VIII
They were ushered in Baine Bloodhoof's tent. Kador Cloudsong and his "friend", a strange-looking Tauren covered in fur as black as night and curved, long horns like onyx. Stark red eyes looked upon Baine as they two came to a rest. The strange Tauren looked up at Baine, his red eyes seemed to burn like two tiny coals against the night. Baine smoked his pipe and looked with narrowed eyes at the stranger now in his tent.
"Don't think I am easily fooled by your appearance, stranger," said Baine. "I can smell a black dragon from a mile away."
"I am not here to deceive you into thinking I am not," said the stranger. "Yes, I am a black dragon. I was ordered to carry the shaman Kador Cloudsong safely from Theramore––as the Earth-Warder promised."
"And I thank you for that," said Baine. "But why––"
"Why the disguise?" the black dragon asked. "To not rouse those who would take greater interest in my presence here, and to make sure that your deed goes unnoticed by Garrosh."
Baine sighed with a deep rumble, puffing out his thoughts in a ring of smoke.
"What is your name, dragon?" he asked.
The black furred Tauren smiled rather pleasantly.
"I am Dannathion. Though, Lord Neltharion likes to call me Danny."
"Danny," said Baine. "Thank you for bringing my shaman back."
"Of course," said Danny.
The High Chieftain puffed away at his pipe again and then leaned over to offer it to the disguised dragon. Danny took it and gave a puff for himself. He could taste a slight cinnamon sweet upon his tongue and he smiled again.
"I must ask for your herbalist, High Chieftain," he said. "This is some of the best smoking weed I've tasted."
"Then, perhaps I can provide you with some to return home," said Baine. "As a token of gratitude. And my thanks to the Worldmender."
"I'm afraid he's not much of a smoker," said Danny. "Though, he has a small fondness for the hookah. But am afraid spirits are his favorites, though."
"Drowning his past behind whiskey is no way to live a life," said Baine.
"Can you blame him after what all he has done?" Danny asked. "Deathwing didn't just harm you mortals, he harmed us too. No one was left untouched."
"So, I've heard," said Baine. Danny passed the pipe back to the chieftain. Baine inhaled, smoke pouring from his snout. "I can sense that you are not just here to protect the life of my shaman."
"No," said Danny. "I didn't just come here for that. My lord wishes to propose an agreement."
"What kind?"
"Perhaps you should talk about that with him yourself," said Danny, a small smirk curling his lips.
Baine shifted as the disguised dragon pulled from his dark brown, leather pouch a statue made out of the finest of carved, polished obsidian. The statue was about the size of a small cat, and was carved in the shape of a dragon, but not just any dragon. Baine recognized the smooth curved, branched horns upon the dragon's crown, the spiny horns growing out from the dragon's temples and the carving of what looked to be armor running along the dragon's back and its tail tipped with a blade. He beheld a small statue of the Earth-Warder himself. The statue's eyes were closed, carved as if it was meant to be that way. But then, the eyes opened up, and the statue shook to life, spreading its wings, great and wide for his body, but small to those who looked upon him. He stretched and yawned. His eyes were two little emeralds.
"Hello, High Chieftain Baine Bloodhoof," said the statue, its voice rich and deep despite it's diminutive size.
Baine held his breath, seeing the dragon statue talk to him as if the Earth-Warder was in the tent with him. The little Neltharion avatar slowly approached the chieftain and dipped his head respectfully to him.
"Worldmender?" Baine asked.
"Well, an extension of my true self, yes," said Neltharion.
"Earth Mother who watches us all..." he swore.
"Please, I didn't mean to frighten you," said Neltharion. "But I am afraid considering what is happening now, this is the best I could do to meet you. Though I truly regret not doing this sooner. I honestly didn't know how to approach you and many others like you without––scaring the––well to put it rather bluntly––the ever loving shit out of you. Considering who––and what I was. I'm not very eloquent. I am afraid all that grace left with Deathwing. He had all the charm, and I had none of it."
Though Baine was a serious, but very peaceful and calm tauren, hearing the Earth-Warder's attempt to apologize for the lack of grace in this meeting brought a small smile upon his muzzle.
"I have been told by many Tauren that I have friends among your tribes in Thunder Bluff," began Neltharion. "And so, I wish to tend my claw in friendship to you to see if this is true."
"It is true that many of Thunder Bluff who has met you speaks highly of your kindness since the madness of Deathwing has left your heart," said Baine. "But if you think that because of this I would reconsider about the Horde's planned attack upon Theramore––I––I already have done what I could feasibly do. I will not harm Alliance civilians, but I will fight against Alliance soldiers."
"I am not asking to stop the march upon Theramore," said Neltharion. "But to calm your mind on this, your warning will save lives and Jaina is not hurt by it. She understands your loyalties and respects it. So do I. But from what I have sensed from Kador and many of Tauren, these loyalties come at a heavy price. Your loyalties are to the Horde, but tell me, does Garrosh's actions speak for the Horde itself? How many Tauren died along side humans and dwarves at Northwatch because of Garrosh's recklessness?"
Baine leaned back, falling silent upon this question. The little dragon settled down and waited patiently, his eyes blinking.
"I––I can't answer that for you," Baine said in defeat as he lowered his head. "I swore I will serve the Horde faithfully."
"Yes, serve, but does it serve you as well?" he asked. "I am not asking you to betray the Horde, but if push comes to shove and you are faced with a deadly foe who serves as your leader––you only now serve him because you have no where else to go. You serve him because you are afraid of what he could do to you if you didn't."
"I am not afraid!" said Baine. "How dare you––"
"I'm not calling you a coward," said Neltharion. "But fear is not cowardice. Fear is an acknowledgement that something is not right, fear promotes caution and then a reaction. You are afraid because you fear for your people's safety. That isn't cowardice, that caring for others! That is to be celebrated. Be afraid of people like Garrosh. But don't let it consume you, or let him think he can walk over you. I am here to say one thing––if the day comes and you find yourself backed into a corner because of Garrosh, let me be there to get you out. You and many others are afraid because there is no where else to go, let me show you that there is an alternative. I was given an alternative, I didn't have to live, consumed in terror and madness, trapped in my mind, and begging for death. Now, I'm here to offer others that chance." He raised a tiny paw. "You need not to make an decision now. This attack––now isn't the time for that decision. I just want to present that opportunity and when such a time comes, and I assure you it will, please remember that I will reach out if you need my help. I'm not just there for the Alliance, I am there for you, for Azeroth itself." He took in a deep breath. "What Garrosh has done––this will harm the world. I can't let him continue, but I don't want those who I know aren't at fault be to join him when I have to act against him for his actions. Please, just consider it."
Baine sighed, and settled back down.
"I wish to present you with the service of one of my dragons," said Neltharion. "Danny. He's not here to spy on you. In fact, I do not suggest that he even go to battle with you. But the reason why I want him to be at your service as a means of communication between us and understanding. I will not attack anyone who has one of my dragons with them. If Garrosh makes any move against Thunder Bluff, Danny will be there to help you defend it. You know it may come a time where he does––grow tired of you."
"Hah! That day is coming," said Baine. "Already––after even speaking out about the molten giants, the leader of his Kor'kron guard wanted to challenge me to a fight to the death. And I saw that look in Garrosh's eyes. Oh, he wanted me to die, but for now––he knows he needs me." He looked away. "I suppose my usefulness will save my life."
"How long will that last?" Neltharion asked.
"Good question. I do intend on approaching Garrosh, with others of mutual minds in concern for what he has done. Peacefully of course. Thrall's ideals was that we would all have a say in what the Horde does. If we don't like something, we had the right to speak out––with honor and our concerns would be addressed. But––"
"I've heard that many who would say anything against Garrosh's recent methods disappear," said Neltharion. "That is the way of a dictator."
"Thrall believed Garrosh was the Warchief we needed," said Baine.
Neltharion wagged his head, his finely sculpted beard draping about his shoulders. He fluttered his wings and scratched his nose.
"Garrosh's actions do sound like what a Warchief does," he said. "What a real Warchief does. But I know that is not the type of Warchief the Tauren would want. You are an honorable people, peaceful when need be, but strong and ready to defend the land if anyone dares to take it away. I always heard the saying: 'Beware the nice ones.' It certainly holds true to the Tauren."
"Very true."
"Though Thrall called himself Warchief, his actions were not what a Warchief does," said Neltharion. "He was Warchief only in title, but his actions were that of a just and peaceful leader. Ready to defend when need be, but more willing to find another solution––a better one. If it meant it would save more lives, then Thrall would take it. But Warchief like Ner'zhul, or Blackhand, what would they care if lives are lost? Glory in blood. So would even the likes of Grom Hellscream before he freed his people with his sacrifice. Garrosh––"
"More like what his father was than what his father became when he died," said Baine. He shifted again, straightening his back. "You've spoken your peace, Worldmender. I will meditate upon your offer."
"I do appreciate that," said Neltharion.
"But I do agree with you, what I saw at Northwatch, it was an insult to the Earth Mother," said Baine. "I only hope that it does not happen again. I won't stand against the Horde, but if another Northwatch happens––I might consider standing against Garrosh. That is if I had––"
"If you had something more powerful than Garrosh to back you up," said Neltharion. "That is where I come in."
"I will meditate upon that as well."
"Take your time," he said. "But don't take too long. If you do, who knows what Garrosh may do next?"
"Indeed. Alright. Danny may go to Thunder Bluff with my blessing. So long as he does not make trouble there, he will be treated with respect. I shall send him there now and away from Garrosh's eyes. If the Kor'kron find out––"
"They won't," said Danny. "If you permit me, my lord, I can leave now."
Neltharion turned to the disguised dragon and dipped his head: "That is when and where I want you to go."
"Yes, sir."
Danny rose from his seat and then bowed with respect to Baine. Kador rose as well.
"I should go with him, to secure his arrival," said the shaman.
Baine dipped his head: "Go with my blessing. My tauren have welcomed the Worldmender before, and they will do so again."
Just as Danny and Kador headed out of the tent, Baine looked down upon the statue. He stood up, reaching out towards the two.
"Wait!" he called. "You're forgetting your––"
He heard the sound of great wings flapping and the wind rushed up to batter and rattle the canvas of the tent. A pot toppled over and the chieftain caught it before it could crash to the ground. Baine settled back down upon his woolen blanket and his eyes fell to the little statue of Neltharion. The dragon still was looking up at him, tilting his head.
"He––he meant to leave you here with me?" he asked.
"I wanted him to," said Neltharion.
"If Garrosh finds out––"
"He won't," said Neltharion. "But already, he blinds me with his shaman. I want to be able to stop this from happening––to save both lives. I don't want my home trampled on, and I don't want to attack possibly potential allies either."
"I know you wish to make friends with everyone," said Baine. "I––respect that––more than you think, Worldmender. But you can't do that––it's not possible."
"I know," said Neltharion. "But like the rock, I'm also pretty stubborn. After all the horrible things Deathwing has done––I don't want to go his route and use violence as my voice. But I don't want the Horde in my home either. And I don't want the Horde to do what it's doing to my children. But I don't want to hurt you to help them. There is a problem with me. If I stand up against something, and exert my power, people tend to see me as Deathwing. I already had an argument with Thrall on this. I was so angry that I couldn't help my family. One move, that's all it'll take. One move, and I could free them. One move and it'll be all over, but––that move would again make me look like Deathwing. So, I can't. And Thrall is unwilling to help. And the only people who may be able to listen and might be willing are your enemies––the Alliance, Baine. I am expected to be neutral to either side, but it is very hard when one faction uses and abuses my children, and then decides to march on the only home I have left. I half think that Thrall––if he knew about this––he would expect me to let all of you walk over me. Not even lift a finger to defend it. Just let you in because even defending my home would make me look like Deathwing. Because I am so powerful." The little avatar sighed. "I live in a world of––matchstick buildings––always careful that I could break something or someone. I have to control myself, to make myself look small, even when I'm gigantic, to let people beat on me and think they're hurting me. But if I lift one finger to stop them––I could kill them. Even my own dragons. I treat everything I handle like it was made of thin glass. I can't touch anyone––really touch them––because I might smash them into jelly. And if I just exert a single bit of my strength, and some accident happens, someone gets hurt, I'm seen as Deathwing again. There are times when I just want to punch someone for making me angry, punch Garrosh, but not to hurt him––just to let off some steam. But I can't, because if I do, he's a blood smear on the ground." He took in a deep breath. "That is why I wanted Danny to leave this little avatar here. If I could just say my peace, maybe I can stop this from happening and no one will get hurt. Because when I defend Theramore, there will be nothing left of anyone on the offense to bury. The Horde expendable foot soldiers that Garrosh will send out––they're not coming back. What those molten giants did in Northwatch––that's nothing compared to me. So, I'm trying to stop a massacre before it starts––and it's not going to be the Alliance that will be massacred, it's going to be you."
Baine sighed, and lowered his head into his hands, his hair bundled between the fingers.
"You did an honorable thing to warn Jaina," said Neltharion. "Now I'm extending the same courtesy. Please––"
"None of us want to be where we are right now!" said Baine. "And you said you didn't expect me to stop it."
"I'm not expecting you to stop Garrosh, Baine," said Neltharion. "I'm hoping that you would stop yourself before your innocent lives are harmed. Even if they are soldiers in a war, it's still going to be unfair. I don't want to you or anyone that I could potentially see as an ally be harmed."
Baine wagged his head.
"Do you expect the Alliance to hold back when the Horde comes knocking on Theramore's door?"
"No. I wouldn't. I would think my enemy to be a coward if he did."
"Well, I'm not going to hold back either," said Neltharion. "This little siege on Theramore will be over in a second."
Baine took in a deep breath: "That's what Vol'jin said. He said it would be over before it started."
"He's right."
The tauren's lips curled and he lowered his hands hard to the ground, gritting his teeth.
"Don't think I don't know that! I know it's going to be over. You didn't have to tell me any of that to convince me that we're walking into a slaughter because of Garrosh's stupidity. I might as well say it now. Honestly, I was hoping you weren't going to be home. I was praying to the Earth Mother to keep you down south, keep you busy. I would have sent my Longwalkers to Theramore, warned Jaina anyway––save the innocent and only fight the soldiers. It would be a fight, a long fight, but an even fight. And now you're there, and Garrosh is making us all walk to our graves. Perhaps I can ask you to not do anything as well, take your dragons and leave the marsh when the Horde comes. I would not think any less if you did, Worldmender. I'll even make sure others like Vol'jin––Sylvanas, Lor'themar, not think any less if you left."
"But how would I look to the other side if I left?" Neltharion asked. "Baine, I feel a terrible event coming––an event that both sides will need to band together to fight. And I will be there to fight it. But if any side doesn't believe I'm reliable, how can I prove myself then?" He looked away. "And they'll expect me to do my all. Even when I explained to Jaina and the others there, that I will only be defending Theramore, they will still expect me to perform. And even with myself as defense, I still expect them to keep up a good offense too. "But if I could stop it now."
"If any one of us tried to stop Garrosh, he'll destroy us," said Baine. "I can't stop the army. I'm just begging that you'll––"
"Go easy on you?"
Baine sighed, wagging his head in heavy dismay.
"War is never meant to be fair," said the tauren. "I begged the Earth Mother to keep you there. She didn't listen. Now, it's not going to be fair, as it never should. I will not stop my tauren either." He lowered his head in defeat. "If they are crushed under your weight, I will at least know they died fighting for their Horde––their family––as I would expect you to fight for yours. I don't want a massacre, but I won't think ill of you if it is. And I will greet you in battle with honor too, as a fellow warrior––even now when you are attempting to be my friend."
"Honor is cruel, isn't it?" Neltharion asked. "I know it's hard to make friends with everyone, but if I am to ever make sure you are all ready when the time comes, I have to try."
"I promise Danny will not be harmed," said Baine. "For now we are enemies––and if we both survive this––I will consider a truce between us." He sighed. "Of course, I know you will come out alive after this. It is silly of me to think you won't."
The little avatar lowered his head.
"Then the only thing I can ask is this, Worldmender," said Baine. "Please don't think that this is my fault. This is all Garrosh's fault. If you are to give your all, then let it be on him. Him, not me––and not Vol'jin. He asked that too."
Neltharion smiled softly and dipped his head.
"Vol'jin was actually next on my list to talk to," he said. "Since Thrall considers him a brother and all."
"There are not many I can trust right now, but Vol'jin is one of those who I can trust," said Baine. "I suppose, during the march, when it's a good time, I could ask him to talk to you. Hopefully he'll ask the same as I am. Then you can see we both don't want to be where we are."
Neltharion's soft grin widened: "I'd like that."
Baine settled once more and puffed on his pipe again. He watched the smoke rings drift and he let his thoughts drift with it. The little statue stretched and laid upon its belly, fanning its tiny wings. Then, Baine watched as the presence of the Earth-Warder finally left the statue and its features turned lifeless, its eyes closed. He leaned over and picked up the obsidian statue and held it gently in his hands. Then, he opened his pouched and plopped the statue inside, tying it back with a leather thong.