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[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] Cursing himself for forgetting to account for the fact that he was now blind on that side, Byrok flailed out with his right arm, even as pain sliced into his side. Two more humans piled on top of him, one punching him, the other going at him with a blade. Byrok managed to step on one attacker s leg, breaking it instantly. The screams of his victim served to goad the orc, and he redoubled his attack. But there were simply too many of them. Even though two of them were badly injured, they continued to pile on him, and even Byrok could not defeat six humans while unarmed. Realizing that he needed his weapon, he inhaled deeply and then let out a huge roar even as he punched both fists outward with all his strength. It only knocked his foes off him for an instant, but an instant was all he needed. He dove for his weapon, his fingers closing around the handle. Before he could lift it, however, two of the humans pounded on his head, and another drove a dagger through his left thigh. Byrok flailed his arm outward, the morningstar s ball sailing through the air, just missing the humans. Then, much as he loathed himself for being forced to do it, Byrok ran. It was a hard thing for him, and not just because the dagger that was still protruding from his thigh slowed his gait. To run from battle was shameful. But Byrok knew he had a higher duty to perform the Burning Blade had returned, only this time they were humans. And all the attackers, not just the two he d noticed before, wore that flaming sword image somewhere on them: a necklace, a tattoo, something. This was information that needed to get back to Thrall. So Byrok ran. Or, rather, he hobbled. His wounds were taking their toll. It became a struggle even to breathe. But still he ran. Dimly, he registered that the six humans were giving chase, but he couldn t afford to pay attention to that. He had to get back to Orgrimmar and tell Thrall what was happening. Even with his injury, his strides were greater than those of the humans, and he could outrun them. Once he pulled far enough ahead, he would lose them in the underbrush of this land that he knew better than any outsider possibly could. Besides, they only seemed to want to beat up an orc. They probably did not realize that Byrok understood their gutter tongue, and therefore they did not know that Byrok knew who they were. They would not chase him past the point where it would be useful to them. Or so he hoped. No longer were there any thoughts in Byrok s mind. He cleared his head of all save the critical imperative of putting one foot down in front of the other, the ground slamming into his soles. He ignored the pain in his leg, and in all the other places they d beat or cut him, ignored the fact that his one good eye was getting foggy, ignored the fatigue that drained the strength from his limbs. Still he ran. Then he stumbled. His left leg refused to lift as it was supposed to but his right leg continued to run, and so he crashed to the ground, high grass and dirt getting in his nose and mouth and eye. Must& get& up& You ain t goin nowhere, monster. Byrok could hear the voice, hear the humans footfalls, and then feel the pressure when two of them sat on his back, immobilizing him. Cause, here s the thing your time is over. Orcs don t belong in this world, and so we re gonna take you out of it. Got me? Byrok managed the effort of lifting his head so he could see two of the humans. He spat at them. The humans just laughed. Let s do it, boys. Galtak Ered nash! The other five all replied in kind: Galtak Ered nash! Then they started beating the orc. Six A n hour after she had finished questioning Davin and Avinal, Colonel Lorena gathered her detail at a clearing just outside Northwatch. Rocks and thick trees dotted the landscape, and sagebrush poked out through the uneven ground. The sun shone down on the ground and the flora, making everything seem to glow and also keeping everyone quite warm in their plate mail. Most of the detail Lorena took were simply the top names on the duty roster, but she had hand-picked two of them. Though young, Strov was her most trusted soldier he did his duty without question, could improvise when necessary, but when it wasn t, would follow orders to the letter. He could also follow anyone without losing them or letting his prey know he was there. The other was the opposite of Strov: Jalod was an old soldier who had fought against orcs back when nobody knew what an orc was. Rumor had it that he had trained Admiral Proudmoore, though Lorena put very little stock in that one. Either way, he d seen everything, done everything, and lived to tell exaggerated stories about all of it. Strov said, Like I said in the watch office, ma am, the other crew corroborated what Captain Avinal said. They couldn t see a thing out there. I doubt they had any confirmation that either Orgath ar or the pirates were even there. And if they were, another soldier, a veteran named Paolo, added, they weren t in no shape to be helpin nobody. Sailors I talked to was scared when they spoke of it. Mal, who d served in Azeroth s navy years ago, nodded. Can t blame em. Fog s the worst. No way to get your bearings. Usually best to just drop anchor till it passes. Surprised they didn t, truth be told. What does it matter? That was Jalod. Lorena frowned. What do you ? Them orcs decimated Admiral Proudmoore s fleet! Killed one of the finest men ever to draw breath! If it were me in charge of Avinal s boat, I d a been helpin the pirates. It s shameful is what it is, Lady Proudmoore betraying her own to those savages betraying her own father for such as they. It s shameful that she s got us doing this when we should be goin after those monsters! Everyone shifted uncomfortably on their feet at those words. That is, everyone except for Lorena, who unsheathed her sword and put the point right at Jalod s throat. The old man seemed surprised at that, and his blue eyes grew wide with fear, even under the folds of wrinkly flesh that covered his face. Speaking in a low and dangerous tone, Lorena said, Never speak ill of Lady Proudmoore in my presence again, Sergeant. I don t care who you served with or how many trolls and demons you ve killed, if you ever even think such thoughts about Lady Proudmoore, I will tear you open stem to stern and feed the pieces to the dogs. Do I make myself clear? Strov stepped forward. I m sure the sergeant meant no disrespect to Lady Proudmoore, ma am. Course not. Jalod s voice was shakier now. I ain t got nothin but respect for her, ma am, you know that. It s just Just what? Jalod swallowed, his Adam s apple butting up against Lorena s sword point. Them orcs can t be trusted is all I m sayin . [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |