Trolling Around (Zul'Zae'Ju'Jin and Silence)

Aiden felt like he was finally starting to heal up enough that he wasn't as horribly sore as he had been the last few days. Getting outside in some sunshine, the tea and a little food had worked wonders. Now that he was feeling a little more like himself he planned to be a little more patient with the toad. It was overall a difficult circumstance and if they were to work together it might help to foster a neutral relationship at best. So long as they didn't have to worry about one slitting the other's throat at night. There was even the tiniest twinge of guilt that had edged its way into Aiden's mind. Pelting the toad. Sounded like a very childish thing to do and then he reminded himself that it wasn't just any toad. This was Xen'tu and if their positions were switched he would have been put to endless tortures. More than likely he would not have been treated half as well as he treated Xen'tu and so it had to be alright. At least ok in the fashion that he had treated the little toad.

When they came to the gates Aiden slid off the side of the beast and he gingerly tested the weight on his legs. He was still sore from riding, but it would likely wear off and he would be fine again in a few days. After he dismounted he noticed that Xen'tu seemed to think he had to get off as well. Not that the toad was actually large enough to need to be off the back of Rose while they walked through, but if it helped with the Goblin or somehow made the toad feel better than it wasn't that big of a deal.

Holding one hand out Aiden waited for Xen'tu to hop on it. Couldn't really be talking to the toad just now since that would be rather suspicious. To give Xen'tu as much freedom as possible Aiden held his hands together in a cup. It would at least guard the toad from falling out of his hands and onto the ground. Occasionally there was the tiny scrape from the crusty toes on the toad. Wasn't a particularly healthy sign. He probably needed to get Xen'tu to a bowl of water or something that could help the toad moisten up again. In a way that was a loathsome idea. More than likely the stinker would decide to try sitting on his head again.

Heading for a ship also meant they were going to be short on food. Aiden grinned slightly. If they didn't have much for bugs in the large cabin he would have to get some worms from a local merchant and keep them packed in dirt so that he could wet the dirt every now and then, feed a worm to Xen'tu and then let the toad sit in the dirt or swim around. Probably a few days of care for the toad would help improve his little condition that was getting worse and perhaps improve his spirits as well. Before they boarded the boat Aiden went to one of the merchants while trying to restrain his laughter. "I'll need a few of your finest worms for my little pet here." With all the croaks Aiden could only assume it was a protest from Xen'tu and the merchant grinned broadly while making a comment about the toad being anxious for a meal. "Aye he is." Aiden laughed again and then bought a special bowl that was wide and shallow. "You'll need a bath too. Can't have you drying out."

Inside the boat Aiden waited till they were on their way before he put a little water into the bowl which he held steady between his ankles and feet. Before setting Xen'tu on the floor he brushed over it with his hands to ensure there weren't any obvious slivers that would puncture the toad or cause significant damage. "There," setting Xen'tu down he figured the toad could wander as he liked and Aiden placed the little container of worms near the bowl of water so that Xen'tu could eat when he saw fit.
 
Xen'tu paused half way between trying and with a leg sprawling to catch himself he decided to accept it. He jumped to the waiting hand though it wasn't the best hop he could manage and he gave an indignant croak as he settled himself. His new body seemed to know what to do as more mucus was secreted out in its attempt to stop itself from drying out too much. That wouldn't last forever but it was better than nothing so far. He wanted to be his troll self again and this was not helping matters. What use could he be in this form!? His head lowered slightly but he was relieved when they walked through the tunnel to the other side into the natural harbour. He despaired that his brother had allowed the human to 'care' for him and he wasn't sure what was more galling. That knowledge or that the human seemed to be making it his chief problem.

Zae'ju carried on walking, pausing briefly to notice what Aiden was up to before he realised, "See ya on da boat, ai get Rose settled!" he informed the man before he continued on. He argued for a good ten minutes with the ship's captain about allowing the Direhorn aboard. The human wasn't happy about it but finally relented when Zae'ju insisted that the King of Stormwind's seal that Aiden was carrying had his word. Encouraging Rose aboard was yet another matter but she eventually walked up the wide plank and down into the stabling area for mounts.

Xen'tu saw what Aiden was up to as soon as he saw the fishing gear the merchant had about him. Since he couldn't believe that Aiden would try to fob him off on the merchant, it could only mean a food source. Sure enough the sight of the worms soon came into his view and he protested, shifting anxiously in Aiden's hold. He was screaming but no word of Zandali or even the rude common could be understand other than in the ribbits and croaks he produced. If anything, he grew drier in those few seconds.

Zae'ju joined them some time later and he sat nearby, placing Xen'tu's gear to one side as he watched Aiden with his toady brother. He tilted his head and smirked as Xen'tu croaked. It seemed his brother was rather put out by Aiden's sudden turn of being nice. Xen'tu turned as he stood on the deck as they waited for the ship to get underway and peered at Aiden with confusion briefly before his eyes closed and opened. As if realised that his body wasn't exactly built for being out of water for extended periods of time in the way skeletal creatures were, he reluctantly crawled towards the bowl of water and practically climbed into it.

"Ha, Aiden da troll-toad whisperer, na?" Zae'ju grinned earning another indignant croak from his brother. Zae'ju snorted, "Ai nut even gonna test dat, brudda. She be ma mate, na?" he snickered as if guessing what the croak had said.

Shouts rose and soon the ship pulled out of port, leaving the harbour and headed for the other side of the world. It would take several days before they reached the other side but it went smoothly without any disruption from pirates or naga. Zae'ju had been grateful for that. The less trouble they attracted the better. When he heard seagulls in the air he rose and checked the view from the porthole. "Oh, we be 'ere. Best get toady sorted. Ai'll readeh Rose," he returned and lifted Xen's weapons before heading up to where the mounts were. Ratchet was in full view now and it wasn't long before the ship pulled anchor and levered out the plank. The port was a hubbub of activity of other passengers waiting to get off and to get on. Rose was a lot more keen to get off and had no issues with waiting for Aiden and Xentu
 
Aiden narrowed his eyes at Zae'ju and he smirked. "Not even close. I did like to play with toads as a lad." He couldn't help the fact that the smile got wider on his face when Xen'tu appeared to protest. Sometimes Aiden thought folks figured he had been a mean child and he probably tortured his little pets that he managed to capture and keep for as long as he could. With almost complete rest on the ship and the last of the tea Aiden's chest healed and his leg. The only two that were deep enough to continue causing some issue was his shoulder and the side. However, they were coming to the point that Aiden wasn't too worried about them. Just so long as he could manage to let his arm rest a while longer it would heal pretty well.

Whoever the doctor was that Tibbie had gotten, the man had been good. He was fast and there was no doubt that he knew what he was doing. Aiden was in the middle of a nap when it was time to gather their stuff and unload at port. "Sure was good to hit port without sea monsters on our tails." Yet if things were going smooth this early it made Aiden wonder. Something that was about to come up had to be far more dangerous.

In fact the battle emerging with the old gods had made him more nervous than he had thought possible. The threat was more real than the stone that Aiden had gone to destroy with Zae'ju and that had been dangerous enough. Without thinking of even warning Xen'tu Aiden bent over and plucked the toad from the ground. With the other hand Aiden collected a few of his own things and then dumped the bowl of water out and packed it along. There was no telling how often Xen'tu would be needing to get himself wet once they got to some of the other places.

"I uh." Aiden shoved Xen'tu into Zae'ju's hands after they were all safely off the ship. "Need to write a letter." That had been a small concern of Aiden's. His wife was going to be expecting that he would be coming home soon and now he wouldn't be coming home at all. It would have been preferable to go home to her for a few days, but that wasn't going to be likely and perhaps not for a year or more again. Walking through the streets he came to a small booth where he paid to use the ink and paper so that he could send word home. The next stop before he rejoined with Zae'ju at the tavern was a trader that Aiden knew made the pendants for the troll hunters to identify their informants.

While the man was busy weaving the gold filigree through the fine carved lines in the stone Aiden instructed him on the design. It was late afternoon when Aiden finally made it to the tavern. Plopping the bag with the pendant inside on the table in front of Zae'ju he nodded. "Got that to be sure that even if I die my promise isn't broken."
 
Zae'ju snickered at that information and it did seem to put Xen'tu further out of ease. Why not? This was ample opportunity for Aiden to do his worst with only fearing being bitten at worst. For the most part Zae'ju spent the journey checking on Rose and sleeping often causing upset because trolls did not take to hammocks. It went without a hitch and any lost sleep he had was soon caught up on. Xen'tu had hated all of it and he usually liked travelling across water. It was often a new challenge but as a toad it was boring and there was nothing to do but wallow in the bow of water and when the hunger got too much to bare, he had to relent eat the worms.

Dry land was a relief to both trolls and to Rose whose appetite had slacked during the voyage but was soon munching on the grass that sprang about the walkways. Zae'ju grinned, "Aye, was nice. Ya can keep yah sea monstahs," he agreed fervently. After all, they both nearly had died to one no thanks to the mission that had brought them together in the first place. By some fate that they had met and had come to an agreement. It would have vry likely have been a different outcome had they gone alone.

Zae'ju turned only for his hand to be lifted and Xen'tu pressed into it. Zae'ju's thumb and fingers folded around his brother as he tilted his head at Aiden but nodded and then grinned, "Send my love, na?" he spoke before he rolled his shoulders, "We'll be at da tavern." He moved away with Xen'tu squirming in his hand with Rose following behind him. The air was good to breathe and he made the most of it before the sweltering climate of the Barrens sucked the life out of things. He was very glad Aiden had changed his mind regarding Rose. The less time they had to spend walking across the Barrens, the better.

Zae'ju sat at a table with a frog's venom sat before him as they waited for Aiden to arrive. Xen'tu was on the table top eyeing the drink that Zae'ju was refusing to share. There was also a pint of something for Aiden when the man returned. It seemed the pair were having a staring match by the time Aiden show up and Zae'ju grunted when he realised he lost it. He blinked at the bag which Xen'tu tried to steal but was flicked away by Zae'ju's quick fingers and he peered inside before he brought the pendant out for them to see. He smiled, "Let no man say ya word be wort'less," he breathed and nodded before he pocketed it away very safely. "Ai got you a pint. Et nut brandy tho... they ran out," he said not sounding the least bit apologetic. He wasn't sure what it was, some sort of ale. At a sniff he assumed it to be Orcish Grog.

"We gonna 'ead off once we're done 'ere," he said, "Dusk and dawns be best travelling time for going across da Barrens. Ya just have to keep an eye out for shit, yeah?" he grinned.
 
When the toad was flicked away Aiden smirked at him. "Oh you're a nasty little shitter aint yah?" The grin grew wider and wider as he spoke. "First you're a liar, breaking your deal, then you decide to become a thief. Maybe you haven't much pride eh? Not enough to take pride in your word, or loyalty. All you do is lie and steal like a common criminal. A low life and a toad currently." Taking a sip of his drink he shook a little as he swallowed it. Whatever it was it was certainly a far cry from a substitute for brandy. "Ugh...That was uh....Zae'ju you have a horrible sense of taste when it comes to drinks. One day we'll get a double round of a good sweet honey mead. See if your troll tongue can manage as fine a drink as men can make."

Slowly making his way through the drink Aiden gathered the toad and pushed him toward Zae'ju again. "I'll have one more stop before we leave. Need to make sure a doctor looks at the wounds and cleans em up. Can't be getting sick. Meet you at the other gate."

By the time Aiden was done getting his leg, chest, side and shoulder cleaned up and new bandages for his side and shoulder he felt a little sore, but also some better. The physician had given him a wonderful little ointment that soothed the sore injuries. Just because he felt better didn't mean that the ornery nature was gone. Only a few hours ago he watched the nasty troll-toad try to steal from his brother and nephew. Aiden suffered from a slight case of a sense of justice when it came to little ones and he was incensed at the idea that Xen'tu would steal from anyone, even his own family. There were a few ways to cure that and he was going to try one idea.

Gathering some pine, oak and cedar chips from a nearby craftsman Aiden put it into what looked like a money pouch and he gathered a few little metal chunks that would clink. Travelers often tried to gather wood chips to help disguise the sound of coin in their purses. Xen'tu was nasty enough Aiden was sure that he would try to steal the money especially if he thought it was Aiden's. Just before closing the bag he added a few chunks of poop from one of the stables. Tying the bag shut he chuckled a little and pulled a coin from his real purse to shove into his pocket. It was going to be great setting this up for the toad. Losing one coin at the most would be worth what he was doing.

The bits of metal clinked together and when he returned Aiden gave the purse to Zae'ju. "I need you to hold onto that for me." The three of them started out across the Barrens that night. It was dark and cold. Cold enough that Aiden could feel the toad trying to get cozy. It was slightly irritating that Xen'tu could be so unpleasant even for a toad and just expect that they would be nice to him. Aiden wasn't about to let the toad get away with the stuff he did. Chances were when he was unhexed they would be dealing with a larger and much more unpleasant being that could talk.

Shortly before dawn they stopped and the night had been cool enough that any scent of poop had been mostly neutralized so only the smell of the wood came through the bag. Aiden knew that toads still had good noses so he grabbed the coin bag and set it near a small pile of poop when they dismounted. It would disguise the rest of the story from the toad and he figured that it would be a good lesson for Xen'tu. "Oh I forgot this coin from earlier. Better put in the purse. Might drop through my pocket otherwise." Aiden curled the end of the bag down on one side and he dropped his coin in and shook it to the bottom so that it clinked with the other metal. "There chips on top." Acting as if there was nothing wrong at all he went over to set up a small fire with Zae'ju so they could have something to eat.

From time to time Aiden would glance out of the corner of his eye. It looked like Xen'tu had determined to steal from him and that was exactly what he was waiting for. Just as the last of the toad legs disappeared into the bag Aiden went back over to it. "Oh I forgot about that. Better tie it up and put it back in the saddle bags eh?" Tying the woodchip and poop bag with the toad inside he shook it a few times and took the bag back to the saddle. Dropping it into one of the saddle bags he patted it as if to say that it was secure. "Can't be having my money go missing." Aiden smiled at Zae'ju and went back to the campfire so that the two of them could eat peacefully.
 
Zae'ju grinned as he watched Aiden speak to the toad that was his brother. His brother was a good many things but the fact the troll had tried to nick the pendant intended for him was something that he had done all his life. Zae'ju wasn't alien to this at all. Xen'tu turned round on the spot in a crawl peering at Aiden with a blank stare. For him, this is normal behaviour and something that Zae'ju often expected from him. Why Aiden was questioning that was beyond him. It was nothing new. He gave a singular ribbit of contempt.

Zae'ju chuckled before he peered at Aiden and shrugged, "Ai nut in da art o' knowin' whut ya humans drink otha den dat pigswill ya call brandeh, mon. Why does et hafta stink?" he frowned before he sipped more of his own drink and that was exclusive to his kind. It was effectively poison to anyone other than a troll. It was only through their ability to heal quickly and a high metabolism that mean the poison only achieved a buzz for them. Unlike most alcohol where he had to drink a hefty amount to be drunk by, it didn't take frog's Venom quite so long to produce that same buzz. "Honeh mead? Dat sound sockleh sweet, mon," he replied with a grin and stuck a long tongue out at Aiden.

He nodded and lifted his toady brother placing him upon his shoulder for the moment. Xen'tu clung to the broad shoulder staring intently at Aiden as the man rose to leave. Zae'ju stuck around in the inn for a while before he left to go get Rose ready for travel. He made sure she was throughly ready to be doing so and he found no injuries of worry. Not even a stone lodged into a foot crevice. He smiled before Aiden joined them and he frowned, taking the bag with a curious expression to his features. What was the man up to now? Shrugging, he attached it to his belt and mounted up before offering Aiden a hand up. "We should make a bit of ground before we have to stop" he grinned and that was clearly a good thing.

He gave Xen'tu back to Aiden as he took control of the reins and nudged Rose on. The evening air cooled considerably and Xen'tu shivered. That was all the incentive it took for him to scrabble towards a source of warmth. He wasn't picky what that warmth belonged to. The cold was not something he liked even as a troll. He knew it had to be a little annoying having a troll-toad trying to climb beneath the shirt and the thought made being so close to the pinkskin all the more bearable. Xen'tu was not planning to take this toad thing well, he didn't have to but he was slowly coming round to the idea humans weren't as bad as he thought. Or at least this one was worthy to know his brother

Zae'ju eventually brought Rose to a halt to stop and glanced to Aiden as they set up their little camp. "Dun be wantin' dat now do we?" he chimed in figuring what Aiden was up to now and knew it was a temptation Xen'tu could not resist. Zae'ju could very little to no pity for his brother even if he would die to save his brother's life if need arose. Half the shit Xen did was deserving of the rebuke. He fetched the meat he had wrapped earlier and sorted out their dinner before he used sticks to cook it over the fire with. His cooking was not great and was very simple. He was keeping a few meaty cuts back to make jerky with later.

He glanced up in time to see the glutinous feet of the toad disappear into the bag and snickered when Xen'tu realised the truth and found himself unable to escape. The bag shifted madly for a long time before his brother finally gave up trying to be free of the sticky and smelly contents. Zae'ju shook his head, "Da stealin' t'ing, dat nut new," he smiled, " 'e be doing dat since he cud walk wit'out fallin' on 'is ass," he shrugged before he gave Aiden his meal and then munched on his own once it was cool enough to not burn his mouth off. He could hear a pridemane lion call out in the darkness and Rose grunted in reply as she grazed nearby.

When they were done eating Zae'ju stretched and lay his weapon to one side, "Ya take firs' watch, mon. Dere be all sorts dat gonna try an' get a free meal or kill," he explained, "Wake me in a few," he added marring the words with a full blown yawn. He lay down and curled up against the cold quite near the fire.
 
Aiden shrugged his shoulders at Zae'ju. "Well he isn't gonna be stealing my stuff and he isn't sleeping with me until I scrub his slimy body off." Maybe I'll just wrap him up in a handkerchief and shove him in the saddle bags from here on out eh?" Since it was just a way of life for Xen'tu Aiden figured he would have to be nicer about it. "You know what I think I'll just take first watch." He knew that Zae'ju had just given the order, but he didn't feel like taking it as an order. Chuckling a little he stood up straight and he walked around till it was near the heat of the day.

Walking back over to where Zae'ju was curled up at Aiden shook his shoulders. "Hey wake up. While you take watch I'll get the toad out and wash him up. He'll have to cuddle with someone. Heading over to the saddle bags the man pulled the purse out and he chuckled. "Oh I'll bet you didn't enjoy that so much. Just remember not to steal my stuff."

Dumping the bag out on the ground he sighed and poured a little of Xen'tu's canteen water into the washing bowl for the toad. "Get in and I'll wash you up." Since it was his turn to sleep he figured he'd better get the troll washed up before it was time to travel again. That and he didn't really want to find a shitty toad trying to crawl all over on him. "You miserable bastard." With one large human finger he almost dunked Xen'tu's face into the water despite his ever effort to be gentle. The toad was just small and he seemed to be irritated with the fact that he got put into a poop and wood chip filled purse. All for a pittance because he believed there was more. "Greedy little monster you are." Aiden couldn't help himself as he started to laugh more. Finally he got Xen'tu cleaned up and he brought the toad out of the water and dumped the rest of it on the ground.

Laying back in the dirt Aiden let Xen'tu wander where he pleased. It was only fair to let the toad out after he'd suffered the consequences of his own stupid mistake. Aiden woke a short while later to Zae'ju. "What?!" They were under attack by some unseemly creature. "Where's Xen'tu?" He knew that Zae'ju was already moving the Direhorn out of the way and Aiden glanced around anxiously for the toad that was hiding under some brush. "C'mere. I'm gonna shove you into one of Rose's saddle bags. If anything happens she's the safest place for you to be."

Grabbing hold of the toad Aiden darted for the Direhorn and he placed the toad in one of the saddle bags before he raced back to take his place next to Xen'tu. They were already being surrounded by two centaurs. Zae'ju took on one and Aiden faced the other. He was nearly to the point of beating his off when the club from the one that Zae'ju was fighting went far off to the side and caught Aiden in the head. The man's body went flying and he landed limply near the base of a giant cliff.
 
Zae'ju chuckled and nodded, the very thought of the image that presented was highly amusing. "Ai be sure 'e gonna like dat as much as ai like ya brandeh, Aiden. Ya bot' be funneh spectacle, na?" he grinned fighting back the yawns that threatened to split his jaw in two. He shifted his blanket, his only need of comfort. It was a good fleece. He snorted when Aiden made his request his own and chuckled into his sleep. He slept quickly and soundly, riding always had a knack for tiring him out and especially when it was a mount he was unused to steering. He slept without dream and stirred slowly when Aiden shook him. He peered back past a shoulder before he slowly nodded and sat up. He rubbed his face as Aiden moved to deal with the cleaning up of his brother. The thought made him giggle loudly before he rose and spent a moment to fix his hair back into its mohawk before he folded his blanket, storing it away again.

Xen'tu didn't even reply this time around as he was finally removed from the prison he had been tied within. The experience was one thing but knowing he was about to be cleaned like some common pet was loathsome. His brother had done nothing and Xen'tu had to wonder why. He blinked trying to shifted gunk from the side of his face but it wasn't that well managed. He longed to be troll again and knew instinctively Vo'qaska's hexes came with lessons to be learned. He just had to figure it out. He croaked as he watched Aiden prepare, staring idly as his brother moved about. He resisted the ministrations at first even when his head was practically dunked into the liquid but after a few moments he relented and stopped squirming around. The desire to be clean from the shit overrode his dislike of the human.

He ribbited at being called greedy but said little else as he was laid down. He watched Aiden lie down a moment before he hopped away wanting his space, He stayed near the fire though. Not so close as to burn or dry out but close enough so he could still feel alive.

Zae'ju stood watch for a while using the time to apply his face paint knowing battle was likely in the Barrens at some point. He watched as the sun rose higher before something drew his attention. He frowned before he moved and held a hand against the glare of the sun's rays. What he saw was not what he was hoping for. He snarled and readied an arrow, sighing along the shaft's length before he let fly. It glanced off his target and Zae'ju growled in irritation before he turned sharply and went to wake the other. "Get up, we got centaur comin'!" he snapped before he went to shift Rose. The Direhorn grunted as she sensed the oncoming charge of flying hooves. "Ai nut seen 'im!" he replied, casting a glance back at Aiden before he threw his bow aside. The centaur were too close for it to be of use. Instead he drew the two daggers from his belt and stood ready.

Xen'tu croaked as he was grabbed and protested when was stuffed in the saddle bag. He was supposed to help his brother fight, not suffer this indignity. And if the pinkskin got skewered who would protect Zae'ju then? It was not a happy thing for him to realise.

The pair encircled the human and troll, not caring what factions they were aligned with. They were meat and intruders to them. Zae'ju snarled baring his teeth before he lunged out, aiming to slice at the Centaur's legs. The quadruped shifted easily out of reach before its weapon swerved in the attempt to hit the troll in return. Zae'ju ducked the blow and they exchanged blows before he heard a cry cut short followed by a rolling thud. Snarling, he turned and leaped at the centaur torso. The centaur reared caught in surprise as it spoke in a guttural and foul language Zae'ju did not want to understand. He stabbed the Centaur through the throat and sliced outwards ignoring as he was covered in the beast's blood. The body shuddered before it collapsed. The troll rolled and roared at the other, spittle and blood flying. The Centaur's spear shunted forth burying itself into the troll's chest but did little damage. He grabbed the shaft and bent it out of the centaur's hands with a sharp tug. The centaur seemed to realise he and his dead companion had bitten more off then they could chew. Zae'ju senses they were young, brave but stupid. The centaur reared and turned, galloping away. Zae'ju snarled before he hefted the spear overhand and threw it. He as not a specialist thrower but the spear found its home severing bone and muscle. He stood breathing heavily as he watched the body fall to the ground.

He growled and shook his head before moving to find his friend. It didn't take him long to find the man and sighed at what he found. Grunting, he brought the man back to camp and laid him down. He scowled at where the man's wound lay and sought about tending to their wounds. A small shifting thud caused him to glance over and watched as Xen'tu finally managed to crawl out of the saddle bag. He crawled towards Aiden and then peered at Zae'ju when his white-haired brother sat back. "Now wud be gud time ta swallow ya pride, brudda. Dey shall be missed, more migh' come."
 
There was a good amount of blood that had caked itself to the side of Aiden's head. While he lay on the ground there was almost no motion until his eyes started to flutter open. Quickly closing his eyes again he groaned. It felt like his head was going to explode. Aiden gingerly lifted his hand to his head and he cautiously opened his eyes this time. Almost as soon as he saw the troll come into his line of vision he swung a fist at it. Scrambling back as fast as he could he found himself sliding into a little brush and he glanced around anxiously to see if he had a sword or anything of use to defend himself.

It seemed that this creature pretended to know him and Aiden shook his head. "No...Aiden Silver isn't my name. I-I don't know what my name is, but that's not it! If I were Aiden Silver you would be dead." The troll still got closer and Aiden reached behind himself on the ground to feel a rock. Clenching it tightly in his hand he waited for the troll to take hold of his shoulders and then he hit it squarely in the head and pulled on the tusks to unbalance the creature before he got up and raced for the Direhorn. He would use almost anything he could to get out of here as quickly as possible. Stopping short with a yell he noticed that the animal turned toward him and he wasn't sure if it was friendly, or not. Scrambling toward the fire he snatched a sword off the ground and he held it in front of himself as the troll began to approach again.

"I'll slice you straight down the middle and drain your blood." A croak sounded from behind and he glanced down. It was enough distraction that he found himself tackled by the troll while he fought. It was all so confusing and he couldn't seem to focus or figure out who he was. "I told you I'm not Aiden Silver!"
 
Zae'ju was relieved at first when Aiden opened his eyes as he sat there over the man. That changed soon as his world exploded as the fist caught him in the side of his skull and he toppled to the side, grimacing as the fall was directly on his own chest wound. He lifted himself up as Xen'tu shifted out of the way. He frowned at his friend, there was little reason for Aiden to have swung at him. They were good friends. He rose with a pained grunt, holding his wound a moment before peered at the cowering figure. ZAe'ju didn't quite understand what was going on. "Aiden... Aiden Silvah, whut wus..." he trailed off when the man reacted to his words of common and Zae'ju arched his head back, frowning before he sighed. Seemed the knock to the head was more severe that he had realised and now his friend had amnesia.

Shaking his head he advanced gain but warily, "Ya be Aiden Silver. We be friends now," he said with surety as he approached. All he wanted was for the man to sit back down again so he could check him over and get him that tea. He almost succeeded before something hard and sharp was smashed into his head. He blinked with stars blurring his vision before he found himself on the ground again. He grunted at the pain and took a moment to recover before pushing himself to his feet. He watched as the man made a beeline for Rose and he whistled. A whistle Xen'tu recognised and so did Rose.

Rose turned to face the human and stamped, shaking her frilled head in warning, the metre long horns making it clear there would be no riding her for today. Least not by the human.

Zae'ju drew closer and then then paused when Aiden armed himself and and he tilted his head, "Now why ya wannna go do dat for. Ai be more useful alive, mon,"

Xen'tu groaned as he realised what had happened. Zae'ju was going to get himself killed by a man who had forgotten who he was. He felt something he hadn't before. As annoying as Aiden was, he had realised the man was Zae'ju's friend and would have protected him if not for this predicament. He gave a loud croak of protest and peered back at Aiden even as Zae'ju charged forth and tackled Aiden in his bid to take the sword away. It was notable that Zae'ju did not reach for his own weaponry at his waist and Xen'tu wanted nothing more than to just separate them.

"Wake up, Aiden," he grunted as he tussled with the man, "Ya need ta remember," for Zae'ju was afraid the man wouldn't and that made their mission ten times more difficult. He wasn't even sure what the mission was yet and he didn't want to be doing it without Aiden.

As Xen'tu was forced to watch from the sidelines, he was getting to grips with the understanding that letting Aiden live and agreeing to leave killing to the battle field was not a bad thing after all.
 
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Growling loudly Aiden fought against the troll as he was tackled to the ground. Aiden lost his grip on his sword and he winced a little when his shoulder was forced to the ground. "Ugh!" The man kicked viciously with his legs and he even resorted to biting the troll whenever the troll was close enough for that. At long last he was tied up and forced to sit aside while the troll tended to its injuries. His own head was sore, but he imagined the troll wouldn't be feeling real dandy either.

"I know you're a liar. All trolls lie." Snarling a little he watched this troll go about. "Aiden Silver would never make friends with a troll. Everyone knows his wife and two unborn babies were killed by your kind." All the while Aiden was struggling with the bonds that held him securely in a compromised state. He couldn't even do so much as get a hand free to fight with or untie his legs. If he had to resort to running he would. "The hunter didn't like killing, but his father insisted on training him to follow in his steps and become a troll hunter. At least that's how rumors go. He apprenticed himself out to a Silversmith until the trolls slaughtered his family and then he turned to hunting your kind as his father had trained him to. That's how I know you lie."

After what felt like forever he quit struggling. His wrists were raw and had started to bleed, his one leg was sore from the ropes tied to keep him from running, chest hurt, and shoulder smarted on top of having a head that throbbed with every heartbeat. "Just kill me and be done with it." Growling in frustration he struggled against the ropes again though it was still in vain.

Quickly he found himself wearing out and he reluctantly opened his mouth when he was offered something to drink. Troll's didn't usually poison folk and he doubted that they would want to do that if they seemed to think he was Aiden Silver or that he was their friend. For the time he would have to do his best to figure out what was going on and at his first chance kill the troll. At least it appeared at the troll was already injured some and that would make it far easier to accomplish his goal. Troll's did heal quickly, but wasn't always an overnight cure. How he knew that Aiden didn't know. In fact he couldn't quite place why he knew a lot of these things. What if he really was Aiden Silver?
 
Zae'ju hated fighting his friend namely for that chief reason but the man was also far more wiry and smaller which allowed him to be faster and have a quicker reach. He grunted as he felt himself being kicked and punched, snarling as he felt teeth bite into his furred skin. In the end he had given up simply trying to remove the weapon from the mix and restrained the man. Xen'tu ribbited nearby and he sounded uncertain but he hopped out of the way as Zae'ju dragged Aiden with him to get the rope he needed, "We dun be 'avin' da time fo' dis, mon!" he said with apology in his throat. He didn't like this as much as the man was probably hating him for it. He took no pleasure from it, not even from the sense of irony it presented.

Xen'tu hopped over again and sat in front of Aiden as Zae'ju propped him up and sought to tend to his shoulder and bite wounds. Aiden had quite the bite he mused as long ears twitched to Aiden's words. He sniffed, so it was back to listening to the same prejudicial crap based on stereotypes of his kind. He had hoped he was past that from Aiden of all people.

He paused as he stared at Aiden and sighed with a sad tone to his voice, shaking his head before he awkwardly wrapped the wound to his chest. It would heal but in good time. He sat on his haunches in front of the man and watched him for a moment, "Aiden be ma friend, ai nut givin' up on dat man ai know ta still be in dere. So ya nut gonna get much choice. Ai know 'is son and ai know one died ta a fevah, so dun give me all dis Trolls are liahs bollocks."

He watched with a sad expression as he watched the human rub himself raw with the bonds and he sighed, "Funneh ya shud say dat," he chuckled softly but there was a sad humour about the sound, "Ya said dat las' time ya tried ta kill me an' ai ended up winnin' dat bout, mon." He produced a water canteen from a saddle bag and poured a little on Xen'tu before he gave Aiden some from it as well. He then had some for himself a little unsure of how to proceed with all of this. The mission had to continue but to turn up with Aiden trussed up like a chicken was not ideal. He just had to hope Aiden regained his memory before they reached Ashenvale.

The sun climbed and the heat intensified. Snorting, he knew they had to find shelter that was better than what they currently had. He lifted Xen'tu who strangely gave no protest when he was placed on Rose. He capped the canteen, placed it in the saddle bag and then peered at Aiden a moment before he lifted the man with a grunt as it jostled his wound. He didn't care if he man squirmed in protest as he grabbed Rose's reins and lead the way to large boabab tree that offered plenty more shade. He set his friend against the tree.

He yawned, tired and frustrated with the way of things. It was karma, he could tell for not reeiving any trouble in getting to Ratchet, they had to get it now.
 
The man snarled as the troll spoke about a family. "Aiden Silver has no family left. He never remarried! If you think I'm Aiden and you want to kill my family again then you're mistaken." No matter what he said the troll kept on and Aiden was feeling highly annoyed that this creature was determined to think of himself as a friend. Eventually the troll came over and he lifted Aiden off the ground. Even if he couldn't control his arms and legs individually Aiden had enough mobility to squirm and make it difficult. When he was set against the tree the man started to squirm again and he fell over on his side. Somehow he managed to get himself somewhat upright and he scowled at the troll. "Kill me."

This troll was too much to handle. Acting like he was a friend. "I'm not your friend. My name isn't Aiden Silver." Still struggling against the bonds Aiden could feel the blood start to run from his wrists. They were beyond raw. Even while the troll rested he wrestled with the bonds until they started to loosen some. Aiden's eyes started to flash and he worked at a furious pace until he had one hand free and the other was slipped out as well. Untying his legs he then moved over to where Zae'ju was at and he carefully drew a sword and prepared to thrust it into the troll.
 
The man seemed adamant about the wife no longer being in the picture and that trolls were behind it all. He sighed, "Why da fack wud ai be talkin' nice wit' ya ef ai be killin' ya folk. Where da sense in that?" he frowned. What had put this into the man's head was beyond him. the squirming had come expected and he found himself wondering if this was how the guy had felt with Xen'tu in his pocket days prior. The toad was unusually quiet.

"No," he replied flatly. "Ya can believe all dat rubbish, ya still Aiden an' dat whut ai gonna keep callin' ya til ya remember."

Zae'ju sat for a while before he lay down not long afterwards sighing deeply wondering how he was going to get his friend to remember who he was. another hit to the head maybe? He pushed his finger around in teh dirt as he thought. He had much to work out. It was clear though, this version was very much alike how had first met where the man was very much happy to put another Troll out of its misery.

He heard the warning croak and then a slightly sharp sounded that he recognised to be a weapon being drawn. He turned violently and grasped the man's bloodied wrists stopping the blade before it could puncture him. He wasn't in a good spot to reach for his own daggers either. All he could hope for was to overpower the other through brute strength.

"Ya dun hafta do dis," he spoke quietly. "We be on a mission, you an' me. Sanctioned by ya King Varian, no less. Ya kill me, ya go against his word," If he could not get the man to see reason then perhaps he could speak to whatever the man had for patriotism. He wasn't holding out for a reprieve. He wined, his shoulder was flaring with pain.

Xen'tu watched with horror. His brother may have the strength of trolls but he was more of a ranger than a melee. The daggers were often used more for distractions and arrow retrievals than for anything more serious. Equall he knew that something had changed, that Aiden was not well. He felt guilt for all his antics before. If he had been troll, maybe this wouldn't be happened. He hopped to the ground and wished he could do something to help his brother.
 
The man glared at the troll. "There was no order from the king for men to pair with your kind." Pressing hard as he could with toward the troll he couldn't quite get the blade to reach the creature's chest. Instead Aiden pressed down so that it would force the blade toward Zae'ju's stomach. "I'll have your blood you filthy troll." No matter how hard he fought the man couldn't see to make progress. At least not the kind of progress that he wanted. Pulling off to the side of the injured shoulder on the troll he felt the force give way and he ended up unexpectedly plunging the blade into the ground.

Roaring with anger he brought his head down and smashed it into the troll's bloodied shoulder. It was all he could do to kill this troll so he could leave this place. There was no point in running if he didn't kill the troll. Momentarily Aiden's head felt like it was going to burst and he began to slump over. For the time it didn't take much impact to knock him out.

Only a few seconds later he found himself disarmed and the troll attempting to tie him up again. "No." Struggling against the creature he kicked and squirmed as hard as he could. "I'll skin you first chance I get!" He almost brought his head up sharply to make contact, but he remembered the last round didn't turn out so well. A small stone rolled out from the troll's satchel and it was filled with gold filigree in a pattern that Aiden recognized. Suddenly he stopped struggling and he stared at the stone for a long moment as it rested on his chest. "Where did you get this?" Somehow it felt familiar and he couldn't say why. Of course it was from him. "What did you do? Steal it from Aiden Silver? I already told you that's not me!" It just wasn't making sense. He knew about the hunter and he told the troll why he wasn't the hunter and now he recognized something that belonged to the man and this troll still insisted he was Aiden Silver. "Just stop it!" Yelling at the troll he squirmed a little more as the last of the ropes were fastened around his wrists and legs. "I'm not who you think I am."
 
Zae'ju was not in a position to shove a king's seal in the human's face as he grimaced back. Any longer and Aiden might have had his kill but Zae'ju lay determined in his defence, hands slipping slightly on bloodied wrists. He felt the change of tactic and his throat gave another sound of discomfort. He heard the anxious croak of his toad brother nearby but he could only focus on the blade destined to try and gut him. He couldn't hold this for much longer, his shoulder was perilously close to giving out. So he could do what the man would least expect. He dropped his effort in holding the sword back and he angled his body at the same time. It hurt to pull it off and it must have been clear to the other for the shoulder exploded again. His hold grew slack before a sense of survival kicked in and he drummed a fist back in return.

He took a moment to get his breath back, his chest shifting with the heavy breathing before he sort more rope. Clearly the man was quite intent on killing him by now and letting that go to chance again was risky. The man just had to wake up again half way through tiring him back up and Zae'ju shifted sharply to keep the man in check. He didn't realise what Aiden was on about until he noted the man stopped struggling. He used the moment to finish his knots. "Who do ya t'ink? You," he replied dourly growing very tired. It was going to be a long day. "Na, Zae'ju don't steal from otha's, mon," he replied testily. He disliked the practice. He only took from the dead, that was the only exception but still, the tone of taken offence was there. "Ya look a lot like 'im fo' a mon dat nut be Aiden Silver," he sighed.

He winced when the other yelled and sat back once he was done. He knew he was going to need to see to the wounds that the man had brought upion himself soon but he wanted to wait till it was evening again. "Fine! Den who da ya t'ink ya be, huh? Who!? Whut be ya name, pinkskin?" he used the term intentionally, perhaps baiting him would help. Something shifted next to him and he looked towards Xen'tu before lifting the toad. He placed him on his knee before he retrieved the pendant. He put it round his neck, his tusk trinket clacking a little.

Xen'tu croaked and made for the satchel much to the surprise of his brother. He let Xen'tu fish about before the toad found what he was searching for. Zae'ju watched as the troll-toad backed out of the satchel with a rolled up piece of parchment with a seal on it in blue wax. Blue was signature for the Alliance. The toad jumped from his brother's leg and hopped to Aiden before climbing awkwardly on the man's leg. Xen'tu was wary, what if Aiden still remembered the hex Zae'ju's mate had placed upon him. Still, if he could help Aiden remember then perhaps the idiot would quit trying to kill the one thing in his life that he would die for. The parchment lifted as he raised his head, sure enough the King's Seal lay imprinted in the blue wax. It could only have come from the Imperial Signet ring that the king wore.
 
That accent from the troll was becoming obnoxious and the man glowered at the troll. "I don't know. I don't know who I am, how I got here or why you think you know me." With all the jewelry that the troll wore Aiden was still drawn to the one with the gold filigree. He was tired out and his head hurt, but he was determined to stay up all night worrying the ropes till his hands were free again.

With some curiosity Aiden watched the toad dig in the satchel. It was all very close to something. Somehow Aiden felt like there was a little memory on the edge of his brain, but he couldn't quite retrieve it. Staring at the paper Aiden shrugged. "You're a thief. You stole it." There was no other explanation for all the things that he owned. Shifting a little he dumped the toad onto the ground. The creature was being incredibly pesky and it kept trying to shove the papers toward his face. "Get out of here you stupid toad." Pushing at the creature with his bound hands he grumbled.

There was to be no rest. Instead the man was awake with a horrible headache. Every time he shifted his head or tried to get comfortable there was a tremendous amount of aching. It got to the point that his vision became increasingly blurry and he could barely see. No matter how badly he wanted to stay awake the man couldn't make himself and he fell asleep. While he slept there was a myriad of events. A troll got turned into a toad and he remembered spending time with a troll family. Somehow it was all blending into this little forest that he'd been exploring and he kept finding little things that he faintly remembered and could not quite bring together. Aiden woke to a sharp pain in his side. He hadn't even realized he was hurt there until he felt large fingers prodding around the wound. It was even partly healed.

"Troll did it to me." Groaning a little he looked away from the one bandaging him again. "Damn it I don't know who I am. I remember a troll I was fighting and I remember....I saw your family." Peering at Zae'ju he studied him for a long moment. "She turned your brother into a toad." At that he started to laugh and then became very serious again. "Why would I befriend a troll?"
 
Zae'ju rubbed his face and peered at his friend. He couldn't imagine what forgetting one's identity was like. Identity was very important to his kind. Everything of who they were and what they were was a part of their soul. "Den why ya be so damned adamant dat ya nut be da Aiden Silver ai keep callin' ya? Ai dun 'ave reason ta lie ta ya," he replied exasperated. He wanted nothing more than to curl up and sleep, heal his shoulder from the spear shaped hole. Watching his brother was even more curious and what's more even when he was constantly knocked off or fell off, he kept trying as if he felt the papers were important.

"Xen'tu be a t'ief, true. Ya knew dat before... dis," he gestured to Aiden's head which Zae'ju knew could not be feeling much in a good way. Eventually, Zae'ju retrieved the documents from a petulant toad. Zae'ju had guessed Xen'tu was trying to help in his own way. explaining his actions was not exactly something he could do straight away. He fetched the bowl Aiden had gotten for his brother and he filled it with water. He gently lifted Xen'tu and placed him in it with a ribbit of resignation.

He waited for the man to fall asleep. Without that happening, he could chance his arm by sleeping and nearly being food for the vultures. Once he was sure the man was sleeping, he caught a few winks himself before he rose early as the evening set in. The air was slower getting cooler and the heat of the day remained only in the ground. That would dissipate too. Zae'ju moved and gathered supplies before he tended to the wounds Aiden had wrought upon himself. Since the last time they had travelled together his medical skills had improved a little. He wrapped the wrists and ankles before carefully replacing the rope ties and then moved to check on the wound his brother had bestowed on his friend.

Zae'ju glanced up briefly before his attention drew back to the wound making sure it was clean and not infected. To get an infection in the Barrens was inviting death. He felt the body startle and frowned as he stilled Aiden with a hand before he carried on his work. He began wrapping the bandages around, using a leg to help keep Aiden propped up. Trolls were decently lanky.

He smiled, well that was certainly something that was less 'kill me or you' and closer to where Zae'ju preferred, "Vo'qaska and Ay'din, yah." He missed them both terribly but orders were orders. "Ha, dat she did. You two bin best buddies," he grinned, chuckling also, and earned a croak of disagreement from Xen'tu. It sounded half-hearted however.

"Maneh reasons, not j'st fo' dis," his hand raised to touch the pendant he now wore, "We travelled togedda once. Savin' sa world from a relic we 'ad bot' bin told ta find. We 'ad out arguments den too. Aiden Silver, and Zae'ju be da mon to catch 'im," he gave a lucrative grin before he sobered. "But da main reason? Ya saved me. Now we gotta save da world again. Wud be nice if ya noggin remembered all day before den," he said softly. He didn't like this version of aiden. He wanted the Aiden he knew to return. The miserable bastard who had earned his trust and vice versa. The man who had shown Zae'ju the meaning of family.

"Trust dat ai be tellin' ya da trut'," he breathed and then looked up at the sky. "We gotta get moving soon an' we gonna ride. Ya nut gonna give me da whole 'et's a diah'orn, can't make me ride et' crap again are ya? Stuffing yaself inta a stall wus amusin' da firs' time," he questioned.
 
Aiden gave the troll a confused look. "I don't know what you're talking about. Damn troll. They always lie." Glancing over at the great red beast he couldn't think of any reason to be afraid of it. No matter how many times he'd protested to being called Aiden Silver it hadn't proved to be any good. The troll still seemed to think he caught Aiden Silver and they were friends. Grunting a little he felt the troll pick him up and this time the man was less inclined to wiggle. He had a full blown headache that wasn't anywhere near stopping.

When he was flopped atop the creature he was glad to find that his legs were being untied so he could at least sit on the animal instead of laying on his stomach. As they were getting ready to leave he felt the toad begin to crawl under his shirt and it brought a very uncomfortable sensation. Somehow this toad wasn't really a toad and he couldn't help feeling uncomfortable with the idea. In the back of his mind he knew this toad was the brother that got shrunk. It wasn't making any sense at all. If he was just a common man how did he end up in the home of trolls and why were they friendly with him? Was he a traitor of sorts?

However he got here he was going to get himself out. Obviously it wasn't going to be easy, but he had to get out. While they were riding through the night he watched the surrounding area carefully. What he needed was someplace that had a little variation in the ground so he could slide off and then make a run for it. Ducking underneath the troll's arm suddenly and sliding off the side of the beast Aiden rolled away from the back feet to avoid being stepped on and darted for the nearest ravine. Somehow he knew if he could get into one of the caves he would be free. This troll wouldn't be able to hold him any longer. He wanted to be away. Running didn't go well in the sand. There was a lot of movement and very little ground covered. With his hands tied he fell several times and he cursed loudly when he felt a rough pair of hands jerk him off the ground again.
 
"Not always," Zae'ju said gravely. Some trolls promises were very much a truth. He stared at Aiden for a moment longer before his head hung and he released a heavy sigh. He rose and got Xen'tu settled before he returned for Aiden as he brought Rose closer. The beast rumbled not happy in that she sensed the ill feeling and wrongness with the human. He lifted the man by the armpits and sat him in the saddle and sliced through the cord with a dagger. He was quick to mount up behind Aiden and took up the reins.

"C'mon Rose," he growled and the Direhorn rumbled before she broke into a trot that covered more ground than her size gave credit for. He didn't know what was to be done with Aiden now the man had lost his self. All he could do was be there for him and find ways to sit his friend's memory. Trouble was he had no idea how he was going to do that. It was clear the man would not trust the word of a Troll. He hoped the man regained sense before they arrived at Ashenvale much less Astranaar. They would have to go through a Horde gate before entering the forest. They had to hope that the troll's faces were known to the Sentinels or they would find themselves in a sticky situation. Zae'ju feared no elf but he bore a healthy respect for their bowmanship.

He blinked when something brushed past his arm and he growled with irritation as soon as he realised his charge had escaped him. He brought Rose round and with a yell encouraged her to a full charge. the beast bellowed more than happy to put some steam into her stride as she bore down on the human. He knew this was only going to keep happening and he did not want to restrain the man further but he suspected the man would give him no choice. Gripping with his legs to remain seated, he leaned and grabbed Aiden, lifting him with little preamble and dumped him across his lap, his hand keeping Aiden in place as he slowed Rose and brought her round.

"Calm yaself," he said dourly, "Ya don't want to be left in the Barrens alone. Dere be all sorts to try and eat, skin, perhaps even rape you if you cross the wrong path."

Zae'ju knew how true this was. Barrens was sometimes patrolled by hopeful masters looking for strays to add to their gladiatorial jousts as slaves. He did not want that future for a man without memory of who he was. rose broke into her trot again as Zae'ju kept him wher he had laid him. He kept a tight grip ignoring the squirms the man made in trying to be free. He kept Rose going until the heat of the next day was getting too much for them all. He found a half cave cut out of a cliff face. The overhang was loose with long grasses. He slid Aiden the to ground, jumping beside him soon after before he hauled the man and propped him against the wall.

After that he tossed jerky to the man's lap. "Eat, ya need ya strength ef ya gonna try and be foolish as to brave dat heat," he soke as he sat heavily, settling Xen'tu deep within the shade of whom watched Aiden in a strange silence.
 
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