You're Asking for Death

Tian Sang had inherited Zul'ra's memories and everything else. He felt some affection for Kal'ma, his mentor and adoptive father, but not enough to consider it familial. His feelings stopped at inner respect for Kal'ma's virtues: his kindness toward his people and his determination to challenge their backward customs.

And because Tian Sang's feelings for Kal'ma didn't reach the level of familial affection, he felt a little contempt and anger toward Zul'jin for abandoning an old man so he could escape. But he couldn't condemn him too harshly, because he couldn't be sure he would have stayed by Kal'ma's side in the same situation.

Basically, Tian Sang meant Zul'jin no harm. Though he had some restless ideas and hadn't made up his mind yet, Zul'jin's revelation that he had abandoned Kal'ma left Tian Sang no choice but to decide.

Tian Sang resolved to become a Troll Highlord and marked Zul'jin for death. It wasn't for any other reason; the relationship between him and Kal'ma, however nominal, was simply too important to sever.

Zul'jin seemed to feel guilty for abandoning Kal'ma, but Tian Sang could see that the Amani chieftain was outwardly generous and inwardly suspicious. If they ever had a disagreement, Zul'jin would remember that he had abandoned Kal'ma and become wary of Kal'ma's apprentice and adoptive son. Before long, their relationship would break down.

Their relationship wasn't good now, and it might fall apart in the future. Better to stick with his restless plan and find a chance to kill Zul'jin outright. That would be simpler.

Though he had marked Zul'jin for death in his heart, Tian Sang didn't dare let it show. Instead, he blamed everything on the Elves, indirectly telling Zul'jin, Don't worry, boss. I won't hold it against you. It was all the Elves' fault. I hate the Elves.

Zul'jin was naturally pleased with Tian Sang's response. He was still feeling guilty, so he told Tian Sang to choose his people soon. Once spring came, Tian Sang would head to Zandalar to study, then help Zul'jin restore Zul'Aman.

After fooling Zul'jin, Tian Sang left the Altar of Deities. He thought it over, then decided to ask Lostro for advice—specifically, about who to take to Zandalar.

Plans succeeded when kept secret and failed when revealed. Until he had a concrete plan and was sure he could carry it out, Tian Sang wouldn't tell anyone what he intended—not even Lostro, who had followed Kal'ma.

"What kind of people do you need, and how many?" Lostro asked after a brief pause.

"Quick-witted, hardworking, and steady-tempered. Men or women are both fine. I'll need around twenty or thirty," Tian Sang replied after thinking it over.

"Do you need Warriors?" Lostro asked, watching Tian Sang.

"Zul'Aman will need Warriors to protect it for a long time to come." Tian Sang met Lostro's gaze, then looked away and answered earnestly.

"Losing one or two won't make any difference." Lostro glanced around.

"Then that's settled. If you have anyone suitable in mind, give me a list by the day after tomorrow. If there's nothing else, I'll head back." Tian Sang wrapped things up and said his goodbyes.

"Wait." Lostro called after him as he turned to leave.

"What is it?" Tian Sang looked at the big man who had stopped him.

"Have you heard about the priest?" Lostro stared right at Tian Sang.

"Zul'jin told me just now, when he asked me to stay." Tian Sang met the big man's eyes and answered without hesitation.

"So it's all true. Those bastards left the priest..." Lostro's eyes widened, and fury rose uncontrollably on his face.

"If you'd been in their situation, what would you have done?" Tian Sang asked, looking at the furious big man. Abandoning a companion was shameful, no matter the race.

"I'd have risked my life to protect the priest. I swore an oath to the gods. I should have stayed by the priest's side." Lostro clenched his six-fingered hands into fists. His voice caught in his throat as he struggled to hold back his anger.

"Lostro, you've stayed true to your oath, but our mentor is gone now... If you're still willing to serve him, then fulfill his hopes." Tian Sang stared into the big man's reddened eyes, where tears were gathering.

"Restore Zul'Aman, reform our backward customs, and bring glory back to the people of the forest." Tian Sang looked at the angry, resentful Lostro, careful not to show which side he favored. He kept his words deliberately ambiguous.

"I will. What about you?" Lostro asked, watching Tian Sang's unwavering gaze. He wiped the corner of his eye as he spoke.

"As you can see, I'm going to Zandalar to study again. Reforming Zul'Aman will require a great deal of knowledge." Tian Sang watched Lostro wipe his eyes, then looked away toward the dimming sky.

"..." Lostro watched Tian Sang turn his gaze aside. His eyes lowered briefly, then he gave a solemn nod.

"I should go. Remember to keep an eye out for suitable people. I'll be leaving for Zandalar in the spring." Tian Sang reminded Lostro once more, then left.

"I will." Lostro's voice came from behind him. Tian Sang didn't reply. He gazed at the old city of Zul'Aman, its mottled, pale walls draped across the mountains in winding tiers. He took a deep breath of the winter air, let it out, then lowered his head and headed home.

Winter passed quickly, and the patchy snow covering Zul'Aman began to melt. Tian Sang assembled a thirty-five-person group that included artisans, soldiers, and women. Once the snow had completely melted, they joined Hex Lord Malacrass's party and sailed together to the homeland of the Trolls: Zandalar.

They set out from the Thalassian Strait and sailed south along the Forbidden Sea for several days. After replenishing their supplies in the South Sea, they turned west. Aboard one of the ships in the Zul'Aman fleet, Tian Sang sat opposite Malacrass.

As an elder, Malacrass taught Tian Sang what he needed to know about Zandalar. It was the birthplace of Troll civilization, and all Trolls regarded it as a sacred mountain. There were many rules there, one of which forbade Trolls from fighting one another.

Trolls lived all over the world. By the regions they inhabited, they were divided into Jungle Trolls, Forest Trolls, Ice Trolls, Desert Trolls, and Zandalari Trolls. There had also been Dark Trolls, but they had vanished long ago. Zandalari scholars believed they had entered a mysterious region, where mysterious energy had transformed them into the Night Elves of today.

Setting aside the rumors about the Troll tribes, Trolls from different regions looked different from one another. They didn't trust each other and sometimes even fought. But Zandalar was neutral ground, home to Trolls from all over the world. Fighting there was against the law.

"Malacrass, there's something I'm not sure about. Could you explain it to me?" As he listened to Malacrass talk about Zandalar and its relationship with the Troll tribes, Tian Sang thought of a question.

"Ask away. I'll explain it to you." Malacrass spread his hands slightly.

"Will Zandalar let us study their knowledge and techniques?" Tian Sang asked, somewhat worried.