A Royal Pain in the... by Warneshi

[Keeper Of Lore]

A Royal Pain in the ....

Warneshi - February 22, 2006

Warneshi was hard at work, signing this, drafting that; ever
since the Sandfury had set up their own emissary in Orgimmar
Warneshi had not gotten one second of piece.

Many of the things where of trivial nature to Warneshi, requests
from other tribes for meetings, high ranking officials in
organizations who wished to discuss trade agrements and such.
Warneshi snarled, he did not even have his city back and already
people whre trying to leech of its wealth.

Warneshi was just finishing drafting a bounty for some dwarf that
had made off from Zul'Farrak with a certain axe, when a messanger
came barging in; "Your highness" "Yess?" "It seems one of your
Grim allys has sent an urgent message" "The give it to Warneshi
now! Do not stand around as some lame elf!".

The messanger handed Warneshi the letter, Warneshi sighed; it was
a big one. Warneshi unfurled the letter, and reconized right away
the handwriting: Lilliana Bloodshine. The troll had never asked
Warneshi for help, but Warneshi was well aware of her
preperations to meet her mother, and Warneshi looked so very
forward to meeting such an elder Sandfury, Lilliana's mother or
not.

Warneshi dove into his reading, page by page of what seemed to
Warneshi as useless babble, journying here, speaking to this
merchant about this dress and that poison.

Warneshi breathed a sigh of relief, the last page, finally to
figure out what was wrong with the little Sandfury and what
rabble she had roused now.

Warneshi curled the paper into a ball, he was seething, the paper
itself started to ignite. The last lines of the note had made him
wish she was right there right now, trying to get to him with her
cute little "Lilly never causes trouble" face, so he could grab
her by the neck and. Warneshi let out a deep breath and let go of
his rage, he had to remember, not all things are meant to be
serious, many of his ally's joked with each other, Warneshi
smirked he would joke back.

The note fell to the floor and slowly un-curled, the words "Haha!
Lilliana made Warneshi read this whole letter when he was trying
to get his big important royal documents done. Lilly told
Warneshi he needed to take a break sometimes, so here it was!
Ha!."

Warneshi smirked as he wrote up a bounty sheet, marked alive, for
Lilliana. Warneshi could play pratical jokes to, and such a royal
pain probably deserved to be off the streets anyway.

[Lilliana]

Lilly had planned to seek out her mother later this week and
bring Warneshi with her, her curiosity peeked as Warneshi
continued to assure the young troll of her Sandfury roots. Her
mother refused to tell her, and Lilly remained skeptical....and
for now....Lilly was to be found in Grom'Gol, where she had
lingered the past couple days. She had sent her annoying letter
to Warneshi two days ago, and had almost forgotten that he would
receive it. As a young child, she often never considered the
consequences of some of her actions. When Warneshi's return
"joke" came to find her, she was out by the water with another
troll, Zuruzuru, a rogue not much older than herself - but who
had experienced much more of the world - was sitting beside her
on the sands before the sea, and the two were deep in
conversation.

Lilly left the rogue to purchase some snacks for the pair and
strolled idely to the merchant in the base camp that would
provide her with such. She never made it there, for the horde
that had been sent on Warneshi's bounty request apprehended her
with clever silence. Lilly managed to curse one, the youngest of
the bounty bunch, and he ended up stuck in Grom'gol, writhing in
pain. Lilly's dark shadow curse made short work of him, and he
became just another horde that fell just feet from the safety of
Grom'gol. The others, caring not for their fallen "comrade"
proceeded with bringing Lilly back to Orggrimar and to the king
of Zull'Furrak.

Lilly harrassed the horde that led her back to Orgrimmar,
threatening to land a curse if they gave her a chance. They all
began to wish they had not accepted this task, or at least, that
it had been a task that did not require to return the young
priest alive to their benefactor.

When Lilly was shoved into the room that Warneshi occupied, the
remaining bounty hunters each suffering from curses cast by the
relenentless shadow priest, she found the proud king smothered in
papers, his ears ringing with requests from advisors of
neighboring troll tribes. Lilly found her blood boiling. Young
Lilliana was not a troll to become angry often, but the look of
pure indignance upon her face was priceless.

"Warneshi! You wretched little bugger!" Lilly hollared, her voice
echoed throughout the entire building. "If you wanted to see
me....Oh that's it...those rogue guys are going down....then you
are...!" She threatened and turned to storm out the door, a spell
on her lips ready to wreck havoc.

[Warneshi]

Warneshi was stoic and calm, on the outside, inside he was
bustling with excitment and overjoyed that his "prank" had gone
so well. Only one hunter lost, acceptable by the standards that
he knew Lilliana's shadow magics could be rather nasty.

She was as angry as he figured she would be, and it seemed if
Warneshi did nothing, she was going to befall the Sandfury, and
that was not acceptable.

"Pleasse Miss Lilly, sit, Warneshi hass time for a meeting,
esspecially with a fellow Grim. Now pleasse, what iss it that
bringss you to Warneshi?"

Ohh yes, revenge was sweet indeed, Warneshi let a smile spread
across his face.

[Lilliana]

Warneshi's invitation for Lilly to sit with him stopped her
determined stride that would have taken her out the door. With a
raise of her hand, she drew an imprint of her shadow magics, like
a serpeant, the dark tendrils followed her talon through the air.
"Fine." She whirled on him, pulled out a chair, dragging it
harshly across the wood floor, and sat down in the most glorious
display of immaturity.

"what iss it that bringss you to Warneshi?" Lilly immitates her
fellow Sandfury. She doesn't show him much respect, does she?
"Your damned lackeys brought me here. That's what brings me here!
I was busy!"

Lilly worked at calming herself down. What a scene she was making
in front of Warneshi, and as she watched his expression, one of
carefully crafted calm and stoicism, she knew that beneath he was
quite amused, and that got to her like nothing else could. With a
calm voice but with her dark, sapphire eyes narrowed at him, she
said....

"Are you that impatient to visit my shaman mother....? Oh
waaaaaaaaait." Lilly's eyes dropped to a crumbled and burnt note
that was still on the floor. She noted a peice of her
handwriting. She looked at Warneshi and all she little troll said
was...."Whoops".

[Warneshi]

Warneshi knew he had won this bout, for once, he let a sigh
escape his mouth when she noticed the note on the ground. At
sometimes he wondered why he bothered, she was so very immature
at times, but that power, Warneshi drank in the aura of might
that fell off her, she was indeed a power to be reckoned with, if
she was older Warneshi may of feared her a bit when she lost her
temper, but more out of amusment then terror.

His revenge was complete, and his work could continue again, as
much as he hated to admit it; Warneshi had enjoyed the
distraction.

"It seemss you are aware little one why you are brought before
Warneshi thiss day. It seemss that in timess of work, you choosse
play. Warneshi forgivess on occasion and so one simple apology
and thiss will all be forgotten."

Warneshi drank in the aura, with the thought of apology Warneshi
had hit a sensative nerve, he let his smile wind its way across
his lips, ohh for sweet revenge.

[Lilliana]

The priestess folded her arms and snorts much like Warneshi does.
"An apology?" She chuckled. "Sure. I am sorry that your bounty
hunters were not more skilled....for I killed the little one and
maimed the rest."

Lilly leaned forward in her chair, Warneshi did not seem very
impressed with her answer, for his eyes cut at her in annoyance.
Lilly brushed it off, she supposed it was fair. She was hauled
here against her will, but she did kill one of the bounty
hunters. Trade off.

Lilly and Warneshi spent some time trading remarks. As they
spoke, the priest was careful to avoid commentary on why she was
in Grom'gol for the past few days.

"So, other than that letter I wrote ya, I suppose the real reason
I'm here is that your ancy to meet my mother, eh?" Lilly quickly
spoke over Warneshi before he had a chance to retort. And if he
wanted to have a retort, he was going to have to yell.

"My mother said she's here, in Ashenvale, for the remainder of
the week, with Tranquility."

Lilly answered Warneshi before he even asked.

"The gnome she travels with." Lilly saw the wicked grin that
crossed the Kings face. "No, Warneshi, no killing him. I'm rather
found of the gnome. You'd like him too. Don't give me that look,
he's one alliance that even the Grim will accept....you'll see."

Lilly got up, smoothed out her robes that had been rather
crumbled from her adventures with said bounty hunters, and then
said, her tone sounding like a teacher instructing a hard working
student to take a break whether they liked it or not... "Take a
break Warneshi...since I'm here, let's go to Ashenvale."

[Warneshi]

Warneshi tried his best to not look like he cared at all, this
being the entire opposite of what was going through his head. He
was going to meet a Sandfury that had been free of Zul'Farrak far
before the curse emposed by his mother, a gold mine of knowledge
that would be written no where else.

The fact it was Lilliana's mother made no differance on the haste
at which he had taken with this endevor, this is what had been
trying to resure himself of anyway.

A journey to Ashenvale would be easy, Warneshi sent of his
messanger quickly to the wyvern rookery. Warneshi prepared his
clothings, nothing to elegant, or simple; blast! Where was
Elajinn the one time Warneshi needed him.

Warneshi finally just threw on his every day traveling gear,
strapped up his armor and grabbed his trusy axe and sword.
Lilliana waited outside with their two raptors, Warneshi's raptor
growling and snaping at Lilliana's, Warneshi smiled, it seems
their fued even extended to their mounts.

Warneshi mounted Ses'Thur, patted the wild beasts neck, and
looked to Lillana who was doing the same to her mount.

"Let uss hope thiss goess well little on....errr...Lilliana,
Warneshi iss eager to learn what your mother hass to say, but
even still thiss usse of Warneshi'ss time had besst not be
wassted."

Warneshi tried his best seem as stern and emotionless as he
usually prefered to be, but Warneshi could not shake this nervous
feeling he had growing in his gut; no matter what happened on
this visit, Warneshi did not think he would come out of it as the
same troll...

[Keeper Of Lore]

[Lilliana]

The blazing fires that lit the halls of Orgrimmar faded behind
the troll king and the young priestess as they trotted their
raptors out of the great horde city. Since the evening that Lilly
had met Warneshi when he was still new to the ranks of the Grim,
he had assured her that her roots ran deep in the SandFury tribe.
The young priest remained skeptical, for although she and
Warneshi shared the same red, fiery hair and different accent
than those of the more common, Darkspear tribe, she had grown up
under the assumption that she hailed from no tribe and was uneasy
thinking that she would be considered from any such group.

During her first visit into the broken halls of Zul’Furrak
earlier in the week, she had carefully watched the maddened
trolls that her allies raised swords against. She compared their
movements and battle tactics to those of her own. Warneshi was
there as her group battled, and the older troll had seemed torn
as he busied himself ripping his people apart for the sake of
conquest of the horde. It was at the end of their battle, when
the other Grims had left and Lilly followed the solemn king to
the alter of his destroyed father, that Warneshi again assured
the young priest that she was SandFury, and he mentioned Lilly’s
mother.

The king had taken a chance, mentioning Lilly’s mother, for he
could not be sure that the troll he spoke of was in reality
Lilly’s blood. He had heard stories here and there, and thought
that some of the pieces fit when he pondered both Lilly’s
physical characteristics to the long ago lost advisor of his
people. The troll he spoke of had the deep fiery hair that
threatened to burn those that touched the silken tendrils and the
gentle features that could quiet entire tribes into submission.
Lilly had the red hair and gentle looks, although she would more
likely annoy a tribe into submission rather than gain it by a
deliberate look, that is if she wasn’t killed first.

Lilly had agreed to introduce Warneshi to her mother, an old
shaman that had raised her along with a little gnome mage named
Tranquility on the basis that her curiosity had been peeked. Her
mother had never spoken about her past to Lilliana, and she had
never cared to ask. If Warneshi knew something that Lilly did not
it was worth finding out.

As the two Grims rode along the path that would take them into
the elven forest of Ashenvale, Lilly filled Warneshi in on some
of her childhood. She told him about the gnome mage that traveled
with her mother, and who had helped raise her along with the
strange shaman. When Lilly had suggested that Warneshi would like
this little gnome, she wasn’t completely off the mark for
Tranquility would lure his fellow alliance to her mother,
tricking them into security before the troll would strike. Her
mother enjoyed games like that. The gnome and the shaman had
traveled together every since Lilly could remember.

Lilly’s anger at Warneshi for his wretched trick had all but
dissipated when they found her mother. Warneshi could see the old
shaman sitting on the edge of a night elven moon well, its waters
glowing faintly in the darkening air. She was accompanied by a
tiny little gnome that was waving his hands excitedly in the air
as the pair were apparently lost in discussion over something
neither Lilly nor Warneshi could hear. Lilly dismounted and tied
her raptor to a tree, ensuring that it was not close to
Warneshi’s mount, for both of them were snapping and hissing at
the other. Lilly asked that Warneshi wait here for her, while she
went to greet her mother and the gnome, for although her mother
may be friendly to a troll such as Warneshi, Lilly, remembering
that Tranquility had once nearly fried Boggart to a crisp with a
fireball, feared that the gnome would not be so friendly until
she had a chance to speak with them.

Warneshi watched as Lilliana ran down the green slope to meet her
mother and guardian gnome. What happened then between the trio
would give Warneshi some disgusting insight as to Lilliana’s
demeanor. It was clear that the young priest was a savage
fighter, her abilities continued to grow each day and her
rational and approach to the dark arts were clever and artful –
not to mention she clearly enjoyed the pain and suffering of her
enemies. She would not be a Grim if that were not the case. Yet
she had such a carefree (if albeit arrogant) attitude that far
surpassed even the most content of horde, as if she had never
experienced loss or betrayal. Perhaps these traits made her more
dangerous and useful. Perhaps they made her weak. Only time would
tell.

When Lilliana reached her mother, the two embraced. The old
shaman was taller than Lilliana. The gnome had come close to join
the two and Lilly reached out to mess up his tuft of hair. The
gnome squeaked and went on to talk in the troll tongue, whatever
he said made Lilly laugh. The trio looked, in all senses, as a
family, quite the rarity in this war torn land, much less within
the horde, even more less within circles such as the Grim, where
security was to be sought through power and annihilation of those
less worthy. Warneshi could garnish pieces of the conversation,
but not enough to get a hold of what they were talking about. He
was able to hear Lilly ask her mother if she could introduce her
to one of the Grim, and he noted the narrowing of her mother’s
eyes accompanied with a humored smile when she nodded to her
daughter. The shaman gave a pointed look to the gnome telling him
to behave, as he was just as protective of Lilliana as the shaman
was. Lilliana waved to Warneshi, signaling for him to come and
join them.

As Warneshi descended the hill and approach the group, he noted
that Lilliana’s mother was nothing less than a mirror image of
her priestly daughter, the same beauty lingered upon her, save
she was older. Much older. The years that this shaman had behind
her were many, but still the strength and power that ran through
her veins was great. Within her eyes was a wisdom that could only
come with so many years that she held under her belt. As Warneshi
came closer into view, the old shaman’s eyes first widened in
disbelief, and then narrowed to dangerous slits as if she were a
cat that had just stepped out into too much sun. She did not look
pleased.

Lilliana spoke, “Mother let me introduce you to…..” But the young
priest was cut off by the raspy, harsh voice of her mother.

“Heir of the SandFury!” The old shaman hissed through her teeth,
taking a bold step towards Warneshi, looking as if she may try to
tear through him at any moment. Her daughter lingered behind her,
apparently in shock at the sudden change in her mother’s
demeanor.

There was a moment of deadening silence as the shaman locked eyes
with Warneshi, her sapphire orbs speaking clearly of hatred that
ran deep from long years of a memory. There were thoughts racing
through her mind and she clearly struggled with her next move.
Her lip curled into a hideous snarl, contorting her features into
the things nightmares are made of. But through the silence the
shaman then bowed, dropping her head low until she slid to a
gracious kneel before the proclaimed tyrant of Zul’Furrak.

“To what do I owe this honor, Son of Ukorz, Son of Slys'Thok?”
The shaman’s throaty voice nearly spit out her words, but her
show of respect in kneeling before Warneshi was clear. She knew
him for who and what he was.

[Warneshi]

Warneshi was stunned, first from the fact that Lilliana had
recovered from his trick so fast and second, second that this
women was indeed the spitting image of her daughter. Warneshi had
wanted to believe Lilliana, but he knew sometimes she got excited
and things could get blury; this time there was no blur, this
women was Sandfury, and a powerful one at that.

Lilliana had warned Warneshi about the gnome, so he payed it no
mind, besides Warneshi knew if the gnome was trouble, dispatching
it would be of no problem. But what Warneshi did not expect was
the power in the mother, she reeked of it, it fell off her in
waves and Warneshi was, at first, startled that his father would
allow such a powerful servent to escape. Warneshi knew his father
was weak and submissive to those with more power, but his father
was not a dullard, and it would of taken that to let this troll
out of his reach.

One thing was for sure, she knew Warneshi; he could feel it, she
was reading his soul, as he had done to so many before, she was
doing so now. Warneshi knew what she was finding, and that he
would not need to open his mouth to gain his desired effect, she
found nothing, just an empty space; and she knew at that moment,
Warneshi was king.

The womens intial hostility was to be expected, she had left
Zul'Farrak on very nasty terms, if Warneshi could remember his
history. Warneshi kept his eyes on her, and his perifial on the
gnome, the troll was powerful, but the gnome would be felled
quicker.

It was time, the moment when Warneshi would gain an ally, or
destroy a pest, it was time and this old troll knew it as well.
The old troll bowed down, inside Warneshi breathed a sigh of
relief; why did he have qualms against killin this troll, it had
nothing to do with her relation to Lilly, he again reasured
himself; outside Warneshi did what he always had when dealing
with matters such as this, he kept his face stoney and without
emotion and spoke so that all around knew...Warneshi was king.

"It hass been a long time, Warneshi did fear you would not
reconize him, but it seemss you will never be rid of the
Sandscalp line."

Warneshi let a smirk slide across his face, no need to remain too
emotionless, he needed to make sure all knew he was in charge
here, lose that for a second and...Warneshi could not lose this,
it meant to much to him, but why? Warneshi needed to know why
this old troll made him so nervous, why he did not just strike
the gnome down and bring the old troll low under his power, why
he headed Lilly's warnings...

[Keeper Of Lore]

[Lilliana]

“It appears not…” The shaman’s raspy voice was strong, and
although she remained knelt before Warneshi, subservient before
the powerful creature that her daughter had so unwittingly
brought to her, the shaman’s voice called forth attention and had
a commanding tone. It took Warneshi a moment to remember that the
shaman was the one kneeling before him, and not the other way
around.

There was a squeak and the gnome began to speak. His mastery of
the troll tongue was amazing, for he spoke it perfectly, save for
doing so in a high pitched, rapid voice, “What the hell….?!” The
gnome stepped towards his shaman companion, his little hands
raised in the air, questioning her actions.

The shaman’s dark eyes had never left Warneshi’s, and she saw the
danger there as the gnome approached. She straightened quickly,
and whirled around on Tranquility with her red hair snapping
across her face like a thousand snakes. She snarled her command
for him and for her daughter, “Stay here! Both of you! I would
have a word with our King.” Lilliana began to protest, and the
shaman hissed, “Alone!”

Warneshi stood there looking rather amused. The shaman turned
back to him, her sapphire eyes seething wickedly as her gaze
crossed the troll king’s. She waited for him to nod his assent to
her, and when he did, she led him off into the dark forest of
Ashenvale, leaving a baffled Lilliana and an angry and worried
gnome behind.

The troll shaman’s demeanor remained dark and wicked even when
she and Warneshi were out of sight of her daughter and gnome
companion. Warneshi could sense that she feared him, but there
was something about her that set him on edge despite her obvious
discomfort with his presence. Why she had wanted to speak with
him alone was beyond the troll king, for she sacrificed her
safety by abandoning her daughter and the gnome. It was leaving
Lilliana and Tranquility that the old shaman had thought best,
for both creatures she cared for deeply. She did not know of
Warneshi’s intentions, other than she would be at the mercy of
his ministrations if he found her to not be fit. She felt it best
to tell him what he could find out from her if their encounter
came to blows, but would tell him nothing more…for now…..this was
more than enough.

Somehow the old forest seemed to be darker this evening as
Warneshi and the old shaman walked its trails. The leaves hung
heavily on the trees, closing in like a predator on all life that
lingered below. There was no breeze and so the air was still. The
quiet around them was almost deafening, hurting their ears. All
of this was broken when the throaty voice of the shaman began to
speak to Warneshi. Her voice, although not smooth and delicate as
her daughters, was compelling and alluring. Almost as if she had
woven a spell, Warneshi, as independent and powerful as he was,
found himself lost in the clever shaman’s words.

She told him about her days in Zul’Furrak, of her days as a
Sandfury when Warneshi’s people were unified and strong. Warneshi
knew some of what she told him, for he was an intelligent and
resourceful creature and had ventured to complete his homework as
thoroughly as possible even before he chanced mentioning
Lilliana’s mother to the young troll. However, he had not known
just how important Lilliana’s mother had been to the Sandfury of
his father’s days. She had been Chief Advisor to the king and a
key political figure during the days before the Sandfury’s return
to Zul’Furrak, before the days when they overtook the Silithid
that scurried through the sand, terrorizing all who attempted to
tread upon the barren dessert. It was Lilly’s mother that had
fought and planned alongside Warneshi’s father, raising their
strength by destroying and allying with other tribes.

The shaman spoke of the conquests, the battles, the part that she
had played in much of it, for her powers over the minds of others
had always been strong. She was a witchdoctor in every sense, not
only in her powers of the earth, being able to mold the very
earth to powerful totems of battle and aid, but also in her
powers over the minds and thoughts of others. With her craft she
had convinced many tribes, troll and non troll to ally for their
cause. Warneshi had felt her read his soul, an art that he
himself could perform. There was also more that she could do, for
as he listened to her speak, it was clear that she had been a
powerful tool of war that had brought much to the Sandfury. This
power that the shaman brought to the growing tribe had only made
Ukorz hunger for more.

When Ukorz made his deal Slys'Thok, the shaman had argued against
it. She had foreseen that reclamation of Zul’Furrak at the
exchange of demon blood mingling with that of the proud Sandfury
would ring about the end of their kingdom and eventually of the
people. She had first pleaded with Ukorz, weaving her magics and
charm against the Sandfury leader, but he was too stubborn and
there were other forces at work other than his mere stubbornness,
and even though she had been able to direct him in the past she
found that even her arts were useless against his current mind
set. When her charms failed her, she turned to other, more
practical strategies. She challenged Ukorz his throne. She would
have succeeded, (for her powers had far outmatched that of
Warneshi’s father, despite the fact that he was ruler) but
Ukorz’s followers came to his aid, and the talented shaman was
sentenced to death for her transgression.

The old shaman paused in her tale, and when she did so, it was as
if a spell had been lifted from Warneshi’s mind. Whatever dark
hold the shaman had weaved with wicked tendrils of magic around
the troll king dissipated the moment her words stopped flowing.
It left Warneshi momentarily confused and shaken. The elder
Sandfury turned to Warneshi and bowed her head, the silken
tendrils of her thin hair scattered across her lovely face,
hiding her eyes which glowed like embers, bathing her face in
gentle fire.

[Warneshi]

Warneshi was furious, like his father he had fallen for this old
ones trap, he had been enthralled by her words and brought to a
stupor. Warneshi understood this ancient one's powers were indeed
great, but as far as Warneshi was concerned, he was not his
father and would not be controlled as such.

Warneshi moved swiftly, as a serpent closing in for the kill. The
shaman was old and could not react as fast as she wished. The
Sandfury Tyrant closed the gap quickly and thrust his hand into
her neck, grabbing her by the throat and hoasted her up to meet
his eyes, her feet struggling and kicking almost a foot off the
ground. Warneshi held her there for a bit, till he was satisfied
she could not mumble the words to a spell, and was to weak to try
to break free, that is when Warneshi spoke.

"You are wisse, but foolissh, you know much, but that hass
clearly not tought you enough. Warneshi iss not hiss father,
Ukorz wass weak and pathetic and Warneshi believess that you had
him controlled with no effort, but Warneshi, now Warneshi iss a
differant monsster. *warneshi let a smirk slide across his face*
Do not think yoursself lucky enough that Warneshi will kill you,
no, no ancient one, as you controlled the housse of Sandscalp for
many yearss, so shall the housse of Sandscalp now control you...

Warneshi squeezed tightly causing the old shaman to let out a
haggled breath, Warneshi then leaned in close to her lips, and
started to draw forth her soul.

Power, pure and undualated, Warneshi drank it greedely. This old
one had so much power, and the thoughts he saw, the things she
had done in her lifetime. Warneshi wanted to drink it all, to
devour the soul entirely, to do nothing but let her husk drop to
the ground and feel all that power course through his being. But
there was Lilliana to think of, Warneshi snarled at himself, why
did he care! No, this old one needed to live, she still had more
that Warneshi wanted to learn.

Warneshi drained a bit of her soul then let her go, letting her
weakend form drop roughly to the ground. Warneshi let his eyes
roll into his head as he rememberd his feast, he had never felt
so satiated has he did now, never so alive.

Warneshi gave the shaman time to get back to her feet and recover
a bit, then he spoke to her again.

"You have optionss now, you may do as you will, or you may help
Warneshi, it doess not matter either way. If you go free then do
so knowing that you may never harm Warneshi, lesst thiss half of
your soul be losst to you forever. If you help Warneshi the same
appliess, you will serve Warneshi, but not as you did hiss
father. Warneshi will not be controled, if ever Warneshi findss
that thiss iss happening, then Warneshi will take the resst of
what he hass already taken. *warneshi grined wickedly* Thiss iss
your choice, think on thiss hard. Know the consequencess should
you ever crosss Warneshi again, how would it seem to your
daughter if one day you where to never wake up, and not one
perssson could figure out why it iss you died, imagine the grief
she would suffer at thiss, imagine thiss and remember...never
crosss Warneshi, he iss a monsster you are un-fit to handle...

[Lilliana]

The shaman hit the ground hard, her body weakened dreadfully by
Warneshi’s attack. When a Sandfury drank the soul of another, it
left the victim empty, their body living yet a broken husk that
could not think on its own. Afterlife was denied to those that
had their souls drank by the Sandfury. It was a fate feared by
all trolls, more so than death. Warneshi’s act left Lilliana’s
mother only half dead, now bound to the Sandfury king in a
torturous knowledge that when he died, so would part of her.
Until then, her strength would be drained, her power altered and
directed into Warneshi. It left her pained and horrified. It was
a most horrific destiny to live out.

“Choices….” The shaman had to fight the urge to spit at
Warneshi’s feet as she struggled up to her own. “How dare you
mock my situation, you know what my decision will be.” Her voice
still rang strong, the raspy tones echoed against Warneshi’s ears
like a bell. He noted her defeat, for it hung heavy in her eyes,
dimming the once bright fire that had so closely mirrored her
daughter’s. It was a pity, for the battle had not even begun. Or
had it?

The shaman was shamed. She had taken a chance with the Sandfury
king, but had felt it was now or never. It had been years since
she had attempted her charms on another, and they had become weak
from lack of use. Warneshi had said that she was old, ancient. It
was true. He had also stated that she was foolish. This part was
not true. She had made the decision to attempt to warp Warneshi
on her own, as she knew that her daughter would never listen to
her, and he was too dangerous to leave to her daughters attempts
even if the priest did listen to her mother. Lilliana had no idea
what monster she associated with, what demon she allowed to
linger near her. If the shaman had told her daughter this when
she first laid eyes on Warneshi approaching them at the moon
well, it would only encourage her daughter to spend more time
with the beast (now was a different story, the shaman knew that
Lilliana would turn cold and deadly upon Warneshi, but the shaman
did not want that for she would only lose).

The shaman was certain that the Sandfury king was aware of her
daughter’s naiveté and innocence, and that he planned to use it
accordingly. Lilliana was her daughter and would become powerful,
and if molded properly she would be quite useful, especially to
such an army as the Grim, never mind to Warneshi’s goals as the
Tyrant of the Sandfury.

As the shaman suspected Warneshi’s intentions, the shaman had
attempted to mold her daughter’s mind to something…more fit….. in
the past….but the young priest’s thoughts were a dark abyss that
the shaman could not travel. Working the thoughts of one that
traveled the priests’ path had always been difficult, but not
impossible. It appeared impossible with Lilliana for she was a
closed book to everyone but herself. This included her mother.

Now the old shaman struggled with what to do now. If she told her
daughter or Tranquility of the harm she had allowed to befall her
by attempting to weave Warneshi into her power, then they would
both surely turn on Warneshi. Well, Tranquility would turn his
deadly spells against Warneshi if the shaman so much as snapped
her talons. He was good like that.

Lilliana may have brought Warneshi as a “friend” to visit her
mother, but he had harmed the shaman hideously. If Lilliana or
Tranquility found out, and Warneshi was killed by her two dear
ones, then part of her soul would be lost to her forever. Her
afterlife would be tied to that of Warneshi’s, and that is a
destiny that no troll would want. The shaman was a clever
creature, and could ride something even as hideous as this out
until the tides turned.

The shaman matched stares with Warneshi. His gaze was indifferent
and arrogant. Her gaze was defiant yet beaten. Warneshi felt he
had won this encounter completely. As she had earlier, she bowed
to him, and then asked, “Leave me” her throaty voice was quiet,
nearly a whisper, “and go back to my daughter. I need time to
compose myself before she can see me, like….this.” Warneshi did
not seem to accept this idea, for what was there for Lilliana to
see? “She’s a priest, my king,” The shaman hissed, “Priests see
such things.” Warneshi hesitated and smirked before he turned
around and made his way back to where he had left Lilliana with
the gnome, intent on retrieving the young priest.

Warneshi made his way back to Lilliana and Tranquility, rather
confident in this encounter. Lilliana’s mother had indeed been
the Sandfury he had expected. He had not expected to have her
under his control, although with each step he began to convince
himself that this had been his plan from the beginning,
regardless of how such a deed would affect the fellow Grim that
had taken him here with such trust as did Lilly. But, trust was
for the weak. Lilliana was part of the Grim, and if she was not
prepared for such harsh realities in the world, then she was not
fit to be within their ranks.

As he crested the hill that brought him back to the moon well,
his red eyes fell upon the young priest. She and the gnome were
seated on the grass, each talking quietly. The gnome had a very
serious look upon his clean shaven face, and almost seemed to be
scolding Lilliana. She was only half listening to the gnome, and
her gaze quickly found Warneshi’s.

“Hey!” Lilliana yelled, jumping up to her feet, scattering grass
blades that had been accumulating upon her lap (she had been
picking at the ground with her talons). “My mother isn’t with
you?”

Tranquility rose as well, with his short little legs he did not
have far to rise. His clear blue eyes followed Warneshi. It was
rather clear he did not like him. He did not like him one bit,
especially after speaking to Lilliana and learning some about the
“Sandfury king”. Tranquility had killed many male trolls, usually
just for a short look they offered to his adopted daughter.
Tranquility felt that Warneshi should become just another mark on
his staff, just another fried troll that had felt himself elite
enough to be in the presence of his companion’s daughter.

“She’ll be around sshortly.” Warneshi found it difficult to
respond to Lilliana, but just for a moment. He was distracted by
the gnome’s cold stare and began to laugh. “What iss it little
man?” He snorted and then asked Lilliana, dismissing the gnome
like the weakling it was, “Jusst why is it that your mother
choosses a gnome as a mate?”

Lilliana doesn’t have time to answer, for Tranquility’s face
turns first red then into a scowl, his blue eyes erupting as twin
flames dance within each orb. He steps forward to Warneshi and
swung his staff. Warneshi felt the smart sting of the gnome
mage’s staff against his leg.

"I would suggest keeping that wagging tongue of yours in your
mouth because a young runt like you would not be able to
comprehend such things!" The gnome’s high pitch, rapid voice
scolded Warneshi in the trolls tongue.

Lilliana stepped in between the two, knowing all to well of
Warneshi’s temper, but she wasn’t too concerned, he had agreed to
not harm Tranquility. It was a good thing that Lilliana had moved
so quickly, for Warneshi’s first instinct was to pick up the
gnome and crush it, even with his promise to Lilly. But Lilly was
in front of him, distracting with her usual Lilly type of look.
He’d tear the gnome in two later, when Lilliana was not present.
The gnome eyed the Sandfury king for a long moment, then turned
away, his eyes scouting for the shaman, "Where is she you blasted
troll? I am telling you if so much as lifted a dirty talon to
her…" The little gnome squeaked, it was clear that concern ebbed
through him.

Warneshi smirked, leaning past Lilliana and teased the gnome,
“Perhapss she came to her senses, and no longer wishess to be
with a little pessst like you.”

Tranquility bristled at this like a cat that had been rubbed the
wrong way. It would be of no use for Lilliana to try to stop the
little gnome. He waved his staff and an eruption of ice flashed
across Warneshi’s face, sending Lilly to the ground. Warneshi was
locked in place, his taloned feet frozen in the mages ice.

“What?!” Warneshi roared. “You insolent pessssst! Warneshi now
doess not care if Lilliana assked that you not be killed!” The
warrior struggled against the mages ice spell, chopping at the
ice with his blades, he paused when he heard the snap of the
mages fire spell, and instantly found himself encompassed with a
fire ball that erupted on all sides of him. He was set free from
the ice, melted by the heat of the fire that Tranquility had let
loose, but thrown to the ground by the sheer impact of it. The
pain was unbearable, even for such a warrior and half demon as
Warneshi. He had underestimated the mage and his power. Foolish
of him, for he should have known that Lilliana’s mother would not
maintain company with a weakling, although it was odd that she
chose a gnome as her companion.

There was another loud snap as the gnome prepared another fire
spell. He planned to finish the job. He knew that Lilliana would
be angry with him; he had murdered trolls in her presence many
times before, sometimes with her resistance, other times with her
cheering him on. Lilliana was screaming at him, her gentle voice
echoing “No no no no!” against the trees that surrounded the
small glade they were in. Lilly’s pleas made no difference to
Tranquility, he was doing her good and he knew she would get over
it – as she always did. The path from Tranquility to Warneshi
grew hot, and his deadly fire ball shot out from his little
hands. Even Warneshi thought that he was doomed at this point,
just like the old shaman had when he had begun to drink her
powerful soul. Before the fire hit, he felt Lilliana’s magics
upon him, shielding him from the worst of the gnome’s battery of
attacks. Lilly’s protection was not enough to shield him from the
full strength of Tranquility’s spell, for the gnome was indeed a
powerful creature, but it was enough to save the warrior from an
embarrassing death.

“Oh little Lilly, get off of it!” The gnome bellowed angrily as
the priest rushed to Warneshi’s side. Tranquility prepared
another fireball, this one aimed at Warneshi’s throat. It was as
Tranquility gathered his magics, the very air turning hot and
burning their throats that the shaman appeared over the ridge.
Her eyes took one horrified look upon Warneshi and she began to
speak in a tongue that Warneshi could not understand.

“Agol twan, Tranquility!” The shaman’s voice sang of desperation
as she rushed to break the gnome’s fatal spell. Warneshi
struggled to get up to his feet, burnt as he was he was furious
with deadly rage. There was death in his eyes that spoke to the
gnome. He felt Lilliana’s hands on his charred arm; the priest’s
touch was cool and gentle.

Upon seeing his companion, Tranquility paused, allowing his spell
to dwindle enough so that the very air did not burn. The shaman
was upon the gnome, speaking to him in that unknown tongue. It
was gnomish, and it appeared that the shaman had just as good a
grasp on Tranquility’s language as Tranquility had on theirs.
Both mage and shaman spoke back and forth between themselves,
momentarily oblivious to the seething Sandfury smoldering a
distance away from them. This was a mistake, for Lilliana had
begun her healing magics upon Warneshi, her spirited strength
coursing through his body. Warneshi would kill Tranquility now,
and the shaman. He raised his axe and prepped to charge, but
before he rushed into destroy both the gnome and Lilliana’s
mother, Lilly was there in front of him, her face inches from
his. The little priest honestly held no fear of the Sandfury
king....

[Keeper Of Lore]

[Warneshi]

A fool! A fool is what Warneshi was! How could he have missed it!
This Gnome teemed with such power.

Warneshi so confident in his control over Lilly's mother that he
had not even bothered to find Tranquility a threat, he had payed
dearly. His skin was freezing and burning at the same time, both
from the attacks and his embarresment. The Gnome had almost done
him in, and it was not his great blood that saved him, not his
strength or his power, it was Lilly...she had risked herself to
save Warneshi.

Warneshi knew it was over, he had lost this, all of it, his
strength was stolen from him, and not his physical strength.
Warneshi had failed himself, the eyes he stared into where full
of concern, not for themselves, but for him.

Warneshi knew at once, what he had done was terrible indeed, he
had let himself go, in a passion of greed he had put a chasm
between himself and Lilly that could never be filled.

She healed his wounds, saved his life, and he had nothing he
could do to repay her. Warneshi knew of only one thing he could
do, only one thing left. His life was forfeit now, a king felled
by a gnome, and saved by a person who was in no literal way
royality, but had outdone all queens and Tyrants that ever walked
Azeroth.

Warneshi drank in her power one more time, he stared into those
eyes for what seemed an eternity. Warneshi Sandscalp was no more,
the voice of his brother reminded him of this over and over, but
Warneshi tuned him out. All was silent, if Warneshi still had a
heart it would of been all he could of heard.

Warneshi kissed Lilliana, it seemed the only thing he could do.
He embraced her, the little Sandfury priest that had annoyed him
to no end, had interupted his work countless times, and whom he
had called a pest at all times. He didn't care anymore, he knew
her mother may come to knock him away, but he did not care.

Warneshi released Lilliana, and stood; well under his own
strength, he had regenerated the wounds already. He looked down
at the troll, the only one that made him wish his heart was still
in his chest. Warneshi leaned down and kissed her forhead, wiped
his eye, and marched towards the old shaman.

Warneshi did not care if the gnome fried him where he stood,
Warneshi was as good as dead anyway. Warneshi approached the
shaman, and took her hands in his, he spoke words he would never
speak again.

"Warneshi iss sorry, he hass wronged your family and betrayed
himself. Warneshi iss as good as dead, you know thiss, no
Sandfury King can show thiss weaknesss Warneshi now doess and
live. Warneshi took something from you, and in doing so took hiss
own happy future, Warneshi doess not desserve your daughter, and
doess not desserve to be King.

Warneshi givess you back what he took, usse it well, seek out
Krezinak, the son of Worneshi, he iss the future of our people."

Warneshi leaned in close and kissed the shaman on the forhead,
with that a thin blue mist left his lips and slide down her face
to her mouth. Warneshi Sandscalp for the first time in his life,
fed a soul to another, and it was their soul.

Warneshi looked to the gnome.

"You are skilled little Tranquiltiy, Warneshi will repay thesse
woundss one day, but until that day, care for thesse two as you
alwayss have. Let no harm come to them, lesst Warneshi visitss
that harm upon you twice over."

Warneshi let lose a sharp whistle, and Ses'Thur came trotting
into the small glade. Warneshi went to the reins then looked back
over his shoulder at Lilliana Bloodshine, so much had befallen
the young priest, and Warneshi wanted nothing more then to see
her happy. What Warneshi wanted more, was to see her alive and
well, and if that cost her happiness, well Warneshi could pay
that price.

Warneshi mounted Ses'Thur and turned to look at the three, but he
spoke only to Lilliana.

"Warneshi wass right when we left Orgrimmar, he would not be the
same troll he iss now. You are safe Lilliana Bloodshine, safe
from evilss you can not begin to undersstand, but maybe in time
your mother can explain what has happened here a little better.
Go with power Lilliana, know that the sacred hallss of the
Yeyewata alwayss await you, and that in some odd way, Warneshi
Sandscalp loves you,"

Warneshi rode hard, towards the great desert of Tanaris. He would
lose himself there for the rest of time. His only companion was
the laughter in his head, that of his mother and brother. They
knew he had lost, that he could not be King of his people, but
Warneshi Sandscalp laughed back just as hard, for she was safe
now, and to Warneshi...that was all that mattered.