Deception (a World of Warcraft Fanfic)

Dagger in the Dark

I knew this area, had walked it's path before. The veiled stair, a path I had taken not to long ago with Goraff and Anduin. The mist was so think it was nearly tangible, it even blocked out the sun.

Garrosh had sent us off on our own, just me, Vol'jin, and the three orcs that were present for his arrival.

I see what Garrosh meant, when he said his goons on a leash. He would bark orders, and they were on it. If he had asked them to carry him, he'd never have to walk again. Though Garrosh was gone, I still felt an evil presence amongst us.

"Watch your step." I called back to the party. Their leader looked down to his feet and shifted to the left a little, letting out a thankful grunt. I had saved him from a broken ankle. I was a guide to the blind in this mission, only I knew the land, it's terrain, and secrets, or so I thought..

I have no idea what exactly Garrosh hoped to find on this mission, nor did it seem like the best idea. Us five against all these hozen? Something just wasn't right.

"What do you recon these footprints are?" asked one, pointing at deep imprints in the ground.

"These fit no print of any animal I know of native to these parts," I mumble, kneeling to trace the outline of the shape with my finger "A lizard-like being, and it clearly walks upright. I've not seen these saurok up close, but I'll bet this is from them."

The Orc stroked his beard, "A hunter and survivalist, interesting.."

"Where do you think this one went?" asked their leader, noting the tracks disappeared into a patch of tall grasses. They seemed to sway in perfect harmony. The Earthmother twirled them in sync with the rush of the running stream. The blades cut my ankles, a sense of urgency to turn around filled my mind.

Raven felt it, too. She snarled as she paced back and forth alongside the mountain's edge, her claws dug deep into the dry earth.

"Well?"

"Tauren and their nature..."

"Oh, I'm sorry. We must continue straight ahead. I came through here earlier and a native provided transport through the cave to the summit by canoe. Though I doubt he's out in this weather, it's likely his canoe is still there."

"Do ya think he'll mind?" asked Vol'jin, "Us just takin' what his?"

I thought about if for a moment. Morally it was wrong, but we were outnumbered by barbarians, "I mean, I did save their village and all, it's the least they can do."

"I just hope he left his dinner, I'm starving!"

"I hope he left a bat to hit mahself with..." Vol'jin grumbled.

"So, Garrosh never told me exactly what we're doing out here, would you mind filling me in?" I asked before one of the orcs decided to attack Vol'jin.

"None of your business." growled their leader.

"Well, if it's dangerous enough for you to need a hit man and the leader of the Darkspear to escort you, then I think we should know what we're doing exactly." I shot back, placing a hand on my hip, "I'm not continuing on until you tell me where we're going."

A misstep of an unexpected guest sent rocks tumbling off the edge of the cliff. I drew my bow, but the saurok had frightened an antsy Raven, it would be his last mistake. As she tackled him to the ground and sunk her long fangs into his windpipe, he let out a final cry, a cry for help.

Three more saurok seemingly came out of nowhere, and they were not on the prowl. Vol'jin set up a healing totem in case things got out of hand. They were coming at us, and fast, to fast to take them out one by one.