Disclaimer: No, I don't own the World of Warcraft franchise, if I did, do you really think I'd be sitting on my bum writing a fanfic?
Chapter 2
Sea birds called to each other across the peaceful, humid skies of Stranglethorn. The jumbled, seemingly unstable architecture that was Booty Bay was as usual thriving with activity. Then a horn blared, scattering the birds, and a grand ship made its way through the calm waters of the cove to drop off its passengers travelling from Ratchet.
Amongst these passengers was a slim night elf druid, who stepped lightly off the boat and, taking the shape of a fearsome leopard, leapt up out of Booty Bay and into the Cape of Stranglethorn proper. Her lithe, slight body flashed past trees and creatures as she ran as fast as she could north past the more dangerous beings that inhabited the Vale.
Kimara stopped short, panting, and resumed her normal form. Hemet Nesigwary Jr. stood before her, grinning at her prowess in killing the 10 Stranglethorn Raptors she had been assigned. She accepted his praise and his next challenge, before shooting off to the Tkashi Ruins to gather a few Bloodscalp Ears for one of the goblins in Booty Bay.
As she stalked up behind a Bloodscalp troll, Kimara glanced left and right to see if there was anyone else on the hunt for these. Apparently not – she had no need to defend her kills. Positioning herself behind the troll, she struck with a deadly Ravage that sliced open her victim's back.
The troll howled in pain and, turning to her, drew his two-handed axe and began hacking at her wildly. She expertly dodged each and every swing of the blade before striking back with her razor sharp claws. The Bloodscalp realised he could not win, and turned to flee. Kimara pursued it and with one last slash across its back, the troll was down. Kimara abruptly ripped the bloodied ears off of the corpse and, placing them in her backpack, turned to leave.
Out of the corner of her eye, though, she noticed a commotion in the centre of the ruins. A gathering of about five trolls, surrounding something that was writhing and yelling in a strange tongue. Intrigued, she shaded herself again and went to see what all the uproar was about.
In the middle of the mass of trolls was another Troll, though not like the others. He was taller, and had lovely blue hair instead of ugly tattoos and markings over a bald scalp. Something about the white paint on his face and the way he wielded his sword and shield stirred a memory inside Kimara. Outside Orgrimmar...yes, she was sure it was him. The shaman that had helped her!
Without further ado, she leapt into the air, and with a fearsome roar took the form of a great bear. Using her bulk as much as her teeth and claws, she grabbed the attention of all the hostile Bloodscalp and turned to fight them.
The shaman didn't waste any time. He cast a spell of healing upon himself and on Kimara, then with a flourish, jumped back into the fight. He and Kimara fought back to back, bear and Troll joined as one against a common enemy.
When the last Bloodscalp fell to the ground, Kimara healed herself and the shaman. He seemed a little surprised to see her again. She was sure he recognised her, from the look on his face. She giggled slightly, then caught herself.
The Troll has caught her giggle, though. He smiled, then it broke into a laugh, and within seconds both were in fits. She liked the sound of his laughter. It was clear and melodic, like the chiming of church bells. He grinned at her and gave her a thumbs up. She proffered her hand for a high five, and he took it, but instead of slapping it, just held it for a moment.
For a second, a feeling passed between them. Their hands fit perfectly into each other's. The shaman squeezed her palm ever so slightly, and she smiled in response. She had heard awful, terrible tales of the Trolls that lurked in the mountains of Durotar and ambushed night elf children and ate them. But seeing this Troll, now, their hands joined and their smiles matching, those tales were hard to believe.
Then he took his hand away, and the moment was gone. Kimara felt a little disappointed, but she knew it was time to leave. She couldn't stay here forever, gazing into the Troll's wonderful, deep eyes, wishing those strong arms were wrapped around her...
Kimara shook herself. This was not the way she should think of a Troll. They were natural enemies, Alliance versus Horde, and there was no way that could change. With a sad smile and a wave goodbye, she turned and tore away in her lithe leopard form.
Zekoth looked at the sky and sighed deeply.
