Author's Note: I find myself writing these chapters to the Spice and Wolf OST. :) I realized that Kaskala is pretty war torn in the game, but I figure since I'm writing this on Cata time, I figured the village would have fought off the threats by now and returned to normal. Also fixed the spelling on Tuskarr lol

Chapter Four

A Cat is Fine Too

The Great Sea

10:27 AM

The sun hung in the sky that morning as the boat paddled on to it's destination across the sea. Below deck Audric sat with Kamp and Rosette in the guest chambers. Fascinated with the motion of the water outside the window, Rosette stood on the dresser closest the window, paws on the edge of the port hole as she avoided the splashes of water from the sea below. Audric watched with a smile as she dodged sea spray, but his mind kept traveling back to the moment she was changed. He only saw her from the side, most vital parts of her were covered, but he felt concentrated on the curves which her figure had.

She wasn't very skinny at all, but nor was she overweight. She had been just the right size of shapes her body had to offer. And then her face, those beautiful green eyes that shone like emeralds. Her hair which was cut uneven and a mess but it looked well taken care of. It was the color of the darkest nights, black enough to which no light would penetrate. For the brief moment he saw her human form, she was the most beautiful creature he had laid eyes on. Audric found himself staring at her while she looked out the window.

His mind was set. Rosette was too beautiful a woman to be damned a cat forever. Even if Sedisa refused to remove the spell, he would make her. Audric released a sigh, causing Rosette to look back at him.

"Are you okay?" Rosette asked him as she jumped down from the dresser and onto the cot.

"I'm fine, just a little exhausted." He said with a smile, reaching over and petting the top of her head. She gave a small purr, eyes closed as she let herself rest against him. It had been a couple days since they had gone out to sea, but they were nearly to Northrend. If he had the time figured out, they would dock at Borean Tundra by tonight.

"I'm sorry I have to put you through this." Rosette muttered lightly as she let her head rest on the bed.

"Don't feel sorry Rose. I would have come along anyway regardless." He smiled down at her, running his hand over the smooth fur of her back.

"Audric, how did you know Sedisa did this to me? I never told you who it was." Lifting her head, she asked as she looked up at him.

"It's not too hard to spot her work." Audric gave a light chuckle as he looked back to the window of the ship. "She is a powerful mage, if there is a spell no one can break, it's most likely her doing. That is why she remains in Dalaran."

"Is she a prisoner there? I saw her walking around the sewers."

"She's not, no. She works with the security of Dalaran, she's also one of the mages that help keep the city afloat in the sky."

"I had no idea, I guess you don't really think about how the city stays up there, just that it does." Rosette smiled as she listened to his explanations, then the thought hit her. "How do you know so much about her?"

"She's a High Elf." He spoke flatly, as if annoyed. "She is close kin, even if I am only half of what she is, our people are close knit. It is only the half breeds and their parents that are separated most the time."

"She doesn't, or won't like you much then..."

"She despises me, yes. To her, I am a walking abomination, a misfit that should have never been born. But you see, she tolerates my presence because she has to. Times have changed in this world, those that are half blood are coming out of the wood works left and right. It is becoming acceptable to have parents that are of two different races.

"The elves that are like Sedisa are old fashioned, pure blood should be the only blood, but you cannot control who you fall in love with. The fates already have your soul mate planned for you before you are even born. It is our purpose in life to find that soul that is your other half, and connect with it." Audric sighed before he realized he had been rambling. A small blush coated his cheeks as he cleared his throat.

Rosette nodded a little as she listened, then glanced back out the window. Soul mates huh? She would have blushed at the thoughts of perhaps Audric was that soul mate. She did feel an odd closeness that she had never felt with anyone else. Not to mention he was pretty hot. A smile lined feline lips as she let her tail sway comfortably behind her at the thought of them together.

Valiance Keep, Borean Tundra

8:45 PM

"We're arriving at Borean Tundra's drop off point. Everyone please gather your belongings and prepare to dock!" The captain of the ship shouted out as they were moments from land. Audric was relieved. They had been sailing over the sea for two days and Audric wasn't the sailing type. Making his way down the the stables he was ready to retrieve his horse, he slung his belongings he had carried with him over his shoulder. He would go get Rosette once he had everything packed.

Hooking things behind the saddle and onto the sides, he lead Leona out with the reins, heading up to the surface to the boat as it paddled into port. He was surprised to see Rosette and Kamp on the deck waiting for him. The fox sat on his haunches, looking up at him while Rosette sat on his head, just small enough to sit there without becoming a burden to the canine's head.

"Well, I guess you guys are as ready to get off this ship as I am." He chuckled as he leaned down, ruffling each of the animals fur on their heads.

"I like water but not this much, I'm ready to go!" Rosette exclaimed as she jumped from Kamp's head to Audric's shoulder. He smiled, turning his head as the bell signaling their arrival at the keep rang. Once it was safe to depart he began to guide is horse from the ship. Once safely on the dock, Audric pulled the think woolen cloak from Leona's back, draping it over his shoulders once Rosette jumped from his shoulder and on the horse's back. He fastened the cloak together near his neck before pulling the hood up.

"We have one of two options." He spoke as he climbed up onto Leona's back. "We can stay here for the night, or we can push ourselves and head out through the night."

"I … um..." Rosette glanced over the keep, over the water the sounds of war could be heard, roars of Nerubians and gunshots off in the distance. "You know I think we can stay here for the night."

"Sounds like a good plan to me." Audric grinned, guiding his steed towards the stables. After settling the horse in and making their way to the inn he was greeted with the smiling face of a large man at the bar of the inn.

"Well now, travelers? We don't get many of them here since the Lich King fell." The man said,serving up a drink to a gnome that stood on the bar. Audric tipped his head from under the hood, Kamp following behind him while Rosette sat on his shoulder.

"I'd like a room for the night if you don't mind." He smiled, pulling the hood of his cloak back and reaching to his pack to grab a few gold coins for the fare.

"What a beautiful kitty!" A small gnome spoke up from a chair near the middle of the lobby. She looked at Rosette, who seemed to beam with pride a little.

"She is a beautiful cat, isn't she? I'm very fortunate to have her as a pet." He smirked as he looked over to her, she glaring at him a moment before her head was met with the palm of his hand as he pet her head. Once a room had been assigned to them Audric made his way upstairs with her and Kamp. Opening the door to the room he dropped his things to the floor, stretching his arms up above his head. He had missed the feeling of solid ground. The sea was nothing compared to the feeling of stability the earth under your feet gave you.

Rosette jumped to the bed once he sat down on it, she still glaring at him but it faded once she made her way onto the windowsill, looking at the moons that lit the sky. Audric slowly stood, going to the window as well and leaning against it as he looked out with her. The two were silently, simply staring up at the stars. Rosette gave a small gasp when suddenly one of the shot across the sky. Her eyes quickly closed, making a wish.

"What did you wish for?" Audric looked over at her, the cat becoming surprised and opening her eyes.

"I didn't wish for anything." She glared over at him. Anything that you should know about.

"Well, even if you did wish for something, it's good not to tell anyway or else it wouldn't come true." He said, a light smile on his face. Oh that smile that could make a girl's heart melt. She stared at him, then quickly brought her paws up, smacking herself across the face. Audric furrowed his brows, watching as the cat assaulted herself. Stupid stupid stupid! Stop going gaga over this guy!

Shaking his head, Audric pushed from the window and made his way to the bed. He sat down before falling backwards onto it, closing his eyes and letting his hands spread out to either side of him. Rosette watched him before looking back out to the sky, giving a small sigh. It wasn't long before she heard the soft sounds of his light snores. She quickly turned herself around, seeing that he had moved himself from simply laying on the bed to into it.

Nimbly she made her way down from the window and onto the bed, sitting beside him on the empty side of the bed. Ears lowered slightly, she watched him sleep while her tail twitched softly. She swore that thing had a mind of it's own. "It is our purpose in life to find that soul that is your other half, and connect with it." The words echoed in her head. She had never considered much about the opposite sex, but Audric's words from earlier seemed to have struck some kind of cord within her. She had started to build some kind of infatuation with this man. Softly she closed her eyes, moving herself onto the pillow near his head and curled up into a ball, settling in for the night.

The Flood Plains, Borean Tundra

4:25 PM

"Kaskala." Rosette pronounced the road sign as the passed a three way crossing. "You know, I've never really been to a lot of these places."

"Kaskala is one of the many homes to the Tuskarr." Audric explained as they rode along. With Kamp sitting on the end of the steed, Rosette was up in front again near his lap, looking around while she hid within the thick woolen cloak he always seemed to wear. While snow wasn't too present in the area they were traveling, it was cold and Audric made sure to keep the cloak covered over both of them.

"We've been traveling a while, do you think we could stop and take a rest there?" Rosette looked up at him with those adorable feline eyes. How could he say no to a face like that?

"Are you sure?" He tried to change her mind, if they kept going they would make it to Dragonblight by nightfall.

"I'm tired of riding on horseback, we've been at this all morning." She whined lightly, lowering her head as her ears folded back. Audric just sighed and shook his head, reaching up and ruffling her fur on top her head.

"Alright you lazy cat. We'll take a small rest at Kaskala and we'll head off later." He grinned, looking down at her disheveled appearance as she tried to maintain balance from his hand rubbing her head. Kamp looked behind him at the two, then back to the rock paved road that they were leaving behind as they made their way to their next destination. He gave a small groan as his ears twitched, causing Audric to reach behind him and give the fox a pat on the back. He knew Kamp didn't care much for pit stops either.

Another road sign pointed the way to the small Tuskarr village. Large mammoth tusks set up like a doorway made a path into the establishment of fat walrus-like people. Audric guided Leona down the path, watching as the Tuskarr around them stopped what they were doing to watch the group wander into their town. Rosette watched in return, blinking a few times. She had never really seen one of these guys up close because she never bothered meeting one.

"Do you think they're friendly?" She asked as she lifted her head to look up at him.

"Of course they are. They're just curious as to who's coming into their village. Wouldn't you be too?" Audric reassured her, petting her head before they came to a stop in front of a large building made of leather and tusks. Smoke billowed up from the small hole in the ceiling, incense burned in pots of gravel just outside the door. The musk smell of them filled Rosette's senses to the brim.

"Why are we here?" She gave a light cough as she lifted her paw and tried to block out some of the smell.

"We're going to ask the chief of these people if it is alright for us to stay. We cannot simply walk in here and stay uninvited." Audric said as he slid off the side of his horse. With the cloak being pulled away from her she suddenly felt that rush of cold air hit her. Even the fur on her body had not prepared her for that. She shivered as she looked around, noticing they were around an area of snow. As a matter of fact this whole village looked like was sitting on nothing but a big patch of really thick ice.

The cold whipped around her like an unwanted blanket and before she knew it, it all stopped. Audric had picked her up from the horse's back and drew her into the warm embrace that was his arms within the woolen cloak. Kamp jumped down, standing at his side as he looked around the village. With footsteps crunching the snow under their feet, Audric made his way into the large hut, pushing aside the curtains that serve as a door. Towards the far end of the hut sat a large Tuskkar, a pipe hanging from the corner of his mouth while his mustache seemed to wiggle on it's own every time he breathed.

Slowly Audric approached, two guards that were on either side of the door watched them with every step they took. For what holes had to be made in the hut, it was surprisingly warm. Rosette peeked her head out from the woolen cloak to view the building in more detail. Once they had made it to the chief Audric lowered to one knee, bowing down in respect while Rosette moved to sit up on his shoulder. The Chief looked at them, head tilted before he took a few puffs from the pipe in his mouth.

"Greetings travelers, what brings you to our village of Kaskala? The cold? Perhaps you are weary from your travels." The Chief spook in a deep baritone voice, it startling Rosette at the sound of it.

"We were wondering if it would be alright for us to stay in your village to rest before we continue on." Audric remained on a knee before him.

"You are welcome to stand in my presence traveler, and you are welcome to stay here as you wish." With a large smile the Chief stood, waddling to Audric and planted a large hand on his shoulder. The force of it caused Audric to buckle a little, then he was suddenly hoisted to a stand as the Chief put him upright.

"T-Thank you. Chief." Once he had gained some composure, Audric nodded his head in thanks, a light smile on his face.

"We welcome many travelers to our village, you shall be no different. We are a peaceful village so I ask of you not to start trouble with any of those that are your enemy." He patted him on the shoulder as he spoke before returning to his spot on the floor. He took the pipe from his mouth, holding it out to Audric to take a sample. He gladly accepted it, taking a few puff and causing Rosette to make a small face. Who would want to share a pipe after some walrus man? Once Audric had his fill he returned the pipe, letting the smoke escape from his lips and up to the ceiling above.

Kaskala, Borean Tundra

11:42 PM

The night was going on slowly. Too slowly for Rosette. For some reason she was unable to sleep very well and continued to wake up. Next to her Audric slept soundly, Kamp at his feet while they rested in a small hut under animal furs. Unable to get another night's sleep Rosette stood from her place among the furs and stretched her body up, standing on her toes while her tail pointed to the air.

She padded along the floor till she made her way to the door, shoving aside the small curtain with her shoulder and stepping out into the cold night. She lifted her eyes to the sky, suddenly becoming amazed with the sight above her. Without the flood of lights you got from cities or towns, you could see millions of stars above. Each one twinkled like a jewel in the sky, it looked like a dark tapestry simply encrusted with small diamonds. With careful steps she jumped up to the roof of the small hut they were given, taking in the sight.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" After a moment of her own that baritone voice sounded out, startling her for a second before she looked down at the Chief as she looked up at her. She wasn't sure how to respond, should she keep up her facade of a being a simple cat? Should she talk and make him think he was going insane? Rather then do either she looked back down at him before hopping down to the snow next to him. The large Tuskarr sat down into the snow, patting the spot beside him while he took small puffs from his pipe.

"I'm sure you don't see stars like this where you come from." He grinned down at her as she sat. Rosette turned her eyes back to the sky, letting a small sigh. No, she really didn't. The stars continued to twinkle above them as she looked back to the Chief.

"You're an interesting little creature. Not much of a worry in the world, free to play, sleep when you want. You live such a simple life, and you remain happy with such." The large Tuskarr spoke as he gently petted her head. He just explained a life she never hand, the stereotypical life of a cat she didn't even know.

"Cats don't have any worries about wars, making sure you make the right choices for the well being of your people. You silly things sure are lucky." You just described a pride of lions. Isn't that the same thing they do? Well, without the wars … wait … Oh I don't even know anymore. Why is this guy talking to me anyway? What is it about cats that make you want to tell your problems to them?

The Chief went on through the night, telling this cat everything from his troubles to the bounty of fish they had caught the day before. Rosette listened, though on the inside she was tearing at her ears of having to listen to one more story about fishing. She plopped to the ground, placing her paws over her ears as she gave a soft groan. The Chief looked at her, then with a grunt he pushed himself up, motioning for her to follow. Once it was safe for her to remove her paws from her ears she stood up, following after him.

He led her along the buildings out to the docks where he stood, puffing at his pipe as he looked up at the sky. He then knelt down, plucking a basket from the snow and opening it to show a bounty of fish. He motioned to them, a smile forming under the large mustache as he offered her the fresh fish. Rosette was reluctant at first, the thought of eating raw fish made her stomach turn, just like she had to eat the raw leftover scraps of meat. However the kind gesture couldn't go unnoticed and she climbed up onto the basket, taking a fish out with her teeth.

"You're a good listener, for that I offer you whatever you want from our storage." He said as she tore into the fish, spitting out scales and scratching away to clean them off. He leaned down, giving her a final pet on the head before waddling off to return to his hut. Rosette sat up a moment, watching him leave before glancing down at the half eaten fish in front of her. She shrugged, leaned down to finish the meal. It wasn't so bad once you got the scales out of the way.

The Flood Plains, Borean Tundra

8:05 AM

"Do be save on your travels and may your nets always be full!" The Chief had bid them goodbye the next morning as he sent them on their way. Audric was well aware of the new bag they had managed to obtain over the night as they began walking down the path towards Dragonblight.

"The chief must have really liked you, a whole bag of fish?" He asked, looking back at Rosette as she sat on top of her prize.

"You know, sometimes you just need to talk to someone. When there's no one else to turn to, a cat is fine too." She said laying across the lid of the fish basket.

"A cat is fine too?" Audric repeated the words, giving a small blink before looking strait ahead at the road as he led Leona down it, Kamp almost looking like he gave a shrug as he walked beside the horse.