Into Orgrimmar Maube strode, following a proud Orc wearing a res tabard on which was embroidered a broken skull. No longer did the young mage feel outcast by the other members of the racial alliance. Here was a Clan that was willing to extend the offer of friendship and comraderiere with an undead mage. The Orcish chieftan Volonazra escorted the young mage to the Crusher encampment. Eyes wide, Maube looked at the motley assortment of Orcs, Trolls, Tauren and even one or two of the Forsaken. However, the small cluster of the undead were set apart, probably by their own choosing.
Even in this clan, the distrust of the Forsaken was there, but not as strongly as some of the other groups who roamed Azeroth. Maube looked at her new Chieftan with a measure of respect. Surely these Horde would not have allowed Forsaken within their midst without Volonazra championing them...
Times were changing, and not just for those who were now wandering with an unnatural unlife... but for all the races of Azeroth. The Warlord Thrall understood this, which is why he urged his followers to accept the change and push on to a better alliance among the 'bestial' races of Azeroth. Chief Volonazra understood this as well, which is why Maube found herself suddenly immersed in the culture of the Orcs.
Shyly, Maube curtsied to those assembled. "Greetings mah companions, ah be Maube! Ifin yah evah needin mah magickin skills, please dunnae hesitate tah ask.."
And so Maube began her learning of the dialects and mannerisms of her new found clan. Something she was sure her mentor back in Brill would appreciate. Since Orc's really had no written history, Maube decided to keep a record of her dealings with them, in hopes of proving her worth.
Elated, Maube went to the Auction house to look at the wares for sale there. With her small savings, she was able to find a new walking staff, with a glowing crystal on the top no less! Quite amused and very happy, the young mageling wandered about, just taking in the sites.
Orgrimmar was the biggest city she had ever seen. Sure Ironforge and Stormwind were rumored to be very large and complex, surely more aethsetically pieced together, Maube did not care. Those cities were beyond her reach when she was alive... and now that she was undead, such dreams of seeing those cities were far beyond her bony clutch.
After spending her meager savings, Maube took a pallet in the Skullcrusher compound, no sense in rushing back to Brill with all the excitement still coursing through her. Stay here in Orgrimmar for another night... sleeping under the stars. The steady snores and grunts around her were comforting, she knew she would make these new clan mates of hers respect her some day, she would show her honor, but also her strengths.
And so she slept... dreamlessly.
At first light she awoke to a horn blast. Sitting up she noticed the encampment was empty save for her.
Gathering her few belongings she loped out into the main clearing where a large group of the Horde were gathered around a huge Bonfire. The Warlord Thrall stood on a podium, a gnarled old Forsaken standing beside him.
"It is time for you to prove your worth to us!' The old Forsaken rasped, slamming his stave upon the ground to get attention. "Brill has been attacked and the inhabitants slaughtered! We need reinforcements to push the Alliance scum from our shores!"
Maube's world suddenly went dark... "Brill has been attacked and the inhabitants slaughtered!" Maube sunk to her knees...
Her home. Her mentor...
A rough hand rested on her shoulder. Maube blinked back tears to look into the eyes of a kindly Orc Shaman, once more, that broken skull smiled at her from the Orc's tabard. Maube couldnt even talk... she was so very upset.
"nub worree deadie. Crushers be abul tah clomp dem humies."
Maube nodded, and slowly stood, a small flicker of hope growing within her... "Meybe mah mentor... meybe he got out in time..."
The Orc nodded and pointed towards the entrance of Org. "Take dah flyin ting. go see, ah cum wit latz. Ah be Muru. Me help latz."
Maube stumbled after the orc, barely aware of her surroundings.
The blimp ride was the longest of Maube's life...
But once she arrived... only devastaton greeted her. Brill was massacred... again.
But this time... it was the people... who once were her own brethren... who destroyed all she knew... for what? The fear of something different.
The orc once more put his hand on her shoulder, giving her a gentle squeeze. Maube gritted her teeth and stood.
"The Alliance will pay for this atrocity. I swear it upon my very soul."
To be continued...