A Ceremony Of Bonding by Ashagga

[Keeper Of Lore]

Ashagga sat on the wall surrounding Everlook, watching the sun slowly rise over the frost-covered landscape. Behind her, in the city, the goblins were changing shifts, preparing for the morning rush, but for the most part, they were the only ones awake. Industrious as the Steamwheedle Cartel was, their customers preferred to await normal business hours.

For her part, Ashagga hadn't yet slept. All night, she'd sat staring at the stars and thinking. A small vial of transluscent blue liquid was rolled in her fingers, occasionally gripped in her gloved hand.

Chingaso.

She loved the orc. She would never doubt it, never second-guess her own feelings for him. Then again, she had to wonder: why had she tried to marry him? Because he suggested it? That wasn't enough, wasn't like her. She'd long ago sworn never to marry, never to bear a man children. She wasn't a family woman.

So, why had she agreed?

Lupen, Yichimet, and Syreena had all spoken with her after the... incident... at the wedding. Syreena was her best friend, no question, and the Forsaken had, of course, offered to kill the intruding orc, but Ashagga wouldn't allow it. The orc stranger hadn't done anything wrong, not really. Yichimet counseled her about her dreams, about the will of the spirits, and about respect.

Lupen had counseled her about fate.

The Dread Mage was not uneducated, nor was he ignorant of her situation. He saw right through to the center of her dilemma: what she really wanted. More than anything else, Ashagga wanted to be independent, to be strong. She hated having to lean on anyone else for anything, hated having to be protected. Her marriage to Chingaso would have put her forever in that place. Marriage to any orc or troll or tauren would. Marriage to anyone would.

Once more, she looked at the vial she held. Lupen had counseled her to take her fate into her own hands, and not to be controlled by events from the past, such as this orc woman's interference. Ashagga didn't think he understood exactly what she considered, but he was helpful nonetheless. He was her friend, if a selfish, dastardly friend. His counsel meant a great deal, and she had spent the entire night considering how to take her fate into her own hands.

Popping the cork from the vial, Ashagga drank the contents in a single gulp.

[Keeper Of Lore]

by Chingaso

Chingaso reflect on ruin ceremony. Chingaso not know if Shaggy hate or not. Chingaso not stand if do.

Chingaso full of confuse. Anger. Grief. Chingaso not feel this since night elfs slaughter family. Chingaso roar in anguish from hiding place in Orgrimmar, see orcs look around and goblins have nerves.

What happen? Who this orc? Why now? All Grim must think Chingaso bad. Chaindog say Chingaso do right thing, but only of all Grim to say.

Chingaso feel shame. Chingaso stay hide.

[Keeper Of Lore]

by Lascivious

Lascivious tapped her fingers on the pommel of her saddle as she listened to Syreena's account of the wedding she had been unable to attend over her stone.

"So, if I understand correctly, Chingaso does not marry Ashagga to honor his father's word not because he does not desire to marry her."

"Yes, it seems so," the little thief answered.

"Chingaso is bound by honor to uphold his families word..." a voice said floating up to her from the stone, but she was lost in thought and did not recognize it.

"Of course... of course. I know the orcs well," said Lascivious, unhappy her mates' happiness had been intruded upon. "I would never ask an orc to break his word, nor jeopardize his honor. Therefore we will eliminate the problem and leave Chingaso's honor free of jeopardy. Syreena, you have my persmission to seek out this intruder and kill her."

[Keeper Of Lore]

by Syreena

Syreena sat at the mouth of the sewers, holding Stu, the rabbit, in her lap as she watched the night descend over Tirisfal Glades. She wondered where Chingaso and Shaggy were right now, and what they were thinking.

When the strange orc interrupted the wedding and would not be turned away, Syreena drew both of her daggers. She was prepared to kill the woman who dared to intrude on her friends' ceremony before all the Grims dressed up in their finery. But a bony hand gripped her right wrist, and fingers pried at her own to take the dagger. The rogue tightened her grip on the weapon until she saw it was Lupen, and then she surrendered the blade to him.

Syreena watched Ashagga as she listened to the other orc tell Chingaso that he was betrothed to her. Finally, Yichiment asked Chingaso what he meant to do. Syreena waited for the hunter to tell the other orc to go away, that he was going to marry Shaggy. To her astonishment, he said he needed to think about things instead. And the ceremony ended before it was completed.

She walked with the would-be bride back to the inn, but Lupen told them to meet him somewhere. Yichiment joined them. They talked for a while, and Lupen gave Shaggy a vial of blue liquid, and then they all went their separate ways. Syreena watched Ashagga leave. The orc was sad, but Syreena knew her friend had strength in her, and she’d be all right.

Later, after hearing what happened, Lascivious gave Syreena permission to hunt down and kill the other orc woman. Now, as the little rogue stroked Stu’s ears and soft fur, she considered what she should do. Of course, had the Mistress ordered her to kill the orc, there would be no consideration. It would be done without question. But she didn’t given an order, only permission.

With her mind made up on her next course of action, if not the final outcome, Syreena lifted Stu and returned to the tiny cave that was her home.

[Keeper Of Lore]

Chingaso in Orgrimmar, tend to mail and bank, when hear familiar voice. "Chingaso, have yer got a minute?"

Chingaso turn and see Shaggy. First time Chingaso see since spoil ceremony. Chingaso hurt again. "Of course, Shaggy. Chingaso always have time for."

"There's somethin I need ta tell yer," Shaggy say. "I can' have yer orclings. I'm barren. It's a choice I made ta make yer choice easier."

Chingaso look at Shaggy. "What?" Chingaso not believe what hear.

"I talked ter Lupen. About fate. I took a potion of his an now I be barren, not a fit wife fer yer. Now yer can pertect yer honor."

"Lupen." Chingaso spit name. "Lupen know nothing of honor."

"But 'e knows about fate," say Shaggy. "Chingaso...I can't do this to yer. Can't make yer turn yer back on yer honor. I'm afraid that you'd end up resentin me for it. Besides, I'd be a terrible wife. I've always just used males, until I met you. I used Corian. I'm afraid I'd jus end up usin you. I wouldn't be able ter help meself."

"What about Chingaso dishonor of Shaggy? What about Chingaso dishonor of Chingaso? What about love?"

"I still love yer, I won deny it, but we can' be together. Not now. As fer me honor, I have none, but if it makes a difference ta yer, I release yer from yer promise. Yer honor is intact."

Chingaso choke back emotion as feel self die some inside. "What now, Shaggy? Shaggy still love Chingaso, and Chingaso still love Shaggy..."

"We'll be like we were before. More than friends, less than lovers. You find yer betrothed. Marry 'er. Let 'er bear yer lots o' orclings. An tell 'er she better treat yer right. Or I'll kill her." Shaggy smile, but Chingaso know truth behind jest. "I needs ta go now Chingaso. Good 'untin."

"Safe travels Shaggy." Chingaso watch Shaggy mount wolf and ride away. Sudden, full force of what Shaggy do hit Chingaso like rogue dagger. Chingaso fall to knees and roar in pain. Shaggy damage self so not be fit for Chingaso...

Chingaso consume with guilt and shame.

[Keeper Of Lore]

n the tunnels of the Undercity's sewers, high above the moat of phosphorescent slime that ringed the lower quarters, Ashagga curled in a corner and wept. She had done it... she felt the same as she always had, but she could see the spirits of life and fertility shun her. She could see the dead place inside her when she dared to look with her ruined eye.

Terrible sobs wracked her body, tears streaming from her good eye. Chingaso. She'd done it. She'd freed them both, Chingaso and herself. She could go on with her life, never fearing that she'd become indebted to or dependent upon the one man she'd loved and not merely used. He would have his honor, and she would have her power. All it cost them both was their happiness.

He would move on. She knew he would. The orc woman who interrupted the wedding, Chingaso's betrothed, was not unattractive. She would make Chingaso forget, and in time the feelings would fade. The thought of Chingaso and the orc woman consummating their marriage, sharing the evening that she had wanted, sent a knife of pain into her guts.

"Daughter."

Ashagga stopped, her tears slowly ebbing as she peered about for the speaker. Instinctively, she stepped back into the shadows, letting their concealing embrace shield her from the eyes of an intruder. Her swords were in her hands.

The shadows disgorged a second form, slender and delicate, lacking muscle and sinew and meat where healthy, living women had all of the above. At her side padded an animal, a beast on four legs. Two serpentine tendrils rose above its shoulderblades, and its eyeless head turned directly toward Ashagga.

"Daughter... come out where I can see you."

Ashagga swallowed nervously and stepped from the shadows, meeting once more with the strange figure. "I di'n expect yer, especially 'ere."

"I have done my part, and I have been granted access to these hallowed halls once more. You have done your part as well, I see."

Ashagga nodded. "The ritual worked... I t'ink."

"It did. It bonded you with the spirits you sought. What have you gained?"

Ashagga tried not to consider what she'd lost. "I c'n see spirits. I c'n see images, visions... omens, Yichimet says."

"Yichimet?" The figure spoke the name with a hint of longing. "Yichimet the Elder."

"'E tol' me ter call 'im Brother."

The Forsaken smiled. "Yes, I imagine he would. What else?"

Ashagga shook her head. "I... I don' need herbs. Me blood..."

"Yes. The venom of the blood spirit now courses through your veins. Be careful, for that does not distinguish between friend or foe. Tell me, what have you done with your power?"

"I..." The wedding flashed through her mind, but Ashagga shook it away. "I 'ave one of 'em. Dead."

"And the other?"

"I'll 'ave 'im soon enough. I c'n see where 'e goes, see the protections 'e 'as."

"Take this." The figure held out a glowing red stone, knobbed and rough. Ashagga took it gingerly. "It will aid you in banishing his first line of defense."

Ashagga nodded and pocketed the stone. "Anyt'ing else?"

"Two things: First, your connection to the Dark Lady is now your salvation. I recommend speaking with a priest about the ramifications. A priest you can trust, a priest who will share your words with no one."

Ashagga nodded. "Yichimet can..."

"NO!" The figure snarled, and the felhound at her feet raised its hackles. "Yichimet is no priest. He would not... could not... understand. Nor can your friend Lupen, nor could Syreena or Chingaso. You must speak with a priest, a priest of the Dark Lady, and a priest who will speak to no other. Trust me, Ashagga... if your companions learned of exactly what you have done, they will not be pleased."

Ashagga shuddered to consider her fate if the Grim decided she was sufficiently dangerous. She remembered the conflict over Warneshi. "You said there was two t'ings."

The figure turned to leave. "The second... do not wish them well for me. I remember the Grim fondly at times, and I miss those I have met, but for now... for now it is best I stay buried."

"Wait... that's all?"

"You must make your own way now, Ashagga. You have been granted the gift. What you do with it is your choice."

Ashagga sat in the shadows of the sewers of Undercity long after the dark Forsaken had departed.

[Keeper Of Lore]

by Chaindog

Upon hearing Chingaso's bello of pain in the streets of Orgrimmar, Chaindog walks over and seeing Chingaso in pain on the ground says with a stern voice, "Get up."

Ignoring those around her she continues. "Me understand why me tribe no ave dese lifemates. Me tinks dese 'marriages' be stupid. You tink she be da only one da love's ya Chingaso? You tink too much. All you tink of is da pain. Wut about you happiness? Wus all dat ya did with Ashagga bad? If so why would you be in love wit her? She use you Chingaso. You be but a small part in her life. Now she be small part in you life."

She kneels down and looks into Chingaso's eyes. "You need to remember da good times ya had wit her and stand up. She only be a small part of you life Chingaso. Dere be much to you life dan her. Wit out her you no know about you father's pact. Life just test you. You passed. You only hurt cause you let it hurt. Get up!"

She stands ups and looks down at Chingaso now. "Get up! You can take da best of dis or you can take da worst of it. You choose Chingaso. You no weak. Get up."

[Keeper Of Lore]

Chingaso look at Chaindog. Chingaso rise.

Ah, Chaindog. Chingaso best hunt mate. More than friend, like sister. Like Shaggy...


Chingaso shake thought from head. Chingaso have chance drunken night in Booty Bay. But Chingaso honor friendship over lust. Chaindog probable Chingaso best friend. And Chaindog right.

Chingaso ask Chaindog, "So, where want hunt?"

[Keeper Of Lore]

by Yichimet

(( Let me know if this oversteps bounds, Ashagga and Chingaso. ))Yichimet stared at the two bags and the bowl on the table. The ceremony was over, the ceremony had never truly begun, only there was something lingering that troubled him. The Gallow's End had cleared out of Grims, and only a few chatting patrons remained.One bag had white corn meal, the other yellow. In the ceremony, Ashagga and Chingaso would have held the bowl while Yichimet poured the corn meal from both bags into it. At the end, the sacred prayer, and they would take it home, bake a bread and share it the next morning. Only a young orc woman had stepped forward and claimed Chingaso as her own.Yichimet thumbed the necklace he wore. His heart throbbed. At least he felt it so.He thought back on the ceremony he had stood for, and the words said before it was broken: both Chingaso and Ashagga spoke their love before the Spirits. They had not turned back. And now the Spirits knew the words, and would hold the words. This was the power of the Spirits over the living: to hold those alive to their minds and hearts.Yichimet did not know what would happen now. He had never been witness to a ceremony that was broken after the pledge. No shu'halo elder or sorcerer would stand for the Ceremony of Bonding if the two before them were not ready to follow their words.The Spirits knew, and that made Yichimet worry, for himself and for his friends.