[Catrenna]

The blood elf stopped in her tracks, her hands quickly producing a dagger. The undead behind her was struggling to reach for something off of his back, but the narrow trap kept him from drawing it off. Her bounty leapt from the elfs shoulder on to the ground, coiled up behind her leg.

Catrenna reached around to the back of her belt and unhooked a chain link bag.
" Specially made for that rodent you have there. Expensive, but the reward will be well worth it". She tossed the bag to Hardkandy who snatched it out of the air. Mock was still struggling behind her to loose a mace from his back.

"Now then, this is how this is going to work. You're gonna put the rabbit in bag, set it on the ground, and then crawl back down into that hollow. Wait there for 5 minutes, everyone gets to leave intact". She aimed the gun down the middle of the alley, her finger on the trigger.

"Or, I can just yell out to the Bruisers near by. Maybe I'll collect another reward and take the rabbit anyway. The only 'win-win' is for ya two to pop back down there under the dock; after putting the rabbit in the sack".

Hardkandy dropped the bag on the ground, the chain links made a metallic thud as the bag landed. Her eyes narrowed.

"Jus' give me a minute 'ere. Almost got it..." Mockrabbit had a hand on the handle of one of the maces now, but was wedged up against a wall, stuck.

Ottis lowered his head, still behind Hardkandy.

"Furry vengeance..."

Catrenna lowered the gun slightly out of disbelief. Did the rabbit just talk?

[Hardkandy]

One dagger. And the chain link bag. She had caught the bag on reflex, not as a gesture of obedience. It was heavy, awkward to throw, probably.

But if it hit, it would hurt like hell.

"Furry vengeance..."

The goblin's gun dipped. Hardkandy threw her dagger.

Through the goblin's large pointed ear.

Blood spurted. The goblin shrieked, her head swinging back and forth rapidly as if trying to shake blood droplets from her eyes.

Hardkandy whipped the bag at the hand holding the gun. The bounty hunter's grip on her weapon dipped more, see-sawed back up.

"Run," Hardkandy told Mock. She pulled her other dagger from its sheath. Another quick toss, and the goblin had newly pierced ears. The bounty hunter dragged her free fist across her face before clamping it to the new injury.

"You bitch!"

Ottis clawed up Hardkandy's calf, bounding up to her shoulder. Hardkandy followed her own advice and ran, bumping the goblin in the side with her hip as she passed. The goblin staggered, blood cascading from both ears down her neck.

Hardkandy heard the tramp of Mockrabbit's boots behind her.

The jungle. The jungle at the end of this alley was safety.

[Catrenna]

The blood was running down both sides of her face. She withdrew her hand from one of her newly pierced ears. The bright red was a sharp contrast to her green skin. She quickly placed it on her gun again and raised it, taking aim at the back of the fleeing Elf. She started to squeeze the trigger, a sense of satisfaction came over her. Before the gun fired she was knocked over.

The corpse pushed her down as he ran out of the alley and followed the other two. Catrenna's head bounced off the wooden boards of the dock, and the pain in her ears sharpened from the impact.

She quickly stood back up, and tried to take aim but it was too late. The Bruisers from the wharf were running towards her now. They were too focused on her to notice the fleeing trio in the opposite direction. She didn't alert them. Even if there was reward for the elf, Catrenna wanted her for herself. She picked up the cannon and darted into the narrow alley and through the hollow. The bitch was going to be paid back, "I never forget a mark" she remarked to herself.

Catrenna quickly started to make her way under the docks towards the wharfs. She would start tracking them as soon the area was clear. The new holes in her ears continued to bleed out down her face, neck, and under her leathers.

[Mockrabbit]

The commotion behind them faded as they made their way further into the jungle. They ran for a few hundred yards and finally stopped. Hardkandy leaned against a tree and Ottis jumped down to the ground. Mock was still behind them, but they could hear and see him stomping his way towards them. When he arrived Hardkandy had composed herself.

"Seems you 'ave some admir'rs, both o' ya".

"I am kind of a big deal" Ottis exclaimed, scratching behind his ear.

Hardkandy opened her mouth, not sure what she was going to tell Mockrabbit and Ottis in regard to what the Bruisers wanted, but she quickly shut her mouth and looked down the direction they came. They had been shadowed. She balled up her fists. Mockrabbit and Ottis turned to face what she was looking at. A large figure rushed from the jungle brush and stopped in front of them. Mock and Ottis let their guard down, it was the one eyed monk.

"Ya shouldn't be sneak'in up on us like t'at! Could git yirself hurt Yurrie!"

[Yurrie]

Yurrie chuckled at Mockrabbit.

"If you say so" she replied with a smirk. "It seems every time I am required to work with you, and Ottis, there is someone chasing you".

Yurrie turned her gaze to the blood elf standing by a tree, her fists still balled up in uncertainty.
Yurrie walked towards her and slightly bowed. "It is a good that your companion is quick with her knives".

[Hardkandy]

Hardkandy lowered her fists, but not her guard. Ottis and Mock knew the pandaren; she didn't. They had worked with her -- how?

That didn't mean she had to be rude.

"Thank you," Hardkandy said. "But I think we should keep moving. Back to Stonard. I can explain there."

Not only to them but to Tezkali. Her blood-sister was not going to be happy.

[Yurrie]

Mockrabbit opened his mouth, but Yurrie interupted; "Agreed, it just so happens to be in the direction we will be heading". She looked over at Mockrabbit and Ottis. " Your handler has sent me to collect you".

Mockrabbit closed his mouth and shrugged. Ottis stood on his hind legs, propping himself up against Mock.

" Not much of a vacation". Ottis looked up at Mockrabbit.

Yurrie turned to Hardkandy. From what she had seen while making her way to the three on the dock, she felt she could trust the elf. At least while Mockrabbit and Ottis were around.

" Well then, I suppose we should be off before another spots you".

[Hardkandy]

They stayed off the road, wary of any patrols from Booty Bay. By sunset the breathing among the little group were exhausted. Mockrabbit and Ottis kept watch while Yurrie and Hardkandy slept. At dawn they set out again. Before the sun had risen a palm's breath above the horizon Yurrie flagged down a passing wagon. The goblin wagoneer, an independent contracter by her own proclamation, agreed to take them to Hardwrench Hideway for an almost reasonable price. Food and water were extra, but neither Yurrie nor Hardkandy were up to haggling. What coin Hardkandy had disappeared into the goblin's wallet.

Two days later they reached Hardwrench; by that evening rented wyverns landed at Stonard. Tezkali was waiting at the roost. "Upstairs. Now," was her only greeting. She took in Yurrie's presence without comment, spun on her heel and tramped back to the inn. Hardkandy followed meekly. Mockrabbit looked at Yurrie, shrugged and fell in behind the blood elf.

"What happened? I expected ya back days ago!" Tezkali burst out as soon as the door to the room she and Hardkandy shared slammed shut.

Hardkandy knotted her hands. "We-elll... we ran into trouble..."

"I guessed dat," Tezkali snapped. "What kind o' trouble?"

Hardkandy told her.

Tezkali stared at her. Then she grabbed handfuls of braids and began swearing in Zandali. "Pack," she finally muttered in orcish. "We need ta start packin' now. We gotta be leavin' tonight if we can. Tomorrow at the latest - "

"Why does Hardkandy 'ave a bounty on her head?" Mockrabbit interuppted. "An' why did the Bruisers t'ink her name was Dejia?"

Tezkali looked at Hardkandy. Hardkandy looked at Mock and Ottis, sighed, and told them.

Mockrabbit's glowing eyes flickered. "Y' helped a human set fire t' Booty Bay?!"

" -- didn't even try to hide yourselves?" Yurried asked in disbelief.

"Did you get any nibbles?"

Hardkandy threw up her hands. "He got the jump on me, and he had a gun! He told me to help! You don't argue with a crazy man holding a gun!"

"Point," Yurrie admitted. She looked at Tezkali. "Where were you planning to go?"

Tezkali shrugged. "Revantusk, maybe. Not sure."

The pandaren leaned against the doorframe, drumming her claws on the wood. "Mockrabbit has to go to Orgrimmar. Why not come with us? If we take the zeppelin from Brill, that will throw Booty Bay off your tail for a time. They will expect you to go by Grom'gol."

Tezkali 's brows dipped down, considering. At last she nodded. "Good plan. Thank ya."

Hardkandy stirred -- for a moment she looked about to protest. She shifted her weight, hands behind her back, resembling nothing so much as a child with caught sneaking cookies.

"You're welcome." Yurrie addressed the troll, but her gaze stayed on Hardkandy; she sensed there was something -- possibly several somethings -- the blood elf wasn't telling them. Let Luebella handle it. If it has to be handled.

[Mockrabbit]

They small party set out just before dawn the next day. Even though Yurrie knew it could end badly, she insisted that they needed to board the zeppelin in Grom'gol. Mockrabbit assumed Luebella had Yurrie on a deadline, and the Death Knight wasn't known for her patience. Tezkali and Hardkandy both protested. If there were any Booty Bay bruisers around, or mercenaries with word of a bounty, they would be captured. Yurrie kept smiling through the raised voices. "Trust me." she said in a calm and reassuring tone, "I have some new acquaintances that can help us". Still unconvinced of the Pandarens's unrevealed plan, Tezkali eventually gave in. " Fine! But if anything happens, it'll be on your head".

They approached the groggy flight master, just arriving for his morning shift. Yurrie paid for some Wyvrens to take them to Grom'gol. "Fly'in right into t'a fire ar' we?" Mock asked Yurrie. She turned to him, "We will force the Wyverns to land a little way outside of Grom'gol. I'll go in, alone, and make our preparations". Mockrabbit nodded, "Well, as long as one o' us has a plan".

Ottis had decided it would be best for Hardkandy's safety if he road with her, that and she had a some more jerky with her to share with the fur-ball.

They landed without incident about five hundred yards on the outskirt of Grom'gol, and released the Wyverns. Once in the air they continued on their path to the outpost. Mockrabbit shook his head, "Well now, t'at will raise some concern wi't t'a flight mast'r. Miss'in passeng'rs tend to bring about some attention". Hardkandy picked up Ottis and held him tight against her chest. Tezkali started pacing back and forth, muttering under her breathe and staring at Yurrie.

"It could also be a distraction; something to draw guards and those that might be looking for something out of place. Maybe it will keep some eyes from watching the gates". Yurrie looked on at the pacing and worried troll, "I'm going in, you all make your way to the west gate by the beach. Stay by the wall and out of sight. I will meet you there shortly". She bounded off towards Grom'gol, Mockrabbit watching her until he believed she had reached the east gate.

Ottis jumped down from Hardkandy's arms and sat beside Mock. " I'm sure this will end well. How couldn't it?"
Hardkandy moved up next to them, " Can she really get us on zeppelin unnoticed?". Hardkandy had concern in her voice, and who could blame her, she had only just met the monk a few days before.
Tezkali was still pacing and muttering under her breathe. " Dis be suicide ", the only thing she said loud enough that Mock could hear.

" We've work'd wi't her before, sav'd each oth'rs back too. T'ere's noth'in to worry about. I trust her, an' more importantly, Luebella trust'd her enough to send her fir us. If anyt'ing happens she'll have to deal wi't Luebella". Mockrabbit and Ottis knew what the Forsaken had in store for 'mistakes' for the rasks Luebella and the like handed out. Yurrie, having spent time in Undercity and Brill, likely had heard some rumors also.

Mock started to walk, noisily. "Best be go'in. Might be she won't take t'at long".

They arrived next to the gate a few minutes later. They had used the jungle as much as possible to hide their advance, but the expanse of open sand around the outpost meant that once they reached the wall by the gate they would be in the open. they had stopped for no more than fifteen minutes by the wall before Yurrie came through the gate... followed by a Grom'gol gaurd.

Mockrabbit drew the maces from his back. The Orc guard produced her axe just as quickly.

"These are the acquaintances that I spoke of, Garjira * ". The Orc paused for a moment and then holstered her axe.
"Better tell the corpse to put his clubs away, you wouldn't want to draw attention to yourself now, Yurrie".
Yurrie nodded to Mockrabbit, "It's perfectly fine. No need for those".
Mock waited a few seconds and then put the maces away.
" Everyt'ing good to go t'en?".
"Yes, the zeppelin to Brill will arrive in the hour. Garjira here will escort us to the tower, and wait to see that we are not disturbed until we board".

Tezkali stepped forward, arms crossed and eyebrow raised. "N' just what did Yurrie tell ya would be disturb'in us?" she asked, hoping Yurrie had not revealed too much to the orc so that they could not be easily tracked later.

"Only that there is a days pay in it for me if you all get on the zeppelin without any 'attention' ". The orc smiled at the troll. "That's all I need to know".

Tezkali nodded, though she didn't let down her guard,"We best be go'in then".

Garjira turned towards the gate. "Stay close to me, eyes straight ahead, and mouths shut from here on".
Tezkali and Yurrie followed the guard in line. Hardkandy scooped up Ottis and walked on.
" You're sure Yurrie is on the up and up Mock?".
Mock stomped his feet forward, walking behind Hardkandy. She didn't look it, but she was worried about blindly following Yurrie and her 'friend'.

" I've know her fir awhile now. Don't worry, she'll take care o' us", he said to Hardkandy.
Ottis perked up his ears, "She fears the furry vengeance!".
Hardkandy smiled and rubbed Ottis's head.

They entered the west gate and followed Garjira up the tower. Garjira did not permit anyone else on the dock until after the zeppelin had landed, and the small group had boarded, safely. Yurrie was the last of them to board. She handed Garjira a small pouch of gold from her belt, the last of it. Shaking the Orc's hand she smiled, " Give Stone Horn my best. Perhaps next we meet a Pandaren will be stronger than the Orc and the Tauren". Garjira smirked, " Maybe I'll be Warchief next we meet". They both laughed.


((* Please see Shallow Grave - The corpse and the rabbit- for more information on Garjira and Stone horn. Page 5, entry #7 http://www.ravenholdt.us/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=153&start=40 ))

[Hardkandy]

To Hardkandy, the zeppelin from Grom’gol existed in a borderland outside time, the trip a mutual illusion everyone from crew to passengers agreed to share. She knew the sky and sea passed above and beneath them, knew that each passing day brought inevitably closer to their destination. But she didn’t feel it. Their travel was an intellectual curiosity that had no bearing on reality.

Truth to tell, she felt very little. Her entire being felt wrapped in fog or enshrouded in cotton, distant from everything else. She wasn’t sure when exactly this distancing happened, perhaps a day or two after leaving Grom’gol. She talked with Mockrabbit and Tezakli and Yurrie and played with Ottis, she ate, she watched the crew, but she felt as though someone else performed those acts. They had nothing to do with her.

What did manage to hold her attention was the box she had carried with her for so long, and the cards it held. She studied the pictures for hours, trying to make sense of them. There were patterns to them, and suits of a sort, like normal playing cards. Tezkali thought they might be an oracle or some kind. This prompted Hardkandy to try to piece together the meanings – if any – behind the patterns and symbols. The only result was frustration. In time she left the cards alone and watched birds flying.


***

We are going to Undercity.

The zeppelin dockmaster had lied. The Forsaken capital, not Ogrimmar, was their true destination. How could she have missed this? How had Tezkali?

She didn’t want to go to Undercity. She didn’t want to think of Undercity. She began to avoid Mockrabbit and Ottis. She didn’t want to think they had lied to her, and if she didn’t see them, she wouldn’t ask.

She sought out Tezkali and told her of this awful truth. Her blood-sister looked at her for a long time in silence before saying, “We won’t. I promise you.”

After that, she felt a little better, and didn’t avoid Mock and Ottis. Both of them seemed sad, though they never said why.

One morning sand and hills and orc-made towers passed beneath them, not the sea. The zeppelin glided to the dock-tower, guided by the shouts and arguments of the goblin crew. Relief and delight filled Hardkandy; she didn’t argue when Tezkali maneuvered them through the initial wave of disembarking passengers.

“We’ll stay here for awhile, little sister, “ Tezkali murmured to her in the trolls’ language. “Before we go to Revantusk. You – things will get better, I promise.”

Hardkandy nodded. Of course Tezkali was right. They hadn’t gone to Undercity. She knew Orgrimmar, a little, the good places to hide and the cheap places to sleep. Maybe she would finally learn to understand the cards here.

Things would get better.