In the General's office, he eyed the both of them.
"What tells me that I should allow you armor and a weapon in my town?"
Grogek growled. "Your so called "army" is pathetic." He spat. "The Iron Horde will make paste of them. I know, I trained them all. I'm offering you my expertise. One you need badly."
Elunara laid a hand on Grogek's arm. "Sir, I vouch for him. I know my word doesn't mean much around here, but what option do you have? He's giving us the edge we're going to need."
General Renwa leaned back and frowned. "Hmm." With a sigh he tapped the table. "Fine. But you figure out how to make them listen to you. And no deaths!" He pointed a finger at Grogek.
Grogek snarled. "Pathetic."
"Alright you two." Elunara stepped between Grogek and the desk. "Come, let's get your armor and axe, while the General here makes the announcement." She turned to the General "Gather all of the soldiers. We might as well make the announcement to all of them."
The General nodded.
Back in their barracks, Grogek put on his armor. "Tiny little human." He muttered.
"Well, what do you expect? You're huge, and intimidating. This will go a long way for them." She sat on a bed, one leg pulled up, her hands on her ankle.
He lifted his axe and examined the blade. "It's gotten dull; I'll have to sharpen it."
"I'll talk to the blacksmith, get you time in the shop."
He hefted the axe on his shoulder. "What should I do, to make them follow me?"
"How about a demonstration?" She grinned.
"Like the LAST demonstration you arranged?" He grinned even as he narrowed his eyes.
"Well, not with the same ending." She giggled. "No, let's show them what it's like to face a real Iron Horde."
Grogek nodded. "Yes. This I agree with."
They stood before a small army of men. Humans, dwarves, and other races of the alliance. They were under geared and some under sized. Elunara sat off to the side with her writing desk, capturing the scene. The General and Grogek stood side by side. The General stood straight, and any evidence of fatigue was hidden beneath a mask of discipline. She decided it said something about their relationship that the General would let her see what was under that mask.
"Today I have made a very important decision." The General began. "We are woefully under prepared for the enemies we will be facing. It has come to my attention that this orc..." He laid a hand on Grogek's shoulder in a sign of solidarity. "Grogek, is willing to help us. He is formerly of our enemy and he is willing to teach us what battle strategies we will face; strengthening us towards a common goal. I expect each of you to follow his direction."
Elunara sketched their faces. The disbelief and the distrust.
Grogek dropped the head of his axe to the ground. He leaned on the hilt. "This is what you bring me?" He looked around at the crowd. "This pathetic group is what I have to work with?" He looked to the General "I ask you for an army and you bring me CHILDREN?"
"Naturally, we do not send all of our recruits to the same station, but yes. This is all we have now." The General nodded to Grogek.
"Everyone's gotta start somewhere." Elunara leaned on her board, chin on her fist.
Grogek snarled. "Then I shall."
Elunara carefully tucked her pencil into her board and closed it up. Standing by his side, she appraised the crowd; their faces already etched in her notes. "I have hope for them."
Grogek turned his face to her, his eyes glittered as he grinned.
"We're to take orders from an orc and a whore?" Someone called out.
Sharply Grogek turned his head, growling at the crowd as he lifted his axe. Elunara placed a gentle hand on his arm, and he lowered the axe, stepping back. The General seemed to let out a breath.
"You know." Elunara said casually. "I have yet to figure out why people think that word means anything to me. It's not even insulting."
Grogek snorted and hid his smile. Only a slight twitch in his face betrayed the amusement he felt.
"I think we owe them a demonstration." She turned a grin on Grogek. "Let them see what this whore and that orc can do." She smacked the back of her hand on his stomach. "One on one, you and me."
"As you wish, my little she-wolf."
The way was cleared and a ring was set. General Renwa oversaw the event. Grogek and Elunara stood on opposite ends of the ring.
"We've been here before." He said.
She laughed. "Except this time, it won't end the same."
"Is that so?" His eyes glittered.
"Yeah, this time we're not trying to piss anyone off." She twirled the staff around. "It's been awhile since I've held this weapon."
"Of course it would be a staff."
She grinned. "Go with what you know."
"Would you two quit the banter?" General Renwa rolled his eyes. "Let's have a good clean spar. Can we?" He raised an eyebrow at Elunara.
She twirled the staff again. "Remember Groggy, if I even think you're going soft on me, you won't be using my favorite appendage for a week."
He roared in laughter. "So it will be."
"Begin." Renwa called.
She twirled her staff as she began to sing. The night elves in the crowd recognized her words and began to cheer. Grogek and Elunara circled each other.
"What are you singing?" He asked.
"Traditional war ballad." She answered before she continued to sing. He charged, she twirled and dodged.
"The question is..." He swung his axe toward her head, but she ducked effortlessly. "Why are you singing?"
She slid up under him, tapping his thigh with her staff. When he twirled she hopped up. "The sentimentality is getting to me, I guess."
