Of Hats and Rum.

Gharb pat a beast. A huge black kodo snorted in reply and stared at master with his glowing red eye. Gharb was gazing the flaming ocean, flaming sun rising from it, sewing it light in azure sky, bringing gold colors to the morning.

Gharb smiled, he liked Stranglethorn. Here he had got so many cruel lessons, that he barely survived but this made him a skilled rogue. Jungle, high grass, thick bushes, huge trees - everything best for both martial arts trainings and murders.

Hell yeah...

Gharb grinned to his thoughts. He has killed so many allies, so many Scourge servants and all of this thankfully to his Mistress. And for the sake of Her as well of course. But what is he without his Mistress? Just a corpse.

What are my achievements?

Gharb cackled and mumbled.

If a corpse could ever achieve anything...

He turned around and looked at his kodo. In backpacks kodo was carrying there were many tools for killing. Magic leather armors, several reserved knives, flasks with different kind of poisons, a couple of hats and helmets, food...

Food... why the hell do I need food? And why the hell do I need rum? Rum...

This wonderful drink affected his dead body, fortifying his will and weakening his mind - exactly what he needed sometimes. Gharb was gazing the backpack with rum inside. This was... tempting.

Bah, who cares!!
Gharb took out the flask of the backpack and finished it with several gulps. His wounded, half rotten body was filling with a pleasant warm feeling.

Jungle were reviving, filling with noises and blood. Gharb listened to a distant screams - seemed like beasts were tearing apart another human.

High ranks, good gear - to kill. Elixires of Noggenfogger, mounts, Orb, small, useless but really rare magical items and of course rum - all of this - to live.

Gharb took off his pirate hat and examined it.

Why are you wearing it, what do you need it for... blablabla!" - he monkeyed other people, -Fools! It's as useless and pointless as my after-life but it's my freedom. And so is rum..." - Gharb finished the second flask.

He was sitting drunk, his eyes were glowing with pale yellow light. He was mumbling to himself.

Every person should have something... well, personal. What do I have apart from my dedication to the Lady, apart from my revenge which is the basement of my life? Hat and rum. And others have nothing! Fools!

Gharb stood up, with loose walking approached the beast and put the flask back. Then he turned around and walked to the edge of the cliff. Sun has risen already and unbearable heat was settling in the jungle.

Gharb was silently gazing in the distance, listening to his heart...

I've killed them. And I should die for this and gods should torture me for eternity... but first, I must have my revenge. Nobody ever would help me or I could kill them in return. Hat, rum and revenge - this is me.

...heart was cold and silent. He was definitely alive.