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Section One. Part One Continued.

What has happened to it all?
Crazy, some are saying
Where is the life that I recognize?
Gone away - Duran Duran. Ordinary World.

Azroar attempted once again to pull the rusted iron chain from its mooring in the stone cell. The chain went tight and he strained with all his strength for a moment before letting it again fall to the ground. The chain was attached to a collar of rusted iron around his neck that was now digging into his flesh. With a snarl, he kicked the wooden bowl that had held the offering of food that had been slid under the door a few moments before, sending some form of gruel and meat splashing over the straw hewn floor. “Relax man.” The troll’s voice was deep and commanding from the other side of the cell, her accent thick and rough as she spoke in Orcish. “I will relax, when I am free.” Azroar snarled and again pulled on the heavy chain that bound him here but it did not move.

Azroar had been captured a few weeks previously while leading a small raid against one of the remaining internment camps. He had volunteered to lead the small raiding party of twenty warriors and several hunters in a diversionary action, so that another camp could be attacked by the main bulk of the growing orc warbands. Thrall had picked him personally to lead the hunters, being told of the young orcs aggression and his flair for tactical thinking. “I will lead with honor.” Azroar had saluted the chieftain who had come to tell him of Thrall personally picking him to lead the diversionary action. The young warrior was taken with Thrall and his new ideas, a new start for our people, a new dawn. Azroar had been one of the youngest warriors through the portal, yet his time on Azeroth had prematurely aged him, fighting against the humans, and their dwarven allies had hardened his lust for battle. But he felt the lethargy as well when the portal had been slammed shut, his will to fight had gone, all he had wanted to do was rest or go home. It was not until this new Thrall had shown him firsthand the powers of the shamanistic magic that he had felt their was hope again. Azroar was tall even for an Orc, standing almost Seven feet barefoot, towering over his companions and fellow battle warriors. His flesh was a deep emerald green, covering the layers of muscle that had hardened and formed after the relentless campaigns of battle. He wore his hair long in a top knot which was jet black and his two tusks shined an ivory sheen, the mark of a handsome mate had he been at home in the clan. His only clothing now was a brown loincloth which barely covered his shame but he did not feel the cold of the stone around him, he was too angry. Flexing his powerful arms again, he tried without success to defeat the bonds that held him. His red eyes flashed with anger and the veins in his thick neck strained as he gave it one last try before he at last gave up and slid to the ground putting his back against the stonewall of the cell. “What I wouldn’t do for a smoke.” He smiled and looked over his cell companion.

The troll was held captive in chains but a leather hood of some type that covered her eyes only allowing her mouth to be seen obscured her face. She was tall and lithe, like most of her species, with small pointed tusks protruding from her lower jaw, which could be seen even through the harness. She was dressed in similar scant clothing, which barely covered her deep turquoise flesh and Azroar noticed that her body was covered in numerous scars and burns that had healed. “I can tell your looking at me Orc.” The troll woman said and even through the mask, Azroar could tell she was smiling. ”Have you not seen a troll woman before?” She asked. “Am I some strange thing to you mon?” She teased him waiting to hear his answer. “You have seen battle.” Azroar nodded respectfully. “Oh yes, too many to count now, but we do what we must to live.” The troll woman could not move her arms from the wall to which she had been shackled. “My friend, would you feed a poor woman?” She asked him suddenly, her long red tongue poking out of the mask for just a second. “I have not eaten for several days.” She said almost apologetically. Azroar nodded and moved to the other bowl, which he had not upturned in his rage and dragging the chain behind him he came up to her and raised the bowl to her lips. “Thank you.” She said as she guzzled the slop down quickly, starting to cough. “Easy.” Azroar stated giving her time to catch her breath. “What is this place?” He finally asked after she had finished. “You don’t know mon?” She laughed at him. “This is a place of bad voodoo.” The troll woman explained. “You’re here to fight as a gladiator for the good citizens of the city.” She finished her words with sarcasm. “Not if I have anything to do with it.” Azroar snorted moving to stand before the small window not a half-foot square that was in the top of the cell wall allowing the light from outside to spill into the cell. “I have no idea, where here even is.” Azroar shook his head. “Strathlohome.” The troll answered. As she answered, he heard a key in the heavy lock of the steel door behind him and he turned ready to rush the guard, but he stopped when he saw the thin pale man dressed in black robes who entered the cell.

“Well well.” Jeeves whispered smiling revealing his yellowing teeth. “I hope the both of you are comfortable with your new quarters.” The castellan did not get to hear the reply from the young orc who charged toward him the chain held outright aiming to wrap the metal links around his captor. Jeeves sighed and waited a moment before taking half a step back. The chain snapped when it reached its full length and Azroar was sent jerking backward landing heavily, the choking chain ripping the skin of his neck. “That is unwise.” Jeeves whispered and pointed a finger at the fallen orc. “Magus Strika” Jeeves rose his voice in a snap of command. A single ball of white arcane energy erupted from his finger and slammed into the orcs thigh, the spell lit the room for an instant like a strike of lightning and the cell was filled with the smell of freshly burnt flesh. The fallen orc did not cry out in pain but rolled away in obvious agony. “That was very stupid orc.” Jeeves spoke at him in his own broken tongue. “Next time it will be much worse.” The castellan moved back toward the door glancing at the shackled troll. “You had best give him the full story of what he can expect Maruka.” Jeeves frowned and turning he locked the door leaving the two cell mates alone. “Maruka.” Azroar said heaving himself back to his feet inspecting the fresh wound on his thigh. It was painful but not deep, a day or two and it would be completely healed. “That is my name mon, Maruka.” She said proudly. Azroar nodded. “I am Azroar, Horde hunter and scout.” The Orc bought his hand to his chest in salute as was the custom of his people when they met others. “I will tell you what I know Azroar.” Maruka said before she began her own story.

Authors Note:

Not much to say here the introduction of two prime guild figures. There is a deliberate contrast here between our main players, Azroar the young and yet untested, Maruka the guide for the young leader.

Jeeves has been given a slight sadistic streak, but is it sadistic; the careful reader should note that Jeeves is the loyal servant of the power at hand. If that power changes, will his loyalties?

The quote is from one of my favorite reflective songs, its about suffering and loss and remembering the past... Maruka and Azroar are part of the Hordes past, which has suffered at the hands of humans, they stand on the brink of a changing era.

Full Lyrics.

"Ordinary World"

Came in from a rainy Thursday
On the avenue
Thought I heard you talking softly

I turned on the lights, the TV
And the radio
Still I can't escape the ghost of you

What has happened to it all?
Crazy, some are saying
Where is the life that I recognize?
Gone away

But I won't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world
I will learn to survive

Passion or coincidence
Once prompted you to say
"Pride will tear us both apart"
Well now pride's gone out the window
Cross the rooftops
Run away
Left me in the vacuum of my heart

What is happening to me?
Crazy, some'd say
Where is my friend when I need you most?
Gone away

But I won't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world
I will learn to survive

Papers in the roadside
Tell of suffering and greed
Here today, forgot tomorrow
Ooh, here besides the news
Of holy war and holy need
Ours is just a little sorrowed talk

And I don't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world
I will learn to survive