"Your body truly bears the power of a Loa. Tell me, which Loa granted you this power, and why?" Rastakhan asked with a slight nod, his eyes flickering.
"Because Zul'ra helped Lord of Wind and Rain, Snake Goddess Ulatek, with a few things, Ulatek asked what reward Zul'ra wanted. Zul'ra told the Lord of Wind and Rain that she wanted her hands to become more nimble, so Ulatek made my hands like this!"
Tian Sang briefly recounted what had happened, taking care not to look directly at Rastakhan. The God-King was powerfully built, but his skin was gray with a faint pallor. A golden mesh covered his chest, leaving his torso exposed. Unlike other Zandalari Trolls, he had no hardened skin. These details showed how pampered he was.
"So you didn't ask for these hands yourself?" Rastakhan leaned forward slightly.
"What Zul'ra told Ulatek was: 'I hope my hands can become more nimble.' She made no other requests." Tian Sang repeated the words verbatim and tried to calm his thoughts. Even with Ulatek as a shield, one wrong word could get him into serious trouble.
"I can tell you're not lying. Good." As he listened to Tian Sang, Rastakhan leaned back on his throne and nodded with satisfaction.
"To be granted power by a Loa, young Zul'ra, means you carry a mission. Grow strong and fulfill it!" Rastakhan looked over Tian Sang's build and delivered his solemn pronouncement.
"Thank you for your guidance, God-King." Tian Sang glanced up at Rastakhan's face, then lowered his head. He noticed that gold rings encircled the roots of the tusks at the corner of the God-King's mouth. His left eye glowed, but his right eye, crossed by a scar, was dull and lifeless. Perhaps some Loa had granted him that power.
The right eye held special significance for Trolls. Shadow Hunters also believed it was a link to the Loa. Zul'jin had fallen into the hands of the Elves and had his right eye gouged out, undoubtedly as a deliberate act of revenge.
"Now, let's return to our discussion. Malacrass of the Amani, tell me directly why you've come." Rastakhan turned his gaze to Malacrass.
"God-King, the Amani have come to Zandalar today hoping to receive your help." Seeing Tian Sang make it through the questioning, Malacrass felt a little relieved and put forward his request.
"Zandalar will help all our kin, as long as they need our help and are willing to accept it." Rastakhan gave a deliberately ambiguous answer.
"Thank you for your generosity. The Amani have just suffered a defeat. We fought a battle against the Humans, Elves, and Dwarves, alongside a group of Orcish allies from another world." Malacrass raised his head slightly.
"Orcs from another world?" Rastakhan's eyes shifted.
"Yes, Orcs from another world. They have a long history and fight bravely. The Amani chose to ally with them and reclaim our forest, but due to our shortcomings in many areas, we lost. We've reviewed the reasons for our defeat, and we hope to ask you to let us learn Zandalar's knowledge so that we may reclaim the forest one day." Malacrass made his request in a measured, pleading tone.
"You've reviewed the reasons for your defeat?" A faint smile appeared on Rastakhan's face. That was a rare thing for the Amani. Weren't those hotheaded young fellows always convinced they were invincible and could do anything?
"God-King, the Amani have suffered too many defeats. The wise Kal'ma and his apprentice, Zul'ra, helped us review this one. Compared with Zandalar, the Amani are too young and reckless. We urgently need knowledge. I beg for your mercy." Hearing the amusement in Rastakhan's voice, Malacrass suppressed the surge of anger and bowed his head to plead.
"Tell me, what knowledge do you need?" Rastakhan watched Malacrass bow his head, his smile fading.
"Agriculture, smithing, military affairs, the Loa—we need knowledge in many fields, all kinds of knowledge." Malacrass spread his arms to show the Amani's eagerness.
"You have a big appetite, but knowledge cannot be acquired overnight. How do you plan to take it back with you?" Rastakhan asked.
"We brought craftsmen, farmers, and soldiers. We hope you'll allow us to study in Zandalar," Malacrass replied.
"I can allow you to study in Zandalar, but I don't expect much from you. You're young and reckless, impatient, and unwilling to listen to advice." Rastakhan spoke slowly, pausing briefly before continuing.
"Still, I'm willing to give you a chance. You may study here, but if you want to return to Zul'Aman, you must pass the appropriate trials and prove your abilities to me and the Loa. You know what will happen if you fail."
"Thank you, God-King. Thank you for your generosity." Malacrass was overjoyed at Rastakhan's agreement. Hearing the conditions, Tian Sang narrowed his eyes. They needed a diploma to leave after studying here, and that diploma would be hard to earn.
"Besides the trials, Malacrass, I assume you've also brought Zandalar information about those Orcs from another world, haven't you?" Rastakhan asked. Zandalar would not give without receiving anything in return.
"Of course, God-King. The Amani need to follow Zandalar's respect for knowledge and learn from it. I've brought knowledge of the Orcs' Warlocks, as well as some of their Shaman culture," Malacrass hurriedly replied when Rastakhan asked.
"Good. In the days ahead, work with Bajini, our record keeper, to document that knowledge while you study. And you, Zul'ra, apprentice to Kal'ma—you're a Witch Doctor too, aren't you?" Rastakhan looked toward Tian Sang.
"Yes, God-King." Tian Sang bowed slightly.
"Good. Then study under Lal, servant of Pa'ku, the Lord of the Sky. He is an outstanding master of witchcraft. May he help you grow." Rastakhan's eyes shifted as he made his decision.
"Thank you for your generosity, God-King." Tian Sang expressed his gratitude as carefully as he could.
"Then it's settled. May you truly gain knowledge here." Rastakhan waved his hand. The guards on either side immediately gestured for them to leave. Tian Sang bowed his head slightly, then rose with Malacrass and left the stone chamber atop the pyramid.
"So I've become an exchange student!" Tian Sang stepped out of the chamber and looked down from the top of Dazar'alor's pyramid at the entire capital spread beneath him. He let out a breath. From today on, he'd have to study hard for the rise of Zul'Aman. Toil...
"Damn it, forget it." Thinking of those two lines of poetry, Tian Sang hurriedly stopped himself. He didn't think he needed to sacrifice that much for Zul'Aman. He still had to get used to being a Troll!
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