Everywhere around him, hatred transpired through sullen, bestial gazes. The shrill and eerie silence, quenched only by the light rhythmic footsteps of his ghostly presence through the marshes, and the pitter patter of a cumbersome Drywallow Dagger coming ashore. He preferred his wolf form, he felt less obvious.

The air was growing closer, but the marsh was beginning to open up – 'I must be close', he thought. Then it hit him with brutal intent. A wall of intense heat, almost unbearable, he snapped back with winched eyes. A festering stink traveled on the air, and he wondered how anyone would freely live in such squalid lands, and lest of all, why he of all people had been asked to come here.

'Locals were threatening our supply routes', he recited, 'put an end to the problem.' His eyes rolled back, despite the fact he was alone, the words spoken were filled with contempt and poison. This wasn't about valor, nor the war.

He could see plumes of putrid yellow smoke rising from small fissures, and beyond it, darkened soil as miserable and desolate as the depths of the cruelest forsaken hearts. Moving forward out his wolf form, his lanky presence extended into a small sprint, moving from rock to rock. He stuck out like a sore thumb and didn't want to fight any more than he had to. Moving deeper and further into the fiery abyss, he spotted the two Drakes camping outside of a cave entrance, and moved closer. 'This must be it', he convinced himself.

He concentrated, temporarily closing his eyes and bringing together his palms by his side. It felt like a drop in an ocean, mana springing forth through his body, into a sphere of electoral power. He opened his eyes, and breathed steadily. Thrusting forward his arms, a bolt extended forth and struck one of the beasts unaware. He shot across the earth, making no noise bar the thump of his mass hitting the ground. He didn't get up.

The troll leapt forward, drawing his hammer.

A swirling black vortex danced up around the flailing beast, as the blunt end of a two handed hammer struck home. A fizz and pop sounded, ice swelled around the cracked rib cage. The creature yelped in agony. Dragging his hammer away in one fluid sweep, he felt the cool breeze of a giant twice his height being toppled. The Scorchscale Drake tumbled awkwardly, falling flat on its side, breathing heavily, its eyes leering incandescent at the lean troll who had bested it.

He sighed and moved closer, dropping his hammer close to the beasts head. Looking down at the riving mess, he swung and with one fluid motion, caved the beasts skull into the earth, ending its miserable existence. Dropping to a crouch, he pulled free the weapon and resenting the mess left, cursing in Zandali out of pure frustration.

He moved into the cave, and appreciated the dank surroundings. But felt a searing heat pierce forth from the depths. Moving slowly and steadily, he went to face his doom. Moving into the main chamber, he was distinctly underwhelmed.

He looked upon the senescent Black Dragon, and felt shame. Its battered frame slowly rising at the sight of the troll. He looked into its eyes, and saw a hundred years of endless hate and despair. The pair were scarred, the dragon physically, and the troll mentally.

'Is this what I've become?' he spoke, honestly dismayed. 'Not today my friend, never again.'

And with that, he left the cave, dragging his hammer along the floor. The dragon snorted, shifting uncomfortably back into its lair, not fully contemplating in its own bestial stupidity how lucky it had just been. Looking back, towards his companion of many travels and dismisser of many foes, the troll closed his eyes and loosened his grip. A heavy clunk, both on the ground and in his heart. He was free, finally.

There was no reward worth selling his morales for - fatigued with obligation, weary with disdain, he had lost hope in those who he'd devoted a lifetime to. Here in the wild, he apologized to Thrall, knowing full well he had never met nor knew the great orc chieftain, but admired his kindness and spirit. Walking away a free, but condemned troll.

He was at one with himself. A lowly Shaman, in the wild, picking herbs.