A Calm Before the Storm
The group solemnly returned to the wandering tauren at South Gold Road. He realized that they were missing a member and asked no questions. He simply bowed his head in due respect. "My condolences to your brave team. No reward I can give will replace the value of a team member. I'm sure they fought valiantly. I am so gracious to you for completing this mission."
Teak Hawk handed over the prospector's journal.
"Here is a reward. It's not much, but please ask the innkeeper at Camp Turanjo to pull an extra reward for me. It is the least I can do."
Teak Hawk nodded and they bid farewell. At the camp, the innkeeper rewarded them with a small sum of gold and offered a place to sleep for the night. Teak Hawk thanked the orc but refused his facility.
"I thank you for the trouble but we shall be making camp this night."
They began to head north out of the village when a goblin blacksmith stopped them.
(They look like a possible group of suckers.) He sneered.
"It appears you've been doing some hard fighting, fellow members of the Horde. Surely you weren't thinking of leaving without having your armor and weapons repaired first. You'd be practically defenseless out there in the wild." He persuaded them. The group sat in silence, emotionally and physically exhausted from their morning events. The blacksmith noticed their low spirits and hoped that he wouldn't go soft on them. But he made his decision.
"You know, being in the Barrens for too long can make any warrior go mad. What is your next mission?" He asked as he gathered new arrows and cleaned them for Quel'Anis.
"Razorfen Kraul." Teak Hawk replied rather tired. The goblin stopped and stared wide-eyed at the miserable group.
"That's a mighty dreadful place, Razorfen. Killing off those vicious quillboars will take all the strength and magic you can muster. That old crone Charlga Razorflank has got some wicked powerful magic." He explained, trying his best to discourage them.
Mikal'wah sulked at the idea of going up against a powerful magic wielder. She could feel her confidence recede.
"If I were you guys, I would head to Thunderbluff to get some really good R&R. Enjoy the peace and serenity and speak with the elders. They'll prepare you for such a hard core mission." The blacksmith finished the last of the weapons and handed them back to the group.
Teak Hawk thanked him and prepared to pay but he refused the money.
"All I can ask is that you heed my advice. Head to Thunderbluff. You'll be glad you did. Then head to Razorfen, and knock the shit outta that old wench!" The tauren thanked him again as she rounded everyone up and led them out of the village, west towards her home in Mulgore. The blacksmith sighed as he packed his tools away.
"Aaaaaand that is why I'm always broke!"
The trip to Thunderbluff was rather short and painless. The dry red dust of the Barrens quickly turned to rich green grass, surrounded by serene mountains and soft pine trees. Many of the wild creatures that roamed about were of little to no threat to the group, which was a relief to their tired bodies. They came before two towering wooden elevators that jutted out of the side of the mountain and they entered the contraption.
The large peaceful village sat so high in the mountains that clouds occasionally floated down the walkways as if they were travelers just passing through. Shop teepees sat around the perimeter of the plateau and a large welcoming bonfire blazed before a small glass-like pond at the center of the village. Numerous tauren carrying on with business spoke softly and the slow rhythmic thump of drums beat quietly over the land. Many friends and acquaintances lovingly greeted Teak Hawk and they spoke to her in a sense of full respect. Obviously, she was a highly revered adventurer in her lands.
The group made their way to a smaller section of the village where a sign read 'Walk of the Elders' and entered a teepee that sat near the end of a cliff. Teak Hawk came before a withered and elderly tauren and bowed down on her knees. The group sat a few feet behind her and waited quietly.
"Teak Hawk of the Red Moon family comes with a weakened and anxious company to seek my counsel. You have overcome extreme challenges of the body, mind and soul but your next quest troubles you." The elder proclaimed. The group was in awe at his ability to read them.
"Yes, wise one. We plan to take down the forces of Razorfen Kraul. But we are not yet ready." Teak Hawk replied.
"Not tonight. Your heart beats strong and fierce at this mission. You wish to avenge your brother, no doubt... You have all suffered losses that could leave darkness within you. When you leave, tomorrow, do not carry hate in your hearts or you shall not succeed. However, your greatest challenge will not be the quillboar of those thorny caverns, but a force much worse. This force will try it's best to deceive you. Use your wit and your confidence within each other and go with honor and pride. Fight for those that you love and those that you have lost knowing that their spirits will be with you." And with these words of wisdom, the old tauren fell asleep. The group bowed in respect and quietly left the tent.
As they prepared to make camp, a towering male tauren approached and greeted Teak Hawk. She turned and smiled at the familiar face.
"It is good to see you, Auld Stonespire."
"As is to you, Teak Hawk. I believe word has spread quickly that you mean to take down the quillboar and their leader of Razorfen Kraul tomorrow."
Teak Hawk smirked, thinking back to the elder's usual gossiping habits. "Word always spreads quickly in these parts. Yes. We mean to leave here by mid-morning."
"I must warn you of their leader. Charlga Razorflank is a dangerous force of her own. Her spells of dark magic are treacherous and powerful. Too many have tried and failed to best her… Your brother being one of those unfortunate souls…but I will not die in peace until her bloodied heart rests in my hands. You know that the Southern Barrens was once the holy land of our ancestors before that witch and her armies drove them off. Will you bring me the proof of your success? I have faith in your strength. There is good reason as to why the elders gave you the seal of honor over so many others. Bring me that witch's heart and we shall both rest knowing that revenge has been served."
"That heart will be yours. I swear to it on my brother's grave." Teak Hawk promised, crossing her fist to her chest and saluting the respectable tauren.
Night stretched across the sunset sky and the band sat calm and restful by their small bonfire. The stars were particularly bright from Thunderbluff and they sparkled over the crew. Everyone sat and reminisced over their memories of Ellorei; the kind, sweet and silly things the little blood elf had said and done in the past few days of their journey together. Everyone realized how close they all had become to each other since the arrival of the young blood elves and appraised Ku'Mari for his ability to find the best of people. But Ku'Mari was not present at this gentle gathering. Instead, he sat alone on a far peak of the plateau, staring out into the rich green landscape.
Quel'Anis slowly came to sit down beside him and gently touched the back of his neck.
"You do not wish to be with the group."
"Sometimes isolation helps in healin'." His voice was sad and distant.
"Wounds heal much faster in the presence of good company." She cracked a shy smile. Ku'Mari felt the spark inside him that always ignited when Quel'Anis smiled and it had been happening more and more everyday. But he quickly shook the feeling away and turned out to the landscape once more.
"I… um…I been wantin' to apologize to ya for meh actions dis morning." Ku'Mari hesitated. "Sometimes when tings go wrong, I become a monstah… and I did not want ya tah see dat."
"A monster?" She could not believe her ears. "Ku'Mari, you saved us all! And you did everything in your power to save Ellorei as where I was unable. With all that you have done for the team, for Ellorei… and for me…" Quel'Anis choked up as she could feel the tears well up and her face grow hot. "Even when I was defiant and cruel and… full of hatred. You are a miraculous person, Ku'Mari… a hero."
"Kellani." Ku'Mari spoke with a soft deep voice as he gently wiped the tears from the blood elf's cheeks. Quel'Anis could not stand the screaming in her heart any longer. She quickly rose to her knees, placed her little hands on the troll's blue cheeks and desperately pressed her lips to his. As they connected, her kiss softened and she melted into his warmth. The crew could not help but watch the two from afar. It was such a strange and rare thing to see; a blood elf kissing a troll.
"Now there's something you don't get to see everyday." The undead man grinned.
"Bout time." Barrack added.
Teak Hawk turned to Mikal'wah in concern. The female troll only shook her head and smiled. "Don'tcha be worryin' about meh now. Dat troll was beyond meh from deh start."
Ku'Mari's lips were soft and warm. Quel'Anis could feel electricity buzzing from those lips and all through her body. She pulled away and gave him a look as she smiled.
"Ku'Mari, you're casting a lightning spell."
Now the troll blushed- something quite rare of him- and he chuckled shyly.
"Sorry. I been wantin' dat for such a long time now . Guess I got a bit ovah excited."
Quel'Anis turned and looked out to the plains.
"Kellani?" The troll asked in concern.
"Tomorrow we return to the South Barrens for Razorfen Kraul. I understand now that anyone of us may not return."
Ku'Mari wrapped his arms around the young blood elf and held her securely.
"Ya can't talk like dat. Havin' doubt in deh group brings bad juju."
"Ku'Mari, Ellorei didn't die because she was a poor fighter. On the contrary, she was an excellent hunter… and far better pet trainer. But it was all a matter of timing and luck. And luck was not on her side. With the population of Razorfen carrying so many, the odds will be against us and there's no telling what may happen. I don't mean to be doubtful, I'm just being realistic."
Ku'Mari could not find a word to say to comfort her for he knew and understood well the truth of battle. She had simply figured it out for herself. Still, he chose to believe in false hope upon the times of war. Although a youthful and naïve concept, he felt that it was, many times, his reason for so many victories.
"What is more, were either one of us not to come out of that horrid place victorious tomorrow, I want to know that I had at least, been given the chance to be in your arms throughout tonight." She blushed shyly, enjoying the warmth of his strong arms. Ku'Mari's eyes grew wide in surprise and he looked down and smiled at the blood elf.
"Ya not tah beh worryin' about a ting tonight." He tapped his finger gently on her nose. "Come on. Let's go back ova wit dah crew."
As they approached the campfire, they received applause from the group.
"Well done." Garrett teased.
"Ellorei woulda been proud ah ya!" Mikal'wah laughed as she clapped. Quel'Anis blushed as she took a seat beside the female troll. She stuck out her tongue teasingly and the two began to fight playfully. Although this behavior was rather unusual for the blood elf, she felt she needed to take over Ellorei's responsibility of love and kindness and she knew it would do her well.
Teak Hawk politely cleared her throat and took a stand as all conversations respectfully halted.
"To all of you, I am so graciously proud to be a part of this team. Your decisions and skills have been intelligent and true and you have handled our trials and tribulations better than I could have ever imagined. Never could I have picked a better group of fighters and adventurers for such a difficult quest. Tomorrow we fight for those who have died as our allies, our friends and our loved ones. And although we are short of a member, our hearts are strong and her spirit will be there to guide our way. Understand that no matter what happens tomorrow, I promise you… we shall be victorious. For our lands, for our races and for the Horde!"
"FOR THE HORDE!" Everyone cheered in honorable reply as they raised their weapons to the sky.
The Final Battle
As dawn approached, Barrack went about to wake everyone. Teak Hawk stood at the edge of the plateau overlooking her rich green homeland.
"This is it, Brother." She spoke out into the wind. "Today we shall have justice."
The sun crept in through a small tear in Ku'Mari's tent, revealing the splendor of the loving entanglement that lay over the blankets. As Barrack popped his head in to wake the sleeping troll, he immediately tried to leave. But the troll and blood elf awoke to the loud clanking of the orc's armor and looked up at him.
"Oh…eh…heh heh…um…good work." His green face had turned bright red and he quickly left and headed for Mikal'wah's tent. Quel'Anis stretched and relaxed atop the troll, stroking his lovely teal chest. Ku'Mari breathed in Quel'Anis' wonderful scent as he twirled a lock of her rich auburn hair around his fingers. The two silently enjoyed their last moments together before dressing and leaving the tent. Everyone strapped up in freshly repaired armor and prepared their weapons. As Quel'Anis helped Barrack break down the tents, she noticed Ku'Mari and Teak Hawk crouched and seated at the ledge of the plateau in meditation. She could not help but admire their powerful sense of spirituality.
When everyone had finished, they took flight and shortly landed in Camp Turanjo once more. The walk to Razorfen Kraul was simple and short. As they traveled, Ku'Mari walked beside Mikal'wah, whose expression seemed rather dark. He sighed, as he thought back to their brief past together back in Sen'jin Village where they grew up. It had been nearly two years since they split up but Ku'Mari worried all the same.
"Hey Mikal'wah, I may notta been as kind to ya as ya deserve and I wanna apologize for it." Without realizing it, he had spoken in their native tribal language.
The female troll smiled smugly and turned to him. "Apologizin' for what?"
"I want ya tah know dat I be sorry for deh past we had. I wasn't fair to ya and I shouldn't have led ya on deh way I did back den. I just didn't know if ya had joined deh group because…"
"Because of you? Ha ha!" The troll cackled lightly as she flipped her lovely blue braids behind her shoulders. "Yes… I did join because of ya. But I didn't do it, comin' in, tryin' tah get ya if dats whatcha tink. Deh past is deh past and I could beh less concerned wit what happened back den. You wit your elf girl now so you just be worryin' bout dat." They were silent for a moment before she spoke again. "Sometimes, Ku'Mari, I wanna hate ya but I know I can't because I be admirin' ya strength and skills so much. I felt dat if I joined deh group wit cha, I'd become a stronger an' better fighter too." She said the last part a bit in doubt and her eyes grew sad.
"You have. And ya will." They shared a smile and Ku'Mari caught back up to Quel'Anis.
As the group reached the entrance of the village, they looked at each other and nodded in affirmation. It was time.
Three very large boars, covered in long spiny hairs guarded the entrance to the cave, snorting and laughing about some odd joke. As one was suddenly frozen to death, the other two turned to find the Horde band attacking them. They were easily defeated but the group knew that worse was to come.
Mass arches of briarthorn made for sectional shelter over the village as they entered. Collections of bones and skulls dangled in decorative warning to unwanted visitors. The stench of rotting hides and sulfur filled the air. These were definitely dark magic users. At first sight of the group, a quillboar blew into his horn and called upon a large army of his fellow men. They came at the team in groups of five or so but as the band made their way into the depths of the caved village, it felt as if the quillboars' numbers only grew larger and larger. Along with having to dodge the nasty creatures' shadow attacks, giant bats also flew about, attacking the team as they came too close to the little monsters' resting spots. The quillboar only grew stronger in numbers and began to spread the small team apart.
"Stay together! STAY TOGETHER!" Teak Hawk ordered. She transformed into a bear and mauled each quillboar that came near. As she tore through the crowd, one of the beasts managed to climb atop her and drove a spear down through her back. Teak Hawk roared in pain and violently shook the small quillboar off. As she and Barrack took the head of the attacking forces, Ku'Mari did his best to channel healing to each of his comrades. But with so many of the creatures attacking him, his channeling pace was slow and he had to spend more time warding the beasts away from him. Garrett managed to keep himself from being cornered but one of the mischievous bats had swooped down and pulled off one of his hands; the one which withheld his weapon. This was a dangerous distraction as he spent his time snatching at the flying rodent while being attacked by the quillboar. Mikal'wah blasted her opponents with wild flames and biting ice but the over-use of her abilities took its toll and the quillboar came in at her with spears and shadow spells. Quel'Anis managed to find a high rock to perch on and she furiously shot down each of Mikal'wah's attackers. However, the bats would not let her have their territory and they flapped about in her face screeching curses to her. One managed to cling to her shoulder and sunk its teeth deep into her neck. Quel'Anis screamed as she desperately yanked the bat away. It left a potent poison to mix into her blood and she lost her balance and fell from the rock, lucky to be caught in arms.
The quillboar squealed as they were easily driven back by forces other than that of the group. The squealing beasts ran deeper into village to hide and regroup.
Quel'Anis was sure that Ku'Mari had caught her as he always had before, but when she opened her eyes, a blue bearded night elf stared back at her with white glowing eyes. Quel'Anis panicked and fought to be released from his arms.
"Kellani!" She heard Ku'Mari call as the troll came face to face with the grinning night elf. Teak Hawk, Garrett and Barrack stood like a wall with their weapons still drawn and ready to fight. Mikal'wah managed to weakly crawl up beside them, still drained from her magic use. Across from them stood six members of the Alliance; a brawny dwarf, a small female gnome, one massive dreanai, two humans and the night elf, who remained holding his enemy in his arms.
"I am sure you want this back." The night elf sneered as he held Quel'Anis out before Ku'Mari. The troll was unsure of his enemy's language.
"Just drop the little whore already!" A loud human woman laughed. Garrett growled as he prepared to attack but Teak Hawk and Barrack held him back. Only he could decipher their malicious words. Ku'Mari quickly took the blood elf in his arms and wearily backed away.
"Well? Are we gonna get this over with right here and now or what!?" Garrett shouted at them and spit on the ground.
Each Alliance member passed on a look of surprise to one another.
"You speak our language, undead one. Impressive." The dwarf laughed rather amused. The small female gnome came forward. Being no larger than the size of a human toddler, she boldly walked up to Garrett with her hands crossed behind her back.
"Allow us to make a proposition, Horde people." She stated sternly in her miniscule voice. "It appears we are both on the same quest; to vanquish the population of Razorfen Kraul and take the land back into the hands of our legion. Would it not be far more practical for us to band together to defeat our common enemy? You appear to be struggling after the multitude of quillboar and to be honest, we would not be able to go much farther either without some help. Those pigs are regrouping now as I speak and their numbers will only be larger."
Garrett looked to Teak Hawk, explained the situation and awaited her decision. The little gnome watched him speak to his leader and slowly approached the towering tauren. She looked up with her large gooey eyes and smiled. "Once that magic pig witch is dead, we can appropriately fight for who claims the victory. It will be a very short treaty, I assure you. Does that sound fair enough?"
Teak Hawk stared down into the little gnome's disgustingly cute eyes as Garrett translated her final words. She knew well enough that her party was out numbered. She also understood that they were too far into the caverns to turn back so, she did the only thing she could. She tightened her lips and nodded in agreement.
"Very well then." The little gnome smiled as she headed back to her own group. She turned back around and raised her hand. "Tanks, please raise your hands." Garrett translated and Barrack and Teak Hawk raised their arms. "Healers?" Teak Hawk left her hand up as Ku'Mari raised his. "And long-range defenders?" An ill Quel'Anis and weakened Mikal'wah raised their hands as they continued to try and recover from their attacks. Garrett –who had managed to kill the mischievous bat- now popped his skeletal hand back into place and raised it.
Some of the Alliance members quietly chuckled and commented to each other.
"And you honestly believed that you could have conquered this quest all on your own? How fortunate you are that we came along. Well, let us not dally. Tanks, please lead the way." The Horde members said nothing. They simply fell into formation. Each member traveled deeper into the village as the tension felt like a thousand needles pricking at their backs. But no one hated this situation more than Teak Hawk. She hated how she shamefully led her members to follow the enemy in their aid. The little gnome was surely the Alliance group's leader and she had created a fantastic disposition for the Horde band. Teak Hawk promised that the first Alliance member to go down would be that conniving little creature. She remained deep in thought, counting out every possibility for her team to succeed this situation. Something had to work!
A very pale Quel'Anis bound her neck in bandage as it continued to bleed. Ku'Mari looked down to her in utter concern and cured her poison with a touch of green healing light to her neck. The blood elf smiled.
"I don't believe we'll be making it out of here, but I am very glad that I'll get to die fighting by your side."
Ku'Mari could not help but bend down to kiss her as they walked.
"That has to be the most disgusting thing I have ever seen." The loud female human scowled.
"And the blood elves wonder why their ancestors were ostracized." The night elf added.
Although he did not understand their hateful comments, Ku'Mari glared back at the two. But then he let a very big grin stretch over his face as he turned back around and proudly put his arm around the blood elf.
"Can you imagine their children?!" the human hissed.
"I'd rather not even assume that they could mate!" The night elf replied and the two laughed again.
Garrett did his best to ignore their banter and suddenly the little gnome spoke up.
"That is enough, people. Leave your insults for when we prepare to fight them.
"There!" The dreanai announced and pointed at the cave open-way just beyond.
The quillboar returned in tripled numbers; some were warriors, some were warlocks with powerful minions. They all stood in a battle line awaiting their oncoming opponents while chanting, snorting and squealing.
Ku'Mari suddenly yelled out in his native Zandalarian tongue "Je'muipa wanande'!" a phrase Teak Hawk recalled him using often when he wanted someone to watch his actions in battle. She knew that the outburst was directed to her and Mikal'wah and they nodded. The dreanai yelled out and he and Barrack led the group straight at the line of quillboar. They collided as strikes of the elemental and shadow magics were violently exchanged over the line. Teak Hawk remained to the side of the battle to play her part as healer momentarily while she watched what Ku'Mari wanted her to see. The troll did not fight head on as he usually did. He was sloppy and his attacks were weak.
(What on Azeroth is he up to?) She wondered as she healed a struggling Barrack. Then Ku'Mari did something Teak Hawk had never seen of him before; he allowed the quillboar to openly attack him! He stumbled back and pretended to struggle with a magic spell as he finally threw down his totems. Suddenly, the night elf came forth and shouted at him in utter annoyance. He swiftly took the quillboar down and his strength and sense of threat brought the attention of many others as they swarmed to him, not one interested in fighting the troll. At that moment, Ku'Mari stood with his chin resting on his staff and he grinned and winked in his cocky little way as he pointed at the hard-working night elf.
Teak Hawk returned a smile. She understood his tactic and it was absolutely fantastic! She passed on the idea to Quel'Anis and Garrett. Mikal'wah had seen the antics herself and had no problem 'takin' it easy' during this battle. Teak Hawk let Barrack be. She knew he was far too proud a warrior to even pretend incompetence. As the large group fought off the quillboar to the center of the village, the Horde team members attacked with poor energy and feigned weakness as the Alliance members bitterly plowed on, using all their strength and might to destroy the oncoming armies of shadow mages and warriors.
"You Horde people are pathetic! What fools! I cannot believe you thought you could make it through this raid! We should have left you for dead! You would have been more use to us then!" The loud human woman snapped crudely as she slashed and hacked away at the quillboar. Garrett shrugged at her and flung a few daggers at the attacking beasts.
The onslaught lasted for nearly a half hour before they were able to reach the shadow mage leader, Charlga Razorflank. She sat in her wooden throne high above her enemies, tapping her claws impatiently. Two of her guards came after the group but were swiftly incapacitated. The witch raised a prickly brow and grinned, baring her foul and decaying brown teeth.
"Horde and Alliance, working together against the common enemy. I never thought I would see the day! Honestly, I am flattered! Shows how important my death means to both of your legions."
"Make no mistake, Pig Queen. Our rivals shall be slaughtered but not before we take your filthy hide-eeeeeyyaahhhh!" The loud-mouthed female human screamed in agony as she was set on fire.
"I will not have a soulless human-breed calling me by the name of a stock animal!"
The mage gnome came before her comrade and tried hard to reverse the flaming spell but was too late. The woman choked in the smoke and flames as they consumed her flesh and she expired.
"GET HER!" the little gnome screeched and the Alliance members immediately began to attack. Charlga's brow rose once more as she saw the Horde team members do nothing. She kicked her head back and began cackling loudly as she fended off the Alliance members' magic attacks, arrows and daggers. The gnome, her face bright red in fury, glared back at the Horde team.
"Your team may be poorly skilled but it will take everyone to bring her down! Do you not wish to win? Do you not value your pathetic lives?!"
They stood continuing to stare at her in complete silence and did nothing.
"Don't just stand there, you stupid monsters! DO SOMETHING NOW!" She screamed. Tears of frustration and anger welled up in her eyes as she looked down at her dead companion and back to her struggling party.
Teak Hawk gave the signal, and the group finally approached the Alliance team. Mikal'wah and Ku'Mari charged up spells as Quel'Anis readied her bow, Barrack withdrew his mace and Garrett pulled out his trusty daggers. But Teak Hawk did not head for Charlga. She transformed into her bear form, charged at full speed and pounced on the little gnome. She gripped the little woman in her teeth and shook her violently before slamming her back down on top of the dead human. Ku'Mari blasted a lightning attack that chained from one Alliance member to the next. They looked back in horrified shock at the immediate traitors.
"Haha! That's the spirit! I hate both of your factions but at least the Horde knows how to play dirty! And so do I!" Charlga cackled as she struck everyone with a mass shadow attack. Slightly blinded by the spell, Mikal'wah managed to shake away the pain and blast a chilling frost spell over the witch. Ku'Mari summoned his totems and continued striking the Alliance with his chain lightning bolts as Garrett and Barrack kept the enemy team's attention.
The gnome lay covered in bloody gashes and teeth marks as Teak Hawk returned to her true form and peered down at her.
"We helped you…we made a deal and you broke it! We helped you and you spit in our faces…"
The two were unable to decipher each other's languages but they knew exactly what the other meant.
"A leader put in a desperate position will make desperate decisions. You would be lying if you said you wouldn't have done the same had you thought of it first." Teak Hawk smiled.
The little gnome choked, "What a dirty trick. There is no honor in what you have done here."
Teak Hawk was familiar with the Alliance's common-tongue word for 'honor' and she drew close to the gnome's face.
"There will always be honor in destroying the enemy faction. It doesn't matter how it is done. It is only important that it is done. We are the Horde."
As the gnome breathed her last breath, Teak Hawk felt her natural sense of sympathy return. She gently and respectfully closed the gnome's eyes. She did not wish to sit there and question her actions and her ideals of war for she knew she would not win. Instead, she looked up to see the struggling battle before her and healed her party members. She immediately transformed into a bear again and charged in to join the fight.
Charlga had fixed her eyes quite seriously on the troll mage who had managed to give her a chilling shock. She slowly descended the stairs of her throne, using her staff to guide her.
"Come here, pretty, pretty magic." She teased, her eyes meeting only Mikal'wah's. Mikal'wah began to sweat. She recalled how quickly and easily she had gone down in their previous battles and knew that if it happened this time, she would not get up. Tearing with anxiety she charged up another ice attack but was interrupted by a shadow bolt that penetrated her body. She could feel the black aurora searing inside of her and she grew ill. But she did not fall. Mikal'wah focused her energy and blasted the witch with the most powerful ice attack she had ever casted. Charlga turned to ice and fell down her throne stairs. Within seconds, she melted the ice away and angrily turned to aim at the troll. But before she could cast another spell, her body was lifted into the air and she was dropped before Quel'Anis.
"I have magic too!" The blood elf said as a flash of bright light from her hands silenced the witch. Fuming with fury, the quillboar swung her staff and knocked Quel'Anis to the ground, before being shocked with yet another freezing blast.
"Irritant pest!" The witch screeched as she struck Mikal'wah with a dark curse. The mage troll fell to the ground in agony, and was stunned frozen.
Charlga received a slamming blow to the back of her spiky head and when she managed to turn around she found Quel'Anis standing ready with the Staff of the Sun.
Holding her head, the old witch grinned, "A hunter with a staff? Let's see what you've got child!" She said as she lifted her own staff and advanced on the blood elf.
As Barrack struggled against the giant paladin draenai, Garrett kept the attention of the hunter dwarf. The brawny little man turned about, shooting his gun in a frenzy as Garrett phased in and out of vision, dodging his bullets every time and slicing him with his dagger, bit by bit. Ku'Mari, who had run out of magic energy, flipped his staff about in amazing speed as he struck the male human warrior and the druid night elf. Teak Hawk mauled down the human and night elf, killing them with her powerful strikes. Ku'Mari nodded in thanks as he quickly drank a small revitalizing potion. The druid healed her team once more before heading for Charlga.
Quel'Anis held up amazingly against the nasty quillboar witch as their staves continued to clack against each other. The witch smirked as she felt her powers return and she immediately shot a shadow bolt at he blood elf, temporarily blinding her. The quillboar swung her staff and forcefully struck Quel'Anis in the face. The blood elf fell to the ground and struggled to pull herself away as Charlga raised her staff high in the air, ready to strike again. Teak Hawk roared as she slammed into the quillboar, knocking her down. She sank her teeth into the witch's arm and dragged her away from Quel'Anis. A shadow bolt blasted into the bear's face and Teak Hawk shook away the blindness as she returned to her true form.
The paladin dreanai fell to the ground, dazed and beaten as Barrack took his mace and cracked it down over the enemy's head. He smiled as the dreanai's head splattered open.
"I love my job."
He looked over and gave Garrett a thumbs-up. Garrett nodded as he sliced through the fallen dwarf's neck, expelling blood.
Mikal'wah's petrified body slowly came to as Ku'Mari helped her up.
"I tink I jumped into the deh wrong crew. I can't even manage tah stay up long enough tah do any decent damage!" She laughed cynically, ready to cry.
"Hey, hey, now…" Ku'Mari patted the mage troll on the head as he spoke in their language, "Ya did just fine. So ya know how tah take a beatin'. Ain't dat in itself a strength? You's right where ya belong, Makal'wah. And deh team wouldn't have it any oddah way." He smiled reassuringly and went to help Quel'Anis get away from the battle that continued. With all the Alliance members finally dead, the group watched as Teak Hawk battled Charlga alone.
The wrath of nature magic clashed against that of the dark shadow magic and Teak Hawk managed to shock the witch enough that she fell to her knees. She charged at the quillboar with her staff swinging. But Charlga smiled as she reached out and picked up the dead dreanai's sword. She quickly aimed at Teak Hawk's heart and the tauren ran straight through it.
"TEAK HAWK!" Ku'Mari cried.
"TEAK, NO!" Garrett followed.
The quillboar sneered, "I told you I play dirty too. Listen to them…they love you. You must be proud. They'll die screaming in pain…all of them… As everyone does coming through my lands. Including your poor dear old brother."
Teak Hawk's eyes grew wide.
"Oh I knew you were coming. Your brother promised me you would. He and his crew were the only ones to make it this far and he died at my hands…just as you will."
"Not yet…" Teak Hawk managed and she smiled.
A powerful blast of magic burned through Charlga. She was hit with lightning, frost, arrows and daggers filled with poisons. As the witch writhed in pain, Teak Hawk smiled and looked to her team members. They attacked with everything they had left. She pulled the sword from her chest and raised it. Charlga looked up, helplessly at the tauren and her eyes grew wide.
"For my brother." With a massively powerful strike, she severed the head of Charlga from its body. The team had defeated the quillboar and the leader of Razorfen Kraul. Teak Hawk fell to her knees holding her profusely bleeding chest wound. The group ran to their leader and held her.
"Its alright, everyone. I can now die in peace." The tauren said weakly.
"Nah-ah! You ain't dyin' nowhere! I'm ah heal ya heroic ass! Ain't nobody else here who can lead dis crew!" Ku'Mari said as he tried to regain his magic energy enough to heal her.
Teak Hawk smiled as she looked into his eyes. "Yes there is."
Ku'Mari looked up to find everyone nodding at him in agreement.
"Take my place, Ku'Mari. Your skills as a leader go far beyond my own." The tauren pulled a clasp of beaded feathers from her hair and handed them to the troll. It was the Thunderbluff Seal of Honor; a merit that was rewarded to Tauren who showed the utmost excellence in leadership, bravery and heroics. Tears rolled down Ku'Mari's cheeks as he took the seal into his hand.
Everyone cried, except Garrett, who could only emote his sadness by holding Teak Hawk's hand firmly in his own.
"Our wonderful group has become rather small. Be sure to put yourself in charge of recruiting for new members. You're excellent at that…" she faded off as they closed her eyes and let her lay peacefully.
"Go wit ya broddah… and be at peace."
After taking Charlga's heart, and the seals and badges from the Alliance members' dead bodies, they made their way out of the cavernous village of Razorfen Kraul. At the entrance, they built a large grave mount and drove Teak Hawk's staff deep into the earth. On a boulder beside the mount Garrett wrote:
Teak Hawk ~ Proud member of the tauren of Thunderbluff has permanently marked these lands with her victory ~Vanquished the Razorfen Quillboar population and took down the witch leader ~ A true hero ~ A loving spirit ~ And a wonderful leader
The team returned to Thunderbluff and gave Charlga Razorflank's heart to Auld Stonespire. They explained their how they came to victory and how they had lost their leader. The group was celebrated throughout Thunderbluff as heroes and a festive ceremony was held for them and their fallen comrade and leader.
By nightfall, the tauren village population and their visitors all gathered around the giant bonfire at the center of Thunderbluff to listen to Garrett, who told the story of their heroic raid on Razorfen Kraul. Barrack and Mikal'wah celebrated with ale and wine as they cheered him on and toasted to the spirits of their friends.
Quel'Anis searched about for Ku'Mari but he was not amongst the crowd. She wandered around the Valley of Spirits until she found him seated at the edge of the plateau peak, staring out into the starry sky. He wore Teak Hawk's seal of honor at the back tail of his, recently dread-locking mohawk. She sat down beside him and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Connecting to her?" She asked.
"Just wishin' her dah best in deh spirit world. We'll be meetin' her and Ellorei dere someday." He replied warmly.
"Ku'Mari, where do we go from here?"
"Well, deh wise elders asked me tah lead all ya into ah Thousand Needles. Dey say more trouble be happenin' dere den dey can handle. And wit all dat's happened, I really need tah go out and pay meh broddah a visit in Stranglethorn Vale… but we gotta recruit before we head out dat way."
"Please don't go recruiting anymore cute young female blood elves." Quel'Anis teased.
"Nah, I got deh one I wanted." He said as he put his arm around the blood elf. "And I was hopin' tah ask her tah be meh mate."
"I already am." Quel'Anis blushed.
Ku'Mari looked to her in surprise and smiled as his eyes lit up. "Really?! Since when?"
With her fingers, Quel'Anis tapped on his chest where an arrow once met.
"I claimed you the day I tried to kill you. What better way to show you that I love you."
"Kellani."
They kissed long and lovingly beneath the glittering sky.
-End-
Okay, so I obviously set this up for another journey. But I gotta write it out and see how it goes. New issues, some new characters, new surprises and more action-packed quests! Whoohoo! I've got cool character designs I wanna show but I don't know where or how to post them! Please gimme ideas! Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed! ^_^