Chapter 16
Fox's gryphon circled over the invading Hozen undetected. There were more then she had originally thought. Self doubt gnawed at her. A frontal assault was going to get her killed. Still, not doing anything was unacceptable. She rode close to the cliff side they were streaming down from. The ropes were in clear sight. Note to Ella, burning them didn't do the least bit of good if the tenacious monkeys just made more. Cutting them back now would block off their escape, but that was not what Fox wanted. She would be pleased with a full on retreat from Heartland. But how to go about it alone and quickly enough to evade damage to the Mudclaw's farm?
She turned the gryphon back toward the farm scanning the land for some sort of tactical advantage. Swooping low she spied the disrupted carrot field. The vermin were not present, thankfully. They must have taken refuge in their borrow for the night. She didn't have to deal with them at least.
A quick glance near the Mudclaw house showed the wagon of carrots she had grown on her own farm for Mung Mung a few days ago. The ones to replace those lost to the vermin. Fox scowled. Lousy Hozen were going to get them for certain before scaling the cliff back to their huts. All that work wasted. It really started burning her temper. Although truth be told according to Mung Mung, Haohan would be livid as well. He would be angrier then a horde of starving vermin.
Fox gasped. That was it! She landed near the wagon. Rushing over she tried to push it. There was no way she was going to do this alone. The wagon was just too heavy. Rushing to the door she banged hard. "Haohan! Haohan, wake up!"
The stumbling sound of the Pandarian rushing through his dark house. Pulling open the door with wide eyes. "Fox?" He realized instantly that she would not be there banging on his door so late if there was no reason for it. "Are you alright?
"I am fine. But if we want to save the majority of your crops, I need you to help me roll your carrot wagon in sight of a Hozen attack."
"Wait. Wait. Wait. Slow Down." The sleepy Panda blinked, "Is this some sort of joke set up by Mung Mung again? Because I know what the two of you went through to get those carrots for me."
"Fox?" Tina came up next to her husband tying her robe.
"Stay in the house and lock the door, Tina. Do not come out until Haohan comes back for you." Fox pulled the Pandarian outside, and shut the door. "Wagon, Haohan, now!"
Haohan stumbled down the stairs on his way to the wagon. "Do you want to explain why I am offering the Kunzen my, errr, your perfectly delicious, high grade, expensive at market carrots?"
Fox pushed against the wagon with him. Digging in with her legs, and using all the strength she had to start it rolling, "Because once the Hozen come across these carrots, I am going to sprint into the Vermin cave and wake them up."
"You are making no sense, Human."
"All I need to do is draw them out so that they can see the Hozen taking off with their yummy carrots. The ravenous nature of the Vermin and the greed of the Hozen will do the rest. They should fight until Sho can bring back up from Halfhill." Fox kept pushing. She could tell the moment that Haohan understood, because he started moving the wagon so fast she could not keep up.
"Never in all my days as a Tiller did I think for one moment I would be handing over my produce to Vermin and Hozen, Fox." He growled angrily as Fox's plan set in. "But it's a damn sight better then losing the entire farm."
They had moved the wagon so it was visible from the direction the Hozen were coming from. "This should be fine. You need to go back to the house and get Tina. If it's still clear head toward Halfhill. I can not guarantee this plan will work."
"What about you?"
Fox reached out and punched him in the arm. "Silly Panda. I will just charm them with Ruby Shards like I did you."
"That is what I am to tell Tina? She will break a teapot over my head for leaving you out here. You know how much she enjoys your company." Haohan turned his head looking hesitantly toward his home.
"Tell her that I said you have Mina to think about. Besides, I am smaller and can hide better then you can."
"Don't get hurt, Fox. These crops aren't worth your life." Haohan left in a rush.
Fox sighed and felt her body turning to lead. Not now, she didn't have time for this. Reaching down she pulled put the second to last flask. Looking at the lights drawing closer she tossed the contents back. Turning toward the Vermin hole, praying to the Light, that the Gnashers were tucked in toward the back. She really hated the Gnashers.
O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O0
It was quite some time later Fox found herself surrounded by celebrating Tillers in Halfhill. Haohan telling and retelling the tale to everyone. How the quick witted Fox had saved his farm with only a wagon of carrots.
Fox yawn, and looked over at the rented gryphon tormenting Merchant Greenfield yet again.
"Get away, you stupid bird! My seeds are for planting, not eating." He curled around his inventory in a protective stance. Waving a hand at the hungry animal. That only left the gryphon leaning it's head over him and trying to purloin more seeds.
Despite her current state, Fox laughed. Then coming to her feet she slapped her hands down hard on her thighs. "Very well then!" She commanded the attention of the others. "I need to be heading back over to Lion's Landing, and returning that very hungry gryphon. Before Greenfield makes him into roast fowl and I lose my deposit."
"Are you sure, Fox?" Farmer Yoon watched as she swayed wearily on her feet. "You can always stay at SunSong Ranch to rest up before heading back."
"Don't tempt me, Yoon." Fox took the gryphon's reins in her hand. A kick boosted her into the air and on to her mount. "If I take you up on that offer, the SI-7 will make the Hozen raid look like a warm up match. My boss isn't to happy with me these days."
"You should retire then and come live with us." Old Hillpaw set a hand over hers. The wisened Pandarian's face creased with concern.
"I believe you are right. How about you and I retired together. I'll work your farm, and you can sit on the porch and tell me what I am doing wrong." She watched as he made a look of sheer horror. That one was going to die happily in his fields. She was certain of it.
"Be off then!" Old Hillpaw slowly pulled his hand away. Then in a harsh tone he shouted, "And make sure you get some sleep when you get there."
Fox flew off over the Silken fields. The shouts of farewells echoing behind her. Leaning forward she rested her head on the gryphon's neck. She had always wanted to be an Alliance Hero, but no one had ever told her it would feel this horrible. The only saving grace at this point was the mount was much faster then dear sweet Besty. So it did not take much time to arrive in Lion's Landing.
One final circle before landing, Fox lifted her head to stare at the ground. It stopped her heart almost instantly. There stood King Wyrnn between his grand gryphon and Besty. Both had been saddled and packed up. By the Light, did he really think she was going to be in any state to go fishing after being out all night?
The answer to that, as Fox learned the moment her feet touch down, was yes. "You're late." Varian said in his low commanding tone.
"I had pressing matters in Halfhill." Fox tried to explain. The look her King shot her locked her lips instantly.
"Besty wasn't late. She was eager to see me this morning. I am not surprised. Since you all but abandoned her here." Varian rested an arm over the aged gryphon's neck, and allowed it to support his weight. "Isn't that right, girl"
To Fox's horror the gryphon let out a cooing sound and turned her head into Varian's chest seeking more attention. "I see someone has had their morning coffee." Fox didn't even try to keep her irritations at bay. They oozed out of every word of her comment.
"Thanks to your late arrival, I have had two cups." Varian nodded. He let go of Besty and turned to his mount, "Seeing as you have come from Halfhill, I am sure you are all tanked up on Mrs. Muclaw's famous tea, and are ready to depart."
Fox grumbled and walked over to Besty's far side. Reaching down she pulled the final vial of Mishka's potion into her hand. Looking down at it wondering it even this would be enough to get her through the morning.
Varian tested the straps on his grand gryphon. Then once mounted looked to Fox. Not seeing her, he assumed she was checking the saddle as well. "It's fine. I tested them myself while waiting on you to arrive"
There was no answer.
Varian standing higher in his stirrups trying to see over Besty. The Gryphon was looking down at her side. Soft chirps almost singing as she lifted her wing outward. Then to Varian's bafflement the Gryphon fluffed her feathers and settled down.
"Fox?" When there was no reply this time Varian jumped down from his mount and came around Besty. Hardly making the rogue out under the silver white wing. Blue eyes grew large and he pushed Besty's wing back to get a better view.
Fox was crumpled on her side. Not even the slightest tremor of life visible to his discerning eyes. "By the Light, Fox!"
Varian dropped to his knees. Then reached out to grab hold of her arms and pulled her up to a seated position. The hard shake only caused her head to loll around on her shoulders. A familiar terror returned. The world started to fade away for Varian and he could hear the angry shouts of the stone masons in his head. Fox's form replaced with the image of Tiffin in his arms. "Not again." Varian felt his stomach twist hard. He lifted Fox into his arms and headed for the main keep. Shouting to the Gryphon master, "Summon a healer and Mathias Shaw to my quarters immediately."
"But the Gryphons?" The man was torn from duty to command.
"I said, immediately!"
Author Note: Cliffhanger? Yes! It's been two full weeks since I started posting this fic. Thank you so much for allowing me to share it with you. Until the next chapter, May the Light be with you! And for any Horde passing through "Aka'Magosh!"