The Horde and Zandalar

Kalimdor Continent, Horde capital Orgrimmar.

The arrangement in Warchief's Hall remained unchanged. The brazier in the center crackled loudly as the Horde's senior leaders stood below the throne, while Thrall paced back and forth before it.

"Garrosh's changes during this time have been plain for everyone to see. He is a qualified Horde warrior, with honor burning in his heart. We should give him a chance to prove himself, which is why I accepted his arena challenge."

"Heh. I have no doubts about Garrosh's honor. What I doubt is who that honor is truly loyal to—the Horde, or the orcs?" Vol'jin said slowly. This old troll had never thought highly of Garrosh.

"He still carries a strong belief in orc supremacy, and that is not good." Cairne Bloodhoof nodded in agreement. "But perhaps he truly has changed. Setting aside those former flaws, Garrosh does possess the capability and sense of responsibility of a Warchief."

Cairne's words immediately won the approval of everyone present. After all, putting aside his orc supremacy and his rather extreme political views, Garrosh had indeed demonstrated both the ability and the responsibility required of a Warchief.

No one liked a timid, shrinking Warchief. Orcs were not humans; they did not need a king who spent all day hiding in King's Hall, dealing with nobles.

Well, King Varian said he did not want that either, but the human tradition of aristocratic rule left him with no choice.

Back to the matter at hand: the earth and the elements were calling to Thrall, and that call was growing ever more urgent. The Horde took immense pride in having an Earth-Warder emerge from their faction, so there would basically be no problem with Thrall succeeding Deathwing.

The Earth Ring was already prepared. This force, composed of elite Shamans from