Chapter one: the race
"Come on! Walk! You can do it!" she encouraged Ladybird. The bird squeaked angrily at her when she placed the saddle on top of her and tried to pull the reigns.
"Please?" Denaestra begged when the bird refused to move an inch out of the stable. This was so annoying! She always managed to be stubborn when she could least use it. The different approach was mostly her last resort. Since she had no patience with the bird today she would need the tactic anyway.
"I have a treat for you, I know you like apples," she talked to the bird showing a nice red looking apple. The eyes of the Hawkstrider focused immediately on the apple Denaestra was holding out in one hand. She softly pulled at the reins of the pink Hawkstrider, managing to make it do six steps forwards from her safe haven. Then the bird would not move an inch. Denaestra was still holding the apple in front of Ladybird, hoping to bribe it. Instead of taking another step Ladybird tried pecking at Denaestra's hand when she would not give the apple.
"Oh come on Ladybird…I need you. Don't be so stubborn! Treats should be for after work, not to get you going in the first place," Denaestra muttered to the pink bird. It stubbornly pecked its feathers instead, reorganizing the ones that were out of order when the saddle had been put on.
"Stubborn animal! Fine, no apple for you then," Denaestra told the pink Hawstrider now with a stern voice, pulling harder at the reins. Ladybird refused.
"WALK!" Denaestra yelled suddenly, raising her arms to the stubborn bird. Ladybird squeaked loud. Flapping her small wings she pulled back instantly, scared of the sudden movement. The pink bird seemed immense strong when she had her head set to something. "Not backwards! Forwards!" The female elf cried out hopelessly. It resulted in Denaestra tripping while Ladybird pulled her back into the stables. She was dragged over the floor, smutting her lovely pink dress.
"You are hopeless," she sighed when Ladybird finally parked herself into her stable again. Denaestra looking at the torn fabric of the dress and the stains that would need a miracle to be ever washed out again. Apparently no begging, no pleading, no encouraging or bribing would help Denaestra to have Ladybird do her bidding.
"Giving you a hard time is she?" Perascamin leaned against the door of the stables, smiling. Denaestra slightly colored at the sight of the riding trainer. She did not hear him come in, or how long he had seen her struggle with the pink Hawkstrider. She looked at Ladybird before she dared look at him. Ladybird was obviously in a state less stressful then before since she was pecking her feathers again.
"She has had better days, so have I apparently," she answered him, feeling rather embarrassed. Perascamis smiled at her while walking over. He was holding out his hand to the bird, Ladybird searching it for a hidden treat.
"Oh yes, the race, that is today is it not? Your sister has chattered about it all week," he said, his smile ending into a grimace. Denaestra did not like her sister very much these days. For some reason when she became of age, all they did was bicker with each other. When Winaestra was officially announced as Silvermoons Hawkstrider breeder it did not improve Denaestra's mood much. Not that she was jealous, it was just something that had to sink in.
That Winaestra was able to make a name and title for herself as Hawkstrider breeder turned out to be a thorn in Denaestra's eye in the end. Both coming from a long line of Hawkstrider breeders it seemed a bit off that there had to be a struggle between the sisters to claim the title of being the best breeder in town while they could easily have worked together.
Unfortunately it did not work out like that for the two sisters. Even though Denaestra had as much right and almost the amount of experience with breeding fine Hawkstrider mounts as her sister, there was always this competitive behavior. They both were guilty for behaving like that, no exceptions. The only thing her sister had was the advantage of the title, being the official breeder from Silvermoon. It slightly cut down her own chances of making her own name. That they came from the same family did not help in Denaestra's case.
Even though the two females were well known for scolding each other, they had not always been horrible toward each other. Where it had gone wrong Perscamin could not quit remember, but he did know there had been times the two sisters had joined forces instead of their constant bickering.
"What about Wite? She is an excellent riding mount. She should be a nice match for Winaestra's colored one," Perascamin said as he continued to pet Ladybirds feathers. Denaestra shrugged. Wite was a white Hawkstrider, not many of them were around. Or maybe not many were known to be around.
"Wite is obnoxious right now," she said, sounding sad. Denaestra had been very lucky to trade her once. The bird turned out to be a well trained riding mount as well. On Perascamin advice she had tried to have it breed with one of the colored males she used with Ladybird.
Perascamin was a man with an eye for color and detail. He had often come and looked at the newly hatched eggs Denaestra's small flock of Hawkstrider birds had laid. Some colors were a bit off, he always advised her which could best be sold to normal customers. The ones with the best color arrangements in their feathers were either used for a next match in breeding in hopes of even better result, or sold to a high ranked official of Silvermoon. But this season had been pour for Denaestra, since Ladybird had refused to lay any new eggs, and Wite had not fulfilled her duties as a mother to her newly born chicks. She only managed to save two out of the nest of six. The colors not specifically smashing for a highly standard breed.
"Ladybird obviously seems out of spirits, so she will probably not be a lot of help for you," he said, petting the bird's beak. Ladybird made a soft squeaking sound when she heard her name. "Wite does not exactly seem to be a match made in heaven as far as the choices go that I seem to have right now," Denaestra said, sighing desperately.
"Obviously I am doing something wrong here. Ever since four of the high ranked officials came to buy one of my breeds instead of Winnaestra's, she has been more competitive towards me than ever. I never should have my sister lure me into that stupid challenge of hers to start with," she muttered to herself. Perascamin could see the frustration in Denaestra.
"Perhaps you should not be so hotheaded towards your sister, I agree. But maybe it is good thing to show Winnaestra her place," he told her. "If I am even able to do so, since I do not exactly have the right qualified birds to race against her," Denaestra stamped her foot on the ground. It was not always easy being the younger sister.
This silly race was between the two sisters. The price, for one to earn the official and alone right to be a Hawkstrider breeder in and around Silvermoon. There was obviously no place for two competitive sisters in the city. Even Regent-Lord Lor'themar himself had agreed on that. When Winaestra had requested an official race against her sister he finally agreed with the silly idea after rejecting it nine times.
"Perhaps she is afraid you will outmatch her breeding qualities at some point. You too have the abilities to become a fine breeder, but you seem to have a rather… unusual flock for doing so," he said. She looked grim at him when he stopped talking.
"And what would you suggest?" she asked, knowing he had more on his mind then what he had just said to her. Perascamin pondered for a moment:"Take Ofra instead of Ladybird," he said with a smile suddenly. Denaestra stared at him. "Ofra?" Denaestra echoed. Ofra was a good bird. It had been one of the best produced offspring Ladybird had ever had. Ofra was fast, swift, obedient to her rider and not easily scared. The only problem was she was still in training sessions for her to become a proper riding mount.
"And you think it will work? To ride out with a hardly trained mount?" she eyed him with a puzzled look. Perascamin nodded. "Considering your options, I'd say Ofra will be your best choice," he said. Denaestra folded her shoulders, perhaps he was right.
.*.*.*.
"Is it matching color day or something? Or are you trying to outshine any color available with that awful pink of yours?" the cold tone of the woman made Denaestra shiver. She had managed to find another robe that suited the pink color of her mount. When she turned around she saw her sister sit atop a brightly colored Hawkstrider. "Ofra is a fine specimen," Denaestra defended her other pink Hawkstrider. "Ofra?" Winaestra looked more closely at the bird, a nervous twitch on the right side of her mouth:"I was almost scared for a second you would have chosen Ladybird instead to race me my dear sister," Winaestra now laughed sarcastically.
"Did you know that one reason why I refused to continue breeding with her was that she was headstrong? She would not let any of the male Hawkstriders do their…duty… when the breeding season approached," she said, slightly amused by muttering response Denaestra gave her.
"She would have, were she not out of spirits. You should have more patients with her," Denaestra said to her sister. "Therefore Ladybird and you are perfect for each other, since you resemble each other so well," Winaestra laughed out loud again. Denaestra bit her lower lip in sheer frustration.
"Ladybird's eggs hatched into fine Hawstrider mounts many times!" Denaestra defended her mount, gritted her teeth.
"Ofcourse," Winaestra admitted with a sly smile;"And that is why I am still the official Hawkstrider breeder of Silvermoon…because Ladybirds eggs hatch into such fine specimen…like all your fine breeds," the sarcastic undertone was most annoying for Denaestra.
"Do not mock me Winaestra!" she said, looking foul at her sister. "Ofcourse not dear sister, I'm sure you will do that yourself. But then again you were always better at entertaining the crowd then I was," Winnaestra giggled. Denaestra turned pink in her face. "Indeed you and your mount make a fine match together…not only in color, but also in stubbornness," Winaestra and her brightly colored Hawkstrider strode off as if they had already won. It left Denaesta with a looming feeling of stress.
The laughter, the shouting, the encouraging for one of the sisters, it annoyed Denaesta more and more. Winaestra walked past the crowd as if she was Halduron himself.
"Too many feathers up hers," Denaestra hissed jealously when the crowd cheered for her sister. Perascamin smiled. "Do not worry, you will be fine," he told her, his hand comforting hers. Denaestra distressed as she was, nerves taking over. "What if I lose?" she whined. He did not have an answer for her.
"Silence please,"Ranger General Halduron Brightwings appearance made the many crowded people grow quiet. "Ladies?" he looked at the two sisters. "As I find this whole race a ridiculous idea, I am bound to what our Regent-Lord ordered me to do," he started, his voice carrying over the field in front of the Shepherd's gates. He walked up and down in front of the gates.
"Our Regent-Lord has been so kind as to allow this race for some entertainment. In the end the winner will earn the official right to be known as Silvermoon's Hawkstrider breeder, the loser will give in and step down. The best of luck to both of you," he ended.
"Danwe, please do us the honors?" Halduron said to a red haired female near him. Engineer trainer Danwe stepped forward, looking at the two sisters.
"Rules are simple! When this white smoke flare dies out your race begins," she said, holding up the flare. "'The way you chose is entirely up to you, but you have to use the main roads leading through Silvermoon City. You also have to remain mounted during the race. If you intent to trash through somebody's house in order to create a shortcut you are disqualified," she explained to both Winaestra and Denaestra.
"The first one that enters the Court of the Sun in front of the statuette in the fountain is the winner. Champion Vranesh will see to the one that wins. Any questions?" the two sisters were shaking their heads, everything was clear. "Good," Engineer Danwe said as she activated the white smoke flare and put it on the ground in front of the Shepherd's gates.
Sweat seemed to be poured down Denaestra's face when she felt Ofra pull the reins, the bird was obviously feeling the nervous mood her rider was in. Winaestra did not seem to have that problem. Her reigns hang loosely around her Hawkstriders neck. She smiled false at her sister. Denaestra swallowed, watching the white smoke flare closely. Her fingers felt numb, her knuckles white from the steady grip she held on the leather reins of her mount. The five minutes the flares usually worked seemed to take five centuries before it finally died out.
From the corner of her eye she saw Winaestra quickly take up the reins of her mount, kicking it in the side to make haste. Ofra made an angry sound when Denaestra clumsily kicked her in the side. The pink Hawkstrider was not like her mother. Ladybird would have refused to take a step when Denaestra mostly needed her to. Ofra was obedient, even though inexperienced.
Winaestra's mount ran off in a horrible speed. Leaving Ofra not far behind when the bird started to make speed herself. It's two strong legs made for running. Proving again she was a fine breed. Denaestra saw her sister take a quick right on the Walk of Elders. Winaestra moved towards the Royal Exchange in a fast speed.
Doubting which way would be shorter Denaetsra pulled Ofra's head to the other side to make the bird take a left. The legs of the bird increasing speed as the road toward the next gate was longer then Winaestra's curvy road would probably be. Somewhere the echo of a cheering crowd was heard throughout Silvermoon City. People cheered for Denaestra as well when she passed them by, but she hardly noticed.
All that was on her mind was winning. Making Ofra take a sharp turn towards Murder Row, passing the Tauren druid with her strange tents, Denaestra had her Hawkstrider slow down a little while she made the curve and ran towards the stairs. Her fingers still numb from holding the reins tight.
With the foot of the fountain in sight as the bird seemed to fly toward the end of the hallway. Denaestra let the reins loosen slightly so the bird stretched its neck to increase more speed. There would still be a couple of stairs and a curve ahead before they would reach their goal.
Cheering was heard up closer, it made Denaestra nervous when she heard people encourage Winaestra. Ofra feeling her riders mood all too well. It confused the Hawkstrider as she slowed down suddenly in the next curve. Denaestra's hands were hurting as they failed to keep the tight grip she continually had.
"No…Ofra…go! Forwards," Denaestra cried out, letting the reins slip through her fingers accidently, leaving the Hawkstrider more confused as the command was incorrect. Long reigns usually meant slow step. As Denaestra cursed on the back of the pink Hawkstrider the bird squeaked confused at her riders commands. Picking up the reins quickly she felt Ofra pick up the command again. As she made the bird run up the stairs.
The cheering crowd of citizens rang in her ears, making her dizzy as she watched Champion Vranesh stand at the foot of the entrance between the fountains statuette and the Court of the Sun. Next to him stood Winaestra, beaming. Denaestra's mouth opening slightly…she was so sure she would make it…
Painfully aware of her fingers and the muscles cramping and aching, she let Ofra's reins drop again to stop in front of the two. "The Winner of the challenge race is…WINAESTRA!"Champion Vranesh voice boomed through her head. Everything looked blurry. She was so sure she would make it…so sure…
"Hello dear sister," Wineastra said with a beaming smile. Denaestra focused on her sister for a moment. "It seems I have beaten you still, although you were not far off," she said, tilting her head a bit. Her blond hair falling over her shoulder. "That is indeed a fine breed you have yourself there. Maybe you would like to sell her to me, since you will no longer be a Hawkstrider Breeder. Or at least not here in Silvermoon and around," the smile playing on Winaestra's lips was too satisfying.
Denaestra did not smile, nor did she congratulate her sister. She simply patted Ofra on the neck, showing her she did well like she had done in all the training sessions she done with her so far.
The crowd cheered. It was over, Denaesta lost. Her heart stopped racing as the stress of the challenge finally lifted from her. She felt sad, as she came off Ofra's back, turning her back on the crowd and her sister.
Perascamin waited for her in the stables. She nearly cried when she saw him. He did not say anything when she eventually did cry.
Author's note: As everything from warcraft is owned by Blizzard, I did have loads of fun using background, lore and sceneries for creating a first fanfiction. To be sure I did it correctly I even ran ingame to certain area's to get the discription correct, not that it matters much with Cataclysm coming up, but still. And after reading many interesting stories from other's I'd figured why not. It will probably be edited at some point, since I see some defaults here and there. Hope you will enjoy reading the story. Feedback is very welcome.