Of Grey Lady, Part One

[Taema]

Its a bit long, as I took the time to create a background story for my Tauren hunter around the milestone of getting my first mount. Four parts, broken down for an easier read, I hope. Thanks for reading!

Author: Taema
Faction:Horde
Title: Of Grey Lady
Type: Background

~*~
The first time he had seen a kodo was when he had been out in the meadow near Camp Narache. The armor of the Tauren Warrior had sparkled in the sun sending glints of colors dancing in the air around him.

Taema had followed at a safe distance, not knowing who this was. Certainly he had heard of the lives that are woven on the earth mother's loom. He knew of the War between the Horde and the Alliance. He had heard of Thunder Bluff as well, a splendid city built on gigantic mesas. He had even heard about the sprawling Orc city of Ogrimmar, built into a canyon.

And he had heard of a kodo before. A beast that was so big that when it walked, the ground would shake under you. Even this distance from this great beast shook Taema’s hooves on the grassy hillside.

Whoever this Tauren was, he would never know the name. Only that he had seen the warrior step into the chief's tent. Certainly it was a great warrior, an assumption on Taema's part but with an axe that big strapped to his back, what else could he have been?

Later around the great fire, this warrior would speak of great adventures. He’d speak of the battles that rage across the lands. Taema, like all other young ones, would listen intently until they fell asleep under the watchful gazes of their parents.

It was not many seasons after that, when Taema had been sent to make the somewhat dangerous trek to Bloodhoof Village. It was his first adventure, having been sent to get some fresh fish for a feast to honor the earth mother. He was quite sure that he had been under the watchful eyes of the braves that walked the path, but it was the first time he had been sent out alone; a first adventure.

Once there, he decided to explore this peaceful village by the lake. He watched warriors fighting in a big circle. He saw a giant bonfire that dwarfed the fires of his camp.

Next were the kodos. He couldn't help himself. He went to the first grey kodo he had seen and looked the magnificent beast over.

Harb Clawhoof had noticed the young Tauren close to his Kodos. He handed him a handful of greens. "Here, she likes these the best."

Taema smiled and held out his hand, accepting the vegetables. But he was hesitant when he neared the head of the kodo.

"Go on, young one, she's a friendly one, this one. I'm sure she'll make someone a fine mount when she is old enough." Taema offered the greens to the kodo. At first he felt her breath on his fur as she began to chew the food. His worries would soon pass as he watched her look at him.

"A mount? I saw a warrior once at our camp. He was riding one of these, only it was brown." Taema worked up the courage to rub the snout of the kodo.

"Yes, brown and grey seem to be our most popular colors." Clawhoof laughed and took Taema's hoof, placing it behind what seemed to be the kodo's ear.

"Here, they like to be scratched here." The great beast let out a small sound and it brought a smile to them both. "She seems to like you, you have a way with the beasts, do you?"

Taema shrugged his shoulders, not knowing how to answer that.

"Well, the earth mother no doubt has a plan for you, she has plans for us all. Perhaps yours is to be a hunter or a druid." No one had ever spoken such words to him.

After all, he thought that he'd stay in the nearby camp forever, like the generations of his family before him. He had heard stories around the great fires, stories of brave hunters that could tame nearly any beast that walked the plains and forests.

"And one day, I could ride one of these?" He looked up hopeful.

"Aye. When you are old enough. Kar, over there, will teach you how to ride them. It just takes age and gold, of course."

Taema felt his heart lower in his chest. Gold. His family had never had any need for gold. The way he understood it was that Thunderbluff provided for Bloodhoof Village. In turn, the village provided for the camp, the camp provided for its people.

"About 90 gold, if I like you, that is." Clawhoof nodded, stroking the beard below his snout.

Taema reluctantly put his hoof to his side, suddenly remembering the fish he was sent to collect. Clawhoof noticed the change in the young Tauren immediately, he had seen it often when others would come to learn of his great kodos.

"90 gold, that's a lot of gold, isn't it, boy?" Taema nodded, staring out to the lake.

"The life of a hunter or warrior or druid or shaman in the service of the Horde can earn themselves some coin. If Chieftain Cairne of Warchief Thrall were to send word for you and your service, that is."

Taema couldn't reply. He had heard the stories of the war, the battles that broke out across Azeroth. Heard of the bone-chilling stories of gnomes that could summon forth demons to serve them. He heard of humans in splendid armor that could turn the tide of battle against the Horde.

He had heard many stories of great Horde victories as well. But he had always thought of himself as nothing more than the leatherworker that was his father and his father's father and so on through the family line. He couldn't see himself in battle, couldn't see himself serving the Horde, save for the armor and pouches his family had been sending to Thunderbluff.

And for now, he was little more than a boy. A boy sent to the village for fresh fish. The world seemed full of wonder when his first adventure began. Instead, he felt the bitter disappointment that weighed about 90 gold pieces.

"I need to get some fish, I have bothered you long enough." Taema spoke quietly looking out to Stonebull Lake.

[Taema]

"Those fish have been in that lake since I can remember, they will be there all day and all week, if I remember correctly." Stormsinger spoke and nodded to the same lake.

"And you need to start saving up your gold, young....." Clawhoof’s voice stopped, now aware he had never even known who he was talking to.

"Taema."

"Young Taema. Have you any coin at all?"

Taema shook his head.

"None at all?" Stormsinger spoke again.

Taema wished he had never been sent to the village now. Once more he shook his head.

"Well, we must do something about that. You see I am a busy trainer. I haven't got all day to stand around looking after my kodos. Someone must be able to look after them, when I cannot. Someone will need to feed them, when I cannot. They need to be washed, or their skin will blister in the summer sun." All the while, Clawhoof was sizing Taema up.

Taema could find no voice, he didn’t know where this was going.

"If I knew of a young one, one that I could trust with my kodos, one that understood the needs of a kodo and one that could love them as I do. If only I knew of someone, about your age, about your height....sadly, I haven't seen any around the village.”

Stormsinger chirped in where Clawhoof left off “Sometimes we see young Taurens sent here to bring back fresh fish to the camp."

Clawhoof smiled easily. "Would you happen to know of one? One I could trust. I'd pay...maybe.....a copper a week, when they could come and help out an old Tauren take care of his kodos."

"A copper? How much is a copper worth?" Taema once more felt his heart beat rapidly in his chest.

"Well, a copper isn't much but it is a start." Stormsinger looked at the young one before him. "Are you offering your assistance to Har, young Taema?"

Taema nodded.

Clawhoof nodded in approval "You will find a bucket with a brush over there, beneath the table. Go and fill it with some water from the lake, you'll need the brush as well to work the water onto the kodo's skin." He nodded to the items but an arm’s length away.

"But my camp is expecting me to return with the fish." Taema wanted to help, wanted to earn that coin as he had wanted to ride a great kodo, like the warrior that visited his village.

"I will send word to your camp, to your parents. They will know you are safe. I will be sure you return to the village, and with your fish, in enough time before the feast. AFTER you have done your task to my satisfaction." With that, Clawhoof took out a copper piece and placed it on the table.

As he turned to tell Taema it would be his, he was surprised to see not a trace of him, except for a figure headed to the edge of the lake holding a bucket.

“You may have your hands full with this one, Har.” Stormsinger whispered to his friend.

At the end of the day, Taema got to ride a kodo back to his camp. Clawhoof had lived up to his promise to be sure that he made it safely back home. He just didn't say that Taema would be able to ride the grey kodo he had fed that afternoon.

But surprises are important to the young Tauren of the camps and villages, Clawhoof reasoned.

So, even with Clawhoof holding the reigns securely as he walked beside the kodo, Taema would remember the view from the mount that day, as the sun settled over the hills of Mulgore.

It was the first day of many as Taema would make his way to help with the kodos near the lake.

At the feast to honor the earth mother, Taema had asked her in silent prayer, to show him a path he could take to serve in the Horde and help the fight the Alliance or other threats that lay ahead.

Her answer would take many seasons. In the meantime, his coppers began to pile up in his coin purse, as the seasons turned and he grew older. Still, he knew he was a long way from the gold he would need.

But with that copper saved up, he had bought his first rusty blunderbuss from a traveling merchant that stopped by the camp. His father fashioned him an ammo pouch with enough shot inside for the blunderbuss.

His mother was quick to disapprove of his new interest, fearful of its future and her oldest born. His father would soothe her concerns and speak of the other sons and daughter that could certainly carry on the family traditions in the camp.

Taema practiced with the blunderbuss endlessly until Lanka Fashot took notice.

One day, it came time for him to do his promised duties for Clawhoof's kodos Instead he was told to return to Camp Narache, to begin training as a the hunter for the camp. He would help provide food and hides to the camp.

Should he prove himself worthy, she would send word to Yaw Sharpmane and he would send word to Thunderbluff itself. Often he would be told that his service would be invaluable to the Horde, as they would need seasoned hunters.

On his first trip to Thunderbluff, having been summoned to the great hunters that reside atop the rises, he stopped by to tell Clawhoof the news.

“I’ve been told to meet with the hunters there.” Taema told him as he scratched at Grey Lady’s ear. He had come to call her that, since he started making his trips to the village, to tend her and the other Kodos. Always fearful that one day, she would be gone.

They had both grown older, and she would near the age where she’d be ready to be sold to some great Tauren hunter or druid, shaman or warrior.

"So I had heard. Don’t worry, though, she'll be yours, young Taema, of that I will have no doubt. When you are both ready." said Clawhoof.

"And when I have the 90 gold." Taema chuckled.

[Taema]

"Yes, there is the matter of the coin. But I have faith in you. You have been noticed, and many adventures await your hooves on a path not known to you or any, but the earth mother." Clawhoof motioned him back to his tent, where he handed Taema a new hunter's rifle.

"I can't...I can't take this." Taema stepped back.

"Ah, but you will. It is a bit better than that rusty blunderbuss I've seen you carrying around. And you’ll have a far better aim than with that thing. It will serve you well." Clawhoof handed him the rifle "And, besides, I insist. No Hunter of Cairne could serve his clan well with a rusty piece of junk."

Taema nodded and walked once more past the kodos, to Grey Lady. He made a promise to come back for her, and as if in her eyes, he saw she knew.

As Taema began to walk back to his camp, he heard Clawhoof call out once more. "I’ve lost my best helper, so I need someone to take your place, perhaps you know of another young Tauren, surely the camp needs more fresh fish."

Taema laughed and waved.

More seasons would pass, and Taema would notice how the kodos came and went from Clawhoof's stock. All except Grey Lady.

Seasons would turn and turn, as Taema would learn to become a hunter, learn how to tame beasts as pets, to place traps and see the tracks left in the grounds, and what had made them and where they were headed.

Until finally one evening, as the light left a curtain of red across Mulgore, Taema came to Bloodhoof, a determined hunter. Clawhoof was working with a new brown kodo, who was still a bit unruly. Or, perhaps it was the great ape behind Taema that he had found in the forests of Feralas that made the kodo uneasy. Shappa was a rarity here in Mulgore, but was a fine pet.

Stormsinger noticed Taema standing by the edge of the dirt circle and motioned him forward. He cleared his throat, catching Clawhoof’s attention. He looked up to see Taema and smiled.

"I am afraid I am out of greens, young Taema, you'll have to come back in the morning to feed her."

"No, not this time. I will feed her, give her her greens every day and take care of her." Taema reached under his armor and took out the coin purse. He looked it once over to be sure that Ffutsym hadn't made any more of his holes in it. He handed it over to Clawhoof, who held it in his hoof.

"90 gold, its all there." Taema nodded, having cleared out his vaults of everything to reach the final gold piece he'd need.

"Aye, it feels about 90 gold. Let me get my ledger." With that, he walked back to get his book and notched out Grey Lady’s name. Taema had watched and looked surprised. A name had already been placed next to hers, a name that looks like it had been there, ever since he was a young Tauren, sent out on his first adventure to get fresh fish for his camp.

It was his name.

Clawhoof handed him her reigns and Taema felt his heart beat. "I will take good care of her, wise Har."

"You always have."

With that, Taema led her down to the lake, and smoothed the water over her dry skin. He fixed the mount onto her and stepped up into it. He knew where he had to go first, as he left the village, headed to the camp. He went to speak to his parents and to speak to the chief, to give him an update on the war, a proud hunter he was now, in service to Thrall, Cairne and the Horde.

He had met the enemy in battle, he had tasted sweet victories and bitter defeats.

And as he guided Grey Lady up the hilly path to Camp Narache, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a young Tauren, following him just out of sight but not out of a hunter's vision. He smiled to himself, feeling each step of the kodo beneath him and he remembered back to the day,

The day he first saw that warrior, splendid in his armor, riding a kodo into camp.

Later he’d see his parents. His mother would fret over the new scars she’d see and ask when would be the time he’d come home for good and settle down with a mate.

His father would tsk her and kiss her cheek. When it would be time for Taema to speak to the camp before the fire of the feast, he’d always see the pride in both his parents. His younger brothers had grown as well as his sister in the seasons he’d been away.

Around the fire he’d tell the tales of crossing the great sea in a giant balloon. He’d speak of the vast world outside the world of the camp. He’d always time his voice to surprise the young ones at the right time, with a flair for the dramatic.

He spoke of the friends met along the way, the brave warrior Emovirshul, the wily rogue Ffustym, the helpful mage, Blackspectre. He’d spoke of his time under a sage troll named Volk and his Storm Wolves. He spoke until his voice was all but gone.

Later some of the more brave young ones would come out to see Shappa. The gorilla was making an impression in the camp. But Shappa would be patient as they touched and petted him, as long as one or two would give him his favorite golden apples, he’d be happy with the attention.

But one caught his eye, a young female that sat next to Grey Lady, and she seemed to be talking to the kodo.

“Her name is Grey Lady.” Taema came over to her, taking out some greens from his satchel to hand to the young one.

“She said that’s what you have named her, and she is happy to called so. But her real name, her plain’s name is hard to pronounce.” The girl nodded as if it was matter of fact.

“She told you all that, did she?” Taema looked surprised. He had met many in his travels, some having this talent to seem to know animals better than they knew themselves. Mostly, they were druids with the Cenarions. Perhaps this young one held the gift as well.

The girl nodded as she petted Grey Lady, feeding her the morning greens.

“I liked your stories last night, even when you talked about those…'uummmmm..Forsaken?”

Taema smiled “Yes, those walking bones can be quite friendly when not making new potions.”

Taema went to speak with Chief Hawkwind before he had to leave. There was to be one more feast that night, to honor the earth mother. But Taema had to ask the chief a favor.

When it came time for him to leave, he found the girl still chatting away with Grey Lady. He whistled for Shappa who had taken up a new sport of chasing after the deer on the plains to the delight of most of the village.

[Taema]

“I have to go to the village, I thought you’d like to come with. It seems they need some fish for the feast tonight.” He tightened the straps on the saddle.

“My mother will be worried.” She looked away, sadly.

“Ah, yes, but she will know where you are. And, you have your Chief’s permission to go as well.” Taema picked her up and placed her on top of Grey Lady. She squealed with delight as he held the reigns, walking the path to Bloodhoof.

On the way, she pointed out to him every bloom and root easily or barely seen among the plants. She told them what each could do when mixed together. She had learned some of these secrets from her maw maw and aunts.

Once at Bloodhoof, Taema introduced her to Har Clawhoof. In turn, he told her the same tales he had once told Taema. He watched happily as she went off to gather her first bucket of water from Stonebull Lake.

“So, my young helper has finally brought me a young helper.” Clawhoof sized up Taema once more.

“Ah, the earth mother’s world is a circle, never ending and always turning. She will be a fine helper.” Taema nodded.

“That she will, perhaps even better than a young boy I remember coming to the village for fish.” Clawhoof winked causing Taema to laugh.

”Perhaps she will. She’s got the makings of a good druid, I’d say.”

Clawhoof nodded. “She has already been noticed.”

Taema smiled once more and nodded with him. “I am not surprised, is there anything you haven’t heard?”

Around that time, she had come back as Taema sat atop his kodo once more.

“Will you be staying for the feast tonight?” she asked.

But Taema had seen the smoke signals rising on the horizon. He had come to learn of them and the meanings they held. He raised his hand to his eyes, covering the glare of the late morning sun. The Alliance had been sighted near Southern Gold Road, with flags and banners proudly displayed. Numbers unknown, but growing as they headed north.

“Crossroads.” Taema shook his head and sighed.

A new day was a new beginning for some but the same battles lay ahead for others. “I don’t think I will be at the feast tonight, but save me a place near my parents, just in case.”

With that, he motioned for Shappa to follow as he rode out of the village, his rifle slipping into the holster of the saddle, at the ready and loaded.

“Where does he go?” she asked Clawhoof, as they both watched him ride down the path to Camp Taurajo.

”To where he is needed, something one must remember when in the service of Thrall and Cairne.” Clawhoof squinted at the smoke on the horizon, though his age kept him from reading them as well as he could in seasons long past.

“For the Horde!” the young Tauren called out before Taema got too far away to hear. He turned back, pressing a hoof to his chest and nodding to her, as the village began to fade across the horizon.

~*~