Author's Notes:

I'm writing this with the notion that Hunter's pets run alongside even when the hunter is mounted. It's an oversight, and I can't see why they can't.

The sun was at its zenith bearing down its rays on the unforgiving lands that were Tanaris. Sand dunes led as far as the eye could see in either direction. You had to know your north in this place, it was a treacherous land to get lost in. With Gadgetzan, a Goblin fortification, being the only place of civilisation, there was very little around to help anyone survive in a place that held everything that wanted to eat or club you to death from Ogres to Elementals.

But then, Zol'jin was used to the heat and cold that Tanaris provided only too generously. The only thing that did bother him was that he was too far inland for his liking. His home of Sen'jin Village was a coastal one in Durotar, the sea provided much of their daily diet. Durotar got hot and cold with the day and the night as Tanaris did, but he knew better on how to survive in Durotar than this place. He had done all right thus far on the hyena's and the odd basilisk. He had tried the scorpions but found them a little dodgy.

He heard a growl of protest behind him and he twisted at the waist to peer over a long ivory tusk at his pet. Zol'jin was a hunter and was not likely to get himself lost. Sometimes, he purposefully lost himself to gain his bearings and since Tanaris was a place he was to frequent for a while, he knew most of the lay of the land. Still, one still had to be careful and diligent. He slowed his Raptor, Baba, down a little so that his companion could catch up. The two were bound very strongly and understood each other in a way only other Hunter's could.

"I bet you be hungry, Leyo," the troll grinned between his tusks, eyes watching as his pet black lion finally up and purred with agreement. The troll smiled and rummaged through a saddle bag that rested against Baba's right side. The raptor beneath also gave a hungry growl at the smell of meat in the dry air. He tossed a half to the large black cat before reaching forth and his turquoise blue raptor took it gently before guzzling it down with the same gusto that the cat shown. It was not uncommon for mounts and pets to show a likeness to their masters regarding personality.

Zol'jin let them eat for a moment, pausing only to take a drink of his water. He didn't drink too much, wary of running out of resources before he reached the Goblin town. Water was a precious commodity and one that was fiercely guarded.

Fearing he had stayed too long, he clicked his tongue and his mount started forth again. Leyo growled softly but ran alongside. Zol'jin was careful to not go too fast for Leyo, aware that lions were ambush hunters, not endurance runners. He left that to the Tauren. He would need to find a suitable shelter for the night. Last night had been one of the most dangerous. Lacking any shelter he had to keep Leyo on guard whilst he used the Raptor for what warmth it gave. He wanted to make sure Leyo got some more rest tonight.

He left tracks in the sand, which couldn't be helped and they would not stay for long anyway due to the desert winds. There was still some way to go before Gadgetzan would roll into sight and he suspected it would take another day or so travelling. After a time, he managed to find what just about scraped up as a shelter and there weren't any other animals around. The air was starting to cool in indication that nightfall was on the way.

"You can sleep now, Leyo," Zol'jin said and the black lion stretched lazily before checking the coast was clear before marking the shelter as his territory and laid down within. The scent from his marking would hopefully keep off the large predators that stalked the desert sands. The troll dismounted from the large reptile and removed the saddle. Zol'jin was a kind master though he bore an edge of firmness with his mounts and pets. He was always surprised how Baba and Leyo got on and watched as the Raptor lay down next to the warm cat. He smiled, reptile's were cold blooded and had to use the heat from external sources to get the heart to continue pumping. Leyo and himself helped the reptile to keep warm and get some rest.

After a few hours, Zol'jin was dozing on and off. He had been having trouble sleeping lately and he didn't know why. He usually slept through storms, so this was something new to him. Perhaps the grandmother would know the reasons. The grandmother was something akin to a grand Shaman, for she indeed was one, and she saw into many things and was often asked for advice.

He was about to nod off again when he thought he heard something in the cool night air. He rose to his bare feet, sitting with his body haunched and his head slightly tilted. Baba was still sleeping as far as sleeping went for the blue raptor. Leyo, however, had his head raised, his great black mane bristling a little with the winds. Zol'jin glanced at his pet and nodded, the cat had heard something too. The troll leaned forth a little, needing to hear whatever it was again.

It was a cry on the wind.

Zol'jin frowned, very few were foolish to wander into the desert without a mount for transport. It was a cry for help and he sighed, debating whether to help or not. Gadgetzan was a neutral dwelling and it was highly possible that this lost voice was one of the Alliance, but it could be some fool of a Blood Elf that had set out on some arrogant mission only to have the shit hit the fan and the fan dumped on them.

He decided to at least check it out. It didn't sound too far away, "C'mon Leyo. Let's see who dis fool be," he said as he rose checking the fist weapon and small pink glowing sword attached to his sword belt. His blue crossbow was on his back and he reached for it with a long arm as hunter and pet made to find the carrier of the voice. It had a softer edge to it and Zol'jin presumed it female in nature. Stopping a moment, he withdrew a device from his pocket and tweaked it before nodding to himself.

Leyo shifted into shadow as he found a scent on the wind and made for it. Zol'jin smirked and follow, a bolt cocked in the crossbow ready and waiting for the worst. After a few minutes, he eventually found the source, and it wasn't what he was expecting.

It was a female as he had presumed, her robes tattered and her hair thick with sand both wet and dry. He frowned, they were to far inland for her hair to be wait. She raised her head as if sensing him to be close and he was surprised again. He saw little to no fear on her face and there was something oddly familiar about her. He shook it off.

"Please.. help..."

It seemed to be all that she could manage before her head dropped again and he heard the moan. Leyo dropped out of the shadows, growling at the human before nudging her with a clawed paw and then looked up to his master for instruction. Ordinarily, Zol'jin couldn't care less for the Alliance. They were always too righteous or moody, the Stormwind king especially from what he had heard. However, he couldn't shake of the feeling that she held some importance with the Horde. Perhaps it was the voice or the face, he couldn't tell. He knew she was likely to be a priest or mage by the cloth she was wearing. He sat haunched, finding the smell foreign and unpleasant.

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