Arjak's machete sliced through incessant vines as he braved into the miry umbrage of Nazmir. There were a thousand ways to die in this fetid swamp, some of which were unspeakably gruesome even by Zandalari standards. No troll in his right mind wanted to venture here, but mercenaries like himself thrived on the sort of risks few had the stomach for. A few days ago, a sacred gem was stolen from a temple in Zuldazar. The thief was described by the priests as a female blood elf with long crimson hair. The guards had nearly apprehended her, but they stopped their pursuit when she fled across the Shattered River. The priests had a handsome reward waiting for him if he managed to capture her and return the gem, but it would be challenging to say the least.
A few hours into his hunt, Arjak happened upon his first clue when he discovered the corpse of a pale-skinned troll laying face-down in the mud. He approached the body cautiously, holding his weapon at the ready in case it was a trap. "Blood trolls..." he groused. Nazmir was infested with the bloodthirsty savages, and he felt no remorse for this one's demise. A stab wound in his back was the obvious cause of death. The weapon of choice, he deduced, was a dagger. Whoever slew this troll possessed some modicum of skill, and it was not unreasonable to suppose they could be his quarry.
Following his instincts, Arjak proceeded north until he discovered a cluster of huts. Blood troll sentinels were posted about the vicinity to keep watch. It was difficult to see from this distance, but he also made out what appeared to be a cage with a person locked inside. Further investigation was warranted. He crept forward stealthily to get a better look. The moment he noticed the captive's red hair, he smirked. "Got ourselves in a bit of trouble, did we?" he whispered to himself. Although it was amusing to see the thief caught, not even she deserved a fate this cruel. Besides that, she knew where the stolen gem was. Rescuing her was the only path forward.
Arjak hid in the foliage and produced a whistle. The two sentinels guarding the cage jolted to attention, then brandished their spears and began searching in his direction. He listened carefully to their footsteps and waited until they were within striking distance, then jumped out from cover and took them to task. Within moments, the fight was over. The heathens stood no chance against the seasoned fighter when taken by surprise. A small window of opportunity had been purchased with their deaths, and so he moved into the village with haste.
For a blood troll captive, the thief seemed to be in remarkably good health. She possessed a lusty figure that could distract him quite easily if he wasn't careful. The tight leather outfit she wore clung to her curves quite provocatively. At first blush, her tender face did not invoke the image of a lethal criminal, but it did not take long to discern the mischievous glint in her fel-green eyes. This deceptiveness was typical of blood elf women, making them especially dangerous to gullible men. Despite her pitiful demeanor, Arjak knew better than to let his guard down around her.
"Anar'alah!" The woman breathed with relief as Arjak approached. "You're a sight for sore eyes..."
"Step back," Arjak replied.
With a fluid swing of his blade, he cut the cage's locking mechanism in twain. She hastily stepped out afterward and the two of them escaped into the wilderness. As they passed the corpses of the sentinels, she laughed maliciously at their demise. "They deserved far worse than what you gave them!" she declared. After a few minutes of hustling across the soggy terrain, they seemed to be in the clear.
"Ya wanna tell me ya name now?" Arjak questioned.
"Selfina," she answered. "Now will you cut this rope from my wrists?"
As she lifted her wrists to him, he released a hearty chuckle. "Ya tink I be here to rescue ya?"
Selfina's expression soured as she slowly lowered her wrists in defeat. "Oh, I see how it is. You're not a hero, just a mercenary."
"And ya just a thief. Where's da gem?"
"At my hideout," she said with some reluctance. "It's just east of here."
"Lead da way."
"As you wish."
The two began their journey to the hideout at a steady pace. Arjak assumed Selfina was telling the truth but was also prepared for a ruse. Along the way, she made small talk, seemingly amendable with her circumstances. "I'm impressed you managed to find me."
"It wasn't easy."
"I believe you. I'd rather be in your custody than those monsters. I think they would have eaten me if you hadn't shown up."
"Ya be lucky, mon. Blood trolls be da worst. How ya wind up in da cage?"
"I'd rather not talk about it..."
"I see. And what was ya plan after takin' da gem?"
"Lay low for a couple of days, then sneak back to the Port of Dazar'alor and steal a ride back to Quel'Thalas. The Reliquary pays well for this kind of treasure."
"Dat gem be important to me people."
"I'm sure it is. And money is important to me!"
After an hour of travel, a dilapidated temple could be made out through the trees. Its pyramid shape was identical to the ones found in Zuldazar and Vol'dun. It was not uncommon for creatures to take up residence in these ruins, but Selfina would not have chosen it as her hideout if it weren't vacant. Nevertheless, Arjak stayed vigilant. He was led to a recess on the side of the structure where he noticed the remains of a fire, a bedroll, and a knapsack.
"Ya picked a cozy spot," Arjak complimented. "Da gem be in da bag?"
"Yes," she said. "Among other things."
He walked over and lifted the bag to rifle through it as she stood at the threshold and watched. After a few moments, he withdrew the gem, holding it up to the light from outside to view it properly. "What a pretty ting. No wonda ya took it."
Selfina stepped forward. "If I may ask you something..."
"Hmm?"
"Why are you a mercenary?"
"Because I be good at it."
"No doubt of that, but what motivates you to follow this profession? Is it for the money or pleasure?"
"A little of both."
"And surely you know that by selling the gem you could be wealthy beyond your wildest imagination, far more than anything you could make as a mercenary."
"Maybe so, but den I'd always be watchin' me back."
"As if you aren't already?"
"Only while on a mission. I can still enjoy me free time back in da city."
"All right... you're a man of integrity, it seems. Did they pay you to return with the gem, or with me?"