Blackrock Returns to the Horde

Just as Rend had expected, even if the other Horde elders held prejudices against the Blackrock Clan, Thrall treated them equally. Especially after seeing Rend's sincerity, it was like a timely relief to Thrall, who was currently short on supplies.

"Welcome to the Horde, my brother. The Horde welcomes all orcs who come with goodwill." Wearing Orgrim's inherited black plate armor, Thrall still looked rather young, yet he was wise and carried the bearing of a leader. There was no doubt that he was stronger than Rend, despite being several years younger.

"Honored Warchief, I, Rend Blackhand, pledge my loyalty to the Horde. The Blackrock Clan will forever be the Horde's people. Lok'tar." Before the gathered Horde leaders, Rend swore the ancient orcish oath, declaring the Blackrock Clan's official return to the New Horde.

"My child, the ancestor spirits must have blessed you. You did not continue down the wrong path." A white-haired, dark-skinned orc stepped out from behind Thrall. With that unmistakable appearance, he could only be Eitrigg, elder of the Blackrock Orcs. Though Eitrigg had not yet completely given up on the Blackrock Clan, even his wisdom could not stop his tears from flowing. If there had truly been no hope left, who would want to destroy his own clan?

"Ariok, come here quickly. Pay your respects to the chieftain." Eitrigg hurriedly called over his youngest son. He had never expected to see his clan finally break free from the path of evil.

"Eitrigg, I should be the one apologizing to you. My father and I failed the Blackrock Clan, reducing what was once an incomparably powerful clan to only us. I have failed our ancestors." Rend dropped to his knees before Eitrigg, half out of remorse for Rend's former actions and half as an act to win hearts.

"Get up, Chieftain Rend. You need not pay such a great courtesy. It is enough that you have seen the true faces of those evil forces. From now on, continue leading us to restore Blackrock's glory." Eitrigg had not expected the once-proud and foolish Rend Blackhand to kneel before him and beg forgiveness. He was caught completely off guard.

"This is what I owe you, what I owe the Blackrock Clan. Please accept my apology, Eitrigg. The Blackrock Clan needs your wisdom. I believe that under your leadership, the Blackrock Clan can return to its former nobility." Rend directly offered Eitrigg the position of Blackrock Clan chieftain. He knew Eitrigg would certainly refuse, but it was also the quickest chance for him to integrate into the Horde and restore the Blackrock Clan's standing within the New Horde.

"No, no, I cannot. Chieftain Rend, you will always be the Blackrock Clan's chieftain. What virtue or ability do I, Eitrigg, possess? I watched the Blackrock Clan fall and did nothing to save it." The wise Eitrigg was thrown off by Rend's emotional display and stepped straight into Rend's trap.

"Please rise, Blackrock Chieftain Rend Blackhand. The New Horde treats all equally and will not concern itself with your past. We only hope that you can truly become part of this family. Only you can serve as the Blackrock Clan's chieftain. I believe Eitrigg would be more than willing to return to his clan as an advisor." Thrall did not know what Rend had been like before, nor whether he saw through Rend's intentions, but this arrangement naturally allowed Eitrigg to enter the Blackrock Clan and keep watch over Rend Blackhand. Eitrigg's wise mind would surely report to him promptly whether the Blackrock Clan truly harbored sinister schemes or sincerely regretted its past. Either way, it was an appropriate arrangement.

"Yes, please serve as the Blackrock Clan's advisor. Eitrigg, we need your wisdom and nobility. I am too reckless. Only you can help the Blackrock Clan reclaim the glory of our ancestors. This is your youngest son, Ariok, correct? With such a sturdy build, he is indeed a member of our Blackrock Clan. Please allow me to appoint Ariok as my guard." Rend understood Thrall's intentions as well. The two smartest people in the entire Horde were Eitrigg, whose age and experience had allowed him to see through the ways of the world, and Thrall, who had been raised by humans and trained to be resourceful. He did not mind Thrall placing someone beside him to watch him. That would only help him and the Blackrock Clan integrate into the Horde's greater collective.

This performance left both sides highly satisfied. The New Horde gained the populous Blackrock Clan and its supplies, while Rend successfully secured the Horde's backing.

Grommash watched Rend's actions thoughtfully, recalling his own past. Thrall's two powerful guards, standing to his left and right, stared intently at Rend with complicated emotions in their eyes.

That night, at Rend's arrangements, the well-supplied Blackrock Clan prepared a banquet to welcome the Horde brothers who had arrived and announce their return to the Horde. For the weakened Horde orcs who had only recently escaped the internment camps, this lavish feast was beyond abundant. Those who had never been able to eat their fill could now feast on meat and drink freely.

After the Second War ended, the orcs had believed they would remain human slaves for the rest of their lives. Now, hope had returned. The southern and northern orcish forces had joined together, guided by the powerful Warsong, Blackrock, and Frostwolf Clans. Warchief Thrall had restored the way of the shamans, and now Blackrock Chieftain Rend had brought them abundant supplies. They could see the light once more.

No matter which clan they belonged to, whether Blackrock or Warsong, even clans like the Jawbone Clan with only a handful of members, no longer distinguished between one another at this moment. It was as if they had returned to the days when the Horde had first been founded, when the orcish Horde was united and powerful. Countless veterans who had lived through the Second War shed tears. Before long, word spread from one to ten, then from ten to a hundred, until cries filled the entire orcish camp. They had suppressed their feelings for too long and endured despair for too long.

Inside Rend's tent, he hosted the Horde's upper ranks, clansmen from every clan, as well as warlords, kings, and others.

Thrall warmly introduced Rend to these Horde elders, only pausing when he reached the two powerful captains of the guard behind him.

"Broxigar, Varok, introduce yourselves." Thrall knew of the ties between the Saurfang brothers and the Blackrock Clan. As an outsider from the Frostwolf Clan, it was not his place to interfere.

"Broxigar Saurfang and Varok Saurfang of the Thunderlord Clan pay respects to the Blackrock Chieftain. Please permit us to return to the clan." The Saurfang brothers clasped their fists and dropped to one knee in excitement. The Thunderlord Clan was a special clan. Its chieftain, Fenris Wolfbrother, was actually the elder brother of Durotan, chieftain of the Frostwolf Clan. The Saurfang brothers had been mistaken for members of the Thunderlord Clan, but at their roots, they were orcs of the Blackrock Clan. Rend did not know why this was so, but after all they had endured, the two veterans held only love for home in their hearts. They regarded the Horde as their home, and now that the Blackrock Clan had returned, they could finally truly return home. Veterans never died, for home remained in their hearts.

"Rise, Broxigar, Varok. You were my father's guards in his day. It is also good that you now follow the Warchief. The Blackrock Clan will always welcome you." Although Rend also wanted these two powerful allies, Thrall would never agree.