Trouble Within the Orcs

"Is that all? Just howling?"

Although Tabek felt dizzy from the sound of Teron Gorefiend's cry, he still stubbornly retorted.

"You won't be able to crush us, the Doomhammer's Guard, with just a howl!"

"We shall see soon enough," Teron Gorefiend said coldly.

Just as Tabek was pondering the meaning behind Teron Gorefiend's words, a clamor erupted from behind him.

"Could it be..." Tabek looked back in horror.

"This is..." Malone's jaw dropped as well.

A vast army had bypassed the small hill and was advancing rapidly toward them.

"Teron, you..." Malone looked at Teron Gorefiend, unable to believe his eyes.

"I told you, you must learn to trust your companions," Teron Gorefiend replied.

Only now did Tabek realize that the sound Teron Gorefiend had just emitted was a call to his companions—much like the way wolves communicate with one another.

"Lieutenant Tabek, we are surrounded!" an Orc warrior trotted up to Tabek and reported.

"No kidding, I'm not blind!" Tabek snapped irritably.

More than twenty Orc warriors gradually huddled together, while on their perimeter stood as many as a hundred Death Knights.

Some of these Death Knights were empty-handed, while others were fully armed and carried scepters inlaid with gemstones.

Although none of them launched an attack on the Orc warriors, nor did anyone greet Teron Gorefiend, Tabek knew that these individuals all answered to Teron Gorefiend's command.

"Are you planning to betray our alliance?" Tabek turned to face Teron Gorefiend, gritting his teeth.

"Just a precaution." Teron Gorefiend actually shrugged, a human-like gesture that left Malone quite astonished.

"Now, Tabek, if you don't want to be torn to shreds by the Death Knights under my command, tell me: what exactly was the order the Warchief gave you?"

Not long ago, Teron Gorefiend had asked a similar question, but Tabek had threatened to cut off his head; now, however...

"Doomhammer told me to take his guard here to see what was going on. If the troublesome Death Knights hadn't fled yet, I was to bring them before him."

Tabek was much more compliant now, and he answered Teron Gorefiend's question.

"Bring them in?" Teron Gorefiend seemed incensed by Tabek's words. "You dare to take my subordinates without my permission?"

Although he was not as close to the other Death Knights as he was to Malone, Teron Gorefiend would never allow anyone else to interfere in the internal affairs of the Death Knights.

"I went to that camp to find you, but you weren't there."

Tabek answered truthfully.

"If you don't believe me, you can ask your subordinates. I just didn't expect to find you here."

Teron Gorefiend seemed skeptical of Tabek's words: "Do you take me for a fool? If you lie to me again, I won't mind lopping off your fingers or slicing away your ears and nose."

"I'm telling the truth!" Tabek said hurriedly.

"The Warchief would bother with such trivial matters?" Teron Gorefiend still felt Tabek was lying to him, and he spoke with indignation.

"Fine, it's like this... can we go inside to talk? This matter is rather confidential."

Tabek looked warily at the other Orc guards beside him, as well as the Death Knights.

"Stay back!" Malone barked at Tabek—he knew all too well that some heroes had fallen to such petty treachery.

"It's fine, he cannot harm me." Teron Gorefiend waved his hand, signaling for Tabek to come in.

Tabek gave Malone a strange look, perhaps puzzled by his human-like appearance, before stepping over to where Malone and Teron Gorefiend stood.

Although the canvas had been torn away and the interior of the tent was fully exposed, the distance was sufficient to prevent those outside from overhearing their whispers.

"Ah!" Tiffany let out a frightened cry; Tabek's entry into the tent made her extremely uneasy.

"It's okay, it's okay," Malone quickly comforted Tiffany in Common.

"Mm..." Tiffany nodded.

But she was still terrified, especially since she could see the Orcs outside the tent.

Tiffany wanted to hug her knees and bury her head between her legs—that way, at least, she wouldn't have to see these ferocious aliens.

However, Tiffany's foot was sprained, and any movement caused her great pain, so she could only close her eyes, hoping that Malone would drive this Orc away as soon as possible.

Those Orcs, and the Death Knights as well, had seen Tiffany too.

The difference was that most of the Death Knights showed no change in expression, while the Orcs began to breathe heavily.

Even the Doomhammer's Guard were merely stronger Orcs; for this race, following their primal instincts for slaughter and lust was what mattered most.

"What do you have to say?" Inside the tent, Teron Gorefiend asked Tabek coldly.

"The reason the Warchief is concerning himself with such a small matter is that several major events have occurred in the camp recently," Tabek whispered.

"Go on, quickly. I don't have time to waste here with you," Teron Gorefiend said, clearly dissatisfied with Tabek's dawdling.

Tabek nodded and continued: "Very well. These past few days, we've had a minor conflict with the Trolls. You know about that, right?"

"Mm," Teron Gorefiend nodded.

"Actually, these conflicts are quite serious, you know. We Orcs are already warlike enough, and those Trolls are even more so. Sometimes it's just a small matter, over a bit of food, or something else, and they... start fighting."

Tabek's narration surprised Malone—conflicts between Trolls and Orcs, both members of the Horde? This was something he had absolutely no idea about!

But it made sense to consider the possibility—Orcs mostly chose violence to resolve internal disputes, and Trolls were the fiercest and most warlike race on Azeroth. While their alliance was based on shared interests, it was hard to guarantee conflicts wouldn't arise.

"Get to the point," Teron Gorefiend still found Tabek too long-winded.

"A few days ago, a Troll cut off an Orc's nose in a conflict. Many chieftains were already displeased then, but those two were dueling, so they couldn't say much. But last night..."

Tabek paused here.

"What happened last night?" Teron Gorefiend asked curiously—he hadn't heard of anything happening last night.

"A small group of Orcs from the Bloodfang Clan clashed with Zul'jin's guards and started fighting. Before we arrived, one Orc was dead."