Deception (a World of Warcraft Fanfic)

The Mogu

"The loremasters have told me much of the mogu," Garrosh started, "They were a race of warriors. When they prepared for war, they struck fear in the hearts of all who opposed them. This is this is the knowledge I seek here on Pandaria."

"How to make warriors out of wimps." Added in Malkorok.

"I apologize for reaching a dead end, but upon the loss of Vol'jin we lost the only member who could make sense of the magics in the cave. I escaped with my life to bring you this small bit of information. I have failed you."

It didn't seem to bother him, "We have found another lead, and I'm glad you made it out alive. You get things done, and I need someone who can help speed this project along. I have sent an expedition to study some ruins in the west, but those lazy elves work as slow as a half-witted peon!"

"I have no knowledge of archaeology, what could I possibly do?"

"I simply need a messenger. Tell Fanlyr Silverthorn I want results, immediately. You can... persuade him if he doesn't comply."

"Arrows'll get them working.."

"Yes sir!"

"Where's my lunch!? These Pandaren are just as slow." Garrosh slammed his fist on the arm of his chair, two shrine keepers scurried away to check on his meal, "Tell them I want extra sunfruit!" He called after them.

*

"Work faster!?" Fanlyr spoke his thoughts as he paced back and forth, "We are working as fast as we can, we can't work any faster. We have to take the time to excavate carefully, catalogue each piece, and take saftey precautions. You have to understand we just can't-"

"Easy, I'm far from the messenger Garrosh thinks he sent. I'm sure you're doing your best." I was sympathetic to the blood elf, I had not yet been on the warchief's bad side, not did I look forward to it.

"Sorry, I'm a bit overworked is all. Come, see what we've found. See that statue in the west? We suspect it is an ancient storage vessel. Only problem is, we need a way to open it." We made our way over to the sight.

"Proceed with care" a worker warned.

"I understand why the Warchief sent you, but the work would go much faster if he just left us alone," Fanlyr complained, "Clearly you are no archaeologist."

"Just let me take a look." I insisted, approaching the statue. It was a lionlike figure with eerie eyes. I looked for a sign of instructions in high up places, hoping it was simply that they weren't tall enough to see. Nothing.

"W-what's happening? It's coming alive! Saerah, duck!" The stone paw brushed the tips of my horns.

It wasn't difficult to take the beast down with the aid of those around me. The guardian shriveled back into a solid stone figure. A worker took an axe to it to be sure we wouldn't have another episode.

From the base of where the statue stood I removed a stone tablet and placed it in the proper hands.

"Are you able to read it?" I ask.

"Yes... it speaks of a "divine bell". If I am correct, this... divine bell... is exactly the weapon that the Warchief is looking for. Return to your duties for now, I'll present this information to the Warchief myself."

"You seem rather hasty to get rid of me..."

"Well, we wouldn't want the Warchief deciding you're better fit for this job, would we? Thank you for your help, we can handle the rest."

"And here I thought I'd be able to spend the afternoon in the vale..."

*

It was my personal time back at domination point. Things were relatively quiet, too quiet...

As I had asked, Nazgrim warned the men of the alliance, but very few listened. Those who did thanked me for sparing their lives.

Mail was being distributed by a grumble, some diplomatic looking letters for Nazgrim, a letter from Rivett's girlfriend, a poison shipment from the Undercity for Kiryn, and a bit of everything for me.

First I read Baine's letter. Poor, clueless Baine, he had no idea what had happened these past few days. Luckily, I would soon get the chance to tell him fave to face when he comes to visit. All is well in thunder bluff, and fluffy was entertaining kids at the orphanage the other day.

Next was a letter from Fanlyr, a brief apology and thank you. He had also attached a rubbing of the tablet I had found, which I would read over later. He said he trusted I would keep this letter between the two of us. perhaps I'm not the only one a bit wary of Garrosh's plans.

The third was a note with "read in private" in big, bold letters. I slipped away to my quarters to read the mysterious message.

"Dear Saerah,
Vol'jin is is good hands, but in ill condition. I am a friend of his, a Pandaren from the Azeroth as we knew it before the mists lifted. Please visit us in Binan, it's urgent! I've arranged a ride with Tak-tak, the Hozen is with us.
-Chen Stormstout"

I folded up the letter and tucked it in my bag, the sprinted towards the gryphons.

"Where do you think you're going?" Asked Nazgrim.

"Uh, special mission, checking up on lion's landing, Tak-tak offered me at ride closer so I wouldn't have to walk."

"Very well, bring back the dirt on their next move."

"Will do."

"Eekers jeepers Saerah slow the eep down," said Tak-tak as he saw me sprint up the hill, "I'll get ya to your pals."

"Thank you." I said, boarding the kite, "Anything to report?"

"I hear Garrosh found something in the Vale 'o eternal blossoms."

"Yes."

"Well, He and the pretty elves don't know what the jeep they're messing with. Anything mogu us dangerous."

"Really?"

"Yeah, somethin' about a divine bell I heard. That's the most jeepin dangerous of them all."

"Keep your ears open, you're a big help!"

"Tak-tak always be listenin'."

I heard a moan cone from the inn where Nazgrim and the others were taken when they were found. It was Vol'jin, no doubt.

The Pandaren tending to him greeted me, "Ah you must be Saerah. Quick, come in!"

"Saerah..."

"Vol'jin!" I rushed to see my friend. He tried to sit up, but collapsed to the floor, "Oh my..."

"Vol'jin would be dead if he were any race other than a troll. Their regeneration is remarkable, but the poison blocks it." Chen informed me, "There's a cure I know of, but I'm unable to obtain the needles needed to purge it from his body."

"I suppose that's why I was called."

"Yes, precisely. My herbs are the only thing keeping him alive, I can't leave his side. If you can gather a handful of needles from the needle sprites in the mountains east of us, there may still be hope. Hope for Vol'jin's life, and hope for the Horde."

"I will return, keep him with us."

"I'll do my best... we're losing him."