Warlords 8

Yrel was elated that she became an Exarch on the surface, to keep up appearances mainly, but there was very little pride in it for the Paladin. Though she rose to the position her people were still clueless. In her mind they were still being held back by their ego and morality. If anything, she felt more pride and value after becoming a pet. She did not consider that her newfound perspective had anything to do with brainwashing or training or a ritual crushing of her spirit that took place. All of that fled to the back of her mind as soon as it happened, conveniently. She was single-minded in her aims.

Though she had very little opinion on the station of Exarch due to her newer perspective, it did grant her some things she lacked. Deep respect from her people and access. Mainly, access to the Naaru at any point in time. She could visit before, if there was time and if the Naaru wished. Now the Naaru needed to pay attention and give time. The dynamic her people and their kind had would not allow K'ara to ignore one of such great trust and power. As Yrel entered the chamber the Naaru chimed passively. It was not looking in any direction that could be seen, since it was by all accounts just a collection of floating objects. As Yrel entered the pieces did all float and appear to be facing her.

“Greetings, child. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Yrel bowed her head.

“Have you put more thought into our past discussion? Have you meditated on what we spoke about?” K'ara asked with an interested bend to her tone. The Naaru was undoubtedly salivating over the content of their past discussion, considering it was the first thing the being brought up. There is a brief pause, then:

“Of course you have... Your soul feels different.”

“I have, yes. I actually do have more questions concerning what we talked about.” Yrel explained carefully. The full context was not deserved or needed for good reason, but she could beat around the bush. She knew that simply speaking on this topic would have the Naaru talking excitedly, given the direction their last conversation took. The being did not need to know to what end the guidance lead. Not yet, anyway.

“Go on.” The K'ara chimed.

“Hours of meditation, in addition to other... Rituals... Are rather inefficient.” She danced skillfully around the fact that she was trained like a dog for what felt like hours to reach the necessary result. It was in essence a ritual, just a different kind. But, the problem was the inefficiency. If some shortening of at least on part could be achieved then it would be a success.

“The rituals are a necessary part.” K'ara advised. “I know it can be tempting to rush and reach results, however the rituals and the training are needed to forge yourself into something new.”

“T-training?” Yrel gulped and immediately worried over the idea that the Naaru knew more than it let on.

“Yes? I presume it was hours of introspection. Mental training.”

Yrel relaxed. “Yes. Of course. It was very intense.” The draenei furrowed her silver brow.

“The ritual and the training can not be shortened. But what about the preparation for the soul?”

“Ah, yes.” The Naaru glowed with light far brighter than before. The rays became a kaleidoscope of colors on the ground around the chamber.

“Unlike with the ritual and the training, there is a little trick to the preparation of the soul itself. You seem to understand and feel what it is like to be forged already, so I feel comfortable telling you now. All it requires to hasten that part of it is more power, of course.”

“Of course.” Yrel brightened. It was exactly what she was looking for.

“Is there a way to have more power?”

“The power needed could only belong to one of my kind.” K'ara was hesitant to go on, but obviously had something it wanted to let out. Yrel could tell by the faint discordant chiming in the background once the Naaru finished speaking.

“It seems as though you know something that you do not want to say?”

“I do not know that I should. It may be too soon.”

“We are very close, though.” Yrel argued.

“I can not help you directly. At least not in this way, not yet. I am directed to wait until the great war begins. With that I have already said to much.” K'ara said cryptically, floating down closer to the ground.

Yrel considered the Naaru's words carefully for a few moments before adding. “Perhaps you could help indirectly?” K'ara tilted forward, craning over Yrel with interest.

“Help me to do this on my own. I handle the rituals and the teaching and you give me a bit of the power.” She viewed it as a long shot, but once she observed the Naaru's reaction Yrel realized that she should not have.

“Yes.” The creature said instantly.

“That seems to be well within my power, and my own guidance.”

“Power...” As K'ara mused on that concept it forged a small trinket in front of Yrel. A very small glass object that floated in the draenei's hands.

“This object should offer your already strong affinity with the light an even greater boost. You will temporarily borrow a Naaru's power. This power is limited, naturally.”

“As it should be.” Yrel smiled patronizingly.

“I feel pride as one that was sent to guide your people... This will hopefully make up for my fall.”

Picking up on a bit of guilt, Yrel casually threw in a subtle jab that could easily be seen as nothing, but would undoubtedly affect the creature of pure light.

“Oh, I would never assume to judge you. If you believe that this will make up for the great shame of your fall and the loss that it wrought then I am fully prepared to move past all of that ill will on behalf of my kind.” Yrel, as the Exarch, smiled and shined brightly during that statement, as if it were completely genuine.

The Naaru floated quietly for a few seconds. “Perhaps I should not accept that offer just yet. My atonement can not be concluded so easily.”

“As you say.” Yrel nodded, feeling satisfied with the direction the conversation took. As she left she could feel the passive power radiating from the trinket. She could only imagine what it could offer when activated.

“Congratulations again, Yrel. I am so proud of you. We have been following your rise closely, ever since you were returned to us.” Exarch Naielle was a tall, lithe Draenei with long dark hair. She was the prime of the Rangari, which meant that the woman was sly and extremely adept. A terrifying enemy to have. Around Yrel however she was like a disarmed schoolgirl. All of the draenei liked Yrel. Most of the humans and other races liked Yrel. She was difficult to hate. Everything about her seemed crafted to be likable from her origin, to what she suffered along the way before her triumphs, to her rise to prominence.

“Thank you, thank you. I am grateful for your guidance during my trials, Exarch.”

“Please. Call me Naielle.” The woman glanced around the small clearing jut outside the Commander's garrison.

“What did you call me out here to discuss? Is it plans for striking back at the Horde?”

“Yes, actually. In line with that I have a friend that is working with me.” Yrel explained vaguely.

“Oh?” Naielle continued to inspect the clearing.

“Where are they?” Below her she heard a small clearing of a throat. The woman glanced down and beheld the sight of a very small, green man with pointed ears and slicked-back hair. She lifted a brow curiously before kneeling down to get closer to his level.

“Hello?” It was strange that she could not see him, as if he had been waiting, camouflaged in a way that was advanced even beyond her senses. It was impressive enough that she wanted to ask about it, but he had other ideas.

“Already kneeling, huh? And you're sayin this one hasn't been trained yet?” Chaz joked, offering the woman a wink.

Naielle shrugged. “Not sure what you mean. I am simply being polite. Is this your friend, Yrel?” Yrel had circled behind her and removed the trinket from her armor.

“Yrel?”

“It is.” With that Yrel activated the trinket and felt an incredible surge of power rushing into her. The **** of her light was amplified to an immeasurable degree but she could already feel it fading slightly after a few seconds, so she resolved to use it quickly and intuitively. She did not have time to feel it out. Yrel felt out for Naielle's soul, and her ego itself. Just like with her careful meditation she wrapped her light around them. This time was different. Where as before it was a struggle, now it felt easy. The light wrapped around Naielle's being, poured into it and began forging immediately.

The woman gulped. “I feel... Strange.” She was understandably distracted.

“Do it now.” Yrel grunted in obvious, deep focus.

Chaz was put in a difficult position. He knew what he wanted to do, but doing so would potentially lead Yrel's hand too much. The secrecy at this point was more about his own personal enjoyment. The idea of the Draenei being responsible for the Draenei's own downfall was amusing to him. The pact could be damned, but his own fun couldn't.

“What do you want me to do?”

Yrel cringed. “I-I don't know. Do we need to talk about this now? Just do what you do...”

Chaz smirked. “You want another per, or-” he paused, leaving it open.

“Pet? What?” Naielle groaned.

“What is happening... Why does my soul feel so warm, and yet...” She could not place the feeling of her entire being being squashed, melted and reshaped like a ball of clay in someones hand. How could she?

Yrel shook her head lightly and glanced around, as if that would provide any answer. Oddly enough, it did. Nearby she saw a few wild Talbuk grazing.

“Th-those!”

“What?” Chaz played dumb. He wanted her to say it. It was the most important one. The one that would end her and most of her kind.

Yrel shut her eyes tightly, the power was dwindling. Almost at half. She wondered why he was doing this when it was he who stood to benefit most. After thinking for a few more seconds she arrived at the conclusion that had been on the edge of her mind for quite a while.

“A mount!”

“A what?” The Rangari questioned cautiously.

“You're the boss.” Chaz said facetiously. He snapped his fingers to get Naielle's attention.

“Hey!”

“What...” She turned back, slightly annoyed, only to come face to face with a large carrot. The woman blinked.

“Huh?” It wagged in front of her.

“Bite.” Chaz insistently pushed the tip of it between her lips. Reluctantly the Rangari bit down on the tip, unsure what it would accomplish. She wasn't thinking clearly, but there was no real upside or downside to biting a carrot. It was such a simple, basic act that deserved nothing. Yet...

“Good girl!” He sounded so excited from something so basic that it filled her with energy.

“Keep at it.” Yrel was shocked. As the woman was lead to bite and then complimented, a bit of the energy she was putting in came back, as if it were a feedback loop.

“What's happening?” Naielle asked.

Chaz smirked and nodded up at Yrel. “Nothin. Just finish your carrot.” He continued pushing it, urging her on.

“It's just eating a carrot... Why does it-” She took a bite.

“Matter.”

“Good girl! I'm so proud of you.” He scratched her head behind the horns, feeling her smooth, dark hair. Her tail began wagging unconsciously. She was very confused about the situation, but continued eating the carrot, since it seemed to garner so much praise and good will. She was effectively just being fed at that point and got halfway through it. What she did not consider about what was happening was just how distracted she was while chewing and biting and being rewarded in a cycle. It was to the extent that Chaz was able to subtly pull on her collar until she was on all fours. It was then that he stepped back and pulled the carrot away.

“You know how to walk?” He wagged the carrot just out of reach.

“Of course.” Naielle blushed.

“Then come.” he ordered calmly.

Naielle was about to, then felt the position she was in. “Huh?” She was about to rise when the goblin snapped his fingers loudly, causing her to cringe. She collapsed back down onto all fours.

“What!”

“Thought you knew how to walk?”

“I do, but-”

“Come get the carrot. Quickly now.” Naielle huffed. It was so close, so the quickest way was one hand in front of the other, then one hoof. She opened her mouth to bite, only to have the goblin walk back. So she kept going. It was awkward at first, but each time he became a little faster and more steady until she was following him around in a circle. Stubbornly she picked up her pace to catch him.

“Now don't that feel natural?” He chuckled, letting her catch it. She bit it as they were walking.

“Good girl.” She felt the rush as he praised her and proudly continued following him.

“You keep going, I'm gonna let go. Don't eat it all after I go, alright?” He asked. Naielle rolled her eyes at the simple instructions. She held it in her mouth without biting and continued walking around once he disappeared out of her line of sight. The odd thing for her was that it did feel natural. It was awkward at first but once she started following him she just seemed to pick it up.

“Where did you go?” She asked impatiently, holding the carrot between her teeth. It was tempting to just bite and eat it, but she held back. After she asked, she felt a sudden, unusual weight on her back, but it was negligible enough to ignore.

“I'm still around.” He said from out of her periphery. From out of nowhere, seemingly, the carrot was pulled from her mouth, only to appear in front of her, floating a few seconds later.

“Keep going for it.” Naielle nodded and started walking towards it cluelessly.

“You might have to run!” She nodded and began picking her pace, but no matter how much faster she went it was still out of reach.

“What type of magic is this?” She furrowed her brow tightly.

“I got this new mount I'm training.” Chaz said conversationally.

“Okay?” Naielle uttered, annoyed and faintly distracted by the goal of catching the carrot.

“But she's a bit dumb. The animal's food motivated, but I need her to follow directions.”

“You should be assertive and harsh.” Naielle stated, focused on her goal.

“Ohh, good one.” He dug his heel into her side. Naielle was aware of the feeling but did not manage to connect it to anything that was happening at the time. The only effect it had was to subtly guide her to turn. She did so, then felt another on her other side, to which she did the same. That repeated a few more times. Oddly, each time she followed the feeling the carrot somehow got close enough for her to bite and the goblin was able to praise and reward her, from wherever he was.

“Carrot and stick, right, Elle?” He chuckled.

“Right.” Elle smiled.

“Eventually though, you gotta remove the incentive and just...” Chaz removed the carrot. Elle felt her horns being gripped tightly.

“Assert dominance.” He pulled back, causing hr to stop.

“Wait..” Elle was finally able to connect it in her head. She suddenly felt the weight on her back and what it meant.

“You-”

“If we're gonna be partners I need you to address me properly.”

“What, but-”

“I'm not listenin until you do.”

Elle cringed. “Master, you are-”

“Good girl, Elle. Such a good mount.” Elle shuddered at the sheer bliss of the reward, even though it was just his voice and a pat on the head.

“Let's go over there.” He pressed his heels into her sides at the same time.

Elle started moving. Embarrassed, she hesitantly asked. “Master, you-”

“Oh, sweety, you don't need to have thoughts. Yes Master, No master, that type of thing will do.” He was sure to reward her once she reached the destination he pointed out.

“Yes... Master?”

“Oh, that's a bit long. You know, if you just shorten that to an animalistic 'moo' I'll get what you mean.”

“But-”

“Remember.” He warned.

“M-mooo?”

Yrel felt the power surging back from the Rangari's soul. “She's almost gone! Keep pushing.”

“See? Just let all those silly words in your head slip away.”

“Mooo.” Elle uttered. The reward after she said that was immense, or at least it felt that way. It was so easy. All she needed to respond with was that and he knew what she meant. She barely needed to think. Slowly, through some unseen warping of her soul, thoughts receded and words began to lose meaning. She let out a grateful 'Mooo' in response. This one did not sound like a girl acting like an animal, but a real groan from a beast that had no understanding of language.

Chaz blinked. “Well... She's a mount, now?”

Yrel panted. The woman was sweating. “I believe so? Her soul is dim. Her light is gone. She is an object.”

“let me try somethin.” Chaz concentrated as he stepped off of Elle. When he did she dematerialized into a pair of reigns marked with her name and race. Draenei.

“Well... I guess she really was 100% mount.”

Yrel stared at the reigns. Normal creatures could be reduced to that. To be stored for convenience because their sentience would allow them to be objectified by simple magic that even a peasant could learn. Elle was no longer a being, but a simple name within a collection that the Goblin owned. The thought turned Yrel on immensely. The Rangari had been turned into a perfect tool that could aid the goblins in their efforts.

***

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