Grim Views

Greebo perused the vellum and the enclosed etchings:

Undeadhype wrote:To: Inquisitor Greebo

In reference to: Actions and activities required for a Grim Tabard

Our Journey began, as they always do, with a long carpet ride. The barrens has always seemed so very far away from everything and with Kartuk's incessant whining it was doubly so. We finally arrived at the cavern in question with a few bewildered onlookers who seemed to not understand our intent. It took some additional time to convince them that we were after items deeper inside the wailing hollow and that they should not, in fact “pull Kartuk’s finger” as he kept suggesting.
Once inside are efforts went smoothly. Kartuk is always at his best when busy so I kept him so, killing whatever and whomever he wished. We quickly collected our Deviate Scales and were on our way.


Our next stop took us to the Highlands of Arathi where I had left some unfinished business with a woman who found advantage in the plague of the Forsaken and along with her children took from those of us who had already lost so much. While her death may seem trivial to some I assure you that her blood, tainted with vengeance has a much sweeter aroma.



Finally, Kartuk and I travelled to the Azuremyst Isles to find our lucky victim. With no direct way across the sea, where the cowardly Draenei make their home, Kartuk and I were forced to stow-away on a Night Elf sailing ship named Elune’s Blessing of all things. The crew of the ship seemed complacent in their ignorance of our presence and we made note of our hiding place for future excursions to the lands of the Draenei. On our arrival we swam in to shore some distance away from the docks and prying eyes. We quickly made our way inland to find our prey and found ourselves set upon by the otherworldly devils, but found our attackers lacking. Sadly, it was not the conflict I had hoped for but sometimes you take what you get (a phrase Kartuk is fond of using).

With fluids in hand we began the long journey back to Orgrimmar. I would like to tell you that my Imp’s chattering had subsided from exhaustion but he became unusually spry once again during the flight back to the stronghold. Only later while penning this did I realize why; hence there are now three empty vials in the package I sent you. While I will be beating Kartuk for his infuriating and unruly behavior I strongly doubt that it will have much effect going forward as he has the memory of a gnat.

With regards’

Hype
Of The Undead

Nodding in satisfaction he drew out an elegantly carved chunk of obsidian and stamped "Approved" on all the documents. Taking the thread and cloth from the basins where they had been soaking he began to stitch and embroider and in a few hours the skull and daggers were finished. "Give this to Kartuk," he told Tarnam. "For his master. I want it to be delivered to Hype unsullied, understood?" A whinging cackle was all the noise that the imp made, but ducking shuffle spoke of obedience. Greebo tidied up the room, placing the stamp in its case, scouring the dying basins with fire and opening the window to let the smell of boiled blood out. His final gesture to was to thoroughly burn the papers - the tabard with his distinctive tailoring style was all the proof the world needed.

Kartuk bounded into the lower tomb where Hype had desperately tried to find the quiet solitude necessary to study the old scrolls he had recently found. Still chattering excitedly with what appeared to be a neatly wrapped package, the little imp, thankfully headed over into the corner of the room and began to tear away at the paper wrapping. The annoying sound of ripping paper and nervous chattering interrupted Hype, but he needed a break anyway so he looked up from his writing desk ( It was actually a coffin, but furniture was hard to come by in a tomb).

“Kartuk, what is that? Kartuk! What do you have there?”

“It’s a package!”, Kartuk was still tearing away, never caring at the value of paper as something that could be reused if left intact.

“Who would send you a package. Honestly?” Hype shook his head and chuckled.

Kartuk slowly pulled a cloth garment from the shredded pile of paper, “Oh….it wasn’t for me. Ooooooo It’s puuurrrdy.”

A cold shock went through Hype as he realized the pattern on what he now realized was a tabard, more correctly a Tabard of the Grim.

“WHY YOU LITTLE!” Hype screamed reaching for his wand.

“I’m out!”, Kartuk threw the tabard at Hype and dove for the stairwell before Hype could get a shot off.

Hype ran to the once pristine garment now lying on the dusty floor in front of the makeshift desk.

“YOU ARE DEAD KARTUK!” Hype screamed up the stairway,” Do you hear me you little bastard! D…E…A…D DEAD!”

Hype gently picked up the tabard and brushed off the soiled areas. As he did he keenly noticed the subtle stitching details and dyeing techniques used to create this exquisite piece. Being a tailor himself Hype could appreciate such work.

The sounds of Kartuk scrambling back up the stairs resonated down but Hype’s attention remained on the tabard. Kartuk could wait…his punishment would be all that much better with a bit of a chase.

Holding the tabard up Hype slipped it over his head and gently adjusted it so the Grim emblem would be displayed without a wrinkle or crease to mar it’s intensity.

“And we begin anew.” He whispered to himself.

A feeling of place and purpose was finally coming back to Hype after being so long in the wilds of Azeroth. His former companions had scattered to the wind and Hype had found himself alone much of the time now.

Actually, he was never truly alone.

“Kartuk”, the warlock grumbled. Hype grabbed his things and bolted for the stairwell…The chase was on.