archmagetrust | Frostfire Ridge: Safe Passage

Cordana's spy network has finally found a trace of Gul'dan's Shadow Council near Throm'var in the northern reaches of Frostfire Ridge. Cordana is watching the area while Khadgar heads to Frostwall to meet with the Horde commanders there. But when he arrives, nearly taking an arrow for his troubles, he's informed they're at a celebration to the west with the Frostwolf clan. He takes wing again, not eager to push his welcome, and heads to Wor'gol. It is dusk as he arrives and the party is well underway. Cautious after his earlier close call, he lands on a post near Kaz and caws.

The troll narrows his eyes at him and reaches over to Gorla, shoving her shoulder and nearly spilling her ale and sending her grey ponytail swinging.

"Hey! What- oh, is that you, Khadgar?" She grins, skin wrinkling around her tusks, clearly in a good mood. "Come, I'll introduce you. Frostwolves!" Those nearest turn to her as she sways and he can see the other commanders and Go'el and his family among them. "This is Khadgar, an ally of ours! Make him welcome!"

There are a few confused and concerned looks among the Frostwolves that don't recognize his raven form and more than a few gasps once he sheds it. He bows deeply immediately, trusting Gorla to stay any twitchy axes. "Throm-Ka, warriors of the great Frostwolf clan." He smiles warmly as he stands. "It is good to see you again, Chieftain."

Durotan studies him with his cool blue eyes under the wolf cowl and nods, somber. "Welcome, Archmage, to our home. You have come at a good time. Today we repelled the Iron Horde from our lands. Tonight we feast and honor our dead. You are welcome to join us."

Khadgar glances at Gorla as she finishes chugging her beer, suppressing a feeling of dismay. "I thank you for your offer, Chieftain. I would be glad to join your celebration." It's not like he'll get far with any plans tonight but at least they can start first thing in the morning.

Gorla throws her arm over his shoulder and he nearly stumbles under the weight. "That's the spirit, mage! Come and have a drink or ten! Let me stir your heart with tales of the battles we fought today!" Before he can protest powerful arms drag him to a bonfire and a mug of something potent is shoved into his hands. To his surprise it tastes of cherries and doesn't make him cough nearly as much as he expected.

Gorla regales him with the story of that day's battles while Kaz slaps his back for him. Durotan planned their strike against the Thunderlord clan for daybreak when the clan's beasts would be least alert. Nearly every Frostwolf volunteered for the assault, eager to seek vengeance for Iron Wolf's ambush that killed Durotan's father and sold his brother, Ga'nar, into slavery. Khadgar had met Ga'nar when they freed the orc in Tanaan and knew him to be a fierce, if brash, warrior. The Horde forces also joined the attack, partly at Go'el's request that they aid his father and partly because the Thunderlord allied with the Iron Horde. After a fierce fight Durotan, his mate Draka, Ga'nar, Go'el, and the commanders confronted the dying Iron Wolf only to discover he was Durotan's eldest brother, Fenris. He betrayed and killed their father, selling every Frostwolf he could catch as slaves. He laughed as he died, saying the Iron Horde was nearly there.

Shaken but with no time for rest, Durotan ordered them to Thunder Pass. It was a narrow path through the mountains, the only land route connecting Frostfire Ridge to Gorgrond. If they could hold it for long enough, the shaman Drek'thar could convince the elementals to bring the cliffs down, blocking the pass. If the Iron Horde broke through, their superior numbers and technology would wipe the Frostwolves out. The battle was vicious and for every Iron Horde grunt they killed, two more seemed to take their place. The commanders focused on taking out the larger threats. Gorla personally hacked a cannon apart by herself while Kaz kept anyone from reaching Drek'thar and interrupting his focus. For a time it seemed they would succeed.

Then the gronn arrived.

It was young, barely a thirty foot tall hunched cyclops, but still savage and dangerous. The Thunderlord had been trying to tame them and with the arrival of this one the Frostwolves learned they had succeeded. Durotan ordered all to focus on the beast and Ga'nar landed a blow in its single eye almost immediately, blinding it. Gorla kept the beast's attention, smashing its kneecap whenever Kaz or Norman hit it in a tender spot. Zi harried its backside while Kanu kept their health up. Working with the Frostwolves they finally brought the beast down.

A horn sounded Over the ridge to Gorgrond were a dozen more, supported by more cannon and what seemed like a thousand troops.

Durotan sounded the retreat. Drek'thar only needed a little more time and he and his brother would give that to him. But Ga'nar shook his head and told Durotan to keep their people safe before charging into the pass alone. He fought like a whirlwind, holding the line and cutting down any that tried to pass him. Just as he began to be overwhelmed, Drek'thar finally had enough power to bring the pass down right on the Iron Horde's heads and Ga'nar's cry of 'Lok-tar!'

"Lok-tar!" The orcs around them match the victory cry with a cheer of their own, raising mugs to Ga'nar's sacrifice.

"He fought well," Gorla says, filling her mug again.

"Prone to rage, though." Zi frowns. "He challenged Durotan to mak'gora yesterday over who would be chieftain."

Khadgar looks up from his mug, surprised. "Durotan won, I assume?"

Zi shakes her head. "He stood there and told Ga'nar to strike him down if he really thought that's what was best for the Frostwolves."

"Ga'nar changed his mind." Gorla is frowning, too, the wrinkles on her face settling deeper. The mak'gora is a sacred challenge, not to be issued lightly. "He was young, untempered. But he fought well today. His spirit will be honored."

Khadgar glances over at the larger bonfire where Durotan sits with his family and his clan. They won today, but Durotan lost both brothers in the fighting. Go'el, strange among them for his green skin, listens raptly to the Frostwolves' tales. "Has he told them yet?"

Norman surprises him by snorting and he looks back at the Forsaken. "Hardly. He acts like a Light-struck child around him."

Kanu flicks his ears. "Do you not think that appropriate, given their relationship?"

Norman shrugs his bone shoulders and keeps his voice low. "They haven't one. This Durotan has no son. He is not Go'el's father."

"That may be true," Zi says softly, "but it is as close as he will ever come." They all watch as Durotan laughs at something Go'el has said, slapping the older orc on the back.

"So, why you be here, Khadgar? You didn' come all dis way jus' to celebrate a victory you knew no'ting about." The troll is raising a curious eyebrow at him.

Khadgar dips his head in acknowledgment. "True, my friend, though you seem to have handled it well enough." His smile dims. "I have news of the Shadow Council operating near Throm'var."

Gorla spits. "Warlock filth. Not you, Norman." The Forsaken tilts his head down in acknowledgement. "What are they up to?"

"We are not certain. I was hoping one of you would accompany me in the morning to investigate and give Cordana and myself safe passage."

"I'll go. Gladly." Gorla grins, fierce in the light of the fire. "Owe those bastards plenty."

Khadgar bows gratefully. "I will be most pleased to have you. We should also let Durotan know. Frostfire is his territory now, yes?"

Gorla nods. "With the Thundermaw and the Iron Horde both driven out, yes. He'll want the Council dealt with."

"In the morning, then. For tonight, would the Frostwolves appreciate fireworks?"

"I would!" Zi bounces, nearly spilling her ale.

Gorla laughs at her. "They probably haven't seen them before. I'll ask Durotan."

"Wonderful. I'll make sure to put on quite a show."

It's a good way to make friends, after all.