beast, apparently of the same opinion, leapt forward and tried to fit an arm through the bars. Unlike the one monster, this creature failed. He sought then to bend the bars in order to make a better attempt, but although they creaked ominously, they did not give . . . for now.
The warchief appeared unimpressed by the ferocity of the caged horror. Looking to the Kor’kron, he said, “They’ll have to be reminded of their purpose . . . and what will happen if they don’t follow through.”
It was the first time in ages that Briln was reminded that, despite everything, the beasts were nearly as intelligent as their captors. Much more primitive, certainly, but nearly as intelligent.
One of Garrosh’s guards gestured to another Kor’kron standing by the entrance to a metal longhouse just north of the area. Something had been planned for just this occasion, and the captain had an idea what it was.
The grim guard disappeared into the longhouse. All the while, the beast before Garrosh raged, now joined with savage gusto by the other seven. Everywhere, orcs and goblins tensed, awaiting disaster. Only the warchief and the Kor’kron remained absolutely calm, even expectant.
Several startled grunts suddenly arose from the longhouse. They were like nothing Briln had ever heard.
No . . . they did resemble something. Although higher in pitch and sounding more curious than frightened, they were very much akin to the deeper voices of the cargo.
And the creatures in the cargo knew it also. Almost as one, the eight cages grew silent.
Garrosh nodded to the one before him. The warchief did not look happy with what had just taken place, but seemed resigned to it. “You understand. They are well, as I have promised. You will all thus keep your promise.”
There was a grunt from the cage. Garrosh signaled for the tarp to be let down again. Only when it had completely covered up the cargo did Briln breathe easier.
The guard who had entered the longhouse exited again, this time to report to the warchief. He looked a bit anxious as he neared. Garrosh indicated that the party—including the captain—should step farther away from the cages.
“I did as you commanded,” the Kor’kron muttered, speaking so that only those with Garrosh could hear. “I gave some of the younglings a share of that sweetened meat their kind likes so much. They raised a real ruckus. Was it enough?”
Garrosh nodded approval. “The adult beasts heard them. They should stay docile now. They just had to be reminded about our deal.”
At that moment Briln found he did not envy Garrosh; the complexities of command in such times surely tore at Garrosh’s sense of honor constantly as he sought to do what was best for his followers in the long run.
He must have stared too long at the warchief, for Garrosh abruptly looked back at him. The legendary warrior’s brow furrowed. “How many died to bring even these eight here?”
Briln made an estimate that included not only those lost when their ships went down but also those lost in getting the beasts to the port in Northrend. Having tried continuously to avoid thinking of those who had given their lives while he had survived, the captain was dismayed by the number he told the warchief.
Garrosh was equally dismayed and did not entirely hide that fact. “As many as that? A great price . . . but it’ll be worth their sacrifices and more when Ashenvale falls to us!” The Horde leader straightened, now looking every bit the dedicated, confident commander. “They who’ve died to bring these beasts here will stand beside us in spirit as we crush our foes! When the last outpost falls, this victory will belong as much to them as to those of us who are there to see it happen!”
His vow brought cheers from those surrounding him, even Briln. If he was to be executed, he hoped that at least he would be remembered along with all the other dead involved in this mission. It was more than he could ask.
“Captain Briln.”
The mariner swallowed. He immediately slapped his fist against his chest again, then bent his head so as to offer his neck. “My warchief, I can’t give any excuse for my failure! You command that we bring you ten, and I deliver only eight! Many of those who perished did so as part of the fleet that I oversaw!” Briln waited for Gorehowl to fall, but when the fabled axe did not cut off his