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| Details |
| Author: | inkie |
| Summary: | Blue Squad sets out to win friends and influence people. This involves punching some of them, and killing some others. Bran learns Gryphon Facts. Oranna keeps a secret. Iphindra makes questionable choices. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Shine strolls out of the keep's gate and stops silently beside Bran on the steps. It is an amiable silence.
"Lo there!" Bran says amiably, and very not silently.
Shine glances down and nods at him. "Stillwall." He smiles faintly.
Iphindra runs to the group, looking very energetic. "H-Hi!"
"Did ye see how the sketch turned oeut?" Bran says, flipping through his journal and holding it out for Shine to see. The siren has been captured in as few lines as possible, but there is definitely a strong sense of alluring menace.
Shine nods to Iphindra as well, and then looks down at Bran's sketch. He tilts his head to study it in silence a moment, and then nods. "How ye do that I don't know. It's good."
'Good' sounds like 'Nobel-worthy,' coming from Shine.
Bran beams!
"Can I see th-the drawing?" Iphindra looks curiously from down the stairs.
"Sometimes they've got wings," Shine offers. Bran seems into Siren Facts.
Oranna leaves a conversation with two of the local Wildhammer lads with matching red beards, who go stomping off towards the coast, and jogs to meet the Cobalt circle.
Bran tilts the book toward Iphindra even as he gawps at Shine. "Wengs?" he echoes, amazed.
Oranna waves hello, looking curiously over at Bran and Shine. "Wings?" she asks.
Atley marches up to the assembled squad eating, of course, salted jerky. "Afternoon, you lot."
Shine glances up from Bran's drawing to nod at Atley. "Sir." He studies him a moment, possibly wondering about his blood pressure, and then drops his gaze to nod again at Bran. "Some of them, aye."
Iphindra goes "Ooooh," as she looks at the drawing. She turns to Dane, smiling. "H-hello!"
"He says some o' them sirens on Kul Tiras got wengs," Bran says, very ungrammatically in his excitement.
To Oranna, Shine says, "Sirens, aye." He gestures at Bran's book.
"Oh, aye?" Oranna looks, possibly predictably, worried about that scenario. "Like harpies?"
"Like ha-harpies?" Iphindra tilts her head.
Iphindra giggles at Oranna.
Oranna shares a mental epic handshake with Iphindra.
"Aye," says Shine.
"Chillin thought, aye?" says Bran. He does not look particularly chilled. Chill, maybe.
Atley clears his throat and nods past them. "Kurdran Wildhammer's called for us. Must have something that needs doing."
Oranna nods, setting the harpies sirens winged creatures of nightmares aside for Future Oranna to worry about.
Shine nods at Dane and steps back toward the keep's entrance.
"Oh, the Thane wants us does he?" Bran turns toward the fort, tucking away his book.
Atley grunts. "He does. Look sharp. Let's get to him."
Shine has a lot of knives. He is always sharp.
Bran looks… rumpled.
Iphindra looks relatively pointy, with that spear on her back.
Atley marches up to Kurdran and bows. "Thane Kurdran."
Oranna looks less sharp and more like she always does. She waves hello to Kurdran.
Bran bows.
Iphindra bows to Kurdran.
Shine studies Kurdran again neutrally. He salutes.
Kurdran Wildhammer and Thordun Hammerblow are in deep conversation before Cobalt Company arrives. Kurdran grins. "There they are!" he says to Thordun.
Atley furrows his brow and looks to Thordun.
"Wot can we do fer ye taday?" Bran says, in the traditional dwarven manner.
Thordun Hammerblow raises his goggles up onto his head and regards the squad with a frank expression. "I've seen enough during the week to trust yer intentions. I'll help ye' make contact with the Wildhammers."
Atley grunts.
"Woo hoo!" says Bran, relatively sedately.
Oranna beams a smile at him. Yay!
Shine watches Thordun patiently and does not emote. Even though I do.
Thordun Hammerblow says, "I recommend ye don't heavily mention that'cher attemptin' 'ta recruit them ta' the Alliance cause. Just explain that ye've got common enemies in the Twilights, and 'yer willing to fight."
Bran nods. "Sensible."
Atley grunts.
Oranna darts a nervous look up at Dane. "Oh… aye, keepin'… tha' under wraps. That's… something I can do as a thing tha' people… do. Fer things." Maybe she just won't, uh, talk much. At first.
Iphindra stays silent. She's trying to really register in her mind what she can and what she cannot say to the Wildhammer dwarves, now.
"Maybe we can find ye a really large apple ta gnaw on," Bran suggests cheerfully to Oranna.
"Tha's what the emergency orange can be fer," Oranna mutters to Bran, her hand twisting the end of her braid.
Bran grins at Oranna.
Thordun Hammberlow strokes his beard braid in thought. "When ye' encountered me last week, I was on my way to join Firebeard's Patrol. That'd be Keegan Firebeard, one of the few Woildhammer' leaders thas' tryna' keep his head after the horror of the Twoilight invasion. He's been trying to put tagether' a gryphon weng' from the survivors of tha' region. He is the one ye' want to talk ta'."
Shine's brow draws down at the word 'horror.' He nods.
"Where will he be found?" Atley asks.
Thordun explains, "He's northwest of us, inland. Ye' should fly."
Atley grunts and turns to bow to Kurdran again before he looks to his squad. "Let's move."
Shine moves, quietly.
Atley marches, loudly. Can't be helped.
Oranna waves goodbye to Kurdran.
"We've all heard the man. We play it smartly. Wildhammers respect actions and that's our way into their confidence," Atley growls before he mounts up and flies.
Oranna uses a gryphon whistle to call down what might be the most chill, old lady of all gryphons. If Lireen had a spirit gryphon, this would be the gryphon. Oranna climbs aboard with all the trepidation as if she's mounting a racing gryphon.
Shine's gryphon is in pretty conspicuous Alliance barding. Maybe no one will notice.
Atley narrows his eyes at the ruptured landscape in disgust before he points down at the remains of a Wildhammer village.
"Ach," says Bran as he descends on his gryphon.
Atley lands and clears his throat. "Keegan Firebeard!"
One armored red headed dwarf turns and nods at the strangers.
Iphindra looks a little sick as she steps foot near the broken land.
"We're here ta help!" Bran offers cheerily.
Atley marches up to Keegan and grunts, gesturing to Bran. "We're here to fight the Twilight's Hammer."
Oranna half trips off her gryphon as she looks on in horror at the situation they've landed into. "An' possibly douse yer beard if Firebeard is literal!" she adds in a helpful shout.
The village is, in fact, quite actively on fire.
Shine moves reflexively after Dane and Bran, but he is surveying the burning village and ruptured earth warily.
Keegan Firebeard turns to face them, wild-eyed and feral. "You're certainly not local. Matters to me little, though. I'll put mah' life on tha' line for anyone here as long as they pull their weight."
Atley grunts.
Oranna inspects his beard warily. Whew. Not on fire. At least for now.
Keegan Firebeard says. "Come to join the patrol…?" He inspects them for a long quiet moment….
Bran's eyes rove the village, and he strokes his beard thoughtfully.
Keegan Firebeard nods. "Glad to have 'ya. I need some bodes helpin' ta' get our defenses under controol' here. Help me oot'and I'll see if I can't find some more prestigious work for 'ya."
"I'm Oranna," says Oranna. "Oranna Stormbreaker. I'm with Cobalt Company and that's who I'm representing today at this moment and tha's all… I'm… doin'. Fer helpin'."
Atley briefly looks from Oranna to Keegan.
Bran mouths orange at Oranna.
Shine moves close enough to Oranna to jostle into her slightly. He glances down as if startled. "Oh, beg pardon."
"Making sure e-everyone is safe is already prestigious work!" Iphindra says.
Oranna is trying very hard to look like she's just a helper helping with no other agenda. She might be sweating. Maybe it's from the fires.
Keegan Firebeard jumps right in. "I've got boys formin' defensive lines on all sides of the town, keepin' back the elementals streaming in from the torn ground. They're good lads and they've been holdin' firm, but even the sturdiest dwarf tires eventually. They've split into shifts: one hour of rest for every hour on the line. Best I can get'm with the men we have. If 'ye want to be helpin', pick a line and take up a shift. Give some of my boys a welcome breather. Report back once you've killed several of tha' elementals."
"A couple o' fresh sturdy dwarves have just come ta relieve ye! Plus the humans an' elf. We're on et!" Bran beams.
Atley grunts.
Shine nods. He takes a knife out and flips it in one hand, glancing at Atley for the order.
"I'm n-not a dwarf but I'm sturdy too!" Iphindra nods.
Bran gives Iphindra an experimental, gentle push, as if to test her sturdiness.
She does startle by the sudden push she didn't see coming, but she does not fall. Sturdiness.
Shifts! Oranna can do shifts. She also can roll up her sleeves, exposing the Wildhammer tattoos she has, although that might be more from the heat. "Aye, aye, we'll see ta it." Oranna's surprisingly sturdy herself. She's difficult to nudge.
Shine glances down at the tattoos again.
Keegan Firebeard curiously examines the two Bronzebeards before he looks back to Atley. "We've already been pushed back farther than I'd hoped, but I'm not about to give our homes up to these mongrels. They may burn them, pillage them, and spit on the rubbled remains, but we'll still fight to take them back."
"Aye!" Bran says to Keegan.
Atley grunts at Keegan. "As will we."
Keegan says, "That being said, I rather like them not burnt. I have tha' boys running buckets from the well to try to keep the fires down. If you'd join them, they can help out by tossing you buckets so you don't have to make runs."
Atley nods. "We'll see to that, as well."
A feminine voice rings out from within the nearest house. "Have 'ye got some help?"
Atley looks to his squad before he marches into the Wildhammer dwelling.
Oranna nods at Keegan and then nods at the voice.
Atley marches inside and looks around.
Cailin Longfellow grins. "You're the new faces that's meant 'ta be helping Keegan out I take it? Pleasure 'ta meet'cha. Maybe you can lend a favor or two more ta' the troubled Wildhammer that have made refuge here."
Atley sets his jaw and grunts. "Of course."
Oranna follows Dane, carrying a bucket fully half her size with no noticeable strain. Dwarfs, man. They're stronger and sturdier than they look. "Of course," Oranna says.
Cailin says, "We were all forced to retreat to this building quickly, and some of us left behind things of great value in our destroyed homes nearby. Would 'ye mind bringing them back after you go out there? It's not as important as 'yer other work, I'm sure, but ye'd bring happiness to some very troubled souls."
Bran stares at Cailin's tattoos with appreciation, and minor rudeness, before his eyes wander their way in the general direction of her face. "Happy ta help however we can," he says cheerfully.
"Tha's no' nothing. Morale is… ye have things ye dinna want ta lose," Oranna says sadly to the guy. "We'll get them."
Atley grunts. "We'll keep a sharp eye. Let's get to it, you lot."
"Of course! O-objects hold memories and are very important." Iphindra follows the other hurriedly.
Atley charges into the burning village to fight the elementals.
Befound leaps forward at Oranna's smallest command, while Oranna wrestles with the bucket and gun situation.
Shine does not bother stealthing around the rampaging elementals, but moves casually from one to the next, doing murders.
Bran jogs behind the team, slinging his festive heals.
"I-I see a doll!" Iphindra says, rushing into a burning building to grab a doll.
Atley grunts and watches her carefully.
Oranna hurriedly splashes some water behind Iphindra, not just on the fires, but also on the wood nearby to make it less likely to catch.
"Right," Atley growls. "Hammer here." He tirelessly flings another bucket of water.
Oranna scoops mementos into a bag hastily.
The locals get a grasp on the fires and the elementals with the help of Cobalt Company, and there's a pause in the action. The Firebeard militia eyes them appraisingly.
"Back to Firebeard, you lot." Atley growls.
Oranna calls Befound back to her. The snow leopard looks more like a gray leopard now.
Keegan glances behind them. "Good work, strangers. Good to have another few sets of capable hands aboot'."
Atley inclines his head.
"Damn straight," Oranna mutters, looking worriedly back at the village.
Keegan Firebeard says, "Thanks for 'yer help. Every little bit makes a difference. We'll keep tha' water going until we can push tha Twilight back."
Shine inspects a knife blade for elemental damage and then sheaths it again quietly and looks up at Keegan.
Atley grunts.
Bran beams!
Keegan Firebeard says, "Iain, my second in command, bore the body of one of our fallen heroes to tha cathedral to the west. He's the man I've put in charge o' reforming a wing of gryphon riders from whatever scattered forces he can find. I'd like 'ye to help him."
Atley nods once. "Consider it done."
Bran is briefly distracted by the cute blacksmith to his right.
The cute blacksmith happens to be named Bren. She’s real cute.
Keegan Firebeard says, "I should impress upon ye' the urgency of this task. We will not be able to hold here forever; the Twilight's Hammer or the Dragonmaw orcs will eventually overwhelm us. Putting together an active gryphon wing may be our only hope of surviving these conflicts."
Oranna sighs, a sympathetic sorrow for the losses, her eyes darting to the right. "Aye. Sometimes… all ye can do is run an' hold somewhere else. But… we'll do wha' we can ta see ye safe."
Atley nods and moves to march away before he's interrupted by Keegan asking, "What did 'ye say 'yer names were again?"
"Sir Dane Atley," Atley explains bluntly, giving Keegan a nod. He looks to his squad.
"I'm Oranna, Oranna Stormbreaker."
"I'm Brannagen Stillwall!" Bran says. Omitting the Prospector part. "Ye can call me Bran."
"Shine," says Shine.
"Iphindra!" answers none other than Iphindra!
Befound yawns. "An' this is my lass, Befound," Oranna adds.
Bran beams at Befound.
Keegan looks between all six of them with a thoughtful expression. "Very well."
Atley grunts again and actually marches inside this time.
"Miss. We've recovered a few belongings," Atley explains, holding out the hammer he found.
Bran's gaze bounces between the four redheaded women in the room. Yowza!
Oranna carefully takes out what might have been more random keepsakes. Odd bits and ends that have meaning to people, things not perfect and pristine but a little worn down with love and use.
The trio of Wildhammer women gratefully accept the artifacts.
Shine smiles faintly down at Oranna.
Iphindra hands Cailin a doll. As she does, a flower runs from hands and wraps around the doll's little ear. Decorated doll!
Cailin Longfellow beams. "You are very generous, thank you. There's a lot of darkness in our world these days. We appreciate the light that ye've brought here."
Atley nods sternly. "There is always hope."
Bran gives Cailin a little more light, for a treat. Just a smol little firework dancing around her for a moment. Then he winks and exits.
The trio of Wildhammer women ogle the outlander dwarf with amusement.
Atley steps outside and climbs aboard Thoras. "Let's get to Iain, you lot."
Oranna pats her SUNBEAM rifle, and gives the ladies a little smile, before she follows Dane out.
Atley dismounts as soon as he sees the cemetery and soberly marches inside.
Shine dismounts respectfully outside the cemetery.
Atley marches up to a kneeling dwarf and clears his throat. "Iain Firebeard."
Iphindra follows the others' moves, and dismounts as well.
Shine studies the gryphon-feather ornaments hung on each tomb.
Ian Firebeard is distraught, speaking to them without looking away from the grave. "They took us unaware… attacked all of the highlands all at once, burstin' forth from the groound', swoopin' from the air. Most of the gryphon wings were scattered, and far too many good dwarves lost their lives. There'd be little hope at all if Keegan hadn't rallied us together. I owe that man my life. At least now we have a chance."
Oranna looks as if she can all too easily picture exactly what happened. She nods. "A chance, aye."
Shine glances up at the ruptured hillside nearby, and then back to Iain.
"Ach," says Bran. "We've got yer back. Tell us wot ta do."
Atley gives a stern nod. "We are enemies of the Twilight, also. We've come to put them to the sword."
Iphindra nods.
Ian Firebeard dusts himself off and stands. "Greetings to 'ye, then. Sent by Keegan 'imself, I trust."
"Aye!" says Bran.
Ian Firebeard explains. "If we're going to pull a full gryphon wing back together, we're going ta' need to move fast to gather the survivors before they leave or get picked off. I've got a bead on a few groups of riders that stuck together. I'm leavin' to find the Thundermar riders and the Moore riders shortly. The Mullans were headed up west to the Crucible of Carnage last I saw. Go see if you can convince Duglas Mullan to join up with Keegan — he should owe him a favor or three."
Shine raises his eyebrow at 'Crucible of Carnage.'
"Solid plan," Bran says, nodding. "Dinna fash, we'll get it sorted."
Iphindra is completely lost with all those new names.
Atley grunts and mutters, "Brannagen, take notes."
Bran is on it!
"Aye," says Oranna. "An' the gryphons tha may be without their riders about. I've worked with Lireen Cloudskimmer on understandin' gryphons. I know wha' ta do, even if I've not her experience with them."
Iain Firebeard continues. "The Doyle riders were last spotted convergin' in the trees to the south, on the border of the Obsidian Forest. They're a stubborn bunch and are likely to take some convincin' if they're going to join with us."
Oranna looks over towards the general northwest…. maybe she thinks that's south?
Bran amiably turns Oranna so she's facing south.
"Righ'. South. A direction we can definitely go in," Oranna says, now looking south.
Iain points at them. "Your best bet with Keeland Doyle is 'ta tell'm Cailin Longfellow's taken up shelter with us back at the town. Keeland's got a good soft spot for her and she just might be enough to convince him to drag all his boys along."
Atley grunts and nods.
Bran looks like he might slightly regret having flirted with the lass.
Iaian Firebeard strokes his beard in thought before finishing with, "I also need ya to seek out Mackay and his men on the other side of the Devouring Breach, at the Gorshak War Camp."
Shine's brow ticks up again at 'Devouring Breach.'
"'The Devouring Breach?'" Oranna mutters. She's with you, Shine.
"The Dragonmaw didn't survive the initial onslaught," Iain continues, "and Mackay's lookin' to ransack what he can of their camp to supply our fight. There shouldn't be much convincin' necessary, but they'll likely want a hand wrappin' things up there before they make their way back ta' Keegan. Give'm a boot in the arse from ol' Iain if 'ya have to."
Atley digests it all and nods with a grunt.
Iphindra blinks. Slowly.
Oranna looks less likely to give someone a boot so much as a bullet to the arse, but same effect probably.
Atley grunts. "We'll see to the Doyle riders first. They sound like the sternest."
They fly out to see to the Doyle riders first.
Shine reins his gryphon back sharply at the sight of black dragons on the scorched earth below them.
Iphindra covers her mouth with her hand.
Atley tugs Thoras to a hover in mid-air and glares. "Brannagen! Look alive!" He lands and dismounts, charging a drake.
"Ach!" Bran opines.
Oranna is mouth open aghast at the sight of the Wildhammers who are not looking so alive as Bran.
"Shine, keep an eye on the perimeter. The rest of you, search for survivors!" Atley calls out.
"Oh, no," Oranna says, as she does just that, searching for survivors, bird and dwarf both.
Shine keeps an eye on the perimeter. But just the one.
Bran begins attempting to resurrect each of the dwarves in turn.
Iphindra kneels beside one of them, trying to help Bran resurrect them. She seems a little sick again, her bare feet in the scorched land.
The Doyles suffered the worst of the attacking drakes. It's clear that they fought to the end: not a single rider's footprint is more than a few yards from his gryphon. It's doubtful there are any survivors.
Atley glares as he rolls a gryphon off of its former rider, inspecting them both.
"Ach… this one must be Keeland…" says Bran.
Atley grunts inquiringly and marches over.
Bran points to a little mini portrait of Cailin clutched in his hand.
"Dane, no survivors, an' we've got more dragons in the distance," Oranna says, ducking back behind the rock. "I — " She yelps as a dragon swoops in.
Shine casually ambushes the drake.
Oranna gives Shine a grateful look.
Atley nods at Oranna before he addresses Brannagen and points at the portrait. "Take that. We'll bring it to her after we're done."
"I-I was going to say…" Iphindra says. "Please, take the portrait."
Atley looks to his squad. "Let's see to the fate of the other clans."
Bran picks up the portrait with surprising reverence, gives the man's hand a little pat, and tucks it away.
Shine reappears. "Lot've 'em incoming, sir," he reports.
Atley scowls as more drakes swoop toward them. "Let's move. We're due west, to the Mullans," he says.
Oranna looks over at all the other bodies. "We… the dragons are likely ta scavenge but… we canna take them all back with us. Aye."
"Nothin ta be done fer those poor lads," Bran agrees.
Oranna tears herself away from the dead, setting her mouth in a grim line.
Shine steps away from the latest dead drake at his feet to call his own gryphon down.
"They died fighting for their people," Atley commends.
Iphindra looks grateful to be leaving this scorched land.
Oranna clings white-knuckle style to her gryphon as they fly in some direction that is the direction they should be. Probably.
"Those are Forsaken banners," Atley issues with a snarl. "Stay sharp."
"Ach!" Bran disapproves.
Shine's expression goes cold.
Atley lands at a Wildhammer encampment and booms, "Duglas Mullan!"
A fierce looking Wildhammer looks up and over with a frown.
"Lo there!" Bran says warmly.
"Iain Firebeard sent us." Atley explains.
Shine moves over to stand behind Atley's shoulder, a casual hand on a knife as his gaze flicks over the distant purple banners.
Duglas Mullan scowls. "Iain sent 'ya?" He eyes Atley up and down, clearly unimpressed. "Ye' don't look like a Firebeard 'ta ME. Why exactly should I be listenin' to anything 'ye say?"
Bran looks a little like a Firebeard. Just sayin'.
Shine wasn't gonna say it.
Atley remains stern. "Keegan's putting together a wing and he's sending out the call. We are the messengers."
Oranna looks back at him, looking like Oranna does in situations like this, which is equal parts worried and determined to help. "I'm Oranna, Oranna Stormbreaker. An' we've come ta help, so tha's a reason ta listen.
"We're generally pretty good at helpin'," Bran says.
"And… b-because Iain Firebeard sent us!" Iphindra reexplains, as if he didn't get it the first time.
Duglas Mullan jabs a thumb at his chest. "I'll decide if it's a reason 'ta listen. Keegan wants the Mullans to take wing with'm, eh? And he sends an outsider ta' recruit me and mine. Not right polite by my standards." He spits off to the side.
Shine turns a very polite expression on Duglas.
Duglas Mullan straightens up. "I'm guessin' ya don't last twenty seconds with any of my boys, at the bar or in the battlefield. Prove me wrong. Take one of'm down in a fight and then I'll think about flyin' with ol' Keegan."
"Oh, well, give us a chance ta show ye wot we can do, aye? Worst case, ye get to watch some outlanders get got." Bran smiles.
Atley deadpans Duglas.
Shine smiles at Duglas. Not faintly.
"A fight?" Oranna asks, flabbergasted. "Ye want us ta…" She looks up at Dane.
Atley looks over at Oranna and nods. "We will fight."
Bran readies his whompin' stick!
Iphindra nods determinately. She will fight.
"I'm no'… well. I suppose Bran can heal them after I shoot them. Bullets aren't exactly lil nudges ye just walk off with a bruise," Oranna mutters.
Edana Mullan turns to face them, wringing her hands together with an apologetic smile. "Don't let Duglas fool 'ye, the Mullans have been itchin' to take wing again, and if there's anyone we'd do it for, it's Firebeard."
Edana Mullan explains, "We left our gryphons in the HIghland Forest to the south 'ta hunt and to get away from the sounds of battle for a bit. They deserved a rest. If ye' want us back in the air soon, you'd do well ta' help us bring our gryphons back in. Take these pieces of charred highland birch. We use it during training — as soon as they smell it, they'll come straight back to us."
Oranna nods to Edana. "Oh, aye! I know the trick of it," she says. Animal training, one of her specialities. After sniper training.
Edana Mullan, the far more pleasant Mullan present, nods.
Atley looks to the squad. "Right then. Choose your opponents." He turns and scowls at the camp.
Bran rubs his hands together, looking around eagerly.
Atley spots a fierce looking dwarf and marches up to him.
Shine strolls toward a scowling dwarf uphill from them.
Bran pulls his staff off his back and approaches a dwarf that is considerably taller and broader than he is.
Iphindra looks for the biggest, tallest, most muscular dwarf she can find.
Oranna looks for someone wearing very, very heavy armor. "I'm… not so great with… gettin' hit," Oranna says nervously. She seems to be sweating a bit, watching the warriors training around them. Befound rests against Oranna's side.
The Mullan Gryphon Rider glares up at Atley. "You look like ye' want a piece of me."
Atley nods. "Not backing out, are you."
Atley knocks his opponent down, but sheathes Thunderfury to offer him a hand up.
"Fine! Fine. Ye' win this one," The gryphon rider growls.
"Breng et!!" Bran says cheerfully to the bewildered Wildhammer, who shrugs, grins a gap-toothed grin, and prepares to thump Bran into next week. But Bran… isn't there, when his fist lands, and the guy staggers as he hits air. BONK! goes the staff behind his knees.
Atley leans down to clasp Brannagen on the shoulder after his performance.
Bran grins at Dane. "Tha' was fun!" he says. The Wildhammer he bonked is still staring up at the sky, confused, where he fell.
"Help him up, Bran," Atley says, before he turns to watch Shine.
"Oh, if ye insist," says Bran, and offers the guy a hand up. The guy grumblingly takes it.
Shine nods courteously to the tattooed dwarf, who grins fiercely at him. "Air ye ready, human?" he growls. Shine nods at him and steps back casually.
The dwarf bangs his warhammer on his shield and then lunges, and Shine isn't there any longer. A moment later, the dwarf is facedown on the ground and Shine has a knee on his back and his hammer in hand.
Bran cheers loudly for Shine! "Aye!! Tha's the way ta do et!"
Atley grunts, unsurprised, and turns to peer at Oranna now.
The dwarf growls and scuffles at the earth and then turns to squint up at Shine. "How'd ye do that?" Shine shrugs and rises to offer him a hand up, and then his hammer back.
Oranna approaches a gryphon rider with a shield, and shakily asks about a fight demonstration. Here is her gun, here is her snow leopard who can and will eat faces.
Oranna's explanation provokes the rider into action. "Them's DEFINITELY fightin' words!"
She didn’t think the face-eating leopard would eat HER face.
Oranna's technique, however, is honed. Befound leaps in ahead as Oranna uses a stunning bullet, and then fires four deliberate, hard shots to the joints.
Oranna's opponent collapses onto the ground, and Oranna looks over for Bran. "Bran! Can ye heal her?"
"Aye!" Bran heals Oranna's victim, er, sparring partner. "Nice job, Boomer!" he says with a smile at Oranna.
Oranna sighs with relief. The Wildhammer gets back up with a dark scowl, but the point's been proven. Oranna smiles shakily back at Bran. "Thanks."
Shine smiles at Oranna as well.
Atley turns to watch Iphindra, now.
"Duglas send you over to get roughed up?" says a Mullan Gryphon Rider to Iphindra.
"I-I will heal you, after I'm done making you give up!" Iphindra says to the dwarf.
She fights, dancing with her spear, keeping the dwarf at a distance. He pushes her back with a swing of his hammer. Iphindra crouches, a hand on the ground.
The dwarf raises his hammer again, preparing to swing, not feeling the vines wrap around his ankles and swiping him off his feet. Iphindra gets up, standing above him, the tip of her lance against his chest. "Let me heal you, now."
Iphindra tends to her opponent's wounds with healing plants from her hair, although he looks unhappy about it. She rejoins the rest of the group.
Befound licks a paw, as she rejoins the circle of triumphant players of the sparring games.
Oranna now seems to be deliberately not watching the sparring, her back to the fighters. She flinches every so often at the sound of someone in pain.
Iphindra holds her spear in her hands, now. She is ready for another fight, if necessary.
Atley nods to each of his squad mates and sets his jaw.
Duglas Mullan folds his arms and huffs, feigning disinterest.
Atley says, "We'll let him sit on that while we rally the gryphons."
Shine moves quietly back toward Atley and the group. He nudges Bran and nods once with what might, in Shine terms, be respect.
They head out into the nearby woods, and almost immediately come upon a gryphon resting beneath a tree.
"Oranna." Atley gestures to the gryphon.
Oranna gets out her bark and approaches the gryphon with skill, taught to her by one of the best gryphon trainers there's been.
Bran watches with interest, taking notes.
The gryphon's muscles tense and eyes tighten as soon as the bark is extended towards it.
"There we are," Oranna says softly. "Aye, ye know what this means."
The gryphon rises, rustles its feathers, and takes off, launching itself toward the Mullan encampment.
"Well done," Atley says. "Let's get the rest."
Iphindra waves at the deer they walk past.
The next gryphon they find is slumped on the ground, its eyes closed, its breathing barely perceptible.
"Bran, this one's too hurt," Oranna says.
Atley snaps his gaze to Brannagen.
Shine steps back to watch the woods around them while they deal with the gryphon.
"Ach," says Bran. "Let's see if I can help et." He tentatively sends Light at it.
Atley casts his gaze around them as he waits.
Bran blinks in surprise. "Et worked!
"Good work," Oranna says with a smile. She moves off towards another gryphon, looking sharper.
"I'll be honest," Bran admits, "I wasna sure I could heal an animal."
"Nice," says Shine.
Atley grunts.
A Highland Elk boredly peers at them as it grazes.
"Gryphons are smart, an' they're complex. They're people in their own animal right, so I knew ye could," Oranna tells Bran.
"I-if you couldn't, I would have done it," Iphindra says to Bran. "But I-I'm happy you found it in your powers!"
Bran beams! And also makes some more notes about Gryphons. TIL.
"Wait — a troll," Oranna warns. "Up ahead."
"Oi! This one is bound — !" Atley growls.
The troll steps out of the trees behind the trapped gryphon. He smirks. "If ya be lucky, dey eat your head first…"
Bran smites the troll.
Oranna fires four clean shots at the gryphon's restraints.
The gryphon screams with glee as it's freed, and takes flight.
"Have a care. Doubt that's the only one about," Atley growls.
"There's worgs about," Oranna adds.
Atley perks up and squints. "Shine. Another one. There. Go cut its throat. We'll catch up."
Shine fades into the shadows.
Oranna stops by another wounded gryphon, offering the bark as she tries to keep it calm for Bran to heal.
Bran watches the shadows where Shine faded, eyes scanning the area for his reappearance.
"Another wounded," Oranna says.
Bran moves over to cast a Flash Heal on the injured birb.
A skunk rushes at Iphindra, clearly trying to escape a worg. She sends a [Soothe] at the worg and picks up the skunk, while Oranna and Brannagen handle the gryphons.
Shine reappears in the distance, behind the troll. Now the troll is dead.
Atley grunts at Shine as they reunite over the slain troll. He eyes Iphindra and says nothing but stays clear.
Bran cheers at Shine. "Brelliant!"
Shine smiles faintly at Bran, and then steps away from Iphindra.
Oranna moves swiftly, tracking the signs of the gryphons from what looks like thin air. "Bran, another ta heal. Wha'… have they been doin' ta the poor things."
Bran happily heals the gryphon.
"Keepin' them trapped like tha'… that's more than just woundin'. I think they've been tryin' ta lure folk ta the gryphons, fer an ambush," Oranna says as she watches the gryphon fly back.
Atley grunts at Oranna's observation. "The curs. These are noble beasts."
Iphindra smiles at the gryphon. The skunk in her arms looks threateningly at everyone.
"Dinna point that theng at me, Blossom," Bran says cheerfully to Iphindra, pointing to the skunk.
"Don't worry!" Iphindra says, smiling to Bran. "The smell will go a-away if you wash it!
Oranna looks warily at the skunk. "Skunks dinna much like bein' handled much," she warns. "Their scent is like a grease. Ye can get it off with baking soda, soap, and vinegar but…."
The skunk dislikes science talk. It stares at Oranna, now.
"Any others about, Oranna?" Atley asks, scanning the forest.
Oranna looks for more gryphons… and then shakes her head. "I dinna see any more signs of them."
"Back to the Mullans," Atley says.
Edana Mullan is the first to greet them. "Good on you. I always feel like a part of me is missing when mah' gryphon isn't nearby. I can't speak for Duglas or the rest of the clan, but I'll be ready to ride at Firebeard's call," she says, as the gryphons return to their masters with affectionate nudging.
Bran beams at her!
Oranna smiles at Edana.
Douglas Mullan frowns at them before his gruff facade breaks. "Alright… That's the stuff. Not half bad. You've got a bit of fight in ya after all."
"Aye!" says Bran, patting his Bonk Stick.
Bran manages to be on the opposite side from the skunk's tail at all times.
Atley points at Iphindra. "That thing will accompany us, but not if we get sprayed."
"I-I will make sure it doesn't!" Iphindra nods, placing the skunk on her shoulders.
Befound just so happens to stretch out her claws, looking back at the skunk. Go on. Try it. Befound could use a snack.
Shine does not offer his own suggestions about the skunk, but he looks like he has several. He eases over behind Bran, away from Iphindra.
"Iphindra, if we smell like skunk, we might give away our positions ta those layin' in wait. We dinna have time ta take a half hour bath," Oranna warns. "An' we're going dangerous places."
Atley raises a hand. "You have a knowledge and a way with beasts, and Iphindra has her own expertise. If she says she'll keep it under control, we ought to trust it."
"It's jus'… it's also not a kindness ta bring a creature like tha' inta battle. It's a stress," Oranna says. "But aye. I'll leave it be. We've more important things ta worry on." She's gonna worry anyway.
"Do-don't worry, Oranna. I understand your fears." Iphindra nods. "My powers and the plants a-around me keep animals calm around me, especially little ones!"
Douglas Mullan says, "Your point's made. Keegan can count on us. We'll meet'm back at town as soon as the boys are rallied up. You're tough for not bein' Wildhammers. Guess they breed'm good where you come from too. Still. Haven't seen 'ya drink yet." He grins "That'll be the real test."
Iphindra claps, both for Mullan's decision and the skunk being accepted into the team for today.
Oranna pales at the mention of drinking. "Dane… I… I dinna drink."
Bran gives Oranna a gentle pat and an understanding smile. "I'll drink fer both of us then!" he says cheerfully.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," Atley remarks fondly. "Let's ride. We've business with Mackay."
Oranna looks like she's already on the bridge, worrying about the bridge, and also about the bridge being on fire.
Bran looks like he's gonna sketch the bridge.
They head toward the place Iain Firebeard directed them to look for Mackay. In order to reach it, they must fly past the strange black eruption in the land, above which stones hover, drifting and twisting in strands of violet light.
Atley pointedly flies around the geological disruption with a hateful scowl.
They spot a ruined village on the far side of the strange phenomenon. It is — or was — an orc village.
"Dragonmaw," Atley observes with a growl somehow made of relief and aggression.
"These bastards're all over dwarven lands," Bran says with a frown and a shake of his head.
Shine is immediately tense. He suddenly looks — for Shine — unnervingly, coldly furious.
Atley flits his gaze to Shine before looking around for Mackay.
Oranna glances up at Shine, the worry line between her brows growing more pronounced.
A group of red haired dwarves have laid claim to the forge on the far side of the village and are working industriously there.
Oranna makes a trick shot as a Dragonmaw charges for Bran, making it seem like the shot came from Dane.
Bran, completely not noticing the orc attack, notices it falling and looks around in gratified bewilderment.
Atley approaches the forge and raises his voice. "Mackay Firebeard."
"Lo there!" says Bran.
Mackay Firebeard turns and sizes them up. "'Bout that time, eh? Help us wrap things up then."
"The Twilight sacked this town, killin' most of the Dragonmaw that lived in it. A few survived though, and they're not right keen on us takin' liberties with their supplies. Not that that matters much." Mackay growls, and then abruptly screams, "Well, I'M NOT RIGHT KEEN ON THEM ATTACKIN' MY BOYS. Kill'moff, chase'm out. I don't care. Just get'm gone!"
"Aye!" Bran agrees amiably. He seems like a man used to being shouted at.
Iphindra nods. "W- will do!"
Shine is paying no attention to the dwarves but watching the ruined village with taut intensity. Not even the screaming dwarf breaks his focus.
Oranna's face suddenly clears with understanding. "The Dragonmaw were the ones who… the Lost Fleet," she says. She looks up at Shine. "Ah."
Atley seems utterly unfazed by the screaming.
A pair of dwarves who bear a strong familial resemblance straighten up from their work in eerie synchronicity to wave at the Squad. Almost like… certain pairs of twins.
"Oh," says Bran. "Uh… lo there."
Ella Forgehammer says. "Me brother Bahrum has gone missing! He was one of the first scouts in the area. All the others have returned safely, but there be no sign of him. Da says he's just dawdlin' somewhere, but he's me only brother, and I promised me mum that I would keep him safe. Will 'ye please find him?"
"Sure theng," says Bran.
Oranna nods. "Aye, Search and Rescue's a specialty of mine," she says. After shooting things and handling animal training.
Atley grunts.
Brom Forgehammer quotes, "'Stay back and forge more weapons?' Pah! A Forgehammer has ne'er been afraid of battle! Who needs the safety of home to make weapons? Besides – there's oodles of raw material out here. Those Dragonmaw weapons are worthless, but they can be smelted down to make actual weapons. Bring me a few of 'em so me daughter and I can forge real weapons out of them."
Atley scoffs with amusement and agreement.
Oranna looks off at the perimeter, judging where the angle of scouts would have been most likely to go, only paying half attention to the talk of weapon smelting. Ore she understands, but weapons, eh, not so much.
Bran is writing lots of notes in his journal, only half paying attention.
Shine is poisoning a knife blade.
Iphindra looks at the poisoned blade. "What p-plants do you use to make this one?"
Shine does not seem to hear her question. He is very focused Elsewhere.
In addition to the orc survivors lying in wait, there are a number of badly wounded Dragonmaw lying here and there on the ground around the village.
Atley draws Thunderfury. "Kill them. End their misery. If they live and shove off to fight another day, it'll be against us. Against the dwindling Wildhammer. We've taken a side here. Time to prove it."
Shine may have jumped the gun in the permission department, and steps away from one formerly-wounded, now-dead orc to kill another one nearby.
"They've attacked the settlement already. I know from… I know from experience, they willna back down and reconsider, not now. The only way ta end this siege is ta kill them, even if they're jus' people," Oranna says. "Doin' what they think is right."
Atley grunts at Oranna and inclines his head.
"Aye, makes sense," says Bran, still writing.
Iphindra looks away for the kill. "I-I don't like seeing them murdered while unconscious… but we have no other choice."
"We have ta hold our own, an' that's just the way it is," Oranna says, as she steadies her gun, and fires a shot as clean and smooth as breathing.
An injured Dragonmaw leaps to his feet as Atley approaches him. "There is fight left in me yet, scum!"
There is not as much as he thinks.
"Keep an eye out for weapons," Atley orders.
Shine stalks through the camp, systematically eliminating orcs.
"They'd not accept yer charity, even if ye were ta give it," Oranna says to Iphindra sadly. "Ye wake them up and tell them ye'll help them, and they'll bite yer hand fer tryin' ta feed them."
Atley grunts.
Bran sketches the weird metallic coils that seem to be growing up out of the ground nearby.
"These are the ones who decided ta attack, an' they'll keep… at it, as long as they can. It's their belief," Oranna adds, in between breathing shots.
"I know…" Iphindra nods sadly.
"This was the same clan of orcs that saw fit to enslave Lady Alexstrasza and force her to breed drakes to fight for them. They're a wretched lot," Atley growls.
Oranna nods, looking over towards… wait where is Shine. "Aye. It's always hard when ye run inta the clan tha' did the… well."
Shine reappears to cut the throat of an orc sidling from the shadows toward Bran. There he is, Oranna.
"Oranna, can you see where this other 'Forgehammer's gone?" Atley asks.
Oranna nods, and points off in a direction. "The only logical direction they'd take is that way, but if I knew more about wha' they were scoutin', it'd be a surer bet. Once out there, I can find a trail," she says.
Atley grunts.
Bran, having been distracted in his search for shiny things, comes running back with yet another orc on his tail. The locals pile out from the forge to take care of it. There is now a new slit in the back of Bran's robe. He's wearing plaid flannel leggings underneath.
The group proceeds out of the village in the direction Oranna has indicated. Immediately outside the fence, a dwarf is standing navel-deep in… a crate of something.
Atley steps outside and turns to doubletake Bahrum Forgehammer standing in a crate. "Well, that'd be him then, innit'."
Iphindra looks at Oranna, extremely impressed. "You're r-really good!"
Oranna blushes. "I… well I…thank you?"
"You've a cut on the back of your robe," Atley mutters to Bran as he maches up to Bahrum.
Bran twists around to look at it. He has a pretty twisty spine for a dwarf. "Well fook," he says.
Bahrum Forgehammer shivers. "Don't be looking! I'm not wearin' me pants!"
Atley stares at Bahrum.
Oranna squints at the dwarf… and then back at Bran, and back at the dwarf.
Iphindra giggles.
"Wait are ye… are ye Bahrum?" Oranna asks. Apparently at least one of the scouts did not get very far.
Shine is, at last, distracted from murderous focus by the dwarf with a crate in lieu of pants. He blinks.
Bahrum Forgehammer starts rambling. "Why I be standing in the grain crate? Long story short, there were hornets and some Dragonmaw that showed up at a bad time. I got away safetly, but the bastards took off with me legguards!"
Bran nods. "Until about five minutes ago I'd've lent ye me own leggin's, lad, but I'm afraid I can no longer offer et, fer the sake of anyone walkin' behind me."
Oranna is startled into a guffaw of a laugh.
Bahrum continues, "Ach, yes, Bahrum, that's me. Me sister made those for me from scratch, even engraved me name on… I would die of shame if she found out I lost 'em. Please find 'em for me! I saw the pant thief go into that fortress over there. I'm going to stay here for… ahem. Cover."
"Dinna fash, we'll find 'em," Bran says.
"And don't be askin' what a Wildhammer wears under his kilt!" Bahrum says, specifically to Bran.
Bran guffaws.
"Oh ah… I … I know tha' one already," Oranna says, averting her eyes.
Atley grunts. "Let's move."
Shine looks from Bahrum to Oranna.
"It's nothin'," Oranna tells the others. "Tha's… that's what they wear."
Shine nods gravely.
Not the greatest secret keeper, Oranna
"I-I was about to ask…" Iphindra says, before giggling.
"Why in the bleeding hell would an orc steal a pair of trousers?" Atley growls, monotone.
"Too damn cold fer tha' nonsense!" Bran says.
"Was wondering," Shine remarks to Atley.
"Tha' is definitely… a question," Oranna agrees. "Tryin' ta lure back inta an ambush maybe?"
They find the thief hiding on the upper floor of the building Bahrum had directed them to. His name is Gorosh the Pant Stealer. Apparently this is a chronic behavior.
Well, it was.
Atley lowers to ransack Gorosh's body. "This'll be them, then."
Oranna looks over the body with a frown. "He has… too many pants in his bag. Ye think maybe this is jus'… a collection?"
"I've seen some peculiar thengs in me time…" Bran murmurs, "But tha' takes the cake."
"I cannot begin to say," Atley growls disdainfully.
Oranna shrugs. "I guess.. some people jus' have… a thing fer pants," she mutters. "Or, well. Did. Have a thing. Past tense. Pants tense, maybe."
They head back out.
"Good news!" Bran says.
Bahrum Forgehammer writhes. "Have you found 'em yet? This grain is pretty itchy."
Shine grimaces. He may not want to think about itchy grain. C'mon, guy.
Atley tosses the legguards over to Bahrum.
"Apparently the orc is a collector o' fine trousers, an' so yers have been left unharmed," Bran informs him.
"Th-there were a lot of pants but this is probably yours," Iphindra giggles.
Bahrum grins. "Aye! Thank you! Now turn around so I can put 'em on."
Atley half-lids his eyes and turns around.
Oranna politely turns around.
The skunk does not turn around. Are you sure you want the skunk to turn around, dude?
Bahrum tugs the pants on and hops out of the crate. "Now I can return with dignity!"
He jogs away.
Oranna winces. "Can he really, though?" she asks no one in particular.
Shine almost laughs. Wow, Oranna.
"Back to it," Atley says.
Atley addresses Mackay. "We put all the remaining Dragonmaw to the sword."
Mackay says, "That's more like it! Let's finish gatherin' up supplies and get back to Keegan."
"Have the weapons ready, you lot," Atley says to the squad.
Brom Forehammer says, "How many have you got so far?"
Atley grunts. "Enough." He begins laying weapons out.
"Plenty each!" Iphindra smiles.
Shine follows suit. He may have spent more time murdering orcs than collecting weapons, though. He does not have as many.
Brom Forgehammer inspects the crude orcish axes and nods. "'Yer a good sort. Thankee'."
"An' we found yer brother, an' he has… his dignity back, as much as he probably had afore he went out," Oranna tells Ella.
Bran snorts.
Ella blushes but nods knowingly at Oranna before she turns back to the forge in silence.
Mackay Firebeard calls out to them again."Cleaned up the camp and ran errands for Forgehammer? Not bad for outsiders. Take these to Iain at Firebeard Cemetery, and he should reward 'ye for a job well done." He offers Dane Forgehammer's weapons.
Atley accepts the weapons and nods. "Very well. Let's move, you lot."
Oranna nods, and whistles for her gryphon.
Atley dismounts before entering the cemetery to speak with Iain. He addresses Iain sternly. "We rode out and found the Doyles, slain to the last. They fought to the end."
Bran turns around and sketches the twisting tower behind them that is piercing the dark clouded sky.
Iain sighs, but he doesn't seem surprised. "That's a right shame. Stubborn as they were to speak to, they were just as stubborn in a fight. Would have been good to have 'em. Once this is done, we'll have to send some boys out to bring them back for a proper send off."
Oranna looks relieved that their bodies will eventually be retrieved. "'Ware though, the dragons are scavenging."
Atley grunts. "The Mullans will fight."
Iain Firebeard nods at Oranna before he smiles tiredly. "Ya got the Mullans. Good news! They're worth more than their weight in a fight and they ain't exactly skinny."
"And these." Atley says, offering Iain the weapons he was given.
Iain leans down to sift through them. "What have we got — Hah! Looks like their raid went mighty well then. I'll have to buy ol' Forgehammer a round once we finish this mess."
Oranna's expression goes uneasy at the mention of drinking again, but she nods. Yes, everyone drink together and forget about a drinking contest to prove how good they are at being representatives of the All– er, Cobalt. Company.
Bran turns around. "Tha' one Doyle lad had thes on him…" He holds out the small portrait of Cailin.
Iain Firebeard slumps again. "Shame about the Doyles. It's a fair miracle that as many of us made it out as is though, so can't count it as much of a surprise."
Iain suddenly scowls. "Those louts at Thundermar are cowards. Even after tellin' them it was Keegan askin', they won't set foot outside their town. I did rope in the Moores though, so that's at least three clans' worth. Keegan wanted to hear from ya' personally when you returned. Go find'm in town."
Atley nods. "We'll do it."
Atley lands and nods at Keegan Firebeard.
Oranna waves to Keegan as they land, spending not a second longer on her gryphon than she has to. Her gryphon appears completely placid, not reacting at all to her rider's unease.
"How are yeh?" Bran greets him.
Keegan nods at Bran. "Good spirited, with the results you've brought us. It seems you had some luck bringin' riders back. Well timed too — we just pushed the elementals back, so we should have the arm room to lead an attack right away. Thank you."
Keegan points. "Thanks to you and Iain, we've got enough riders together that we can take the fight back to the Twilight. We're trained to fight while ridin', but a second rider to handle the Stormhammer can be more efficient. I thought you all might enjoy the honor."
Shine raises his eyebrow and looks to Atley.
"Woo hoo!" says Bran.
Atley scoffs with amusement. "You thought right, Thane Firebeard."
Keegan Firebeard gestures. "Pick your gryphon and rider and join the fight. Best be quick about it though — we're aimin' to clear every last one of those Twilight off of those floatin' rocks before the hour's out."
Atley looks his squad. "You know wot' to do."
Bran, for mysterious unfathomable reasons, heads straight for the Firebeards.
Oranna exhales in a long breath. "I've… I've practiced it, but I've not yet done it fer this sort of… real. I think I can — " She stops, centers, and tries again. "I can do it."
"Yes, you can." Atley says.
"Two riders!" Iphindra says, picking up the skunk. It will fly gracefully, its hair waving with the wind.
Atley approaches a Firebeard gryphon rider and climbs aboard.
Befound plops down to wait. Nuh uh is she riding this bird to dangle ineffectively.
Atley hurls the thunder hammer with brutal efficiency, caving in the skulls of Twilight cultists as his gryphon rider ducks and narrowly dives between floating boulders.
"WOO HOOOOOO!" Bran calls.
Iphindra is not as good with a hammer as she is with a spear, but she's doing her best and killing people.
Bran throws heals from gryphonback.
Oranna leaves her hammer dangling by her side, as she shoots with her own way of doing things. It's effective.
Shine is also not practiced with the hammer, but he seems to get the knack of it eventually. By which point most of the Twilights have already been picked off.
Atley reaches for the Lion Horn of Stormwind and sounds it over the battlefield.
Keegan Firebeard looks relieved. "Now that's how it's done! With a real gryphon wing back together, we can take the fight to the rest of the Twilight in time. You're welcome to fly with us. Can we count on 'ye?"
Atley inclines his head. "You can."
"Blue Squad, on me." Atley says.
Iphindra is on Dane.
Shine follows Dane.
Oranna gestures for Befound, and groups up with the others.
"I gotta say, Blue Squad is KELLEN ET!" Bran enthuses.
"Aye," says Shine dryly. They have killed many of et.
Iphindra jumps up and down with the skunk in her arms, as enthusiastic as Bran.
Atley strategically lowers his voice. "Fine work today. They've grown fond of us, which means they'll grow fond of our Alliance. We've still much more to go, but we've made great progress. I rescind my orders from last week. I highly recommend you do not travel this land alone."
Shine nods at Dane.
"For now you lot are dismissed," Atley says.
Oranna smiles at Dane gratefully. "Aye. An' if ye do off, making sure ye tell someone where ye'll be headed and when ye'll be back is a good way ta ensure a search party knows where ta start, if the worst happens."
"I've got some business back in Ironforge; I'll be hoppin' back an' forth, thanks ta that Stormwend portal," says Bran.
Shine takes a step back from Iphindra again. "I'll be here," he says, as he did last week.
Oranna looks up at Shine, and reaches out like she might pat him on the arm. "Ye did good, aye. I know I'd be… well, a bit of a mess inside if we'd been against the Bleedin' Hollow. Bad ghosts of memories, aye?"
"Me too I will be here!" Iphindra smiles.
Atley eyes Shine's reaction.
Shine looks down at Oranna like he's not sure what she's talking about, and then he nods once. "They're not — well. Aye."
"I don't care for orcs," he elaborates after a moment. This may not have been clear to anyone.
Iphindra looks at Shine, now her face full of empathy. For what, she does not know. But she feels for him now.
Oranna offers Shine a smile, and a pat, and gestures to Befound. "We'll head back fer a bit ta see about the gryphons tha' we rescued. They'll like ta be unsettled fer a bit."
"We'll spill more Dragonmaw blood in time," Atley says. "They've a great deal to answer for."
"Horde as well, I hope," Shine tells Atley curtly.
"Seems it's one and the same, innit'." Atley says.
Shine nods once. "Makes it easy, I suppose."
Atley grunts. "I'll linger about here and speak with Firebeard."
Bran whistles for Bronzebird and heads back toward Highbank.
Oranna waves farewell to the others, climbing back onto her calm gryphon like she's about to ride a bucking bull. Whew.
Shine looks from Dane Keegan Firebeard and back. "D'ye need a second, sir?"
Atley shakes his head. "Only if you'd like. I doubt it'll be strenuous."
Shine nods. "I'll wait by the birds," he says, and nods toward the gryphons.
Iphindra puts the skunk on the ground. "Go, you'll be safe around here!" Iphindra says, petting it. "Don't bother the dwarves, though!"
The skunk stares at Dane and Shine. She said don't bother the dwarves, so it's considering it. It ends up just trotting off further into camp.
Iphindra waves goodbye to the rest of Blue Squad, then takes a gryphon back to Highbank.
Atley marches over to speak with Keegan.
Shine strolls away to take up a casual post by the gryphons, leaning against the nearest wall and gazing at nothing in particular, his arms folded across his chest.