The air is dry as the young orc opened his eyes. The acrid scent of smoke filled the air. Once again a wave of the elemental attackers had been repelled by the defenders of Orgrimmar. A slight twist of his thick green-skinned neck caused a loud crack to fill the quiet air of the small bunk hut. The orc took a look around the crowded hut, the room was filled with a mismatched assortment of heroes of the horde. Some were stirring, others were doing their best to ignore the sounds that had begun to filter in from the city. Exhustion, the orc noted, seemed to be taking its toll. The immuteable spirit of the horde, was still there, but the near constant stream of elemental invaders over the past week had not been without consequences. The orc turned sat up in his cot, and reached for his armor, his tired and sore muscles voicing their protest through pain.
As he buckled on the various pieces of his plate armor a voice behind him called to him, a voice he recognized in an instant.
"What's it gonna be today old friend?" the the came the voice, smooth as liquid silk, came from the doorway.
Zuljynn chuckled softly, of course his friend was already awake. Sleep didn't appear to be a commodity that Himni, the paladin with whom Zuljynn had grown up, believed held much worth. The long haired blood elf never seemed to sleep for more than 2 hours at a stretch, but when it came to companions, Zuljynn knew he couldn't have made a better choice. He didn't answer his friend, at least not at first, choosing to focus on the straps of his heavy and imposing armor. After securing his shoulder plated, he turned to his friend and spoke in a gruff voice, "How do you mean elf,"
Nearly any other member of Himni's race would have taken offense, but after the long years of close friendship Himni accepted his friend's goodnatured abuse stoically.
"The representatives of the Earthen Ring feel that the invasion isn't over, and if you'd prefer, we could stay for a few days, aid in the rebuilding, and in any defense that is required."
Zuljynn considered it, rolling his muscled shoulders, the heavy saronite plates creaking loudly, causing some curses to be directed his way from a few of the still sleeping tenants of the hut.
"You had desires to return to Quel'danas soon didn't you??"
"Truth, some of the scholars on the isle contacted me a few days back, they have some information for me, and I'd like to learn about it. Zul-" he said softly, "this is far more urgent, this city is your home."
Zuljynn shook his head, reaching down to belt on his sword belt.
"You know better than that elf," he responded, "Orgrimmar is the home of my people, but you know it was never home."
Himni nodded in assent, he felt perhaps his friend had gotten past that in the past year or more they'd spent fighting the minions of the Lich King, side by side with other members of the horde. Zuljynn had been born into bondage, his mother a slave of the Burning Blade. The cultists had named him Zuljynn, as a mockery. The boy was not a troll, and the highly trollish name caused his fellow orcs to revile him, and the reference to the vilified troll caused members of the Darkspears to also look down on the young warrior. Despite having broken free from the bonds of the Burning Blade, and having proved his worth on the battlefield a hundred times or more, some members of the Horde still wouldn't let sleeping dogs lie. Zuljynn, it would seem, let grudges go very slowly.
Himni shook his head, chuckling softly. Last night following a successful defense against the elemental hordes a group of the combatants had gathered around a small tankard of brew. It was during this gathering that an elderly priest had raised a toast to Zuljynn, citing his great bravery in battle. It was then that the overly drunken rogue had decided to open his mouth. The troll had made some comment, and the group had gotten laughing. The rogue, encouraged by the mirth of his companions, pressed his luck, continuing to prod the young warrior about the origin of his name. At first, Himni had to admit, that Zuljynn had simply taken the insults in stride, however there is only so much the hot-blooded young orc could endure, and --
"Are you ready," the gruff voice of Zuljynn yanked Himni from his thoughts, "It's a long way to Quel'danas, even with all of these mages zipping people all over the face of Azeroth. We had better get moving."
Himni nodded, and as the pair moved to leave the hut they heard a somewhat familiar groan from behind them. Zuljynn stepped out the door, but the paladin paused to glance over his shoulder, shaking his head as he queried his orcan friend.
"Did you have to break his jaw?"
"His mouth is what got him into trouble in the first place elf," Zuljynn replied with a perfectly straight face. The powerful orc stepped out into the sunlight and pullied his one horned helmet onto his head, and as he moved down the debris choked lane of the Drag he spoke one last time, his voice completely deadpan, "So, now he'll have a while to learn the wisdom of self censorship."
Himni, in spite of himself, let out a silvery peal of laughter as he hurried to catch up with his friend.
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