The nights in Moonglade were never entirely quiet. There was always the insistant hum of activity that any forest boasts, but in Moonglade it was louder, in some ways more prevalent, perhaps due to the protection of the Druids. Whether it was the gentle sounds of nature, or the demons haunting her, Maralah was unable to sleep. She lay in her cot and stared at the ceiling, her face and pillow wet with tears.
Maralah pressed her eyes shut and rolled onto her side, pulling her legs up and clutching them with trembling hands. She lay there tense for a moment trying to stave off another wave of tears before her shoulders began to shake. It was not long before she was unable to hold back the sobs. As a wail rose from her throat, increasing in pitch and intensity, a tauren woman ran to her side and knelt whispering calming words and waving a hand over Maralah’s brow. Whatever magic the attendant cast did what it was intended and tranquilized Maralah, allowing the tortured woman to sleep.
Laughter rang out between the buildings of Freewind post as the little tauren girl tried once again to walk. Getting to her feet was enough of a challenge but getting her oversized hooves to cooperate with her intention of getting to the wyvern roost was proving nearly impossible. Her foster parents looked on, amused but supportive, oblivious to the figure of a tauren woman standing in the shadows… also watching.
Nariko turned, her chubby face covered in sleek fur, and lifted her arms, calling out, “mama! Mama! Riko want kitty!”. The figure in the shadows stepped forward but halted suddenly as the other tauren woman rushed to her foster daughter and took the child in her arms, showing the girl the winged “kitty”.
Maralah stepped back into the shadows, her face hidden.
The attendant frowned at the restless figure of Maralah on the cot and whispered another spell over her charge. Maralah seemed to calm once again, sleeping deeply.
Nariko smiled proudly at the tauren male with her, oblivious to the lion hidden away in the bushes, watching. The young tauren was eager to show that she was ready to become a hunter like her foster father, and so he had promised to show her how to fire a bow. Nariko took up the bow and clumsily strung an arrow, glancing at times to the man she called father. The girl pulled back on the bow string and let fly the arrow, straight into the ground at her feet. She yelped as her fingers were bitten painfully by the unforgiving weapon.
The lion in the bushes tensed almost running out of hiding but stopped, her eyes moving to the man with Nariko who calmly took the girl’s fingers in his hand and spoke soothing words. After a few moments Nariko smiled up at him and said, “I love you, papa!” Words that the retreating lion barely heard.
Once again Maralah’s attendant rushed to her side doing what she can to soothe the restless druid. This time she lookd up as her spells took effect, “I can’t keep doing this, she’ll need to face it sooner or later.” Tocho nodded to the aide and withdrew quietly his face marked with lines of worry.
A young Nariko crouched near a pack of wolves while a storm crow soared overhead unobserved. With slow and deliberate movements the young hunter began to approach one particular wolf that stood apart from the others, she spoke calmly but insistently.
The crow watched from far above, slowly moving lower from air current to air current, as Nariko tamed her first companion. As the young tauren looked deep into the eyes of the animal that would work with her, and learned the beasts name for the first time, she cried out in jubilation. The crow made as if to land but hesitated as she heard a happy Nariko tell the wolf, “just wait until Mama meets you, she always said it’d be a wolf… I know she’ll just love you.”
Nariko looked up suddenly startled, as if she’d heard something, only to shake her head at the now empty skies.
Maralah let out an anguished cry and sat bolt upright in the cot. She looked around wildly before stopping short at the sympathetic eyes of her tauren nurse. Swinging her hooves off the cot she stood and walked away, her face a blank mask… the calm surface of a deep river, the tumultuous current of her agony buried deep within.
The nurse moved to follow Maralah but stopped as a figure stepped from the shadows and waved her off. “Let me,” he said in the deep rumbling voice of most male tauren. He followed Maralah, reaching her as she stood on the bluff overlooking the lake; he simply stood beside her like a pillar of strength. He said nothing, knowing there was nothing he could say until she was ready to listen.
Maralah looked down at the waves crashing on the rocks below, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her guilt. “What have I done, Onatam?”
Onatam lifted a hand to Maralah’s shoulder remaining silent. She knew well what she had done, and he knew well that she had done it in his defence. They both bore their own guilt, each in their own way. And in their own way each would eventually deal with it. Onatam straightened up, dropping his hand to his side. He’d made a decision. “I must leave for now, Maralah, I have a hunt to complete. I will avenge her, I promise you that.”
It was Maralah’s turn to respond with silence, simply looking out at the far shore of the lake as Onatam made his way inside.
~
“Chief, I’m worried about your sister,” while her voice was low there was still a distinct urgency to the attendant’s tone. “She’s not grieving; she’s not doing much of anything really. She just sits there, unresponsive. Now and then she’ll mumble when no one is around, it’s like she’s having a conversation with herself… but none of us have heard what she’s saying, she stops when anyone gets too close.”
Tocho listened stoically to the report, emotion flashing in his eyes but his face remaining passive. His years leading the Pack and his recent sojourn with his mentor Artan had cooled his temper and taught him to control his expression. “Keep at it, please; I will see what I can do.”
The Chief watched the woman walk away before taking his cat form and slipping into the shadows. He moved within Maralah’s room and settled in to wait. It wasn’t long before Maralah, sitting on a cushion by the window, began to murmur. Tocho inched forward, his feline ears twitching to catch what his sister was saying.
“It’s so lovely, so very lovely, thank you.” Maralah’s voice was quiet, Tocho strained to listen. “The tune is so soothing, the melody so chipper and sombre at the same time. Did you write it?” she paused for a moment and then nodded, “I thought so… Nariko would have loved it.”
Still hidden from view Tocho winced and backed out of the room to leave Maralah to her rambling. As he left to find his sister’s nurse a figure shifted into view beside Maralah… an undead wearing a pristine mask of white porcelain, the lines of paint delicate and intricate, some so fine they must have been done with a single hair. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, she nodded, “yes, yes she would have loved it.”
Showing posts with label Maralah's Story. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maralah's Story. Show all posts
Monday, October 11, 2010
Maralah's Story - CHAPTER NINE – Choices
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.
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.
Maralah's Story - CHAPTER EIGHT – Life and Death
Maralah packed her bags in the privacy of her tent on Elder Rise and pondered the events of the last few days. The Council had gone better than expected. With Artan’s return, Tocho had gone off on some sort of vision quest with his friend, leaving Maralah in charge… which made her escape even easier. It was odd, though, that Tocho would leave so soon after his sudden, surprising decision to allow two blood elf hunters to join the Pack. Deltian and Kishtara had been travelling with the Pack for some time, but had not been welcomed into the ranks… until now.
Shaking her head Maralah slung her bag over her shoulder and left the tent to face the assembled Pack. Not everyone was here, of course, but enough of them were.
“I have to go on a journey. I’m leaving Demelza in charge while I’m gone.” Demelza looked startled at Maralah’s announcement. Many of the Pack murmured in surprise and curiousity; a few voices rose up to protest.
Onatam and Deltian stepped forward to speak but Maralah raised a hand to forestall them. “No, you aren’t coming with me. I have to attempt this alone.” Turning to the Water Seer she continued before Onatam could object further, “Khazrikieh, you said the Earth Shaman may be able to help me?” Khazrikieh nodded though he seemed a little distracted.
“Then I will seek her out first.” Maralah turned and walked away quickly. Leaving was hard enough, but prolonging the departure would have been agony. The assembled Pack stood for a few moments in shocked silence, watching the Den Mother walk away before breaking into frenzied discussion. They all knew she was going after Mingan. They also knew what happened last time she was with Mingan.
~
Maralah arrived quickly in Sun Rock Retreat and it was only a short walk to the Earth Shaman’s home. As she approached the cave she slowed. There was something wrong. It was too quiet. Quickly Maralah assumed the form of a lion and took to the shadows, the fur on the back of her neck rising in response to the eerie atmosphere.
The large lion’s nose twitched as she caught the tangy scent of blood. Fighting the instinct to rush in, she instead took a deeper breath trying to identify anything under the blood that might prepare her for what lay inside. Shirul, the Shaman legate, had been here… not surprising. Maralah sniffed again, her eyes opening wide, Nariko? Yes! Nariko and her wolf had been here… and recently! Unable to fight her instincts anymore, Maralah threw caution to the wind and bolted the rest of the way into the cave, taking her tauren form as she did so.
Maralah stopped short as she entered the cave, nearly tripping over her own hooves. The place was in shambles; what little furniture there was had been shattered, bedding tossed aside, and there was blood splattered on everything. The tauren woman crouched, trying to get a better look at the darker interior, hoping to see signs of life. Reaching down she picked up a small carved stone, an ankh… it had not been used.
As Maralah stood she caught sight of the slender blue arm of a troll under the debris, “Vasudha?” She rushed forward tossing items aside only to find that Vasudha, the Earth Shaman, lay slain. It was clear that the woman had been dead for some time. Maralah looked back at where she had picked up the ankh, realization dawning on her. Who ever had done this had known that Vasudha couldn’t resurrect herself without this object of power.
Maralah fought down the rage building in the pit of her stomachs and gingerly pulled the shaman from the wreckage. Settling Vasudha, the druid pulled a flintwood seed from her bag and held it tightly as she uttered the words of power that drew life back from across the veil. In the moments that followed Maralah held her breath. The Earth Mother did not always permit life to return… if the body had decayed too much or the spirit was too far gone. Maralah took her next breath when the Earth Shaman did.
“Vasudha?”
The troll woman began to stir, taking more steady breaths, “M-Maralah?” the shaman’s voice cracked, “Maralah, Nariko… she…” the shaman sat up with Maralah’s help. “Oh Maralah, I’m so sorry,” Vasudha rested a hand on her friend’s shoulder looking up at the confused tauren.
“Nariko was here, she came for me and Shirul,” still confused, Maralah remained quiet as Vasudha took a deep breath, “Maralah… she did this… all of this.” The troll gestured around the cave.
Maralah sat back stunned. “But… no, she wouldn’t!”
“Did you find the wolf?” Vasudha asked, looking around as she did so… “There!” she raised her arm and pointed to another mound of debris that was moving faintly. “Under there, he saved me… turned on Nariko and saved me.”
Struggling to her feet, Vasudha went to the wolf and gently dug him out. “There, there, beast, you did well.” With care, the Earth Shaman called on the healing powers of nature and healed what she could of the wolf’s wounds before stepping back to keep some distance between them. The creature may have saved the troll, but Vasudha was no hunter to tame animals and the wolf was still a beast of the wild, not some domestic puppy.
The wolf stumbled to his feet, still dazed from what had taken place, and headed out of the cave, past Maralah who still sat stunned on the cave floor. Vasudha looked to the tauren woman with compassion, “Maralah, I know it’s hard to hear… but Nariko took Shirul. She took him to Mingan. She would have taken me too had it not been for the wolf.”
Maralah stood, “get to Thunder Bluff, Vasudha… but say nothing until I return.” Her voice was strangely hollow, “I need to pay my daughter a visit.”
Shaking her head Maralah slung her bag over her shoulder and left the tent to face the assembled Pack. Not everyone was here, of course, but enough of them were.
“I have to go on a journey. I’m leaving Demelza in charge while I’m gone.” Demelza looked startled at Maralah’s announcement. Many of the Pack murmured in surprise and curiousity; a few voices rose up to protest.
Onatam and Deltian stepped forward to speak but Maralah raised a hand to forestall them. “No, you aren’t coming with me. I have to attempt this alone.” Turning to the Water Seer she continued before Onatam could object further, “Khazrikieh, you said the Earth Shaman may be able to help me?” Khazrikieh nodded though he seemed a little distracted.
“Then I will seek her out first.” Maralah turned and walked away quickly. Leaving was hard enough, but prolonging the departure would have been agony. The assembled Pack stood for a few moments in shocked silence, watching the Den Mother walk away before breaking into frenzied discussion. They all knew she was going after Mingan. They also knew what happened last time she was with Mingan.
~
Maralah arrived quickly in Sun Rock Retreat and it was only a short walk to the Earth Shaman’s home. As she approached the cave she slowed. There was something wrong. It was too quiet. Quickly Maralah assumed the form of a lion and took to the shadows, the fur on the back of her neck rising in response to the eerie atmosphere.
The large lion’s nose twitched as she caught the tangy scent of blood. Fighting the instinct to rush in, she instead took a deeper breath trying to identify anything under the blood that might prepare her for what lay inside. Shirul, the Shaman legate, had been here… not surprising. Maralah sniffed again, her eyes opening wide, Nariko? Yes! Nariko and her wolf had been here… and recently! Unable to fight her instincts anymore, Maralah threw caution to the wind and bolted the rest of the way into the cave, taking her tauren form as she did so.
Maralah stopped short as she entered the cave, nearly tripping over her own hooves. The place was in shambles; what little furniture there was had been shattered, bedding tossed aside, and there was blood splattered on everything. The tauren woman crouched, trying to get a better look at the darker interior, hoping to see signs of life. Reaching down she picked up a small carved stone, an ankh… it had not been used.
As Maralah stood she caught sight of the slender blue arm of a troll under the debris, “Vasudha?” She rushed forward tossing items aside only to find that Vasudha, the Earth Shaman, lay slain. It was clear that the woman had been dead for some time. Maralah looked back at where she had picked up the ankh, realization dawning on her. Who ever had done this had known that Vasudha couldn’t resurrect herself without this object of power.
Maralah fought down the rage building in the pit of her stomachs and gingerly pulled the shaman from the wreckage. Settling Vasudha, the druid pulled a flintwood seed from her bag and held it tightly as she uttered the words of power that drew life back from across the veil. In the moments that followed Maralah held her breath. The Earth Mother did not always permit life to return… if the body had decayed too much or the spirit was too far gone. Maralah took her next breath when the Earth Shaman did.
“Vasudha?”
The troll woman began to stir, taking more steady breaths, “M-Maralah?” the shaman’s voice cracked, “Maralah, Nariko… she…” the shaman sat up with Maralah’s help. “Oh Maralah, I’m so sorry,” Vasudha rested a hand on her friend’s shoulder looking up at the confused tauren.
“Nariko was here, she came for me and Shirul,” still confused, Maralah remained quiet as Vasudha took a deep breath, “Maralah… she did this… all of this.” The troll gestured around the cave.
Maralah sat back stunned. “But… no, she wouldn’t!”
“Did you find the wolf?” Vasudha asked, looking around as she did so… “There!” she raised her arm and pointed to another mound of debris that was moving faintly. “Under there, he saved me… turned on Nariko and saved me.”
Struggling to her feet, Vasudha went to the wolf and gently dug him out. “There, there, beast, you did well.” With care, the Earth Shaman called on the healing powers of nature and healed what she could of the wolf’s wounds before stepping back to keep some distance between them. The creature may have saved the troll, but Vasudha was no hunter to tame animals and the wolf was still a beast of the wild, not some domestic puppy.
The wolf stumbled to his feet, still dazed from what had taken place, and headed out of the cave, past Maralah who still sat stunned on the cave floor. Vasudha looked to the tauren woman with compassion, “Maralah, I know it’s hard to hear… but Nariko took Shirul. She took him to Mingan. She would have taken me too had it not been for the wolf.”
Maralah stood, “get to Thunder Bluff, Vasudha… but say nothing until I return.” Her voice was strangely hollow, “I need to pay my daughter a visit.”
Maralah's Story - CHAPTER SEVEN – Revelations
“You’re sure?” Onatam gripped the scrawny blood elf’s arm firmly as he asked again, “you’re absolutely sure?”
The dirty and bedraggled blood elf gave Onatam a baleful glare, “look at me you buffoon, I didn’t go to a resort in the plague lands, I certainly didn’t bring a talking cow this information without bathing first because I thought I saw what I did.”
“Armenak,” another elf with similar, though cleaner, features interjected before Onatam could react to the insults, “thank you for bringing this to us. If you’ll excuse us, we need to speak.” Deftly the better dressed blood elf steered Onatam away from Armenak. Onatam went willingly, “Deltian, your brother had better be right, I’ve already called Maralah to join us.”
Deltian nodded as the two sat on the dusty chairs of the Brill Tavern, “we may not always see eye to eye, but he’s my brother and he has no reason to lie about–,“ his words were cut short as Maralah entered the Inn.
Onatam couldn’t contain his excitement, “Maralah,” he shouted across the room, “We’ve got word of Nariko!” Maralah stopped short, too stunned to do more than stare. Recovering somewhat Maralah moved across the room and joined Onatam and Deltian. Onatam stood as she approached, moving back and forth in his excitement. “This is Deltian, his brother is the one who brought the information, she’s in the plague lands, Mingan has her.” As he spoke Onatam’s excitement turned to agitation.
Maralah raised a hand to forestall further comment from Onatam, “Deltian, please thank you’re brother for me. I am Maralah, Elder of the Den for Pack Spirit, is there some way I could repay your family?”
When addressed, Deltian stood, “it is a pleasure to meet you Elder, though I wish it were under better circumstances. There is one request I have that I hope you and your Pack will consider… I wish to join you.” Deltian watched the tauren woman’s eyes to see how she would react, knowing a little of the Pack’s history and their hatred of night elves.
Maralah shook her head, “I’m sorry hunter, elves are not permitted among our ranks. Remind me when I have a moment and I will tell you the story. In the meantime, I have much planning to do… my daughter is in need of rescuing.”
Deltian nodded, “if you don’t mind we, Gris and I, would like to help.” At the sound of his name the large wolf lifted his head and looked to the Den Mother. Maralah hesitated, but Onatam spoke up, “of course, I’ve been in charge of this hunt for some time now… more eyes and ears are welcome.”
Maralah pursed her lips but refrained from contradicting Onatam, instead she changed the subject. “I need details. Where is his camp? How many men does he have? Where is he holding my daughter? Did your brother provide you with detailed intel?”
A cough from across the room draws the attention of the two tauren and the elf, “I haven’t gone anywhere... I’m still here… still awaiting payment I might add!” Deltian cringed at his brother’s lack of manners. Armenak sauntered over to the group, “I have all the intel you need… lady,” he says as if he doesn’t really think she is, “but it will cost you. I lost a great deal out in the plague lands; I intend to get something out of it.”
Before Deltian can object Maralah interjects, “you will be paid, priest, tell me what you know.” Maralah gestures for the innkeeper to bring them all beverages and invites Armenak to join the group. “Please, make yourself comfortable.”
It was many hours later that Maralah finally stumbled out of the Brill Tavern, her plans made. She would wait until after the upcoming Council with the Bear Spirit, Tocho would be busy researching the situation if Artan once again didn’t show up as expected. If Artan did show there would be much rejoicing among the Pack and Tocho’s attention would be on the rest of the Pack. She’d be able to slip away without his knowledge. The last thing Maralah wanted was to lose one family member while trying to rescue another.
The dirty and bedraggled blood elf gave Onatam a baleful glare, “look at me you buffoon, I didn’t go to a resort in the plague lands, I certainly didn’t bring a talking cow this information without bathing first because I thought I saw what I did.”
“Armenak,” another elf with similar, though cleaner, features interjected before Onatam could react to the insults, “thank you for bringing this to us. If you’ll excuse us, we need to speak.” Deftly the better dressed blood elf steered Onatam away from Armenak. Onatam went willingly, “Deltian, your brother had better be right, I’ve already called Maralah to join us.”
Deltian nodded as the two sat on the dusty chairs of the Brill Tavern, “we may not always see eye to eye, but he’s my brother and he has no reason to lie about–,“ his words were cut short as Maralah entered the Inn.
Onatam couldn’t contain his excitement, “Maralah,” he shouted across the room, “We’ve got word of Nariko!” Maralah stopped short, too stunned to do more than stare. Recovering somewhat Maralah moved across the room and joined Onatam and Deltian. Onatam stood as she approached, moving back and forth in his excitement. “This is Deltian, his brother is the one who brought the information, she’s in the plague lands, Mingan has her.” As he spoke Onatam’s excitement turned to agitation.
Maralah raised a hand to forestall further comment from Onatam, “Deltian, please thank you’re brother for me. I am Maralah, Elder of the Den for Pack Spirit, is there some way I could repay your family?”
When addressed, Deltian stood, “it is a pleasure to meet you Elder, though I wish it were under better circumstances. There is one request I have that I hope you and your Pack will consider… I wish to join you.” Deltian watched the tauren woman’s eyes to see how she would react, knowing a little of the Pack’s history and their hatred of night elves.
Maralah shook her head, “I’m sorry hunter, elves are not permitted among our ranks. Remind me when I have a moment and I will tell you the story. In the meantime, I have much planning to do… my daughter is in need of rescuing.”
Deltian nodded, “if you don’t mind we, Gris and I, would like to help.” At the sound of his name the large wolf lifted his head and looked to the Den Mother. Maralah hesitated, but Onatam spoke up, “of course, I’ve been in charge of this hunt for some time now… more eyes and ears are welcome.”
Maralah pursed her lips but refrained from contradicting Onatam, instead she changed the subject. “I need details. Where is his camp? How many men does he have? Where is he holding my daughter? Did your brother provide you with detailed intel?”
A cough from across the room draws the attention of the two tauren and the elf, “I haven’t gone anywhere... I’m still here… still awaiting payment I might add!” Deltian cringed at his brother’s lack of manners. Armenak sauntered over to the group, “I have all the intel you need… lady,” he says as if he doesn’t really think she is, “but it will cost you. I lost a great deal out in the plague lands; I intend to get something out of it.”
Before Deltian can object Maralah interjects, “you will be paid, priest, tell me what you know.” Maralah gestures for the innkeeper to bring them all beverages and invites Armenak to join the group. “Please, make yourself comfortable.”
It was many hours later that Maralah finally stumbled out of the Brill Tavern, her plans made. She would wait until after the upcoming Council with the Bear Spirit, Tocho would be busy researching the situation if Artan once again didn’t show up as expected. If Artan did show there would be much rejoicing among the Pack and Tocho’s attention would be on the rest of the Pack. She’d be able to slip away without his knowledge. The last thing Maralah wanted was to lose one family member while trying to rescue another.
Maralah's Story - CHAPTER SIX – Blood is Thicker…
Maralah paced the tent with worry, glancing now and then at Shirul, the Shaman Legate, who was carfully avoiding her eyes. Nariko was late. It was bad enough that Maralah wasn’t able to object to Nariko going on a solo hunt, even worse that she suspected her daughter of going after Mingan, but for her to be three days late? The Hunter alpha was either unconcerned or hid it well. Hunters went on hunts, hunters came back late... it was the way of the Hunter Tribe.
But this was Maralah’s daughter, a daughter with the bloodthirsty father out to get her, this was different! Over the months the Pack had heard nothing from or about Mingan. Nariko had grown increasingly agitated since learning the truth about her father. Tocho had become increasingly quiet on the subject. Two of the Pack had been personally threatened by Mingan, the Pack wanted Blood and had yet to be sated.
Each member of the Pack watched for Maralah’s estranged husband, and no one left Nariko alone for long. But it had been so long now, almost everyone had relaxed in their vigilance. Maralah, Nariko and Tocho were some of the few who continued to watch, and now Nariko was late.
“It’s only been three days, Maralah,” Shirul said, probably trying to calm her. “She may have gone farther then she’d intended, maybe she or her companion were injured and so were slowed,” Shirul winced when he realized what he had said.
“No,” Maralah exclaimed, more forcefully than she intended, “No, I feel it… something is wrong. Where is Khaz anyway?” The two of them turned when Khazrikieh, the Water Seer, entered the tent as if on cue. “Khaz, what have you Seen? What have you learned?” there was a note of desperation in Maralah’s voice.
Khazrikieh looked grim and gestured for Maralah to join him at the fire. When Maralah sat next to him, the troll took a deep breath and glanced at Shirul before looking back at Maralah, “she’s being shielded.”
The silence that followed hung in the air awkwardly until Khazrikieh could feel Maralah bristle with some of her brother’s temper. “What I mean ta say is… while I can’t see her directly, I know where her trail went cold and just the fact that someone is blocking me doesn’t bode well.” At the shaman’s admission Maralah worked her fist trying to control her rage and fear.
Shirul turned a slightly paler shade of blue, “I’ll tell Onatam, we’ll put together a search party.” The usually jovial troll paused at the entrance of the tent, “And… I think I’ll pay a visit to the Earth Shaman, maybe the two of us working together...”
Now alone with Maralah, Khazrikieh seemed a little uncomfortable. The Den Mother couldn’t help but soften and smile at him assuming her own agitation was the cause for his discomfort. “Remember the day we met, Khaz? It seems so long ago… and here you are now, Elder of Sight, Water Seer, and acting Alpha of the Shaman Tribe. So much has changed.”
Khazrikieh shifted position and half-smiled, “yes… much has changed, and yet much remains the same.” Quickly changing the subject, Khazrikieh continued, “When will our next Council with the Bear Spirit take place? Perhaps he has a way of locating Nariko.” Somehow Khazrikieh seemed desperate and yet unconvinced at the same time. Briefly Maralah wondered if there was something more between Khazrikieh and Nariko. She’s a big girl, and she could do worse than Khaz.
“I’m not sure. Tocho has been close lipped regarding Artan lately… but you know as well as I do that your Tribe is better equipped to find Nariko than Artan.” Maralah stood, preparing to leave, “please keep trying I’m going to join the search.”
~
“What do you mean I can’t go?” Maralah was furious but Demelza, Hunter Alpha and Elder of the Path, wouldn’t budge.
“Maralah, you are a decent tracker but you won’t be much use to us out there and you know it.” Demelza’s deep tauren voice remained even and calm in the face of her fellow Elder’s building rage. “You’re too close to this, we’ll contact you if… when we find some sign of her.” Without waiting for a response, hoping logic would win out in Maralah’s mind, Demelza turned and joined the rest of the search.
~
How many search parties, how many disheartening reports? How many months had it been since that first disastrous search? Onatam led the group from Splintertree Post to Nariko’s last known location, only to encounter a roaming band of Alliance, mostly elven. The Pack was more interested in focusing on the search but the bloodthirsty elves had attacked. There were heavy losses on both sides. Onatam captured one of their tabards and learned they called themselves, “Clan Red Hand” no doubt due to continued blood on their hands.
Since then the Portal opened; Blood Elves joined the ranks of the Horde, petitioned to join Pack Spirit and were denied. Since that day Artan, the Pack’s Spirit guide, mysteriously stopped manifesting; and the Pack united at each Tribe’s place of power to bolster Artan.
It seemed like years had gone by, but really it was only months. Months in which Maralah lost more and more hope that she would ever see her daughter alive again.
But this was Maralah’s daughter, a daughter with the bloodthirsty father out to get her, this was different! Over the months the Pack had heard nothing from or about Mingan. Nariko had grown increasingly agitated since learning the truth about her father. Tocho had become increasingly quiet on the subject. Two of the Pack had been personally threatened by Mingan, the Pack wanted Blood and had yet to be sated.
Each member of the Pack watched for Maralah’s estranged husband, and no one left Nariko alone for long. But it had been so long now, almost everyone had relaxed in their vigilance. Maralah, Nariko and Tocho were some of the few who continued to watch, and now Nariko was late.
“It’s only been three days, Maralah,” Shirul said, probably trying to calm her. “She may have gone farther then she’d intended, maybe she or her companion were injured and so were slowed,” Shirul winced when he realized what he had said.
“No,” Maralah exclaimed, more forcefully than she intended, “No, I feel it… something is wrong. Where is Khaz anyway?” The two of them turned when Khazrikieh, the Water Seer, entered the tent as if on cue. “Khaz, what have you Seen? What have you learned?” there was a note of desperation in Maralah’s voice.
Khazrikieh looked grim and gestured for Maralah to join him at the fire. When Maralah sat next to him, the troll took a deep breath and glanced at Shirul before looking back at Maralah, “she’s being shielded.”
The silence that followed hung in the air awkwardly until Khazrikieh could feel Maralah bristle with some of her brother’s temper. “What I mean ta say is… while I can’t see her directly, I know where her trail went cold and just the fact that someone is blocking me doesn’t bode well.” At the shaman’s admission Maralah worked her fist trying to control her rage and fear.
Shirul turned a slightly paler shade of blue, “I’ll tell Onatam, we’ll put together a search party.” The usually jovial troll paused at the entrance of the tent, “And… I think I’ll pay a visit to the Earth Shaman, maybe the two of us working together...”
Now alone with Maralah, Khazrikieh seemed a little uncomfortable. The Den Mother couldn’t help but soften and smile at him assuming her own agitation was the cause for his discomfort. “Remember the day we met, Khaz? It seems so long ago… and here you are now, Elder of Sight, Water Seer, and acting Alpha of the Shaman Tribe. So much has changed.”
Khazrikieh shifted position and half-smiled, “yes… much has changed, and yet much remains the same.” Quickly changing the subject, Khazrikieh continued, “When will our next Council with the Bear Spirit take place? Perhaps he has a way of locating Nariko.” Somehow Khazrikieh seemed desperate and yet unconvinced at the same time. Briefly Maralah wondered if there was something more between Khazrikieh and Nariko. She’s a big girl, and she could do worse than Khaz.
“I’m not sure. Tocho has been close lipped regarding Artan lately… but you know as well as I do that your Tribe is better equipped to find Nariko than Artan.” Maralah stood, preparing to leave, “please keep trying I’m going to join the search.”
~
“What do you mean I can’t go?” Maralah was furious but Demelza, Hunter Alpha and Elder of the Path, wouldn’t budge.
“Maralah, you are a decent tracker but you won’t be much use to us out there and you know it.” Demelza’s deep tauren voice remained even and calm in the face of her fellow Elder’s building rage. “You’re too close to this, we’ll contact you if… when we find some sign of her.” Without waiting for a response, hoping logic would win out in Maralah’s mind, Demelza turned and joined the rest of the search.
~
How many search parties, how many disheartening reports? How many months had it been since that first disastrous search? Onatam led the group from Splintertree Post to Nariko’s last known location, only to encounter a roaming band of Alliance, mostly elven. The Pack was more interested in focusing on the search but the bloodthirsty elves had attacked. There were heavy losses on both sides. Onatam captured one of their tabards and learned they called themselves, “Clan Red Hand” no doubt due to continued blood on their hands.
Since then the Portal opened; Blood Elves joined the ranks of the Horde, petitioned to join Pack Spirit and were denied. Since that day Artan, the Pack’s Spirit guide, mysteriously stopped manifesting; and the Pack united at each Tribe’s place of power to bolster Artan.
It seemed like years had gone by, but really it was only months. Months in which Maralah lost more and more hope that she would ever see her daughter alive again.
Maralah's Story - CHAPTER FIVE – The Truth Revealed
Day three of Tocho's three day ultimatum arrived on the same day as the Trials for Shaman Alpha. The Trials went smoothly, a new Alpha was promoted... even on such a day the tension was thick. No one had forgotten Tocho's decree to Maralah, and few knew of their battle just the day before.
Maralah turned to Tocho, "it's time, I suppose, to tell you the story." It was perhaps a blessing that Nariko was not present for the Shaman Trials and so would miss the story of her father's betrayal and hunt of her mother. It didn't take long to impart the story to the eagerly awaiting Pack. Maralah left much of it out, focusing instead on what she felt was important. How she met Mingan, the marriage, the discovery of his true allegiance and her escape. There was no need to explain the love she still felt that caused such a horrible ache in her heart, making the betrayal a wound that wouldn't heal instead of a source of rage to feed off.
During her story the Elder of the Soul, Onatam, watched her with a critical eye. Not critical of her storytelling or of the events, but of what he could see deep in her soul. He roared just as loudly as the rest when she came to the betrayal, but he seemed to listen to the parts of the story untold.
Tocho was surprisingly silent, Maralah knew this was more like the calm before a storm but hoped that three days of being angry at her was enough to keep him from rushing off on an unplanned hunt. The longer the Chief stayed silent, the quieter the rest of the Pack grew... waiting for the hammer to fall. Finally, Tocho spoke, his voice was quiet, calm, deadly, "his blood will flow."
"Mingan still searches for his daughter, though he thinks he has a son. As long as Mingan is alive, Nariko is in danger." There were grumbles at Maralah's words, the Pack was restless... the Pack wanted blood.
~
Maralah sat stiffly in the grass as she watched the young hunters of the Pack practice against one another. The Hunter Pet Trials would be coming soon and each wanted the glory of winning for their companions. She heard Onatam approach long before he sat next to her, there was nothing stealthy about the gentle giant, Elder of the Soul. “Ready to talk?” he said gently, his gaze directed toward the sparring Kindred.
Maralah glanced at him out of the corner of her eye before looking back at the hunters, not really seeing them. “What do you mean?” she asked innocently, pulling at the grass absentmindedly.
Onatam smiled and gently punched Maralah’s thigh in a soft rebuke, “about what you didn’t say at the Shaman Trials, and what we should be doing now… about Mingan, and about Nariko.”
Maralah looked again at Onatam, she didn’t bother to hide the pain in her eyes, she knew he’d see it anyway. “Yes, I still love him. But Tocho means more to me and Mingan has crossed too many lines and burned too many bridges. Part of me hopes that he is capable of repenting, but I know better… I’ve seen too much.”
Once again Maralah looked away, staring at the broken blades of grass in her hand, “as for what to do… I don’t know. Hunting him down will tip him off that I’ve told the Pack what’s happened. And if he’s got spies he knows anyway, and knows about Nariko… which means she needs to stay with the Pack. But if we hunt him she’ll be closer to him and in even more danger…” Maralah’s voice was picking up volume as her tension rose, Onatam quickly rested a hand on her shoulder to stop the circuitous thought processes.
“Shhh, we’ll figure something out, Maralah. Perhaps if I take a small hunting party, leaving the majority of the Pack, including Tocho, here with you? We’ll find him, Maralah, and make him pay for each drop of your blood he spilled.” Despite his vicious words, Onatam’s deep tauren voice was soft and soothing. There was something terrifying and yet thrilling about the fire in his eyes. No one hurt this Shaman’s Pack.
Maralah turned to Tocho, "it's time, I suppose, to tell you the story." It was perhaps a blessing that Nariko was not present for the Shaman Trials and so would miss the story of her father's betrayal and hunt of her mother. It didn't take long to impart the story to the eagerly awaiting Pack. Maralah left much of it out, focusing instead on what she felt was important. How she met Mingan, the marriage, the discovery of his true allegiance and her escape. There was no need to explain the love she still felt that caused such a horrible ache in her heart, making the betrayal a wound that wouldn't heal instead of a source of rage to feed off.
During her story the Elder of the Soul, Onatam, watched her with a critical eye. Not critical of her storytelling or of the events, but of what he could see deep in her soul. He roared just as loudly as the rest when she came to the betrayal, but he seemed to listen to the parts of the story untold.
Tocho was surprisingly silent, Maralah knew this was more like the calm before a storm but hoped that three days of being angry at her was enough to keep him from rushing off on an unplanned hunt. The longer the Chief stayed silent, the quieter the rest of the Pack grew... waiting for the hammer to fall. Finally, Tocho spoke, his voice was quiet, calm, deadly, "his blood will flow."
"Mingan still searches for his daughter, though he thinks he has a son. As long as Mingan is alive, Nariko is in danger." There were grumbles at Maralah's words, the Pack was restless... the Pack wanted blood.
~
Maralah sat stiffly in the grass as she watched the young hunters of the Pack practice against one another. The Hunter Pet Trials would be coming soon and each wanted the glory of winning for their companions. She heard Onatam approach long before he sat next to her, there was nothing stealthy about the gentle giant, Elder of the Soul. “Ready to talk?” he said gently, his gaze directed toward the sparring Kindred.
Maralah glanced at him out of the corner of her eye before looking back at the hunters, not really seeing them. “What do you mean?” she asked innocently, pulling at the grass absentmindedly.
Onatam smiled and gently punched Maralah’s thigh in a soft rebuke, “about what you didn’t say at the Shaman Trials, and what we should be doing now… about Mingan, and about Nariko.”
Maralah looked again at Onatam, she didn’t bother to hide the pain in her eyes, she knew he’d see it anyway. “Yes, I still love him. But Tocho means more to me and Mingan has crossed too many lines and burned too many bridges. Part of me hopes that he is capable of repenting, but I know better… I’ve seen too much.”
Once again Maralah looked away, staring at the broken blades of grass in her hand, “as for what to do… I don’t know. Hunting him down will tip him off that I’ve told the Pack what’s happened. And if he’s got spies he knows anyway, and knows about Nariko… which means she needs to stay with the Pack. But if we hunt him she’ll be closer to him and in even more danger…” Maralah’s voice was picking up volume as her tension rose, Onatam quickly rested a hand on her shoulder to stop the circuitous thought processes.
“Shhh, we’ll figure something out, Maralah. Perhaps if I take a small hunting party, leaving the majority of the Pack, including Tocho, here with you? We’ll find him, Maralah, and make him pay for each drop of your blood he spilled.” Despite his vicious words, Onatam’s deep tauren voice was soft and soothing. There was something terrifying and yet thrilling about the fire in his eyes. No one hurt this Shaman’s Pack.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Maralah's Story - CHAPTER FOUR – Proving Grounds
Maralah watched with carefully schooled features as the young tauren woman fought her way through the trials. It wouldn't do to give anything away just yet. Each blow that struck the other woman caused Maralah to close her eyes and once again school herself to calm. Once the battles completed the tension mounted even further as Tocho began to pace around the cub. Those standing next to Maralah moved away a step or two, unconsciously, as if a part of them sensed her tension. Finally the moment came... Tocho stood tall before the cub and announced, "Welcome to the Pack, Kindred".
Others let out held breaths, Maralah continued to hold hers. Several months ago she’d gone to Freewind Post, as she had done many times over the years, only this time she was surprised to find a young woman where she had left a mere child. This last visit Maralah told Nariko the truth, and the young woman had insisted on coming to the Pack… anonymously.
The tauren woman looked up at Tocho's strong face and replied, "thank you, Uncle Tocho". Maralah closed her eyes again, waiting for the sky to fall or the ground to open up and swallow her.
The only sound on the plains of Mulgore in those next few moments was the distant rumbling of a kodo herd and the faint chirping of insects. The tension Maralah felt spread like wildfire through the group as each person came to realize what Nariko had said to the Chief. Tocho stood perfectly still, staring at the woman in front of him as if seeing her for the first time.
Slowly others began to move. Mostly they moved to create a clear path between Tocho and Maralah, though others stood still and simply turned their heads to stare at Maralah or Tocho and his niece.
Tocho turned, almost carefully as though he too expected the ground to open beneath his hooves, to look at his sister. Maralah kept her eyes trained on Nariko's glowing face, she has no idea, really no idea, she thought to herself. Nariko beamed with pride at her stunned Uncle before a moment of apprehension began to permeate the air around her. Nariko looked to her mother in a moment of panic, Maralah simply nodded, confirming Nariko's fears. Slowly Tocho began to approach his sister, anger rippled over him, his eyes flashed with fury.
"You would dishonour our family? Not just that, but keep this secret from me for how many years? How dare you! What would father say of you now?!"
Maralah held her ground, saying nothing. Really there was no point. Like their father when Tocho had a thought in his head there was no changing his mind. Let him make all the assumptions he wants, eventually things will cool and explanations will be heard instead of tossed aside.
"ANSWER ME!" Tocho roared with the fury of his namesake, the bear. Still Maralah remained silent.
The Pack moved about them, some leaving the tension behind, others drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Nariko stepped forward to defend her mother but was brushed aside by Tocho. Still without answering her brother, Maralah turned to her tethered kodo and began to mount. Fury rose up in full force within Tocho, "you have three days to tell me who her father is before I throw you from the Pack for good. I will not be defied by my own sister!"
Even Maralah's kodo seemed subdued as she moved down the road toward Thunder Bluff.
~
Maralah spurred her kodo onward seething with fury at her brother's actions. Just two days ago Tocho learned of Maralah's child, and in that time he'd questioned every tauren Maralah's ever had contact with. Of course all deny having had relations with his sister, who would admit to such a thing in the face of Tocho's fury? They all denied it so you picked one at random, brother? Questioning Shinde was one thing, challenging him to a fight another, and to actually post a "Wanted" poster for the Pack to challenge Shinde? Uncalled for.
The kodo slowed as she crossed the bridge out of Orgrimmar, she could see the tauren facing off. Cursing under her breath she pulled her mount to a stop and dismounted, quickly looking both over for signs of a fight or injury. "I'm glad to see you have yet to fight," she said icily as she glared at her brother.
Tocho nearly roared as loud as the bear whose form he takes as he rounded on his sister, "you have dishonoured the family name; I will fight for what honour we have left!" With narrowed eyes he watched her to see how she would react to such an accusation.
"And in your infinite wisdom you believe that fighting Shinde will bring you that honour? Look at him, he is a seasoned warrior, he's seen more time in Alterac Valley than you and me combined, he knows the Defilers from Arathi better than you know the Orcs here in Orgrimmar. What will fighting him accomplish, brother?"
For a moment it looked as though Shinde would speak up, but he apparently thought better of it and kept quiet. Instead Maralah cut off all chance of a reply from her brother and showed her own fiery nature. "Fight ME if you have to fight someone, brother." Her words held more than a hint of the same rage that Tocho displayed.
The two had fought many times, as siblings are wont to do. Each knew the others weaknesses. Maralah knew that when angry Tocho was more the bull or enraged bear and less likely to show his usual finesse. She also knew that his pride demanded he wear his Chieftain gear and so he was less armoured than he usually is. Tocho knew he would need to work at disrupting his sister's ability to heal herself, and must keep her in close proximity if he had a hope of dealing her any damage.
The fight was long, as fights between druids often are, Shinde watched with a critical eye but wisely stayed out of the family dispute. Eventually Maralah was proven victorious. Tocho stood before her, fiercely defiant, perhaps in shock that he had lost this battle. "I have won my right to privacy, Tocho, you can end your crusade now."
Maralah called upon the healing strength of the Earth Mother to bind her brother's wounds, he ignored her gentle touch and simply walked away. Silent and nearly sullen, he left Maralah and Shinde to contemplate what had just taken place.
"So... what's going on, Maralah?" Shinde looked Maralah over critically, he knew he couldn't be the girl's father, and only he knew why he had kept that from Tocho.
Maralah sighed quietly, "if I told him the story he would rush off half-cocked and likely get himself killed. Right now he's angry at me for dishonouring the family by giving birth without a marriage, but if he knew of my husband his anger would change focus and I'd lose him too." Pausing she looked at Shinde, "thank you for not saying anything to him. I'd rather he focus on me for now until he's worked through some of this anger."
Shinde nodded and headed for his Kodo, calling over his shoulder while he mounted, "it's a dangerous game Maralah, careful it doesn't backfire on you." With that the warrior headed into Orgrimmar after Tocho.
Others let out held breaths, Maralah continued to hold hers. Several months ago she’d gone to Freewind Post, as she had done many times over the years, only this time she was surprised to find a young woman where she had left a mere child. This last visit Maralah told Nariko the truth, and the young woman had insisted on coming to the Pack… anonymously.
The tauren woman looked up at Tocho's strong face and replied, "thank you, Uncle Tocho". Maralah closed her eyes again, waiting for the sky to fall or the ground to open up and swallow her.
The only sound on the plains of Mulgore in those next few moments was the distant rumbling of a kodo herd and the faint chirping of insects. The tension Maralah felt spread like wildfire through the group as each person came to realize what Nariko had said to the Chief. Tocho stood perfectly still, staring at the woman in front of him as if seeing her for the first time.
Slowly others began to move. Mostly they moved to create a clear path between Tocho and Maralah, though others stood still and simply turned their heads to stare at Maralah or Tocho and his niece.
Tocho turned, almost carefully as though he too expected the ground to open beneath his hooves, to look at his sister. Maralah kept her eyes trained on Nariko's glowing face, she has no idea, really no idea, she thought to herself. Nariko beamed with pride at her stunned Uncle before a moment of apprehension began to permeate the air around her. Nariko looked to her mother in a moment of panic, Maralah simply nodded, confirming Nariko's fears. Slowly Tocho began to approach his sister, anger rippled over him, his eyes flashed with fury.
"You would dishonour our family? Not just that, but keep this secret from me for how many years? How dare you! What would father say of you now?!"
Maralah held her ground, saying nothing. Really there was no point. Like their father when Tocho had a thought in his head there was no changing his mind. Let him make all the assumptions he wants, eventually things will cool and explanations will be heard instead of tossed aside.
"ANSWER ME!" Tocho roared with the fury of his namesake, the bear. Still Maralah remained silent.
The Pack moved about them, some leaving the tension behind, others drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Nariko stepped forward to defend her mother but was brushed aside by Tocho. Still without answering her brother, Maralah turned to her tethered kodo and began to mount. Fury rose up in full force within Tocho, "you have three days to tell me who her father is before I throw you from the Pack for good. I will not be defied by my own sister!"
Even Maralah's kodo seemed subdued as she moved down the road toward Thunder Bluff.
~
Maralah spurred her kodo onward seething with fury at her brother's actions. Just two days ago Tocho learned of Maralah's child, and in that time he'd questioned every tauren Maralah's ever had contact with. Of course all deny having had relations with his sister, who would admit to such a thing in the face of Tocho's fury? They all denied it so you picked one at random, brother? Questioning Shinde was one thing, challenging him to a fight another, and to actually post a "Wanted" poster for the Pack to challenge Shinde? Uncalled for.
The kodo slowed as she crossed the bridge out of Orgrimmar, she could see the tauren facing off. Cursing under her breath she pulled her mount to a stop and dismounted, quickly looking both over for signs of a fight or injury. "I'm glad to see you have yet to fight," she said icily as she glared at her brother.
Tocho nearly roared as loud as the bear whose form he takes as he rounded on his sister, "you have dishonoured the family name; I will fight for what honour we have left!" With narrowed eyes he watched her to see how she would react to such an accusation.
"And in your infinite wisdom you believe that fighting Shinde will bring you that honour? Look at him, he is a seasoned warrior, he's seen more time in Alterac Valley than you and me combined, he knows the Defilers from Arathi better than you know the Orcs here in Orgrimmar. What will fighting him accomplish, brother?"
For a moment it looked as though Shinde would speak up, but he apparently thought better of it and kept quiet. Instead Maralah cut off all chance of a reply from her brother and showed her own fiery nature. "Fight ME if you have to fight someone, brother." Her words held more than a hint of the same rage that Tocho displayed.
The two had fought many times, as siblings are wont to do. Each knew the others weaknesses. Maralah knew that when angry Tocho was more the bull or enraged bear and less likely to show his usual finesse. She also knew that his pride demanded he wear his Chieftain gear and so he was less armoured than he usually is. Tocho knew he would need to work at disrupting his sister's ability to heal herself, and must keep her in close proximity if he had a hope of dealing her any damage.
The fight was long, as fights between druids often are, Shinde watched with a critical eye but wisely stayed out of the family dispute. Eventually Maralah was proven victorious. Tocho stood before her, fiercely defiant, perhaps in shock that he had lost this battle. "I have won my right to privacy, Tocho, you can end your crusade now."
Maralah called upon the healing strength of the Earth Mother to bind her brother's wounds, he ignored her gentle touch and simply walked away. Silent and nearly sullen, he left Maralah and Shinde to contemplate what had just taken place.
"So... what's going on, Maralah?" Shinde looked Maralah over critically, he knew he couldn't be the girl's father, and only he knew why he had kept that from Tocho.
Maralah sighed quietly, "if I told him the story he would rush off half-cocked and likely get himself killed. Right now he's angry at me for dishonouring the family by giving birth without a marriage, but if he knew of my husband his anger would change focus and I'd lose him too." Pausing she looked at Shinde, "thank you for not saying anything to him. I'd rather he focus on me for now until he's worked through some of this anger."
Shinde nodded and headed for his Kodo, calling over his shoulder while he mounted, "it's a dangerous game Maralah, careful it doesn't backfire on you." With that the warrior headed into Orgrimmar after Tocho.
Maralah's Story - CHAPTER THREE – The Price We Pay
The attending Druid lay the squalling infant on Maralah’s breast. Just moments ago the room bustled with activity, now everyone was quiet as Mother and child met for the first time face to face. Maralah looked into the pale blue eyes of her daughter and smiled through her fatigue. “Hello, Nariko. Welcome to Azeroth!” The birth attendants smiled and began the bustle again, taking the child from Maralah to see to the new life and to let mother rest after her ordeal.
She had made it as far as Feralas, Camp Mojache, before she could go no farther. It was under the light of the moons that Child Within became Nariko… it seemed like only days before that Maralah and Mingan had said their wedding vows under these very moons. Mingan… he’s still after me, I can feel it. Nariko doesn’t stand a chance. A tear slipped down Maralah’s cheek as she drifted into a deep and troubled sleep.
While the morning dawned just as early in Feralas, the canapy of trees prevented too much light from reaching the forest floor. Perhaps it was this delay in any real brightness, or perhaps it was Maralah’s long journey and recent ordeal… either way, morning was long past when she next woke. “I did as you asked,” the young druid that attended Nariko’s birth spoke quietly to Maralah, “there is a woman that lives in Freewind Post, Thousand Needles, who recently delivered. She and her husband have agreed to take the child and raise as their own.” Was that a hint of judgement in the other woman’s voice?
Maralah merely nodded her thanks, fearing that opening her mouth would bring on the tears she wanted to shed. The thought of leaving her child broke her heart, but what else could she do? Mingan would stop at nothing to find and kill Maralah, that she could handle. But he would also continue to search for his daughter, no doubt hoping he had a son to train in his image. The child was defenceless. The only defence Maralah could offer was anonymity.
“Do it,” her voice cracked, but she continued anyway, “I don’t want to see her again, and I don’t want to know the woman’s name. Take her and go.” The other druid nodded, her face a fierce mask of disapproval, and left the tent. Slowly Maralah began to pack her things.
She’ll understand. When the time comes, she’ll understand. Maralah’s tears fell unchecked.
She had made it as far as Feralas, Camp Mojache, before she could go no farther. It was under the light of the moons that Child Within became Nariko… it seemed like only days before that Maralah and Mingan had said their wedding vows under these very moons. Mingan… he’s still after me, I can feel it. Nariko doesn’t stand a chance. A tear slipped down Maralah’s cheek as she drifted into a deep and troubled sleep.
While the morning dawned just as early in Feralas, the canapy of trees prevented too much light from reaching the forest floor. Perhaps it was this delay in any real brightness, or perhaps it was Maralah’s long journey and recent ordeal… either way, morning was long past when she next woke. “I did as you asked,” the young druid that attended Nariko’s birth spoke quietly to Maralah, “there is a woman that lives in Freewind Post, Thousand Needles, who recently delivered. She and her husband have agreed to take the child and raise as their own.” Was that a hint of judgement in the other woman’s voice?
Maralah merely nodded her thanks, fearing that opening her mouth would bring on the tears she wanted to shed. The thought of leaving her child broke her heart, but what else could she do? Mingan would stop at nothing to find and kill Maralah, that she could handle. But he would also continue to search for his daughter, no doubt hoping he had a son to train in his image. The child was defenceless. The only defence Maralah could offer was anonymity.
“Do it,” her voice cracked, but she continued anyway, “I don’t want to see her again, and I don’t want to know the woman’s name. Take her and go.” The other druid nodded, her face a fierce mask of disapproval, and left the tent. Slowly Maralah began to pack her things.
She’ll understand. When the time comes, she’ll understand. Maralah’s tears fell unchecked.
Maralah's Story - CHAPTER TWO – Descent
One of the moons was full and hung low in the sky as if expecting its mate to rise soon. There was a mist through the barren trees of the plague lands, hardly romantic but somehow it was. At the water's edge knelt the form of two tauren, hands clasped together, looking into each other's eyes. They spoke softly, the mist carrying the sound but not their words... their words were for their ears alone. The sounds of their voices were like a melody, the eerie, yet strangely romantic setting a stage, but they performed for no one but themselves.
Again the sharp pain, she opened her good eye and scanned the dark room as best she could. She could feel the anger of her captors, bristling in the room around her. Slowly she worked her mouth, trying to encourage saliva to coat her dry and cracking tongue.
"She's awake," it was the only warning she had before the blow landed.
Maralah waited with excitement for her husband to arrive home, she paced, her hands pressed to her belly. Finally the door opened and there stood Mingan, handsome as ever. She squeeled in delight and rushed to him, throwing herself into his arms, trusting he would catch her, which he did of course. He held her tightly, surprised by her enthusiasm. Kissing him on the cheek she took his hand in hers and pressed it to her belly, grinning like a fool up at him. At first he looked confused, then shocked, then overjoyed. Finally he let out his out shout of joy, scooping his wife and soon to be mother of his child, up in his arms.
Dimly she heard the voices again, the rustling voice of undead and the solid voice of Mingan. They were arguing; about what? She couldn't make it out. That bastard. She let the rage fuel her but carefully kept her tauren form, it was difficult to change when another life grew within. Once again she found herself carefully taking stock of her surroundings. There was no comfortable bed this time, and no bandages on her wounds... there were more wounds too, some were the kind you couldn't see. Why was she being kept alive?
Maralah was certain that the Earth Mother, even here in this diseased land, was watching out for her. But while the dreams of a happy past were possibly meant to bolster her, they instead tugged on her heart strings for what she thought she had. A tear formed at the corner of her eye and slowly made its way down the soft fur of her face. She winced as the salty drop penetrated one of her open wounds.
Child Within kicked as if in response to her wince. She lowered her hand to her large belly, whispering within to hold on, not yet. It was too close to her time, she couldn't give birth here, even if she had the strength.
Oh, why had I followed him? Don't be ridiculous, you couldn't continue to live the lie. Why couldn't it have been another lover as I suspected, why this? Why such a betrayal? Another tear cleared a path down her cheek just as the door to her make-shift prison opened. The figure standing in the door was clearly tauren, though she could not make out his features with the bright light behind him.
"She's awake again," it was his voice, but not. There was a coldness she had only learned to recognize recently. It was as though all emotion had been drained from him, just as her blood slowly drained from her now. "She's close to delivering, patch her wounds, I want the child alive." A cold panic gripped Maralah at those emotionless words. Her child… not theirs, she could never think of him that way again. He didn't care if she lived or died, only that the child did. What did he want with her child?
Figures moved past Mingan into the room, they stank of undeath and decay. Maralah retched before she could stop herself, one of the creatures laughed at her discomfort. With ungentle hands they began to bind her wounds, it was as though they took delight in causing her more pain. Once again the world went dark.
Maralah ignored the grass tickling her nose as she tried to come to terms with what she had just witnessed. Her fear of what might come to her unborn child kept her instinct to run at bay. The transformation into cat form had not been easy so far along in her pregnancy, but she had to learn the truth. Now she wasn't so sure she wanted to know. Maralah continued to watch as Mingan directed his troops... troops she had previously thought were part of the Argent Dawn. Once again she suppressed her instincts in favour of caution. Had he staged their first meeting?
To what end?
There was no denying it, she had married into the Scourge and it was time to get out. Slowly she began to back away from the scene unfolding before her, so intent on avoiding detection from Mingan she somehow missed the rustling of the brush behind her. A shout rang out, her heart leapt into her throat, and he turned... looking directly at her.
When she woke this time it was with a clearer head. Her wounds were bandaged, the visible wounds anyway, and she could feel the remnants of a magical healing. Maralah shuddered to think one of those vile creatures had been so personal with her as to cast holy magic upon her. With care, she sat up and looked about the room. This was to have been the baby's room, the window was boarded up, the door most likely barred. She hardened her resolve and began to plan her escape. There would be only one chance to get out, and for her child's sake she could not fail.
Getting up off the floor she first inspected the door, careful not to touch it lest a guard on the other side sense her intentions. She could barely make out the disruption in the line of light along cracks between the wood... definitely barred then. Even if she broke through she'd then have to deal with whatever guards her darling husband had left behind. The window then. Once she started she wouldn't have much time, she wasn't sure how much time she had now. Maralah rested a hand to her belly, once again whispering to her child to wait. If I must, I will kill us both before allowing him to take you.
~
She came awake with a start, holding perfectly still while trying to make out details in the light provided by the coals of her fire. Was it her pursuers or merely one of the creatures the Marsh harbours. Perhaps it was nothing, but she couldn't risk it. Silently Maralah got to her feet and began the almost painful transformation into her cat form. So much for a good night sleep. It had been like this for nearly a week, once she had escaped she'd gone south through the Hinterlands and Highlands, specifically avoiding Light's Hope Chapel and all towns and villages. He would expect her to take the easy route home, and she was more than happy to disappoint him.
It hadn't been easy getting onto the boats at Menethil Harbour, but she'd managed to do so undetected. As the craft had neared the coast of Dustwallow Marsh she abandoned it in favour of swimming ashore. Despite her efforts to stay ahead of Mingan he seemed adept at tracking her, there had been too many close calls. She faced west, toward the barrens... toward Mulgore, and stopped. With a hand to her belly and a fierce look of determination she turned east instead and headed for the water. She would swim south to Tanaris, cross the desert on foot and head through Thousand Needles to Feralas and from there fly to Thunder Bluff. It was the long way around, hopefully Mingan wouldn’t expect it.
Her decision made she quickly kicked out the remnants of her fire and began the journey, hopefully all the shape shifting had not damaged her child in any way... and hopefully the child could wait just a few more days.
Again the sharp pain, she opened her good eye and scanned the dark room as best she could. She could feel the anger of her captors, bristling in the room around her. Slowly she worked her mouth, trying to encourage saliva to coat her dry and cracking tongue.
"She's awake," it was the only warning she had before the blow landed.
Maralah waited with excitement for her husband to arrive home, she paced, her hands pressed to her belly. Finally the door opened and there stood Mingan, handsome as ever. She squeeled in delight and rushed to him, throwing herself into his arms, trusting he would catch her, which he did of course. He held her tightly, surprised by her enthusiasm. Kissing him on the cheek she took his hand in hers and pressed it to her belly, grinning like a fool up at him. At first he looked confused, then shocked, then overjoyed. Finally he let out his out shout of joy, scooping his wife and soon to be mother of his child, up in his arms.
Dimly she heard the voices again, the rustling voice of undead and the solid voice of Mingan. They were arguing; about what? She couldn't make it out. That bastard. She let the rage fuel her but carefully kept her tauren form, it was difficult to change when another life grew within. Once again she found herself carefully taking stock of her surroundings. There was no comfortable bed this time, and no bandages on her wounds... there were more wounds too, some were the kind you couldn't see. Why was she being kept alive?
Maralah was certain that the Earth Mother, even here in this diseased land, was watching out for her. But while the dreams of a happy past were possibly meant to bolster her, they instead tugged on her heart strings for what she thought she had. A tear formed at the corner of her eye and slowly made its way down the soft fur of her face. She winced as the salty drop penetrated one of her open wounds.
Child Within kicked as if in response to her wince. She lowered her hand to her large belly, whispering within to hold on, not yet. It was too close to her time, she couldn't give birth here, even if she had the strength.
Oh, why had I followed him? Don't be ridiculous, you couldn't continue to live the lie. Why couldn't it have been another lover as I suspected, why this? Why such a betrayal? Another tear cleared a path down her cheek just as the door to her make-shift prison opened. The figure standing in the door was clearly tauren, though she could not make out his features with the bright light behind him.
"She's awake again," it was his voice, but not. There was a coldness she had only learned to recognize recently. It was as though all emotion had been drained from him, just as her blood slowly drained from her now. "She's close to delivering, patch her wounds, I want the child alive." A cold panic gripped Maralah at those emotionless words. Her child… not theirs, she could never think of him that way again. He didn't care if she lived or died, only that the child did. What did he want with her child?
Figures moved past Mingan into the room, they stank of undeath and decay. Maralah retched before she could stop herself, one of the creatures laughed at her discomfort. With ungentle hands they began to bind her wounds, it was as though they took delight in causing her more pain. Once again the world went dark.
Maralah ignored the grass tickling her nose as she tried to come to terms with what she had just witnessed. Her fear of what might come to her unborn child kept her instinct to run at bay. The transformation into cat form had not been easy so far along in her pregnancy, but she had to learn the truth. Now she wasn't so sure she wanted to know. Maralah continued to watch as Mingan directed his troops... troops she had previously thought were part of the Argent Dawn. Once again she suppressed her instincts in favour of caution. Had he staged their first meeting?
To what end?
There was no denying it, she had married into the Scourge and it was time to get out. Slowly she began to back away from the scene unfolding before her, so intent on avoiding detection from Mingan she somehow missed the rustling of the brush behind her. A shout rang out, her heart leapt into her throat, and he turned... looking directly at her.
When she woke this time it was with a clearer head. Her wounds were bandaged, the visible wounds anyway, and she could feel the remnants of a magical healing. Maralah shuddered to think one of those vile creatures had been so personal with her as to cast holy magic upon her. With care, she sat up and looked about the room. This was to have been the baby's room, the window was boarded up, the door most likely barred. She hardened her resolve and began to plan her escape. There would be only one chance to get out, and for her child's sake she could not fail.
Getting up off the floor she first inspected the door, careful not to touch it lest a guard on the other side sense her intentions. She could barely make out the disruption in the line of light along cracks between the wood... definitely barred then. Even if she broke through she'd then have to deal with whatever guards her darling husband had left behind. The window then. Once she started she wouldn't have much time, she wasn't sure how much time she had now. Maralah rested a hand to her belly, once again whispering to her child to wait. If I must, I will kill us both before allowing him to take you.
~
She came awake with a start, holding perfectly still while trying to make out details in the light provided by the coals of her fire. Was it her pursuers or merely one of the creatures the Marsh harbours. Perhaps it was nothing, but she couldn't risk it. Silently Maralah got to her feet and began the almost painful transformation into her cat form. So much for a good night sleep. It had been like this for nearly a week, once she had escaped she'd gone south through the Hinterlands and Highlands, specifically avoiding Light's Hope Chapel and all towns and villages. He would expect her to take the easy route home, and she was more than happy to disappoint him.
It hadn't been easy getting onto the boats at Menethil Harbour, but she'd managed to do so undetected. As the craft had neared the coast of Dustwallow Marsh she abandoned it in favour of swimming ashore. Despite her efforts to stay ahead of Mingan he seemed adept at tracking her, there had been too many close calls. She faced west, toward the barrens... toward Mulgore, and stopped. With a hand to her belly and a fierce look of determination she turned east instead and headed for the water. She would swim south to Tanaris, cross the desert on foot and head through Thousand Needles to Feralas and from there fly to Thunder Bluff. It was the long way around, hopefully Mingan wouldn’t expect it.
Her decision made she quickly kicked out the remnants of her fire and began the journey, hopefully all the shape shifting had not damaged her child in any way... and hopefully the child could wait just a few more days.
Maralah's Story - CHAPTER ONE – Diamond in the Rough
Author's Note: The story takes place in Azeroth, a fictional world created by Blizzard Entertainment for their game World of Warcraft.
This story was created to explain why my character, Maralah, suddenly had a daughter. When the player with the character "Nariko" joined our guild she looked so much like Maralah we decided it would be a neat history. The player stopped playing soon after, but the story went on. Most of what I write is something that was role played out in-game (World of Warcraft) or via our forums RP.
~
A blade of grass rustled, setting her heart into a flutter again. Surely everyone within four miles must hear the frantic pounding of her feline heart! Breath... breath... creep forward... stop. Why? Curiousity hardly seems like a worthy answer, but isn't that always the response? Curiousity. This damnable cat form. Tocho always said it went too deep for me. But here she was, way beyond where she should be with all avenue of escape cut off. How long could she avoid the patrols of Scourge before she made a mistake?
Footsteps. The shambling footsteps of those who are no longer completely whole. A moment of panic froze the tuaren in place, her whiskers twitching frantically. A shout, she had been discovered! RUN!
She broke cover and sprinted away from the sounds of pursuit, her heart beating faster than before, adrenaline and fear fueling her speed. There were too many, one struck from the side and stunned her. She lay there, staggered a moment before her fury came to the surface. She was Elder of the Den, of PACK SPIRIT, she would not go down without a fight!
Fuelled by her rage she allowed the bear within her to come to the surface, roaring fiercely in defiance of these attackers. It was all a blur, weapons struck from all sides increasing her rage but slowing her down. Blood began to pool beneath her, the bright red blood from her own body and the rancid sluggish blood of the Scourge undead, pooling together to make the ground slippery beneath her paws. Blood was everywhere, even in her eyes, she was beginning to fade and knew it.
From a distance, what seemed like miles away, she heard the battle cry. Through the melee she lifted her head and saw, barely through the blood, the form of a magnificent tauren racing in his weapons drawn. It was the last thing she saw before losing consciousness.
~
It wasn't entirely dark, and there was pain, a great deal of pain, that must mean she's alive. She closed her eyes again and tried to take stock of her surroundings through touch and sound. There was a soft pallet beneath her, it was dry and comfortable, most likely a bed. The sounds of nature were muted, nature... in the plague lands... either way, it was muted, perhaps she was indoors. There were voices, muffled and indistinct, but solid... not like the undead who sounded like a brisk walk through autumn leaves. Her injuries were severe, she could feel each one sharply, but there was a firm pressure on them, she had been bandaged.
The tauren? Through the fog in her mind she visualized him again. Strong, swift, and deadly, had he rescued her?
The voices had stopped, she kept her eyes closed and concentrated on looking like she still slept. Someone moved into the room, a big someone. The pallet was disturbed, presumably as that someone sat down next to her. She almost flinched as a cool cloth was pressed to the wound above her right eye. The touch was gentle, almost tender, she couldn't help the increase in her heart rate as she wondered who was there.
"You are awake," his voice was deep as many tauren's voices are, but there was a kindness and gentleness that came through in his tone. He was not angry that she feigned sleep, he seemed more amused and perhaps slightly concerned. "I heard your roar and thought a bear had... well, when I saw you I knew you were no ordinary bear."
Slowly she opened her eyes, the room seemed brighter now, perhaps her own mind fog had dimmed her eyesight earlier. She blinked away a droplet of water from the cool cloth he held to her forehead and looked him over, carefully not trusting her voice. He bore many wounds of his own, all bandaged expertly, but he seemed whole and hale. He met her eyes without shyness, a slow half smile formed on his face while she inspected him.
"I am Mingan, is there a name I can use for you other than 'the druid'?" Again his voice held that odd mix of amusement and concern.
Carefully she opened her mouth, her words were quiet and broken, clearly she had not spoken in some time, "Maralah, of Pack Spirit."
Mingan smiled warmly and removed the cloth from her wound. "Welcome, Maralah of Pack Spirit. Rest and heal, we will speak again soon."
~
Had it really been two months? Maralah lifted her head from her work and looked across the room at the peaceful form of Mingan sitting before the fire. No longer was he such a strange sight, she smiled and went back to crafting the leather before her. Two months and still there was no escort to take her safely back to Undercity, or even one of the nearby borders. Mingan had assured her there was no one to spare, the Scourge were too plentiful in the Plaguelands... he suspected they were gearing up for a full scale invasion.
"Is it so bad?" Mingan had moved to her elbow when she was lost in thought, startled she looked up. "Being here with me, I mean." He smiled down at her. Such a charming smile, his eyes twinkled with the same amusement he'd always shown, she couldn't help but return his smile.
"I just miss my Pack, Mingan, I really do enjoy spending time with you here... but I can't stay here forever." Her voice sounded almost wistful, even to her own ears.
"Why not?" She expected to see his eyes twinkle with amusement again, but it was something else this time, he was completely serious. "Maralah," he kneeled next to her, "I... I don't want you to go. Please stay with me?"
The leather lay still in her hands; she stared at him in amazement, shock, unable to say anything.
The silence stretched on, and for the first time Maralah saw something close to fear in his eyes, with barely a thought she spoke quietly, "yes."
Mingan whooped for joy and scooped her up in his arms as if she were a mere child, swinging her around and shouting for joy. After several moments he slowed and set her on the ground, not releasing her from his grasp, "be my wife, Maralah." It wasn't a question, nor a harsh demand, it was a statement from a tauren who is use to getting what he wants. Maralah smiled and nodded at him, a warmth filling her from the hooves up. Without even realizing it she had fallen in love with her rescuer.
This story was created to explain why my character, Maralah, suddenly had a daughter. When the player with the character "Nariko" joined our guild she looked so much like Maralah we decided it would be a neat history. The player stopped playing soon after, but the story went on. Most of what I write is something that was role played out in-game (World of Warcraft) or via our forums RP.
~
A blade of grass rustled, setting her heart into a flutter again. Surely everyone within four miles must hear the frantic pounding of her feline heart! Breath... breath... creep forward... stop. Why? Curiousity hardly seems like a worthy answer, but isn't that always the response? Curiousity. This damnable cat form. Tocho always said it went too deep for me. But here she was, way beyond where she should be with all avenue of escape cut off. How long could she avoid the patrols of Scourge before she made a mistake?
Footsteps. The shambling footsteps of those who are no longer completely whole. A moment of panic froze the tuaren in place, her whiskers twitching frantically. A shout, she had been discovered! RUN!
She broke cover and sprinted away from the sounds of pursuit, her heart beating faster than before, adrenaline and fear fueling her speed. There were too many, one struck from the side and stunned her. She lay there, staggered a moment before her fury came to the surface. She was Elder of the Den, of PACK SPIRIT, she would not go down without a fight!
Fuelled by her rage she allowed the bear within her to come to the surface, roaring fiercely in defiance of these attackers. It was all a blur, weapons struck from all sides increasing her rage but slowing her down. Blood began to pool beneath her, the bright red blood from her own body and the rancid sluggish blood of the Scourge undead, pooling together to make the ground slippery beneath her paws. Blood was everywhere, even in her eyes, she was beginning to fade and knew it.
From a distance, what seemed like miles away, she heard the battle cry. Through the melee she lifted her head and saw, barely through the blood, the form of a magnificent tauren racing in his weapons drawn. It was the last thing she saw before losing consciousness.
~
It wasn't entirely dark, and there was pain, a great deal of pain, that must mean she's alive. She closed her eyes again and tried to take stock of her surroundings through touch and sound. There was a soft pallet beneath her, it was dry and comfortable, most likely a bed. The sounds of nature were muted, nature... in the plague lands... either way, it was muted, perhaps she was indoors. There were voices, muffled and indistinct, but solid... not like the undead who sounded like a brisk walk through autumn leaves. Her injuries were severe, she could feel each one sharply, but there was a firm pressure on them, she had been bandaged.
The tauren? Through the fog in her mind she visualized him again. Strong, swift, and deadly, had he rescued her?
The voices had stopped, she kept her eyes closed and concentrated on looking like she still slept. Someone moved into the room, a big someone. The pallet was disturbed, presumably as that someone sat down next to her. She almost flinched as a cool cloth was pressed to the wound above her right eye. The touch was gentle, almost tender, she couldn't help the increase in her heart rate as she wondered who was there.
"You are awake," his voice was deep as many tauren's voices are, but there was a kindness and gentleness that came through in his tone. He was not angry that she feigned sleep, he seemed more amused and perhaps slightly concerned. "I heard your roar and thought a bear had... well, when I saw you I knew you were no ordinary bear."
Slowly she opened her eyes, the room seemed brighter now, perhaps her own mind fog had dimmed her eyesight earlier. She blinked away a droplet of water from the cool cloth he held to her forehead and looked him over, carefully not trusting her voice. He bore many wounds of his own, all bandaged expertly, but he seemed whole and hale. He met her eyes without shyness, a slow half smile formed on his face while she inspected him.
"I am Mingan, is there a name I can use for you other than 'the druid'?" Again his voice held that odd mix of amusement and concern.
Carefully she opened her mouth, her words were quiet and broken, clearly she had not spoken in some time, "Maralah, of Pack Spirit."
Mingan smiled warmly and removed the cloth from her wound. "Welcome, Maralah of Pack Spirit. Rest and heal, we will speak again soon."
~
Had it really been two months? Maralah lifted her head from her work and looked across the room at the peaceful form of Mingan sitting before the fire. No longer was he such a strange sight, she smiled and went back to crafting the leather before her. Two months and still there was no escort to take her safely back to Undercity, or even one of the nearby borders. Mingan had assured her there was no one to spare, the Scourge were too plentiful in the Plaguelands... he suspected they were gearing up for a full scale invasion.
"Is it so bad?" Mingan had moved to her elbow when she was lost in thought, startled she looked up. "Being here with me, I mean." He smiled down at her. Such a charming smile, his eyes twinkled with the same amusement he'd always shown, she couldn't help but return his smile.
"I just miss my Pack, Mingan, I really do enjoy spending time with you here... but I can't stay here forever." Her voice sounded almost wistful, even to her own ears.
"Why not?" She expected to see his eyes twinkle with amusement again, but it was something else this time, he was completely serious. "Maralah," he kneeled next to her, "I... I don't want you to go. Please stay with me?"
The leather lay still in her hands; she stared at him in amazement, shock, unable to say anything.
The silence stretched on, and for the first time Maralah saw something close to fear in his eyes, with barely a thought she spoke quietly, "yes."
Mingan whooped for joy and scooped her up in his arms as if she were a mere child, swinging her around and shouting for joy. After several moments he slowed and set her on the ground, not releasing her from his grasp, "be my wife, Maralah." It wasn't a question, nor a harsh demand, it was a statement from a tauren who is use to getting what he wants. Maralah smiled and nodded at him, a warmth filling her from the hooves up. Without even realizing it she had fallen in love with her rescuer.
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