The Head on Display

By the time they returned to Alterac Valley, most of the Orcs had already finished relocating. However, some wolf-riding Orc raiders still remained there. Skrinjer did not hesitate to show them the red head tied beneath his wolf mount's neck, proclaiming what Zul'ra had done.

Every race worshipped strength, but each placed its emphasis differently. Humans worshipped the wonder of authority, Elves worshipped the might of magic, and Gnomes worshipped the creations of technology. Yet none of their reverence for strength was as direct and pure as that of the Orcs.

As they regrouped with their companions and caught up with the main force, Skrinjer kept recounting the deed. The Orcs riding wolf mounts also came to ask Zul'ra about it, and he told them the truth: after infiltrating the camp, he had killed the red-skinned Orc and a Blademaster. He said it casually, but the Orcs did not take it so lightly.

The last Orc like Zul'ra, who had broken into enemy lines and taken an enemy leader's head, was named Grom Hellscream. After being defeated and captured by Ogres, he had been hung from a tree as they prepared to break his spirit. Yet he displayed an iron will, and when the Ogre lord let down his guard, Grom bit him to death.

Grom Hellscream returned to his territory carrying the Ogre leader's head and resumed leadership of the Warsong Clan under the title "Lord of Iron Will." Some Orcs had dismissed his actions, even calling it a sneak attack, but that did not stop his fame from spreading far among the common folk.

Likewise, Zul'ra's actions had been rather abrupt, and the attack could even be called foolish. Yet his reputation spread swiftly. After they caught up to the force ahead, the red head was passed around