A Time of Testing
A feeling of pride filled the tribal chief as he watched his people gather. The mid-morning sun glinted off the spear tips of his tribe's warriors and the golden fur of those gathered. The crisp morning air chilled breath and left thin veneers of frost on the decorative gold rings in the snouts of many of the tribesmen. The aged chief noticed, with no small amount of satisfaction, that many of his people had come dressed in the tribal colors and had decorated their horns with feathers and beads. Some of the young cows, still calves in truth, had even woven freshly picked wildflowers into their manes.
The chief turned to the two young tauren standing before him, the reason for his people's festive display. Though he did indeed feel pride in his people this day, it was overshadowed by his pride in the pair that shifted restlessly before him. Fighting the sudden lump in his throat, the chieftain lifted his hands, causing those in attendance to fall silent.
"The Day of Parting has come to our village," intoned the chieftain. "In assaulting the quillboar that harass our tribe, and defeating their leader, these two that stand before us have proven that they are no longer calves, but full grown bulls of our tribe. They have passed the Test of Courage."
A great din rose up from those assembled as they stomped their hooves on the ground in recognition of the accomplishment, the ground reverberating from the force.
Turning his attention to the pair before him, the chieftain placed a hand on the shoulder of one, the gathered tribe falling silent. "Relar, my son, it has been many seasons since this village has seen one as gifted in the druidic ways as you. You have accomplished much, and I have no doubt you will accomplish much more. But no matter what may come of your journey; know that your tribe…and I…are proud of you." At this the great din rose again from those gathered as they pounded the ground and called out their support.
The elder tauren forced himself to stifle an amused chuckle as his son preened from the attention, shaking out his thick mane and baring his white teeth in a grin. Turning his attention to the second tauren standing before him, the chieftain placed his other hand on the shoulder of his son's friend and compatriot. The young bull's demeanor was reserved and quiet, a stark contrast to Relar's exuberance.
"You have already overcome much in your life, Durrock," said the chief in an earnest tone, causing the tribe to immediately fall silent. "And I fear you will face these same trials again as you venture into the world beyond our small tribe. But know this; you stand before us today a proud warrior of my tribe. You will always be welcome here."
***
The elder's words meant a great deal to Durrock, as did the firm nod from Relar, looking uncharacteristically serious. Yet it was the fierce conviction he saw in his fellow tribesmen which meant the most. Though he could feel their expectations of him as well. The elder looked out over the gathered tribe, raising his voice in a more jovial tone. "Now come! The Hour of Farewell is nearly spent. Let us wish them well before their long journey!" For a final time the tauren pounded the ground, more forceful then before, calling out for the blessings of the Earth Mother.
Durrock's gaze swept across those gathered, their golden brown fur glinting in the mid-morning sun, a stark contrast to his own dusky black. His eyes were drawn almost immediately to a female, the others pointedly keeping their distance from her. Though the tribe had eventually come to accept him, despite his different coloration and its implications…they had never forgiven his mother.
It was painfully obvious to Durrock the great sadness his mother was feeling; the tears she was fighting back with her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Yet a fierce pride was evident in his mother's eyes as she returned his gaze, and it became suddenly clear to him how completely alone she would be upon his departure. The thought dispelled much of the excitement he had been feeling, but instilled in him a new resolve to do his mother proud. As the din of the tribe's farewell continued, Durrock's gaze remained on his mother, sharing with her a few last moments.
***
Relar pawed restlessly at the ground with a hoof, resisting the urge to turn and check the position of the sun. The ground and air vibrated with the force of his tribe's pounding, reverberating in his very bones. It filled him with so much energy and excitement, that Relar thought he might very well burst. Turning to Durrock, he found his friend seemingly staring off into space. Relar rolled his eyes, unsurprised to see his friend so somber as always, despite the circumstances. Relar nudged Durrock in the arm, yet garnered no response. Undaunted, he gave his friend a solid thump on the arm, trying to get some sensation through the thick muscles of his arm. At that Durrock turned his attention to Relar, returning the excited grin on Relar's face with only a half smile of his own before turning away again. Letting out a small sigh of exasperation, Relar returned to the business of not looking towards the sun.
Relar barely contained a sigh of relief when his father raised a hand moments later, calling for silence. "The Hour of Farewell has passed; the Hour of Journey has come," intoned his father. At his words, the circle of tauren parted, leaving a gap towards the simple dirt path that led out of the village and over the plains to the forest beyond. Only Relar's father remained between them and the path ahead.
"Your path takes you to the great tauren city in the plains beyond the forest, to present yourselves before our High Chieftain. Journey well, for you carry the honor of our tribe with you." Relar let out an impatient snort as his father remained silent before them for a few moments more, blocking the path. With a soft chuckle, his father finally stepped aside and Relar eagerly set off down the path, Durrock falling into step beside him. As they passed out of the village, the gathered tauren were still, bearing witness to the start of their journey.
As they left the outskirts of their village and entered the great rolling plains beyond, it became apparent to Relar that his friend had lost much of the excitement they had shared earlier. Quickening his pace for a moment, Relar turned and began walking backwards in front of Durrock, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. The suspicious look that Durrock returned only made Relar grin wider. "Race you to the forest's edge!" Relar cried out, seeing only a brief look of surprise on his friend's face before he turned around and charged ahead. An annoyed snort and the pounding of hooves from behind made it clear that his challenge had been accepted.
Focusing his thoughts for a moment, Relar called on his connection to the Earth Mother, pushing his physical form into a new shape. Within moments, Relar was charging down the path as a great bear, only his horns remained to betray his true form. Relar let out a laugh that sounded more like a stilted roar as he charged ahead, eliciting an angry shout from Durrock, who was quickly falling behind.
Nearing the forest's edge, Relar slowed to look back and found that Durrock had come to a stop a short distance back, seemingly waiting for Relar to notice. Having gotten his attention, Durrock turned and began walking towards a portion of the forest that jutted out from the rest. Relar sighed inwardly, their game now over, and hastened after his friend. Nearing Durrock, Relar shifted back to his normal form and, upon seeing what had caught Durrock's attention, gave a delighted laugh. Before them stood the remains of a tree that had been struck by lightning long ago. Gouged into the blackened bark of the stump were two crude symbols.
"It had seemed so much farther to go back then," Durrock said with a wistful look on his face.
Relar nodded his agreement as he recalled their first 'adventure' together as calves, their friendship still forbidden. "I didn't think we could ever get into more trouble then we did that day!" said Relar, shooting a wide grin at his friend. "How wrong I was."
Durrock let out a deep laugh, taking a few steps into the forest and leaned against a tree. "It seems I've won," he said with a satisfied smirk on his face. Relar gawked in astonishment at his friend, realizing he had been tricked. As they headed back to the path, their banter echoing across the still plains, neither noticed a figure detach itself from the shadow of a nearby tree to watch them go.