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Growls filled the crisp morning air, snarls and suddenly a ripping sound as a grey furred figure ripped it’s head back and stood there a little surprised with a small shirt between her teeth. Shaking her head a little, the worg dropped the cloth, looking back at her ‘opponent’,  a small boy around the age of two summers, who was just as surprised he was suddenly sitting there without shirt.

“No, Keren, you make broke! Bad!” The boy cried out, waving his arms in the air to underline his words. Keren merely leaned in closer, pushing her cold nose against the bare chest of the child, pushing him down into the grass, which resulted in a volley of giggles.

And so they went on, young worg and orc playing, Rhonya sitting nearby at the water edge of the lake, one of her favorite spots. She inspected the torn cloth that was once a shirt, and lowered it with a sigh in her lap. Another thing to repair… Four children, and a pup, it was getting out of hand. Luckily she had a lot of help, in the form of Therak, and her sister, and the matron who watched the pups as well when Rhonya was out. She moved her hand slightly to scratch at the ever present bandage around her neck. She was getting used to it being there now, as it was always there, though at times it still irritated her because of the tender skin beneath.

It was a nice, clear morning, and actually she chose a wrong spot to sit, knowing Therak would first look here, and would want to take her along on a swim no doubt. It was almost like him and her sister had made a deal together, to nag Rhonya and push her to exercise so she would get more in shape again. Slowly she stood up.
“Come on, you two, we’re going for a walk.” She said to the two playing pups, and they both rose. One to two feet, the other to four paws as they hurried after Rhonya who’d already begun to walk to the edge of the village. She would just take the path, it was mostly a save route. Her bare feet almost seemed to move out of their own, the path walked so often, towards the Ancestral grounds. Skorm ran up next to her as they reached the edge of the village, putting his small hand in hers. She smiled down at him. He was growing up so fast…

Keren jumped around them in joy, happy to be walking, to be moving, bouncing towards Skorm to try and make him play with her, but he just wafted his arm at the worg, keeping his hands in his mother’s hand, trying to walk all tall and broad without any shirt on. It looked more hilarious than intimidating, and Rhonya’s smile grew. They were the things keeping her going. Her family, her brothers and sisters, her tribe. Without them, she was sure, she would have fallen already, long ago. Either be it by demon corruption, or something else.

Her long hair fell over one shoulder as she turned her head to the side, looking in the distance, the mountain of Oshu’gun slowly coming more in sight as they remained walking. The demons… Yes, they were still there. Biding their time probably, waiting for an opportunity, as Gashuk had called it. Her brother wanted her rid of them… Bloodmark. She couldn’t blame him for that, but it was just a huge fear that filled her whenever the thought struck her that they would have to touch those wards again to get them out. Break the wards, lure them in… Though that would leave her mind open to their influence, something she didn’t want repeated, like in the past. He had tried to comfort her, but… he hadn’t been there. He hadn’t felt what she felt. Gashuk his words had frightened her even more, speaking of summoning them…

Skorm seemed to notice her discomfort as he pulled on her hand a little, putting both his arms in the air. Rhonya picked him up with a smile as he put his arms around her neck, resting his head against her shoulder, his small nose pressing against the skin of her neck.

“Mommy no sad?” his small voice asked, coming from somewhere below her ear. Rhonya shook her head slightly.
“No, mom isn’t sad, my dear. Just thinking… Do you know where we’re going? We’re going to visit all those that left this world.” She smiled down at him, gesturing with a hand in the direction they were going. Skorm looked ahead, a curious expression on his face.

“Like ghosts?” He spoke softly, and Rhonya nodded.

“Spirits. The place we go when we leave this world behind. We burn the things they leave behind there, their bodies and such.” Her eyes were looking ahead again, and Skorm made a light shudder in her arms. If it was from excitement or fear of spirits, she couldn’t tell. She’d told him of spirits before, but he’d never been to a place that was so close to them yet.

The female orc continued her way, the bouncing wolf at her heels. Suddenly she thought of Krogon, and the things he had said to her, the day before. His words had hit her like a knife, even though she had tried not to show it. He apologized in the end, but she didn’t think his opinion of her had changed so rapidly. Was she really that useless in his eyes? Did she really let her judgment be clouded by her feelings for others? Perhaps a little, but that was only logical, was it not?

She had avoided Shrika, that much was true. Something in her felt completely off, trying to pull at Rhonya and get her closer. Exactly why she’d kept her distance, even though Shrika must think by now she abandoned her or something. Which was not true, but she could hardly tell the she-orc that something there was pulling on her, it would only make her more afraid and nervous of her situation, no doubt.

And the fact worried her that Therak was working with that box. The thing felt wrong to her… Or better said, the item inside did, even though it looked so simple. Rhonya had urged him to be careful, and she kept a close eye on him, looking for any changes in his behavior or anything that could mean something was wrong. But he’d always been a very good liar and a master at hiding his feelings and sometimes even intentions, so she was having some trouble with that. A soft sigh escaped her lips, and Skorm lifted a finger to softly press it against her lips, a small smile on his young face.

“No sad, mom. We visit spirits, alright?” Rhonya couldn’t help but smile at his words, and nod to him. He always made things seem so simple, from his childish view. Skorm always managed to cheer her up, even though he was her child she worried about most. Somehow he still had the biggest spot in her heart, her firstborn, the one connecting her with her past, the one that kept reminding her as well what she was fighting against. She reached a hand to ruffle his hair, setting in a faster pace. Rhonya would focus on teaching her son for now, there was no need to make him worried too.

“Yes, my dear,  we’ll visit the spirits.”

[What can I offer?]

Hello orcsies!

I've been pondering a little on this, and since I was already trying to convince some people to come, might as well make it an open thing. Every year in August in the Netherlands we have a fantasy fair called Castlefest. www.castlefest.com
Now, if you want to know what exactly it is, I'd suggest take a look at that site(you can put it to english), or find some trailers on youtube! Basically it's a combination of a market and a music festival, with a lot of people also dressed in the most amazing fantasy costumes. Things being sold like armor, LARP stuff, food, lots of alcohol, books, clothes, whatever.

The point of this thread, is to ask you all...if any of you might be interested in coming with me (And Ed)! And of course some others, should we get some people willing to come. So perhaps make a guildmeet of it, or if many can't come, a smaller sort of meet. I will go anyway, so doesn't really matter to me, but I thought some of you might find it fun to come too!

Now, what is there that you really need to know? The event is held on 1,2,3 of august, and it's held in Lisse, at Castle Keukenhof.
I live +/- 1,5 hours from there with the train, so it's not that nearby for me, but I always go three days anyway.

What can I offer?

I can offer a sleeping place for maximum 5 or 6 people. It will be very full in the house then though, and one or two might be needed to sleep in the kitchen. I have a three room appartment in Almere. I can offer one sleeping place on the couch at least (or two, if anyone dares sleeping on the smaller couch as well.) Probably can manage to get two airbeds, I have two thinner camping airmats, and two sleepingbags.

What are the costs?

Well. That depends on should you want to come one day and then do something else, or if you want to come three days for the full fun! (I live nearby Amsterdam, so staying one night and then moving on is fine too if peeps want to see a bit more of it all, though I won't be coming then. )
Basically, one day ticket to the fair costs â,¬19,95.
If you buy a ticket for 3 days, you get a wristband. Those cost: â,¬ 47,25.

Now, that does not include the food/drink and train ofc. The food system there goes with coins that you exchange, though of course it's a fair so it's not that cheap. The food they have though, is very good, mostly medieval like, and not too small portions. But for one portion you can easily pay like â,¬5,- or such. Of course we can buy some things at home in the store, like some drink bottles and some bread, if people want to save out a bit.

The train! Yes, the train is the tricky and fun part, since it's hilarious to see peoples faces if you're with a big group of dressed up people. (not needed ofc, many people come without costumes too!) Anyway, the train is pretty expensive. I can -try- if I can get some discount tickets, but for now I'll just put the full prices here. Ed and me have a discount pass, with which we can bring a total of 6 -extra- people with 40% discount.

If we go by those 6 extra people, a ticket for the whole day is â,¬12,60. x3, if we go 3 days of course.
Then we'll need to go a small part with a shuttlebus, which is for a day, â,¬4,-. x3 ofc for 3 days!

This is all counted from my house, so of course if people want to come and be more comfortable and more nearby, there should be hotels and such nearby Lisse too, which makes it perhaps cheaper.


Now, this will be the end of my rant, I just wanted to ask around for interest, and give a general idea of the possible costs and such. Details with things we can figure out later, -if- people want to come and are sure they can make it.

So! Let me know, it's still half a year away, but then at least I'm good on time with mentioning it!

[((As Rhonya made these ICly, here they are, with the things she said underneith them.))]

((As Rhonya made these ICly, here they are, with the things she said underneith them.))




A never ending war these two fight
In the dark and cold of a cave
The small sporelings flee in fright
Though their freedom is all they crave.
Slay this one and bring the life
For it will be a new start
For the one who was killed by the knife.




Fallen from grace at their strongest hour
Even the earth reaching to the sky
Once able to, in one bite, devour
To rise to great heights and fly.
The power in the horn
Will be needed for the one to be reborn



From corrupted fire born
About your death this one won’t mourn
It’s core is what you will seek
In the land of those not for the weak.
Even the sky isn’t safe
So better only take those who are brave.



Strength is something this one is known for
Though his mind may be not the most bright
You might want to bring some more
Or none of you will ever again see the light.
Islands floating in the air
But be careful, for about your fate he will not care.

“...Do not talk of what any of us -deserve-. If you will not do it, perhaps Steelheart will. She's never let me down before.”

The words made Rhonya cringe again, even though no one had really spoken them once more, except the memories in her mind that kept playing them over and over again, repeating them. She had been frozen, when he had spoken those words, Sadok thinking he had been speaking to High Blade Mazguul, not Rhonya herself.

“She's never let me down before.”

She had. And she knew it very well. He had died under her hands, she had given up, let him go, put everything she could into him, burning the poison, death… She closed her eyes, her hands clenching. She was sitting alone, on the edge of town, against one of the wooden walls. The memories took her back to that one day, in Revantusk Village. How they had found Sadok, in a corner, on the ground, bleeding. Hardly alive, how she had tried, tried to mend him. How others had been screaming at her, at everyone, at…others. She couldn’t even remember anymore, it was just a blur of pain, screams and a feeling of being completely helpless and useless. She hadn’t been able to save her tutor, her friend. She’d been too weak.

Another voice filled her mind now, adding to the chorus of screams, drowning them out.

“They think you are up to the task of Thur’ruk. But you are not. Just a lucky coincidence you made it there. You can’t help yourself. You don’t believe in yourself. You are â€"weak-.”

The words had only stirred the truth that she already knew. Spoken by a newblood…So even he had seen easily through her well kept mask, her mask of security, of courage, that she always tried to keep up. Rhonya had never wanted to let anyone down, though it seemed that she was just meant to keep doing it, over and over again. She knew people still believed in her. Those she loved… Her friends. But Nograx had been right. She didn’t believe in herself.

She had hurt him, for those words. And later again, when he had said something else. She had burned him. Rhonya didn’t even know how he was doing now, she’d just walked away from the sight of him falling to the ground, smoke rising up from him, the smell of burned skin hanging in the air. She had attacked one of her own… One of her family. There had been an anger in her that she hadn’t felt for a long time, rising, overflowing and bursting out. All the problems, the memories, the words, the pain, it had been too much. She had lost her patience, something that others seemed to think she endlessly possessed, and attacked him. She couldn’t forgive herself for this…

Slightly gasping for air her form just curled up, her shoulders shaking as tears started to stream down her face. Another voice joined in, a female voice this time, familiar to Rhonya. A voice she loved dearly.

"Still, you should go back to the village. It's not safe out here. Rargnasha and everyone. They will help with Sadok, for sure!"

The image of Shrika accompanied the voice and for a moment Rhonya felt calmer again, even though her cheek was now lying flat against the grass. Had she fallen over…? It didn’t matter… Shrika believed in her still, even after all those times Rhonya had not been able to help her, not been able to spare her the pain she didn’t deserve. She still had Therak too. Dear, sweet Therak… How he had ever been able to fall for her, such a broken and weak little thing, was still beyond her. He wanted to take her away… A few days, after the Kosh’harg. Just some time for them both. She said she would ask the Chieftain, when he returned. But now…

The image of Sadok appeared in front of her vision again, even though she had her eyes closed. He didn’t say anything. He just stood there, looking down on her with those eerie glowing eyes, insanity clear in his face. The robes he had once wore with pride, ripped and filthy hanging around his form that wasn’t even his, not the familiar face she had gotten to know so well. A face of a stranger… A face of someone who was suddenly so dependent on her.

Her vision cleared again, and suddenly she felt a heat around her. A burning, painful heat. Was she on fire…? Rhonya tried to move, but she couldn’t. Something kept her in place, pressed down on the grass, an invisible force. She gasped, her eyes opening and growing wide in panic. A voice appeared in her mind, a voice she had only heard a few times before. It didn’t really speak, it was more a feeling, feeling the words. A voice she knew but also slightly feared, for it was a side of her that almost never appeared. The voice of Fire...

“And here you are, -Steelheart-. The male was right, you know. Where is your fire. Your trust in me. Will you give up so easily, will you give in? I didn’t come back to you to see you break down like this, pathetic. Water has weakened you, doused the flames. I will change that. I will set fire to the embers once more. Don’t worry, my little flame.”

A seething hot caress moved over her cheek, burning the skin in the progress, but she didn’t feel the pain. The hot feeling spread through her, filled her, pushed against the darkest corners of her mind, burning away the insecurity, the pain. Fire lit up in her, for now, pushing everything else away. Finally she could move again. Around her, the grass was burned, the ground blackened. She only wore the burnmark on her cheek, no other injuries as she stood.

“I will strengthen you.”

Ripples moved out over the flat surface of the water as something disturbed the peaceful lake at the edge. The ripples moved out and out further, until either breaking against the plants at the edge, or disappearing in the distance, not enough force behind them to keep them into existence. Again some splashes were heard as the water was disturbed, droplets again making ripples. So it continued for a while. The figure sitting at the edge of the water splashed some of the cool liquid in her face, wetting her ravenblack hair. Rhonya sighed deeply as she leaned back on the grass, only poking her feet into the water. She had not been able to sit very comfortably recently, the growing stomach getting in the way more and more.

The sun of Nagrand shone down on her face, but couldn’t really warm her. She felt cold, the tips of her fingers slightly cold, so were her toes and her ears. Maybe she was getting sick.. It wouldn’t be much of a surprise, to be honest, she thought. The last few days had been a mess. She had so much to do, so many decisions to make that she didn’t want to make. So many insecurities…The feeling of the water soothed her, and she moved slightly closer to it. Therak had always said she belonged with the water, that she just seemed to fit with it. Now that was more true than ever…

A gift, she had called it. Rhonya found it more a curse. With a low snarl she removed the bandages from around her neck, letting her fingers slide over the almost invisible ridges of loose skin that were there. Three cuts, on either side…Enhanced by forcing  the water and blood, making her able to breathe through them. They had been useful for the task, but… She didn’t know what to do with them now. She wasn’t some kind of fish. Or a Naga.

A soft sigh escaped her lips as Rhonya lowered her hand again from the cuts in her neck. That was the least of her worries though. Oguur had seen them… He was of opinion she should keep them, as a reminder, a tribute for the water being hurt to help create them. Perhaps he was right. But she didn’t know how the others would react on the things... Gills. She would have to accept the name, sooner or later. It felt so unnatural to her… But on the other side, it gave her a lot of opportunities.
Some soft sounds behind her made Rhonya jump out of her thoughts for a moment, and quickly she put the bandage back in place. She wasn’t ready yet to show everyone. For now she would keep them hidden. The sounds of the Mag’har coming back from their hunt behind her reminded her of the other things though.

Sadok.
The name filled her with a happiness, a happiness he was there, that he wasn’t dead. At least, not really. Though the name also came with a feeling of guilt, sadness and pain, because she had been shocked to find him in the state he was in now. So confused, mixing up memories and faces, not even remembering he himself was dead. They were all looking at her now for a solution, something that filled her with fear. She didn’t know what to do with him… He himself had given her an idea though, and after a talk with Krogon it had begun to take shape. But would it work…?
There was only such a small chance, and they would have to keep Sadok close to them, in his confused state.  Was it still fair to him, to keep going, to keep trying to save him? She couldn’t ask for his opinion really, since he wasn’t in his right mind now, so she couldn’t really put any trust in his answers.

Rhonya pulled up her knees now slightly, wrapping her arms around them as she stared at the sunlight reflecting on the surface of the lake, a play of sparkles and almost blinding flashes. She wanted to help Sadok… Help him find peace again, one way or another, being that in death or at least in undeath with a sane mind. She would ask… Asking couldn’t hurt anyone. And if the spirits would be mad for her asking, then she would take the blame on her. It was only fair, since it had also been partly her fault he had died in the first place… She’d been too late to save him.

Which reminded her in turn of Uzguul, who’s body still lay in the inn, alive. She hadn’t had the guts to tell Gridish he’d been talking to an empty shell… Something without a soul. For that soul was elsewhere now, carried by someone who said he’d try everything to save the Orc. It came down on him now. It still left her with a body to look after though, breathing, the heart beating, but.. That was it. There was nothing else left. In time the body would die… She didn’t know what would happen then.

Reflecting in the water was her own face as she leaned down over it, her hands firmly placed on the edge. Looking down at it, she concluded she looked pale again, her eyes slightly red, the bandage around her neck annoying her. Her long hair framed her face, giving her an even more pale appearance due to it being so dark.
Her bright blue eyes looked back at her, the image slightly disturbed due to the ripples of the ever moving water. For a moment the image was still, until suddenly it started to swirl and the outline of something became visible, two small beady eyes looking back at her instead of her own blue ones. It only lasted a moment, before it disappeared again. Rhonya smiled though. She had help. They had put trust in her. They would aid her… If she would aid them back. It always cost a price... But she was willing to pay it.

She’d do anything for her family, her tribe… Even if it would cost her own life.

Slowly she stood. It was time to go about her duties again, check on Uzguul-who-wasn’t-Uzguul anymore and see if the others had not killed each other in the meantime. Krogons joke echoed through her mind. She would mother them… And he would be the strict father. In a way, he had been right. A small smile appeared around her lips as she moved towards the inn. A mother of the tribe. She could live with that.

Small droplets fell into the water, creating circles as they fell, spreading out more and more until on one side they broke against the rocks again, disrupting the nice patterns and the image that reflected on the surface. It wasn’t rain, these were salty droplets, coming from the female figure sitting on the rocks at the water’s edge. She was looking down at her own rippled image in the water, two large blue eyes looking up at her. Those eyes displayed a kindness, but also a deep pain hidden in there, a pain of someone who has been through a lot. Her black hair had fallen forwards, framing her face, making her look even more pale now. Wrinkles on her forehead gave her a very troubled, worried expression and the rims of her eyes were red, a clear sign she was the one crying.

Slowly Rhonya reached out with a finger towards the water, touching it gently, before moving her hand in, slapping away the image of herself as she looked up. Her cheeks were wet with tears as well and she wiped at them in an annoyed fashion, smearing some of the red sand over her greenish skin.

“If this attempt fails - you shall perish.”

Those were the words echoing in her mind, again and again. She didn’t have much of a choice though than accept his help. She wouldn’t risk Therak getting hurt… He was so stubbornly set on endangering himself to buy her more time. She would refuse, until this was over with. She felt like she was stuck between two evils… If she did nothing, the demon might break lose and break her mind anyway, giving the other one in there a perfect opportunity to take over. If she let Therak help, he might be in danger too, if she’d find out about him and his relationship with Rhonya. She could use him… So this seemed the only choice left, even though she endangered her child with this too. But the same counted for the other options..

She had no choice but to accept his terms. It would be hard for her, and she would have to put up a very convincing act to be able to pull it off. But she would try… No one else was allowed to get hurt because of her. Because of her mistakes, her stupidity… It was her burden. And she wouldn’t allow anyone else to get involved into it, not that far. Therak… Should she tell him, about her agreements? She doubted he would accept it like that… Maybe best to keep it from him. Though.. if it went wrong, he had the right to know…

She sighed deeply, grabbing a piece of paper and a pencil from her bag, putting it flat on the rock she was sitting on. Rhonya hesitated for a moment and started writing.

My dearest Therak,

If you read this, something has gone terribly wrong. I’d either be dead by now, or my mind broken…-
----------------------------------------

[No!]

Rhonya sat straight up, gasping for breath, cold sweat covering her. She was trembling all over, her eyes wide and for a moment she didn’t know where she was and what was going on. She reached to the spot beside her, but it was empty. Then reality hit her like a thundershock and she remembered Therak wasn’t there. She couldn’t reach him. 

Inhaling deeply she tried to calm herself, calm her body. She washed her face with some water from her waterskin, the droplets wetting the skins she slept in slightly, falling down on the furs and dripping from her chin. She closed her eyes with a deep sigh, flashes of the vision appearing in front of her again. She didn’t have much visions, but this had been a very clear one.

“Prove the Chieftain wrong... You are not useless... Tap into your powers and show him your true strength...''

''Steelheart... You know how to be usefull... come... come! JOIN ME!''

The words echoed through her mind and she pulled up her knees, leaning her head inside the palms of her hands. The voice had been right… The Chieftain hadn’t said it directly like that, but he had basically called both herself and Shargla useless, not being able to carry their weight and that they only caused trouble. His words had hurt her. She had thought that she had earned at least some of his respect, shown him that she could do something. But the last few weeks she had felt rather useless indeed, various reasons making it almost impossible for her to heal anyone, or to call on the spirits for their aid, because they didn’t listen.

Rhonya sighed softly as she sat there quietly, thoughts racing through her mind, confusing her and making her even more tired than she already was. She knew who the voice belonged to. She knew she shouldn’t listen. But there was truth in those words, she would be more useful and stronger..

No!

With a sharp shake of her head she banned those thoughts out of her mind. It was wrong, she’d sworn those ways off, she would never return to them. With a low snort Rhonya lowered herself in her furs again, pulling them high up to her chin, hiding herself a little. What should she do…? It was all so confusing…

Night had been long underway, darkness filling the keep except for the places which were lighted by torches which cast their dancing shadows on the wall, ever moving in patterns of the fire burning. Most were sleeping or minding their business quietly, to give others a chance to rest too. One of the figures in the hammocks stirred, however, her form a dark shape in the black robes she was wearing.

It was time.

Rhonya had been awake for most of the time, waiting for everyone to go sleep or move away. Slowly she lowered herself from the hammock, actually happy now that she let Mibuna mend her ankle, it made it so much easier to move around silently, without the limp she had before and the frequent tripping. She slowly made her way outside in the darkness, keeping to the deep shadows that were cast along the edges of the steep walls of Ogrimmar. The fact the others had won over places outside of the keep now, made this a lot easier.

She moved to particular dark spot nearing the inn, hidden out of sight by some rocks and a large tree. If she’d be silent, no one would notice her here. And she didn’t intend on making a lot of noise. She carried the usual bag with her, with some ingredients in it. It would have to be enough. The pressure was getting stronger, she couldn’t ignore it anymore. She was tired and drained already, but she couldn’t neglect the problem. Rargnasha wouldn’t be happy she did this on her own, probably, but she didn’t want to worry anyone else with it. They had enough on their minds.

Softly she sat down, a feeling of being watched filled her. It wasn’t strange to her anymore, she’d been feeling it for a while now, and she knew what it was. It was in her mind, only in her mind, there was no one watching her physically. Still, a shudder ran over her spine and the she-orc tensed a little. This whole place felt wrong, everything felt wrong these days, mostly due to the Dark Shamans having such a hold on the elements that doing anything with them was nearly impossible for those not forcing the spirits. She couldn’t use any more distractions now. The Chieftain was making big mistakes, letting the Forsaken actively build Abominations to fight for them. She had her worries about him, the fact they had not been able yet to continue their meditations together worried her even more.

More things distracted her, the fact Therak was somewhere out there in Ogrimmar made her sick with fear and worry for him, so she tried not to think about that too much. Her hand moved to the earring in her ear, a new addition, silver with a small sapphire in it. The last thing she heard through the link they now shared was a muffled ‘Well shit’, before everything had gone quiet.
The Rebellion needed her, she needed a clear mind to focus, and she couldn’t do that now.

As Rhonya set some items ready, she looked around a short moment. She wasn’t very visible, which was good. Shielding the bowl with herbs with her own body mostly, she lighted it, so the flickering flames wouldn’t catch too much attention. Soon the flames dimmed already though and only a very soft glow of the smoldering leaves remained, filling the air around her with a sweet scent. The wind picked it up quickly though, carrying it away high, so unless others got very close, they wouldn’t be able to smell it. Slowly she felt herself relax and concentrated only on the smell of the herbs, breathing them in deeply. Her mind wandered for a moment until it found the familiar path and she let it float on the well-known waves of her inner self. Darkness surrounded her until the scene suddenly shifted and the room she used to visit so often came into view. A simple place in her mind where she could pull back to, though at the moment she didn’t do that much. The four ominous looking doors that were always present there filled her with fear now.

The doors.. The wards she’d placed there so long ago. One of them was failing now. The others might be following soon, she didn’t know.  They might crumble suddenly coming days, they might never break. It all depended on how much strength the demons would’ve gotten back over the year that passed since she warded them into the corner of her mind. And how much they managed to take in, in her weak moment in Demonfall Canyon… It had started there. And now it continued.

She moved closer to the door on which the wards were vague, almost flickering sometimes and disappearing out of sight for only a second before they appeared again. They wouldn’t hold long… Rhonya could see herself as she was, her own shape, moving to the door, to place her hands on it. A feeling of familiarity filled her right away, but it wasn’t a good feeling. How ironic…

That it would be the first demon she defeated, that was breaking out now.

“Rhonya… My love, my dear, I have finally found you again. I told you that you wouldn’t escape me, that I would return… You are mine. You’ve always been mine, my pet.”

Rhonya snarled at the voice, the voice she’d feared hearing again after so long, but she knew it wasn’t really him. Still, it unsettled her greatly, hearing him again. Morkosh. She just ignored the luring hisses that sounded in her ears, the familiar tingling feeling of his hands gently caressing the skin of her cheeks, before they wrapped around her throat in an almost caring and loving way.

“You will not get rid of me again. I will not allow it.” The dark voice whispered in her ear, a dark, growling undertone ringing through.

Rhonya looked at the door and her hands placed on it. It could go this far now, she would have to be really focusing on it for it to be able to reach her. But it was getting stronger, slowly. She closed her eyes, blocking out the sight in her mind, just focusing on the wards. The feeling of the hands around her throat tightened and she felt like she was choking, which only urged her on to push more, put more energy in it. The wards brightened for a moment, but then resumed their slow flickering. The chokehold got more firm, the feeling of nails digging in her skin now added to it, piercing through and drawing blood. She kept pushing, kept trying, but it was useless, Rhonya didn’t have enough energy for this, with the demon pushing back so firmly. She couldn’t resist this… Her mind started to feel far away, blotches of light appearing in her vision. This wasn’t going well… Within a few moments, she saw a lot of light, before she lost consciousness.

How much time had passed, she didn’t know. But she awoke with a grunt, half lying in the bush she had been sitting behind of, her body screaming in exhaustion and pain. For a short moment she couldn’t remember what happened, before it came back to her and she sat up right away. Rhonya regretted that at once, her vision started to blur again and she had to close her eyes and lower her head a bit until she could see again. Her hand moved to her neck and she felt something sticky. With a frown she put her hand in front of her eyes and noticed the blood on her fingers with a slight panic filling her. 

It hadn’t worked… She hadn’t been able to strengthen the wards… It had been for nothing.

With a heavy feeling she stood, gathered her things and pulled her wolfmask over her head, hiding most of the wounds and bruises with the fur. Her muscles screamed out in protest as she moved back towards the keep as quietly and quickly as she could, before she climbed back into her hammock again, as if she had never left it. Damn this… She needed more strength. Quickly. Or it would break out fully…

The night was closing in as the troops of the Rebellion left the Refuge, battle-ready and looking quite fierce and intimidating, a force to be reckoned with.  One shape however kept to the shadows of one of the hills in the distance for now, keeping out of sight mostly and it moved away as the troops moved out of sight.  Soft footfalls were heard as the bare feet of the figure stepped on the slightly damp grass.
The hem of the dark brown robe was also damp with moist since it dragged over the tops of the grass helms that the figure stepped on, bending them before the robe passed and they bounced back into place. The type of ground changed gradually though as the figure moved closer to the lake that was behind the refuge, green toes now digging into sand. The figure passed into the moonlight now, shining down from above the lake, lighting up the features.

She was female, wearing a simple brown robe and a black wolfmask, adorned with red and brown markings. The usually long, flowing hair that always had come out from under the mask was missing though, an odd sight maybe to those who knew her for longer already. The female shaman stopped walking at the edge of the water, her toes touching it, her heels still dug into the sand slightly. Rhonya stood there for a moment, closing her eyes and spreading her arms. 
Her chest rose as she inhaled deeply through her nose, the cool, fresh air filling her lungs before leaving her body again through her mouth, warmed up and forming a small mist in front of her face before disappearing. Her arms lowered again as Rhonya opened her eyes once more and she turned on the spot, reaching for the leather bag that was hanging from her shoulder, kneeling into the moist sand. She took out a large, white candle and put it on the sand next to her. That was all she needed, actually.

Rhonya put the bag to the side more now, drawing a circle in the sand around the candle with her fingers, also adding a small rune there before turning a little on her heels, making another circle with a rune, turning again, making four in total, one half drawn into the sand under water’s edge. With her firestone she lights the candle before standing upright, a light breeze making the flame flicker, but it keeps burning.  Softly her voice sounds as she opens her mouth and speaks, a bit hesitantly at first, but getting clearer and more confident as she goes along.

“Fire that burns in me, that keeps me strong and alert, that keeps me going, hear my call..” As she said this, she moved her foot back, stepping with her toes into the circle with the candle.

“Water that flows through me, that helps me focus and aids me mend those who are in need of it, hear my call.” Her foot moved again, this time dipping her toes into the water.

“Air that blows around me, that keeps guiding me in the right direction, that keeps me up, hear my call.” Now the circle to her right was being touched lightly by her toes.

“Earth that is beneath me, that keeps supporting me and prevents me from falling, hear my call.” The last circle now, the sand shifting slightly as she pressed her toes to it, before stepping back in the middle of the four circles again.


“Spirit of elements, I wish to apologize. I have acted wrongly in the last few weeks, misused your gifts and turned them against my tribes members. I know I have done wrong, and I ask to you to please consider aiding me again. My blood has been cleansed, I am free of the curse.”

Her eyes closed and she raised her hand, harshly ripping the skin of her palm along her tusk, splitting it open and creating a deep wound, blood already dripping down in the sand. Her fist clenched and red, bright droplets of sand fell down in every circle as she held it above them all in turn. She fell on her knees next and just placed her hands in her lap, not minding her robe getting bloody. Her hed lowered a little as she concentrated, waiting… waiting for an answer, if it would come.

For a while all kept silent, she could hear only the sounds of nature around her.  Without any warning though, the wind suddenly picked up and blew around her, blowing harshly. Her wolfmask blew off, revealing the completely bald head that was underneath and took most the shadows away from Rhonya’s face.  She opened her eyes now, looking up as her gaze fell on the water that was in front of her. It rippled, as if something was moving it, but there was nothing visible. As she looked at the candle she noticed it had burned to a stump and the sand on the earth rune had shifted slightly. Nothing more happened though and Rhonya sighed deeply. The elements were so unclear sometimes..

Rhonya just stood up, gathered her things and removed the ritual circles with care, looking out over the water for a while. She would try later, see if they would heed her call perhaps, or if they were still angry. For now, all she could do was wait. Wait until the others would come back from their fight, or move on to a new location and she would be told where to go. She hoped everyone was alright…

Demonic Traps

A foul wind blew through the overhanging trees, blowing up dust and earth and making whistling noises as it snuck through the splits of the rocky overgrown pillars that surrounded the place.  It was dark, but that was no surprise in this place, it was almost as if a permanent darkness had settled on this part of the wood, fitting with the greenish glow that always hung in the air here. Demons roamed around freely in this place, attracted by the fel energies that gathered in the corrupted ground and air. They were mostly sticking to one side of the hills now though, keeping away from one side, as if something  was there they were not allowed to get close to.

A larger presence was felt on that side though, perhaps the reason the lesser demons tended to keep their distance. A figure roamed there, winged and a long tail following her form. Large horns adorned her head, twisting and curling up into the air. She had hooves instead of legs and spikes protruding here and there through her purple colored skin. A grin was on her face, showing a row of dangerous sharp teeth. She had a special task there now.  Word had passed quickly through the woods when an odd creature had made her way inside. She looked like an orc, but was covered in blood which didn’t smell like her own and she felt…delicious.

That was the only word to describe her and why she had survived just carelessly walking into the entrance of the secluded place in the trees. Something about her, something inside her was just…very appealing to the demons around, the succubus had been forced to order the others away from her to prevent them from just killing and draining her. The she orc was acting really odd though, the first thing being already that she did not respond to anything, not to seeing the twisted bodies of the demons around her, not to the place itself which couldn’t be very healthy to those not of fel.  

The succubus had put the female in one of the small huts that cluttered the place here and there, having gotten orders from her superior to keep her there. He had plans for the female… She was strong, special, alluring. The demoness licked her lips as she now came close to the hut that the orc had been put into and she stepped inside in a graceful manner, her horns slightly brushing the fabric of the opening as she pushed it aside and stepped though. The she-orc was still there, bound by hands and feet now to prevent her from walking off. The succubus kneeled next to the female, who had her eyes closed, her chin hanging on her chest.

“Hmmm… Don’t tell me this place did get to you already…”

Her voice was sweet, seducing but with a very dangerous sharp edge to it. One of her claws reached out to very softly run the sharp tip over the greenish skin of the orcs cheek. She looked pale, the succubus concluded, but that was no surprise. She had not gotten any food in days now.

At the touch the female stirred though, opening her bright blue eyes. The succubus had been surprised at first at those eyes, so bright and clear, so special. The dangerous smirk reappeared on her face as the orc focused on what was in front of her now and her eyes widened in fear, which only made the demoness smirk broader. Such a delicacy, such a treat to watch the fear in those eyes, the utter confusion that was there… She had spoken before, screamed, begged… It had been such a pleasure to torture her and find out why she was there… She didn’t seem to remember though, it was still a mystery to them all why she had come.  The female had been clothed in rags already when she’d come there, wet and soaked to the bone, but there wasn’t much left of the clothing now anymore. The only thing about her that wasn’t nice was the large mark on her back. The tattoo.. it hurt to touch, only very slightly, but the feeling was unpleasant.

The succubus pulled her hand back from the orc’s face as the female cringed and tried to lean away from her. The demoness reached out now to her arm, curling the long, slender claws around the females upper arm, pulling her up to her feet. With one movement she cut the bindings that were around her ankles and pulled the trembling, weakened female out of the tent. She wouldn’t dare use her powers anymore to attack, the previous times she’d done that she had found out that most demons did not approve of being set on fire…

The orc almost tripped as she stumbled out of the tent, but managed just in time to catch her balance, held up as well by the demon that had her claws around her arm. A light snort of annoyance left the succubus’ nose as she started to move along the path, dragging the green female with her, who was trembling all over now. A smirk appeared on the purple, beautiful face of the succubus…
Yes, be scared, she-orc…It will only please him.
They reached an opening in the hills to their right and she steered the orc that way, before they reached the ending. The female had her gaze down, hair mostly hiding her features, afraid to look around. With one whipping movement of the succubus’ tail though, which hit the orc in the back of the knees, she fell down in the dirt on her knees with a thud and a yelp of surprise. She looked up now, only for her eyes to widen even more as she saw what she was sitting in front of. A large, plated glove curled itself around the orcs chin as the being in front of her leaned down to be able to reach her. The succubus made a graceful bow. “Master… Here she is, as ordered. You will be pleased, I am sure of it.”  She spoke in demonic, the orc her gaze still fixed in terror on the thing ahead.

A deep, rumbling voice answered her, his tone amused.
“Well, well…You were right. This one is special. She will serve my purposes right, this evening. Now get out of my sight. I need to prepare.”
With these words the succubus looked one more time at the she-orc and made another low bow, before turning and leaving. The large being his eyes turned back to the orc in front of him, who now had her eyes squeezed shut, as if trying to block out what was happening.

The plated hand suddenly moved, grabbing the throat of the orc instead. Squeezing it, she started to choke, struggling weakly in his grasp, before she finally fell still. Her chest was still moving though in breath as he lowered her down on the ground. One side of his mouth moved up in a dangerous looking smirk.

“Yes… You will be mine, tonight. This is exactly what I needed. Perfect, perfect.”

Chaos. It was all around me, coming from all sides. Even from the air some came, jumping with agile movements as if gravity meant nothing to them, as if the fact they were undead gave them some special power to defy it. The smell of rot was overwhelming, so overwhelming that my head almost seemed to burst just because of the stink that filled my nostrils if I breathed. Breathing through my mouth was not an option either, it made me gag and nauseous, something I could not use at this moment.
It looked bleak from my position, I will not deny that.

As I moved my weapon to parry an attack that was directed at me with great speed, my eyes fell on the fallen ones around me. Undead corpses everywhere, body parts, broken bones, empty eye sockets staring into nothingness, the unholy light that was once in them gone. Littered between the rotten things were more colorful blotches as well, I could see pink limbs sticking out here and there. A hand reaching for the air, falling down as the life was taken from the body, another soul lost to this endless battle.

A stab came from the side, scraping along my armor, denting it slightly. I reacted swiftly, turning my arm and my upper body to hack at the unnatural creature that was at my side, chopping his head off clear with a single strike. They died easily, but their numbers were just too great. Tiredness had dug itself into my bones, fear coursing through my body like poison through blood, empowering me but also making me reckless. Could we win this? Was there even a chance…?

“Get back in line, you maggots! Stop them from advancing too far!”

The calls barely reached above the sounds of the battlefield. Screams of endless agony filled the air, grunting and growling of the undead made an always present background noise, like it was some odd orchestra working together to create a music of death and destruction. It never grew silent, it never stopped. I moved around, my armor limiting my movements somewhat but also protecting me. I grew tired though, so tired…

More came to me now and I noticed I was standing on a pile of rotting bones and flesh surrounding me, cracking under my feet as I had to make effort to remain standing under the blows of crude weapons and claws raking at my armor. I was trained for this, I couldn’t fall! Panting heavily, sweat running down my back, the taste of blood and rot filling my nose and mouth, I fought on.
Fought for those still standing beside me, hacking down undead after undead, the unending sea that was coming to me.  Some struck me though, denting my armor, clawing in the thinner places of the plate, some even clawing right through with their talons, hitting the soft flesh underneath. I could feel the strength draining from my body. Would this madness ever stop, or were we all doomed?

As I felt myself waver under the constant blows, I turned to the thing that had always been there for me. I tried calling on it, reaching out inside of me to bring it forward, to feel the comforting waves fill my body. But there was no answer… An empty feeling in my whole being made itself present now, a hole in my soul. I started to panic. Why was it gone?
Why didn’t it answer any more like it had always done? My distraction caused the enemy to advance even further on me, pushing me back, claws scratching at me. I kept fighting, even though the thing I had put all my trust in, seemed to have abandoned me.

Suddenly a feeling of utter fear crept up in me, terror making itself master of my mind and being as my gaze shifted to something in the distance that was rapidly coming closer. This was no normal undead, I could feel it… This one was stronger. My movements fumbled and I nearly dropped my weapon from my sweaty hand as I now could see clear. It was coming for me.

The being was massive, the power emanating from him in waves of pure terror and fear, my knees almost giving out under me only because of its presence coming closer and closer. I stood my ground though, I wouldn’t give up, wouldn’t give in, even though everyone I knew around me was already dead, slaughtered, abandoned by that which we had believed in. Lifting my weapon, the fight started.
The being wasn’t very fast, and I managed to get some blows in, but they didn’t seem to do much damage against it at all. For every blow I gave, I received more back, claws and fists endlessly pummeling against my armor until it was almost falling apart, edges cutting in my skin and bleeding, tiring me out even more.

The fight seemed to take ages in my own experience, but I know it only took mere moments in reality. I could not handle this being, I could not defeat this, it had all been for nothing. A particular heavy blow on my back made my knees buckle and I dropped my weapon as I fell to my knees, being forced down by sheer power and strength and the lack of energy that I had left in my own body. I could hear them cry out around me in victory, in lust for my blood, the need to kill me…
So this was it.
Fear filled my whole being, my form trembling as I saw them all closing in on me, mindlessly crushing the corpses of their own underneath them.  I tried in a last attempt to lift my weapon, but I just couldn’t anymore. Everything had left me. Abandoned me and left me here to die.

The first sharp pain came at my side and I screamed as my skin was raked open by numerous sharp claws, more and more coming, biting and gnawing, hacking with spears and clawing at me, destroying my armor. The pain was too much, my screams dying out slowly as I fell over, bleeding and dying. The last thing I saw were their shadows covering me, their emotionless faces coming closer, their jaws opening, blood dripping claws reaching out-….

-------------------------------------

A loud scream echoed through the inn as Rhonya awoke, sitting up straight in the mountain of furs she called her bed. Cold sweat covered her whole body which was shaking uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face and her hands were so clenched that her own nails had dug into her skin, making small wounds on the insides of her palms. Her breathing came in rasps as she looked around the room, her eyes looking fearful.

It took the female Orc a few moments to realize where she was, that she was safe, surrounded by those she trusted and loved, mostly. With a very deep sigh she moved a hand to rub her eyes, trying to calm herself down. The cloth she had slept in stuck to her sweaty body, as did her messy hair to the sides of her face.

“Calm down, Rhonya…it was just a dream… It’s not real.”

Her voice was barely a whisper, just something she needed to say to herself to remind her she was awake now. It had all seemed so real, as if she had really been standing there on that battlefield, surrounded by Scourge…

The feelings of the fear and desperation still filled her, she even thought she could still smell the rot and blood in her nose, taste it in her mouth… With a sigh she reached to her pile of clothing next to the furs, grabbing her waterskin that was there too.
She drank a good amount of water before just wiping some of it across her face as well. Slowly she lay back again, her breathing having calmed, but she wouldn’t sleep for the remaining of the night, the echoes of the nightmare still going through her mind, not knowing what it meant or why she had dreamt this…

The sun just made her way above the land, the first rays shining on the dense ground and the treetops of the Hinterlands. Movement was visible close to the place where remains of a pyre could be seen, burned out and blackened. The female moved a little clumsily on the steep hill, her point of balance these days quite far off. She seemed to carry some items, an armful of hard acquired wildflowers, a bowl and some candles. Also five torches under her other arm. She was standing on a hill just above the one with the pyre, so she could look down on it. With some effort and the wind blowing her hair around her face, she put her items down. Rhonya wiped at her forehead a little, she was already sweating from the climb, carrying the extra weight of the twins in her stomach. It slowed her down more and more… The female was wearing the same outfit she used before in ritual, purple and blue, adorned with wolf decorations.

A single beam of sunlight shone on the hill the she-orc was standing on. For a moment she just looked at the pyre below her, before moving to pick up the torches and pinning them into the ground in a circle around her. Her face moved to look up into the sky shortly before she closed her eyes and stood like a statue in the middle of the circle of unburning torches, her kilt slapped around her legs in the wind. She raised her hands in the air to her side.

“Fire, heed my call this morning, for I ask for your presence. May it light my way during these times.
Wind, heed my call, for I ask for your presence. May your invisible presence sweep me up.
Water, heed my call, for I ask for your presence. May your liquid touch calm my mind to do this.
Earth, heed my call, for I ask for your presence. May your strength guide me in this task.
Spirits, heed my call, for I ask for your presence. May your knowledge enlighten me today.”

As the female started speaking, she opened her eyes and moved to every of the unlit torches. At one she put a candle, lighting it with two firestones. The second torch she passed got a feather, somehow staying put on the ground even though the wind whipped around her harshly. The third received the bowl which she filled with water from her waterpouch, before moving on to the fourth. There, she emptied a little pouch of earth, standing out on the dry hill, it being rich, fertile earth. At the last torch, she paused the longest to cut her hand with her dagger and let some of the red fluid drip from her fingers onto the ground. As the female moved back to the center, she closed her eyes again.

“Heed my call, Fire, Wind, Water, Earth and Spirit. For I do this for an Orc who passed, as a last farewell.”  Suddenly a silent whoosh is heard around her as all the torches light up on their own. The feather drifted off into the air, floating high up. The bowl of water tipped over, the liquid seeping into the earth. Rhonya opened her eyes again and looked around, smiling sadly.

She spoke in a rich, deep tone, a little unlike her own voice.

“This morning I am here to bid farewell
to one who has begun the journey from life into death.
This morning I am here to call the Ancestors,
those who have gone before us,
to be with me in this rite.
I call to the elements of Earth, Air, Fire ,Water and Spirit,
who are with me here tonight. “

The wind continued to swirl around the female, raising her black hair into the sky, letting it move around her face like some Banshee. The torches flickered but remained burning. Bending over, Rhonya grabbed another candle, moving sideways to the torch, continuing to speak softly as she did this, passing every torch again slowly with the burning candle in her hands.

“I offer these gifts to you, Sharptongue.
May they guide you now and always.
By Fire may your soul light shine brightly in the other world.
By Air may your spirit rise and soar.
By Water may your emotions be carried and cleansed.

By Earth may you find comfort and peace.
By Spirits, may the Ancestors light your path.”

She sighed softly as she ended up in the middle again, blowing out the candle in her hands. The moment she did this, the torches also died out, as if blown out by some invisible force.

“Sadok… You were my tutor in many ways, not only the one of Gosh’kar. You taught me more than that, from the start I joined to journey with the pack. You taught me to joke, to think and even made me write a poem. You taught me to push on, that I have more value than I thought…”

A lone tear made its way down her cheek as she spoke these words. She couldn’t have done this yesterday, the pain was too fresh, and she still blamed herself partly for his death. She should have been able to do more. Heal him..cure him again. But she’d been too late, and she would never forgive herself for such. At least she could give him this, a ritual for him alone, from her alone.

“There is a reason for being here
In this world and this life.
There is a reason for leaving,
When the purposes of this life are done.
The soul must journey beyond
To pause, to rest,
To wait for those who are loved.

For the world beyond is a land
Of eternal summer, and of joy,
Far from the cares of this world,
With happiness and with youth anew.
May you find this joy and happiness, Sharptongue… I will not forget.”

With those last words she moved around, gathering her things but leaving the torches there. With a soft mutter she thanked the elements for being there, as the wind softened and felt more like a soft caress, blowing the tear from her cheek. The sun shone on her, giving her warmth and announcing the new day.

They were right. Her time for grieving was over. It was time to be strong for those who needed it, who needed her help with getting over this. A new day had come, a day to remember and to find out what exactly had happened. A day for rebuilding…
With one movement she threw the armful of wildflowers into the air, watching them fall onto the hill below, scattered on the cremation site.

Revantusk village… It had been a while since the she-orc had been here, and the memories were… not that great. The last time she’d been here she had still been bothered by the demons in her head, one actually taken care of in this very town. Rhonya liked the Trolls though, their simple way of doing, their believes and just how they acted. A little like time had always stood still for them, while other races went on with machines, inventions, the Trolls here had always stayed behind a little, keeping to themselves. She liked the simpleness of the village and the fact it was next to the sea. Rhonya hated to be on the water, but to look at the motions of the waves calmed her down.

That was what she was doing right now, sitting on the wooden docks, legs dangling over the edge, the noses of her boots just above the calm water. She leaned over a little looking down at the water. It was getting more difficult again to lean over, to bend, due to her stomach getting in the way now. The twins… A male and female, Grek’thar had said. With a smile on her face Rhonya sat up again, wrapping her arms around her stomach. The smile faded soon enough though when she thought back on the last few days. Firstly, her Vision Quest. It had greatly confused her, the things she had seen. Shrika, calling out to her, but it had not been her of course. She missed her…It had been a long time since they’d last seen each other.

And after that, the ‘vision’ of her and Grek’thar. She was sure it had been them, but throats slit, cub wailing in his arms, and the two bundles that suddenly changed into.. No, she didn’t want to think about that part. The arms around Rhonya’s belly tightened, hugging herself as she stared into her own rippled reflection on the water. The pool of Blight in her vision… she’d looked into it as well,  before the skull had come floating up and the claws that had tried to drag her in. She’d made a mistake there, wanting to grab that skull. It had called out to her so much, such desire had filled her to touch it, to feel it… Her spirit guide had been angry at her as he had to free her when she suddenly found herself standing to her waist in the blight, following the skull.

She had passed it though, the quest. She had survived, even though she still didn’t understand completely what had happened and what it all meant. Rhonya promised to herself she’d speak about it with at least someone. Grek’thar, Grogona or perhaps Therak… She just needed to get it off her chest.

One hand moved up to her cheek, where the bruises were still visible, now a dulled purple color, the place Shargla had hit her. The female had made it clear she didn’t want to be any friends with Rhonya, even though they would probably have to work together soon again. It saddened Rhonya that there was so much one sided hate about a fact she couldn’t even help herself. She had decided to just stay friendly to Shargla, as if nothing had happened, and steer away from her a little unless it was really needed to talk to her or ask her for her help.

First, she’d focus on going on her trip to Winterspring with Therak. She had not mentioned it yet to Grek’thar… Perhaps she’d just send him a note, that she was fine and he didn’t need to follow, she would be back in no time. Rhonya was looking forward to the trip actually, a short time away from the tribe, from the problems there, the exile, the hunt. A short moment with only a few others so she could forget her problems a little while.

The sun sunk down slowly and turned the sea a darker shade of blue while she sat there, watching it silently. A light shiver ran over her spine at the cold wind that now started to blow around her softly. With her hands, Rhonya pushed herself to her feet and made her way back to the village to go and grab a blanket to wrap around herself. The tiredness made her get cold easier. Perhaps some more rest would do her good as well…

Seagull sounds filled the air, the sloshing of the waves against the ship, the salty wind blowing and carrying the scents even below deck where one female looked even greener than normal as she twisted and turned in her bunk.  Her form was sweaty, black long hair sticking to the sides of her face as she gasped and suddenly opened her eyes. At once her form sat straight up, eyes still unfocused, lost in a dream that was quickly fading again in her mind. Rhonya blinked a few moments to focus and remember where she was, though that did not help her situation much. Her stomach churned and she lurched herself off the bunk very ungracefully to reach the bucket that she had put there, emptying her already empty stomach some more. She disliked ships so much…

A soft sound from behind her told her Grek’thar was still sleeping,  which was not a surprise in the middle of the night. As soft as she could she picked up the bucket and made her way barefoot towards the deck, perhaps some fresh air would do her good. She wore a simple outfit in bed, just a simple top and long linen pants. Though, most of the tribe only saw her in kilts, so the very few that were still awake at this hour send her some strange looks when she passed them by.  Her growing stomach was already very visible under the thin shirt, even though she still had a good amount of months to go. She felt some envy for the two small pups in her womb, floating around peacefully, not bothered yet by the outside world that they would have to get to know soon enough. For now, Rhonya rather kept them safe inside her.

Slowly her bare feet made their way over the outside deck and she emptied her bucket over the railing, sitting down against it shortly after, just looking up at the stars, the movements of the rocking ship not making her feel any better. She closed her eyes with a deep sigh and placed the bucket on the ground next to her, before wrapping both her arms around her stomach.

‘Your big brother will be so curious to meet you two…’

The thought filled her mind with a stab of pain in her heart. She had not seen her other son for several months now, he was safe playing in the snowy fields of Winterspring. He would by now already have learned to walk, even talk maybe a few words… would he still recognize her when she came back, having missed so many important moments in his life already? She knew it was best for now, especially with this exile the tribe brought upon themselves, but it hurt her deeply inside. She worried for their position now, wondering when she would get the chance to see her son again… in more saver times, she promised herself.

Rhonya just sat there for a while, thinking about the things that had happened, her training to Gosh’kar, she and Murrah barely saving the life of Sharptongue, her talks with Therak and what that had led to, Marshfang giving birth to a perfect little pup… But something nagged at her still. After a few moments of wondering she remembered. That orb… The orb they had found under Ogrimmar, that had so clearly send out a feeling of Fel magic. Doomhowl had not been able to pick it up, he acted as if it literally burned him when he placed his hand upon it, quickly having pulled it back again. She had picked it up instead.

The feeling she had felt send a shiver through her spine again, even now, thinking back on it. It had felt odd… but ever so familiar. Memories of the Demonfall Canyon had filled her mind again at that moment, memories of her time with the Blightskull orcs, her master, Morkosh… Holding the orb had felt familiar, somehow even good, as if it had promised her power, as if it had whispered sweet things to her of a great future if she should try to tap from its eerie glow. She had shaken the feeling off, but somehow that pull was still there.  She thought she was over it completely, having been accepted by the elements again even after all that time, learning her ways with them once more, having stepped from that doomed path she used to be following.

Opening her eyes again she looked down at her stomach now, rubbing over the bulge affectionately, a frown of worry on her face. Holding that orb, she had not even thought of what perhaps it could do to the cubs, the pull had been too strong… Grek’thar had taken the thing from her, but she had had trouble with handing it over, even though she did so after him mentioning the safety of the cubs. She knew now Sharptongue had the orb… Perhaps she would ask him later about it, what exactly it was. She needed to know. Almost at that moment she wanted to just stand up and go in search for the thing.

A soft wind caressed her cheeks then, accompanied by some salt water splashing over the edge of the ship, the droplets falling on her hair, her cheeks. A whisper filled her ears, words of comfort , calming hush, even though she couldn’t exactly make out what was being said. She relaxed again, leaning back against the railing, leaving herself to the whispers of the two elements most presented here, water who had always had the strongest bond with her, and wind, who she was still a little a stranger to. For a long while, she just sat there, not thinking of anything, arms wrapped around her stomach, enjoying the company of the two greater powers around her, making her feel  she’d be alright, things would work out…
For now, she believed them, but the future was never sure.

A war is coming, a second chance is given

As a small beam of sunlight shone into the watchtower, breaking through the shadows and night chill that still lingered there, Rhonya awoke with a yawn. Disentangling herself from the hold of Grek’thar who had his arms around her small form, she stood up and looked around a moment, trying to remember where she was. Oh, yes… Lom ‘rak’s watchtower. Grek’thar softly mumbled something in his sleep and Rhonya smiled a little as she looked down on him. Perhaps she should wake him… At that moment though, her attention was pulled to something else. Her son, still sleeping in the arms of Lom’rak a few feet away from her. Her brother… He’d been so nice to her, even after all she told him about her past. This surprised her, not having expected such a kindness. Little Skorm chose to awake at that moment and locked his blue eyed gaze on his mother, quickly followed by him holding his arms out to her.

Smiling, Rhonya moved over to her cub and gently lifted him into her arms, careful not to wake Lom’rak. He needed his sleep… After all that happened yesterday and that what was about to come… Skorm started to whine softly, being hungry of course after this night. Rhonya turned once more, softly prodding Grek’thar awake now. As he opened his eyes, she put a finger to her lips and motioned to Lom’rak. Grek’thar only took a moment to realize what she meant before he nodded and quietly moved to his feet, picking up his belongings and following Rhonya outside quietly. The female Orc made sure that they were far away enough from the tower so that they wouldn’t wake Lom’rak before speaking. “I want to go to Ogrimmar, Grek’thar…  Today. I don’t find it safe here anymore at the moment. “

Grek’thar  sighed softly, but took position next to her, putting an arm around her shoulder in a comforting way. “You know I’d never let anything happen to you again. Or to Skorm, for that matter. I don’t like the idea of bringing him there either, but perhaps you’re right. “ Rhonya simply nodded, looking down at her son, who was now tugging at her robe with his tiny hands, whimpering softly, making it very clear what he wanted.  Grek’thar chuckled lowly, looking down at Skorm. “Perhaps you’ll need to feed him first, dear, otherwise even the short journey to Ogrimmar will be hell.” Softly smiling herself now, Rhonya nodded, just settling on the floor there for a moment to take the time to feed her son.

A little while later the three of them moved through the Canyon, on the road towards the large city of Ogrimmar. Grek’thar was holding his son now, the cub playfully tugging on his beard as he now had a full tummy again. As they closed in on the large gates, Rhonya smiled a little. “Don’t think I could ever get used to this all being so big… I would get lost here every time.” Grek’thar chuckled softly, putting his arm around his mate again, keeping her close, Skorm cradled in his other arm.  “I know the way, don’t worry. “ Together they moved on, over the busy streets of Ogrimmar. Different smells and sounds surrounded them, even Skorm was just quietly looking around now with his large blue eyes,  seemingly surprised about all the noise around him. Rhonya moved forward with a heavy heart, knowing she’d not see her son for at least a while… With a deep sigh she noticed suddenly Grek’thar had stopped moving. When Rhonya looked up she saw the building they were standing in front of. The Orphanage… It sounded so weird, as if they were giving away their cub instead of only bringing him there for a while. Grek’thar gently guided her inside, even though he also had a worried expression on his face.

After a short while Rhonya and Grek’thar stepped outside again, this time without their son. Rhonya sighed deeply as she hurriedly just made her way to the gate again, keeping herself from going back and just taking Skorm with her once more. Grek’thar followed her closely and when she slowed down, he put an arm around her waist. At this Rhonya stopped walking and just turned around to bury her face against Grek’thars chest and wrapping her arms around him. Grek’thar returned the hug, a bit awkwardly since they were standing in the middle of the Ogrimmar streets now. “He’ll be fine, Rhonya. Come on, let’s go back to the tribe.” Rhonya nodded once, before just letting him ago again and turning to the gates. “Might be best, yes..”

The rest of the day was filled for Rhonya with collecting more herbs. She had a rather large bag filled with them now, preparing for the war that was to come, stocking up on various kinds of healing herbs and poultices. As the evening fell, it once again became more busy in Razor hill, the Cultists moving around as well when Rhonya arrived back from her gatherings. It was quite the interesting evening, first filled with completing the task that her tutor and sister, Marshfang, had given her, followed by a short axe fighting lesson. Shortly after that, Rhonya managed to get into a ‘fight’ with one of the Cultists who had once been part of a torture session the Cult had done on the female Orc. It ended well, however, and Rhonya just chose to remain in the inn for the rest of the evening, mostly talking to Sharptongue and some other Cultists. She had told her sister she’d try to at least make it work a little, so she did.

Rhonya awoke the next morning, alone. Grek’thar was probably out somewhere, minding his own business. That was fine with Rhonya, since she had some plans of her own to do. Inspired by the talk she and Sharptongue had had a few days before that, she had written a ritual. A ritual to do by herself, to catch the attention once again from the Elements. She’d been meditating for months now, without any success in getting her powers back, but perhaps this would work. While she had gathered the ingredients for Sharptongues ritual that still had to be done with Skorm, which would have to happen after the war now, she had also gathered some things for herself. Moving through her stuff with her hands, she checked if she had everything, nodding to herself when this seemed to be the case.

The small female moved outside slowly, not wanting to be followed by anyone. She made her way to one of the places where the ridges still hung above the water filled canyon now, choosing a nice spot on one of the flat plateau’s. Rhonya put down her bag and got some things out of it, a bowl, a candle she bought from a merchant and a pile of leaves that she put on the ground as well. With a stick she drew a circle in the sand around her, then dividing that circle into four quarters.  Rhonya was wearing only a very simple brown robe, no shoes or anything else, except the tooth necklace that she’d gotten from Grek’thar long ago. Her feet red of the sand, she moved to put the items in the circle, the pile of leaves in one, the candle in one and the bowl in the last, that she filled with water.

The she-orc looked around a moment, a light breeze playing with her deep black hair, making tendrils of it move slowly over her shoulders. Rhonya stood straight, closing her eyes a moment and inhaled deeply, before she turned to face east and spoke, with a clear and determined voice.

“Great element of the East, warmth of the rising sun, Element of the new day. Great element fire, nuclear fire of the sun.
From you comes our life energy, vital spark, power to see far, to envision with boldness.
You who purifies the senses, our hearts and our minds. I humbly ask that I may be aligned with you, that your energy may flow through me, and be expressed by me for the good of this earth and all living things upon it.”

With these words she leaned forward towards the candle, lighting it with two firestones that she had put down next to it. The flame struggled a moment to catch and remain burning, but it did firmly after a few seconds. Rhonya stood up straight again, turning south now.

“Great element of the South, protector of the fruitful lands and of all things growing, the noble trees and grasses.
Great  earth, element of nature, great power of receptive, of nurturance and endurance, bringing forth the flowers of the fields, fruits of the orchards and of the garden. I humbly ask that I may be aligned with you, that your power may flow through me for the good of this earth and all living things upon it.”

Her hair falling over her shoulder, she bended forward to grasp some of the red sand in her hand, throwing it up in the air, scattering it in the wind. She didn’t even wipe her hand, but just continued, turning her form west now, robe flowing lazily around her legs as she did so.

“Great element of the West, element of the great waters of river, lakes, springs and rains.
Great element of the ocean, deepest matriarch, womb of all life.
With you comes the dissolving of boundaries and of limitations, the power to taste, feel, cleanse and heal. Great blissful darkness of peace. I humbly ask that I may be aligned with you, that your power may flow through me, for the good of this earth and all living things upon it.”

Crouching down once more, she turned the bowl of water upside down, pouring the liquid onto the red sands. She turned once again, now to the north, the last direction.

“Great element of the North, invisible spirits of the air, the spirits of the cool winds. Vast and boundless Great  sky, your breath animates us and all life. From you comes clarity, strength and the power to hear inner sounds, to seek out old patterns and bring challenges and change. The purity and ecstasy of movement and dance. I humbly ask that I may be aligned with you, that your powers may flow through me for the good of this earth and all living things upon it.”

Picking up the pile of leaves, she moved her hands up in a fast movement, throwing those into the breeze, watching them as the wind carried them over the land. Rhonya just stood still for a moment, before speaking.

“Spirits within me, those who guide me and keep me safe from harm. I also call on you, in this hour of need, to hear my call. Elements of old, Fire, Earth, Water and Air, I ask for forgiveness. I regret my actions of the past, and vowed myself never to repeat them. I ask of you to give me a second chance, so I may prove that I am worthy of receiving your aid.”

After those words she kneeled, head low, eyes closed as she waited. Suddenly, a feeling filled her, a hotness in her stomach, slowly building. A hard breeze suddenly whipped her hair around her face, almost threatening to push her over, but somehow she stayed put, as if being held to the earth by some unseen force. Droplets of water flew through the air as the usually still waters were disturbed by something. Rhonya shuddered once, feeling the force that had gathered around her, but she stayed put.

A deep voice then filled her head, rumbling and harsh. “Child, you have disappointed us before. We turned away from you for long, ignored your prayers and your calls, as we saw it a fit punishment for the deeds you have done. But we decided… You will need to start over, pay a price for our aid this time if you call on us. We will claim something of you, since you will be claiming something of us as well. Use this power wisely, child of the elements, for if you wrong us again, we shall not be so forgiving. “

Rhonya nodded, and spoke softly. “I will not disappoint you again. I will give and take, as it should be.” The presence then pulled itself back from her mind, though soft words still echoed through it. “So it will be.”

Rhonya opened her eyes then, noting that tears were streaming down her cheeks. The candle next to her was burned down to only a stump of what it once had been, black and charred. The waterbowl was gone, probably blown away by the wind which also had covered the circle she had drawn with red earth, making it near invisible, as if she’d never drawn it in the first place. The she-orc felt tired, drained and exhausted, but happy, almost covered from tip to toe in the red sand. She’d finally done it…A second chance to do it right. Tilting her head, she looked up into the sky a moment. “Thank you…”

A little story about something important that happened in Rhonya's past. It was actually all done in RP a long time ago, I just felt like putting it in story-style and making it a bit more dramatic. xD
Hope you all enjoy it!

Invasion

The air was always thick in the Canyon. Filled with the thickness of foul magics, leftovers from a dark time. Demons still roamed the place, drawn there by that same magic that was still lingering the air. In one point of the canyon it was strongest. The thing that happened there in the past had left it’s marks, pieces of a weapon hanging in the air by themselves, held there by some old, dark magic. A weapon that had once held great power but was now broken and shattered, only a shade of what it used to be. On the other side of the Canyon a figure was sitting in one of the small shabby tents that were set up here and there across the clearing. Long black hair framed her yellowish-green skin and troubled blue eyes looked sadly at the glum scenery she could see from inside her tent. A dirty looking robe framed her skinny posture, hanging loosely as if it didn’t fit well anymore.
Rhonya had lost a lot of weight since they had moved to the Demonfall Canyon. Constant worry ate at her being and the lingering magic in this place also had an effect on her that wasn’t cheering her up. She felt alone here, blocked from feeling any connection to the elements. There was no clean earth here, no water, no fresh air and the only fire around was demonic and green. Food was only brought to her on occasion, the clan spending most of their time outside of the Canyon. Except her, of course. Her master had ordered her to stay inside, hidden, surrounded by the demons. For her own safety, he said.

Rhonya did believe this, though she never felt save in any way around the demons. They didn’t harm her, left her alone mostly because her master had ordered them that. Though she could feel the looks they shot her, the mad snickering of some as she passed them by, the hungry eyes set on her back every time she walked through the nasty place…

A soft, foul wind whispered through the Canyon that day. The wind was not a relief, it was mostly just scary, as if many voices could be heard in it as it slithered it’s way around the bare rocks. Rhonya rose to her feet, a shudder running over her spine as the wind blew over her skin like a dark caress. Her saggy robe reached to the floor, the edges dirty and ripped. Slowly she started to walk towards the bend in the rocks, the way out of the Canyon. The last few days, she’d had a visitor. He would stand at the entrance of the Canyon, knowing he could not enter, under order from his Shadowpope. A pact was made between the Orcs of the Blightskull and the Cult of Shadow, after all the trouble they’d caused each other. Her visitor was one of the Cult, a male undead. He’d talk to her, seem sincerely interested in how she was doing and if she was lonely in the Canyon. It was a relief to her, even though she still feared the Cult, to just talk to someone.

As she reached the entrance of the Canyon, she stepped right up to the edge of the rocks, the place she usually stood when meeting with the Forsaken. Today though, he didn’t seem to be there… A deep sigh escaped from between her lips as she eyed the dark green forest that spread out in front of her, large sick trees covered the earth and even here, demons still roamed. She tucked a lock of her ravenblack hair behind her ear as she turned around again with a heavy feeling in her chest, to move back to her hut. However, halfway there, she suddenly felt watched. Without turning her head, she knew who would stand there. Rhonya could feel the power emanating from him, radiating in the air around him. His deep voice spoke in a calm tone, but there was a very dangerous edge to it.

“Rhonya, my dear… “

Rhonya did not turn around at first and an annoyed growl came from behind her. Very wearily she turned then, not wanting to anger him. Her shoulders slumped down, her gaze cast on his feet, not daring to look up to his face. Though she felt perfectly save there, with him. Rhonya jumped as a bright green hand with sharp claws cupped her chin with a gentleness that did not fit the image she saw as he forced her to look up. He was dressed in simple robes, a hood shrouding his features in shadow. He did not look threatening,  but the power could be felt around him, almost seen, as if the very air around him shimmered lightly. His eyes were a deep shade of red, his face set in a kind expression, though there was something in his look that made her worry. Perhaps the stance of his lips, the slight pressure he was holding her chin with, the tips of his claw just pressing on her skin slightly.
“Look at me. You know I don’t like it if you avoid my gaze, dear. “
Rhonya nodded very slightly and he let go of her chin, running his nail across her cheek, as a caress. She shuddered, stepping closer to him, being drawn in by power, not able to resist. He smiled then, dangerously sharp teeth visible, eyes set on her face. With a growl he moved his hand across her neck, grabbing her hair in a tight grip. His other hand moved down over the small of her back, pressing her thin form against him. She could feel his breathing in her neck as he held her, speaking softly in her ear with a tone that made her tremble slightly.

“I’ve watched you the last few days, Rhonya. You’ve been holding out on me… Secret visitors at the entrance, and never you mentioned it that they found us again. The..Cult.” This last word was spoken with a growl, his hand tightening in her hair and the hand on her back clenching as he pressed her even tighter to his chest.
“I’m disappointed in you, love. You know how I hate it if you lie to me or don’t tell me things. I should be able to trust you in here, it’s for your own safety, you know that.”

The hand on her back moved up slightly, the claws running over her skin through the thin fabric of her robe. Rhonya shuddered again, looking at his chest as she was pressed against it, standing as still as she could. She knew he was angry, though he kept his tone calm. Once again, she’d made him mad at her… it was as if she kept displeasing him. His voice continued as she did not answer, his tone darkening and getting lower, a growl appearing in his voice.
“I don’t want to see you again with him again, Rhonya. Stay away from him. If I do see you speaking to him again, you will regret it. You know you will.” And with those words Morkosh his hand moved from her neck back to her face, letting go of her hair but cupping her chin again as he turned her face in his direction. With a snarl he looked down on her and pressed his lips against hers with a  crushing force. Rhonya winced, but this made him even more determined to hold her close, it seemed. She could feel the skin of her lower lip split as he bit down on it with a deep growl, blood starting to ooze from the wound. He pulled back at the taste of it, a dangerous grin on his face. “Don’t disappoint me again.”

And with those words, he just let her go, turned around and walked right out of the Canyon again, leaving her all to herself once more. Rhonya’s legs started to tremble and she just sank down on the floor right there, wiping her hand across her mouth to get rid of the blood. There were no demons around her this time, all knowing to stay clear of Morkosh whenever he appeared. Rhonya didn’t know how long she just sat there, frozen in place. The air started to get darker then and as she finally looked up, she realized it was night time.

With a very deep sigh she pressed herself up to her feet, wiping the dry earth off her knees and hands. Suddenly she felt another presence nearby, one also very well known to her. From around the corner came a shape in robes once more, but this one was not as broad as the first. The robes swirled around the shapes leg as it moved, and Rhonya smiled as she smaller woman reached her. The shape threw her hood back, revealing a face with a too weak bone structure to be fully Orcish. Watery blue eyes looked up at Rhonya’s face and brown hair covered her head, one lock hanging in front of her face.
“Shrika! What are you doing here? You shouldn’t be here…he can be back again any moment.” Rhonya stepped closer to put her arms around the smaller female and Shrika returned the gesture, hugging Rhonya a moment before stepping back again and looking her up and down, totally ignoring what she had just said. “You look even thinner than last time. He’s not feeding you enough. Here.” Shrika reached with a slender hand into a bag that was on her hip. She took out a piece of bread, pressing it in Rhonya’s hands. Rhonya looked at the food in her hands a moment before she tore in, she was hungry, actually. Perhaps the hunger in her stomach had just become a feeling she’d gotten a bit used to…
Shrika watched her eat with a grin on her face, she patted Rhonya on her arm a bit. “That’s better. You shouldn’t let yourself be treated like that. You deserve better.” Rhonya stopped eating, peering at Shrika with a frown on her face. “Like what? I’m treated fine, he only keeps me in here for my own safety.”

Shrika rolled her eyes, grunting, knowing she would not win this argument. Rhonya wouldn’t see the truth. Not yet, at least. Reaching out, she grabbed Rhonya’s free hand that was not holding the bread and simply started to tug her along. Rhonya almost lost her balance but walked along. “What are we going to do?”
“You’ll see. We’re going to add some strength to both of us. You’ll need it later.”
Rhonya looked at Shrika with an uncertain gaze, not sure what she meant with this. But she just continued taking bites of the bread, following quietly, too occupied with eating.

They moved through parts of the Canyon, to a side of it that Rhonya didn’t like much. The air was even thicker here, the center of the Fel energy that radiated from the broken shards of the weapon hanging in the air. She started to get a bit nervous now. What was Shrika up to?

The small female half orc let go of her hand then, walking to the spot right under the shards. She turned to Rhonya, lifting a hand to push the lock of hair out of her face. “Stay there. I’ll perform a ritual for the both of us.” Rhonya nodded nervously, settling down a bit more to the side, near one of the shabby tents there. She watched her friend turn around again.

Shrika picked up a rock from nearby and used that to draw a circle in the gravel. She added some weird symbols around it that Rhonya could not understand. When that was done and the dry dust had settled a bit again, she moved to stand in the middle of the circle and closed her eyes a moment. Rhonya could feel the difference in the air after a while, something shifting. Shrika lifted her hands to the sky, her eyes an ominous darker shade of what they normally were. She started to speak, but her voice was not entirely her own as she did so. The language was one Rhonya didn’t know, but it did not sound pleasant.

“Rakkan ze maz, zenn te zekul!  A aman kar aman, ze zila soran se adare. A aman kar aman, re maz ze ze te revola! A ril kar adare, adare re ur zar Ashjraka danashj, ze A maz soran te tiriosh ashj us. Zenn te zekul, tiros ze ante, lek A rakir parn!”

With a quick movement she slashed her hand on a dagger that was hanging on her belt, motioning with it so droplets of blood were flying everywhere. The air darkened even more, a rumbling sound entering the Canyon. Rhonya was half hidden behind her tent now, trembling, for she did not like this at all. Shrika continued to speak in the harsh language, her hands still lifted, blood pouring down her arm.

Suddenly, with a loud clap and a bright flash, the world disappeared a moment. Blinking, Rhonya looked in the direction Shrika was, and slowly her vision cleared again.  Shrika was still standing there, grinning, her arms lowered now.
“Do you feel it, Rhonya? Do you feel the power going through you?”
Rhonya wasn’t sure, though she did feel slightly odd… Was it because she had been sitting so close to the actual ritual? That even she was affected even though she had been sitting outside the ritual circle?
The Half she-orc turned to Rhonya then, walking over to her. With a comforting smile on her lips she hugged the sitting form of her friend.

“Use this power, Rhonya… Get away from him. You don’t need him. You’ll be fine..”

--------------------------------
From that moment on, Rhonya started hearing the voices. She did not link the events, though, too busy trying to survive in the miserable place of the Canyon. She did not know either that she was actually carrying the child of Morkosh..

(Translation of what Shrika said:
“Demons of Old, hear my plea! I call for thee, in this place of power. I call for thee, to aid me in my search! I ask for power, power to do the Legions bidding, so I may smash my enemies with it. Hear my plea, grant me more, and I shall obey!” )

Lost in thought

A deep sigh escaped the slightly parted lips of the greenish female as she wandered around the camp in Uldum. She had only arrived yesterday, but was already busy again with gathering her healing herbs. High grass tickled her bare legs under her robe as she waddled through weird small green patch of jungle in the middle of the desert. Rhonya didn’t move so gracefully anymore these days, her enormous belly preventing her from bending or moving around much.
Softly she was humming to herself as she picked up a herb here and there, sniffing them sometimes, others tasting carefully. Sweat started to run down her face in not too long and silently she cursed her condition. “Urgh… Can’t even do my normal herb rounds anymore… I hope you come soon, little one, you’re tiring me out.” Rhonya softly patted her stomach as she spoke, deciding she’d take a small break from her work. She sat down in the middle of the high grass, small moths fluttering around her and gazelles running in the distance. Even sitting down wasn’t simple, she had to carefully drop herself on her bum, not able anymore to bend.
“Little Skorm… I like the name..” Rhonya just softly spoke to herself, watching the gazelles running past. Thinking back on the last few days, she sighed. Her journey from Tanaris to here had taken her longer than the rest and when she had arrived, she’d found everyone in bandages. One of her best friends, her sister now, Gro’gona… collapsed lung. Rhonya hoped she’d take her advice and keep herself calm a bit. She didn’t feel like doing a complex surgery in her condition. But if it was needed, she’d do it, for her sister. Her sister… The name made her sigh again as she just stared into the distance now, not particularly looking at anything, her arms resting on her bulging stomach.

Gro’gona was the first sister she’d ever had. Rhonya smiled slightly as she thought of the female, so direct, but oh so honest. She was glad that Gro’gona had offered to become aunt of her cub. As well as Lom’rak who even had allowed her to use his father’s name for her cub. And still…and still they all did not know.
Suddenly nerves filled Rhonya as she thought about her cub. Grek’thar was sure he would be fine, but… Would it be visible? Would he look a lot like his father? Would she look at her own child’s face every day and be reminded all the time of â€"him-… Of Morkosh, the one who did that all to her…

Suddenly an urge to leave filled her, to just move away from the tribe with her son and raise him alone, no longer being a bother to the tribe, a danger, a nuisance. Rhonya now looked at her own feet, eyes wet as she thought about it all. She couldn’t leave, not now. Not now she was just back, welcomed back as if she’d never been gone, as if she’d never done what she had done in the past to the tribe. The thing almost no one knew… Rhonya actually wished she could tell the others, tell her tutor Wildeye, tell her sister Gro’gona, so they’d know and so that they could form their own opinions about her. She didn’t want to lie to them or hold anything back, but orders were orders…

With a sigh, Rhonya decided she’d seek out Talonslayer soon, perhaps she would allow her to give the information free now. At least Grek’thar knew, he knew what dangers this child could give as well. If Morkosh would come back for his son…
Silent tears ran over her face as she worried about everything that came into her mind. Worries and sorrows, worries for others and for herself. Guilt that she couldn’t help everyone and was actually still just a useless weight to the legs of the Tribe, not even having access to her own powers. And it was only the question if she’d ever be able to use them again.  She couldn’t even wield a weapon normally! What was she doing here, in between of all these hardened fighters, what was she doing with a mate that accepted her as she was, broken and used and thrown away afterwards. Grek’thar didn’t mind, and still she did not understand why.

A soft breeze played with her jet black hair, bringing her back to her senses as it blew in front of her eyes. What was she actually doing? Sitting here, crying, being a whimp? “Come on Rhonya, you are an Orc of the Tribe now, act as one, damnit.” With those words she used her hands to push herself to her feet with a loud grunt and continued her walk around the green patch, looking for the herbs she needed to teach Gro’gona the healing salve she normally made… The pressing feeling on the lower half of her stomach continued, it wouldn’t be long now. She would worry later… After Skorm had been safely delivered into this world. Then she would decide to leave, or to stay.


(Just a short story I felt like writing to get Rhon's thoughts on one line again. She's not as happy as she seems.. )

These stories I made during the time traveling with you guys. They've been pestering Rhon for a long time now, in between Grek'thar helped getting rid of them. The last one is still active at this moment! They are demons impersonating people she cares/cared about. So not the actual people themselves. Hope you all enjoy the read!

Demon 1. Rhonya's Vision.

With a deep sigh, the light green skinned she-orc sat down at the edge of the path, looking over the Hinterlands. She brushed some of her black hair out of her face with an irritated gesture as she peered at the lands before her. Lush and green, unknown to the female except for the stories she heard about it. The battles that raged there in the old days between the bloodthirsty Orcs and the Wildhammer dwarves. The Orcs that had managed to get the Trolls on their side to fight against the Elves further up in Quel’thalas..
It was a history she well knew, since she had done research on it a lot. Mostly to keep her real intentions a secret.
Rhonya had told the one she was with, Grek’thar, that she just needed a little bit of alone time, some privacy. Quietly she sat there, pulling up her knees and wrapping her arms around them. Her rather large blue eyes looked out over her surroundings as she thought the things over that happened in the last few days. The kidnap, the rescue… Why had he rescued her? His reasons where still unclear to her. He had said it was because he wanted to protect her and back then he had not even known yet that she was with child.
One hand silently moved to her stomach to rest there. The very slight bump was not very visible at the moment, but it would come soon.. Soon she would have to try hard to keep it hidden, until of course the time would come when such would be impossible. The child would grow of course. The child of Morkosh..
At his thought she shuddered. The small voices in her head grew louder in the background, being drawn in by her confusion, by the pain she felt at thinking back on that time. They whispered to her, spoke unknown words, sweet promises she couldn’t understand… One however, seemed to become clearer this time. Was it just her imagination, or did this one sound much like Morkosh his voice..? She listened intently to it, staring ahead blankly, not really seeing anything in front of her anymore but the vision of Morkosh, a memory of old. Or was it..? The memory spoke, softly at first but louder later, the voice resounding in her head. She could understand it! Was it Morkosh trying to contact her or was it just her mind playing tricks on her?
The cruel face of Morkosh turned into a grin as he continued speaking and she now concentrated on the words.
“Well well dear Rhonya, what mess did you get yourself into this time? I’ve always said it was safer to stay with me… In my arms you where safe, kept away from the world. You know I would have shaped you into a weapon, love, a great weapon of power… You were to be my right hand, my mistress of Darkness, my mate and the bearer of my sons. But look at you now, alone in the middle of enemies, bearing indeed my pup in your womb. Do you think they will let it live? Do you honestly believe they wouldn’t find out about your corruption…?”
Tears started to stream down her face as the words filled her head, filled her with fear and with doubt. Her small form started to shake uncontrollable and both arms where tightly wrapped around her stomach now. The child was the whole reason she had left… That and the fact she had been thinking about Shrika’s words a lot, that Morkosh was only using her. While she thought this, the vision smirked, starting to speak again.
“Dear Shrika, yes of course she would try to steal you from me, love. She has her own uses for you.. her own plans. She will use you as much as you think I did, while I only kept you safe. Did she help you when you where abducted? Did she come to see if you where safe? Shrika only brings you trouble. Look around you, at your enemies. They do not care for you as I did. They will want you dead. You and our offspring.”
Both hands where now on the sides of her head, trying to block the voice out. Rhonya whimpered softly, shaking her head as if she could get rid of them in that way. She was alone, she knew it. Even Grek’thar would one day see what a monster she was, he would listen to his tribe and not to her. Even her uncle who seemed to be really sorry wouldn’t be able to turn her around, for she was just lost..
“Ah, Skar’lok.” The voice continued. “The fool. He messes with powers beyond his own strength. Does he believe he can get away with it? Get away with what he tried, get loose from the Legion? He drank the blood.. It’s in his veins, it won’t go. Your uncle believes he’s turned his back on the masters, but they did not turn their back on him…”
Rhonya just stood up now, almost tempted to just hurl herself off the cliff she was facing, just to get rid of the voice in her head, of the vision in front of her. But she couldn’t. She couldn’t kill the still innocent being that was inside of her, even though it was â€"his- child.
“Don’t forget me, love. You know you are mine… and you will always stay mine. No matter how far you try to run.” The vision disappeared with these words, an evil laughter following in her head which slowly died out as well.
Trembling and crying she turned to face the way back to the Blades. She’d have to get calm before she could go back… Silently she huddled against a tree nearby, crying out over her fears, her troubles and all she was pulling along in it. She was alone…



Demon 2. Rhonya's second demon, Shrika

A stone went flying through the grass just behind the Inn of Raventusk village as Rhonya kicked it away a bit angrily. She cursed softly as it hurt her own toe as well and she sat down in the grass against a tree to rub her foot. Looking back at the village, she decided she was still in sight and hearing range of the guards, so probably save. The Orc female put her head in her hands for a moment, long black hair falling forwards past her cheeks, hiding the rest of her face as well. She looked worried, a bit sad, perhaps.
“How much did they hear when they came walking up there.. ? And why does he take blame of things that are my fault, actually? He might have attacked Dailor, but indirectly that was all because of me..”
She just muttered to herself softly, speaking her mind out loud, but not so loud that others near would be able to understand what she was saying. A deep sigh escaped her lips as she looked up again, staring over the water in front of her. Thoughts crossed her mind of perhaps just leaving them and him as well. All she brought them was trouble and now Grek’thar was being looked down upon because of her as well. And they had not even found out yet that he was keeping her demonic past hidden from the tribe…
Seagulls flew around lazily, searching for easy pickings at the dock, hoping to find some last scraps perhaps of that days fish catch. The sun was already down, but it was not very dark. Still, Rhonya couldn’t suppress a yawn as she watched the birds dive down to the docks. Perhaps she should just get some sleep, worry again tomorrow about the tribe and Grek’thar… She could still feel the touch of his hand on hers, it had felt reassuring and it just had felt..right. And he had made her laugh even during her telling of her story.
While Rhonya was thinking this all over, her eyes closed slowly, her mind calmed by the sound of the seagulls and the water sloshing ashore softly. She drifted off to a peaceful state of half sleep, half being awake… Though that was quickly disrupted by something. Suddenly she could hear crying, soft sobs coming from close to her. She opened her eyes…and saw she was standing in Brill. Blinking in surprise, she quickly dove for cover behind one of the plaguewagons she was standing close to. The crying continued, coming from close by, the building known as the apothecary. Very carefully and still not understand what was going on, Rhonya peered around the door of the Apothecary. It was empty, not filled with Forsaken as usual. Empty except for one thing… A figure was huddled in a corner, sobbing, shoulders shaking as it did so, breathing coming in rasps. Rhonya hurried over to this figure, it looked familiar somehow to her.
“Hello..? Are you alright? What is going on?” Rhonya spoke softly while kneeling down next to the figure. After a few more sobs, the figure looked up at Rhonya… Rhonya gasped in horror, her hand moving in front of her mouth as she crawled back a bit quickly.
Looking at her was the face of Shrika. But it was not the Shrika she knew… Her eyes where a glowing green, deep, emotionless pools of green. Her skin was ripped in several places, the bone underneath visible. The edges of the wounds looked black and sores could also be seen. Her hair was knotted and half of it looked torn out. A burnmark was branded on her forehead. The mark of the Cult… Her clothes where torn and ragged, feet bare, the skin ripped from them…
The Shrika figure held out her hand towards Rhonya in a pleading way, looking at her with those green glowing eyes in a sad disturbing way. “Rhonya..Rhonya, why did you leave me alone again? They came back for me… Murdered my children in front of my eyes, tortured me, tested on me… I am but a puppet to the apothecaries now…You left me alone to go with ..him! Those Blades…”
Rhonya looked shocked at the figure, eyebrows going up in disbelieve. She quickly stood up straight, her form slightly trembling. “No… I didn’t leave you! You…where following, right behind…”
Shrika slowly shook her head, tears still falling down from her cheeks as she kept her hand out towards Rhonya. Now that Rhonya looked better at it, the fingers looked broken, the nails torn out, little droplets of blood still falling on the floor below. “They tracked me down, Rhonya! You left me, left me to die! But you know, they won’t ever let me die. They have something in store for me, much, much worse…”
Holding out her hand slowly towards Shrika, Rhonya shook her head. “I didn’t know… Let me help, come with me. We’ll get out, together!” Suddenly Shrika lashed out towards Rhonya her hand with her bloodied fingers. She stood up, ragged robes falling around her figure wich looked like it had not gotten any nutritious food for days. The parts of skin that was showing through the gashes in the robe where blue and bruised, gashes also visible here and there.
“ You are too late! You threw yourself in with THEM, not even of our path! The ones that will perish in the end, in fire and destruction! Too late, Rhonya, you are steering the wrong way. There is no going back once you cross the final line, you know that. No going back to the Legion once you’ve truly turned your back on them. “
Rhonya pulled her hand back quickly, her eyes just large and filled with tears as she looked at this Shrika she didn’t know.
Snarling, Shrika opened her mouth, suddenly filled with sharp teeth. “Go, Rhonya! Go back to those traitors! You left me behind once, in the hands of the Cult and now again, you are a failure!”
Trembling, the female orc turned away from Shrika and ran outside, just waiting to get away. It had been her fault, Shrika captured again, tortured, being like this… Her fault, all again! Last time she was not strong enough to go against Morkosh and aid her and this time she had left her to herself as well…
“I’m sorry, Shrika… I’m so sorry…”
Her eyes opened suddenly, her face down in the grass as Rhonya had fallen over while having her dream. Cold sweat covered her body and she was trembling all over. She tried to calm her breathing, sitting up and looking around a bit panicked. She needed to check on Shrika.. It had been a dream, but it could just as well be true. She needed to find her friend, her sister as soon as possible! But Grek’thar wouldn’t let her go alone, probably…
Concentrating, she tried to mentally call out for her trusted friend, but no answer came. This only worried her more. She needed a way to make sure Shrika was safe… But how?