Flight of the Tauren
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Brick and Mortar
A World of Warcraft Story by Gre7g Luterman

Episode 8: Flight of the Tauren

The mighty Nazferiti separated Elwynn Forest from Duskwood, and a wide tributary to it flowed from the mountains surrounding Stormwind. One way or another, we were going to need to get across.

With so few landmarks to judge by, it was difficult to say exactly where we were. My best guess was a day's walk south of the bridge the connected Westfall to Elwynn Forest, but there was no way to be sure without approaching a populated or well-guarded area.

There were more roads here. More roads than appeared on the map. I didn't know if we were lost or if the map was incomplete. I hoped for the latter.

As we crossed the third road of the night, a raspy voice whispered "Patrol!" We sprinted for cover without looking back. Fortunately, there was a small stand of trees, only a hundred feet ahead.

Only once we were in deep cover did I dare turn and search the darkness for signs of pursuit. "What did you see?" I whispered to Molthor.

The headhunter didn't say a word. Instead, he pointed to Johnny, to indicate that it had been the rogue who had called the alarm. It took a moment for this to sink in. Johnny had actually spoken, and on his own, no less. This was, after all, only the second thing I had ever heard him say.

It was quite the time to have a breakthrough!

I scanned the darkness, but didn't see a thing. Then I heard the jingling of metal and the sound of galloping. I smelled the horses.

There were at least two of them, a mounted patrol. That was bad. We might have been able to out-run men, but never horses.

The patrol had left the road. They rode back and forth along the edge of the woods, so they obviously had spotted us. I hoped only that they hadn't gotten a good look. Perhaps if they had been far enough back, then they would have only seen movement. We could have been loose cattle, or brigands, even. They may not have realized that we were Horde.

They searched for quite some time before heading off. I exhaled a long, quiet sigh of relief. "We should press on, before they come back with reinforcements."

Instead of leaving the woods, we pressed on through them, headed East, towards the river.

The woods were small, and soon we were at their edge.

"Dem bwoys comin' 'gain," Molthor said. "Four ridahs dis time... two dog."

Dogs? Hiding was definitely not an option. We sprinted from the trees. I could just barely make out the river ahead. The sky was starting to lighten.

I still couldn't see the riders, but I had no reason to distrust the witchdoctor's farsight. We tumbled down a long slope to the river's muddy banks.

I was not prepared for just how large the river would be. We had many streams in Mulgore that we called rivers, but they were nothing like this. You could not throw a rock from one bank to the other, it was that wide. The skies were turning pink and I could see swirling eddies in the water.

If we abandoned our armor and weapons, then we might be able to swim to the other side without drowning. It would be easier if we had the luxury of choosing a better spot to cross, but that seemed unlikely.

I could hear the dogs.

Johnny looked to me for direction. "We stand and fight," I declared. "Is there place where they won't be able to fight on horseback?"

Molthor was rummaging through his pack. "Nah, 'old up. Gib me ya hoofs."

The witchdoctor pulled out a small vial of oil and rubbed it on our feet. An arrow landed in the grass beside us. I could see the riders now, rushing towards us, but they were still too far away to get a good shot.

"Gwan, den!" he shouted, the Troll sprinted out across the water, running for the opposite bank. I had no idea what sort of magic made this possible, but I was not about to question our luck. Johnny and I ran too.

I saw an arrow or two splash into the water. "'Urry!" Molthor shouted. He was a quick one, and was getting a good lead on the rogue and myself.

I ignored the attack and ran, never looking back. It was a wonderful sensation. I could see the currents swirls around us, and feel the cool water splashing over the tops of my hooves, but somehow the water held up my weight as if I were running on grass.

I couldn't hear the dogs, or the horses, or even the jangling of my own armor. The sounds of rushing water filled my ears the fresh smell tickled my nose. I just focused on the far bank and ran.

Closer. Closer. The edge was so close now. The splashing of my hooves on water. Splashing. Splashing.

And then suddenly, the magic was gone, as if the spell had never been cast.

With one mighty "Sploosh!" I was underwater. The weight of my armor dropped me hard, like a stone.