Now unlike the last tale this was the true scribing of the Stonehorn. The 'unknown' elder that hid the two sisters was actually their father. There was no prophecy or tale of the future given at that point nor was it Thrall who found them. Perhaps Tosui took such liberties to impress Mharin for at the time of his scribing he had not yet been chosen by her and in fact could have lost her to a warrior from another tribe. ~ Grajaad
Many moons have passed since the new tribe of Stonehorn came to be and many more have passed since it dispersed upon the winds once again. But its only survivors passed the oral story, which is also part of its tradition, to first the new tribe and now to you as i now record the history of the tribe of Stonehorn, its downfall, rebirth and second fall. This is the account of many tales as Mharin and Rhyia, the last true heirs to the Stonehorn tribe, handed them down to me.
In the beginning there were the Tauren, and the Tauren formed many tribes. Each tribe was proud to follow the ways of nature, the ways of the Earthmother.
Many of the Tauren tribes had a special connection with the feminine, its Wisewomen guiding the tribe in times of peace and its fearsome warriors protecting its people in times of war. These tribes believed the way of the Earthmother was to live and let live, to be like water and follow the path placed before you. Female Taurens have always been the leaders of these tribes, strong in their connection to the Earthmother some were touched by her while still in the womb and seperated to lead and guide. Those were given the title of Chieftess and would lead the people in times of peace while in times of war Male Tauren would step forward and take leadership and use their strength and determination to keep the tribe safe.
To be a leader of the Tauren was a hard life. One without reward. One with many regrets and much remorse. It was also the biggest honor to be bestowed upon a Tauren and it was a honor bestowed only by the Earthmother herself. These Tauren tribes did not believe in hereditary rights. They believed that each moment required different wisdom, each time different leaders. Whenever a Chieftess or in war the Chieftain lay dead, a new one was elected through rites of prophecy. Through quests of wisdom the Earthmother would give them all just so a new leader could be forged from the ashes of the old.
The Stonehorn tribe was always striving to increase their lore, to aquire new knowledge and to commune with it. 'To know is to live' the elders used to say, 'and to live is to search for more knowledge.' Wisdom and knowledge were what the Stonehorn tribe searched for and it was this search that lead to thier downfall.
At this time the centaur tribes had grown and they were competing with the the Tauren for the lands resources. Many of these Tauren believed the tribes could live together in peace, but we now know the centaur wanted it all. The centaur first approached the Stonehorn tribe in friendship, with promises of centaur knowledge and fake gifts of friendship. For the first time the Stonehorn tribe did not commune with the Earthmother. They believed that only years of prosperity and peace would come from accepting the centaur as friends.
Unknown to the Stonehorn, the centaurs were planning a massive attack which would start on Stonehorn lands and carry over to the rest of the Tauren tribes. Many tribes perished that day, the few survivors of each tribe seeking refuge within the remaining tribes. Here the remaining Stonehorn elders drew lots and asked guidance from the Earthmother. Perhaps it was because of their failure to seek her council before, but they recieved no answer from her. The final battles of the war were drawing near and the Stonehorn felt they had to atone for forsaking her earlier.
Thus they fought. Slowly, bit by bit, the tribes were pushed from their lands and the Stonehorn fell. The elders tried hiding their calves but each time the hyenas trained by the centaurs sniffed them out and slaughtered the children and caretakers. On the morning of the final battle one hunter could not stand the elders choices any more. He alone took his children into the forest and there he found the abandoned den of some forest animal. Though it was a struggle, he managed to get his twin daughters safely inside. He covered the entrance with various foliage and as he turned to leave he was attacked by a patrolling group of centaurs. Overpowered he was killed and his dying body fell upon the entrance to the cave. The Earthmother herself must have reached forth her hand at that moment for the branches did not break and left it seeming as though the bank was solid. The centaurs called forth their hounds and had them search the area but again She must have reached forth and protected the children for the hyenas did not catch thier scent.
The horns of battle were sounded and the centaur left to fight. The battles that day were bloody and fierce. As the Tauren race was slowly destroyed there came from the east or perhaps the northeast, Thrall and his people. The orcs saved the Tauren that day and pacts of friendship were exchanged. All was well...
However one warrior, a female troll, felt the urge to wander and explore. In her explorations she came across the body of their father. Her curiosity led her to attempt to move the body and at her touch the branches finally gave way and the body slid to reveal two young terrified Tauren. That day the troll took them into her care, fighting those who would challenge her right to them. The remainder of the tauren were more than happy to have the children taken from their new lands. And so Mharin and Rhyia alone survive the tribe of Stonehorn. And they gather about them those they trust, those who are without family and claim them as their own.
Though the tale of the sisters does not end here, it is here i shall end. Perhaps another day i will relate what has come after but for now i am tired and this is enough. Blessings of the light, the Earthmother and Elune be with you...