Orcs of the Red Blade

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The air was tight and bracing as he inhaled deeply, the red eyes scanning the bustling port. Ratchet never slept simply because Goblins were too greedy to close up shop for the day, why close up when you can sell, sell, sell? Such was the way of Goblins.

Salketh stepped forwards towards the wooden fence ahead of him, and gripped it tightly with his hands. The bloodied knuckles had scabbed over from the intense training before – And although they were bandaged, the red smears had stained the white perfection. Shaking his head he snarled to himself – After the talk with the Thur'ruk his mind was rife with memories and thoughts. Flashbacks had been a common occurrence up until now, but nights of late they had been even worse.

Regret pranged at his core and he held his head low, his eyes filling with tears as his mind tore back to a time not so long ago ..

~~~

~~~

Salketh gasped and cursed as he wrenched himself free from the memory, shaking his head and squeezing his eyes shut. His eyes were wet now with tears streaking down his cheek as he squeezed harder on the fence ahead of him. Forcing himself to breathe slowly and calmly his chest rose and fell in a more controlled manner. Loosening his grip on the fence he rose his form to the sky, looking across the port once more. The tears in his eyes slowly faded and his composure returned once again. Grunting to himself he wiped his eyes and breathed slowly, recalling the memory to himself. He relived the rage and anger, the insanity and warmongering for just a moment before shaking his head and looking to the sky.

I regret it all.

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That bloody book ..

He'd tried to reach out, make an effort to engage and socialise. Evidently she was alone as she sat on the hill – her blue hue stuck out like a sore thumb against the barren dust; even with her armour on. Perhaps it was this fact that had struck Salketh to speak with her, because she was different. Perhaps it was because even before he had approached he knew she was Half-Draenei and that she might need that helping hand. She probably hadn't have even clocked his existence as the Tribe travelled to Ratchet, despite the fact he walked alongside her Talbuk most of the way. It was clear she was far too busy arguing with that Orc known as Karak, who’s points were valid and yet it was still an insufferable whining git. It was safe to say that Salketh was an observant Orc at the very least, noticing her dazzling glowing eyes even then.

Of course, I’ll play dumb. That’s how it works, he thought as he approached her on the hill. She appeared to be clutching what was a tome of some kind, reading it intently. Even as he made his presence known to her she seemed afraid of him, jumping a little in shock and surprise before politely nodding. Instinctively she pulled her wolf-mask on, to hide the tentacles – Pointless, because he had already spotted them. Still, if that made her feel better then Salketh wasn't one to judge.

The accent was thick and heavy and in all honesty Salketh struggled to understand her at times – And yet he persevered. This concept of 'mating' these Tribe-Orcs followed was an interesting one, and both parties seemed confident and happy to be with each other despite differences. Perhaps then, this was a chance to experiment for himself and figure out just how the mating rituals of sane Orcs worked. She wasn't exactly unattractive – The blue hue and glowing eyes gave her an exotic look that struck at Salkeths curious sexual desires. The tentacles weren't an issue either – An Orcish relationship was seemingly based on who the Orc was, rather than what they looked like. And in all honesty, Salketh was no looker himself what with such a shameful branding on his own face.

The conversation -seemed- to be going well, and yet within seconds of 'That bloody book' appearing, all sense of progress was destroyed in a second. It was like a cub being given their first pet Worg, bloody well inseparable. And to top if off Lofty was up to his usual perverted antics – Giggling and laughing to himself as he was nestled in her breasts.

Although in fairness, -any- living being with a pulse would be happy nestled in -that- sizable chest.

An excuse to leave had left his lips before he even realised it had happened. Grunting in disinterest he found himself walking down the hill quickly to take a stroll – Clear his mind. What had he learned today? That progress had been made, even if it had been taken away in a fleeting moment.

That bloody book ...

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The morning sky was clear and the burning sun offered a clear and fair view of the rolling seas. Most of the Orcs were asleep now after the events of a few hours ago, when the Naga clambered aboard to raid the ship. Many of the Orcs had rallied to the call and fought the raiding party back into the unforgiving depths. A grand day it had been all around as the Tribe roared to the skies in victory. The red sun rose on the horizon to signify a night of bloodshed â€" the rays shone across the rippling waves with dazzling effect.

Where then, had Salketh been during the aforementioned battle? Hiding below the ship on the very bottom deck, in a crate shaking all over like a leaf. What chance did he stand against a fully-grown Naga warrior? Sure his axe was well-versed to kill Boar and simple creatures but compared to the warriors above he was nothing but a novice. Such powerful well trained animals would strike him down in seconds, and worst case scenario â€" He would get in the way and cause the death of another Orc. It shamed him so to resort to such techniques but what other options were there? Perhaps this way he might still be able to aid with healing should there be any need.

Clinging to the frame of the box, Salketh shook like a leaf â€" Never before had he felt so powerless in his life. Stripped of his Dark Shaman power and with the Elements having abandoned him, he was nothing more than a naked wailing child. Tears of fear welled up in his eyes as the fighting grew even louder; the roars of battle echoing through the hold and he struggled to stop himself from giving in to the fear completely.

With the night dragging further and further on Salketh's fear grew and grew like a formulating explosion within his chest. Skin crawling and fingers now firmly bloodied with splinters from the wood he began dry-heaving as the panic-attack set in. It seemed that the fight was going in the Tribes favour, yet Salkeths panic did not lessen in the slightest. In the cold, dark and damp hull of the ship â€" Salketh was alone once more.

You're never alone .. I never went away ..

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A second mark earned, the first step taken onto forgiveness with the element of Water and finally, overcoming his fear enough to aid in the fight against the Clefthoof. Days like this were ones to remember. Salketh sat by the fire and consolidated the thoughts of the day inside his mind, trying to understand what had happened and how it came to be.

First â€" The mark. It was the Thur'ruk who had bestowed it upon him, although for reasons he still could not understand. Sure she had poisoned him but he had given her permission. And sure, the poison wouldn't have killed him, but he didn't know anything about the strength until after the procedure. Trust was what drove him to agree to it and after the conversation in the Worlds End Tavern he realized that he -had- to trust blindly if he was going to get anywhere in the Tribe. So he had agreed to it â€" She was the Thur'ruk of the Tribe after all and she wouldn't have attained that position if she didn't know what she was doing. In the end his trust had been well-placed and another mark grew to his collection. And, perhaps a growing friend.

The next event was one a test of himself he could not ignore any longer, and the Thur'ruk knew it too. It was time to face the elements for what he had done in the past â€" Time to offer himself for forgiveness, or if the elements deemed it; death.

Water was often considered the most forgiving of the elements, yet as Salketh entered the water he knew that it would be a -long- time before water would forgive his actions. The waters embrace was cold and tightened around his limbs as soon as flesh merged with fluid; it was a terrifying grip to behold. Yet he tried his best to calm himself and focus his mind on feeling the water once more. It's cold embrace, the fluidity and the healing properties they contain. Rhonya strode up beside him and offered a calming presence in the midst of uncertainty. After a few moments he felt himself cave in to the sadness of the water. He could feel every pain he had ever caused, every fear he struck into the hearts of bound Elementals. The power he tore into his captives exploded within him now and the power of it was overwhelming. His eyes began to swim with tears and the words of apology had tumbled out of his mouth before he even realised it.

“I'm .. So very .. Sorry.”

The ritual had began. Enraged by his attempt at an apology the water began to encase Salketh in it's deathly embrace. It flowed around his hands and arms to begin with, squeezing tightly on his flesh as it did. Wincing in pain he could feel the very rage and terror he inflicted so many times before. Surging around his whole body before long he had only seconds to inhale as best he could before the fluid covered him and cocooned him.

The whispers in his ear were impossible to bear; such sadness, sorrow and distrust.


The water was suffocating now, and black-spots cluttered his eyes as the higher functions of his brain began to shut down. Unable to breathe now, he kicked and thrashed wildly as the thought crossed his mind that this was the end.

In a flash however, he was released. The water let go of him and he fell onto the bank-side, panting for air and clutching his throat.

.. It is a start, Salketh. You have a long way to go ..

Rhonya and Therak looked at him with kind eyes, but it was not that which unnerved him. Nor was it the acceptance of the water to begin with.

No. It's -me-

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Night is usually a time of silence as every beast shuts itself down to recharge. Night is vulnerable, calm, serene and terrifying. All sentient races share an irrational fear of the dark because what you cannot see frightens you. It was such a night when most of the Orcs in Garadar were in their deepest sleep dreaming of times gone by, hopes dreams and loves. It was such a night Salkeths dreams were disturbed. To any Orc observing him it'd seem like he was just having a normal nightmare as his face wrinkled in fear. The nightmare however, was very real.


~#~

Darkness crept into the darkest patches of the dungeon which was illuminated only by a dim forge in the corner, a red hot poker hanging out of it. In the centre knelt a Human male, naked and chained he looked thin and barely alive and was evidently a prisoner of some sort. Every now and then he drifted in and out of consciousness with the dirty blonde hair hanging over his harggard face. A shiver of fear rippled across his skin at the sound of a mail-adorned boot chinking on the stone step above.

The Orc descended into the depths of the dungeon, garbed in terrifying looking mail garb. Wolf skulls burned and abused hung from the garb which created an imposing and awe-inspiring visage. Salketh clutched a torch of burning pitch tightly, along with a fearsome looking dagger. As he reached the bottom of the steps he placed the dagger blade first into the forge to allow the flames to heat the blade, turning to face the human who hung from the chains.

“So, are we ready to talk today?” Salketh spoke, drumming his fingers along the Humans shoulders.

“Please .. No more. I know nothing.”

“Spare it. You know what answers were after. Alliance battle-plans. Mobilisation orders. Where does the Alliance plan to strike.” Salketh grunted, his fingers closing around the dagger hilt. The blade now glowed orange with the heat, as it hovered over the humans skin.

“Please .. I said I don't know anything. I'm just a basic soldier .. A grunt ..” He pleaded, looking up into Salketh's eyes. It was ultimately clear he didn't know anything and yet â€" It did not matter.

“Well .. If you don't know anything .. You're of no use to me.” Salketh grunted, his eyes flashing dangerously.

Stepping forwards he slid the heated blade across the skin of his chest muscles tearing it open and searing the wound shut at the same time. The nameless human screamed in pain and writhed in agony beneath the heated blade, unable to do anything as Salketh continued decorating his body with the blade. Every cut bought a smirk to Salketh's face, every subtle dice and slice of the blade. Each time the human sobbed for death it bought him only pleasure and further drove his sadistic pleasure of the torture.

Seconds turned into minutes. Minutes turned into hours. The humans torment was endless as Salketh intricately carved the symbol of the Horde into his back with such care and skill it was like a tradesmen at work.

“Please .. Please .. Stop.”

Salkeths eyes flashed for a moment. “No.”

The nameless males screams rose in thunder. The torment was too much for him.

“Aarrgggggggg-

~#~

“-gggggghhhh!”

Salketh's own cries jolted him awake as he lurched forwards to break the dream. Panting and sweating all over he slowly realised he was back in reality and hurriedly looked around to ensure he hadn't woken anyone. Sanity finally crept back to him, and he lay back down; though he would not be able to sleep no more.

How long can you keep this up for, -Salketh-?
How long until you give yourself to me once more?

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Acceptance. Finally, he had acceptance.

Salkeths eyes wandered over the horizon as the unnerving skies of Nagrand illuminated the start of another day. One more day closer to his goal of taking the Oath, that most esteemed prize and sense of accomplishment â€" To earn a place among the Tribe as one of it's own. Never did he think this day would have come so soon and yet when he thought of it he had tried his damned hardest to achieve it. Sure, he was an ex-kor'kron and by rights a chance should never have been offered to him. But by his own determination self-sacrifice and head-strong attitude he had won a small portion of respect and acceptance of not only his tutor, but the Chieftain himself.

There were others too. His thoughts turned to Rhonya, the Thur'ruk who had treated him with such warmth and welcome despite his past. As a Shaman she should have hated him â€" Instead she was kind and comforting in her stance toward him. It was that generosity that allowed him to trust her so easily which was proven simply by the allowance to poison him to test a theory of hers. He trusted his life with her, and that was enough for him.

Once more his train of thought diverted; this time to a ashen-grey Orc named Nograx. The pair had an instant connection, perhaps due to the fact in a sense they were both outsiders. Norgax had shared the same warm and welcome approach in a more rugged sense. A seasoned warrior he'd given Salketh encouragement so far to strive to be better in combat. The welcoming slam on the shoulder and grinning smirk was enough to lighten Salketh's heart every time.

There is an Orc I could call my 'Brother'.

Switching once more, his thoughts turned to Krala. A smile lifted to his lips as he fondly ran a finger over the war-horn she had lovingly crafted for him from a Chimera'. He understood the significance immediately. The Chimera in Shadowmoon Valley were known to be highly venomous; not unlike his own past. Venomous and destructive. What then did the horn signify? Acceptance once more. Krala had made her choice, and whether for good or bad she was going to stick by him â€" The cleansing of the horn signified that. It was a fresh start for him, and he'd share it with her as long as he could.

The Oath he would soon take would cement that path. No turning back â€" if he broke it, it meant death.

He had friends. He had hope for the future and he had courage to face  the dangers of life, along with an ever-growing skill in combat to protect those he'd come to care for. For the longest time, he felt like he was home.

You'll never be home. Not while -I'm- here ..

Salketh snarled and growled low to himself. “Shut it. I am long shot of you. Leave.”

Ha-ha … -Never-