Deception (a World of Warcraft Fanfic)

Growing bonds

(Anduin)

The afternoon heat is brutal, either night has already fallen, or I'm seeing stars. The tree cover helped cool us a but, but it soon became sparse. Sarah remains unaware of it, used to a hit environment.

"Does it ever snow where you're from?"

She thought for a bit, "I've seen a lot of snow, but not in my hometown, no."

"Well, in a few months, it coats all the roofs in Stormwind. It makes quite the view."

"You're really fond of that castle of yours, huh?"

"I've spent most all my life there. I'm not much of a conversation, am I?" I feared that I was beginning to bore her, all of my stories were a drag, after all.

"No, but you are more than some of the people I've worked with. It doesn't matter how well you know them or how far you travel, some just don't talk."

"Do you... like that?" I asked, hoping I wasn't supposed to take a hint.

"No, it's nice to have someone to talk to, or on trips like these I'll find myself conversing with Raven."

"She is a good listener." Raven watches me very closely, like one of her cubs, making sure I stay out of trouble. She's like the eyes of Sarah.

"I suppose. You must have something more to you." She fingered for her bow upon a stick snapping. Another one of the adders we had encountered a mile back uncoiled itself and bared it's venomous fangs. Raven went into a hysterical frenzy, ripping the tail of the poor thing to pieces. Sarah remained calm and killed it within seconds, removing the fangs for their poison. She was teaching me how to use it on the skinning knife she gave me to give it a surprise edge.

"I'm afraid not..."

"Anduin, there are two types of people in this world, those that have something more, and those who want something more. As long as you are the second, there will always be more.

"You're very clever Sarah."

"Thank you." She seemed to be avoiding conversation with me, just focusing on the road ahead. I tried to do the same, after all, my father doesn't talk to me often. I should be used to it, but the silence bothered me.

The thick vegetation sent me into sensory overload, the smells, colors, creatures lurking throughout it, unseen by any of my people. This is what it's like to see Azeroth, it truly is beautiful.

Raven joined my side and we walked together along the dirt road, which nature was slowly reclaiming. Everything here was ancient, trees never grew to be this old in Elwynn, and every road was well kept. Perhaps that's why the sha reacted so violently to us. The Pandaren have lived here for generations, keeping peace amongst one another, then we came and tore up their forests, terrified their villages. No wonder the sha killed them all.

They did not kill us, however, perhaps it could see that I did not approve. Sarah and I could have easily parishes the other day. Had we been given mercy?

"Do you think the sha could be... good?"

She nearly tripped over her own two feet. "They are evil emotions, Anduin. I know you aren't for the Horde, so I guess their death is viewed as a positive to you, but nothing truly positive will come out of them." She seemed a bit annoyed, but I didn't think my question would vex her so. "The factions may have brought them on, but they have done much damage on their own. We should take the advice of the people and right the wrong we have brought upon them."

"What 'we'? You and I? We can't take them on, just the two of us."

"You're right, not yet."

Well, maybe you can one day.