The rainy morning had turned to sun by noon; birds were soon chirping and critters were out and about. Mae had just left Stormwind, and after selling some items on the auction house, she purchased some food and drink for the road.
The bustling city wasn't her kind of place. She preferred the forest, it was solitary and peaceful, besides the wildlife and of course the odd traveller that might pass through.
Her nightsaber was stabled not far down the road from the small village of Goldshire, to which she could see from her perch in a nearby tree.
Biting into the bread, Mae washed it down with the fresh milk, sighing softly in the shade of the tree she was in.
She knew another long night awaited her when dusk fell, venturing back to her city to pick up more goods. She had already had a long trip the previous night and knew her saber could use the day to rest.
It took her no time at all to take advantage of this opportunity to relax, and after her snack, she soon fell asleep.
When Mae finally started to wake, she was quick to take notice of the lack of animals. The area she fell asleep in was well known for the wolves and deer, even the odd cow and sheep. The silence alarmed her.
After rubbing her eyes and sitting up, it wasn't long before a scream tore through the silence.
Running from Stormwind, was a woman. Smoke rose into the air and Mae could barely make out more panicked screams that echoed in the distance.
In the midst of it all, the woman who had come running from Stormwind suddenly stopped in her tracks, her screams fading before she stumbled and fell, a large arrow protruding from her back.
"Shit." Mae silently cursed, barely a breath leaving her lips.
Too soon the hunters pet was at the woman's side, sniffing her body. They looted what was worth from the woman, obviously much stronger than she.
Mae decided holding still was her best bet at this time; she was far stronger than the human that lay dead below her, but she could tell she was far weaker than the hunter that stood.
Hugging the tree, she kept silent, but it wasn't long until the hunters pet caught sent of her and ran to the tree she was in, alerting it's owner.
Not far behind the hunter was a large group of the Horde. A raid no doubt.
Mae looked in fear at the hunter as it took aim at her, a sinister sneer on his face as he steadied his arrow, ready to make another kill. But before he could release it, a hand stopped the Troll in his tracks.
Words were exchanged that she didn't understand. She had learned a few words here and there but speaking fluent Orcish was not going to happen. The Orc finally looked at her, their gazes locking.
As long as she was up here she knew she could down a few arrows, at the most.
Taking advantage of the moment of stillness, Mae shapeshifted and climbed higher into her tree.
Her fur was dark, almost black. It was only when the sun hit it the right way did it reveal its blue-black undertone and an even darker leopard pattern.
The druid on her shoulder was a few shades lighter as well as under her large paws.
Were they this intent on killing her? They should have moved on by now, but it felt as if she had been waiting an eternity.
It was then she caught sight of the Orc making a motion towards her, asking her to come down.
"Ha!" Mae let out a dry laugh. "As if I'm coming down from here!" She shouted down to him. "Just go die!"
It didn't take them long before a torch was lit and brought to the base of the tree, her ears pinning against her head as she watched silently.
Glancing around frantically, she searched for another tree to jump to; she even debated on whether she could make the jump to the roof of the Goldshire Inn.
Crawling lower on the branches, Mae positioned herself. She hesitated though, it was a far jump even for her strong legs.
The moment her paws left the tree, she knew she wouldn't make it. Her next best bet was to hit the ground and make a mad dash for safety. Maybe stealth into a nearby bush once she was out of sight.
Her legs began to kick as soon as she felt the dirt against her paws, but much to her dismay, she didn't go anywhere.
A Tauren had caught her hind leg with a bruising grip. A powerful growl vibrated in her throat as her claws extended, flailing wildly in hopes for release, but the Tauren was quick to counter as he grabbed her in such a way so her paws were out and away from him.
Her face was roughly pushed to the ground, swearing she felt a fang knock loose as stars danced in her vision.
A firm hand gripped her jaw, slightly smushing her feline face.
"Lul Gijak-Ishi." The Orc spoke to her, so close she could feel his breath ghost across her face.
The blood on his armor stung her nose, the blood of innocents...the blood of her people.
The darkness soon overtook her.
When Mae awoke again, her head throbbed and she could feel a good sized lump growing on the back of her head. They must have hit her with something good to knock her out.
Groaning, Mae shook her head a bit. It was then she realized that she was moving, but it wasn't her body that carried her.
Looking down, the first thing she saw was fur. Inspecting it closer, she found it was a Worg, carrying the Orc and herself.
Looking now and being this close, she hadn't realized before. He was huge.
His skin was green and brown, with patches and splatters of a reddish brown tint here and there. Blood and dirt no doubt.
"Mabaj bot ob armauk." Came a voice from behind Mae. The Orc laughed and shook his head, replying to the other before glancing down at her. And she swore she must have been dead becsuse she understood what he spoke next.
"Do not worry she-elf. I will not skin you for your pelt, though it looks like it could bring me in some decent gold!"
Seeing the fear flash in her eyes made him burst out laughing; Mae however did not find this funny in the least.
"Nar Thos." Spoke the orc.
"You are mine."
Mae gulped loudly and her tail curled tightly against her body.
"Oh elune...what trouble have I gotten into.."
After some clear warnings to not claw his Worg, and a threat to cut out her tongue, Mae shifted back into her elf form. The Orc lifted her with ease and placed her in front of him on the Worg, who glanced back at her.
A skeletal horse trotted up to them, the Orc and an Undead spoke amongst each other, of what she had not a clue.
But when the Undead reached over and grabbed her breast in a painful grip that caused her to gasp, a dagger moved quickly past her and the Orc lodged it into the Undead's arm.
"Ashdautas Vrasubatlat!" The Orc's voice rumbled through her, making her feel as if she was going to be ill. It was a clear warning to anyone that might have had any dirty ideas about her and a hefty 'do not touch' sign.
When the group finally stopped for rest and feast, Mae sat on a rotting log. Her heart was beating in her ears and it was like her breath stopped. She was scared. Horrified at what could happen to her.
A nudge startled her into a standing position, her first instinct was to attack but with a raid of 40 members, instant death would be in her near future.
"Eat." The Orc grunted at her before sitting on the log. Mae looked to the plate, wanting to refuse it, but with the scent of roasted stag wafting into her senses, it didn't take much convincing before she finally sat down and started to eat.
Being weary and not letting her guard drop, she flinched whenever the Orc made any movement. His hand then came to rest upon her face, to which she leaned away from, which clearly unimpressed him.
"Do not touch me you disgusting beast!" She snapped, glaring at him.
The sharp slap ran through her ears, her skin instantly throbbing and she could taste blood on her tongue. Her heart pumped with adrenaline, every part of her screaming to fight back. She looked to the Orc who then cupped her face where he had hit.
"Mine." He spoke before tossing her plate to the side, grabbing her breast and launching his other hand towards her. Mae flinched in fear of anothet strike, but instead his hand went down her leather pants, making her ears flush a darker purple due to embarassment and anger.
"Mine. Whatever I want, I take."
The Orc wasn't having nay of her 'I'm tough' bullshit. He knew he could kill her with one blow of his ax; He was a warrior after all.
Once the tents were up, the Orc was nowhere to be seen. Some of the other Horde looked curiously in Mae's direction. Others looked disgusted and outraged that they had to share the vicinity with Alliance scum. Then there was those that looked upon her with lust and other horrible intent shimmering in their eyes.
A Troll had even pushed her down with the mounts, and though she didn't fully understand what he had said, she knew he was telling her to sleep with the animals where she belonged.
Joke was on him though, she wouldn't have minded that compared to what did happen.
Mae was brought to a tent made of animals skins, of which the Orc resided in, scanning over a map.
"You. Strip." The Orc ordered without even casting a glance in her direction.
Not wanting to anger him any further, since he looked rather unhappy at whatever plans he was looking over, she obliged.
He finally stood, and began undoing his own armour. Mae swore she felt the ground shake when the plate was put down, hearing the clank then the under cloth of the armour being removed. Fortunately underwear remained, though hers did not.
Panic rushed through her as she stood motionless. Was he about to do something to her?
"Come." As those words left his lips, she swore her heart stopped and her legs became lead.
Reluctantly though, she crawled into his bed, her heart beat pounding in her ears.
A large strong arm pulled her small body to his, and soon snoring filled her long elven ears.
Mae felt like she had just won something amazing. At least he just wanted to sleep and no more than that. It was a huge relief knowing how much worse it could have been.
Sleep wasn't coming to her easily though, but it wasn't long before she started to drift off. Instead of counting sheep, she looked at his arm and hand. The curvature of his muscles and scars. His hands were strong, he could no doubt crush her skull one headedly if he wanted to.
That had been her last thought before sleep finally took ahold of her.