Blood to Blood

Ashenrock sighed heavily as he realized that his brother was right. The fight to free his brother from the chains of the Lich King had left Rock unable to fight. The wound he suffered at the hands of Lord Danomolis had proven too great, and it still had not healed fully...even after so much time had passed.

"I fear I may never return to my old form. Even Nara Wildmane* couldn't heal the damage, dammit." Rock said angrily

"It would seem that we both have a great deal to recover from." Demonstrike said. "You must let me take your place among them...at least on the battlefield, brother. Be my guide, though. Help me be a leader. I am confident that I can help the Grin...I just need to prove myself to them."

Ashenrock offered a lopsided smile "Brother...you have little left to prove. Tonight though, at Valiance Keep, you will fight against soem of the toughest Alliance foes you have ever seen. They will bring their full weight down on you. Respond ten fold, brother, and make them notice you. Draw their attention away from the healers. I served as a distraction on the battlefield. You...you can do bettter. Be mindful of your healers. Look to the elves of Suncrown to help. Esere always had my hide...I trust that she will have yours a s well."

Demonstrike nodded slowly.

"Make this fight personal, Demonaro. Try and find your redemption here and now. I will be there with you in spirit. You always complained that I cast a large shadow over you...tonight you must find your way out of it and be counted for what you are."

Ashenrock placed his hand on his brothers shoulder. "Be aware of your surroundings though, brother. Know who your true friends on that battlefield are. Please...watch over Felora in my stead."

He closed his eyes and shook his head sadly

"I feel a great storm cloud looming low over the clan. I have seen him in my visions, but I have told no one until now. Gorfrunch is alive, brother. He walks these mortal lands and will soon show himself to us. Grimnir will find him, and Grimnir will follow him. I pray that Yagyu is ready for him. I pray that you will be able to protect those that would stand against Gorfrunch and his followers."

Demonstrike looked confidently into his brothers eyes, now understanding that a torch was being passed.

"I will not fail this clan...and I certainly will not fail you. You have sacrificed much to bring me back here. I will not let it be in vain."

Demonstrike arrived back in Stonard feeling confident and satisfied. The battle at Valiance Keep had offered no answers to the Grin regarding their current crisis...but it offered Demonstrike an awe inspiring view into himself.

The Alliance fighters could not control him and it was he who dictated much of the fighting. He would rip the healers from their assumed safety and use his death grip to summon them into the jaws of a rabid Dread Horde.

When the fighting was finished...from the top of the hill outside of the keep...he holstered his weapon and spit into the vast, newly minted, Alliance graveyard. He was a healer no more...but instead an instrument of destruction. Where before he feared his power and new instinct to kill...he now embraced it and basked in it's warmth. He was starting to realize that his new power was indeed a gift...and now coupled with his own free will, instead of being controlled by the Lich King...he could find his redemption, help the Grin, and help the Horde all at once...with one deadly swing of the axe at a time.

He could control his emotions again, finally. He was free to feel hate for his enemies, sympathy for his allies, and love for his family. They were only fleeting feelings at times...but it was good to be able to remember the emotions and be able to associate them with the proper people and things.

As he was riding up to greet his brother he realized that he was smiling...mirroring his brothers smile. He couldn't rememeber the last time he smiled. Apparently neither could Ashenrock. His older brother embraced him in a bear hug and Demonstrike didn't resist.

"I knew you would find yourself out there! Others have told me of the battle. You did well, brother." Rock seemed giddy with excitement but soon turned somber. "Did you speak with Grimnir?"

Demonstrike stepped back a bit and answered "I did. He wishes me to explore Icecrown alongside Felora."

Rock sighed in relief "Good. I know you'll be able to keep her safe. In turn she'll be able to keep you safe. BAH! I need these wounds to heal so that I can help this effort."

Demonstrike leaned into his brother and whispered "You can be of use right now, Rock. There seems to have been a shift in Orgrimmar. You may want to put your diplomatic skills to use."

Rock raised an eyebrow "Thrall?"

Demonstrike simply nodded and smiled "The Horde may soon rise to its full potential...and the Blacktooth Grin could be poised to be an important part of that."

Ashenrock stared in disbelief at his younger brother. He had never seen him take a political stance in his life but now he seemed to have his finger on the pulse of the entire Horde. It was amazing to see such changes in such a short period of time. He smiled at his brother, who of course, was still a bit naive.

"Walking into counsel with Thrall won't be quite as easy as gaining an audience with A'Dal. My HEAD may be granted audience with Thrall..."

The two brothers shared a laugh and then retired to the inn for some ale...and some overdue bonding.

Ashenrock couldn't shake the idea of Thrall accepting the Grin as an ally. If the Grin were free from the Horde's Most Wanted list, then they would be free to pursue their ambitions undeterred.

Rock smiled to himself as he decided that he would risk incarceration...and possibly death...by trying to gain audience with Thrall. He would need to follow some protocol, though. He would need to see Cairne first. Cairne would tell him if this venture was worth pursuing or not. The old Tauren, while loyal to Thrall, had always kept his people first on his priority list. Ashenrock was sure that no one in Thunder Bluff would betray him to authorities of Orgrimaar.

He wouldn't dare tell anyone else of this, though, save for except his brothers. Yagyu would throw a fit if he knew of this plan...as would Grimnir. This struggle with Gorfrunch could turn bad...and the Grin needed a unifying goal right now. Rock was in no shape to fight, physically, so it was now time to put his brain to use.

He looked over at his bedside and his thoughts turned to Felora. She had been gone a long time now, and he missed her terribly. He would have to sacrifice a few more weeks apart from her from this. He would have the Betrayed tell her of his plans after his departure.

He gathered his things, mounted his raptor, and started off for Revantusk Village. Hopefully his father and troll-brother would be there.