Reproach

"An Orc Death Knight, Warchief. Do you know why he looks so much like a human? Should I explain it to the others?"

Teron Gorefiend replied.

"No need."

Orgrim Doomhammer glanced at Malone. He was just as puzzled by how much Malone resembled a human, but that wasn't why he had summoned Teron Gorefiend.

Teron Gorefiend had once reached an understanding with Orgrim: they would keep the Death Knights' origins from the other Orcs.

"I heard two Death Knights were causing trouble. He's one of them, so where's the other?"

Orgrim Doomhammer sat squarely in his seat, radiating authority—especially since all the other Orcs were standing.

"The other Orc is me, Warchief."

Teron Gorefiend replied.

"What happened?"

Orgrim asked.

"I imagine you already know what happened, Warchief—or at least what someone else told you happened."

Teron Gorefiend didn't answer Orgrim's question directly.

"How about you tell me what you've heard first, Warchief? Then I'll explain which parts are wrong. How does that sound?"

Teron Gorefiend was actually questioning Orgrim.

Orgrim frowned. He realized the Teron Gorefiend standing before him was acting rather differently.

Before, Teron Gorefiend had been so unobtrusive that Orgrim had nearly forgotten he was there—unless he had a task for him or a new Death Knight to hand over.

But now Teron Gorefiend was speaking to him with such sharp words.

"One of my clan members, Talrama, told me that you, Teron Gorefiend, and one of your companions stole a prisoner who belonged to him. Now, Teron Gorefiend, do you have anything to explain?"

Orgrim suppressed his anger at the affront and asked in a composed tone.

"Talrama?"

Teron Gorefiend didn't remember hearing that name.

Orgrim waved a hand, and an Orc stepped out of the crowd. There was still blood around his mouth and nose, and he stumbled as he walked.

"He's an Orc I knocked down."

Malone leaned toward Teron Gorefiend and whispered.

"That doesn't matter."

Teron Gorefiend quietly replied.

Then the leader of the Death Knights addressed Orgrim in a loud voice. "I don't remember meeting him. I did take a human woman from a group of Orcs, but my opponent at the time was a Burning Blade Blademaster."

"You'd better remember my name, Death Knight."

A familiar voice rang out. Malone looked over to see Kaldara step out from the crowd, arms crossed over his chest. He still had his oddly shaped weapon slung across his back.

"Yes, he's the Burning Blade Blademaster."

Teron Gorefiend nodded.

"And, Orgrim, don't ignore what I said earlier. That human woman wasn't just Talrama's prisoner. She was a prisoner captured by our whole squad."

Kaldara looked at Orgrim, showing no respect at all for the Orc Warchief in his words.

What side was this guy on? Malone watched Kaldara, unable to figure out what was going through the Orc Blademaster's mind.

Was it really worth making a scene in front of Orgrim over Tiffany? Were these Orcs out of their damn minds?

On the other hand, why did Kaldara seem so dismissive of Orgrim's questions? Had he not come here of his own free will?

"What do you mean?"

Orgrim asked.

"I mean that although Talrama was in my squad, we captured two human women in all, and he already killed one of them. I don't think he has any right to decide what happens to the remaining prisoner."

Kaldara explained earnestly, though Malone thought what he said was complete nonsense.

"Why didn't you tell me that before?"

Orgrim seemed to take Kaldara's words seriously. There was irritation in his voice.

"With all due respect, Orgrim, you asked me earlier whether the Death Knights had taken a human prisoner from our squad. I said yes. At the time, I didn't know that was what you had in mind... And you didn't ask me, did you?"

A faint smile tugged at Kaldara's lips—but to Malone, it looked nothing but mocking.

"Go on."

Orgrim addressed Kaldara calmly, but Malone's sharp eyes could see the powerful muscles beneath the Warchief's black plate armor trembling slightly.

He's angry, Malone thought.

"Go on? What else is there to say? You always trust your Blackrock Orcs, Orgrim. Do you even care what the rest of our clans have to say?"

Kaldara bluntly voiced his dissatisfaction with Orgrim.

"Are you challenging my authority, Kaldara?"

Orgrim sprang to his feet, one hand already gripping the handle of the warhammer on his back.

"Think what you like."

Kaldara reached for his sword hilt too, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit. A Burning Blade Blademaster never feared anyone's challenge, nor did he hesitate to challenge anyone.

Behind Teron Gorefiend, Malone clicked his tongue in disbelief. What was going on?

Malone knew that the human kingdoms within the Alliance had their share of grievances with one another, but he hadn't expected things to be so peaceful within the Horde, either.

Kaldara actually dared to challenge Orgrim's authority in front of everyone? His opponent was the renowned Doomhammer!

Still, Malone was a little excited. He knew Kaldara was strong, and Orgrim was strong too. A fight between those two would be something to see.

The other Orcs—chieftains and adjutants alike—kept silent.

The Orcs wouldn't stop anyone from challenging the Warchief, just as they hadn't before.

When Orgrim killed The Destroyer Blackhand, no one had said a word, had they?

"Tell me what actually happened."

To Malone's surprise, Orgrim was the first to release his weapon.

Seeing Orgrim let go of his weapon, Kaldara released his sword hilt too. But Malone thought he caught a flicker of disappointment on Kaldara's face. Was he imagining it?

"We captured a human prisoner, then this Death Knight came, and then Teron Gorefiend showed up. We fought, but I lost, so I handed the human prisoner over to them."

Kaldara said casually.

"You lost?"

Orgrim Doomhammer was still standing there, but a look of astonishment crossed his face.

Orgrim knew how strong a Burning Blade Blademaster was. He hadn't expected Teron Gorefiend to be able to defeat one.

"That's not right, Kaldara! You didn't fight this guy at all! How can you say you lost?"

Talrama shouted from the side.