04-24-2016, 11:21 AM
Raal wondered whether Venjo’s guards were going to be ready on time. He was told six hours(what the moss-covered warriors were doing with all that time, Raal had no idea), which meant six hours to ensure other preparations were set.
That was fine with Raal, as the long-dead knight sat calmly on his trotting deathcharger. It might have seemed ridiculous to see the death knight right now, a bright sphere of bubbling rainbow energy, hovering in front of the decaying orc’s hands as the deathcharger walked forward. A Miasma of color in front of a colorless corpse. It had taken him two minutes to find Zul’kis’s location, Raal realized… it was two minutes too many. Still, the trolls nearby had seemed rather helpful in finding his location.
Next to a crumbling, burning shack, he found his young protege, crying.
“Zul’kis.”
The troll turned to see Raal, a look of pain in his face.
“M’father.” the troll stated with a tear-painted face. “And m’mother. Killed ‘em both. Mom was never a fighter. Mom-” Zul’kis started to babble.
“Zul’kis, I lack time for this.” Raal interrupted with a red glare filling his eyes, even as the bubble of Omnilium finally burst, black canvas crashing to the snow.
Zul’kis’s answer was a hard glare, his eyes blazing with fury. “Oh, you lack time! I don’t be caring!”
Raal’s glare took a new edge. “What?”
“I don’t be caring! I s’pose it’s my fault for even speakin’ to ya ‘bout this. Even for a corpse you be havin’ an amazing lack of empathy.”
Raal’s eyes didn’t waver. “You really are a buffoon. You live in a warzone. You should have readied yourself for the death of close relatives, and-”
“Screw you, mon.” Was Zul’kis’s reply.
Raal’s eyes widened with a bright red glow.
“Do you think time stops for you, you crooked-tusked imbecile!” Raal yelled with more passion than he meant. “Do you think this won’t repeat endlessly, unless you move your worthless backside, take action, and work on preventing an attack in the future?”
Zul’kis slumped back.
“...Won’t bring ‘em back.” he finally said after a moment.
Raal’s glare decreased in intensity, the red shards of glowing energy changing shape from slits to triangles. “No. But if you follow my orders, heed my instructions, and work with me to prevent future atrocities, you just may prevent it from happening again. Secure the course for your people. Do you understand me, Zul’kis?”
Zul’kis’s glare was sudden, as was his sudden stand, and it occurred to him that Zul’kis had grown an inch from the time he first met him. Despite himself, he wondered with some caution on just what the rather large troll would do next.
“...I get you’ll say anythin’ you can to get me to follow your next mad quest for power.” Zul’kis shook his head. “Screw you, mon.” the troll warrior hissed with a new edge to his words.
He would get over it. He needed to at least be able to get over this. Raal wouldn’t permit talent to languish in the dregs of pity.
Still, the respect he had once seen in the troll's eyes, now so very absent… no, it mattered not. Not now, at least, with the trolls survival hanging once again on the edge of a knife. Those were worries for another time. The plan had to go perfectly, and Zul’kis would be around for every step of it.
“I still need assistance navigating to certain areas of this icy wasteland. I need to once again enter the lair of Frostwhisper.. Lead me.” Raal stated bluntly.
Zul’kis hefted his axe, still looking at Raal with a blank, accusing stare. “If you think she be helpin’ you attack the dwarven capital, Deathwind, you be a fool. She be more than smart enough not to get herself in bad with a prime like Bruenor.”
Raal shook his head in response. “The help I need from her is minor, and if all goes well, the incident being traced back to her is unlikely. Her specifically, at least.” Raal states as a slight correction. “Lead on, and I shall show you, Zul’kis.”
Zul’kis considered it for a moment, and Raal knew that there was a chance Zul’kis would simply take this opportunity to try and embed his well-made Steel tomahawks into Raal’s ever-so-fragile skull.. Still, there was one thing Raal knew well about the grief of loss.
Even making a deal with a devil was something you were willing to do, so long as it kept you busy. So long as you didn’t have to think about the tragedy that drilled you in the stomach.
It was one of the many reasons the young were so easily manipulated. They had so much more left to lose.
------------------
The trek was not long, but Zul’kis’s silence made it feel longer to Raal. He closed the facsimile he had for eyes. Zul’kis had been quiet before - indeed, for all the talking and posturing they intended to do once they began rotating their jaws, the entire race were hardcoded hunters. The moment business started, they tended to be rather tight-lipped - at least, until they got in a brawl…
This was not the silence Raal was used to from his young companion, however. His was the silence of the grave. Troubling… if the troll youth kept up at this rate, it could be quite damaging to Raal’s reputation among his kin, and the plan as a whole. He needed to figure out how to rectify this… and yet, few ideas sprung to mind. The teenager in front of him no doubt wished to receive an apology, but while some orcs might feel no shame in baring their heads to the undeserving, Raal had too much dignity to ask forgiveness from his lessers. At the same time, if he attempted to motivate the youth using his fallen comrades again, it would be viewed as manipulation. Annoying as it was, Raal was, at least, pleased that his insight had begun to sharpen so quickly.
Perhaps his Naivete was at last beginning to fade.
The problem with Zul’kis remained regardless of his growth, however, and Raal needed to figure out a way to circumvent that. It was already clear just appealing to the troll’s sense of morality was not going to cut it this time. Not with the tools and influence Raal currently had at his disposal. This wouldn’t deter Raal in the slightest, though. When vinegar didn’t work, honey often proved to be just as effective…
“Zul’kis.”
The troll turned to look at him, halting his pace with a stomp of his oversized feet. Raal had to suppress a grunt of annoyance. For now, he’d have to overlook his companion’s childish reaction if they were to get anywhere..
“What?” was the sarcastic response the troll returned to him.
A good start, then.
“It occurs to me… your current training from the trolls has been rather mundane… and your tribe currently lacks a witch doctor.” Raal stated with a smirk under his cowl. If he managed to start a hunger in Zul’kis, it would…
“Not interested. Not from you.”
“What?!” Raal yelled aloud, his surprise and outrage overcutting his normal reservation.
“Not. Int’rested.” Zul’kis stated slowly, emphasizing each syllable like it was it’s own sentence.
“...Zul’kis, if only you allowed me, I could make you…” Raal started to say, his own dialogue beginning to flounder.
“A perfect puppet. Right?” Zul’kis asked.
Raal’s glare intensified, scarlet energy illuminating his surroundings. “Is that what you think?!” He stated with anger he was surprised by. This little brat, after everything he did for him. “I’ve given you so much! knowledge! Power! Wisdom! Bequeathed to you! You dare refuse my-!
“You’d oppose the council, you brainless worm! It was I who taught you the warlock arts, I who opened up magic your greedy soul would never have taken in otherwise. You’d be dead in some war, caught up in your own petty “plans” if not for Gul’dan and I. How dare you oppose-”
Raal didn’t allow the brainless magician any more time to speak as he lashed out with his prized ritual knife, the obsidian blade leaving a jagged cut across Garaz’s windpipe. The boasting orc’s loud condemnations faded to silence as he fell to the ground, clutching his ruined throat.
“I owe nothing to those who would make me their pet, Garaz. Just continue to stain the carpet with your traitor’s blood, and suffocate quickly. Your companions shall join you soon.” Raal stated with a merciless smile.
Raal’s eyes widened as the flash-back faded, quickly checking his surroundings as he realized he was back in the present. He remembered the scene he had just re-visited. Back in the first war between human and orc, he’d followed Doomhammer during his bloody coup against Gul’dan’s shadow council. There, he had slaughtered dozens of warlocks without a speck of regret.
Dozens of warlocks who’d done much as he had for Raal and others… honeyed words to control the weak-minded.
But Raal was far too strong-willed to allow for such tactics to work, and Zul’kis shared that distinction. It was what inspired the experienced veteran to try and push the boy in the first place! And yet, with his own lack of acknowledgement…
Had he already made himself a target for regicide?
“We almost be to Frostwhisper’s cavern. Save your tongue for a lizard who cares, mon.” Zul’kis stated as he gripped his tomahawk tightly, walking towards the indistinct shape of Frostwhisper’s mountain in the distance.
After a few seconds, Raal pushed his heels against his deathcharger as the horned creature trotted forward, as the old orc closed his eyes in frustration.
...It appears I have erred.
That was fine with Raal, as the long-dead knight sat calmly on his trotting deathcharger. It might have seemed ridiculous to see the death knight right now, a bright sphere of bubbling rainbow energy, hovering in front of the decaying orc’s hands as the deathcharger walked forward. A Miasma of color in front of a colorless corpse. It had taken him two minutes to find Zul’kis’s location, Raal realized… it was two minutes too many. Still, the trolls nearby had seemed rather helpful in finding his location.
Next to a crumbling, burning shack, he found his young protege, crying.
“Zul’kis.”
The troll turned to see Raal, a look of pain in his face.
“M’father.” the troll stated with a tear-painted face. “And m’mother. Killed ‘em both. Mom was never a fighter. Mom-” Zul’kis started to babble.
“Zul’kis, I lack time for this.” Raal interrupted with a red glare filling his eyes, even as the bubble of Omnilium finally burst, black canvas crashing to the snow.
Zul’kis’s answer was a hard glare, his eyes blazing with fury. “Oh, you lack time! I don’t be caring!”
Raal’s glare took a new edge. “What?”
“I don’t be caring! I s’pose it’s my fault for even speakin’ to ya ‘bout this. Even for a corpse you be havin’ an amazing lack of empathy.”
Raal’s eyes didn’t waver. “You really are a buffoon. You live in a warzone. You should have readied yourself for the death of close relatives, and-”
“Screw you, mon.” Was Zul’kis’s reply.
Raal’s eyes widened with a bright red glow.
“Do you think time stops for you, you crooked-tusked imbecile!” Raal yelled with more passion than he meant. “Do you think this won’t repeat endlessly, unless you move your worthless backside, take action, and work on preventing an attack in the future?”
Zul’kis slumped back.
“...Won’t bring ‘em back.” he finally said after a moment.
Raal’s glare decreased in intensity, the red shards of glowing energy changing shape from slits to triangles. “No. But if you follow my orders, heed my instructions, and work with me to prevent future atrocities, you just may prevent it from happening again. Secure the course for your people. Do you understand me, Zul’kis?”
Zul’kis’s glare was sudden, as was his sudden stand, and it occurred to him that Zul’kis had grown an inch from the time he first met him. Despite himself, he wondered with some caution on just what the rather large troll would do next.
“...I get you’ll say anythin’ you can to get me to follow your next mad quest for power.” Zul’kis shook his head. “Screw you, mon.” the troll warrior hissed with a new edge to his words.
He would get over it. He needed to at least be able to get over this. Raal wouldn’t permit talent to languish in the dregs of pity.
Still, the respect he had once seen in the troll's eyes, now so very absent… no, it mattered not. Not now, at least, with the trolls survival hanging once again on the edge of a knife. Those were worries for another time. The plan had to go perfectly, and Zul’kis would be around for every step of it.
“I still need assistance navigating to certain areas of this icy wasteland. I need to once again enter the lair of Frostwhisper.. Lead me.” Raal stated bluntly.
Zul’kis hefted his axe, still looking at Raal with a blank, accusing stare. “If you think she be helpin’ you attack the dwarven capital, Deathwind, you be a fool. She be more than smart enough not to get herself in bad with a prime like Bruenor.”
Raal shook his head in response. “The help I need from her is minor, and if all goes well, the incident being traced back to her is unlikely. Her specifically, at least.” Raal states as a slight correction. “Lead on, and I shall show you, Zul’kis.”
Zul’kis considered it for a moment, and Raal knew that there was a chance Zul’kis would simply take this opportunity to try and embed his well-made Steel tomahawks into Raal’s ever-so-fragile skull.. Still, there was one thing Raal knew well about the grief of loss.
Even making a deal with a devil was something you were willing to do, so long as it kept you busy. So long as you didn’t have to think about the tragedy that drilled you in the stomach.
It was one of the many reasons the young were so easily manipulated. They had so much more left to lose.
------------------
The trek was not long, but Zul’kis’s silence made it feel longer to Raal. He closed the facsimile he had for eyes. Zul’kis had been quiet before - indeed, for all the talking and posturing they intended to do once they began rotating their jaws, the entire race were hardcoded hunters. The moment business started, they tended to be rather tight-lipped - at least, until they got in a brawl…
This was not the silence Raal was used to from his young companion, however. His was the silence of the grave. Troubling… if the troll youth kept up at this rate, it could be quite damaging to Raal’s reputation among his kin, and the plan as a whole. He needed to figure out how to rectify this… and yet, few ideas sprung to mind. The teenager in front of him no doubt wished to receive an apology, but while some orcs might feel no shame in baring their heads to the undeserving, Raal had too much dignity to ask forgiveness from his lessers. At the same time, if he attempted to motivate the youth using his fallen comrades again, it would be viewed as manipulation. Annoying as it was, Raal was, at least, pleased that his insight had begun to sharpen so quickly.
Perhaps his Naivete was at last beginning to fade.
The problem with Zul’kis remained regardless of his growth, however, and Raal needed to figure out a way to circumvent that. It was already clear just appealing to the troll’s sense of morality was not going to cut it this time. Not with the tools and influence Raal currently had at his disposal. This wouldn’t deter Raal in the slightest, though. When vinegar didn’t work, honey often proved to be just as effective…
“Zul’kis.”
The troll turned to look at him, halting his pace with a stomp of his oversized feet. Raal had to suppress a grunt of annoyance. For now, he’d have to overlook his companion’s childish reaction if they were to get anywhere..
“What?” was the sarcastic response the troll returned to him.
A good start, then.
“It occurs to me… your current training from the trolls has been rather mundane… and your tribe currently lacks a witch doctor.” Raal stated with a smirk under his cowl. If he managed to start a hunger in Zul’kis, it would…
“Not interested. Not from you.”
“What?!” Raal yelled aloud, his surprise and outrage overcutting his normal reservation.
“Not. Int’rested.” Zul’kis stated slowly, emphasizing each syllable like it was it’s own sentence.
“...Zul’kis, if only you allowed me, I could make you…” Raal started to say, his own dialogue beginning to flounder.
“A perfect puppet. Right?” Zul’kis asked.
Raal’s glare intensified, scarlet energy illuminating his surroundings. “Is that what you think?!” He stated with anger he was surprised by. This little brat, after everything he did for him. “I’ve given you so much! knowledge! Power! Wisdom! Bequeathed to you! You dare refuse my-!
“You’d oppose the council, you brainless worm! It was I who taught you the warlock arts, I who opened up magic your greedy soul would never have taken in otherwise. You’d be dead in some war, caught up in your own petty “plans” if not for Gul’dan and I. How dare you oppose-”
Raal didn’t allow the brainless magician any more time to speak as he lashed out with his prized ritual knife, the obsidian blade leaving a jagged cut across Garaz’s windpipe. The boasting orc’s loud condemnations faded to silence as he fell to the ground, clutching his ruined throat.
“I owe nothing to those who would make me their pet, Garaz. Just continue to stain the carpet with your traitor’s blood, and suffocate quickly. Your companions shall join you soon.” Raal stated with a merciless smile.
Raal’s eyes widened as the flash-back faded, quickly checking his surroundings as he realized he was back in the present. He remembered the scene he had just re-visited. Back in the first war between human and orc, he’d followed Doomhammer during his bloody coup against Gul’dan’s shadow council. There, he had slaughtered dozens of warlocks without a speck of regret.
Dozens of warlocks who’d done much as he had for Raal and others… honeyed words to control the weak-minded.
But Raal was far too strong-willed to allow for such tactics to work, and Zul’kis shared that distinction. It was what inspired the experienced veteran to try and push the boy in the first place! And yet, with his own lack of acknowledgement…
Had he already made himself a target for regicide?
“We almost be to Frostwhisper’s cavern. Save your tongue for a lizard who cares, mon.” Zul’kis stated as he gripped his tomahawk tightly, walking towards the indistinct shape of Frostwhisper’s mountain in the distance.
After a few seconds, Raal pushed his heels against his deathcharger as the horned creature trotted forward, as the old orc closed his eyes in frustration.
...It appears I have erred.