Deception (a World of Warcraft Fanfic)

Zhu's watch part 3

(Baine)

"I sense your concern be more 'dan just da Warchief." Vol'jin inquired, tilting his head. How ever does his red hair stay in place like that? I wondered.

"Saerah was among the fleet Garrosh sent to Pandaria." I told him, taking a deep breath. The burning herbs eased me and kept my words from growing shaky, "She let her guard down and her talents were observed by an Orc general, Grosh Goraff, who's name, may I add, had never crossed my ears before. He reported to Garrosh what he saw. Thankfully he knew little of our friendship. A friend of mine, a member of his zeppelin crew, informed me before news reached Garrosh. I was able to report her as a newer champion of my people to avoid any conflict. Garrosh seemed very pleased with this, he admired Saerah's skill, which she hesitantly, but wonderfully showed off."

"I see, she grown to be a fine young lady, mon?"

"She hasn't been a kid since we fought against the scourge. Sometimes I feel I still am."

"You be fillin big shoe, Baine. Don't be sellin yourself short, though. Da bravery you have shown against da Warchief is something all respect. Da other leaders, dey already look to you as great. Now tell me, what dis dark voodoo Saerah speak of?" Vol'jin's eyes twinkled in sincerity, he meant ever word.

"She tells me of sha, energy of the land based from emotions such as anger and hatred. The Pandaren have long ago shed these emotions, out war has brought them back. It infests the land, she tells me you can almost hear the Earthmother scream at the pain her children have put her through. She's currently off learning more about it-"

"Dat not be the only thing concerning you." He pressed, taking another bite of the charred plainstrider.

"Besides Malkorok still wanting my head, I do worry for her saftey." I trailed off, thinking of how long it's been since I received any word from her- not that she really ever did write until now.

"She be tough as nails. You let her fight in da breaking of da world itself, not dat you could have stopped her. Dis time be different?"

I took a swig of water and looked at him, hoping for a change of topic. I had no such luck. His gaze held. Clearly, my dismay could be read off my face. "We spent much time together between the cataclysm and now. She was absent during Theremore's fall, yes, but her staying in a Thunder bluff for weeks at a time was unheard of before."

"Her attitude rubbed off on you," he teased, "dat girl be sassy for a Tauren so petite." he joked.

"She's young," I told him, "I was quite the pain at her age. I had a lesser desire to see the world, but still I was adventurous. To think, when I was sixteen, she was traveling Kalimdor in the name of adventure, what am I saying? Saerah is... unique, age could be to blame, but her need for excitement is beyond me."

"You understand dis girl, do you not?" he raised an eyebrow, welcoming a toothy grin to form between his tusks.

"She has been my best friend since she could talk, and saved my tail numerous times since. She's not around much, but when she is, she's the best company I have."

"Den, it seems to me she'll be your wife 'on day." he muttered.

It took me off guard. It could not be seen past my thick coat of fur, but my cheeks felt somewhat hot. "Beautiful as she is, she is not meant to be tamed. She's too young, to free willed. Honestly, I feel old compared to her, so lively, so bright. My friend, and only that, she remains."

"You both have sometin' not many of da Horde got."

"And that is?"

"Da power to send fear through da warchief's black heart." He squinted his eyes through his thick face paint, looking to me in admiration. "Age don't matter, Baine, if dat what you think. Not for Saerah, not for you."