Chapter Four; "Your Ass, My Size 24 Hoof"

Raven had made sure to explain the situation to a nosey, and incredibly pushy, Captain. Chanced just liked to know everything, but this just helped intrigue him even further. He was also happy at the note that Iris had indeed retrieved his favored sword. The fact that Iris didn't show up confirmed his suspicions, she must had been in danger of some sort, and he was certain the Draenei would carry some supportive news. Which the Draenei did, as they managed to find him stumbling across the woods, and Chance proved to be a useful interrogator.

Pulling out his gun, he slammed the darn near eight-foot blue creature into a tree stump, and pushed with questions. Chance had pulled a finger out of his socket, and then proceeded to whisper something only 'Rtas could hear, which he quickly obliged to answer their query. The Pirate returned 'Rtas's finger to its socket as the beast explained the situation, giving some light to the situation, Chance was sure Iris was still alive.

'Rtas stood to his feet, towering over Chance as the Draenei rubbed his sore hand, he had certainly lived enough this night. Unfortunately Chance wanted 'Rtas along for the ride, the two made an accord that the Draenei would get off of any convictions that could be wrongly placed on him, Raven was relunctant, but gave in, and the group was on their way. 'Rtas having been the only one to know the Centaurs location, it was nice that he was around, or the group could have likely got lost in the jungle.

"So you're a Pirate," 'Rtas said.

"That's right," Chance nodded. "Captain of the Centurion Sparrow."

'Rtas made a look as if he had never heard of such a thing. "You know it," Chance assumed.

"Should I?" 'Rtas asked curiously.

"It's only the fastest ship in the sea, I outran Grand Alliance ships, and not the freight cruisers," Chance pointed out. "I'm talking the Interceptor class ones."

"Brilliant," 'Rtas said, not really understanding ship talk well at all.

Chance just rolled his eyes. "And what about you?" he wondered, not really caring to know, just curious about why a Draenei took interest in Night Elves.

Unfortunately Chance didn't always have the best of luck with questions, as he once asked a gnome their story, who then proceeded to retell every detail of his life, right down to their family tree. Chance nearly shot him twice, succeeded at hitting him in the foot, and then the gnome joined his crew. It was an odd place of events, but he hated the midget to no end, very much an bottom kisser.

"We are all looking for stability," 'Rtas answered. "I simply wanted to understand the Night Elves connection with the nature around them. It's quite spiritual."

So he was a tree-hugger, great, that's all Chance needed, another hippy do-gooder idiot who deserved no less than to sink to the bottom of the sea. "I don't buy any of that ancient dribble."

"Not religious," Raven stated.

"There's no great mystical force controlling my destiny," Chance said clearly. "Just a bunch of fancy tricks and mind games."

"Clever," 'Rtas noted. "But we must connect with this world, understand these Titans and ancients that walk among us," he continued. "It's the only way to survive."

"They're creatures like everything else on this rock," Chance argued. "To believe in something that isn't there is rediculous."

"Then what do you make of the Burning Legion?" 'Rtas questioned.

"A man driven mad with power," Chance said. "Arcane can do crazy things, but that doesn't mean you should worship the ground those towering tree trunks walk on."

"Enough," Raven spat. They had come upon the edges of a path, looking over toward a camp site that led into Dire Maul.

"That's it," 'Rtas confirmed.

"Peachy," Chance noted sarcastically, catching three Centaurs just inches from the entrance.

With 'Rtas report of the situation, the group had assumed said female Centaur was leading the pack, but from their view, it appeared a Magnataur was, in fact, leading them. He was huge, standing some twenty-five feet tall. One of his tusks were shattered in half while another lingered strongly on. His fur was a ragged mess, knotted it appeared, he clearly had been in a number of battles.

The Magnataur's very steps rocked the ground around Dire Maul as he proceeded through the gate, huffing a string of orders at the cowering Centaur. Chance narrowed his eyes, they had to get down there. "We should move."

"What exactly is your plan?" 'Rtas wondered.

"Kill everybody," Chance answered with a mischievous grin.

'Rtas shook his head in disagreement but knew there was no other course of action, or reasons to be made, with this Captain. And so the Draenei removed his large mace from his back and clapsed it tightly between his hands. The group nodded to one another, raging down the cliffside, Raven was the first to strike, as she and her apprentice mounted two of the Centaurs in the camp, stabbing them directly through their heads, the males fell dead as 'Rtas sprinted across the jungle floor, ramming an oncoming Centaur, the two clashed their maces, sparks flying into the air.

Chance watched as everything played out, sneaking between the battle into Dire Maul. He carefully proceeded through, avoiding most hostiles except for one, the Satyr in question, it had to be the one 'Rtas spoke of.

"Hello there," Chance greeted.

"You have invaded our home," the Satyr spoke. "And brought bloodshed with that foul Draenei."

"I assure you," Chance started. "Our goal is strickly honorable."

The Satyr watched as behind Chance, 'Rtas having just decapitated his enemy, and began to sprint over the dead bodies toward Dire Maul, Raven and the apprentice had finished off the last of the Centaurs outside and were alos heading forward. The battle seemed tipped, but the Magnataur and remaining, what appeared to be elite, Centaur, remained inside, awaiting the Satyr's orders.

"You've come here for the blood elf," the Satyr said.

"Yes."

"She is alive, and my prisonor."

"You don't need her," Chance argued. "She knows nothing."

"This one thinks the elf could be useful, she snoops around my home, and fights my clan," the Satyr explained. "And aided the darn Draenei."

Chance cocked an eyebrow darkly. "You want 'Rtas?" he asked.

"He would be a unique... prize."

"Give me the girl," Chance suggested. "And I'll hand 'Rtas over to you."

"You would betray your ally," the Satyr snorted. "What honor is there in that?"

"He's not my ally," Chance corrected. "But I want the girl."

The trio had come to stand at Chance's side, their weapons dripping with the blood of near a dozen Centaurs.

"Do we have an accord?" Chance questioned, holding out his hand.

The Satyr just nodding, about to shake the Pirate's hand until he removed it quickly. "Sorry, it's an OCD."

Waving his hand, the Centaurs stood down, allowing Chance and his group to pass through their camp within Dire Maul.

"What accord?" Raven asked, concerned.

"It doesn't matter," Chance assured. "We'll have Iris."

They found Iris deep within Dire Maul, chained and held behind some magical field, the sword still strapped to her back.

"Lower the field," Chance ordered darkly.

The Satyr raised his hand, the field lowered as Iris began to scream at them. "What are you doing?!" she snapped. "He had a hand in the High Priestess' murder!" As she finished her chains were broken, she stood, her dark hair flowing down to her chest, dancing across her cleavage.

"Our bargain," the Satyr reminded.

It was then that Chance held his hand out, nodding toward Iris.

"The sword," Raven spoke. "That's what this was all about, you sent her on a darn errand!"

"No," Chance corrected. "a quest," he added drly.

Iris nodded to him and threw the sword after removing it from her back. Chance caught it swiftly, jerking it out of its holster, the blade glowed with an electrifying energy, as it was held up to the Satyr's neck. The Centaurs drew their weapons as the Magnataur stepped toward the group.

"We had an accord," he spat.

"We didn't shake," Chance reminded.

"His name's Chasm," Iris explained.

"He killed her," 'Rtas spoke, "he's the one you seek."

In anger, Raven hurled herself at Chasm, taking her dagger to his throat, Chance made sure to quickly jump out of the way to avoid being pushed. "Why?!" she shouted. "Why did you do it?!"

"It was just a job," he coughed as Raven began to choke him. "Soon, the Night Elves will be no more, and the Council will be ours..."

"Who else is doing this?" Raven wondered. "Who are you working for?!"

Chasm grabbed at the woman's arms, trying to push her away, but an arrow through his head managed to kill him instantly before he could reveal anymore. "You've forced my hand," the Magnataur bellowed.

The group of Heroes faced the large mammoth of a beast. "We have been orchastrating this for years, and no one will get in our way!" He yelled a fierce battlecry, sending the Centaurs to engage the team. Chance smiled, gripping his sword tightly as the powers flowed through it.

"This is where the fun begins," the Pirate spoke.

Iris focused on the female Centaur, pulling out her whip, she caught the beast up in her run, throwing her to the ground. This was the one that originally attacked Iris, and revenge was only natural. The elf pounced onto the Centaur, removed her dagger, piercing her chest with enough strength to kill the warrior instantly. The woman snapped her whip and faced Raven, who managed to engage two of the larger males, Iris assisted, swinging her whip to catch one's leg, unfortunately the beast noticed, starting a fast pursuit.

Chance stood ready as the Magnatuar charged, casting his club down toward Chance, who quickly dodged and rolled out of the way from another stomp. Sword in hand, the Pirate swiped the the Magnataur's leg, who shouted in pain as blood started to trickle from the wound. His club struck again, the ground shaking beneath the immence weight of the attack, Chance rocked shortly but gained foot and dodge below the hybrid, taking a stab on his underside. Thsi forced the monster to his back feet, standing tall as he roared. Luckily Chance was out of the way when he came back down, his feet leaving large craters in their wake.

Atop a low branch, Iris escaped, the Centaur's back leg still wrapped within her whip, his hooves clawed at the bark, hoping to reach the small female, but, in doing so, allowed Iris to cleverly continue to spin her whip across his leg, until finally, there was a snap as she pulled with all her might. The centaurs leg had broken, screeching in pain he fell back from the tree, but gave Iris the opportunity to throw her whip around his neck, and started to choke him. Jumping from the back of the branch, she lifted the warrior into the air, his hooves dangling until he finally died, she had hanged him.

'Rtas had taken to using a number of magic spells against the centaurs, catching them on fire as they started to flee. He procced to charge them himself, ramming his mace into their chest, plowing through a group of them, blood flew into the air as they fought. One of the centaurs were happy just to get a swipe in, cutting the Draenei across his cheek. He turned back in anger and threw his mace down at the centaur, locking the two with their weapons as they clashed. Throwing himself into the air, the centaur obtained the advantage, smacking 'Rtas in the chest, forcing him to his back. He was about to stomp on the weakened Draenei, when the apprentice sprinted forward, taking her bow and arrow, firing it right through the centaur's chest, giving 'Rtas time to throw himself up, ramming the centaur to the ground.

The battle was nearing its end as Chance fought with the Magnataur. The mammoth continued to smash differing locations as the quick-footed Pirate dodged and danced around him. At the last instance, the Magnataur's club was caught between one of the camping lines, allowing Chance to run up the club, gaining better advantage in the battle. Dropping his weapon, the Magnataur swiped at Chance repeatedly, as if he were some bug flying around in the air. Swinging his blade, the Captain managed to cut across the beast's neck before being tossed off in a fit of rage.

Fortunately, Iris had gained free time, snapping her whip around the enormous arm of their villain. She had hoped to contain him, but it was futile, he was using the whip to pull the elf toward him. Distracted, this allowed 'Rtas to carve into the mammoth with his mace, causing him to kick around in pain. Chance got back to his, looking to the apprentice.

"When you have a shot, take it!" he yelled, sprinting back into the battle.

The apprentice glided her fingers along her bow, holding it high into the air as she traced the arrow between her fingers, she would only have one shot. The girl watched as Chance swiped again at the Magnataur's legs, who started to hop around, it was becoming increasingly difficult to get clear aim. Throwing his mace into the air, and grabbing it again with a mew grip, the Draenei hurled his weapon at the monster, which pierced his leg, lodging itself deep into the cut, there was a whimper as his leg hung in defeat, but this would not stop the hybrid.

This allowed Iris to gain ground, and jerk her whip back, pulling the magnataur toward, his only action to be to stand up on his hind legs to throw her off. Using this delay, Chance engaged, stabbing his blade again into the front leg of the beast, who suddenly few into the air. And with this chance, the apprentice took her shot, the arrow flying into the air as the magnataur started to fall back to his feet, and it struck, right between his eyes, the beast fell dead as the heroes escaped his growing shadow. There was a large thud as they finally took victory.

Iris wrapped up her whip as 'Rtas removed his mace from the hybrid's leg. The heroes stood together, Chance walking by the apprentice. "Not bad, kid." She smiled awkwardly at the congratulations she was receiving. Raven removed the killing arrow and wrapped it carefully. "You shall keep this with you always."

"You certainly deserve more," 'Rtas noted.

Having to destroy the lightened mood, Chance spoke to the tired heroes. "Of course, all of our leads are dead."

They rolled their eyes in unison. "It was us or them," Iris argued, crossing her arms defensily over her heaving chest, she was still out of breath from the onslaught.

"This was clearly an organized campaign," 'Rtas said.

"You think?" Chance questioned tiredly.

"The Sisters Of Elune must be warned of this treachery," Raven pointed out.

Iris nodded in agreement. "This is still a case," she spoke. "The Council has to know what we're dealing with."

"Well, you guys have fun with that," Chance said, waving at them.

"Are you serious?!" Iris snapped. "Do you not see what we're up against?"

"Hey, I'm only looking out for one thing, sweetheart," he argued. "That's me."

'Rtas shook his head, slightly amused by this bickering. "The Council could be targets," he said. "Think of the reward for saving their lives."

Chance perked up. "Yeah, that doesn't work for me," he said. "Reversing your methods thinking I'll risk my skin for some cash." Chance laughed mockingly at the Draenei.

"Chance," Iris started, stepping close to the man, her sweat dripping down her body, over every inch of her skin as Iris's clothing left little to the imagination. Her dark hair was still damp with sweat, falling in front of her glowing green eyes. "You have a ship, and I assure you, you will be paid for your efforts."

"You don't need my ship."

"We can't trust anyone," Iris replied. "We have no idea who we can trust in this!"

Her green eyes trailed over the tall man as he rubbed his hand through his short, brown hair. Which always seemed to be a mess, he cocked a sly smile at Iris. She couldn't help but admire him, she knew he was capable of this. He was smart, and had enough wits about to him to be a leader in a crisis situation. Even if he was self-absorbed, but there was something about it that made him near irresistable. But Iris had seen the man's honor and intentions, he could be trusted, despite what Raven may say in the end or argue.

"Fine," Chance agreed. "I'll get you where you need to be. But I expect to be well paid," he added quickly.

"You will be," Iris smiled, kissing the tall man on his cheek, she was forced to stand on her toes to do so. "Thank you."

"We would have been better off swimming," Raven muttered as Chance led the way.

"Go ahead and swim Ray," Chance yelled. "You smell as bad as a fish."

End Chapter