Feral by Kromag

[Keeper Of Lore]

Melchisedech bowed deeply before Sammuel. "We have been notified that, apparently, Kromag is somewhat angry with me. I admit, I said some things that were... inflammatory, but I understand that is not unusual within the ranks of the Grim. However, Kromag may have been consumed by some kind of external or internal rage, and he may be hunting me, now. We felt it best to come here where, if he did make a violent entrance, we could best find assistance to restrain and assist him."

[Keeper Of Lore]

*chuckles*

" Perhaps the hunter should become the hunted then. It is best to meet such challenges head on, rather than running. Have you considered such action?"

Blood wells up from a cut on Sammuel's finger as he tests the edge of his blade.

[Keeper Of Lore]

The priest chuckled. "With all due respect, Sammuel, are you out of your mind? I have many problems with Kromag, and I believe he has a number of shortcomings. Skill is not one of them. He is far more skilled than we, and any attempt to face him directly would be tantamount to suicide. No, I feel it best that we seek assistance, at least until such time as we are able to hold our own against him."

[Keeper Of Lore]

Acherontia moved silently away from the two, toward an empty chair at one of the tables. Let Melchisedech handle the strategy - she was not skilled at such matters. Watching the priest's aura in her shadowy sight, she felt a pang that twisted her heart within her chest. This could not be allowed to continue.

Pulling her stone from her bag, she called to Kromag once again.

[Keeper Of Lore]

Sammuel raises his eyes to meet those of Melchisedech. A menacing grin lurking on his face.

"hmm... there are two of you, and more... you are Grim. Surely you underestimate your strengths. Do you feel something for this orc? Pity perhaps? or guilt? I see no other reasons to hide. Death is much preferred to cowardice."

[Keeper Of Lore]

"There is a difference between cowardice and cunning. Surely, Sammuel, you understand tactics... we do outnumber Kromag, yes, but his skills are much more than ours. In terms of battle formations, we face a numerically superior opponent. We are, effectively, outnumbered. We are not fleeing in fear, we are making a tactical withdrawal to a more strategically advantageous location, where reinforcements can be provided. Surely, victory and survival are more important than appearing brave? Especially when, in this case, 'brave' equates to 'foolhardy.'"

[Keeper Of Lore]

Sammuel ponders Melchisedech's words.

"And whom are these reinforcements? I assume you do not intend to pit Grim against Grim... though a thinning of the ranks could prove most fun indeed."

Sammuel pauses, thinking of another time and a faint smile crosses his lips.

"This hunter you have issue with. I have fought alongside him only once, but your words are true.... he is effective at slaughter. Tell me, why does he covet your heads?"

[Keeper Of Lore]

Melchisedech sighed. "I do not want ANY Grim dead, least of all myself. As I said, I did not come here to find allies to kill Kromag. Whatever my problems with him, he IS a Grim, and while my life would be easier if he fell into the Maelstrom, it would weaken the Grim and the Horde, and that is not something I desire. If he is sick, he must be helped, and we cannot help him if he is trying to kill us.

"As for WHY... well, as I said, I have little respect for the hunter's intelligence, and I am afraid I made that abundantly clear to him. Whether this triggered some sort of mind-altering state or merely enraged him beyond self-control, I do not know. Regardless, Acherontia has intimated that he is prone to such fits, and so if he IS out of control, I would have the Grim, his friends and family, here to help restrain and assist him. If not... well, Acherontia is hopefully speaking with the hunter now."

[Keeper Of Lore]

At Melchisedech's words, Acherontia slipped the stone back into her pouch and stood. "He is not answering me. For all we know, he has smashed the stone in his rage and cannot be reached." She sighed in frustration, folding her arms over her chest. "It seems all we can do now is wait...but I do not wish to be as a turtle pulling into its shell." Acherontia turned to Sammuel, but her words were lost as the Forsaken began speaking.

[Keeper Of Lore]

Sammuel laughs.

"So it is merely battle madness. That is not something to be cured, but rather applauded. It heartens me to hear we have added such to our ranks... there are too many that seem to think they can bring about slaughter with words. "

Then adding under his breath.

"... though I've considered ending mine own life during such speeches."

Sammuel looks at the priest again.

" I would suggest you choose your words more wisely the next time you speak to someone who can end your existence."

Turning to the warlock.

" I believe Yichimet has some dealings with such... though I would hate to see this hunters rage diminished. Slaughter is a thing of beauty."

With that, Sammuel slams his swords back in their scabbards and heads out the door.

[Keeper Of Lore]

Acherontia stepped quickly aside to allow Sammuel to pass as he stalked out the door, his newly sharpened blades swinging in their scabbards. As the door swung shut behind him, Acherontia turned to the priest.

"If only it were as simple as battle madness." Sitting heavily into a chair, the warlock began to list their potential resources. "Chaindog has offered her assistance, and Sammuel suggested that Yichimet may be able to help...though I do not know anything of Kromag's spirit." She sighed, at a loss for what to do next. "Until we know what this is, we do not know how to handle it..." Acherontia turned her shadowy gaze on the priest. "...and there is only one who does know for sure."

[Keeper Of Lore]

Melchisedech sighed. "So, we must speak with Kromag. And we do not yet know if he is stable. Very well... let me see what I can do." Melchisedech plucked his own hearthstone from his pouch, gritted his teeth, and spoke.

"Kromag... if you are listening, this is Melchisedech. I think you and I should have a chat."

[Keeper Of Lore]

The afternoon light came swiftly following the previous night's activities. Rays of sunlight bled through blotches of grey, overcast clouds within the Plaguelands and happened upon Grengori's eyes. He groaned and slowly sat up from his semi cozy lay, ham-like fists raising upward to rub the eye crud from the corners of each eye. Once he was fully awake, he crawled out from the makeshift tent and took a brief glance around. Thankfully, no diseased bears or wolves were about. This was likely due to the fact his Kodo was peacefully grazing on the grass surrounding the campsite.

Unfortunately, Graywuld didn't appear to be enjoying his afternoon meal of grass. At least that's what the Tauren thought as he watched the kodo graze, undoing the fixtures of the tent as he did so. A small smile formed on his face, hooves beating upon freshly trodden ground until he reached the mammoth beast, strapping the tent along the backside of his mount. "There, there my friend..You can graze peacefully outside of the Ruins once we arrive at Undercity."

Graywuld gave a loud mraww sound of approval and rose its head upward, glancing back at Grengori. Its hind legs dropped down, allowing for its rider to mount upon the saddle on its back. Before Grengori climbed atop of the beast, he moved toward one of the idly sitting trees and grabbed his claymore broadsword; strapping its leather straps over one shoulder so the hilt of the sword peeked out from just over his shoulder. Finally he was ready to mount, so he did -- one foot placed into stirrup, lifting his bulky self onto the back of the beast. "And now we ride for Lordaeron, Gray .. make haste. Let us ride fast as the wind blows."

He snapped the reins once and the Kodo rose up onto its hind legs, unleashing a deafening roar; one of confidence and tromped through the mountainous landscape of the Plaguelands. The duo passed by multitudes of wandering zombies, some of which tried to attack them, others simply ignored them. Either way, Grengori toughened up and took the hits, keeping on his way toward the Bulwark. They passed the Argent Dawn commissary, not pausing to chat for a while or see what wares they had for him. No, it was a straight arrow's path toward the Undercity. Beyond the entranceway of the Scarlet Monestary and finally entering the dank keep of the dead city.

His right hand reached into his leather satchel and removed his hearthstone, activating it via a button press. He spoke into it, trying to catch Kromag's signal. "If you are awake or there Kromag, I need you to respond..This is Grengori. I had a vision last eve that spoke of you and impending dangers. It's pertinent you answer...I must find you. Meet me in the courtyard of the Undercity."

Once arriving at the courtyard area, he dismounted from Graywuld and gave his rough, leathered neck a good patting. And watched him stomp off slowly to graze on some budding flowers nearby. Now the wait began...

[Keeper Of Lore]

Kromag came awake with a start, pain in his head and his blood burned. He could hear someone calling him, grabbing his stone he tried to form the words in his mind.


"Who, what do you want?" So many voices called to him, he tried to discern them.

[Keeper Of Lore]

Hearing a response from Kromag, Grengori grasped his hearthstone and attuned it to the frequency of his voice again. The sound of his newly-evolved kodo mrawwwing in the background heard; a slight of hand patting roughened hide also heard when he tried to calm the beast down. "It's just me, my friend, no need for alarm...I had a vision two nights prior and I have come to aid you. Just as you have aided me in past days...We are Grim, and Grim help one another when their comrades are in need."

He smiled some to himself, resting his plate-armored shoulder against a towering stone pillar. Still awaiting within the center courtyard just outside the main keep of the Undercity. His deep brown eyes cut across the area, watching as his fellow hordesman and women passed into the city, likely to browse to peddle their wares in the marketplace. Or perhaps to seek the wisdom of their Elders and gain knowledge. Either way, he found himself waiting patiently for the orc to arrive.

"I also want you to see how Graywuld has evolved..He's a magnificent beast now. You'd be proud, I think...He's never moved so fast as he does now, nor as confidently. If you want, come out to the courtyard in Undercity. I am still waiting there.. And, if you'd like, I can try to help you with whatever plagues your mind."

The hearthstone went silent as he awaited reply from Kromag.