The Keep

“Kalimdor?” Grot questioned, his eyebrow raised. Thrall was giving a talk about his vision and plan for the orcs. Kali and Grot stood to the back of the crowd, Lae between the two of them, her young face confused. Kali looked at Grot and shrugged, turning her attention back to Thrall, smiling proudly at the young orc that was leading them. He was a bright green, his body that of a warrior’s, not a shamans. His eyes were bright and penetrating, his expression usually serious.

“The Prophet spoke to me, and we will obey! It will bring us peace, and allow our destiny to unfold!” he exclaimed, his voice deep, with the same calm and thought out demeanor as Grot.

Kali remained undecided on Thrall’s call for non-violence against the humans. Though she had often wondered if what the orcs were doing when they first arrived was the right thing, they were desperate. To keep the orcs, chained and caged, to use them as slaves, to deny them food… she couldn’t help but scoff at the idea of ever passing one and being peaceful to them. However, despite her difference in opinion, Thrall was the orc who had freed them. That earned her devotion, as well as Grot and Lae.

“You are our leader!” an older orc shouted in the middle of the crowd, his eyes a dull red, his hair almost completely grey. He raised his voice, causing others in the crowd to clap and holler. “Where you lead, we will loyally follow!”

Thrall smiled down at the gathering and nodded. “Then we move for Kalimdor in a fortnight. Prepare for the journey.”

Grot smiled at Kali, who returned his look, both of them looking as eager as children to begin their respective trainings.