Little Warrior

Drak'nora Skullsplitter sat around the fire in Stonard, watching her friends, nay, family. "I've never met a group like the Grin before." she thought. "I've never felt so at ease, so, at home." She looked around at the familiar faces, finally resting her gaze on one particular orc. He caught her eyes on him, and smiled. She quickly looked away, startled that she had been caught. "Whatsa matter with ya, Drak?" she thought, "You've never shied away from a male before." She sighed. "I can't get attached. It's not the time." She looked at the fire, burning bright and orange in the dark. Her thoughts turned inward, at the path she had taken to this point...

...

"Mother?" a child cried. "Father!?" A small orc climbed out from under her cot as she smelled the flames. The hut was engulfed, she couldn't see past her hand. "Drak'nora! Follow my voice!" It was her brother, Thyrog. She blindly made her way out, coughing and gagging on the thick smoke. Strong hands grabbed her and threw a blanket over her head. The world went dark.

Drak'nora remembered waking up in an unfamiliar place, her mother and brother next to her. It was sparse, wood, unlike the cozy huts made of hides and limbs of trees she was used to. She heard strange voices outside, harsh and angry. "Mother," she croaked, her throat still scratchy from the smoke. "Where are we?" "Hush, Drak." Thyrog said. "We've been taken prisoner. The humans found us. They're placing all orcs in camps." "Wh-where's father?" Draknora asked. "Dead." Thyrog responded, his face turning to stone. Their mother began to sob. Drak'nora would never forget the sound of her mother crying.

Shortly after being taken to the internment camps, Thyrog was taken away. Their mother, who had not recovered from the death of her lifemate, was growing listless, and mean. "He fought for you, girl." "He died because he wanted them to leave you alone." "It's all your fault." Over and over Drak'nora heard these phrases as she grew up in the camp. She refused to become like the other orcs. She refused to give in to the lethargy. The anger over her brother's disappearance, her mother's spiral into madness, and her father's death kept her wits strong. She vowed to become a warrior, to honor her father, Drak'nor, who had given her her name.

...

Drak'nora woke with a start, her hand immediately reaching for her axe. She found the spot empty, and whirled around, only to find herself encased in ice. She peered through the ice at a female orc who had a striped cat at her side. "It's for your protection, girl." the orc said. "You're in Grin territory. What are you doing here?" Drak'nora was beginning to feel chilled, and her teeth began to chatter. The huntress made a motion, and the ice barrier disappeared. Drak noticed that her axe was in the other orc's hand. "How'd you know I was th-there?" she asked. "I can track quite well." the orc responded. "You haven't answered me. What are you doing here?" Drak'nora's eyes narrowed, her defiance flaring up. "I'm making my way to the goblin settlement in the south. I've heard there's transportation to an orc city from there." The huntress nodded. "You'll need some supplies. Come with me. Name's Signe, by the way, of the Skullsplitter Clan." Drak'nora's eyes widened. "Skullsplitter?" Signe laughed. "You've probably heard of my lifemate, Grimface. He's a warrior of a rather notorious reputation." "No, it can't be..." Drak thought to herself. "My name's Drak'nora. Also of the Skullsplitter Clan." She saw Signe's eyes widen. "You're Drak. You're my lifemate's little sister!" Drak'nora was startled as Signe gripped her in a huge hug. "Of all the lucky days for me to be on patrol." Signe said. "Welcome home, sister."

...

Drak'nora looked around the fire once more, and realized how late it had become. Most of the Grin had gone to their quarters. She knew she should, too, since a battle would await her tomorrow. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and looked up to see Vord. "I would like you to reconsider joining us tomorrow, Drak. It is going to be difficult, and even for a seasoned warrior, I..." he sighed as he trailed off. "You've only just come into your own, and are still mastering skills. I do not want anything to happen to you. I could never forgive myself." Drak stood up as she answered Vord. "I can't not go. I have to be there. For you." she smiled. "I will be fine. You do what you need to, and I will be there. Good night, Vord" She looked down quickly as she went to her quarters, so he could not see the fear that crept into her eyes. "I will be fine." She said to herself again. "He will be, too."

Xylien's burning eyes awaited Drak'nora in the dark. "Fear is not something to be ashamed of, little one," she said, "although I would point out the folly in worrying about Vord. He's very capable, you know." The undead warrior leaned out of the shadow with a kind smile, "I say that, but you'll fear for him anyway. Tell me, little one, what exactly it is you fear."

Drak'nora smiled rather sadly at Xylien. "I do not feel fear, often. I learned to put that emotion aside the day my father died. " She sighed, wistfully. "In this case, I fear the unknown. What we face tomorrow, what important, powerful people face, is unclear to me. I do not fear for Vord. He knows what he is doing. I..." She broke off, and looked rather ashamed. "I fear for me. What if I am making a mistake? What if I really am not ready? I am strong. I am capable. I just do not know if I am able to handle what comes tomorrow." She paused, removing her axe as she came to her doorway. "I did not tell you the complete truth, Xy. I do fear for him. I do not want him hurt, either physically or mentally. I want him to come home, whole, to the Grin. To me."

Xylien nodded, "I thought as much," she said, "fear is natural, even to me, and I've already died once." She shook her head, "One never knows the future, child, he only has the choice between running from it, or squaring his shoulders and moving forward." She patted Drak'nora's shoulder, "as for him coming home to you, well, if he doesn't, you can always go and drag him back again," she grinned, "it worked when I tried it."

"You've been spending too much time around orcs," Drak laughed. "I'd better prepare my armor and weapons for tomorrow." She studied Xylien for a moment. "Thank you. I can sleep clear now, having stated my fears. Seems like once they're said aloud, they're easier to overcome. Good night, Xylien. See you in the morning."

Xylien smiled, "Good night."

After Drak had gone to bed, Xylien smiled after her, "Orcs? No, just a tidbit of fatherly wisdom." She grabbed the lip of the roof and swung up, where she lay and watched the stars.

She had her own fears to keep her awake.

The ride to the Plaguelands was long, and gave Drak'nora time to learn more about their destination. She knew of Vord's time as a Death Knight, which was part of the intrigue. She had arrived with the Grin shortly after Vord's return, and didn't realize the full situation he was in. The more she learned in whispers from Xylien, the more she wanted to turn around, but she had come too far to turn back. She felt out of place amongst all the officers and long-time Grin, but she knew that if she wasn't meant to be there, she wouldn't be. She had come to care about the hunter-who-was-Death Knight, and if he were to die at the end of the journey, she wanted to be there with him.

Drak'nora drifted in and out of consciousness, laying on the dead grass of the Plaguelands. She felt strong arms pick her up and lay her down again. She tried to open her eyes, but couldn't, and was out cold once more. The fight around her raged on....

...

"We are free!" "Death to humans!" Drak'nora opened her eyes to the commotion outside the barracks. Her mother still lay asleep beside her. "Mother, wake up." She said as she gently shook her shoulder. "Something's happened." Thyra stirred, and pushed her daughter's hand away. "Leave me be, girl." Drak sighed and went outside. Half of the barracks were on fire. The captive orcs were running everywhere, and she could see many bodies, human and orc, lying on the ground. "What is going on?" she asked the nearest orc. "We have won. We are free!" Drak'nora saw a human officer, one who had been particularly cruel, go in to her barrack, where her mother still lay. She ran quickly over and inside just as the human was about to strike her mother. She charged him, but it was too late. He struck Thyra hard on her skull, killing her with the single blow. Drak'nora roared with fury. Despite her mother's cruelty toward her, she was her only family left. Drak took the man's weapon and dealt blow after blow. Panting, she looked down and saw her hands covered with blood. She felt shocked, yet empowered. Eyes set, she gathered what little belongings she had, took some food that she scrounged up, and made her way out of the burning camp, never looking behind her.

...

"Grimface!" Signe yelled, as she and Drak'nora came into the Grin's camp. Grimface looked up from the anvil he had been fixing his armor on. "What is it, Signe?" Signe pushed Drak'nora forward. "Tell him." Grimface looked at the newcomer curiously. He shook his head, as if the voice inside was telling him something he didn't believe. "You look like... nevermind. It is impossible." "No, Thyrog. It is possible." Drak'nora said. "I am Drak'nora. Your sister." Grimface stood stock still, shocked. "Drak? You were a little orc when I last saw you. You have grown up." "I can't believe I have found you, that you are still alive, Thyrog. When they took you from mother and me, I never thought I would see you again." Grimface grabbed his sister in a big hug. "Mother's dead, isn't she?" he asked, grimly. "Yes. Killed just as the camps were being emptied. In a way, it is good you were gone long before. You would not have wanted to know her, the way she had become." "You look just like her, Drak. Come, join Signe and me for a drink. We'll find you some dinner, too, and figure out where you're gonna sleep. I know you won't want to be in our small room. Minigrim is teething." He grimaced, then laughed. "He really does have a black-toothed grin."

...

"Signe, who is that orc, the one who looks like he has been to hell and back?" Drak'nora asked, as she was getting her new armor and weapons in order. "Which one? Oh, you must mean Vord." Signe looked thoughtful. "He has been through a great ordeal. I would not bother him." Drak'nora looked over towards Vord, who was staring intently at the fire. "Hmm." She thought to herself. "Vord."

...

A few months ago...

Drak'nora walked over to the bonfire, and sat a bit away from Vord. He looked over at her and scowled. "I didn't think anyone was in camp. I'd rather be alone." She shrugged. "Fine, go be alone. I'm going to enjoy the fire, and fix some dinner for myself. Everyone has left for Stromgarde." "I haven't seen you before. Why are you here?" He asked. "My brother is here. Thyrog. You know him as Grimface." "I did not know he had a sister." Vord said, thinking of his own brothers, long missing, and the sister he had let fall. "We were separated for a long time," she began, her eyes taking on shadows. "I did not know he was even alive until a few days ago." She placed some seasoned bear meat on a skewer, and tilted in to the fire to cook. "This group, the Grin... it seems like a good place to be. If not, I'll move on, like I've done before." "It is. You seem so young to have moved on so often, though." "You don't have to be old to have been many places, Vord. Sometimes we grow up before we are ready." Vord stood, ready to return to his quarters, tired of the talk. "Would you like some meat?" Drak offered. He took a skewer. "Thank you." "I was warned not to talk to you." "Really." Vord said, mildly amused. "Yeah. You're not so bad." She grinned at him. "Thanks for the dinner." he said, then left for his quarters.

...

A few days later the Grin were engaging the Alliance in battle at Darkshire. Drak'nora dealt one final blow to the dwarf that had taken her on. She turned and saw Vord swarmed by three Alliance. He had been stunned, and was disarmed. Drak'nora charged at them, and quickly spun to hit all of her opponents. Vord regained his balance, and backed away to get better aim with his bow. They quickly dispatched their would-be killers, and sat for a bit to regain their strength. "Thanks." She grinned at him. "No problem. It's what I do best. Besides, wouldn't do to have your handsome face killed in your first battle back." She leaned over and grabbed his shoulders, pulling him towards her. She kissed him quick and hard, stood up, and ran back to the rest of their patrol. He looked after her in surprise. A smile spread across his face, the first genuine smile in a long time.

It had been a week since the battle in the Plaguelands. Many of the Grin were recuperating from their wounds, but to the relief of many, there were no casualties. Drak'nora sat at a small table in her quarters. She drank a bitter fluid from a mug that Oroki had given her to help her wounds heal. She normally would have brewed an elixir herself, but her injuries did not allow it, and Oroki's knowledge was much stronger. The Death Knight wounds were more potent than a regular weapon could deal. A large bowl filled with warm water sat on the table, along with some soft cloths and a vial of ointment. Drak clumsily fiddled with the buttons on her soft linen shirt she wore over the bandages on her chest and arms, preparing to clean her wounds yet again. She heard a soft knock at the door, and, thinking it was Signe bringing her dinner, called out, "Come in, Sig." Vord stood in the doorway, his face still heavily bruised by the beating he had taken. "I hope I am not disturbing you." he said, quietly. "No, no. I was just about to clean my wounds. He noted the half-buttoned shirt and the items on the table. His eyes softened, and he knelt beside her. "Let me help you." His large fingers gently undid the rest of the buttons on her shirt. She saw him take a sharp breath as her skin and bandages were exposed. "Even with the wounds," he began, softly, "You are more beautiful than I expected." She looked at him sharply, not quite believing. "You should not scar much. The salve that Oroki makes is very good." "No." She replied. "I hope I do scar. Marks on skin are badges of honor. In my case, it will be a badge of my folly." He shook his head. "You were quite crazy, throwing yourself at Fenris that way." He finished the bandages and stood up. He began to pace the room, remembering. "When you fell, I thought he had killed you with those blows. I felt..." He trailed off. She stood up and put a hand on his arm to still him. "I knew I would get hurt when I accompanied you. I thought I could possibly die." She began. "I knew that I would not be much use in battle. I am nowhere as skilled as everyone else." "Then why? Why did you come?"

She smiled softly, and put her hand on his unshaven cheek. The touch was electric. "You felt that. We have a connection." He placed his hand over hers, and she smiled. "I may not fully understand you, Vord, but I do know we were both alone for so long. We lost, then found, our families. We gained even more family in the Grin. We are both strong and loyal." He dropped his hand, and turned slightly away. "That's where you're wrong, Drak. I thought my loyalty to the Grin would never waiver, that it was absolute. All that was changed when I became a Death Knight. I was broken, I betrayed everyone." "Yes, but you came back! You came back from something that is near impossible to come back from! The Scourge is extremely powerful, and yet, you are here, standing in front of me." "Who's to say I won't leave again?" he asked sharply. "I cannot risk it again!" Her eyes narrowed. "I am not some weak female who needs coddling. You should know that by now. The life we lead - it is not safe, it is not easy. There is always chance, always risk. But I think we both can be stronger, together. Stronger than we ever were alone."

He looked at her intently. She met his gaze and slid her arms around his shoulders. He held her gently, not wanting to aggravate her wounds. She leaned in slowly and gently pressed her lips against his. He gave a small gasp, and deepened the kiss, a large hand moving up to cup her cheek. A knock at the door broke them apart. "Drak'nora?" Signe called from outside. "I brought you some dinner." The door opened and Signe saw Vord holding Drak'nora. She smiled wryly. "So, that's what all those questions were about. I'll leave the plate on your table, Drak. Don't worry; I won't tell your brother." Drak grinned, sheepishly. "Thanks, Sig."

Signe closed the door behind her. Drak looked back at Vord, who's face was showing alarm. "She won't tell him, will she?" Drak'nora laughed. "No. I trust Signe." "Good." He pulled her back close and kissed her again. "Stay here with me tonight, Vord." she whispered against his lips. "Alright."

The next morning Drak awoke alone. She smiled to herself, got dressed, and headed out to get some breakfast. She opened the door and saw Vord and Kaylish locked in an embrace. She froze, furious, then charged over to them, pulling them apart. She wound up and punched Vord, opening a cut that was still healing. She turned to Kaylish, and hit her as well, enjoying the sound of the blow as it hit Kaylish's face. She raised her arm for another hit, but Vord grabbed her arms and held her still. "Let. Go. Of. Me." "No. Not until you understand." he said. "What is there to understand?" she spat, boiling with anger. Kaylish watched Drak'nora struggle against Vord's arms, amused. "This answers my questions nicely." she said. "She heard your door open, and grabbed me. We were talking, Drak, that is all." Vord started to explain. "Oh, is that what you call it? Then all of our "talking" last night was nothing to you, since you'll "talk" with that." She gestured towards Kaylish, whose smile grew wider.

Grin hearing the commotion began looking on, curiously. A voice boomed, "What's this about my sister and last night?" Grimface started over towards Vord, but Signe shot him with a tranquilizer. "This is not your business, Grimface. Let your sister handle it." Drak smirked at her brother, now sitting on the ground, dazed. She turned her attention back to Vord, eyes flashing. "How quickly you forget whose floor your armor was on. I will not be made a fool. No one is worth my pride." she said. "You're doing a pretty good job of that on your own, kid." Kaylish said, still grinning. "Kay, enough." Vord said, then looked down at Drak'nora. "We're taking this someplace less public." He half-led, half-dragged Drak back to her room.

Vord stood in front of the door inside Drak'nora's room, preventing Drak from leaving if she so chose. "I didn't know she was going to grab me like that." Vord began, as he watched Drak'nora pace. "It was a test, you know, a test for you." Drak stopped pacing and looked at Vord curiously. "Oh sure, a test to tick me off. Well done." "No." Vord sighed, exasperated but happy. "I know you two had it out, and came to some sort of understanding. I think Kaylish just wanted a little more proof." Drak's eyes narrowed. "Proof of what?" "Proof that..." A knock on the door interrupted what Vord was going to say. "It's Kaylish." came from the other side. "I wanted to make sure she didn't kill you, Vord." Drak'nora snorted a laugh. Vord thought for a moment then opened the door to let her in. "He said you wanted proof, Kay. Of what?" Kaylish looked Drak over, seeing something that made her smile again. "For a kid, Drak, you're not so bad. I think you might actually be what he needs. But, I need him too, and if he's too hung up on you and you do something to mess him up, I can't have that." Still sore, Kaylish gingerly sat at the table. "I wanted proof that you care about him, and it's not just some passing thing." Drak looked at Kaylish, having mixed feelings about being judged in such a manner. "I can't tell you that, Kaylish." "I know." she replied, "Your response was good enough, for now." "Why can't you tell her, Drak?" Vord asked. Drak and Kay exchanged a knowing look. "Because I haven't yet told you."

Vord sat at the bar, helping himself to a few more drinks than usual while watching Drak'nora and Kaylish talking in the corner. They both looked over at him, Kaylish getting an almost evil smile while Drak seemed to copy her new partner in planning Vord's taming. He took another swig, draining what ale he had left and nodded to the barkeep to bring another. He started on his new ale, 'Everything was simpler when all I had to think about was my bow, my tiger and my worgs.' He sat and thought for a few moments more before inspiration struck. He quickly reached into his bad, retrieving a piece of parchment and a pen.

Drak sat at the small table in her room, papers and books spread out in front of her. The tant? sat to her left, glinting from the glow of the torch that lit her room. She ran her finger down the flat of the blade and smiled, thinking of Vord. She sighed, looking again at the papers and stack of books. She picked up a pen and began to trace the letters in front of her, slowly, drawing clumsy figures on the paper. Signe had brought her the papers and books, primers from children's school. Drak'nora thought back a few days.

...

"Drak, didn't you get my note?" Signe asked, as she walked into Drak's room. "Uh, yeah, I did." Drak'nora said, uncomfortably. "Then why didn't you meet me when I asked?" Drak's face closed off, her mouth set. "I, uh..." She paused and sighed, looking embarrassed. "Signe, you can tell no one." Signe waited, expectantly. "I can't read. Or write, for that matter." Signe looked surprised. "You speak so well, I assumed... well, that's not important. Let me help you, Drak'nora. I can help you learn how." Drak smiled. "Okay. Thank you, sis."

...

A knock at her door startled her, as she hastily gathered up the papers and books in a messy pile, turning the titles of the books towards the wall. Vord looked in, and she gestured him inside, smiling. "I thought you would be asleep by now." "No, just winding down." she replied. He studied her for a minute. "Are you okay? I know proposing at a bar isn't what every female dreams of, but..." She cut him off, "No, no! It was perfect, more than I ever thought." She smiled as she put her arms around him. "Then what's the matter? Something's bothering you." She shook her head. "There's nothing. I'm fine, just a little sore still." She said, lightly touching her side where the wounds were almost healed. "Then let's put you to bed." He extinguished the torch and walked her over to the small cot. She lay down, and he pulled the cover over her. "You don't want to stay? She asked. "I do, very much, but I also want to follow some clan traditions. We'll be together soon enough, Drak." He said, running his hand down her hair. She smiled again, and yawned. "Good night, Vord." "Night, Drak."

"DRAK'NORA!" A voice boomed across Stonard. Grimface was in a mood, and learning that his sister had agreed to become Vord's lifemate was not welcome news. Drak woke with a start, hearing her name called. She pulled on some light pants and a vest and opened her door. "Stop yelling, Grimface!" she yelled, spotting him across the commons. "What is this I hear about you and Vord? I do not want that orc in my clan!" Drak's eyes narrowed, hearing that. "Good. I'm leaving ours for his." "I won't let you, sister." he retorted. "You do not have a say, brother. I thought I was our clan for years, not knowing where you were. I do not have to obey you." Grimface grew furious. "This is not over!" He shouted. "You and Vord. Gurubashi Arena. In an hour."

Drak sighed, and went looking for Vord. She found him in the inn, eating breakfast. "Grimface knows." she said, sitting down beside him. "Yes. I heard." Vord responded, feeling amused and a bit scared. Grimface is a well-seasoned warrior, and his battle-prowess was well known. "Gurubashi, is it?" he asked her. "Yes. We don't have much time." She paused. "He won't kill you, you know." Vord smiled at that, turning towards Drak. "Yes, I know. But doesn't mean he won't try." He sighed. "Let's go get our gear."

Grimface stormed back to his hovel and grabbed his mace and throwing knives. Vord, he thought, of all people she chose him.

Grim and Vord had never really seen eye to eye. Having lead completely opposite paths, they found little in common short of wanting to kill all those that threatened the Grin. He had offered to go with Vord on this last mission he was on but he insisited that Drak could handle it in his place. At the time, Ashenrock agreed and Grim was left to watch the grots in camp.

Grimface was still rather bitter about this fact, one that Signe knew and purposely avoid talking about. It was a dishonor to him and he would make sure Vord knew it. Signe had just gotten the news.

"You're not going to do it Grim" she said walking in attempting to coax him. "They are good together and they love each other very much!"

"LOVE?" Grim bellowed then spit on the ground, "HE IS A FORMER DEATH KNIGHT! I do not trust him and he is a poor excuse for an orc." Grim was rather prudent about that last point. He does love Signe but mocks her using a bow as its "unorcish" in his opinion. Signe usually lets this go but today she was going to prove a point.

"Don't Thyrog! I gave them my blessing weeks ago"

Grim knew that this was just a mock to save face but now since signe had given her permission, it was almost validated. Grim had to face them even if he lost...he would still win.

"I'm going, please come watch and bring the baby. He should learn our traditions." Grimface got up, weighed his mace, and jumped on his kodo. He stroked thunderheart, his kodo, to soothe her and with a flash he took off for Gurbashi.

"Grimface against Vord! Gurbashi! Be there" he yelled in order to show his lack of fear.

Drak'nora looked over at the surprising number of Grin who turned up at Gurubashi to watch Grimface fight Vord. She fiddled nervously with the handle of her sword as she watched Grim pace at the other side of the arena. Vord appeared calm beside her, although she knew he must have felt some fear at opposing her angry brother. "I won't interfere unless needed, Vord." she whispered. He nodded. She briefly thought about giving him a kiss before the fight, but quickly decided against it. She didn't need Grimface any more angry than he already was.

"Vord, do you wish to take my sister as your lifemate?" Grimface boomed across the arena. "Yes, I do!" Vord shouted back. "Then you must first beat me!" came the response. Grimface charged at Vord, knocking him off balance. Vord quickly regained his stance and sent Stripes after Grimface, placing a freezing trap behind him as he moved away to get a shot. Grimface dodged around the trap, catching Vord with a blow to the back. Drak saw the blow and grew angry. She started forward, forgetting about the trap that had been placed, and found herself encased in ice. Gasping with shock, she watched as Grimface hit Vord again, causing blood to spurt from his nose. The trap disappeared from around her, and she ran after Grimface, smashing him with her shield. Grimface kept after Vord, with Drak'nora still pounding on him. Vord collapsed as one final blow hit his head, knocking him out. Drak'nora, in a fit of rage, slashed and hit at her brother until he too, was knocked out.

Drak'nora sat down between the two unconscious orcs, still glaring at her brother. Vord came to, slowly sitting up. Grimface stirred on the other side of her, and she pushed him down again. He grumbled as he sat up. "Guess you two won." Drak looked at Grimface with surprise. "But you have to name your first born Thyrog!" "No." Drak said. "I will not name a girl Thyrog." Grimface laughed. "First boy, then!" Drak eyed her brother, not quite believing that he came around so easily. "No promises." she replied. Vord smiled, then grimaced, his face bruised yet again. "We'd better get to Nagrand." Vord said to Drak, winking. She grinned at him. "Yeah, before he changes his mind."

"Tomorrow?" Drak'nora stared open-mouthed at Vord. "You want to be married tomorrow?!" "I thought it'd be best to move ahead quickly." "What aren't you telling me, Vord?" She looked at him speculatively. "Is this about the Desolace campaign? You know I'm going to be there, anyways." "Yes. I want to know you're my lifemate before we go. If anything happens, to either of us..." He trailed off. She shook her head and smiled. "Okay. Tomorrow it is. I have a lot to do, then. Better start with finding us something appropriate to wear."

(( Will write up the actual wedding later... man, what an event that was! ))

Drak'nora was back in Stonard a few days after the battle at Shadowprey Village. She was exhausted, and while she wanted to be by her lifemate's side, she thought it better to be at home. Vord's time was occupied with the campaign, and she knew he was needed by the chief and other clan's officers, and didn't need a wife to bother him while he had important tasks. She didn't begrudge him this, and had long accepted the way of war as her life. Sighing, she looked down at her stomach, wondering if what she suspected was actually true. It had only been a few weeks since they were bonded.

Grimface came barging in to her room, asking where Signe was. Drak looked at her brother and said, "Lost her again, eh, Thyrog?" Grim glared at his sister. "No, I need to know what to pack!" "For what?" she asked. "Sig, Mini, and I are going to visit family in the Arathi mountains. We just got word that some are still there." Drak'nora nodded. She thought for a minute, then asked Grim, "Can I come with you?" Grimface looked surprised. "You're just married, Drak. Running away already?" He said with a smirk. "No. I just - " she trailed off. Grim's face softened. "Yeah, sis. You're welcome to come along with us. You might want to get some sleep, though. You look like..." he stopped, looking her over. "You look like Signe did when she was pregnant with Minigrim! He knocked you up, didn't he?" Drak shushed her loud-mouthed brother. "I don't know for certain, Thyrog. Vord doesn't know, at all." She sighed. "Please don't tell anyone." Grim put an arm around her, squeezing once. "Alright, sis."

Drak finished packing for the trip to Arathi, and sat at the small table in her room to write a note to Vord. She had been practicing nightly with the books and paper Signe had given her, and while her letters were still crude, she was learning quickly.

"Vord -

I am headed to Arathi for a little while. I will be with Signe and Grimface, visiting family. I will send you word when I arrive. I am sorry I am not by your side for the battles as I should be. You are needed by our Chief and clan more than me. I love you.

- Drak'nora"

She sealed the letter and placed it on top of her pack, to be sent when she left with Grimface and Signe.

Vord sat in the dense forest of Feralas inspecting and tossing his kunai anxiously. The battles had not gone in favor of the Grin, but that's not what had him on edge. Vord was happy to be serving the Grin and the Warchief as a lead scout and a lesser strategic advisor, but it had severely cut into time he had previously spent with Drak'nora. He knew she wasn't the type for infidelity, but she had been distant when he was around and didn't seem as warm as she had been. His instincts told him something was amiss, but he thought it was the stress from the new war they were starting. What had Vord worried the most was what his brother Jyuugo had said days earlier. It was true they had not had their union by the clans standards, but in this time when death could call anyone at anytime, why should there be any reason for one to doubt their union? He scowled at the dirt at his feet. 'Then before any longer, I will do whatever I must to be joined with her in all eyes.' he thought as he stood to return to camp and find his new Life Mate.

Yagyu watched as Grimface, Signe, and Draknora packed up their belongings and rode single file out of Camp Mojache headed towards the coast where they could catch a boat to the Eastern Kingdoms. The Warchief sighed as he watched them go knowing it would diminish the Grin's abilities even more in the coming battles. But it was not just thier blades that would be missed. As he watched Draknora gingerly swing herself into the saddle he thought there might be something wrong with her but she looked fine once settled there. That was when he noticed her steal a glance downward as she placed a reassuring hand on her belly. For a moment the Warchief was shocked but quickly that passed as he shook his head. Yet another domestic issue to deal with.

There had been far too much of this sort of thing lately and he firmly believed it had been indirectly responsible for Grin's failures lately. But as Warchief he had no one to blame but himself. If the Grin were untrained, it was for him to train them. If they were idle, it was for him to keep them occupied.

Suddenly, he remembered Vord. His Champion was out scouting and Draknora was leaving! He started to open his mouth but quickly shut it again. Mebbe it's better this way. he thought to himslef. Maybe Vord's mind'll stay sharp and focused on his duties without his new bride always around. Yagyu needed his scout/strategist thinking clearly now more than ever. Besides, when they returned...Draknora bore the promise of a new hope for the Grin...one who would be raised with a hatred of the Alliance and the strength of the fallen Grin.

Yagyu was smiling as he returned to the inn of Mojache.

Grimface left for the mountains a week before Signe and Drak'nora. Drak would have gone with her brother, but decided to help Signe with Minigrim during their trip. She was restless, and missing Vord. Not a word had come from him since she left Kalimdor, although she understood he was busy. Jyuugo's comments about the validity of their union had her bothered, still, and she wanted to set things right with Vord's clan moreso out of tradition than out of desire to be a part of the Garuda clan. She felt more a part of the Grin than any other group or family, and felt that since she and Vord were married by the chief, that's enough for her.

She sat at the small table in her quarters, reading and copying words. Each day she was better. She stopped writing and looked up, in thought. She found out the day before that her feeling about being with child was wrong. She was relieved, yet saddened at the same time. She still was not feeling well, though, and chalked it up to something she must have picked up in her travels.

Vord entered their quarters quietly, and saw her sitting at the table, her back to the room, and noticed the packed bags.

"Drak, where are you going?"

Drak'nora turned around, looking at Vord with surprise and happiness.

Tired and grumpy, Drak'nora arrived back at Camp Mojache from her brief trip with Signe and Grimface. When they arrived at the location they were told Signe's relatives would be they found nothing but a cold campfire and some footsteps leading further up into the mountains. Signe spent a couple days tracking, but found nothing. Drak realized halfway through the trip that she hadn't really wanted to leave, and was getting sullen. She was missing Vord, and missing the action in the new campaign. Word of new Scourge invasions was also concerning her, since Vord's disconnection with the death knights was still recent.

Finding her room at the inn empty, Drak fell fast asleep. She would find Vord in the morning.