two hugged then, Gorthan mindless of his injuries and the pain, a tight powerful hug of two starved souls. Sasha’s tiny body was buried in his immense arms. She kissed him deeply, she had never thought to see him again, and with the involvement of SI 7, her hopes had plummeted even further, and to find him at last, so still, so near death. It tore her more than she could have ever realized. She would not be parted from her love again, not for convention, not for family, not for anything in this world.
They slept that night for the first time, a beautiful sleep, each finally cognizant of the other. Gorthan was too injured to do much more than share some loving kisses and some skin-to-skin time. They said little, but they didn’t need to, they were together at last.
The next day, Gorthan was well enough to finally vacate the catacombs, with sturdy Taz’janis’ and Frostfyre’s help. He put his arms about the tall troll’s shoulders and rested his other hand on Frostfyre’s sturdy back. Slowly, they made their way up top. It was fortunate that Taz’jani was so strong.
His bright, gold eyes squinted, and blinked, even in the faded light of Dreadwind, as he left the dank basement out into the light. He had, he told his friends, been imprisoned underground, for many months. Where he was relentlessly questioned over his appearance among the Blackrock, and on matters and politics of places far away, all of which he did not have the answers to. So it had gone very badly for him. With SI 7’s failure to glean the information they sought, they finally gave up as their prisoner was hovering near death. It was a miracle, and pure orcish strength he had survived.
Because of his long ordeal, Gorthan was still not well enough though to be ready to make any kind of journey. It was agreed they would camp on the edges of the settlement, until such a time that Gorthan was somewhat stronger. They still had a few supplies in their saddle bags, and they could always shoot a skyshadow. If they needed fresh water and wine, they all knew where to look.
The following days they rested, they were good days, even in this dreary place, and with each passing one Gorthan got stronger. The injuries that marred his flesh would take time to fade, as would the weakness caused by months of deprivation.
There was little to do but sit, and talk, as they waited for Gorthan to suitably recover. Though it was on everyone's mind, even if no one had spoken the thought out loud, what would two trolls and an orc do in the world of humans? It was obvious to everyone that Sasha and Gorthan would never again be willfully parted. She couldn’t take him back with her to Stormwind, or even Elwynn.
It was unlikely too that Gorthan, not of the Blackrock, would seek to rejoin them, and take Sasha with him to Blackrock mountain. With these difficulties, no one had said a word on the matter, each waiting for someone else to broach the difficult conundrum.
Sasha had though been privately, dwelling hard on the problem. She knew they could not sit here forever, supplies were dwindling, and they couldn’t realistically exist on skyshadow for every meal. At some point Erin would have to teleport them to someplace more habitable, but where was such a destination? Stormwind was definitely out, Ironforge too. Maybe Dalaran would tolerate them, but what would they do there?
Later that evening, once the others had bedded down for the night, and the fire had died down to a blazing bed, of super hot, and angry, orange coals. Sasha and Gorthan sat hand in hand, both of them staring into the remnants of the blaze. It would need more wood soon, it was hardly a good idea in this unwelcoming place, to not keep the fire well-tended.
Sasha was dwelling on that night, the torching of the orc camp, and Stonewatch keep. It seemed every time she looked into a fire these days, those final, fear-filled moments, began to play in her head. Would she never be free of them?
She heard her beloved sigh, it was a heavy, troubled sound, it turned out he had been dwelling on that night also.
“Sasha Dearest,” he pat her on the back of her hand with gentle affection, the weight of his palm was solid on her own tiny one.
Sasha peered up and took in his bright, golden eyes, part beast, part monster, and part nightmare. Yet to her, they were the purest love. She didn’t speak, instead, she rested her slight head against his great chest, and let him know that she was listening.
“There is something I must do.” His voice was no more than a rumbling baritone. Barely audible, to not wake the others.
She nodded against him but still said nothing.
“That night before I came to you, as you know, I had been down to the worg pens. I had freed all the beasts I could before we were overrun.
Gashnaka and Aguk were among them, but she would not leave like the others. She wanted to stay with me, and her young pups.”
Sasha stroked his huge, scarred sword arm as she listened. Comforted by his low voice, and the telling of his tale.
“As you now know, I took Frostfyre then, my parting gift to you.”
“How is it she was so still all that time?” Sasha had to ask.
“The poppy, many warriors keep it on hand for an emergency. I really didn’t know how much to give, and hoped it would not kill her.”
Sasha nodded, now it all made sense.
“As you know, an orc is bonded to his worg, like you and Frostfyre are bonded. For at least two moon cycles after the battle, there were times that I thought I could feel Gashnaka in my mind. She was confused, lost, and hurting, but in time those connections faded. I fear what that might mean, but I must find her if she still lives. Aguk, I could not feel at all, but I was barely bonded to him, such a short time we spent together.”
“I saw you paraded in Stormwind.” Sasha recounted. “I wanted you to see me, but you didn't. I tried unsuccessfully to petition the King to consider your circumstances. No one would hear me. I told my father what you were to me, but he told me it could not be.”
She felt his great arms encircle her in a loving, protective embrace. Then one arm left her momentarily, as he added more logs to the almost burned-down fire. The bright new flames licked and sputtered into existence.
“How did you survive the battle?” She said. Sasha had often wondered at this, in all their time apart. She knew firsthand, that most orcs would rather die than surrender.
Gorthan sighed, as Sasha looked up to see Gorthan’s expression change from that of dark pensiveness, to chagrined awkwardness. She could immediately tell, he was not so comfortable speaking of what she had asked.
“I was well intending to die, little one, we all were. No one wished to be taken prisoner and hauled through the streets in chains, nor imprisoned away from all that is freedom, and the light. But our commander Holkurg Grimcleaver, was a very old orc, who fought many battles. Very respected by us all. He told us when he saw the lines fall, and our brothers cloven to the earth, mired in blood, that ‘we should live to fight another day.’ He was a wise orc, the best commander I have ever known. He surrendered there right before the King. I often, in the times following that surrender, wondered at the old commander’s reason, but he was right, if I had thrown my life away, I would not be here in this moment with you. The King executed him you know. Yet his men live on. Living, to hopefully fight another day.”
He leaned down and kissed Sasha on the top of her head, his unbound, pitch-dark hair, hung over her like a protective curtain. Sasha sat up, looking once more, into his golden-eyed stare, his pupils mere pinpoints in the bright, blazing firelight. He cradled her delicate heart-shaped face in his enormous hands, hands that could break a human neck, without thought, or effort.
“What happens after our search for Gashnaka though?” Sasha said with worry.
“I do not know,” Gorthan replied with a trace of sadness. “I am not Blackrock, and I cannot return to my tribe.”
“Well, there may be a way.” Sasha dared to suggest. “My cousin Erin is very adept at portal magic, perhaps there is a way you can find your tribe?”
Gorthan nodded slowly, but his mind right now was not on his predicament, it was on his love, and his own longing. Their lips met in a deep kiss, one of unspoken love, and deepest desire. Sasha’s eyes glanced sideways, to be doubly sure all of her friends were asleep. She wanted what her lover was offering, but she didn’t feel comfortable being observed.
Gorthan was oblivious to the others. He was already running his broad hands over Sasha’s diminutive form, lingering beneath her tunic on her pert, pink breasts. The young woman was at once drawn in by his fleeting touch. A sharp intake of breathless rapture, as she leaned in towards him seeking more.
Her lips lightly brushed his strong pectorals in mute appreciation and worship. She once again looked up at him playfully. This time he was gazing down at her, fierce, wild, and loving. She knew he was naked under the blanket, that he had pulled tightly about his waist. Her hands burrowed under it greedily seeking his maleness. At once finding his hardness, and encircling it with her nimble fingers. Caressing, stroking, and exploring his length.
The big orc drew back his lips in a self-satisfied smile, revealing his vicious teeth in all their glory. Sasha seeing this shivered, and her insides roiled with shameless want. She made the smallest encouraging whimper of longing, but she didn’t really need to hint at the urgency of her desire. Gorthan had already borne her down onto the bedroll beneath them. His muscular body was hot and heavy against her own.
Sasha gasped, as she could feel him poised at her entrance, she was heated and wet, desiring him embedded into her depths. She was so ready, that he simply slid inside her well-lubricated sheath. There was no pain, nor resistance this time. Just love and lust, heated and pure, on their joining.
Sasha gasped, writhed, and moaned. Clutching him to her. She would never let him go. She didn’t care what the world thought. They would somehow make a life together work. If not here, then somewhere else.
She could feel the great orc’s muscular mass shudder, and heave, as he arrived at his pinnacle of desire. She felt him spill inside her, as she moaned in wanton bliss, her back arched to further receive him. Her thighs tremored uncontrollably as she came. He was buried deeply, as he exhaled a great breath and moaned softly, a deep resonant sound of satisfaction that came from far within his great chest.
Their love for the time being quenched, after being so long apart, the two lay side by side quietly admiring one another in the dancing firelight. Then falling asleep cradled in each other’s arms.
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*****
The following day it was Gorthan who broke the news to the others, that before he could take Sasha and find peace, he must return one more time to Redridge. To discover the fate of Gashnaka, his battle worg.
Taz’jani and Utaki completely understood. They knew all about the orc/worg, mind-meld bond. Kali’vas seemed a little annoyed, but he was tempered by some good wine, and a well-placed word or two in his ear by Erin.
The two trolls really didn’t have a concrete plan. They had briefly discussed perhaps journeying on from Darkshire to the jungles of Stranglethorn, in the hope of finding some acceptance in one of the troll villages that dotted the region. The idea had some merit, however, trolls could be both suspicious and territorial. The two deciding pretty swiftly, that perhaps they may not be granted acceptance after all.
Erin, aware that Gorthan was of the Mag’har, suggested that perhaps she could teleport them to Shattrath city, once he had been satisfied with his search. He and Sasha could then find their way safely back to his tribe in Nagrand. Sasha could see that Gorthan had not expected this, a workable solution to his problem. He did look mightily pleased.
Sasha though, was a little unsure if she would indeed be accepted by her lover’s tribe, to which Gorthan painstakingly explained, that in Nagrand the real enemy of his clan was the Draenei. Not the humans, as was the situation here.
She had to trust him, they were his people, after all, he would by rights know their minds in ways she could not. The young woman could think of very few other available options. The best was Dalaran, but even that scenario seemed a trifle awkward.
So the camp was packed, and they made the long journey back to Redridge.
*****
To begin with, the going was slow. None of their mounts could carry Gorthan’s great weight, so there was no alternative for him but to journey on foot. Strangely enough, it seemed the trek was good for the orc, he appeared to mend and thrive on hardship. The negative was, that with an orc in the party, they must now skirt wide the settlements of humankind.
Sending Erin and Kal’vas to buy any supplies, and conduct business, in the towns they passed as was necessary.
The battle axe they had purchased at the Darkshire smithy, specifically for the orc, he dwarfed. It looked ridiculously like a tomahawk in his capable fists. The party felt a lot safer with him about though, not much could, or would, best a fully grown orc warrior.
They avoided the watchmen who patrolled the roads assiduously. Not wishing to run afoul of Commander Ebonlocke and her men. Mostly keeping to the dark of the heavy trees, that they may pass on by unnoticed, and unchallenged. On the third day, they reached the red cliffs and open sunshine of Redridge.
It was a relief to leave the darkness, and the persistent fog of the past couple of weeks behind. However, this area would become increasingly difficult to travel without being noticed. Even long after the hostilities had been settled, and the dead buried, many patrols were still in the area. They could not pass by the checkpoint at Three Corners. They thought of perhaps creating a diversion but decided against it. Gorthan was confident that he could navigate the gnoll encampment unmolested. So instead they hugged the cliffs, making directly for a string of scattered gnoll camps.
They heard the familiar cackling cry at first, but could not see their assailants. They came in numbers, crouched low, sword and shields in hand, obscured by the dense scrub. Sasha knocked her bow, commanding Frostfyre wordlessly to dart behind and flank their attackers. It was a very practiced hunter-defensive maneuver.
Kali’vas put up a protective arcane barrier, while Taz’jani stood axe in hand ready to toss it into the fray.
The first gnoll came running from beneath the dried shrubs. My they were fierce and brave, Sasha thought at once commending them. The little gnoll barely came up to Gorthan’s knees, the creature gave another hideous cackle, that dissolved into a yelp of pain, as Gorthan clove its furry body cleanly in two, effortlessly with his blade. Blood sprayed, covering the red sand, and the nearby greenery with vivid, dripping, crimson.
More adversaries appeared, only to suffer the same fate. It did not take many deaths before the gnolls finally broke and ran, Sasha never having to fire a single shot in defiance.
They came to the road, and across the way, they could spy the faint trail that they knew led up to Stonewatch Keep. It was an innocuous-looking opening in the brush, one could easily miss it. They all paused, looking each way along the roadway, there was a real danger of being spotted here, just like Sasha and her companions had been the night of their escape. They listened and looked for a long while to be sure the coast was clear.
They finally made their way up the small trail in silence, the dried bushes rubbing roughly at the flanks of the horse as they passed. There was also a chance of seeing gnolls here, but today they were absent. They were close now to the spot where the grasses thinned out, and the trail would begin to steeply carve its way up the rock face.
Taz’jani uttered a stifled sound of upset, and abruptly slid from her horse, halting the procession. Sasha immediately registered what had disturbed her blue-skinned friend. There lay scattered, and half buried in the sands, what was unmistakably the remains of a troll. Not just any troll, but dear, brave Ruz.
Sasha jumped down from Frostfyre’s shaggy back, she was incensed. “I can’t believe they didn’t give him a proper burial, as I requested!” She snarled. “I have to apologize for my kind, I am so sorry Taz, and Utaki, I really am.”
Utaki and Taz were already gathering up the bones scattered by time, weather, and scavenging wildlife. The others joined suit, picking up the druid’s remains tenderly, and Gorthan got to work, digging a depression in the sandy earth with his huge and powerful hands and axe.
Without the appropriate tools, the hole was not very deep, but with reverence they laid Ruzuluku to finally rest, remembering and honoring his bravery. Utaki began to sing a troll dirge for his fallen friend.
“What is he singing?” Sasha had to ask Taz’jani quietly as they listened.
“He must call Ruz’s spirit to rest, if not he will forever wander. He send him to ole Bwonsamadi.”
The group of adventurers stood silent as Utaki concluded his ceremony, then Gorthan began to carry heavy stones to form a cairn, that would mark, and protect Ruzuluku’s final resting place.
Sasha was still quite angry as they gathered up their possessions, preparing to make the very steep ascent. She was furious that humans could be so ignorant, and at times downright horrid. That man had been a knight, supposedly one of the best and most chivalrous offices a human could dare to hold. A pinnacle of all that was just and good. Yet he had not cared, nor honored the fallen druid.
Taz’jani affectionately pet her trusty horse, removing his bridle and saddle to set him free. He had earned his reward, he had been a good and obedient mount. She pet him one last time and shouldered her bag as they began the steep climb.
It was well over two hours later before they crested the rise. Utaki with his tired knees, and knotted staff to help him walk the narrow path, was very slow. The sight that greeted them was sobering. The keep stood for the most part intact. Though its roof was partially burned and caved in, its walls were pitted with cannon fire. The tower, a key defensive position, had fared less well. The top of it was mostly reduced to rubble, the giant stones that once composed its height littered the landscape. No one spoke as they surveyed the carnage of well over a year prior.
It appeared King Wrynn’s forces had cleaned up the site after the conflict, there were no traces of death, nor discarded weapons or armor. The place had been picked clean.
Gorthan stood apart from the others for some time, his eyes were closed, and he was sniffing the air as an animal would. His unbound raven mane blew on the wind. The others stood about quietly, waiting on the orc.
“I cannot sense her,” he finally told the others. “Let us go to the site of the worg pens.”
The big orc continued down the slope before the rest of the party, to the location he had indicated. Sasha was struggling to get her bearings, trying to remember where things used to be. The destruction had been thorough, rendering all landmarks useless. So she tried to stop guessing where everything used to be and followed her lover.
On reaching the area, the site was disturbing and, in many ways heartbreaking. The soldiers of Stormwind may have buried the orc dead, but the desiccated bodies and bones of the battle worgs littered the slight incline.
At the terrible sight, Sasha felt her top lip tremble, and her eyes well with tears. She put her hand on Frostfyre for support, and her skin prickled with her heady emotions at revisiting this terrible place. The worgs had died fighting bravely, just as the orcs had.
Gorthan turned to her at that moment and beckoned her into his arms. He stroked her fine brown hair and held her close while she shed silent tears. He let Sasha finish with her grief before they decided to continue on.
“If she is alive, perhaps she fled to the valley below,” Gorthan said solemnly. “Let us leave this place.”
That evening they camped in a secluded copse of trees, at the base of the keep. Gorthan sat away from the others on guard. He had told them he would sit up that night and try to sense Gashnaka’s mind. If by morning he still felt nothing, then they could all be free to depart tomorrow.
Utaki and Taz’jani still had no idea where they would head, trolls without a tribe didn’t have much of a future. The two debated this long into the night, yet they still had no resolution. Kali’vas and Erin were happy to be getting back to the easy life in Dalaran. The purple spires and the city of magic called them. The adventure had been stimulating, but they both enjoyed their creature comforts way too much. Sasha tried to enjoy this last evening with her best friends, tomorrow she knew that she would possibly have to say some difficult goodbyes.
*****
Dawn presented as a spectacular lemon glow across the tops of the trees, as Sasha was nudged awake by Gorthan’s insistent shaking.
“I sense her, the connection is weak but she is here.” He rumbled.
Sasha sat up, willing her sleepy eyes to open. “This is great news!” She yawned.
The others rose, and were likewise happy at Gorthan’s discovery, except maybe Kali’vas, though he hid it well. He had begun to very much look forward to a night in his own comfy bed.
They broke camp quickly and followed the orc warrior through the forest. The trees were larger here in the shadow of Stonewatch’s lofty heights. Gorthan led the way silently, the others followed him at a short distance behind. The forest mostly appeared deserted, sometimes a hare darted out between the large buttresses of the mature trees, and they sighted the occasional, elusive wild boar.
The sides of the valley began to sweep upward, steep, red cliffs began to hem them into either side. Gorthan bid everyone to stop, by raising his hand. He was listening intently, and sniffing at the air. Sasha looked about her, mentally calling Frostfyre to her side. She didn’t know if he had seen something, or just mentally sensed its presence. Her dark eyes roving the surroundings for anything out of place. That was when she saw it, the spoor of an immense wolf. Much bigger than her own Frostfyre.
She plucked at Gorthan’s muscular arm and pointed to the huge paw print. Gorthan gave her a hint of a triumphal smile.
“I can sense her,” he all but whispered. “But her mind is distant from mine, we have been apart long. She is here, somewhere, very close. That cave, most likely.” He pointed to a patch of umbral darkness off through the trees, at the base of the cliffs. “I can sense the darkness about her. I want you all to stay here, it is for me to find her alone. Be vigilant, a wild worg is dangerous, and not to be underestimated.”
They all withdrew their weapons, as Gorthan left for the cave.
They waited some hours, as the shadows grew long, and the breeze began to blow with a distinct, evening chill. Sasha curbed her desire to pace and fidget, and no one dared speak. They strained their ears to try and detect any clue at all from the faraway cave, yet they saw and heard nothing.
The night began to descend on the valley, and the stars winked brightly into existence one by one. Sasha could hardly bear this waiting. She intermittently swayed and shifted her weight from one foot to the other. At times she sat, and her companions did likewise. This was enemy territory, and they dared not draw attention to themselves with the comfort of a fire, yet they had sighted no patrols this far into the woods. The warmth would have been a welcome luxury, but tonight it was not a possibility.
“I hope he’s alright,” Taz’jani whispered. She was speaking aloud the thought on everyone’s mind. The others didn’t answer but nodded, with looks of concern on their faces.
“I imagine that to reunite with Gashnaka, after all that she has been through will be difficult, they have been apart long, and I imagine the night of the battle was harrowing for her,” Sasha added quietly. “It’s probably a dangerous undertaking to mind-meld with her again, and I am sure it cannot be rushed.”
The night sounds intruded into the silence, crickets chirped, and beetles buzzed. Somewhere distant in the dark trees, a lone owl screeched. Then came the sound of footsteps. All stopped breathing to listen momentarily, trying to determine if it was a friend or foe. Whoever it was they were making no attempt at stealth.
Sasha almost cried out in horror, when she caught sight of the fearsome apparition that shone silver through the darkness of the trees. A huge worg, its face appearing as a half-leering skull in the dimness. She blinked, unsure of just what it was she was really seeing. A demon or something more earthly?
The others had seen the apparition also, Erin had raised her hand to her mouth to muffle her cry of alarm. Kali’vas looked ready to unleash a deadly arcane torrent at the slightest provocation, his face a mask of grimness, his usually sensuous lips drawn in a hard line. Taz’jani just stood, her fingers resting in readiness on the haft of her axe, and Utaki leaning heavily on his staff merely looked on.
It was Frostfyre’s reaction though that was the most remarkable. The white worg whined, and got down on her front paws, her ears laid back in an attitude of submission, her tail slowly wagging from side to side.
Sasha unconsciously raised her hand, to bid her friends to stand down, not that she was sure they were not in danger, but Frostfyre’s reaction had reassured her somewhat.
It was then she spied the dark, hulking form of Gorthan, he blended in perfectly in the dim light, the mighty, leering apparition beside him now recognizable. Gashnaka, wounded, disfigured, clumps of her silvered fur completely singed from her once beauteous face. Her bold blue eyes, the color of a glacier, or the sky on a fine summer’s day, shone defiantly from her skull-like countenance.
Sasha wanted to run forward, to soothe the big worg’s hurt, but she was unsure if that would be appropriate given Gashnaka’s condition. However, Frostfyre did not hesitate, the two worgs greeting one another in the small clearing, while the party sheathed their weapons. Frostfyre lay low on her belly, clearly signaling to her dam that Gashnaka had her respect as the Alpha. In response, Gashnaka softly growled, her remaining fur prickled, as she circled and sniffed at her one remaining pup. She had not forgotten.
Gorthan watched the mother and cub reunion for long moments, as did Sasha. She looked at her love and gave him the biggest smile.
“You were right, you could feel her.”
Gorthan nodded, his raven black hair shimmered, as it cascaded over his powerful shoulders.
It was then Sasha noticed the wound on her love’s forearm, deep puncture marks, slowly dripping blood.
“You are hurt,” she exclaimed. Rushing to him to further inspect the damage in the poor light. The wound was one single, deep, bite mark.
“This needs attention,” Sasha fussed, already going for her backpack to find some bandages.
“Gashnaka has suffered, she had forgotten, in the cave, she felt hunted and cornered, for the last year pain and suffering is all she has known. Her anger was understandable, it took time to get her to trust, to remember, to join me again.” Gorthan defended the actions of his worg.
Utaki was already ferreting through his bag of eclectic possessions. The old troll pronounced Gorthan’s wound as easily healed, applying a salve to it, and expertly bandaging the damage.
“Dat be fine in few days time. By da way I have somtin that may help ju worg, her fur may never grow back, but it may help her pain some.”
“You saved my life shaman,” Gorthan replied, his deep voice bore tones of gratefulness and appreciation. “I trust you with this, help her.”
Gorthan soothed his battle worg, giving her the confidence to accept Utaki’s ministrations to her horrific facial wounds. Perhaps she may never completely heal from the horrific burns and the memories of that night, but at least the skilled witch doctor could help her find relief.
There was a faint color rising in the east, dawn would break soon. The time had come for goodbyes. A time that Sasha had both looked forward to, and dreaded. A new, more harmonious life called to her, a life where she and Gorthan could be free to live in peace and love. A place where a forbidden alliance could flourish.
Her hand sought his, and she squeezed it tight, he looked down at her and gave her one of his toothy smiles, which she returned, her raven’s eyes shone bright.
“Well, I guess this is it.” Erin announced. “Portals?”
“Yes, we need to be gone before anyone knows we are here, and my I can’t wait to get a good sleep tonight in my own bed,” Kali’vas interjected.
He really looked happy to be going home, he wasn't much of a camper.
“Have we decided on the destination?” Erin was looking at the two trolls most pointedly.
Utaki and Taz’jani looked lost. They both shook their heads. Their long debates had got them no closer to a place where they may find a home.
Gorthan walked over to the two trolls, he set his hand gently on Utaki’s shoulder. “Why don’t you come with us, shaman? As I have said, I owe you my life, a debt that must be repaid. Your skills would be most welcome among the Mag’har. You will always have a place with us and our respect.”
Utaki looked up at the immense orc warrior. “I wud be honored.”
“And you Taz’jani, I know you and Sasha are close, she will be far from her home and all she knows. She will need a solid friend by her side. Neither of you trolls will be slaves in my clan, we are not like the Blackrock.”
“Ju can count me in,” Taz’jani replied happily.
“I guess it’s a portal to Shattrath then ‘Sis’,” Sasha said, with a hint of trepidation to her cousin. She was excited to be embarking on her new life with her beloved, and yet sad to leave her family behind.
Sasha reached into her pack and withdrew the letter she had penned with love some days ago. “Make sure Papa gets this,” She pressed the missive into Erin’s hand. She could already feel the betraying wet of tears forming in her eyes. This parting was hard.
“I will, and remember it’s not forever, I will write, and when we can, we can come to see you both in Shattrath.” Erin reassured her cousin cheerfully, as they both hugged.
Sasha left her cousin’s embrace to stand before Kali’vas. “Thank you for everything, and look after Erin for me. Oh, and if Aunt Evelyn is difficult, just know, eventually she will come around.” Sasha giggled.
“I will Mi-Lady, and I shall take your sage advice.” Ever a gentleman Kali’vas bowed low, and took Sasha’s hand, kissing her lightly on her fingers.
Erin had begun to cast her magic. The portal to Dalaran stood open before them brightly purple.
“Oh, I have longed to see that color!” Kali’vas intoned, taking hold of Arturias’ bridle and shouldering his pack. Making no secret of his longing for the floating city.
Then the portal was cast to the unknown Shattrath. It stood before Sasha and Gorthan, beckoning them onward to a new life, and a new adventure.
“Go ahead guys, we will be there momentarily,” Sasha told her troll friends. Taz smiled, and then stepped through the portal, closely followed by old Utaki.
“Tell Papa I love him. I know he will understand.” Sasha was openly sobbing now, tears streaming down her pretty face, as she clutched her cousin one last time. She was finding it very difficult to say goodbye, it was indeed much harder than she had imagined it would be. Her Father had been her idol and inspiration in all she did, and to maybe never see him again was difficult to reason with.
“I will.” Erin reassured. “Now you guys had better get on, I can't keep this open forever.”
Gorthan put his arms about Sasha and kissed her lightly on the crown of her head. She looked up into his golden orbs, her eyes wet with tears. “I love you,” she said, “take me home.”
The great orc lifted her petite form into his brawny arms, nodding one last time to Erin and Kali’vas before stepping through the portal. Frostfyre and Gashnaka darted through behind them. Leaving Erin and Kali’vas hand in hand standing in the clearing.
“Shall we, my love?” Kali’vas invited as he stood before the Dalaran portal.
“Yes,” Erin said, pecking him lightly on the cheek. “It’s been one mighty adventure.”