Threats

"This didn't seem so hard to solve after all..."

Malone murmured.

"What did you say? Have you figured something out?"

Kaldara sprang to his feet in excitement and walked over to Malone.

Even Teron Gorefiend perked up, watching Malone closely to hear what he had in mind.

"Yes... I think if..."

Malone trailed off after only half a sentence.

Should he tell Kaldara what lay at the heart of the problem?

Malone didn't know the answer.

If the Orcs settled their internal troubles, would they immediately march north and attack the human kingdoms, and then...

Then the same tragedy that had struck Stormwind would play out across the northern continent. Who knew how many more Tiffanys, Richards, and Marys there would be this time...

But if he hadn't changed the course of history in Azeroth, then the Horde would eventually solve this problem anyway.

Malone knew that. Still, it sat a little easier with him if the Horde solved it on its own, rather than with his help.

If he simply told Kaldara how to resolve the conflict between the Orcs and the Trolls, Malone felt like he'd be helping them do harm.

Though he'd already decided to stay out of the conflict between the Alliance and the Horde, refusing to save someone and actively helping to hurt them were two different things.

"I can't think of anything."

Malone changed his answer.

As soon as he said it, he noticed Kaldara's expression darken.

"You figured something out. You must have. But... you don't want to tell me?"

Kaldara seemed like a very clever Orc. He'd immediately put his finger on the heart of the matter.

"How could that be...? I haven't thought of anything."

Malone tried to brush him off.

"Are you sure you haven't thought of anything, Maicomarlon?"

Teron Gorefiend asked.

"I..."

Malone hesitated. He felt it wouldn't be right to lie to Teron Gorefiend.

But he'd already lied to Teron so many times that he decided to grit his teeth and let Teron be the "fall guy" once more.

"Think carefully before you answer."

Kaldara's voice was cold. He was nothing like the carefree fellow he'd been earlier.

"I..."

Malone was about to say he hadn't thought of anything when he suddenly froze.

He raised his head and looked at Kaldara, then noticed that the other man's hand had reached for the hilt of the sword on his back.

"What are you doing?"

Teron Gorefiend rose and came to Kaldara's side, grabbing his wrist.

"You know something."

Kaldara ignored Teron Gorefiend and fixed his cold gaze on Malone.

"I don't know why you won't say it, but I suggest you do. I may not be able to hurt you easily, but this human woman..."

Kaldara glanced at Tiffany. The chill in his gaze made her curl up and tremble.

"If you lay a hand on her, I'll—"

Malone hurried between Kaldara and Tiffany, glaring at him furiously.

"I have a hundred ways to kill this human woman, even if you and the Death Knights guard her around the clock."

A cruel smile tugged at Kaldara's mouth.

"Want to find out?"

Kaldara threatened Malone.

"I..."

Malone knew Kaldara meant every word.

Even with Teron Gorefiend and himself protecting Tiffany, she was still unable to move freely.

With Kaldara's skills, hurting Tiffany right in front of him and Teron might be easy. Neither of them knew how to protect someone.

Besides, Tiffany was a human woman in an Orc camp. Kaldara might only need to spread the word, and thousands of Orcs would come here to cause trouble.

At last, under Kaldara's menacing gaze, Malone gave in.

The humans in the north were too far away, and he had no way to save them.

At least he could protect Tiffany.

"This isn't as complicated as you think. Orgrim has probably already seen through it all. He has a solution in mind; he just can't say it in front of everyone."

Malone spoke.

"Go on."

Kaldara pulled his wrist free of Teron Gorefiend's grip and sat across from Malone.

Teron Gorefiend hesitated, then sat down too. He hadn't expected Malone to really have an idea.

"Even if you don't get involved, Orgrim will solve this problem himself."

Malone was still making one last effort. He didn't want to personally help the Orcs and Trolls resolve their conflict.

"Even if you're right and Orgrim already has a plan, I still want to hear yours. If your ideas differ, won't we have two ways to solve the problem?"

Kaldara said with a cold laugh.

Malone sighed. He knew he couldn't fool the shrewd Blademaster.

Thinking of Tiffany's safety, Malone finally had no choice but to lay out his idea for Teron Gorefiend and Kaldara.

After hearing Malone out, Teron Gorefiend's eyes widened in surprise. "Would that... really work?"

"I think..."

Kaldara drawled, staring into Malone's eyes as he stumbled over his words.

"I think it's worth trying."

At last, Kaldara finished what he had to say.

"Really? Won't it cause trouble?"

Teron Gorefiend was still doubtful.

"Why not try it and see?"

Kaldara placed his hands on his thighs and leaned forward. With a slight push, he stood up.

"What are you going to do?"

Teron Gorefiend asked.

"I think we should put his plan into action as soon as possible. Otherwise, things could get out of hand."

Kaldara strode toward the entrance of the shelter as he spoke.

Teron Gorefiend said nothing more, watching Kaldara leave.

"Oh, right. Thank you."

Kaldara paused at the shelter's entrance and looked back at Malone with a smile.

"Forget it. Just don't let me see you again."

Malone turned away in anger. What he'd just told Kaldara wouldn't change the outcome, but it went against his principles.

Now he felt guilty, as if he'd personally harmed the humans of this world.

"Ha!"

Kaldara let out a laugh that was hard to interpret, then left the shelter.

Inside, only Tiffany remained, slightly relieved by the Orc's departure, and Malone, who was even more tense than before.

Malone looked at Teron Gorefiend, who was looking back at him.

"Why?"

Teron Gorefiend asked.

"No reason."

Malone knew what Teron Gorefiend wanted to ask and answered directly.