Shadow Trails in Azeroth

As an important stronghold of the Kingdom of Stromgard in the Hillsbrad Hills, Durnholde Castle occupies a large area. The castle is built on the mountain.

The Eagle's Nest Mountain behind it towers into the clouds and is one of the highest mountains in northern Xinjiang.

Its body is built on a raised hill, forming a gap of nearly 100 meters from the lower city of the castle. It is no exaggeration to say that it is easy to defend but difficult to attack.

Even if the orcs invade the lower city, it will still be a huge challenge to capture the castle.

And this castle not only guards Thoradin's Wall, but also guards the road from the hills to the Eagle's Nest Mountain. It is an out-and-out military location.

Real-life castles are much more powerful.

In addition to the huge main castle, there are several sentry towers and even a mage tower, but the mages stationed here have been recalled to Dalaran.

So the mage tower is now closed.

Fortunately, the mage tower is closed, otherwise as long as the sentry tower presided over by the mage is opened, a magic barrier will be lowered to cover the castle.

In such a barrier, low-level assassins like Blake would not be able to sneak through.

Even though Edras Blackmore who is stationed here only has the rank of major, he has won the trust of Stromgard's current king and general.

A lowly position means nothing.

In fact, with the current intense war situation, Major Blackmore also commanded a larger army than his position should allow, with more than two thousand well-trained soldiers.

He also had command of the entire Durnholde Castle and several surrounding military camps.

In this place of hills, it can be called a high position.

He has high military qualities and is indeed a talent, especially after the outbreak of the Orc War. It is said that this major fought several brilliant victories in the highlands.

As a result, he quickly gained the trust of the Trollbane family, the rulers of the Kingdom of Stromgard.

For such a "capable person" who will seize every opportunity to climb up, as long as he doesn't make any mistakes and doesn't die in battle, it is inevitable that he will have a bright future in the future.

There are different opinions on the reason why the talented Major Edras Blackmore, the ruler of Durnholde Castle, has been stuck as a low-level officer and cannot be promoted.

Although no one dared discuss it in front of him, Blake knew.

This actually has something to do with the Major’s family stain.

Major Blackmoore's father, Edlyn Blackmoore, was once an army general in the Kingdom of Lordaeron. He was deprived of all honors for betraying national secrets.

The major has lived in this shadow since he was a child.

He was destined not to be reused in his homeland of Lordaeron, so he cruelly defected to the Kingdom of Stromgard. He started from scratch in this kingdom of highlanders, and it took him more than ten years to reach his current position.

Therefore, the story of Major Blackmore is actually quite inspiring.

It vividly explains a truth.

Gold can shine everywhere.

Unfortunately, this childhood shadow had a great impact on Major Blackmore, giving him a desire for power and many dark ambitions in his heart.

This will accompany him throughout his life.

Although his life is actually not too long.

Thirteen more years to live.

The year he died and the reason for his death were all clearly recorded in Blake's mind.

Now, Blake was quietly following Taresha through the curtain of darkness, walking towards the underground prison of Durnholde Castle.

He was on his way to meet the culprit who would finally kill the Major.

The orc who is only four years old this year and has been raised in this castle since he was a child.

The son of the world who will support a magnificent era in the future.

Sal.

"Buzz"

A gust of wind blew over, blowing out the candles on both sides of the castle corridor.

Little Taresha, wearing an old dress and holding a food basket in her hand, was walking on the road leading to the underground prison. She was already very familiar with this place and had come here every night for the past few years.

She didn't hate the sneakiness.

It even felt like a child's adventure, not to mention, this was the major's order, and as a servant, she couldn't refuse.

"Is there meatloaf today?"

Sergeant Drake, the most valiant and skilled warrior in the entire castle, was checking Taresha's food basket. This brave warrior wearing blue heavy armor and a battle helmet roughly rolled up a large piece of meat and took it out of the food basket. take it out.

He took a bite first and then threw it to the soldiers around him.

He chewed the food and whispered:

"Such good food is not given to brave soldiers, but to that little bastard. It's such a waste. I don't know what the major thinks."

"This is the food that the Major will entertain the two distinguished guests today."

Little Taresha raised her head and blinked the big eyes with dark circles caused by staying up late for a long time. She smiled and said to Staff Sergeant Drake:

"But the two distinguished guests didn't move much. There are still many in the kitchen. If Uncle Drake wants to eat, I will ask my father to send some to your barracks tomorrow. There are also a few bottles of good wine."

"Okay, little Teresa is so sensible."

Sergeant Drake laughed, he casually pushed open the secret door leading to the underground, and told the little girl in front of him:

"If that little bastard dares to hurt you, just shout and I'll go down and beat him! I'll be happy to do that."

"Little Sal won't hurt me."

Little Taresha was very familiar with these veterans. As she walked down, she answered:

"He's just like my brother."

"But he's an orc, girl, orcs are a bunch of damn bastards!"

The sergeant wearing a blue helmet, heavy armor, and carrying a two-handed heavy sword on his back waved his hands impatiently and said angrily:

"Still the old rules, you must leave before dawn!"

"I know, Uncle Draco, thank you."

Taresha responded, picked up the food basket, and walked down the steps of the secret underground prison. Behind her, several veterans guarding there whispered to each other:

"I heard that the coward from Auriden went out today and brought back many orc heads, and the major rewarded him for it. House told me that the major is going to put him on the promotion list."

"Bah! Don't mention that coward who only knows how to flatter you in front of me! How dare he, a coward like him, fight against the orcs? Who knows where those orc heads came from?"

"You're right! If he wasn't from a noble family, why would the major accept him as an apprentice?"

"Hey, tell me, has little Taresha grown up? She is so cute, I..."

"Snapped"

Before the last guy who was eating the meat roll could finish his words, he was slapped on the cheek by Sergeant Drake. The rude sergeant snatched the meat roll, spat on the side, and cursed:

"Disgusting bastard! Get out of here and don't let me see you again before I forget your disgusting words!"

All the veterans were immediately shocked.

No one dares to bring up this damn question anymore.

——

the other side.

Taresha walked into the quiet underground prison as usual. She looked around skillfully in the dark basement, preparing to find a candle and light the fire.

But a hand quietly lifted up from the darkness and placed it on Taresha's shoulder, startling the little girl and about to jump up on the spot.

He was pushed to the ground by Blake Xiao again.

"Shh, little girl, don't make a sound, I'm not here for you, I'm here for him!"

The assassin said something in the ear of little Taresha who was trembling with fear.

He raised his head and looked toward the deepest part of the basement. There was a small cell there, dimly lit, covered with straw, and a little damp. The environment looked terrible.

But in fact, the cell was kept very clean.

There was also a rough wooden table, a few books, an inkwell, and a quill.

Lying on several layers of straw in the corner was a green-skinned boy who looked to be as tall as Taresha. If he were a human child, he would have to be at least seven or eight years old to reach this size.

But the little orc in front of him was only four years old.

Fortunately, they are a naturally powerful fighting race, and their bodies developed so rapidly when they were children.

"Mr. Black?"

Little Taresha shook her body, raised her head and took a look in the dark. She only saw a rough outline, but she quickly recognized this person from the iconic brutal blade fist weapon she kept at hand. identity of.

Isn't this the kind-hearted guest she met in the castle this afternoon who helped her?

I heard from the servants in the castle that this gentleman came from the wetlands. In the past two weeks, he had killed many orcs in the hills and was known as the "orc killer".

"Are you here for Sal?"

"Sal?"

Blake's hoarse voice sounded in the basement, and he said with a sense of doubt:

"When I entered the castle, I smelled the scent of orcs, and it was also on you. At first, I thought that you girl was being coerced by orcs, and I followed you specifically to try to help you.

But now it seems that you have been in contact with this little orc?

Why?

As a human, why do you want to be so friendly with an orc? Where did this little orc come from? Why did he appear in the Major's castle? "

Taresha covered her mouth in the darkness and shook her head vigorously.

She couldn't answer the question.

This is the Major's secret.

Once she told him, the Foxton family would be doomed, and she and her parents would not be able to escape the Major's wrath.

"Well, you don't want to tell?"

Blake chuckled lightly. He covered little Taresha's mouth and walked into the small cell. As he walked, he said:

"Then I'll ask him. I hate orcs. Maybe I can help a combat hero like the major solve this problem. I'd be happy to do that."

As he spoke, he threw a "reconnaissance" at the sleeping little orc lying there.

Orc Orphan Thrall (Gu'el)

Mortal body. Frostwolf bloodline (young)

Level 7 Scholar/Level 2 Fighter

Judging from this information alone, the green-skinned orc in front of him is not at all as domineering as a savior should be, but his status as an orc is somewhat incompatible with the rank of scholar.

But this also proves that Sal is talented and intelligent.

It also proved that Major Blackmore was really cultivating him.

The result of this investigation immediately alarmed the sleeping orcs.

"Taresha, are you here?"

He opened his eyes drowsily, thinking that his childhood playmate and sister were coming over.

But before he fully woke up, a chilling blade fist was pressed against his neck, causing Sal to wake up immediately and clenched his fist to fight back.

Just the next moment, he saw Taresha rushing towards him, and immediately let go of his fist decisively, and whispered to the human assassin squatting in front of him, wearing black leather armor and with cold eyes:

"If you want to kill, kill me! Don't hurt Taresha, she has nothing, she is innocent."

"You speak human language quite well."

Blake moved his blade fist that shone coldly in the darkness. He looked at the two children hugging each other in front of him and said in a low tone that a big bad guy should have:

"Your eyes are blue, and you are not contaminated by demon blood. But I think you should tell me your story, so as to give me a reason to let you go.

Or you can try to shout to attract the guards, but two kids, before they rush in, an assassin like me can do a lot. "

"Say it, hurry up."