THE SLUMBER - CHAPTER 1.3

Trolls, humanoid beings from the south, were tall, much taller Trolls, humanoid beings from the south, were tall, much taller than humans, and much slimmer. They were known to be masters of the jungles, and their reputation for cannibalism was known throughout Azeroth. They were also known to keep “trophies” of their kills around their necks in the form of a bone necklace, and sometimes piercings on their ears and nose. Their wardrobe were basically a dirty loin cloth and… that’s about it really. Pointed noses and ears are the main characteristics of a troll, with long thin limbs, and they hunch when walking, or even standing straight. This pair had to be a scouting party, as they had some supplies tied to their waists, some food and water perhaps.

Why the trolls were so far up north as Elwynn Forest, none of the three humans present knew. But what they knew was that they had to fight to get out of this situation, and hopefully not as dangerously fought as their single previous encounter with trolls.

Medivh was separated from Lothar and Llane, the trolls between them, but nonetheless they prepared to do battle with the trolls. Lothar lifted his long sword, as did Llane his axe. The magician began to run possible spells through his mind, deciding which to use and how, and the time needed to cast them in a certain situation. Should he use the humble fireball? Or should he shoot lightning from his fingers? Or should he just turn and run?

Before he could make his mind up, the first troll made the first move, dagger unsheathed and letting an ear piercing battle cry, lunged at Lothar, who was ready for attack. Lothar managed to parry the first strike but staggered backward as he pushed the dagger aside. Llane charge into the troll and pushed him aside with his shoulder, making the troll lose his balance and tripping. The second troll by now was attacking Medivh, who seemed to be having trouble with it, as he was a spell caster and needed time and space to work. He managed to dodge most of the attacks as he finally retaliated with a fireball, deciding it to be the simplest yet efficient spell.

It hit the troll squarely in the chest as it flung him to the side and hit a nearby tree. The beast screamed as the fire burnt his chest, rolling itself on the grass trying to douse the flames. Medivh now ran to his companions and stood behind them. Now they were ready.

The first troll, which was engaged with the warriors, got up and hurled insults in an unknown tongue. It rushed at them again, this time with both daggers out front, teeth bared. As Lothar and Llane prepared to parry and attack, the troll jumped up into the trees and in a heartbeat was behind the group, homing onto Medivh. The boy magician surprised, turned around to come face to face with the jungle beast, as it hit him right in the face. Two broken noses in a day, thought Medivh…

With the greatest threat out of the way momentarily, the troll charged at the warriors again, and in a heartbeat closed the gap with the two, hacking and slashing as best as it knew. One dagger managed to stab Llane in the arm, and the other puncturing Lothar’s left thigh. Both let out screams of pain as the metal was pushed deeper into their flesh. Lothar, the stronger of the two elbowed the troll as it came into range, and it staggered forward, still holding on to the daggers. The two humans let out another cry as the blades left their wounds, the troll deftly spinning around and lunging back at the two.

The butt of one of the dagger hit Llane on the head and he slumped to the floor, blood trickling down his forehead as he slumped to the ground. The other dagger pierced Lothar’s left shoulder and this time he dropped his knees as he felt weaker and weaker from every advance of the troll.

The troll was now standing over Llane’s unconscious body and faced the kneeling Lothar. Medivh slowly woke from his black out, slowly opening his eyes to see his friends in that situation. He knew he could no longer cast anything now, his body weary and hurting from the single blow he received.

The one remaining troll (the other burnt and very dead) lifted his dagger, preparing to strike Lothar one more time to end the battle, and let out a mocking laugh. “Ye humans are no match for the trolls, mon. Ve be trolls, the masters of the jungles, and destined rulers of ze Azeroth, you hear me mon? The Gurubashi Empire will reign again, just likez the olden times eh? “ the troll said in a weird lingo, but understandably in the common language.

Medivh now tried to stand up, his knees wobbling, and cried out to the troll to stop. This was madness, the magician thought, he could distract the troll for a moment, but how long could he keep it up? In the end they will all perish anyway.