Brave little Panda

[ashtmoff]

Ashtmoff had just doused the fire he had used to cook his morning meal. The little Gnome Warlock had decided he needed some nice little rest and relaxation and had always found the jungles in stranglethorn a very pleasing spot for camping and gathering thoughts. Ash went over to his bags and began retreiving his robes and mask from inside checking for flaws in the fabric as he withrdrew each peice. He was then caught of guard by a stiffleing yawn. As Ash yawned and stretched with his hands and arms pointing towards the sky he heard a twig snap in the woods behind him.

Ash froze for just a second then whipped around to face his attacker. Thats when it struck him with a slight pain in his achilles tendon on his right foot. Ash Slumped down holding his ankle with a slight smirk on his face.

"Donta you little pest." Ash said while he grabbed the little panda and pushed him over onto his back. Donta apparently was in the mood for a fight. So much like one would do with a cat Ash obliged the little panda until he wore himself out and fell asleap. Ash decided that he can put off leaving for a few more hours anyhow it was a beutifull morning and he wouldn't mind catching a few fish for the road. And for Donta of Course.

While Ash sat there with the little exausted creature sitting in his lap he couldn't help think about when he found him or properly said rescued the little creature.

***********************
((1 year earlier))

*how did I end up in this cold forsaken land* Ash thought to himself pulling out his map unfolding it and checking for probably the sixtieth time and again seeing that the item he saught after was in The Ruins of Kel'Theril in Winterspring. With a sigh Ash pulled his cloak a little snugger around himself and snuck up to the edge of the frozen lake keeping himself hidden from the undead that apparently took up residence amongst the ruins now.

Poking his head up and looking around he started taking a count of all the buildings and then all the undead within eye shot.

*One two oh god I shouldn't even bother I'm just gonna have to go around from building to building freakingn checking each one till I find it.* he thought as he let out another longer sigh.

Something then caught his eye at the other side of the lake. Something very strange and odd looking. Ash could make out the figures of three undead weilding ropes swords and nets dragging behind them a large white and black animal that Ash assumed was a panda. The large panda was thrashing about in a net that looked a size to small to be holding it in. And if it wasn't for all the injuries the animal probably sustained during the capture he would of surely escaped by now.

*What on Azeroth would undead want with a panda. Hell those are almost extinct. Eh oh well* Ash thought as he sat down to start thinking of a plan of attack to take on the encampents around the lake. Something inside him stirred and he couldn't help himself but to look back over the hill and see what the undead were doing with the panda.

Looking back over the hill he could see the three undead dragging the large animal across the ice there were a few onlooking undead that of course didn't bother helping them. It was kind of a feeble attempt really the body mass of the thrashing bear versus three almost skeletal creatures slipping and sliding on the ice. It was almost humorous but they were making some head way. But something was stirring in Ash's stomach and he didn't know if he liked it or not. Everytime Ash got that feeling he ended up getting more then he bargained for.

*What the hell do I care? I mean I'm a freaking Warlock I trap peoples souls what the hell do I care about one lest beast in the world?* But even on that thought he found himself looking back over the hill at the misreable creature.

*Oh what the hell am I gonna get myself into this time?.*

"Juk'Kath come forth and aid your master!" Ash said before he began chanting the ancient words that would summon his nether world guardian. Within moments a massive half humanoid creature with large muscular arms and glowing yellow eyes materialised before the Warlock.

"Come my pet we have work to do and quickly." ash said to his guardian.

Ash jumped up on top of the hill and began a slow jog towards the undead toting the Panda. Looking around he figured that he would end up gathering the attention of at least four more undead along his trip including two banshee's. Sending a mental image to his guardian instructing him to only follow he gathered speed. It was only moments he new before he'd start getting their attention so he didn't hesitate.

"Corusio"
"Corusio"
"Siphone"
"Siphone"
"Corusio"
"Siphone"
"Corusio"
"Siphone"

Ash kept repeating the power words that would curse his enemys and finish the job that nature had already started. He now had himself a nice train of followers bent on eating his flesh. They were hard on his heals and his little legs were begining to tire just as he reached the three undead toting the Panda and they were drawing their weopons he again spoke the words of power. Ash sent a mental image once again to his guardian This time simply instructing him with "Distract them"

Juk'Kath let out his demonic howel, and a black cloude exploded out from the demon's body consuming all seven undead. The undead became enraged and they all focused their attacks on the demon. The demon was growing weak from the barrage of attacks very quickly. Ash began to chant.

"Frio Astare compendio, Frio Astare Compendio, Frio Astare Compendio."

Balls of flame erupted from the sky cascading down all around him and igniting the flesh of his enemies. He could feel his guardian was about to die so he sent him another mental image this time " protect me!". With this Juk'Kath dissapated into a cloud of smoke that was absorbed into Ash's flesh. All of his enemies now turned their attention back to Ash. Again he chanted.

"frio Astare Compendio, Frio Astare Compendio, Frio Astare Compendio."

The rain of fire kept cascading down while slash after slash and spell after spell was absorbed by the sheild barrier that had been placed around the Warlock from his guardians sacrifice.

*Just a few more seconds he thought, gotta hold out a few more seconds.*"Frio Astare Compendio." then one of the undead fell to the ground in a heap of bones and burnt flesh, then another, then another, then two more dropped, in three more seconds the rest had fell. Ash was exhausted already and he still didn't know what kind of shape the Panda was gonna be in or wether or not the Panda would assume he's an enemy.

But Ash set to cutting the net away anyhow and five minutes later the Panda was free. The panda stood up when the binds were loose enough for it to finally break them. The Panda was bleeding from to many wounds Ash was surprised at this animals will to survive many men would of given up on life at this point. The Panda looked at him side ways then moved to turn away and fell onto his side with a moan. It tried to get up once more but fell back down moaning again. Ash moved around to the front of him attempting to get close enough to touch its face. It lifted its head and let out a week growel before giving up and allowing Ash to touch it. Once Ash touched the Pandas face he knew what it was that drove Ash to save this majestic beast and he knew what it was that drove the animal to survive. That is the magic of a mother's love of an unborn child.

For the first time in many years Ash found himself sympathetic for another creatures plight. As he knelt there next to this magnificent beast he couldn't help but let a tear come to his eye as the animal looked up at him with a pleading look in its eye and letting out another moan.

"I'm sorry your wounds are to extensive for my first aid abilities. I'm sorry the powers I have are only for taking lives not saving them......I .... I'm sorry." And another feeling Ash felt for the first time in many years over came him, a feeling of helplessness.

Ash sat there for many minutes stroking the Pandas furr and chanting a song that his mother used to sing to him as a child to make him feel better when he would get hurt. Ash did not know how much time had lapsed before the mighty beast finally passed over to the other side nor did Ash feel the bite of the cold any longer. Once the Panda had passed set about the grueling task that he knew must be done."

"Well great one, i'm no surgeon lets jut hope that my blade cuts true. " With that he licked his fingers and ran them the length of his blade leaving a trail of red hot steal behind his fingers. He knelt down next to the Panda's stomach giving the Panda one last stroke with his hand he set about trying to bring a life into this world for an ironic change to his ways.

Ash worked for what seemed to him was hours. Carefully he cut here and there trying not to harm the Cub that was still inside the womb. *I just hope i'm in time* he thought to himself. Finally he was able to bring the tiny cub outside of the womb, but it wasn't breathing. Ash braught the little cub up to his mouth and blew just a little bit of air into its lungs. The taste was awfull but it needed to be done. The cub tensed a bit then spit up a little fluid. The tiniest squeek came from the cub as Ash held it in his arms.

"We are gonna need to take you some place I can get goats milk little one. I guess i'm gonna have to finish my quest some other time. I know there is a small city up north, thats where we'll go." With that Ash couldn't help but smile down at the little cub. Ash then emptied one of his back pack's and put one of his extra shirts inside to make it more cozy and tucked the little panda inside. He then tied the back pack around his front side to give it some body heat for the trip. Ash began to chant again and this time a large horse materialized in front of him whinnying and neying with flame coming off his hoves and out his nostrils and eyes.

Ash grabbed a fistfull of its mane as it bucked sending Ash flying onto its back side. Stroking the neck of the beast with his right hand he spoke another power word and pointed at the momma panda with his left hand. The mamma panda's body erupted into white hot flame. *something so magnificent should not be left behind for the denizens of evil to feed off of* He thought to himself as he kicked his dreadsteed into a gallop towards Everlook.

[ashtmoff]

*part two*

Sitting propped against a log along Lake Nazferiti with a straw hat drawn just down over his eyes sat the mighty Warlock Ashtmoff in all his glory. Displaying tattered pants and a worn woolen shirt and holding a fishing pole in hand Ash dozed in and out of consiousness. The only thing that could complete this picture would be if he had a peice of hay or grass sticking out of his mouth. Ash sat there patiently awaiting a tugg on his line pondering over events past.

Ash heard a small comotion amongs the bushes off to his right opening his right eye he peered over to see what Donta had gotten up to. Out of the bushes dashed a little rabbit with donta pouncing right after him just as happy as a clam.

*Hmm maybe Donta is starting to learn how to hunt.* Ash thought to himself. Then to his shocked amazement he saw Donta do the strangest thing. He skidded to a halt in the sand right before Ash was sure he'd capture his prey, turned around and started running. And even more amazing the little hare darted after him.

Ash found himself laughing out loud. *it wasn't a meal he was after, just a play pal.* he laughed again before he relaxed back against the log resuming his attempt at willing a fish to bite his hook. Ash could hear that the two had made there way back into the underbrush.

Right when Ash found himself dozing off again he heard a loud *SNAP* the sound of metal clamping down on hard against bone.

Ash panicked drawing his dagger he darted into the wooded area where his little cub had gone. He could hear his little cub whailing and his heart lept into his throat.

***********
((one year earlier))

The ride had taken all morning before Ash could see the walls of Everlook in the distance. Ash reigned in his Dreadsteed and dismissed it. Flopping to the ground Ash started taking off all the robes and gear that gave away his chosen life style and drawing out simple travelers garments. Straw hat in place and a simple travelers cloak on his back he began to make his way towards everlook on foot. After all Ash had an image to uphold if people saw the Dark Warlock Ashtmoff toting a baby Panda he would be a laughing stock and never taken seriously again.

Once within the walls of Everlook he searched out a stable master to procure some goats milk for the young cub. An inkeeper had told Ash to head to the North eastern part of town where there was a little heard of sheep and goats kept by a master Kelthor.

When rounding a corner the little stable came into view and ash could see a pin outside with some roaming sheep in it. On the far side of the pen he could see a mid sized troll squatting down on a stool widdling on a peice of wood. Ash approached the troll slowly, the troll's only sign of acknowledging his approach was a quick eye brow raise and glance up at him before going about his widdling.

"Excuse me uh sir. But are you master Kelthor?" Ash asked in his most timid gnomish accent he could muster.

"yar I be he who you be lookin fer. And what be it that you be needen from ol Kelthor little one?" Said the troll never taking his eyes of what appeared might be a boar that he was carving out of wood.

"Well Kelthor sir I uh heard that you might be able to provide me with some err goats milk?" Ash asked with his most inoccent expression.

At this the troll paused and looked up at Ash squarely in the eyes. The trolls eye belayed much more inteligence then ash gave the creature credit.

"You be sumthin els der little one. is not a many that be travelin to ear Everlook jus fer fun. And me never see one oh yer kind ear that are jus travelers. And goats milk? what ye be needen goats milk fer little one by yer stache on yer face i'd be thinkin that ye been off yer mumars teet for many a year now?" The troll had a sly smirk on his face almost smug.

"Ok I may not be what I appear but the fact is I need the goats milk for an animal cub that needs to be nursed. Its mother passed over during labor and I happend to come across the Cub. He's going to need a supply of milk and in all honesty i'm not even sure how to take care of it." Said Ash dropping all pretense from his voice and manurisms.

"okie okie yer bisness is yer bisness, but if ye cuuld shew me that err Cub of yers i mea be able to elp ye a little bettier."

With this Ash reluctantly pulled aside his cloak that was covering the pack tied to his front side and allowed the troll to take a look at the little sleeping pana cub inside.

"That der be somethin else der little one. dem Panda critters be pretty rare dees days. Yer got ye a little gem der ye do. You be lucky that ol Kelthor has just wha ye need for dat der cub." With that the troll went into a shed and Ash could hear him riffling around with stuff. he came out a few minutes later with a glass bottle that had some leather looking nipple thing on the end and balancing two jugs of what appeared to be milk on his other arm.

"Dis ere will do ye fer wha yer need fer dat little guy. You do be needen to feed dat der at leas fer to fiv dimes per day. And ye will need ta come back ere in a few days and get ye some mer milk. Dis ere be good goats milk and jes wha de little guy be needen. Yer will have te do diss fer a couple oh mons i suppose. " The troll paused as if in deep though. " I can see owe dis ere news mae be hurd for one like yer to take. Takin care oh cubs is load of work. I tell ye wha yer stay at de inn dis night and come back in de morn and if ye want i be willin to take dat dere litte guy of ye hands fer ye."

Ash found this news alarming * A few months?!? Is he crazy I dont have time to sit here in Everlook feeding a cub. But he did offer to take the cub off my hands. I mean after all I am a warlock and have many duties I must attend to that would really be way to dangerous to take a cub along with. Then there is the fact i'd have to stay putt for months ugh I cant stay here for months just nursing a cub* Ash found himself reiterating this in his head all night long while he sat on a bed in a dingy room to the inn. The little panda cub was almost as big as his hand sucking away at the nipple on the bottle drinking up as much of the goats milk that his little stomach could hold.

Ash awoke in the morning his decision was made. That morning Ash went back to Kelthor and handed the baby panda over to him. Ash had a heavy feeling in his heart departing from the only creature of good nature that he has ever brought into this world. But Ash kept telling himself that they were both better off this way as he summoned his dreadsteed outside of Everlook and headed off towards The Ruins of Kel'Theril.