Conspiracies and Flight

A leksander blocked the sun out of his eyes as he tried to finish cleaning up his work table. He was always sure to keep his tools in good order and not to leave a mess behind at the end of the day- it was the way he had been trained. “ It is hot today, I can't wait to hit the tram... at least its cooler there. Soon as I get home I'm taking a shower and heading down to the pub.”

“Hurry up Aleks, we're goin' to miss the tram back to Ironforge if ya don't put a step in it” a ruddy dwarf next to him exclaimed. Aleksander grinned at his friend Stark McTubbens- the two had met the first day as apprentices of the great Sword smith Master Ellington, and had been inseparable ever since. “One second short stuff” he joked. He quickly grabbed up his pack and began heading out the door in step with Stark when Master Ellington suddenly looked up from his worktable.

“Aleksander, be a good boy and take this package to Lord Fairneworth in the Keep will you? I finally finished setting the gems in the hilt and he's most anxious to get it back”. The old man peered at him over his glasses. “It is on your way is it not?” he asked. “It would be my honor Master Ellignton.” Aleks replied. He carefully accepted the heavy package and quickly walked out the door, trying to catch up with Stark. “Make sure to ask him about the gauntlets before you leave!” Master Ellington called after him.

“Hey Aleks, wot is it ye got there?” the dwarf asked looking at the fancy velvet covering. “Its a package for one of the nobles.” Aleks rolled his eyes. “Nobles are funny creatures- so much money to spend on trivial things - like refitting their hilts with new imported gems, but unable to find the money to send troops to Darkshire or Westfall”

“Ahh...I kinda wonted to be home in time for Gresella...we have a date.” Aleksander cracked up at the look on Starks face. “Nice going there buddy” he teased. “Listen...you go on ahead. I'll just run this in really quick and I'll see you tomorrow. Deal?” Stark beamed at him. “Ye always know how to compromise!” he exclaimed as he rushed off to the tram.

Aleksander walked the rest of the way to the Keep, enjoying the weather and the noises of the evening rush- stores closing, people packing up, families getting together. The scent of all sorts of cooking wafting from the different inns and restaurants- not just traditional human food was to be had in Stormwind, there was the heartier Dwarven dishes, the “instant” dinners the gnomes tinkered with, and even the exotic fruits and vegetables of the Elves. He passed the two guards outside the Keep with a nod- he ran so many deliveries as a first-year apprentice they knew him well by now.

He felt very out of place in his common work clothes- brown leggings, sturdy boots, a cream colored shirt and a rugged leather belt. He stood outside the door of the Petitioners Chamber waiting to announce himself, taking in the velvets and silks and laces of the courtesans around him. Finally one of the servants “noticed” him and asked his business.

“I have a package from Master Ellington for Lord Fairneworth.” he replied smoothly. The servant conducted him into the interior chamber with much more respect, due to recognizing he wasn't some poor farmer petitioning off bandits, but an apprentice. Aleksander tried not to fidget as he waited for the nobles to finish their conversation. The servant must have noticed his attempts to stop fidgeting and elbowed him slightly. Aleksander straightened up quickly, looking balefully at him.

Lord Fairneworth finally turned toward him somewhat impatiently. “Yes? May I help you young man?”

Aleks stepped forward quickly and executed a quick bow. “I am Master Ellingtons' apprentice. He asked me to deliver this to you- it is your sword, refitted as you asked.” He held out the package from his bow, wincing slightly. The cold stone floor was painful on his knees. He was relieved as the servant took it from his hands. At Lord Farineworths's nod he rose unsteadily.

“Tell Ellington that I will send the payment along shortly. I am sure he's done excellent work again. Run along now young man, Cristan will tip you for your services at the door.” With that dismissal, Aleks waited for the Lord to exit into the antechamber before following the servant “Cristan” out. Halfway down the marble hallway Aleks halted. He forgot to ask about the gauntlets! Calling himself ten kinds of idiots he turned to Cristan apologetically. “I needed to ask Lord Fairnesworth about the gauntlets he had ordered too. I need to go back and talk to him.”

Cristan looked at him irritated. “Listen you bumpkin, it is Friday night- there is a ball tonight. The entire castle is going to be all-a-do getting ready and beautiful, and likewise I need to have a decent showing myself! Run back yourself if you must, but make sure to knock and wait for the other servants to conduct you in. I have better things to do than play nanny to some commoner!” Cristan walked off without another word.

Aleks slowly unclenched his fist. “Stay calm. Just ignore him, run back and do your task, and then you can leave and go enjoy a pint. Bumpkin eh? I'd teach him a quick lesson or two if we weren't in the Keep...” Aleksander trotted back up the hallway, dodging servants burdened with laundry, baskets of bread, fruits, all sorts of things for the ball tonight. He supposed it was good to celebrate- people needed it. But so much better could be done for the people!

Pausing at the door to the antechamber, he scouted around for a servant. He had noticed that they had managed to adopt the manner of hiding behind curtains and statues, materializing when needed.

When no one came forward he timidly walked through the great oak doors into a small room. There were red velvet curtains draped along the walls, and a well-built solid oak table in the middle. On the opposite end of the room was a portrait of the King, life-sized.

Aleksander walked over to it in awe. The portrait showed exquisite detail of the clothing and jewels- but the eyes were mesmerizing, they almost looked alive. He had never seen such a well done life-sized portrait before in his life. He reached out to touch it when it seemed like the portrait was speaking to him! He jumped back in surprise, quickly making the sign against evil. Looking around him he saw no apparitions or spirits or ghosts. Aleksander cautiously leaned against the portrait, and realized the voice did not come FROM the portrait, but from BEHIND it.

“Of course not sir..Alcaz....no no....the Defias made sure no one saw where they.....of course we covered our tracks....hired.....naga.....yes.....are guarding him....off the coast.....Kalimdor.”

A more familiar, lordly voice cut in, sounding clearer and closer. “With the King out the way my path to the throne lies clear. The boy himself is too young to rule, and too young to get out the way. A few well placed rumors of him dabbling with the plague and such will banish him easily. Really, this is nearly fool-proof .”
The portrait swung open, hitting Aleks in the head lightly as he stumbled out the way back onto the table. Lord Fairneworth and a man clad in dark leather stared at him stunned.

 Aleks stammered incoherently “I wasn't...I didn't...”

Guards!” Lord Fairneworth roared. “Seize HIM!”  He shoved the man back into the passage before advancing onto Aleks, who was looking around wildly. He heard the sound of guards approaching, and before he could think, had leapt to his feet and was out the room.

“Left......Right......down this corridor, jump down here......take another right....where are the kitchen exits?!”

All those deliveries had given Aleks a decent knowledge of the servant entrances to the Keep. He looked up the flight to the floor he was on and saw guards talking to Lord Fairnesworth. Not even thinking or comprehending what was happening or what he had heard, he ran into the kitchens. He caught a few curious looks from the serving maids as he sped out the door and down the dock.

Bursting into the outside air, he heard the echoes of shouting and running from inside the Keep. What the hell am I doing running?! Why am I running?!  Grimly, Aleksander replayed the conversation in his head. Last week the King was said to have gone on a mission to see Jaina Proudmore in Kalimdor and talk of peace with the orc....apparently Lord Fairneworth saw to it he never got there, and because of that Aleksander was an inconvenience.

He dashed into an abandoned shop, that was once a alchemy shop. That was the good thing about Old Town- so many old shops or old houses that no one remembered anymore. He doubted the Guard would find him here....they would still be inside the Keep, and when they did begin to search the whole city...the shop was found only upstairs from a side door in an alley.

He slumped against the wall, heart palpitating. He would be killed. Even though he had never committed a crime in his life, Lord Fairnesworth would have him killed quietly in some lower room in the Stockades, with no one to tell his story of what he knew, and no one to protest he had done no wrong. He needed to get out.

The mind of a man who understands his death is imminent and nearly inescapable is an amusing thing. His thoughts chased themselves like a dog and its tail.

I need to leave Stormwind. I need to leave all the Alliance cities...he would hunt me to the end....I don’t even think he would leave me be if I holed up in a cottage in Darkshire, far away from him and the court! I need to pack my things...I need clothes... and food. I am hungry. I guess I cant have that pint now. I wonder where the guard is. How am I going to get out of this? Do I still have my tools on me? Where am I going to go? I wonder what time it is. How long have I been here? It smells like kingsblood in here...how appropriate. What the hell? Am I running like a scared rabbit? I need to tell someone of his plan! He cant kidnap the King and usurp the throne? Haha. How funny Aleks, you suddenly think you are a hero? What have you fought before? Iron and steel? What have you killed besides chickens and cows on your farm? What can you do? Nothing you fool...leave that to heroes, find yourself a small cottage somewhere and be happy!

He huddled in a corner of the shop watching the sun dip down through a corner of the window. He saw the patrols going in and out of businesses, and questioning people.

Have you seen this man? He is wanted for helping the Defias. No? Thank you Citizen.

Aleksander got up and stretched when the sun had set and the sky dark- there was no moon tonight. He had spent the last four hours sitting in near delirium, chasing plans in and out his head. He came up with one: he needed help. He was going to see Stark.

He found an old cloak in a closet that he quickly donned, before smearing his face with some of the oil he found in a bottle. Glancing in the cracked mirror he saw his face was dark like leather now, and not the pale complexion he was born with. That should do.

Slipping out the store, he tried hard to fight the urge to skulk along the shadows, and forced himself to walk bravely past bright torches and patrols, his heart hammering the whole time.

Reaching the tram, he sat down in a corner, ignoring the homeless gnomes and others around him, staring at the Tram Tracking screen. When his carriage arrived, Aleks could have kissed the steel frame. He hopped in a cart by himself and stared out vacantly at the water as he rushed towards home.

Reprieve of Death

The tram screeched to a halt at the Ironforge station, and Aleks was dismayed to see posters of his face already slathered on the walls. Probably conjured by the guard-mages. Pulling his hood up, he walked out onto the smooth floor of the Gnome quarter.

Passing through the tinker town, he jogged up a flight of stairs and into the Residential district. He and Stark had been to each others home several times, in fact- Aleks practically lived at Starks. “He has a good family” he mused.

He knocked on the door, shifting to and fro impatiently, paranoid and nervous. The door was opened a crack by Ma McTubbens, who promptly threw the door open and enveloped him in a fierce hug. “Aye lad, the guards came here pokin' their nose in me cupboards and rooms as ef I was their mam!” she exclaimed, ushering him into the living room. Sitting around the fire looking distressed was Stark and his father.

“Aleks!” he exclaimed getting up. “The guard said ye were wonted for kidnappin' the King o' Stormwind! They searched ye apartment, and came and asked us about when’s the last we had seen o' ya. Wot have ye gone and gotten yeself into now!?” he rushed out in one breath.

Aleksander released a breathe he did not now he had been holding. They believed him innocent because they knew him. He had been afraid they would have called the guards the second he showed up at the doorstep. He plopped down into one of the chairs and gratefully accepted the tea and loaf of bread Ma brought him, ignoring the butter and the knife, he began wolfing it down, explaining in between bites what had happened.

“So you see....its Lord Fairneworth....I just happened to hear of it, and now he wants me dead. I can't stay in any of the Alliance cities....he'll be searching for me night and day. I- I don't know what to do. I was thinking of going to either Azhara- I have distant family there and in the wilderness I could build a home and not be bothered....or going to a goblin trade-town and making my life there. I just don't know.” He withered, defeated, exhausted and out of ideas.

Stark turned slightly red. “Aleks, I wish I could help more, or have ye stay with us- yer family through and through....but the guards said they would watch us closely, in case you came by. Yer lucky they haven't knocked the door down yet.” His friend looked at him with a deeply troubled face. Aleksander had been expecting this though. Starks was a loyal, good friend- but what could he do against the might of the Crown?

Suddenly, Pa Mctubbens stood up and cleared his throat. “None o' this talk of leaving the boy to those hounds. I've been here long before either of ye, n I've seen wot them nobles in that court are like. Wait right here a brew, and I'll show ye something that might be o some help to the boy.” He walked up the stairs into the bedrooms, as the tow young men sat there looking morosely into the fire, and Ma McTubbens rocked back and forth knitting furiously, thinking.

“I thought of something.” Ma said, beaming, as she put down her knit. “When I was a younger, prettier lass a man used to court me.” she began, a blush creeping on her cheeks. “He became a high ranking officer in S1:7, and still has a soft spot for me. They do all sorts of espionage and other shadowy things I don approve of a wee bit....but...when it comes to thing such as this, wots simple folk like us to do? I shall go n see him tomorrow and tell him wot you've said. No, dun worry lad.” she interjected as Aleksander looked alarmed. “I wont be telling him where you choose to hide...but there’s been times afore when the Crowns been in danger, and thems the men who saved it.” She picked up her knitting, now pleased she knew how to help.

Pa McTubbens sauntered back into the living room carrying a large, iron trunk. He took a key from around his neck and unlocked it, motioning the boys forward.

“I never did tell you this, but when I was a young lad, fresh from Menethil- I enlisted into the Stormpike Army.” Aleks peered into the chest and saw medals, a crimson uniform and other sundry trinkets inside.

Pa gently pulled out a necklace that has a small carved piece of wood on it. He handed it over to Aleks who inspected it. It was smooth, probably of the Silverleaf tree, or maybe of the Darnassian purple heart trees. It was intricately carved with runes he had never seen, and smelled like the woods. He looked up questioningly. What was the necklace for?

Pa sighed and explained. I am 78 years old...respectable by Dwarven standards, but not old. When I was a Stormpike soldier, we were told to go out and fight back a contingent of Kobolds that had infested the mine we used for supplies. Halfway through, we had encountered no Kobolds...because a small company of Horde had cleared them out for the same purpose. We began to fight inside the cave, when suddenly there was a shatter in the earth- and the cave closed in.

We realized quickly we would all die there, so we stopped fighting and tried to start shifting rock. From behind us came the noises of hundreds of Kobolds- they had a city in that mine and we had set off their trap. We banded together best we could to stave them off- Forsaken healing humans, Dwarves saving orcs, we all fought to survive. It was a gruesome, bloody battle- but we’ve not time for it. We survived. It took us 3 days to heal and shift through that rock, and in that time we learned something our Kings and Commanders did not want us to know- we are all living creatures. We all were the same truly, and could get along.

Learning something new, we exchanged gifts of parting. A troll shaman there gave me that necklace lad- it cloaks you in the appearance of a Horde. I think it also gives you the power to understand them but meh memories gone groggy. Many of us have died since then- other races are not as long lived as Dwarves and Night elves you see...but we all remember each other. I kept in contact with one of them; he is probably ancient by now. I quit the army that month. He turned to Starks I didn't want ye to know son, that ye father got a dishonorable discharge from the army for allying and helping Horde. But its good to know we are all people.

Pa Mctubbens stood up. Ye were right Aleks...ye can’t stay in Alliance lands....but ye can go to Horde. He continued, ignoring the look of horror etched upon his face. I know ye was brought up to think o them as lesser creatures- bloodthirsty and monstrous- I was too. But they have the same feelings as us, and it was with them we defeated the Burning Legion. And if Titans forbid- some other horror comes to plague us, it’s with them again we’d ally. Ye can’t waste no time now. Ye must be packed and out of Ironforge by dawn.”

Ma suddenly got up and began taking down things from the stores- bread, cheese, salt. Pa was handing him a map and explaining directions to him as he wrote them down, but Aleks felt like he was underwater. Everything moved slowly and nothing was making sense.

The next thing he knew he had on a new set of clothes and a bag on his back. He said goodbye to the McTubbens. The look on Starks face was engraved into his mind. Suddenly walking down a dark corridor.
Outside the gates.
Into the snow.
Into the forest.
He did not stop until morning.  

The New Dawn

Aleksander stirred groggily as the pale morning light shone into his eyes. Opening them warily, he tried not to remember that horrid flight- dodging the guards, the chill, the wolf packs, the branches that snagged his clothes to the owl who saw it fit to let its droppings fall on him.

Stretching he suddenly lost his balance and plummeted several feet to damp earth- he had been asleep in a tree. Groaning, he got up tenderly, wondering how much distance he had put between him and the soldiers. “At the pace I was going, and through the forest not even the roads.....it could not have been more than a few hour lead....I can't waste time.” He had gotten out of Elwynn and was near the Swamp of Sorrows....he figured he could get to Booty Bay and then take a goblin ship across....he shivered involuntarily. “Tigers...raptors....god forsaken creatures and me traipsing through the forest like some nymph...more like lunch!”

Swiftly, he threw his cloak back on and finally took a moment to sift through the bags Ma had packed- bread, cheese, standard travel jerky. Two filled water flasks- he grabbed one and greedily drank a third of it in a gulp. Putting it aside he pulled out the map Pa had drawn the directions on....a compass, flint, tinder, a skinning knife, a small length of rope, ....and his tools.

Warmth and homesickness suddenly flooded Aleksander. “Stark must have grabbed them before he left....why....why am I hiding in a tree in the middle of a swamp when I should be learning how to make new alloys today with Master Ellington!” Anguished, he was lost in a swift remembrance of all he would never see again...because of that bastard...blood boiled.

He grabbed some of the bread, and got up. He needed to keep moving...he wouldn't get the satisfaction of dragging him in with the guard...hopefully S1:7 would find out...

He set off as the sun was bright, keeping off the road as he meandered through the swamp. Every crunch of leaves behind him, and every ominous call of the strange birds made him jump. He had grown up on a farm....not in wilderness such as this. No matter...he would be out soon and close to Stranglethorn.

Aleks focused his mind on his feet so he would not think. Left right left right one in front one in front one in front left right. He didn’t want to stop and think- he was afraid head collapse in madness.

Horde...he was to go live amongst horde....Images swirled around his mind....warring armies, blood thirsty savages....he heard they didn't even speak common. Horrid half cow people and worse....the undead...Aleks shuddered at the thought of the burning eyes that once looked like his. He was to LIVE amongst the creatures...”Better than not living at all” he thought grimly.

Images swirled around his mind....warring armies, blood thirsty savages....he heard they didn't even speak common. Horrid half cow people and worse....the undead...Aleks shuddered at the thought of the burning eyes that once looked like his. He was to LIVE amongst the creatures...”Better than not living at all” he thought grimly.

By sunset he could see the tips of the buildings of Booty Bay.

Neutral Territories are supposed to be…neutral?

Soon the cacophony of a busy city reached his ears. And the scent...the scent that had to be the sea. He had never before seen it in his life, and a small ray of wonder pierced his gloom. Trudging up the now dirt-path, he came up to two goblin guards, who were talking about something and smacking their clubs in their hands. He gulped a bit nervously. He had dealt with goblins a few times before -they had access to the rarer gems and steel that were used in Master Ellington's swords. He knew they worked for the highest bidder- what if Stormwind had gotten word to them already?

Walking up to the guards he was stopped. “Hold on a minute friend, state your business.” one squeaked, glaring up at him menacingly.

“I am here merely to re-stock my supplies.” He thought quickly. “I came here for some shootiin' and huntin'.” He quickly dropped his speech from the more formal court-speech he had mastered to the native dialect of the commoners that he was born into.

“Ahh, alright then friend, money is the key to all doors!” The two beaters shifted to let him through the gate. Which wasn't really a gate he thought. In fact, now that he was thinking about it and gaining some awareness, it looked like a giant...shark jaw?

He found himself a top a large stair, the sprawling town of Booty Bay below him- wooden planks, pirates, stores, masts, ships...the sea.

For a second he couldn't breathe and he gripped the banister tight. He had heard...all the stories had said...but it couldn't possibly be that big ! How could any ship cross that? He could see no end to the rich shades of blue, and no matter how hard he tried, the longer he stared the more the sky and the sea began to meld into one.

“Oof”
“Vur dask kooja zarzal!”

A large, male troll appeared behind him, having just come through the same gate. He smiled wickedly as Aleksander tried to get his breath back from the rather painful elbow jab he had just received in the ribs.

Horde. He thought grimacing. How typical to attack without provocation and when the other person isn't even ready. No honor at all. Disgusting cannibals- and he probably insulted me to boot!

He thought grimacing. How typical to attack without provocation and when the other person isn't even ready. No honor at all. Disgusting cannibals- and he probably insulted me to boot!

He regained his senses and began walking, his mind racing. Having made it past the guards meant that Stormwind had not yet sent word out. So he had some time. He needed to book passage....once aboard the ship he could don the pendant. He needed clothing in the style of the Horde. He tried to remember the directions Pa had given him.

“Ye need to get to Booty Bat first, from there last I knew of him he had gone to Ratchet. Somewhere up in the hills. Ye should be safe in them goblin towns for a bit. His name is Zuljar. He should be able to help ye, but if all else fails ye'll need to disappear into the wilds. Dun bother sending word soon- the Watch will be keeping an eye on us. Ye need to worry bout ye self first, and then maybe, in a year or so...

Be safe lad.”
Be safe lad.”
Be safe lad.”

Vague directions about a shaman- those earth-talkers- who might not be there or alive. He tried not to think what would happen if he could not find him. He needed to do this one step at a time. He walked into the general goods shop and quickly refilled his supplies.

“Where can I buy tickets to Kalimdor?” he asked the vendor. The goblin looked at him lazily. “Down at the dock, can't miss him.”

“Thank you!” He strode out the shop with purpose, so far, so good! Walking down to the docks, he saw so much Horde...casually talking...shopping...browsing. The market atmosphere reminded him of Stormwind. How can such blood-thirsty creatures and demons act like we do? Before he could devote more than a second to this thought, he came upon a goblin in a stylish swashbuckler shirt. Has to be him!

“Excuse me Sir, are you the one to see about passage?” he inquired.

“Yes I am! How can I help you today?” The goblin beamed up at him, and Aleks detected a scent of liquor.

“I'd like to purchase a-” He paused. I should be a round trip ticket or else he'll get suspicious. “A round trip ticket to Ratchet please.” The goblin nodded and handed him a small piece or parchment. “The boat will be here soon my friend. Time is Money!”

Aleksander shifted his pack to his other hand testing the weight. It was a good leather pack he had bought from a traveling salesman in Westfall before he had moved to Ironforge. The man said it was made from were-leather but it was probably just hogs. He sighed, his nervousness was receding due to how tired he was. The sun was blazing hot by now, he hadn't a decent meal all day and sleeping in a tree had managed to pull something in his back.

He closed his eyes for a moment and let his thoughts wander...I wonder what’s going to happen to me...I hope Starks and his family don't get in trouble for this. I wonder what it feels like to be on a boat....

He was roughly shaken. “All aboard friend! Your ships about to leave!” the goblin Dockmaster was hovering over him. Dammnit I fell asleep. He gave a quick, apologetic smile before trotting aboard. It was a magnificent ship- masts and clean white sails, and several levels. He was relieved to see several beaters walking around the ship, as he appeared to be the only alliance.

He quickly walked past a tauren, trying to suppress a shudder at it- cows were meant for eating. Ducking his head, he started down the stairs and found himself in a small waiting room with tables and chairs. He gratefully plunked himself down in one, relieved to be in relative comfort and off his feet. This entire thing was nightmarish.

He wished he could have taken a boat to Theramore instead...it was close to Ratchet...but with the mage-guards they probably had word to arrest him on sight. He stretched out on the bench...there was no point in worrying all night and he didn't know how much walking he would have to do tomorrow...I better get some sleep he thought. He drifted off into a fitful rest of nightmares and fear.

Kalimdor Calamities

He woke up groggily, the sun filtering in through the small window. Getting up, he stretched. He felt so much better! He turned, fumbling for the door, unable to locate it. Suddenly, the whole thing flooded back to him- he wasn't at home in his apartment.

Groaning, he took inventory of his surroundings. He was still on the ship, he was alive, he still had all of his belongings. Peering out through the window he saw the dock approaching. He had woken up in time. He quickly grabbed his packs and asked the beater (who had to shake awake) for directions to the washing room.

The second the water touched his face he felt better. He would see about getting some food in his system as soon as he could. Ratchet was another goblin town, even though it was in Horde territory...he shouldn't be running into too many problems yet. He'd use the pendant before he went looking for the shaman...he hoped it would let him speak to him.

Getting off the ship he was greeted by the merry little houses of Ratchet. He desperately wanted to take up a job here and not bother having to consort with the horde, but goblins were notorious in their love of money and he knew if there was a bounty- which there would be- a goblin town would be the worst place for him to be.

It was rather quaint and charming really...the little wood huts and the whimsical goblin engineering made for a rather picturesque little town. Aleksander walked down the dock and nodded at the beaters around him. Scanning the area, he tried to appear as though all the Horde staring at him was something normal. The tauren were massive- he had heard the tales of course...but they were truly built as magnificent beasts waist up. Their dagger-sharp horns looked capable of gutting a man. He saw a female one and was surprised to see her formally clothed, selling fish. She had no udders apparently...

He heard a low growl from one of the male taurens and quickly stopped staring at her, hurrying past. He spotted a sign for an Inn and was more than relieved. Walking in the low door it took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the light, or the lack of. A young goblin female quickly sat him at a table and rushed off, piping something about a menu. His stomach growled in anticipation as the scents from the kitchen wafted forward.

“All the Horde here is a bit unnerving isn't it?” in a slightly accented common came from across the dark room. He swiveled around and spotted a night elf male lounging in a seat across from another tauren female, they seemed to be sharing a meal.

“Ah..a bit” he didn't want to give too much information away. The elves were okay...but who knows what he was doing here?

“I am Lorthandil Windwalker, druid of the Cenarion Circle” the elf continued impressively. “This is my colleague Shana Leafrunner, she doesn't speak much common so she asks you excuse her.”

The Cenarion Circle...he had heard of them once or twice, they were a druidic group tasked with preserving nature...they were supposed to be a friendly lot so long as you weren't cutting down trees or killing rabbits or something of the sort. He gave a small smile. He had forgotten they coexisted with the Horde druids too. They couldn't be that bad if the haughty elves liked them could they?

“I am Al- Alin Theor” he stumbled. He bit his lip. Dammnit I can't give them my real name. Way to go moron, not even a full day on the run and you're practically turning yourself in! He was saved from continuing by the re-appearance of the serving girl, who bore a large platter.

“I didn't order anything yet” he started. She placed it down impishly in front of him. “We only serve one meal everyday, there’s no options and I don't suggest skipping out on it long-beans” she quipped, tilting her head to indicate the rather violent looking beaters at the door. He gulped.

“Thank you...” he said. He better eat it then. Looking at his plate he realized he didn't recognize any of the food. He picked up his fork unsure of what was what. He never thought about what goblins ate, but pondering it now he realized it would be foolish to import food from the alliance towns and farms all the way to Ratchet.

Lorthandil seemed to take pity on him. “I've been here a while” he said walking over. “That green leafy thing is what they call tuber roots....its the top part. Its like the lettuce you know. The squiggly yellow thing is a desert- known as “windblossom berry bake” -quite good I may add. Nothing like it in human cuisine. The meats good old fashioned venison, its just coated in a sauce.”

Aleksander was quite homesick suddenly at the thought of a future filled with “tuber roots” and “windblossoms”.

“Sounds more like an alchemical potion to me!” he joked. Lorthandil laughed. “ I need to be getting back to Shana...we are supposed to be investigating some rather interesting water in an oasis nearby. You wouldn't believe some of the stories the natives are saying! It was nice meeting you Alin.”

He suddenly had a thought. “Wait...I was wondering...how did you learn to speak...like. them?” he asked gesturing to Shana.

Lorthandil gave him a steady look. “I first realized we had a common goal and stopped thinking of them as things. Then I found an ancient elf teacher who remembered the days we both worked together. Its a good skill to have. Besides...in the case of Shana...all druids understand each other...we are connected by the earth mother in a way deeper than words. Why would a human want to speak to the Horde anyway?” he asked quizzically.

Aleksander looked him straight in the eye, he wasnt about to back down. A part of him rebelled from the thought of more lies, and hiding, and running.

'I am looking for a shaman of the Horde.' he announced with as much dignity and court manners as he could muster. 'For trading purposes.' he ammended. No sense in getting himself arrested on second thought.

Lorthandil smiled. 'Ahh another enterprising merchant trying to get into the black trade of shaman magic and items? It happens. I say it is for the good for both sides to understand the magic of nature in all forms. Which one? Shana by know of him.'

It was as though lightning struck him. He had been disregarding Shana the whole time as a cow...and she may have the very information to save him hours of dodging guards and Horde and trudging through the forest.

'Zuljar is his name.'  He looked at her hopefully.

Lorthandil translated something for her swiftly and she glanced at Aleksander, her amber eyes raking him over, summing up his worth, and measuring it against some standard he could not define.

She said something to Lorthandil and he nodded gravely. Turning back to Aleksander he translated. 'She said he resides north of the Crossroads, out the way bit in a small hut. You need only walk north to find it. She also said you seemed a man of quality and she wishes you well in your endevours. We must be going now....may you walk with the Earth Mother Alin...and enjoy your tuber roots.  The elf grinned wickedly at him as he executed a quick bow and walked out. Aleksander held Shanas eyes a moment before she turned the corner.

His food suddenly did not seem so bad.