Though she chose to move at night, the streets of Silvermoon offered no covering shadows. The city was never dark, its golden streets and buildings lit from within and without by magic lanterns. Arcane Constructs roamed the streets patrolling for those that were seen as “subversives” to the greater good of the Blood Elves. Silvermoon Guards patrolled as well and Ansuela knew they would recognize her all too easily.
Her presence had been an uncomfortable thorn in the side of the elders for some time. Though normally quiet, the former Blood Knight had been speaking out more and more often about the overuse of magic by her people. As she witnessed greater acts of wickedness to feed their addiction rather than working toward curing it her protests became more vehement.
If not for the warning she had received this evening from an anonymous sympathizer, she would already be in the hands of the “adjusters”. Those shadowy figures discussed in whispers that with a spell could change one’s thoughts to echo what the leadership wished. She could not bear that to happen so the moment she received the warning she grabbed a small satchel of belongings, her beloved cat, Tiger, and abandoned her small quarters to try to escape the city.
She huddled behind an ornate planter as the latest pair of guards passed by. Tiger squirmed under her tunic but kept silent. She soothed him as she watched the guards disappear around the corner then dashed from her hiding spot to the archway leading from the city. Under the arch was the only bit of shadow she had found all night and from there she was able to watch the guards at the gate.
They showed no signs of moving and this was the only path out of the city. Tiger squirmed again and she rubbed him absently through the cloth of her tunic. She had to do something. She couldn’t sit here all night. Someone was bound to come by this way any minute. Hating herself for what she was about to do, she whispered the words of the spell she had learned just days ago from a mentor that told her, “Just in case you need it.”
She felt the roar of power through her mind before it touched the minds of the guards. They stiffened for the briefest of moments then resumed their guarding stance. To the outward eye there would be no indication of the spell she had cast. For a few moments, though, their perceptions would be dulled. They would never see her slip from the gates and into the darkened forest beyond.
Silently she left the shelter of the archway and dashed into the trees. She could not follow the road; the patrols made it too dangerous, yet she could not stray too far from it either because of the dangers in the woods themselves. Ducking from shadow to shadow she followed the path of the road through the trees, stopping on occasion to wait out a passing patrol.
She heard the growls before she saw the cat. She turned slowly toward the sound of the hunting Springpaw but knew it was already too late. It advanced on her from behind a nearby tree and she froze in fear. She’d heard about the vicious animals but had never been so close to one. She groped for a spell to save her but could not form a sound from her fear-tightened throat.
She crouched around Tiger as the cat lunged, hoping to protect him at least from the beast’s assault. She heard a roar, then a second, and when she looked back a large tawny cat was entangled in battle with the Springpaw. Their roars echoed through the forest and she wondered that the patrols didn’t hear. Within moments it was over. The Springpaw dashed off into the woods and the tawny cat let it go. As it turned deep brown eyes on her, Ansuela wondered if she had been saved from the Springpaw only to be delivered into the jaws of something even more dangerous.
As the cat drew nearer its form began to change. It was surrounded by a haze like one would see from paving stones on a hot summer day. It shifted slowly and changed into that of a being greatly larger than the cat had been. It was covered in a sleek fur with horns on its head and a large muzzle for a face. She could only stare. She had heard stories of the Tauren but had never seen one before. She knew there had been some visiting the city as representatives from the Horde but she hadn’t encountered them while they were there.
He knelt before her and seemed to be looking over her. “Are you unhurt?” He asked in his deep voice.
She swallowed hard and nodded, still unable to speak.
“The forest is dangerous for little elves to be wandering around alone.”
She bit her lip and looked around nervously wondering if this strange male was going to turn her over to the guards.
He gently poked the lump in her tunic and Tiger mewed in response. She wrapped her arms around the cat protectively and pulled it away from the large finger. “Ah, you travel with a companion.”
She hunkered down further against the tree and stared at her toes.
He poked her traveling satchel next, drawing her attention back to him again. “It is late. I am traveling with others of my kind. Perhaps the little elf and her companion would like to travel with us through this dangerous forest. There is safety in numbers.”
She swallowed hard, her mind racing. If she traveled with others the creatures of the woods would be less likely to attack her but if she were traveling in the open the patrols from Silvermoon would easily find her. She felt tears begin to form in her eyes as the shock of the evening set in and she couldn’t think what to do.
The Tauren frowned and reached out, scooping her into his arms. “You are not injured but neither should you be alone,” he said gently. “We have a wagon. You can ride in there. Shall we escort you to Silvermoon?”
She panicked and began to squirm away. “No! P-please!”
He held her firmly until she stopped fighting and stared down at her. She couldn’t read his expression and she dearly hoped he would not take her back to where she had just come from.
He nodded as if having come to a decision and carried her toward the road. “I think, then, it would be best if you rode inside the wagon. So you can rest and regain your calm.”
She only nodded and huddled further around Tiger. Inside she was less likely to be seen by casual observers. Perhaps she could escape after all.
Entries (RSS)