Chapter 21
The grey bull awoke to the taste of bile creeping up his throat and the dry heat of Desolace, so like the land he was born in. His brain pounded savagely in his skull, his bones were sore and fur singed, and his chest was bandaged from neck to navel.
Taff rubbed his head tenderly as his eyes slowly adjusted to the dimly lit interior of the tent he lay in. He could find no trace of his comrades, though the unique odor of the undead lingered in the air. Taff found his under clothing, armor, and weapons propped against a nearby wall. After fully dressing, he was going to venture outside, when he was visited by Eck.
"What happened," the tauren asked groggily. He was still weak and found it difficult to stand.
Eck thought to himself. "Well, we were engaged in that battle with the Shadowtouch tribe, you're good up to there."
"Shadowtouch?" Taff asked.
"The centaurs. They were of the Shadowtouch tribe. The other centaur, Nessus of the Baneblood clan, is the one who saved us."
"He didn't save us," Taff muttered. "He was one of the assassins."
"No, Nessus is of the Baneblood, one of the tribes who still resist the Burning Legion."
Taff's head spun in confusion. "How long have I been asleep?" he asked. "Just give me the condensed version."
"The troops we are supposed to aid are in fact the Baneblood tribe. Several rival tribes have joined with the Burning Legion, who has a strong foothold in these lands. Our mission is to eradicate the demons, and all those who have affiliated themselves with them."
"So we get to kill the centaurs?" he asked.
Eck examined the grey bull closely. "Should I be worried?" he asked.
"What do you mean?"
"You don't kill," he started. "Not unless you have to. But there's something wrong with you, isn't there."
"Why don't you just read my thoughts?" Taff snarled. "Don't think I am ignorant to why you first joined our team. The Dark Lady desired a mole in the Horde's elite forces, did she not?"
Eck's eyes grew wide. "So you knew all along?"
"I was suspicious of the undead, as most all the Horde was at first."
The undead gave the closest to a laugh that he ever gave. "You are right, Taff. I was put on your team as an agent, to learn of your plans and read your thoughts. But I can't read your mind, Taff. Something about you, either you are too strong, or those spirits you commune with protect you."
"Then until you can read my thoughts, my past will remain my own."
The grey bull stormed through the tent, extended a hand to pardon the animal skin that served as a door, and stopped.
"I'm sorry," he sighed. "My remarks were unnecessary."
"I have told you about my life as a human, about how I succumb to and served the Scourge, and how I joined the Forsaken. It was not an easy thing to do, but something necessary." He leaned on his staff as if in deep thought. "But you keep your own secrets; from me, from Cerberus and Aloos, even from Lunn."
"Do you wish to know my past?" Taff asked.
"I believe it would be good."
"The ancestors do not allow my thoughts to be read, but I may tell you."
Eck lowered to the ground and folded his legs beneath him. He still held his staff close.
Slowly, the tauren began.