Vampyr

Three shadows darted through the Dusty Swamp. Marla was the most agile, charging ahead at the front.

"You're really bold, making promises like that to them. Veronalara won't be happy when she finds out," Calila called to the Dark Ranger ahead. The wind carried her words to the other woman's ears.

"What does such a small price matter? I'm sure Lady Veronalara will understand."

Cleya quickened her pace and ran to Marla's side. "But you still haven't told us what exactly you've figured out. Didn't we agree to go to Okaz Island? Why are we turning back to Maraudon now?"

"Because there's no need to go to Okaz Island to confirm whether the people Gogro saw were Alliance. I'm certain now—they definitely weren't Alliance. They were pirates."

Cleya and Calila stopped, exchanging shocked looks.

"Pirates?"

"How can you be so sure?"

Marla stopped as well, but did not answer their questions. "Not only that, I suspect the whole affair—including the attack on our fleet—was the Horde's doing behind the scenes."

Cleya gave a puzzled smile, her face full of confusion. "The Horde? I truly don't know what you're talking about. What does this have to do with the Horde?"

Marla gazed ahead. They had already entered the Southern Barrens, which had become even more desolate after the Cataclysm. Kodo Beasts and Wind Serpents wandered everywhere. She also saw a Tauren-style shack built beneath a remote cliff. She remembered the place being called Flintrock Outpost. It had once belonged to the Earthen Ring, but was now abandoned as well. Still, seeing it lifted Marla's spirits, because Flintrock Outpost was not far from Razor Ridge.

She wanted to devote every moment to traveling, but her two companions were clearly unhappy about being kept in the dark.

"My sisters," Marla said, "you only