THE EMERALD DREAM

Mal'Ganis hurriedly concealed himself as he exited the spatial tear leading back to Azeroth. However, it was with some distaste that the winged-demon noticed the invisibility was only partially effective in this realm.

The life-laden miasma of the Dream was everywhere, and his body's countours were outlined sharply. But he maintained it for now regardless. The invisibility might allow him a chance to avoid a quick glance.

He'd have to resort to illusion magic for concealment here. Once he found a good target that is.

And if all else failed, he could always just use the Scythe's power to flee back to Azeroth.

Mal'Ganis then took a vigilant glance at his surroundings.

He had arrived amidst the shaded roots of a colossal tree. And amidst a large pack of slumbering worgen. Who definitely weren't good targets in this realm.

The Druids of the Scythe, sealed beneath the calming influence of Daral'nir. Which according to Alpha Prime, the tree was a rare natural existence with permanence within the Emerald Dream.

But the pervasive calm did little to the focused dreadlord.

Mal'Ganis noted a few empty spots in the grouping. He realized those must have been the worgen who passed through the veil, but there were quite a few more empty spots than the nine he had summoned.

Alpha Prime did say he had been sealed here too, so that accounted for another spot. But he'd have to ask where the others had gone.

But that was something better left for when he exited the Dream. In a few days. Or months, if the time was as fluid here as his new servant had suggested.

Now the demon was simply intent on scouting this verdant realm. Learning that the night elves imprisoned their enemies here had truthfully intrigued the demon.

There was a great opportunity here. Mal'Ganis could taste it.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

BACK ON AZEROTH

ISLE OF KEZAN

The volcanic Isle of Kezan, homeland of the crafty goblins and host to the Undermine, their underground capital.

A hotspot of trade, the island was famous for its merchants and crooks. Or in other words, for its goblins, according to the other races, having noted a vexing moral flexibility.

Most prominent amongst the merchant/ crook/ goblins of Kezan were the leaders of the three trade cartels.

The Bilgewater Cartel, The Steamwheedle Cartel, and The Venture Company.

And their leaders had all recently gotten good news...

BILGEWATER CARTEL

Trade Prince Gallywix, handsome leader of the Bilgewater Cartel, was a stout goblin. According to his employees anyways, and they of course knew him best. And knew what he wanted to hear.

So everyone absolutely knew without any doubt, Trade Prince Gallywix, leader of the Bilgewater Cartel, was a really handsome, stout goblin.

Sitting in his mansion the stout goblin was relaxing on a couch as he went through the weekly company financials. As a goblin it was expected to quadruple check the numbers of his employees. Especially considering his employees.

Suddenly the stout goblin bore a greasy grin. Profits were up once again. A ongoing trend ever since the Horde and Alliance took the attacks of the Southsea Freebooters personal.

It was time to celebrate!

He picked up his cigar bell and rang. Within moments a servant had appeared, lit a cigar and handed it off to the stout goblin, before dashing back out of sight.

Gallywix puffed slowly.

The tribute payments for them to ignore Bilgewater shipments was decreasing almost weekly as Freebooter ships and their crew got picked off.

Why, the Trade Prince almost felt like sending a small gift to the Horde and Alliance leaders.

Maybe some Kaja'cola. Or some bananas.

STEAMWHEEDLE CARTEL

Trade Prince Steamwheedle, sneaky leader of the Steamwheedle Cartel, and richest goblin on Azeroth, was having a very, very good day. He once again congratulated himself for his genius.

His exclusivity contract with the horde had just paid off once more.

For the Horde had just comissioned the construction of a sizable new air fleet. A quite lucrative deal.

The Trade Prince rubbed his hands in delight.

It had taken a few months of negotiations, with the Warchief downplaying the fleets importance and all, but Steamwheedle still earned a huge profit in the end.

The rich got even richer!

VENTURE COMPANY

Mogul Razdunk, leader of the Venture Company, was not a Trade Prince. But he indeed ran the third of the three goblin cartels. Through sheer intimidation. His mithril steam armor ensured it.

But today was not a day for suiting up to shock and awe. Today was a day for profit.

He closed the envelope containing the offered contract from the Alliance. And the location where they wanted his workers.

Razdunk couldn't help, but burst with laughter.

Of course he was going to take the deal. He had already planned on taking action there anyways. But now he was going to get paid to do it.

Extra profit. The Venture Co. way!