Chapter 26

Catching Up

Stefan introduced Guro'jintal to everyone. The Darkspear Troll was met with warmth and welcome, save for Geraldros, perhaps. He politely refused to shake his hand, because during the encounter with the creature, he had soiled himself. Guro'jintal was not at all offended. Joined now by a quartet of warriors, the group continued on their journey, heading further northeast, where the white mountains of Icecrown loomed ominously in the distance.

"What brought you to Northrend, Guro?" asked Stefan.

"The service to my people, and, Thrall," explained the Troll. "When I hear Garrosh be takin' the fight to the Scourge, I can't resist chance to do battle. Arthas is an evil far greater than the bickering between our factions. Maybe even greater than the Legion."

Stefan knew why the Troll slowed when he mentioned the Legion. He smiled inwardly, thanking the fortunes for such a knowing friend. "Do not feel offensive, Guro. The Legion is no more. I let go of Lorelein when Rok'Roham met his demise. Something I couldn't have done without you."

Guro'jintal waved his hand. "I owe my life to you, Stefan. And as you know, debts be vicious cycles."

"So it's my turn, huh?"

"You smart for a Human!"

They laughed together as Iyana floated up next to Guro'jintal. When the Troll noticed her, he smiled broadly as best as his tusks would allow. "Iyana, me dear! How good it is to see you!"

"And it's so very good to see you doing well," she smiled.

"So you still be followin' Stefan to the far ends of the globe. And now to the roof of the world, where only the insane dare to treck?" he questioned.

She paused and rolled her eyes up to the sky, as if in deep thought. With a confident nod, she replied, "Yes."

He began to laugh. "Hah! You my kind of woman!"

"I saw her first!" announced Stefan, wrapping an arm around the Elf's shoulder.

Guro'jintal snuck a glance back to where Lyra and Molgoby were chatting, near the back of the group. "Is ok. Me thinks I see another of my kind of woman."

Stefan and Guro'jintal snickered before the Troll waved a brief goodbye and receded into the group.

---

Four hours of on and off trecking brought them to the eastern edge of Sholazar Basin. Along the way, the group had encountered a pair of winged beasts, a smaller version of the muscle-armed monster, and a stampede of heavily feathered plainstrider-like birds. Now, tired and hungry, they sat in a small circle feasting on the get of the day. The birds were not only easily-spookable, but tasted delicious. Geraldros had forgotten about his shame and was digging his teeth into a large slab of a fowl's flank while listening to another of Mae's tales. Molgoby, Lyra, Guro'jintal, and the Darkspear's three companions were sharing a large slab of meat and roaring with laughter. Fineus and Haydric traded tales of war stories over a pair of roasted legs. Stefan and Iyana were all to themselves.

"How are you doing?" he asked.

Iyana perked her ears. "That's a strange question. What do you mean?"

"We haven't really talked about this, the trip. You've been quiet and compromising the whole way," replied Stefan.

"That's because I am completely supportive. I'd follow you anywhere, Stefan."

"This can't be about me, Iyana. It has to be about us," he began, putting his dinner aside and taking Iyana's hand. "Even though it's far too late to ask, are you here because you want to be, or just to make me happy?"

She finished chewing before answering. "Is all of the above a choice?"

He laughed. "I know you mean well. But this question is as serious as you may find it funny."

She let the smile fall lightly from her lips. "Since we've been together, I've grown to love the hunger for adventure that I see in your eyes. I must say, there's something in you Humans that the men of my race can learn a lot from."

"It's who I am."

"I know. That's why I've fallen in love with you. That's why I'm here in Northrend, with you. Because I want to be."

He pulled her close with his arm. "Thank you."

"But," began Iyana, her voice growing quieter. "There's something I'm worried about. We're different, Stefan. You're a Human, I'm a Night Elf."

She looked at him, waiting for an answer. He stared back without a change in expression. "And?"

"My people look upon inter-race relationships with disdain. I do not know if I am still welcome among my own kind, and it worries me."

He nodded. "Aye, you Elves have always been quite protective of your own kind. Very territorial. It's quite attractive."

"Aren't you worried too? Don't the Humans hold similar misgivings?"

Stefan shrugged. "Perhaps. But I do not see races. I see characters. I see the personalities hidden behind cultural diversities."

"I know," said Iyana. "Another reason I fell in love with you."

Stefan smiled. "Let's finish our dinner, and get to bed. Tomorrow, we leave the jungle."