Here we are again. Maralah watched from the shadows in her cat form as Nariko reported to her father. This was the first time she’d returned to the Plaguelands since her escape so long ago.
Mingan lounged on the edge of the dusty fountain in the center of Caer Darrow’s fortifications. He watched his daughter closely, listening to her report, while Maralah examined him. It had been a long time since she had seen him, so much had changed. She would never see him again as that rugged hero who saved her from the vile scourge, she couldn’t. Now he looked hardened, cold, a tauren with a withered soul.
Maralah allowed her gaze to pass to her daughter. Nariko looked so much like both of her parents. But it was with a cold and altogether unrelated voice that she imparted the report to her father with, “I was able to capture Shirul, but the woman wouldn’t come. I ended up having to kill her.”
Mingan swore. “She’s the one I needed, apparently her ‘earth shaman’ abilities would have helped me locate Artan. Once I locate Artan I’ll find Tocho, and when I do I’ll kill him slowly… slowly enough that the Pack will come for him.” Mingan growled softly as he continued, “and once I’ve killed everyone dear to her I will break her spirit and cage her that I might remember my victory each time I look on her broken spirit.”
Normally Maralah’s instinctual rage would win out after a revelation like that, but a glance to the cages of prisoners stopped her from reacting. Shirul was not the only captive that needed rescuing. Instead she turned back to hear more of Nariko’s report.
“So far he hasn’t been very cooperative… but I remember the names of those in charge. I’ve compiled a list of names that may help your spies get closer to the Pack when used as references.” Nariko handed Mingan the list. “Our scouts caught a glimpse of a tauren male in the surrounding area. He may have only been passing by, but I doubt it. We’ve stepped up the security just in case.”
Mingan accepted the list, glancing at it before nodding. “You’ve done well, daughter… except for losing me the Pack’s Earth Shaman. Join your troops on patrol, I’ve work to do.” Nariko scowled but said nothing as she walked away.
For a few minutes Maralah watched her husband, then turned to follow her daughter, sticking to the shadows to enhance her own abilities of stealth. It would be night before she could make her move.
~
Maralah had been watching her daughter, Nariko, for several hours… waiting for night to fall. She wasn’t really sure what she was going to do, capture her daughter and take her back to the Pack? Before she could think on the prospect for too long there was a crash out in the courtyard, followed by shouting. Nariko looked up, swore, and headed toward to the courtyard. Maralah followed.
What they found was chaos. Mingan’s troops did their best to fight off a tauren, a blood elf, and a large cat. The cages of the prisoners had been broken open and Shirul was helping the others to escape. Maralah nearly exclaimed out loud when she saw the attacking force… Onatam, Deltian and Arya! They must have followed her!
Nariko drew her bow and took aim; a sneer of hatred on her face, Maralah lunged but was not quick enough. The arrow flew straight and true, striking Onatam in the shoulder. The shaman howled in rage, snapped off the end of the arrow and continued to fight. Maralah felt her instincts taking over, the protectiveness that got her the name of Den Mother and the hunting instincts of the cat form she had assumed…
The next few minutes were a blur, a red haze; it was Onatam’s insistant voice that brought her out of it. “Maralah? Maralah come on, we have to get out of here, we have to get the others to safety.” Maralah shook her head, suddenly aware she was no longer in her cat form. She looked down at her hands, dripping red with blood and stumbled after Onatam.
As they drew near the others Deltian looked at Maralah, covered in blood, and back over Onatam’s shoulder at the carnage they had left behind. The elf opened his mouth to say something but stayed quiet as Onatam shook his head. In silence the group began the long trek back to Thunder Bluff.
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