Tales of Thunderfang

[Shargla]

Tales of Thunderfang

[ Wiki: Shargla 'Howler' Thunderfang ]

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A scream. Shargla quickly sat up and took hold of the rat that dared to interrupt her sleep by biting her arm.

''Why you little...''

Her voice was low and hoarse, the humans hadn't granted her the luxury of having water to drink in two days. Shargla bit her teeth together, attempting to squeeze the life out of the vile critter, quickly succeeding in it. The dead rat was carelesly thrown against the moldy wall of the dark, cold and smelly cell, landing on a quite large pile of the critter's rotting relatives, dim light from the cell's only bar'd window caressing the corpses, devouring the flesh. Shargla coughed violently to her palm and forced herself up, even though it made her bite her teeth together in pain. She wiped the coughed up blood around her mouth to her dirty and badly bruised arm. She didn't seem to care. It wasn't the first time she had recieved a beating from the guards, and in time the pain had transformed into pleasure. Pleasure of knowing she'd someday escape this rotten hole and the guards would be given their fair share of her wrath.

The chackles around her ankles clattered against the cold stone floor as she slowly walked towards the window and took hold of the bars. Her cell had a clear view to the fortress' yard, where other orcs were mistreated, just not as badly as her. She had only herself to blame for that part. Maybe spitting on the guard's face wasn't that wise. Not when combined with trying to bite off the guard's arm after that no doubt. She was quickly attacked by five other guards, trying to take her down. Shargla put up a fight though. And it was a good fight. She managed to beat down three of the guards before they called in a mage that had his share on her with his fancy arcane magic, finally bringing her down. She was chackled and thrown into one of the smallest and darkest cells the humans had in their keep. Shargla was very familiar with this cell, it was like a home to her by now. After all, it wasn't the first time she had put up a fight with the humans. She loathed them deeply, attacking them for the tiniest reasons. Weak things these pink-skins but as a group even they can bring down a shaman as stubborn and passionate as Shargla. Was it smart to fight these humans in their own keep? Maybe not. Was it worth it? Most definately.

Shargla's gaze wandered trough the yard plainly, the light hurt her eyes. She noticed a young male orc on his knees, getting beaten by one of the guards and quickly dragged towards the keep. A sly grin slowly appeared to her beaten face, quickly ended with a patrolling guard slamming her fingers and yelling her to move away from the bars. Shargla pulled her hands back and followed the guard with her eyes as he walked away. She had no idea what the guard had said, she didn't speak their language. Stupid humans. They should at least teach her to understand their language before telling her what to do and beating her afterwards for not understanding.

The rusty hinges of the metal door at the end of the corridor outside her cell creaked loudly, followed by some angry voices and quick, loud steps. Shargla turned to her cell door as it was opened and the young male orc was thrown to the floor that was full of dirty and wet old straws. The guard looked at Shargla and said something before bursting to laugh and slamming the door closed. She looked at the beaten orc and grinned, the light from the window exposing her dirt covered and bloodied teeth.

''That didn't take you too long this time...''

The orc cursed and coughed up blood to the straws, not like no one would mind, the floor couldn't get any more dirtier than it allready were. He was wearing ripped and dirty pants and a shirt, not much of a protection but enough to cover the body from the jealous eyes of the guards. Shargla was only wearing a large shirt, an oversized dress you could say. Orc wiped his mouth and rolled to his side, turning his beaten face at Shargla.

''I learned from the best didn't I?''

Shargla let out a silent, dry laugh and moved closer, her chackles clattering against the floor again. She sat to the floor and ruffled his allready messy long hair that was so dirty and greasy it was starting to turn into one of those troll hairdos.

''You indeed did, Kalargh. Good to have you back. It's been, what? A week now?''

Kalargh nod lightly. ''I think so yes. I assume they have been giving you the same treatment as always...'' He looked at Shargla and grinned lightly, some blood on the side of his mouth.

''Same as always. Daily beating and no water or food. I'd eat those but I am not that hungry...'' Shargla pointed towards the pile of rat corpses.

Kalargh raised his brow lightly. ''Can't blame you really...''

Shargla quickly turned the grin on her face into more serious expression and lowered her voice. ''Did you get it?''

A sly smirk appeared on Kalargh's face as he put his hand down his pants slowly. Shargla frowned but her face brightened quite a bit as he pulled out an old looking, quite large key that seemed to fit the cell door and waved it infront of her.

''Kalargh, I don't even WANT to know where you kept that but I must say you are a genious.''

''Wouldn't say genious. More likely just swift handed.'' He laughed lightly and slipped the key under the straws, for later use.

They finally had the key to their freedom, literally. Shargla reached to embrace him, laughing from joy.

''Grandmother would be proud now. We can finally get out of this wretched place...'' Kalargh said and smiled.

Shargla looked at him and nod, her face expression turning to serious. ''Yes but we are not out yet.''

Shargla pointed the chackles around her ankles. They fell silent, both propably thinking how to solve this problem out of many that would yet to come in their way the next few days.

[Shargla]

Shargla drank thirstily from her flagon. She wiped the side of her mouth and glanced the scenery of Desolace that opened in front of her. The place had suretainly changed since she last was granted the chance to visit the place. She frowned slightly. Two days... You would think it to be an easy task to find one blind orc on a wyvern, but apparently it had proven to be somewhat difficult task after all. She closed her eyes and once again went through it all in her mind. She could nearly feel what the tauren must have felt while chackled to that rock and being tortured by fire and water in all its forms... She could have prevent it all from happening. Who knows... She could have given her bowl that was beforehand drizzled with antidote to the tauren and drink the poison herself. What better she could have just yelled for guards when she found Kogren in Orgrimmar or ended his life herself. But no. ''I did it all to protect you. So you wouldn't have to go through it.'' was all she could hear back then. She believed everything Kogren said to her. She believed it and helped him to get his revenge, there was nothing that could change that fact anymore. She knew it would be a matter of time untill someone were sent to hunt their heads. She should show some honour and head to Orgrimmar herself to surrender. But no. She wasn't done yet. She needed answers. After Shargla managed to secure Kogren's escape from the rage filled tauren and recieving quite a beating, the tauren spoke. He told that Kogren used fel to make him fall into a horrible nightmare while she was out getting supplies. Fel... Shargla couldn't believe her ears, the tauren must have been lying to turn her against Kogren. Yet it wasn't a new subject amongst the two orcs. The tauren wasn't known to lie however and was once called General's personal guard aswell. Shargla was uncertain of this all. Could Kogren really lie to her. She had to find out. And if it was proven to be true...

Shargla snarled and opened her eyes. There was one thing to do before she would continue her search for Kogren. She opened her letter satchel, well reinforced after a little incident with the tauren back in Ashenvale, and pulled out a fresh sheet of empty parchment. She carefully opened a small bottle of ink and tipped a quill in it. She took a deep breath and thought for a moment before writing probably the longest and most painfull letter in her whole life. Who knows... It might yet to prove to be her finall will.

== == == ==

The stink in Dire Maul ruins were horrible. Shargla wiped her forehead and looked around at all the incinerated ogre corpses. She grunted and kept carefully walking towards the old and rotten wooden door at the end of the hallway.

''The witch better be here or I swear...'' she muttered and inspected the door. It didn't open. Perhaps the hinges or the lock rusted in time, perhaps jammed closed from the other side. Shargla run her hand slowly over the large keyhole and paused for a moment.

''I knew it...'' she grinned and let out a roar, breaking the door open with a strong gust of wind. Shargla carefully climbed over the old door and soon noticed to be face to face with a large Doomguard. Shargla slowly turned her gaze up and frowned. The reek of fel from the creature almost made her puke.

''Oh great... You...'' she sighed.

''Ah... Professor Thunderfang... It has been.. Quite some time now has it dear colleague?''

The voice was hollow and caused a chill through Shargla's spine. She knew the voice quite well, yet she never got used to it. Doomguard moved to the side, keeping its gaze locked on Shargla. She felt the gaze on her and it made her nervous, yet she walked closer to the figure on the other side of the large room that seemed to be some sort of library. Old well crafter shelves filled with dusty books, who knows how old they were. The figure turned around to Shargla. It was a Forsaken. A female but it was hard to tell from the well rotten figure that seemed to be missing all the possible ladyparts. Shargla thanked the Spirits that the Forsaken at least wore a proper robe to cover all the rotten flesh, yet the smell was surrounding the creature.

''Don't... Call me that. I might have been excited about the title back then but you know damn well that I want nothing to do with that or your kind anymore. Not after... That.'' Shargla winced and took a hold of her left arm as the pain seemed to suddenly linger back into her scars.

One dimly glowing eye inspected Shargla for a moment before the Forsaken let out a dry cough . ''Mmmm... Very well... It has been over a year. I know for sure you and your kind wouldn't seek me willingly... What is it you want?'' A rotten hand with rusty old metal fingers reached slowly out for Shargla. She curled her nose and took a step back. She knew those fingers all too well and didn't want them near her.

''I need you to do me a favour. Send one of your lackeys to Orgrimmar to deliver this for me.'' Shargla took a thick and sealed letter with only letters 'W' and 'G' written on it. She hold it out for the hand reaching out for her, waiting.

''What is this...? A courier?'' a hollow laugh that could probably drive anyone mad if listened for long enough, echoed through the whole room. ''Oh you always surprise me there, darling... Always come out with the most bizzare things. Now.. Tell me why would I bother to help you and be your little love letter deliverer?'' The Forsaken grinned and it made it look even more horrible and creepy than it allready was. Shargla frowned and pulled a piece of parchment and hold it open infront of the Forsaken. It stood silently for a moment. ''..where did you get that...?'' A some form of fear could be heard from the Forsaken's voice.

Shragla grinned. ''I wont tell my sources to someone like you. Now. Will you help me or will I test this out on you?'' The Forsaken frowned slightly and muttered something in Gutterspeak. ''You know very well I can understand you. Will you help me or not?'' The Forsaken hissed for a moment before ripping the sealed letter offered to it. ''You mischievous little...'' Shargla waved the piece of parchment slightly. ''A-a... Be nice.''

''Mrrrrrh... Who you want me to take this for?'' The forsaken slipped the letter into a small satchel on its belt. Shargla leaned closer and whispered, the Forsaken raised its rotten brow slightly. ''Well well... Wouldn't have guessed. You must be in quite a trouble... Very well..'' Shargla smirked and turned to leave. She glared at the Doomguard at the door as she passed it. ''I hope I don't have to see you again, witch...'' She muttered and recieved only a hiss as a return from the Forsaken.

[Shargla]

The morning was crisp. Shargla's breath was steaming in small puffs as she stood there in Agmar's Hammer's yard. She looked around for all the grunts slowly starting to wake up and assemble for morning priefing. She didn't have to join that this morning, she allready had a task given the night before. ''Reports tell there is something disturbing the small taunka camp nearby. The taunka living there asked us for help. Go there and find out the source of this. If possible, eliminate it. Oh. And take your brother with you.''

Shargla grunted. Kalargh was oversleeping again. She walked over to the barracks her brother was in and found him sleeping in the hammock. She smirked and took a hold of the edge of the hammock and tipped it over. Kalargh fell to the ground with a heavy thud and nearly jumped to his feet. He seemed confused and still half sleep. Shargla looked at him and tossed his leather armour at him. ''Dress up, brother. We got a mission and you're late as usual. Be swift. I'll wait outside.'' Kalargh looked still confused for a moment before realizing what she was talking about and quickly put on his armour and grabbed his axe. Kalargh was merely a head taller than Shargla, his shoulders were broad and he had a posture of a true warrior. His long dark red beard was braided, a small crow skull hanging on the leather string the braid was tied up with. His hair was long and braided, adorned with feathers. His eyes were dark amber and his tusks were worn. Kalargh and Shargla were so similiar, one could instantly tell they were of same blood. Kalargh wielded their Great Grandfather's axe. It was old and worn, yet sharp. It looked like an average axe but in the heat of battle it revealed its true nature.

Kalargh lazily walked outside and to Shargla who was allready waiting at the gates with their wolves. Shargla grunted and hold the reins for Kalargh. ''You really need to get more punctual. Even though we are patient, the others might not be.''

Kalargh climbed on his wolf and the two set off. ''Give me a break sister. I had a late night...''

''Yes. I can see that. And smell it as well. You really shouldn't drink, Kalargh. It's not good for you. Grandmother would have beaten you with her cane if she found out you were sleeping late because of a hangover.'' Shargla frowned.

Kalargh rubbed his forehead and winced. ''You're the one to talk... You drink every night.''

''Yes. But I don't get myself a hangover.'' Shargla smirked and tapped the sides of her wolf with her heels to pick up the pace. Kalargh soon followed.

''Where are we even going..?''

''To the taunka camp nearby. Some wandering taunkas set a camp by the mountains and apparently some strange things started to happen. General asked us to investigate and take care of it.''

''What do you think it is?''

''Probably an angry spirit. Northrend is full of those. You better keep your axe charged. And this time.. Don't screw up'' Shargla looked at Kalargh and grinned. He responded with a frown and a low grunt.

It didn't take long untill the two orcs arrived at their destination. It was a small camp on the base of a mountain. Five travellers tents stood around two burnt out campfires. The camp looked cozy but something reeked. There was something eerie about the place, a smell like rotten flesh and bad omen. The orcs climbed down from their wolves and peered around. Shargla took a hold of her runed bone pouch and poured a few pieces into her palm. Kalargh drew his axe.

''Oh! Thank the ancestors, orcs!''

Shargla and Kalargh both nearly jumped to the air and turned around to attack. They stared at the taunka female that was now looking stratled and took a few steps back. ''N-no...! I didn't mean to! Don't kill me!'' The orcs blinked their eyes and lowered their guard. Shargla let out a deep sigh of relief. The taunka was clad in tanned leathers, her hair was adorned with beads and she seemed a tad small compared to the taunka the orcs had met before during their time in Northrend. Her voice was vivid yet shaking.

''Don't startle us like that, taunka... I assume this is your camp. Where are the rest of your kin?''

Fear could be seen from the taunka's eyes. ''They... They... They ran away a few days ago.''

''Then why are you still here?'' Kalargh raised his brow.

''I... My mother.. S'' She seemed a bit hysterical.

Shargla grunted and went to place her hand on the taunka's shoulder. ''What's your name? And what happened here?''

The taunka wiped its eyes and looked at Shargla. She seemed to calm down slowly. ''My... My name is Tahuna...''

The orcs listened carefully, yet vigilant of their surroundings as the young Tahuna told a story how her group of hunters had made a camp where they now stood. First few days were good but on the third day, things started to happen. First they started to hear almost constant windlike howling and a damp mist creeped around their camp. They would hear voices in the mist, whispers, cries of woe that never seemed to end. Tahuna told every night she would have seen the same nightmare where she was torn to pieces and swallowed by the earth's maw. The other taunka later confirmed to see the same dream. It got worse. Their prey, the dead animal carcasses started to speak and seemed to be moving. They moaned and cried for pain, begging to be killed. Tahuna's brother had tried to kill the first one that spoke but the blade nor fire seemed to harm them. In the morning, the moaning corpses were vanished.

On the fifth morrow Tahuna's mother, Hakawa Thunderhorn disappeared. She was nowhere to be found and there were no tracks of anyone entering or leaving the camp. Late evening on the same day, Hakawa returned to the camp but she had been changed. Her eyes were dark and hollow and her skin had turned from healthy brown to grey. She was hysterically speaking of curses and pain. The woe of earth and blood spilled on the fresh white snow. Her mouth was foaming as she would suddenly growl and start attacking the other taunka, rending their flesh with unnatural force. Tahuna told how his father tried to hold Hakawa back but he got swallowed by a dark shadows that would consume his flesh the instant he touched her.

Shargla and Kalargh listened carefully for the taunka's story.

''The... Then the remaining ones ran. Except me... I hid and sent a message to... to.. Agmar's Hammer. I.. I just want my mother back!'' She cried in pain.

Shargla looked at Kalargh and they nod at eachother.

''Don't worry. We'll take care of this. I assume she's still around here somewhere and whatever is posessing her, needs to be rooted out.'' Shargla emptied her pouch of runed bone pieces to the ground while Kalargh prepared the incenses.

''We got this.'' Kalargh nodded to the taunka reassuringly.

Shargla arranged her bone pieces into a large circle and sat in the middle of it. She closed her eyes and breathed in the alluring smoke of the incense Kalargh was holding infront of her. They closed their eyes and began to chant the same tune softly. The bone pieces began to glow eerie blue and the glow would slowly reach out through the camp, attempting to purify away all the mist.

It was not long till their ritual were interrupted by a screech that would lift both the orc's neck hair to their fullest length. They looked around and in the mist a dark figure of a deformed taunka would slowly creep closer. It was as the younger taunka had described, a monstrosity. Kalargh peered at Shargla and took a firm grip of his axe's handle, standing ready for any sudden movements. The taunka stared at Kalargh for a moment before roaring and rushing into an attack. Kalargh answered the roar and rushed towards the abomination. The axe suddenly revealed glowing runes on its surface and burst into flames just a moment before he swung it towards the creature. Krblat! The arm of the creature slammed to the ground, twitching and bleeding black ooze. Kalargh turned around to face the creature again and grinned widely.

''Wherever you came from, there you shall return.'' He leaped into another attack but this time the creature was ready. It's claws grew long and glowing as it slashed to Kalargh's side. He fell to his knee and roared in pain and agony. He looked down and the wound leaked shadows.

''Kalargh!'' Shargla rushed towards her brother, only to be blocked by the creature, grinning at her.

''You... Back to the depths with you!'' She roared and unsheated her axes.

The blades crackled with lightning as she slashed them towards the creature. Block, dodge, a new slash. She tried to get through to her brother but got blocked by furious attacks each time. She gasped as her brother took a breath and collapsed to the ground.

''NO!'' She screamed and turned to the creature, panting heavily. She bared her fangs and took a firmer grip of her axes. Her eyes turned red of anger. her bloodlust growing.

''Thunder and Lightning! The fury of Fire! The rage of Winds! The roaming force of Water! The unstoppable Earth! Hear me! Lend me your aid to rid of this abomination!''

She roared a warcry and her axes would shine bright as she'd charge towards the creature. The wind began to blow and the earth to shake lightly under her steps. The creature rushed at her and they would collide into a cloud of dust, flames and lightning.

Then it went silent. The taunka watched scaredly around her, trying to find something, anything. Her eyes opened wide as the dust would slowly settle and Shargla's figure would appear. The silence was broken by her piercing howl as she tossed her axes to the side, right next to the remains of the creature, partly burned to dust and crackling. She walked slowly towards her brother and fell tiredly to her knees infront of him.

''Kalargh... Please Kalargh... Hear me... Wake up.. Please just wake up..'' She looked at her brother's hardly breathing body pleadingly.

Kalargh coughed violently all of a sudden and would crawl back to his feet. Shargla looked at him with the greatest smile of joy on her face. ''Oh thank the spirits, you're okay.. I was beginning to worry I'd lost you.''

She got to her feet and looked at Kalargh. Her eyes grew wide. There his brother stood, staring at Shargla with fire in his eyes. His face twisted into a crooked smile and half his face covered in black ooze.

''Oh... dear sister...'' Shargla took a step backwards as he spoke.

''Kalargh... What's happening...? You're... You're not yourself.''

Kalargh laughed. ''Oh... I've never felt better... The power I feel coursing through my veins... It's amazing, sister. Finally I can do what I have always wanted to. get rid of you...''

Shargla gasped and motioned Kalargh to stay back. ''No.. You're not yourself. What are you talking about. We've gone through so much together! Grandmother wou-'' Kalargh growled.

''Grandmother! Grandmother this! Grandmother that! You.. Haha... You really like to push it, sister. I'm sick of hearing of her! You were always her favourite! She teached you things I would never even be allowed to hear! I'm sick of it! I'm sick of standing in your shadows! Not anymore! I will be the first! I'll have the glory that rightfully belongs to me!''

Kalargh roared and rushed at Shargla. She turned around to run to her axes but it was too late. She felt the sting of pain and looked down only to see the bloody blade of her brother's axe sticking out from her stomach. She fell to her her knees and then collapsed to the ground.

''W...why....''

Kalargh walked over to pick up Shargla's axes and grinned at her before she turned to the taunka. Tahuna gasped and attempted to run away but was inevitably slaughtered. Kalargh tossed Tahuna's body next to Shargla and walked away, quickly disappearing into the mist.

Shargla stared ahead of her. The pain was paralyzing. She felt cold. Dear spirits it was so cold. She could not move and just lied there on her stomach, axe sticking through her back and stared at the young taunka's lifeless eyes. This was it. Betrayed by her own blood. The one she trusted the most. She lied there and stared at the taunka before her vision and senses slowly faded away and she fell into the darkness.

Finally it was warm.

''It is said... The end is really not the end. Sometimes, the spirits take hold of the reins and lead you into a new direction. Don't be afraid child, there is a path for all of us. As long as you put your faith in the spirits, they will light you the way through darkness.''
- Kalea Spirit Dreamer, Shargla's Grandmother

[Shargla]

Shargla sat down on the sands of Zoram'gar and untied the leather wraps around her feet. She looked at the scars around her ankles and rubbed them lightly before sliding her feet into the water. She took off her wolf mask and set it aside. She rubbed her face and let out a heavy sigh before turning her gaze into the sky. The nightsky was clear and she rest her eyes upon the stars before closing them and taking a deep breath of fresh sea air.

She had a lot on her plate and she was tired. The visions received in the shaman moot haunted her mind. She was more worried over Rhonya. What the Dreadlords wanted with her. What were their motives. How to break that curse that reeked from the mindless she-orc that Grek'thar had mentioned.

''Spirits, protect and guide her... And us.'' A light whisper escaped her lips.

All the visions and what they included flashed back into her mind. She leaned back into the sand and placed her hand over her forehead. The ritual had took its toll on her. Dreadlords, undead, elves, war.... Pitlord. Curse the demons! With the rebellion going on against Hellscream, this was not needed on top of that. Shargla grunted and closed her eyes for a moment. If this all was true, and she did not doubt the spirits, wards would be needed. She'd have to send out word to the shamans to make those for the whole rebellion, just in case. But that could wait for tomorrow.

She looked at her bag and reached her hand inside it. She picked up some filled vials and inspected them against the moonlight. Poisons she received from the gnome. Shargla grunted and sit up. She picked up her tome of alchemy and opened it to the side. She took out a few filled, additional vials with translucent liquids inside them and also set a large bowl to the side. She proceeded to pour some of the liquids into the bowl and then a few drops from one of the poison vials. She needed to find out the formula of the poisons and while she worked, her mind still wandered.

She had no idea the dwarf would be at the meeting and try to attack her. Shargla grunted, she didn't blame the dwarf for his actions, whatever hatered he had on her, she deserved it. She had followed Sadok's orders without a question and yes... She hold no love for the alliance and had enjoyed the torture, she did not deny that. Well.. That matter had to be dealt later. It would remain to be seen if the dwarf would settle for an honourable duel, after all, what she did was not honourable. Shargla chuckled lightly as the image of Rargnasha bashing the little dwarf's head into the pavement in a fatherly manner popped into her mind. She sighed and turned her expression back to serious again. There seemed to be troubles all around them, deceit, manipulation and mind games. Shargla would have to be more sharp than ever.

She put the bowl aside and rubbed her forehead and groaned in frustration as the thought of Goru popped to her head.

She loved her like her own daughter but recently her faith in her had started to falter slightly. Goru was a good orc at heart. Mistreated and full of sadness. She had seen these qualities in herself too at the time. Age would take care of the matter, yes, that should be it. She sighed. The fire that seemed to burn within the she-orc seemed to be completely gone. Shargla managed to have Goru back to the tribe and make herself Goru's supervisor. If there was any troubles with Goru, they'd have to come to her about it. She was on her responsibility.

Shargla grunted. She thought it would be a good idea but the she-orc did not take it well. She had fallen into despair and felt she was not worthy of even being spoken to. Shargla felt frustrated. Sometimes she really wanted to get a good grip of the she-orc and try to beat some sense into her but she knew Goru's past and that would probably make it worse. Compassion, kindness, encouragement. Those were the things she'd have to use for now to try and make Goru feel better about herself again.

Shargla knew in Goru's current state, it would take a long time before she'd orc up. Unless something drastic happened. She thought of the cubs and Troxigar, who seemed to feel helpless. Shargla was exhausted. Taking care of Goru's mental state and trying to take care of the tribe was taking it's toll on her. But it was what had to be done. It was her duty to take care of Goru amongst her other matters. But she was starting to lose her faith.

Shargla sighed and leaned back against the sand. She felt tired. Too tired. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.

[Shargla]

''The spirits are restless, my child. It is a lonely journey you must take. You must be strong and vigilant, do not falter, for you cannot risk to fail. Your future depends on it.''

Shargla's eyes inspected the image of an old orc with snow-white hair that reached to the ground. It was glad in leathers with feather and bone decorations and held a staff with a runed skull of a talbuk on it. Its voice was soothing and familiar and the smile on its lips made her feel warm. She peered around at the vision of Nagrand that opened up before her eyes. She was standing on the peak of the tallest mountain where the wind caressed her dark red hair as if it was fire around her. The she-orc felt warm, she was home. But at the same time she felt great sadness. This was a dream. A vision. And it would end soon.

''Are you listening to me, child? Your mind seems to be elsewhere.''

Shargla turned her gaze to the old orc and inclined her head.

''I apologize, Spirit-Dreamer. This place always fills me with emotions.''

The old orc smiled warmly and placed its shimmering hand on Shargla's shoulder. ''I know, my child. I know your mind as it is my own through blood. But you must heed my words. You are faltering. You are letting your emotions get in the way of your duties. You havent eaten in days, you are letting yourself wither away.''

Shargla sighed and placed her hand over the shimmering one on her shoulder. Her hand went right through as if the old orc's hand was never there.

''I... I apologize, Spirit-Dreamer... There are a lot of things that burden me. My cub...''

''The cub will be fine, my child.'' Shargla turned towards the old orc and it placed its hands on Shargla's cheeks. ''He is our only heir. He will be our only heir, a gift all your ancestors put their effort into. He will be fine. He will be protected. I guarantee you this. I vow you this. We are all watching over him and it is my duty to watch over you. Do you understand, my child?''

Shargla sighed and nodded once. ''Yes, Spirit-Dreamer.''

The old orc smiled. ''I understand you worry over him, you have the fire of a mother in you. As it was in me and in your mother as well. But you need to focus. Even though my blood runs through you, you must not falter. It is a lonely path of a Spirit Walker you'd be forced to set your foot on if you do not focus. I will not allow you to have my faith.''

The she-orc looked up to the old one with a shimmer in her eye. ''Then what is it you'd have me do? The spirits they... call out to me. They always have but over the years they speak louder and louder to me. I do mean no disrespect but the path of a Spirit Walker is not the one I wish to step on.''

''And I would not allow you to take it. None of us wishes it. You have the gift of vision. You can hear and you can see things not many can. You must take a journey to yourself and let your fire burn strong again. Now you are weak. You must recover. Forget your troubles and focus on your goal. Focus on your mate and your tribe. It is your duty. You have your warrior father's fire in you but you are also the caretaker like your mother was before her fall.''

Shargla sighed and nodded lightly. ''Aye... I understand. But how will I deal with the spirits?''

''For now, you are strong enough to resist them. And you will grow stronger in time. You allready have my dagger with you, but there is another relic I wish you to find.''

''A relic..? I thought this was the only one that was left after the..''

''Yes, yes... I know, my child. But there is another. A spirit focus. It was buried long long time ago. Before my spirit even saw the light of this world. It belonged to your greatgreatgreatgrandfather, Mar'gar Ironeye. When the war is over, search for our ancestral shrine. It is buried deep beneath the earth.''

Shargla looked at the old orc with curiosity and nodded.

''Yes, Spirit-Dreamer. I will.''

The old orc smiled. ''I will see you again when you have completed this task, my child. Spirits guide you. We will be watching over you.''

Shargla inclined her head and as the old orc's image faded away with an echoing whisper, she took a last look at the view over Nagrand. She closed her eyes and let the wind blow through her once more before she suddenly fell into a warm feeling, floating in the realms of her visions.

[Shargla]

Shargla stood by the cliff and let her eyes rest on the view of the forest. The silent sound of the soft rain falling to the ground and the wind dancing through the trees brought serenity to her mind. She closed her eyes and let the wind and rain caress her features as she took a deep breath. Her ears perked. Somewhere in the far distance a wolf was howling. Calling. Shargla lift her head towards the sky and opened her mouth to answer. No. She couldn't. She wasn't the same orc anymore.

''Do you know why they call me Howler?'' Shargla had asked Bearclaw earlier that night.

It was not because of her habit to let out a howl of joy as the sensation filled her while mating. No. The name had roots in her childhood. In the wild plains of Nagrand. Shargla and her brother were raised by their Grandmother Kalea Spirit-Dreamer, the Spirit Walker. Kalea had few loyal wolf companions and she would soon to notice that Shargla took great interest in them. In the late nights, Kalea would often find Shargla sleeping in the den with the wolves instead of her own furs. Time after time Shargla ran with the wolves, hunting on the hills and plains of Nagrand as if she was one of them. When the wolves howled, she would howl too. When they hunt, she would hunt too. Shargla had the spirit of the wolf.


Another howl, another call in the distance. Shargla listened, her eyes closed and her heart beating like a wild drum. A wet nose pressed against the palm of her hand. She opened her eyes and smiled warmly at her companion Kra'ang, the aged large wolf mother with burgundy fur. Shargla knelt down and pressed her forehead against the wolf's in greeting. She stood back up and placed her hand on the back of the wolf as it sat down beside her.

''You hear it too, my sister and my spirit... It pierces through me and fills me with fire and longing. As it once was, shall it be once more?''

The wolf let out a snort and looked up at Shargla. Its clear blue eyes inspected her and pierced right through the mask of collectiveness and calm she wore. Shargla smiled at the wolf and nodded once. She took a deep breath and lifted her head up towards the sky, letting out a loud, longing howl. The wolf joined her in her howl and for a while, the two of them sang harmoniously the sad song of the longing heart.

The tamed wolf
And the wild heart
Only a cage shall hold apart

The heart yearns
and the spirit cries
The fire burns
and the spirit sighs

Plains of old which stories are told
Wild and free
So close yet so far
A wild spirit you can only behold

The untamed spirit
And the wild heart
Nothing shall ever hold apart

[Shargla]

The water was calm and still.  The she-orc unstrapped her dress and let it drop to the ground. It made a rattling sound as all the bone trinkets hit the ground. Her form was agile and covered in various stories that manifested in scars. Each scar had their own story, but the most important ones were the scar on her back and abdomen that told the story of betrayal. The scars along her arms, the story of betrayal and shame and the bruises on her ankles, the story of imprisonment.

The she-orc untied her braid and let the fiery red curls fall on her form. She stepped into the cooling water and broke the stillness as a gentle gust of wind wrapped itself around her. So many whispers filled her ears. She frowned.

''Please... Not now. Let me be in silence for just a moment...'' The wind went silent.

Shargla sighed from relief and dived out into the waters. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the rare moment of peace and serenity. The she-orc moved to the shore and picked up a small jar from her bag. She proceeded to rub the mixture of herbs and oils into her tangled hair while she sat down to the shallow waters by the shore. Her mind wandered.

She sighed as she thought of Bearclaw and their conversation. He had a new mate. Shargla was happy for her brother, but part of her spirit got torn to pieces. She was a pack wolf, capable to love more than just one orc. Hellbrew understood that. He had gone the matter through with her earlier in Nagrand. Oh Doomhowl... How she still punished herself for betraying him. It ate her spirit and haunted in her nightmares. She would never leave her mate for another one again. She'd much prefer to take many mates than leave anyone she loved. She thanked the spirits every day for guiding Hellbrew into her life. The father of her first born, a gift from spirits. He was an understanding and caring mate, and her most trusted friend. Shargla could not keep any secrets from him. But Bearclaw, oh Bearclaw... A brother, a friend. Beneath the old orc's crude and savage features lied a young and wild heart of a hunter. It was something that struck Shargla's wild heart and spirit like a lightning. She had become a tamed wolf and it was Bearclaw that had suddenly made the beast within wake up from its slumber. But Hellbrew didn't wish to share her. It broke her but she respected his wish. Bearclaw was a forbidden fruit she just had to make herself forget.

The she-orc took her bone comb and started to untangle her hair. Her mind wandered to the poor spirit of Sadok Sharptongue. She hoped her efforts to solve the matter would be enough. There was a lot of burdens over her shoulders recently. The other Gosh'kars were doing spirits know what, leaving most of the tribe's spiritual matters on her shoulders. It was exhausting and not a single bit rewarding. Bloodmark! That spiritspitting, insolent son of an ogre! There were times it was very hard for Shargla to keep her calm and resist the urge to direct her spiked mace at his smug face. The young Chieftain made demands from spirits and gave them nothing back. His insolent actions towards the spirits made Shargla's blood boil with rage. He spat on her face time and time again. Someday the spirits would forsake him, and she would not be there to help him.

Shargla growled lightly under her breath but let out a sigh. She laid back against the shore and stared at the sky. She was so tired. And she needed to meditate still... It would be a long night.

[Shargla]

The smell of metal and oil seeped to Shargla's nose as she lied wide awake on her furs. Bilgewater Harbour was a wretched place to reside and it made her uneasy and restless. Goblins endlesly harvesting the blood of the earth made her growl in annoyance. Such arrogance, such disrespect.

The she-orc sat up and wrapped the fur around her to cover her form. She glanced to the side at Hellbrew, snoring lightly in his sleep. A soft smile sprouted on Shargla's lips as she gently stroke his beard, careful not to wake him up. Her gaze turned to his eyes that were wide open and shimmering with a dim white glow. She sighed. Poor Hellbrew. She missed his blue eyes that so often met hers, a simple gaze that spoke more than a thousand words. She had to solve this no matter at what cost. The curse was strong but Shargla was sure the answer lied in the orb.

The orb... Shargla reached for her bag and pulled out a bundle of furs. She gently unwrapped it, revealing the shimmering orb, careful not to touch it with her bare hands. Even looking at the orb made her feel uneasy but to touch it.... it was unbearable. The pain the screams, the agony it sprouted directly to your ears. She sighed and slowly stood up, letting the furs slide down and reveal her form to the shimmering moonlight. She walked over to the water's edge and drew a symbol on the sand with her toes. She step on it and let out a whisper as a gentle gust of wind surrounded her and she stepped on the surface and slowly walked on it, further towards the ocean.

The she-orc walked a good while until she arrived in to spot she felt was deep enough. She gently peeled the furs over the orb away and tossed them to the side. She closed her eyes and let out a quiet whimper as the pain hit her while her hands were directly in contact with the orb. It was only a blink of an eye and the she-orc fell into the water and under the surface. She let out a silent cry as the water surrounded her form and the orb glow dimly. Her eyelids flickered only a moment before she fell into a trance, the calming warmth caressed her and her mind dwelled into the orb.

Shargla opened her eyes slowly. The sight was a horror. The elementals dwelled aimlesly around the dread waste of what seemed to be the bottom of an ocean. Some tried to reach for the glowing light in the middle of a large whirlpool but were pulled back to the bottom by shadowy chains. They were trapped. Trapped inside the crystal prison, their essences bound to it. And the screams and wailing was never ending. The voices pierced through Shargla's spirit like a burning arrow and the landscape rippled. She had to focus hard to stay in the vision and it wore her off slowly. She moved around the vision as if searching for something specific. She dwelled around in the plains that seemed to be endless and finally found what she was looking for. A ghostly form of Hellbrew with its eyes glowing brightly blue. His vision!

The she-orc ventured closer to the ghostly form and attempted to touch it. As she got closer, the form flickered and glow brightly. In a blink of an eye Shargla was tossed away from it by force. She groaned for the pain the force had caused and her ears flickered as she heard a deep female voice speak.

''Intruder...! Intruder in my realm...! You dwelled to a wrong place, shaman... You shall not see daylight again...!!''

Shargla gasped as she tried to locate the voice but couldn't. Her eyes widened in horror as she gazed down and noticed shadowy tendrils nearing her. She tried desperately to swim into the glowing whirlpool but just as she reached her hand out for it, the tendrils wrapped around her ankles and the pain paralyzed her. The tendrils transformed into shadowy chains and Shargla let out a scream as her spirit got dragged to the bottom.
''No... No...! NO! HELLBREW!''
She was trapped.


In the mortal world the waves washed her hollow husk into the shores of Bilgewater. She was cold, barely breathing and desperately clinging to the shimmering orb that now contained her spirit as well.


[[Meanwhile in another place: Keg Smash: The Shtoriesh of a Bremashter  ]]

[Shargla]

The she orc opened her eyes lightly and let out a long and heavy sight. She placed her hand over her forehead and rubbed it lightly as she slowly turned on her back and glanced to the side at Revax who was sleeping next to her, arm around her waist. Shargla moved from under Revax's arm, careful not to wake him up and moved to sit on the edge of her furs. She reached for her vials and picked up a small one with glimmering green liquid inside it. With a swift movement of her hand she gulped the contents down in one go and winced lightly.

''Ugh... That hit the spot...''

She stared the scenery outside from the simple shelter she and Revax were sleeping in. A few grunts patrolled outside around the quarry but most orcs were sleeping. Somewhere in the distance a guard was nearly falling asleep by the bonfire. Shargla smirked lightly and shook her head. She glanced at her hand that was shaking lightly, slowly calming down to normal. She felt more relaxed now, the poison started to slowly take effect. It was no point going back to sleep again. The she-orc reached for her wooden bowl and few pouches to create the ritual circle she always used. A filled wooden bowl in the middle of a small runed bone piece circle. What the bowl was filled with, always depended and varied by the purpose of the ritual. This time it was for meditation so she filled the bowl with grey powder, basic ash and added a few burning incense sticks in it.

Shargla sat up straight and placed her hands over her knees. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the incense. There was a familiar scent to it. It reminded of her grandmother who used the same recipe to make the incense, a complex mixture of various herbs and blood. The scent seeped to her nostrils and the feeling of relaxation took her over. She felt like she was floating in the warm nothingness before her vision stirred and a scenery slowly was built around her. It was the same place as always. A small, simple hut in the mountains of Nagrand. She looked towards the scenery that opened before her: the green and vast plains of Nagrand as she remembered from her childhood. In the distance Oshu'gun was standing as a majestical landmark. Shargla untied her braid and let the gentle wind blow through her dark red hair as she took in a deep breath.

''Throm'ka, my child. What brings you here tonight?''

The female voice was soft, warm and motherly and always made Shargla feel at ease. She turned around and inclined her head deep in respect at the slightly transparent image of the female orc. The orc was glad in leathers with feather and bone decorations. Wooden spirit beads were resting around its neck and a long, snow-white hair that reached to the ground framed its features.

''Aka'magosh, Spirit-Dreamer. I needed a place to rest my mind as the war rages and many duties lie as burden on my shoulders. I hope you and the others are faring well.''

The old orc smiled warmly. ''Of course we are, my child. Come. Sit down with me.''

The old orc sat down by the fire and motioned Shargla to sit down. Shargla nod and sat down, she sighed. The hut was her home, a safe heaven in the back of her mind she escaped to when she needed a moment of peace.

''Spirit-Dreamer, it has been quite a while since I last visited you and our home. There are many questions that lie in my mind that I need your help with.''

''I will help you in any way I can, my child. But first, there is someone who wants to join us.''

Shargla peered to the side and blinked her eyes at the sight of the broad shouldered, leather glad image of a male with long and braided dark red hair. The male orc inclined his head and sat down by the fire as well.

''Kalargh...? I haven't seen you in years. Throm'ka brother...'' Shargla's face dropped to a slight frown. It really had been years since her brother had appeared in her visions.

''Throm'ka sister. And aye, it has been a great while. I hope you are doing well...'' The male orc had almost humble expression as he inclined his head lightly.

''What are you doing here...?'' Shargla looked almost paranoid.

''Hrmh... I had hoped you would forgive me for my actions all those years ago...''

Shargla sighed lightly and opened her mouth to answer, only to be interrupted by a deep chill through her spine. The old orc and Kalargh lifted their heads and stared towards the edge of the cliff. Shargla raised her brow and followed their gaze.

''I feel... What is it... Spirit-Dreamer?'' Shargla looked to the old orc who stood up and walked to the edge. Kalargh followed and it took not long for Shargla to follow them as well. They stared down the cliff to the plains and Shargla's eyes widened. From a good distance a shadowy figure stood, completely still.

The old orc grunted. ''Intruder... Someone is attempting to break into your mind, my child.''

Shargla blinked her eyes. ''What.... how? No one has been able to break in here since- '' A sting of pain went through Shargla's spine as the memory of Kogren Icemane flashed in the back of her mind. The screams and the brink of darkness she hanged on for weeks. She thought she had closed the memory away well but apparently she hadn't. Shargla looked down at the shadow and it seemed to have moved a bit closer to the foot of the mountain.

''You need to leave, my child. Now.'' The old orc looked at Shargla and gave her a stern look. Shargla nodded and closed her eyes. She felt the ground disappear from under her feet and fell into the warm darkness, floating in the back of her mind.



Shargla gasped and opened her eyes. She pant lightly and looked around, she was at the quarry once again. Revax was snoring lightly and Shargla turned to look at him, letting out a sigh of relief before she slipped herself back under the furs and under Revax's arm. She rubbed her face. She wouldn't able to sleep anymore, it would be a long and tiring night.

[Shargla]

A gentle wind blew over the old hut on the cliffs of Nagrand. Shargla stood at the edge and held her hands out, letting the wind carry away the grey ash from the palms of her hands. She gazed over the vast plains and at the Oshu'gun gleaming in the distance. She felt warmth in her heart she hadn't felt for a long time now. Home. So many memories, so many nightmares, yet it was where her roots firmly stood.

The she-orc closed her eyes and let the wind caress her leather clad form and dance harmoniously with her fiery red hair. The whispers in the wind carried the messages of wellcome to her ears and she smiled. She felt the warmth of the presence of her own ancestors and the other spirits reaching out for her. Yet something felt off. Shargla fell into the warm feeling as her body entered into the familiar trance and a vision appeared in her eyes. She looked down over the cliff and saw the elements screaming in agony as shadows slowly engulfed them, ate them whole. In the midst she saw a familiar face of a she-orc. Young, her face round, childlike, innocent and the clear blue eyes that pierced through Shargla's very spirit.

Shargla moved her lips and a whisper escaped them.

''The heart and spirit stolen, molded to a new shell. The darkness falls where the rain forever fell, in fire and ash she once more shall dwell. The gleam of night star in the darkest hour, twenty five ticks, the darkness devour. The embers smolder on twenty fifth tick, a breath of life the fire shall pick.''

Shargla flinched and let out a gasp as she suddenly woke up from her trance. Her skin was moist and her breath uneasy as if she had been running through the plains of Nagrand with the wolves again. The words rang in her ears as she felt a calming touch on her shoulder. She let out a breath of relief and placed her hand over that shoulder. There was no hand yet she felt the presence. She inclined her head in respect. ''I understand... Thank you...''

The she-orc glanced over the plains and closed her eyes. As the gust of wind yet again danced with her hair, she whispered to the wind ''Steelheart...''

[Shargla]

The night had fallen over Nagrand and the plains were quiet. Somewhere in the distance a wolf howled and the voices of night rippled over by the gentle wind blowing over the plains. The only voice that invaded the old hut was Revax's usual snoring as he slept in the furs, Raigoz sleeping nearby.

Not too far away from the hut a flaring fire cast its warm glow over the cliff and the figure of a she orc. Her bare skin was painted with red markings and the flames cast their shadows over her bare form. She was not wearing more than a loincloth and bone decorations, her flaming red hair was fuzzy and tangled, not cared for weeks. A low chanting was heard as she danced around the fire in her primal madness.

''Fire, overwhelming, caring, destructing. You who cast your warm glow and raging destruction in many forms. Passion of my spirit. Hear my plea. I beseech you, carry my whispers to the ancestors for I need their guidance. I beseech you as your humble servant.''

The she-orc fell to her knees, sweat glistening over her painted skin and reflecting the fire's glow. She stabbed her ritual dagger into the flesh of the freshly hunted talbuk and cut through the ribcage before she put the dagger aside and pushed her hands into the cut. A heart was pulled out and she hold it towards the nightsky, chanting monotonically as the blood flow down her arms. Shargla tossed the heart into the flames and watched the fire hungrily eat away the offering as her eyes fickled with primal glow despite the dark circles around them, indicating the lack of sleep.

''I beseech you, great fire... I beseech you...''

The she-orc flinched violently and arched her back, letting out a pained groan. Her eyes shifted back and she fall limp on the ground as she drifted into a trance and a vision came before her. Her vision shifted in the darkness from one image to another. Village, hut, hulking male orc with snow white hair glad in simple leathers and shamanistic decorations, a glimmer of a knife, slash, blood, screams and yells, so much noise... Fire...

Shargla gasped and twitched back up to her knees. She stared into the fire her eyes wide open, her breathing heavy. An answer. It all felt so utterly clear now and now.. she knew where to look for the relic. An answer to clear the vision for Steelheart. For a first time in few weeks Shargla let out a laughter of joy and relief. Perhaps now she could rest when the heavy stone of worry rolled off her shoulders. Her laughter faded out into a maddening snicker as she fell to the ground from exhaustion and her consciousness faded into darkness.