Post by Monday
((
Storybook.
Short one. Also, there probably won't be a part tomorrow.))
Black Walker exited the flaming ruins of Kirthaven and started south towards Thundermar again. Gorgron sat back against the walker’s rail, when something struck him and he stood up straight. “Ironbeard, why did you do that? If the Twilight are all that are keeping the Dragonmaw bottled up now, and they are leaving you alone, why stop them? The Dragonmaw may just attack you now and try to force you out. The orcs will fight to the last man, woman and child.”
Ironbeard raised an eyebrow at the orc. “So ye’d rather that I leave ‘em all to eventually starve or kill themselves all off?
That’s a real humane thing to.” Gorgron shot the dwarf a confused look. “So? They’re orcs. Why would you, a dwarf who’s been fighting them for the past several years, care what happens to them?”
Ironbeard sighed. “Gorgron,” he said quietly, “We’re not all crazy here in th’ Alliance. I’m not sure what experiences you’ve had with ‘em, but most of us try to realize that th’ Horde are people too. It can be hard, fer both sides, but both sides accomplish it.”
Gorgron frowned. “It didn’t seem that way in Northrend, where I spent most of my time.” Ironbeard’s beard shook as he titled his head to the side. “Northrend? Why’d ye spend yer time there, and not down in Azeroth?” Gorgron shrugged. “I liked it there, especially among the Tuskarr. They had a true appreciation for the Elements, and the Elements were so strong, so
raw there! I returned here just in time to catch the tail end of the fighting between us in the ruins of Gilneas. That was some nasty stuff.”
Ironbeard shuddered slightly. “Ach, got in just before they used th’ Plague, eh?” Gorgron nodded. “Aye. The Worgen resurged and tried to take Gilneas, as it sounds like you know. I joined the effort in the Second Invasion under Sylvanas, but when she deployed the Plague... that was the last straw. People went mad. I saw several humans and a night elf grab an orc, screaming about him being a ‘baby poisoner’ and literally rip his limbs off. I also saw several orcs grab a worgen and slice him to death with small knives, laughing as he bled. Some of the most disturbing things I’d ever seen. Thank the Elements Sylvanas was executed.”
Ironbeard looked surprised. “They executed her? We haven’t had much news here. Th’ Hammer took th’ port in th’ south and burned it, destroying th’ portal to Stormwind. Since Grim Batol was pretty much sealed off th’ Highlands, we haven’t had much news fer sure.” Gorgron nodded. “Indeed. Garrosh went berserk and challenged her to a duel. She accepted and tried to kill him with poisoned blades. The man just shook off the poison and cleaved her in half with his axe.”
Ironbeard opened his mouth to say something, then stopped, looking slightly confused. Putting a hand to his back, it came away bloody, and he fell to the deck, an arrow sticking out of his back like an obscene flag pole. “We’re under attack!” Gorgron bellowed, standing and forming a shield of air around them. Several more arrows flashed towards them, and were deflected by the hardened air.
Ironbeard groaned and pushed himself up. “Poisoned,” he gasped. Grimacing, he broke the shaft off of the arrow head, then yanked the unbarbed head out, and fainted.
Gorgron raised his eyes heavenward. “Stupid dwarf,” he muttered. Gorgron started scanning the area for their attackers, and soon discovered them. “Trolls,” he murmured. “Twilight’s Hammer I bet.” Avery bounded up the stairs behind him, and Gorgron let him into the shield. The priest carried a rifle in his arms.
Gorgron glanced at the rifle, and shot the priest a quizzical look. Avery shrugged. “I need to take matters into my own hands, and not expect the Light to always protect me,” he said, and blew a troll off of a nearby tree.
Black Walker shuddered, and all guns opened fire. The shrieks of the trolls echoes as several fell from the trees and rocks around them. Gorgron sent a wave of flame, which washed over the few remaining, torching them. Avery knelt down next to Ironbeard and started praying. Light fell upon them, and a noxious green liquid was expelled from Ironbeard’s wound, which then sealed.
The dwarf sat up, and put a hand to his head. “Some lookout I am. Keep yer trap shut, shaman,” he shot at Gorgron, though he winked. Gorgron smiled. “I’ll try not to distract you next time,” he said, chickling. Avery stood up. “Korsin wanted me to tell you, Grim Batol is just ahead. Prepare yourselves. We might not get through this unscathed.”
