The Wounded Pack

#2 - Blind

— There are many who would oppose your new leadership... — Dunris told to Gorgonna, sitting next to her while preparing a water totem. He had performed a few healing spells on her, but to be sure of her recovery she needed to rest; the Water Spirits would hasten her recuperation. He also intended to apply bandages blessed by the spirits on her.

— I don't care — she answered — . Patience is a virtue our kind should exercise more often. My sister didn't... and she paid the price for it...

— Lady Gorgonna — an orc Warrior saluted, entering the hut and allowing the cold Northrend winds to enter — . The Warsong Offensive is ready for your commands. What are our orders?

— None for now... I just want to rest and ease my head — she answered — . In the meantime, I should get to know who helped me all this time — she added, talking to Dunris.

Tell me, Gorgonna of the Warsong, what do you wish to know?

— We have time, why don't you tell me what you think important? — she responded — . You know my story, everyone does. You know where I come from and how I became Commander. But I know little of you.

— Then I'll tell you when it all began — he stated.

* * * * *

I don't remember much about Alterac Valley from when I was a kid. I have blurry memories about the cold winds, the white snow and the howls of the wolves. I do remember my father, Tork. I remember he was huge to me, and he had a loud, booming laughter; but, specifically, I remember the day he died. That same day, I left Alterac, not because I wanted to, but because I was forced to leave. A group of bounty hunters had found our home, and my parents did all they could to push the invaders away. Unfortunately, they did not succeed. My father was murdered and my mother, Otka, and I were captured; luckily, my two brothers weren't home, and escaped the grim fate that awaited us.

I was no more than five years old when it happened, but since then I recall every single day as if it was yesterday. I didn't understand what was going on; when you are a kid, it's hard to understand the meaning of the word "slave", especially if you never heard it before. I didn't know a single word in common, but I learned that one quickly. Our captors liked to repeat it; that one, and many others.

Slave.

Beast.

Monster.

The journey from Alterac to Lordamere Internment Camp was actually short, but to me, it seemed like an eternity. It was the first time I ever felt hunger, the first time I ever felt true cold, the first time I saw my mother cry. They wouldn't let us be together, and the bounty hunters enjoyed beating her. It was hard for me to understand my feelings; I was either afraid or angry. I just couldn't tell. All I knew was that I wanted to be home, and that I hated humans. You see, it was also the first time I was so close of those "soft pink skins", as my older brother used to call them.

Eventually, we left the mountains and I saw, for the first time too, the violet spires of Dalaran. I was amazed by them, although I didn't get the chance to enjoy the view. They had fun with us, all the journey, and when we finally arrived on the Internment Camp, I felt a huge relief. Mostly because I was able to take refuge in my mother's arms once again. But, of course, our life wasn't about to get any better.

If the bounty hunters had been cruel to us, it was nothing compared to what the Camp Guards had in store for us. My mother would always take the hardest part of the beating, but they didn't spare me at all. Unlike the others, we were fresh meat, new prisoners in the internment camp. The rest of the orcs had been there for a couple of years, and were already showing signs of the lethargy that hit our people. But Otka Wolfkin was fierce and untamable, and wasn't willing to give up so easily.