Mazzak spent quite some time training on the shattered world of Draenor, or Outlands now as it’s called. She spent her time training and had a chance to visit the Throne of Elements, learning much from the Mag’har who had remained untainted from the legion’s corruption. She received word that her presence back home would be greatly appreciated. On her return trip she left back through the Dark Portal, happily leaving behind the haunting cries of the pained elements in that world.

She returned to the Isles of her childhood, in their now re-secured lands. She was greeted by a few here and there and looked for the Elder shaman from who the message had come. She smiled seeing him and approached him. He was dressed down, not in his full ritual attire. He greeted her with a smile and motioned for her to come speak with him. “Hey there, sister. Ya just made it. Tomorrow we’re going to be having a big ritual. I’d like ya to come and represent with the others that have chosen water as their personal element.” He nodded his head kindly and she told him she would. “That’s good to hear. We leave first thing tomorrow morning across the great sea and to the Gurubashi Arena.” He gave a firm nod and a smile turning to go about his business and leaving her be.



The sun rose and she could already hear some of the other trolls getting ready for the journey to Stranglethorn. She got up and got dressed in simple vestments and a long kilt, packed a few things that she might need for the ritual and stepped outside where the rest of the village was gathering. She could see where a few of the water blessed shamans gathered and and made her way over there. They greeted her and introduced themselves by name and then quietly discussed the trip until a last from a tribal horn alerted them that it was time to go.

A gathering of the rest of the trolls who would be leaving was at the front of the village and as the younger trolls approached their faces slackened. Each troll was wearing a large pack, loaded down with what seemed like enough gear and supplies to take a month long trip. A massive troll, the expedition leader, smiled at them as they neared, “Whooo aren’t you all tough, gonna carry those too?” He pointed at their smaller packs. “Well, it’s gonna be a long walk, I hope you don’t get too tired.” He motioned with his hands and two other larger trolls brought out massive packs as well and began handing them out to Mazzak and her group. She could not believe how heavy they were, her legs almost buckled with the added weight. Around her the other trolls seemed to struggle with their packs and she was determined not to let on that she was having trouble. With a grunt and a furrowed brow she took a few steps, nodding that she was ready. There was slight laughter and large grins on a few faces as they began the long walk, no doubt enjoying watching the struggles of the trolls who were so unprepared for the journey.

After five minutes, Mazzak thought she was going to pass out. The heat of the sun and the weight of the packs were almost too much for her, and she began to stumble now and then. Looking to her sides she saw that she was not the only one experiencing the same hardships. Soon the leader called for a halt and Mazzak’s spirits lifted. He inspected the ground and the surrounding forest then shook his head. “This isn’t good, looks like a full army of boarmen have come this way. We can’t take the chance that we’d have to fight them. Looks like we’ll have to go the long way.” Mazzak’s heart sunk in her chest, she thought this was the long way! How much further did they think she could walk like this? The next thing he said almost made her cry. “So, that means we’re gonna have to move a lot quicker if we want to get there in enough time. I hope everyone is ready for that.”

He sounded the call again and began jogging forward. Mazzak couldn’t beleive it, his pack was twice the size of hers, although he was also twice her size. The rest of the trolls began jogging and soon outpaced Mazzak and her new friends, none of them even attempted to jog. As they neared a break in the forest they could hear the sounds of laughter. Confused they broke free of the treeline to see all of the trolls joking and fooling around, their packs strewn about the ground. When the crowd noticed that Mazzak and the other trolls finally caught up everyone broke down in laughter, pointing and hooting. The expedition leader headed up to meet them, pulling their packs off as he greeted each one. “You know, that never gets old, in all my years. You should have seen the looks on your pitiful little faces. C’mon, we’re almost ready to get to the arena, we’re just waiting on you slow pokes.”

Confused and exhausted, Mazzak followed the leader to the center of the gathered trolls. They offered her water and something to eat while they waited. She almost asked why they had stopped moving here when a loud hum began followed by a loud whooshing noise accompanied by a displacement of air and atmosphere that could be felt by those close by. A mage portal had appeared in the center of the clearing and through it, the Gurubashi Arena could be seen. All around her, trolls picked up their packs and began to moved through the portal. As she went to get her pack a much larger troll laughed at her and scooped it up, winking at her as he passed through the portal. Mazzak followed him through without hesitation.