09-05-2015, 10:28 AM
Raal smirked, as he played with a small, thin block of wood his skeletons had procured on his request. The small group of buildings inside the camp had been easy to scavenge from. Raal noticed a shape or two hurriedly escaping in the shadows, but they no longer meant much to Raal. as long as they properly routed. Instead, Raal was focused on finding any stragglers with fight left in them(of which he found approximately none), and obtaining some key information…
Raal’s face did not betray any emotion, but in truth he was nervous about the next part of the plan. Bartering with such legendary creatures… Though in truth Raal supposed he was in some ways just as much a figure of myth in his new form.
“Mon. No more delays.”
Raal turned with his horse, pocketing the scroll he had with him.
“Explain t’me how I can trust ya.”
Raal shook his head. “Because I’ve no reason to kill you and all the reason to fight alongside my allies of the second war.”
Zul’kis Raised his axe slightly. “I’ve just seen what ya do to your allies, Raal Deathwind.” The warlock noted the sarcastic tone used by his ally on his name. Clearly, Zul’kis planned not to give him even basic respect.
Raal shrugged. “the giant was not my ally. Nor was he yours… or did you miss the corpses of trolls on your way in? He was merely a dimwitted tool for a talented hand to manipulate.” Raal said with a grin.
“An’ how do I know you ain’t tryin’ that with the trolls now, huh?” Zul’kis roared, his anger clearly rising again.
The death knight’s face seemed to be mixed between amusement and pity. “I never thought I’d see a troll so nakedly foolish.” Raal stated. “I’ve just come out of the tail end of doing far more than necessary for the sake of this recognition quest - not for some extra credit, or an equally pathetic notion, but to improve your people’s chances against the dwarves and to strike a powerful first blow. One which I’ve not even finished dealing.” Raal replied.
“An’ you did it by makin’ and breakin’ deals, and deceiving everyone you met.” Zul’kis responded.
“Don’t start with some speech on honor to me-”
Zul’kis’s axe started shaking in his hands. “Don’t start? Answer me damn question properly, Death knight! You ain’t got no honor, you ain’t got no spirit. You’re in this for yeself, and if I let you return to my home, I got no reason to believe you won’t just try an’ lead us to our deaths!”
Raal, despite himself, closed his eyes briefly.
Don’t blame me, brother. You’d never once looked at me as someone of worth. I was always nothing more than a tool to you. If I hadn’t taken the chance, you would have just killed me sometime down the road, right?”
Now it was Raal’s weapon quivering in his hands, as emotions he hadn’t felt in years came back to him.
“That wasn’t it, you stupid fool! That was never it!” Raal yelled, his eyes glowing. Despite himself, Zul’kis stepped backwards.
Raal was a bit surprised too, at the emotions he’d felt, at the feeling of being, briefly brought back to that moment.
“Sigh… That’s not it.” Raal replied quietly. “you remind me of some of the young that first populated the clans, before we became the horde. Of their foolishness.”
Zul’kis simply glared at him. “To have honor isn’t foolish!”
Raal shook his head emphatically, and for the first time since he’d began talking to Zul’kis his features were more animated than ever. “You don’t understand what honor is!” He spat. “Your kind live in perpetual war, vying against terrain just as harsh as your enemies! Does that not make you understand!” Raal yelled.
Zul’kis did not reply, a thoughtful expression clouding his emotions.
Raal took a few seconds to reply.
“When the horde first began… We, all of us, lived in hovels. We lived off the land, scraping up just enough food to make a living, just enough furs for rough clothing, and perhaps a lavish luxury, and yet those around us said it was a noble existence, filled with honor.” Raal said, nostalgia in his voice. “Yet what I saw was squalor. Surely our people deserved to live in a better situation than this?
Then, when the call to arms against the Draenei emerged, I responded immediately. And immediately, amidst the battle, I saw the cries of “an honorable fight”. Those orcs who refused to push unfair advantages and always sought to give our foes a fighting chance. Many of these orcs died for that honor. Many orcs died beside them because of the loss of their comrade’s axe. All I’ve seen of that sort of honor since then is an excuse to care about your enemies, instead of the people around you, your allies.” Raal stated calmly. “Even as we conquered castles, made new homes, gained lavish riches and fine arts and expensive food, many creature comforts we’d never before experienced, many spoke of how it was wrong, because their “honor” forbade it.”
Raal turned away from Zul’kis, as a skeleton walked towards the side of his horse. it had apparently found a small scroll hidden in one of the houses - a map. “That makes two.” He said quietly, quickly procuring the small bit of parchment before turning back to the troll.
“I decided, then, that if this backward system that seemed only to regress our clans was called honor by some, so be it. Instead, I would focus on what I called honor. Helping my people, by any means necessary. Improving the lives of the creatures I fought beside and who claimed kinship to myself. Gold, food, and luxuries for those I considered friends… And Family.” Raal continued. “What does it matter how I get it, when in the end, I serve my people, and ensure my happiness, and those around me?” Raal stated. “I’m no selfless creature - I live for power, and I often worked for it - but if I was really so traitorous, I would have abandoned the horde the minute Gul’dan did.” The warlock’s stare did not waver, as his truncheon laid slack by his side.. “Those are the facts, whether or not your ears can comprehend them. Do as you will with them.”
Zul’kis’s glare seemed to stay on his face for a few moments, and Raal wondered if this was going to start a fight. Then, his face gradually fell. “I don’t agree with ya, ‘bout a lotta things… but I can respect that, at least. What’chu wanting to do now?” Zul’kis stated.
Raal appreciated the fact Zul’kis didn’t mince words, at least. Perhaps there was hope for the upstart.
“I’ve acquired a pair of maps to the mines. The rest of the fort, by necessity, needs to be burned.” Raal said blandly, before walking out of the village. “thankfully this might be one of the most flammable forts I’ve seen. I’ve already set my warriors to start the fire. It shall burn without assistance now.” Raal stated. As if on cue, The cabins behind Raal were set alight, the trading post appearing to burn swiftly. “We’ll need to quickly stop off at the mines, before we leave. then, you’ll have to lead me to the dragon.”
Zul’kis frowned. “what are you planning now?”
Raal’s heels clicked against his mount’s stomach as it pressed forward. “To bar these mines from dwarven hands.”.
----5 hours later---
Raal’s horse snorted brimstone into the air, as the squeak of the wheels of the frail dwarven cart was heard behind it.
“I’m still kinda surprised, death knight.” Zul’kis said with a slight grin. “This be the first time I seen a prime that lets any bit of omnilium pass through his fingers.” zul’kis pointed directly at the glowing bit of multi-colored energy amid the gold, mythril, and other precious metals stored inside the cart.
The pair had briefly stopped at the dwarven mines, finding them mostly empty. Raal assumed it was due to the miners being mostly dead or near to it.
Raal smirked. “greed has a place, Zul’kis, and while I’m certainly not one to allow any source of power to slip away without good reason… there’s currently a better use for this omnilium. Besides, such a small amount would truthfully make little difference to me in the long run.”
Zul’kis’s eyebrow quirked at that, but Raal decided not to explain. It was more amusing for him and informative for the boy if he let him ponder that for a while. “You said that a mighty ice dragon lived here… What was her name again?”
“Cryosophylax be her true name, but we be referrin’ to her merely Frostwhisper. You be foolish for wantin’ to go after her, but I guess I’d’ve said that about assaulting a dwarven camp with just a giant for help, too.” Zul’kis said.
The warlock would have quirked an eyebrow. “You’ve perked up since last we spoke…”
Zul’kis nodded. “You’re no danger, and whether or not I actually agree with ‘ya methods… I might be able to learn something from ‘em. I’ll bury the hatchet for now, at least, ‘mon.”
Raal nodded. “So this last leg of the trip to Frostwhipser’s lair, is it treacherous?”
Zul’kis laughed. “you could say that. We’ll have to head up the mountains. Wampas be infestin’ the area, so ya might get the honor o’ meetin one face to face. there’s also rumors she be having a few kobold guards, though ‘tween the two of us I doubt that’d be a problem.
Zul’kis shook his head. “The real danger be the terrain. Der be ice and snow ‘round every corner, and the wind gets grippin’ enough to throw a man off the peak. Luckily we ain’t going quite high enough for that, ‘less you decide you wanna speak with Sapphiron instead. I ain’t comin’ for dat.”
Raal’s finger scratched his chin, the sound of bone rubbing bone audible as they walked. “this place may be valuable to me, later. I’ll keep the location in mind.”.
Zul’kis did not reply, but motioned they should pick up the pace, the blue mountain they sought still very far across the horizon.
Raal’s face did not betray any emotion, but in truth he was nervous about the next part of the plan. Bartering with such legendary creatures… Though in truth Raal supposed he was in some ways just as much a figure of myth in his new form.
“Mon. No more delays.”
Raal turned with his horse, pocketing the scroll he had with him.
“Explain t’me how I can trust ya.”
Raal shook his head. “Because I’ve no reason to kill you and all the reason to fight alongside my allies of the second war.”
Zul’kis Raised his axe slightly. “I’ve just seen what ya do to your allies, Raal Deathwind.” The warlock noted the sarcastic tone used by his ally on his name. Clearly, Zul’kis planned not to give him even basic respect.
Raal shrugged. “the giant was not my ally. Nor was he yours… or did you miss the corpses of trolls on your way in? He was merely a dimwitted tool for a talented hand to manipulate.” Raal said with a grin.
“An’ how do I know you ain’t tryin’ that with the trolls now, huh?” Zul’kis roared, his anger clearly rising again.
The death knight’s face seemed to be mixed between amusement and pity. “I never thought I’d see a troll so nakedly foolish.” Raal stated. “I’ve just come out of the tail end of doing far more than necessary for the sake of this recognition quest - not for some extra credit, or an equally pathetic notion, but to improve your people’s chances against the dwarves and to strike a powerful first blow. One which I’ve not even finished dealing.” Raal replied.
“An’ you did it by makin’ and breakin’ deals, and deceiving everyone you met.” Zul’kis responded.
“Don’t start with some speech on honor to me-”
Zul’kis’s axe started shaking in his hands. “Don’t start? Answer me damn question properly, Death knight! You ain’t got no honor, you ain’t got no spirit. You’re in this for yeself, and if I let you return to my home, I got no reason to believe you won’t just try an’ lead us to our deaths!”
Raal, despite himself, closed his eyes briefly.
Don’t blame me, brother. You’d never once looked at me as someone of worth. I was always nothing more than a tool to you. If I hadn’t taken the chance, you would have just killed me sometime down the road, right?”
Now it was Raal’s weapon quivering in his hands, as emotions he hadn’t felt in years came back to him.
“That wasn’t it, you stupid fool! That was never it!” Raal yelled, his eyes glowing. Despite himself, Zul’kis stepped backwards.
Raal was a bit surprised too, at the emotions he’d felt, at the feeling of being, briefly brought back to that moment.
“Sigh… That’s not it.” Raal replied quietly. “you remind me of some of the young that first populated the clans, before we became the horde. Of their foolishness.”
Zul’kis simply glared at him. “To have honor isn’t foolish!”
Raal shook his head emphatically, and for the first time since he’d began talking to Zul’kis his features were more animated than ever. “You don’t understand what honor is!” He spat. “Your kind live in perpetual war, vying against terrain just as harsh as your enemies! Does that not make you understand!” Raal yelled.
Zul’kis did not reply, a thoughtful expression clouding his emotions.
Raal took a few seconds to reply.
“When the horde first began… We, all of us, lived in hovels. We lived off the land, scraping up just enough food to make a living, just enough furs for rough clothing, and perhaps a lavish luxury, and yet those around us said it was a noble existence, filled with honor.” Raal said, nostalgia in his voice. “Yet what I saw was squalor. Surely our people deserved to live in a better situation than this?
Then, when the call to arms against the Draenei emerged, I responded immediately. And immediately, amidst the battle, I saw the cries of “an honorable fight”. Those orcs who refused to push unfair advantages and always sought to give our foes a fighting chance. Many of these orcs died for that honor. Many orcs died beside them because of the loss of their comrade’s axe. All I’ve seen of that sort of honor since then is an excuse to care about your enemies, instead of the people around you, your allies.” Raal stated calmly. “Even as we conquered castles, made new homes, gained lavish riches and fine arts and expensive food, many creature comforts we’d never before experienced, many spoke of how it was wrong, because their “honor” forbade it.”
Raal turned away from Zul’kis, as a skeleton walked towards the side of his horse. it had apparently found a small scroll hidden in one of the houses - a map. “That makes two.” He said quietly, quickly procuring the small bit of parchment before turning back to the troll.
“I decided, then, that if this backward system that seemed only to regress our clans was called honor by some, so be it. Instead, I would focus on what I called honor. Helping my people, by any means necessary. Improving the lives of the creatures I fought beside and who claimed kinship to myself. Gold, food, and luxuries for those I considered friends… And Family.” Raal continued. “What does it matter how I get it, when in the end, I serve my people, and ensure my happiness, and those around me?” Raal stated. “I’m no selfless creature - I live for power, and I often worked for it - but if I was really so traitorous, I would have abandoned the horde the minute Gul’dan did.” The warlock’s stare did not waver, as his truncheon laid slack by his side.. “Those are the facts, whether or not your ears can comprehend them. Do as you will with them.”
Zul’kis’s glare seemed to stay on his face for a few moments, and Raal wondered if this was going to start a fight. Then, his face gradually fell. “I don’t agree with ya, ‘bout a lotta things… but I can respect that, at least. What’chu wanting to do now?” Zul’kis stated.
Raal appreciated the fact Zul’kis didn’t mince words, at least. Perhaps there was hope for the upstart.
“I’ve acquired a pair of maps to the mines. The rest of the fort, by necessity, needs to be burned.” Raal said blandly, before walking out of the village. “thankfully this might be one of the most flammable forts I’ve seen. I’ve already set my warriors to start the fire. It shall burn without assistance now.” Raal stated. As if on cue, The cabins behind Raal were set alight, the trading post appearing to burn swiftly. “We’ll need to quickly stop off at the mines, before we leave. then, you’ll have to lead me to the dragon.”
Zul’kis frowned. “what are you planning now?”
Raal’s heels clicked against his mount’s stomach as it pressed forward. “To bar these mines from dwarven hands.”.
----5 hours later---
Raal’s horse snorted brimstone into the air, as the squeak of the wheels of the frail dwarven cart was heard behind it.
“I’m still kinda surprised, death knight.” Zul’kis said with a slight grin. “This be the first time I seen a prime that lets any bit of omnilium pass through his fingers.” zul’kis pointed directly at the glowing bit of multi-colored energy amid the gold, mythril, and other precious metals stored inside the cart.
The pair had briefly stopped at the dwarven mines, finding them mostly empty. Raal assumed it was due to the miners being mostly dead or near to it.
Raal smirked. “greed has a place, Zul’kis, and while I’m certainly not one to allow any source of power to slip away without good reason… there’s currently a better use for this omnilium. Besides, such a small amount would truthfully make little difference to me in the long run.”
Zul’kis’s eyebrow quirked at that, but Raal decided not to explain. It was more amusing for him and informative for the boy if he let him ponder that for a while. “You said that a mighty ice dragon lived here… What was her name again?”
“Cryosophylax be her true name, but we be referrin’ to her merely Frostwhisper. You be foolish for wantin’ to go after her, but I guess I’d’ve said that about assaulting a dwarven camp with just a giant for help, too.” Zul’kis said.
The warlock would have quirked an eyebrow. “You’ve perked up since last we spoke…”
Zul’kis nodded. “You’re no danger, and whether or not I actually agree with ‘ya methods… I might be able to learn something from ‘em. I’ll bury the hatchet for now, at least, ‘mon.”
Raal nodded. “So this last leg of the trip to Frostwhipser’s lair, is it treacherous?”
Zul’kis laughed. “you could say that. We’ll have to head up the mountains. Wampas be infestin’ the area, so ya might get the honor o’ meetin one face to face. there’s also rumors she be having a few kobold guards, though ‘tween the two of us I doubt that’d be a problem.
Zul’kis shook his head. “The real danger be the terrain. Der be ice and snow ‘round every corner, and the wind gets grippin’ enough to throw a man off the peak. Luckily we ain’t going quite high enough for that, ‘less you decide you wanna speak with Sapphiron instead. I ain’t comin’ for dat.”
Raal’s finger scratched his chin, the sound of bone rubbing bone audible as they walked. “this place may be valuable to me, later. I’ll keep the location in mind.”.
Zul’kis did not reply, but motioned they should pick up the pace, the blue mountain they sought still very far across the horizon.