moonshadows | Letter of recommendation

"Ryxl?" The guard poked her head into the barracks, where the teenaged orc was sharpening her worn axe. She stepped into the room and waited for the girl to put the weapon down before continuing. "It's about your mother."

The younger orc bit her lip briefly. "What happened?"

"Se'Jib saw it happen," the guard said, uncomfortable with the whole conversation. She turned and waved, and the old troll came in to squat comfortably next to the girl.

"Ah be seein' it all, mon," he said, his trollish accent so thick that the guard had a hard time making it out. "Yer modder, she be tough as nahls, but dah raptah, 'e be hungrey. 'E tink she be foh eatin', an' 'e help 'imself. She be wit dah spirits nah."

Ryxl nodded, seemingly unaffected by this news. "Which raptor was it dat did da deed?"

The old troll grinned at Ryxl's comfort with the accent. If nothing else, here was proof that orcs could be taught how to speak properly if raised right. "'E be ah big violet monstah. Notin' smallah could evah get yah modder."

The young orc returned Se'Jib's grin. "An' did he eat her heart?"

Se'Jib laughed. "Dat 'e did! 'E be king o' da raptah nah foh shoah, an' Tetis best be watchin' 'is back!"

Old troll and young orc laughed together for a minute at the thought of the great blue raptor Tethis being overthrown by the purple raptor who had eaten Kalika Ironheart and gained her strength. The guard, who was new to Grom'gol, thought longingly of a transfer back to Ogrimmar.

"So what happens to me now?" asked Ryxl, looking at the guard.

"Well, you can stay here if you want...but there's a letter of recommendation with your name on it if you'd like to go to Durotar and become a warrior of the Horde."