Criticism and self-criticism were both excellent things. Trolls usually had a very laid-back attitude, but after Zul'ra, with Cook taking the lead, many began to reflect on themselves and consider whether they had performed well in battle.
Setting aside their assessments of their own combat skills, many Trolls gave a great deal of thought to Zul'ra's words. Few Troll chieftains dared to admit to making such mistakes. Troll society prized violence above all else, and a loss of prestige meant their authority and status would soon be challenged. Even Zul'jin wouldn't dare do this. So why did Zul'ra dare?
By daring to set an example, Zul'ra drew the attention of many Troll soldiers. Driven by curiosity, they began asking their upright companions, like Cook, about it. They were then influenced by these new ideas, and as they gradually absorbed them, Zul'ra's influence began to spread through the army. The Troll army, too, slowly began to change.
After unleashing a wave of new ideas upon the army, Zul'ra held a discussion with Chieftain Broken-Tooth. Hex had been killed, leaving Jintha'Alor without a ruler. Zul'ra wanted to join forces with the Smolderthorn to take the city, and Broken-Tooth agreed it was feasible.
As an old adversary, Broken-Tooth knew Jintha'Alor very well. Because Hex worshipped Hakkar, she had ruled Jintha'Alor through terror. Only a few priests of Akil'darah the Eagle Spirit and Shadra the Silk Dancer had any standing, but they weren't enough to win over the people. Now was the perfect time to seize Jintha'Alor.
"Attacking Jintha'Alor is inevitable, but, Chieftain Broken-Tooth, there's something I need you to promise me." Zul'ra looked at Broken-Tooth, who knew Jintha'Alor well, and spoke with a grave expression.
"What do you need me to do?" Broken-Tooth blinked.
"I know the Vilebranch have done some terrible things to the Smolderthorn, but those were all Hex's schemes. I don't want the Smolderthorn to use that as an excuse to slaughter the innocent among the Vilebranch Trolls." Zul'ra was very serious. Trolls were not only extremely insular but also practiced cannibalism. They had very few limits in what they did, but the Forest Trolls' population was already dwindling.
After years of oppression by humans and Elves, and having only recently joined the Horde, the Trolls had suffered heavy losses at the hands of the Alliance after their defeat. Their population was already small. If they fought among themselves again, how could they ever rise up and vie for dominance? They might as well just lie down and die.
"Zul'ra Jin, I have to admit, you're very merciful. I agree with you: the innocent Vilebranch Trolls shouldn't suffer for Hex's crimes. But..." Chieftain Broken-Tooth shifted her gaze slightly.
"I don't need a 'but.' I need your promise, Chieftain Broken-Tooth. I can tell you're a skilled negotiator. There are some Vilebranch who deserve to die, but that doesn't mean you should look for a loophole." Zul'ra cut off the chieftain as she tried to find one. Some of the Vilebranch deserved to die, but that didn't give the Smolderthorn an excuse to set the wheels of vengeance turning.
"All right. Your gaze is like a flame that sees through the darkness. I promise the Smolderthorn won't take revenge on the Vilebranch Trolls in Jintha'Alor or on any of our other Forest kin." Hearing Zul'ra's words, Broken-Tooth could only resign herself to nodding.
"Good. I've long believed that the Smolderthorn are the most practical of our Forest kin. Once we unite as one big family, we'll have many things we need you for. You'll be one of the most important parts of our Forest family." Zul'ra nodded, looking slightly pleased by Broken-Tooth's response.
"The Smolderthorn will devote everything to the Forest family, for the glory of the Trolls." Hearing Zul'ra, Broken-Tooth thumped her chest to show her sincerity.
"And for our Forest family, too." Zul'ra nodded with satisfaction at Broken-Tooth's willing pledge.
Soon, the Smolderthorn army had assembled. Zul'ra also took the opportunity to learn more about this small but resilient tribe. After facing attacks from both the Alliance and their own kin, they now numbered only a little over three thousand five hundred. They were also smaller in stature than other Trolls, but their will was the opposite of their size.
After enduring battle after battle, fewer than four thousand Smolderthorn remained, all of them capable warriors. When their chieftain called, they immediately joined the eight hundred Trolls under Zul'ra to form a coalition army. Together, the four thousand warriors marched on Jintha'Alor.
Jintha'Alor was a golden city built against a mountain. The ancient city had just lost its leader, and it quickly crumbled in the face of an attack by four thousand troops. Hex's Vilebranch warriors in the city were killed, while several priests seized the opportunity to revolt.
Under the leadership of the rebel priests, the army entered Jintha'Alor without trouble. Broken-Tooth kept her word, warning her people that any revenge attacks within the city would be a challenge to her authority. Troll society prized violence and respected a strong will, and none of the Smolderthorn dared defy the chieftain's will.
The Smolderthorn honored their promise, so Zul'ra naturally repaid their good faith. He imposed a full curfew on Jintha'Alor and ordered every Vilebranch Troll to spit at Hakkar's shrine. Anyone who refused would be treated as a follower of Hakkar and handed over to the Smolderthorn. They couldn't massacre people, but they could target cultists.
Zul'ra dealt with Hakkar's followers without hesitation, unafraid of offending the Soulflayer. Hakkar already had a terrible reputation. It had once enslaved the Gurubashi Empire and was reviled by all Trolls. Zandalar had personally contacted the Forest Trolls and Jungle Trolls to destroy its physical form in the mortal world.
In short, Zul'ra had no qualms about ruining the Soulflayer's reputation. Its followers were hated by everyone. Did it really dare to glare at him? If it revived in the mortal world, he would go to Zandalar for help and rally all the Trolls to take it on again.
Under Zul'ra's iron rule, Hakkar's followers in Jintha'Alor were quickly purged. Zul'ra then had the priests who'd led the revolt calm the people, take stock of the situation, and bring Lostro and the others over from Shadra'Alor. When the big fellow heard the news, he could hardly react.
Originally, Zul'ra had planned to win over the Smolderthorn and then return to Zul'Aman immediately. But in the blink of an eye, not only had he won over the Smolderthorn, but the once-powerful Jintha'Alor had fallen into his hands as well. Fate truly was mysterious.
Taking Jintha'Alor so smoothly had been unexpected. Zul'ra decided to delay his return to Zul'Aman, stay and establish a base in Jintha'Alor, and spread his ideas among the city's Trolls.
Just like in Zul'Aman, after their defeat and under the shadow of a reign of terror, many Vilebranch Trolls felt empty inside, with nothing but confusion ahead of them. Zul'ra's new ideas could fill that emptiness, help them see through the confusion, and give them hope.
The Vilebranch Trolls not only accepted Zul'ra's new ideas but adapted to them better than the Amani Trolls. Of course, that had something to do with their nature: they respected nothing but strength. After being defeated by Zul'ra and his army, they saw Zul'ra and the other Amani Trolls as both kin and powerful, and so they were willing to accept them.
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