A Warning to the Blacktooth Grin

***You notice a letter pinned to the gate with a dagger. The letter is sealed with the gray-wax imprint of a raptor-like bird. You open the letter to read it...***

Attention Blacktooth Grin.

There was a time when it seemed that your clan was nothing more than a simple thorn in the side of both the Horde and Alliance. Recent events, though, have proven you to be more than that.

Those of us that have embraced the idea that there could be peace between the factions can no longer sit idly by and watch you...animals...destroy what some of us have labored very much to try and secure. On a more personal note, you have taken from me that which I most treasured. My wife was killed in Stormgarde...she held no weapon and was protecting our son in her arms. She was slain by a Death Knight...and you know who you are, scum. My son survived and it is for his future that I now align myself with Lord Wrynn and Thrall to wipe you from this plane of existence. While I wish not to hurt the peaceful efforts to unite the factions...I will execute any Horde that dare associate themselves with your clan. Understand that I have the full support of Orgrimmar and Stormwind.

I was hopeful when the Tauren replaced your fallen Orc leader, that your clan would change. And still hopeful when a progressive Orc lead your people. However...with that psychotic, bloodlusted, fool Gorfrunch back at your helm, complete with that damn, old, shaman Grimnir by his side, I can no longer let you exist.

Be aware that a storm is coming. A dark cloud now looms over your pathetic band of mercenaries. I urge those of you with common sense to collect your things and leave before the heavens open up and wash you away. There will be no quarter and no mercy for those who remain.

I swear my vengeance on you all.

Major-Paladin Signus Ravensteel - Order of the United

"You know I have never been one that needs fresh air, but this keep has a foul aroma to it that I just need to be rid of every now an- what's this?" Noticing the letter on the gate his curiosity gets the best of him as he walks over to read it. After a few minutes of reading the letter he lets out a cackle, "Oh this is good, someone is going to get vengeance on this clan because his wife was killed when he was run out of the keep."

As he begins to re-read some parts of the letter a large smile appears on his face as he wishes he was there for this battle. "I bet the only reason this Paladin made it out of the keep alive, was because he ran away when he heard the keep was being marched on, maybe next time he will marry a woman who can protect herself, because obviously this paladin lacks the ability to fulfill his duty to protect the helpless."

Walking away from the letter, the grin still on his face yet it has twisted from a smile of happiness to a smile with wicked thoughts and intentions, "Maybe I will meet this paladin and send his body to the same grave as his woman, but his soul.... I shall keep it and he will never find rest until I grow bored of him."

As he rode his steed back to his home, he could think of nothing less then the hatred he felt toward the Grin.

His whole life he had served to protect the innocent and use the light to forward and promote peace. Where had it gotten him? He hated his life. If not for his son he would be all but lost. The light never served him back. It had not protected his wife from death.

Maybe. Maybe the Lich King was right. His dream had been so vivid...perhaps it wasn't a dream at all. he recalled the events in his mind:

***
There he stood on a dark mountain, weapon in hand. Below him swarms of Scourge, Human, and orc forces tried desperately to reach him. They climbed faster and faster...nipping at his feet while he slashed and kicked them down. As they drew closer to overwhelming him, there was a sudden burst of darkness from above. A swarm of locusts circled his enemies, consumed their flesh, and left nothing behind except for thier lifeless bones. once the dust had settled he climbed down the mountain to find that the bones had dissapeared and a layer of ice and snow now formed below his feet. A dark rider loomed in the distance getting slowly closer. Moments passed by as the figure rode closer. He knew who it was. It was The Lich King. He steadied himself...weapon drawn and ready for battle. Arthas stopped and dismounted. He strode casually over to Signus.

"Lower your weapon, paladin. You have no chance against me and you know it." Boomed the dark, ominous, voice.

"What are you doing here, traitor of the light?" Signus said in disgust.

Arthas bellowed a laugh "I was like you once. I served the light faithfully. I saved my people from certain death. Yet I was demonized and chastised for my actions. If I had recieved the support I deserved...perhaps my soul would not have been consumed by the blade I now hold. Tell me, Signus, did the light protect your wife? Does it protect your son? Certainly you, alone, were not able to protect her. You were not strong enough."

Signus grimaced at the words of the twisted being standing before him. yet he couldn't bring himself to answer or attack.

"I can give you everything that you want, Signus. Power...unlimited power...it can be yours. You can harness it and use it to destroy those who have hurt you. You can channel it to protect your son. Join me...cast aside your moral duty to a Light that can not protect you. Join me and unite the factions so that both Alliance and Horde can fall at our feet as one entity under our command. Only then can true peace be achieved. Think hard about my offer, Signus. ...or you can continue to fail and die at the hands of your oppressors."
***

Signus snapped out of his daydream. Maybe there was something there...maybe Arthas was right.