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"What is your report?" Commander Ayiesha asked, sitting up in her chair. She placed the mug of steaming Vale tea on the heavy wooden desk in front of her, not bothering to stand for the young corporal.

"Commander, our scouts report continuing build up of Horde troops at the border. Meanwhile, the guard has been doubled at their Warsong lumber camps." The corporal locked his knees, apparently trying to impress the commander.

Ayiesha had seen many Night Elves in military formation faint due to locked knees. She took a slow breath, and said, "At ease, corporal." He hesitated, but she just kept staring at him until he complied.

Legs set apart, the corporal continued, "Um, no non-civilian Horde have been seen crossing into Ashenvale, but at the current rate of build up, Horde troops would number enough to overwhelm our border outposts in a week. Scouts report," he added, holding his breath.

Ayiesha nodded, thinking for a moment. She hoped the corporal did not notice the purple skin on her hands tensed around her mug until they appeared almost white. She wanted to throw the ceramic container, but doing so would not befit her station. Still, she could not manage to suppress her sigh before grabbing her quill and parchment and responding, "Send this message to Astranaar, when I finish it. I want it to make it to Commander Devora by this very evening."

She wrote quickly. Commander Devora was unlikely to appreciate embellishments to enhance the urgency of the request. Ayiesha would simply state the facts: "We need to reinforce our borders. Horde forces are growing, and some of our spies have not returned from their missions. No word yet from the druids' spy, but we must respond, lest the Horde overwhelm us. I request doubled guard at all border posts, as well as an extra flight of sentinels to be posted here, at the Silverwing Refuge. -Commander Ayiesha."

Having signed the letter, she sealed it with wax inside a glossed leaf envelope and handed it to the corporal with some choice words. "Delivering this message is the most important mission of your young life, corporal. See it gets done."

She could see the young Night Elf swallow, as if his throat suddenly went dry. Perhaps it had. He placed the envelope into his vest, and barely restrained himself to a walk as he exited the war room. Everything was out of her hands now. She hated that feeling. Why were the Horde making aggressive moves against the Alliance now, of all times? The Scarab Wall was a mutual threat to all of Azeroth, yet it appeared the Horde would attempt to attack while both sides fought together against that ancient evil. She prayed to Elune that the druid spy could somehow learn Thrall's true intentions, where Ayiesha's own spies had failed.

Commander Ayiesha took a deep breath, sipping her Vale tea. Still too hot! Her tongue smarting, she flung the mug across the small room, where it collided with the wall, shattering into a hundred pieces.

* * * * *

Kelidanya found it difficult to walk so boldly into the enemy camp. She'd rarely seen any Orcs, Taurens, or Trolls before, yet now she was surrounded by them. The young druid looked for any opportunity to escape, but her captors kept a watchful eye. If she bolted, they would realize immediately that she was not what she appeared to be - the female Orc's tamed lioness - but rather an Alliance spy. But her difficulty in walking was due to more than just nerves.

Directly in front of her was the reason why. The large black lion that Kelidanya believed was called Gren walked cheerfully along side the Orc, taking his rightful place beside his master. Kelidanya padded closely behind Gren, trying not to walk beside the last member of their convoy, a Tauren druid whose smirking looks sent a tingling down her body to the tip of her tail. He was a massive, black-furred specimen, whose magically enhanced leather armors and ornate staff indicated his control over the might of nature was vastly superior to Kelidanya's. She was the least experienced druid in Darnassus.

Walking closely behind the lion, she couldn't keep her eyes from drifting to Gren's swaying, black-furred balls. The two large orbs were the most direct cause for Kelidanya's discomfort. Several minutes earlier, the large lion had claimed Kelidanya's virginity, raping the Night Elf which Gren had assumed was just a willing lioness in heat. She had been none of those things - neither willing, nor a lioness, nor in heat - but she could hardly have expected the animal to realize.

Her violated vulva still burned with each step, and sticky fluid continued to dribble out of her onto her already matted, sticky fur. Yet she had to keep trudging forward, despite her sore legs. The Orc huntress believed she had magically tamed Kelidanya, and if the Night Elf didn't play her role as a pet lioness well enough, she knew the two Horde champions would discover her ruse and kill her. Or worse!

Mere minutes passed before they reached the large, leather walls of the Crossroads. The small Orcish settlement consisted of three buildings protected by a single watchtower on the hill, but the town was buzzing. Kelidanya couldn't see beyond the thin walls, but the line for entry was long, and she could hear a veritable rumble of intermingled voices. Each person seeking entrance was met by the guards, questioned, and subject to an array of disenchanting spells administered by an intimidating looking Forsaken mage. As Kelidanya got closer, she studied his face, shivering at her first, close-up look at the undead. The creature who had once been a man was clad in regal blue-and-purple robes, and the head of his staff enclosed a massive, floating ruby. Half of his jaw was missing as well as an entire eye, yet he watched the crowd with such a piercing gaze that Kelidanya looked away. The young Night Elf told herself that if she showed too much interest, surely the mage would notice. She knew the real reason she averted her eyes: she couldn't bear to see how such an abominable curse had befallen the human.

Kelidanya was shuffled back and forth by people milling in the line. They seemed oblivious to the young lioness, just assuming she were Zagna's pet. If only the she were a more powerful druid, she could easily escape the unwatchful eyes of her captors. In seconds she could bolt into the low brush of the savanna and creep away. But she had had very little experience actually sneaking about as a cat. She'd never won a race, either. Without speed or stealth, she would be recaptured immediately.

She wished she could understand their speech. She was disconcerted enough to be trapped in an unfamiliar form, surrounded by unfamiliar, hostile people. But the Trolls, Tauren, and Orcs surrounding her might as well be speaking gibberish. Until she finally heard something she could understand.

"Come forward, fool. There is a long line and we've no time to waste."

Kelidanya looked up. Her captors were just a few places in line away from the front, where the Forsaken mage was deriding a Troll. He was speaking the common human language! The long, flexible Troll growled at the mage, grumbling a response, "I be comin'. Learn some patience, mon."

"Tell that to the people in the back that wish to enter the Crossroads before night falls. Now stand still!"

Kelidanya watched as the Forsaken mage brandished his staff, uttering an incantation she did not recognize. No Night Elf would dare learn any wizardry. Arcane spells had very nearly heralded the end of all Azeroth ten thousand years ago, yet the other races blithely abused that power. Once the spells were done, the Forsaken ushered the Troll along, saying, "He's clean, no enchantments," to the guards.

Would the mage be able to see past Kelidanya's deception? She had no choice but to find out. She walked forward with heavy feet, knowing it would be only a minute before she, Gren, the Orc, and the Tauren reached the gates. When her turn arrived, she managed to take those final steps and sit before the Forsaken wizard, but her flattened ears belied her emotions. Gren sat comfortably beside Zagna, who absently patted his head. Kaduum stood with his massive arms crossed, looking directly at the malformed mage.

The undead stepped forward and brandished his staff, first over the defiant Tauren, then over the huntress. Almost as an afterthought, he waved the staff over Gren. But when he stepped in front of the disguised Night Elf, she reflexively looked away, unwilling to look into his rotting face. She knew immediately she had done the wrong thing, and her knees began to shake. He could see right through her!

The Forsaken waved his staff in front of Kelidanya, but then he turned to Zagna and asked, "What's wrong with this one? Look, it's shivering." His voice was demanding, not concerned. He couldn't care less about an animal's safety.

Kaduum stepped forward, booming, "Apparently even animals can't bear to look at a rotting corpse." Kelidanya was surprised to hear his voice speaking in the common tongue. She could hear the thinly veiled hatred in the Tauren's voice. She would have shivered if she hadn't already been shivering.

The Forsaken was taken aback. In fact, he took a step back from the Tauren druid. The undead squinted with his one good eye, glaring at Kaduum before saying to the guards, "Let them pass. No enchantments." As the four of them entered the city, Kelidanya's sharp, feline ears heard the mage mutter under his breath, "All things in time..."

They entered the Crossroads to Kelidanya's relief. She had been certain the mage would see through her. Now inside the walls of the small settlement, the sounds erupted into her sensitive ears. Metal clashed against metal, as Orc and Troll, Tauren and Forsaken tested their martial skills against each other. Shopkeepers had set up, peddling their wares. Just to her left, a lanky Troll (perhaps the one who had entered the city a few places ahead of her) purchased what appeared to be a roast piglet on a stick. A desk had been set up just outside one of the massive tent structures, and a large line had formed there. Kelidanya couldn't read the sign that hung above the desk.

As they moved toward the inn, Kelidanya caught a glimpse to her right. Side by side in neat formation stood at least a hundred Horde warriors. They each stood at attention, wearing red capes with swords, staves, and wands at the ready, as an Orc in full armor addressed the group. She couldn't understand the words booming from the leader's mouth, but she could see him pointing to the north. Toward Ashenvale. The Horde truly was building a force to challenge the Night Elf border! She had to escape, she had to warn -

<This way, girl,> Zagna growled. Kelidanya was shaken from her revelation, realizing that this was no place to become distracted. She had observed vital information for her mission, but it would all be for naught if her hunter realized she was a spy. All that remained for the young Night Elf was to escape. She prayed to Elune that the opportunity would soon present itself.

Kelidanya quickly returned to Zagna's side, walking obediently behind Gren. The Orc seemed satisfied with this response. Kelidanya looked up at Kaduum, who wore a disconcerting grin. She looked away again, focusing on Zagna.

Several paces later, Zagna stopped in front of a smiling female Tauren. Kelidanya was behind the inn, looking at a log construction. The building lacked the grandeur of the massive leather tents, sharing instead the haphazard style of the Orc watchtower on the hill. Half of the building consisted of well-weathered logs, while the other half was composed of bright, fresh logs.

<I've got a new pet to stable, Sikwa,> the Orc huntress said, greeting the white-furred Tauren's smile with her own.

<Ah, I am glad to see that, Zagna. It is rare to see a powerful hunter such as yourself with only two pets,> Sikwa replied, swishing her tail. The Tauren was clad in plain tanned leathers, revealing a wide expanse of bare midriff. Her black hair was tied into two braids that descended behind her large, flexible ears. Her pure white fur was speckled with dirt, evidence of a hard, dirty job as stable master.

Zagna nodded. <I got the feeling that Gren was getting lonely while I was out with Bangaloo all the time, so I've got a companion for him.>

Kelidanya couldn't understand what they were saying, but she noticed as Sikwa looked down at her, smiling. The Tauren asked, <This one, then? A female...?> Kelidanya could smell the scent of many animals lingering in Sikwa's white fur, and those same sorts of smells emanated from the wooden structure behind her. These were the stables! If she were left alone in the stables, perhaps she could escape. Kelidanya's tail twitched as she waited.

Zagna said, <I was thinking of getting another male, but Kaduum here suggested that two male lions don't get along very well.>

<Agreed. A male and female will get along much, much better,> the stable master replied in even tones. Kaduum, who had been standing quietly beside Zagna, glanced at Sikwa and grinned.

Zagna couldn't be sure if Sikwa was making a joke or not, but either way the Orc blushed. She rushed ahead saying, <Anyway, I'm leaving these two here and reclaiming Bangaloo. I've got some Ogres that need to be slayed, and Gren isn't ready for that kind of challenge.>

<Oh!> the stable master exclaimed. <I had been sure you were in the Crossroads to respond to Warchief Thrall's new recruitment effort. Haven't you heard? The Night Elves are massing along the border. All strong hands not already dealing with the Silithid threat are encouraged to apply.>

Zagna allowed the Tauren to finish, but as soon as the last word left Sikwa's mouth, the Orc jumped in, saying, <No, just here for the lioness.>

Sikwa blinked at Zagna, but said, <Okay... You have one spot reserved in the stables. To house your lioness, that will be five gold.>

<Five gold! What are you trying to pull? The last slot cost only five silver!>

The white Tauren shrugged, saying, <I'd charge you a hundred and fifty gold for each if they weren't subsidized by Thrall. Be glad there's room at all, with all these fresh hunters trying to join the military. We barely built this new extension in time.>

Grumbling, the Orc reached for her bag filled with money, but Kaduum stepped forward, touching Zagna's arm to stay her hand. The Tauren Druid said, <Surely each pen has enough room for two lions. I've seen hunters stable their bears and raptors here.>

<Kaduum...> Zagna started.

Sikwa replied first, though, saying, <I'm not supposed to do that, but...he's right. For you, Zagna, I'd let you keep both in the same pen. Especially since you're trying to keep Gren company. I don't have two adjacent pens available right now.>

Kaduum said, <Perfect! It's settled ->

Zagna stamped her foot. <Now hold on! I don't need to break the rules. I'm willing to pay the five gold!>

Kaduum took a leisurely step in front of Zagna, peering down at her two pets. Kaduum began, <You would pay five gold just to circumvent the whole purpose in acquiring your new pet? There are no adjacent pens. You'd be leaving poor Gren alone yet again.> Kelidanya didn't like the way the Tauren male was looking at her one bit, so she edged herself behind the black-furred lion. He continued, looking Zagna directly in the eye, <See how she clings to him? Why would you separate them?>

Zagna stood silently, trying to formulate some response. Finally, she clenched her fists and declared, <Fine, house them together. I'll spend the gold elsewhere.> She walked toward the stables, glaring at her "friend", who followed her with a noticeable bounce in his heavy footsteps. Kaduum was becoming more trouble than he was worth.

Kelidanya quickly followed the Orc and Tauren, entering the wooden structure and hoping that she would soon be left alone. Surely she could figure out a way to escape once she was no longer under surveillance. The stable master wasn't following, which boded well for the young Night Elf being left unattended. Kelidanya would need every advantage she could muster, cursing herself mentally for how unprepared she was for this mission. While she had fully mastered the appearance of a mountain lion, she could only assume slight variations on that feline form. Now she regretted not having spent the time to seek the blessings of any other animal spirits. What she wouldn't give for the ability to assume the wings of a sparrow and fly away!

The disguised Night Elf stopped abruptly, almost colliding with Gren's hindquarters as Zagna and Kaduum stopped in front of one of the pens. Two features of this pen caught Kelidanya's attention immediately. First, the pen, though hastily constructed, looked difficult to escape. The walls were composed of massive logs, intertwined too tightly for either a lioness or her Night Elf form to slide through. Thin beams of light cascaded through the walls, but nothing bigger than a songbird could make it through the gaps. The roof was closed off as well, preventing her from scaling the walls to freedom. Second, she caught a glimpse of motion that drew her eye. She tried to focus on the creature, but its outline was difficult to follow. Only when the creature stepped into the light could she truly see him.

Bangaloo slinked forward, his muscles rippling against his patterned fur. The orange and black feline was the largest cat Kelidanya had ever seen with the exception of the sabre-toothed cats the Night Elves rode into battle. The tiger was almost twice Gren's size and weight. He loped forward with a grin transfixed on his massive muzzle, stopping at the gate to sit at attention for his master. Kelidanya crept backwards, edging herself behind Gren as if the black-furred lion could protect her. Zagna smiled and said, <Good to see you, too.> The Orc huntress reached through the bars without a hint of hesitation, and Bangaloo rubbed his head against her arm. She scratched under his chin, prompting the large cat to purr loudly. Despite his purr, Kelidanya still felt utterly minuscule in the presence of such a powerful, confident creature.

Gren's tail twitched as Zagna began to scratch Bangaloo behind his ears, but he sat patiently. <We have a quest, Bangaloo!> the Orc exclaimed, causing Bangaloo's ears to perk up. <Ogres are causing trouble in Feralas. Do you like the taste of Ogre?> She opened the gate, much to Kelidanya's dismay. She huddled in place, knowing she shouldn't run. The tiger had no idea the she was anything more than a simple lioness. He had no reason to hurt her.

The tiger walked past Gren and Kelidanya as if they weren't there. His tail brushed up against the trembling Night Elf, but Bangaloo didn't even glance at the other cats before assuming his position beside his master. Zagna absently placed her hand on his head, petting him. <Into the pen, you two!>

Gren responded immediately, stretching his legs as he walked slowly past the gate. Kelidanya couldn't understand Zagna's order. She stayed seated, glancing nervously at Bangaloo, waiting for Zagna to lead her to her new cage. Unless...she was planning to take both her tiger and her new lioness somewhere. The Night Elf shivered, not wanting to be anywhere near the massive orange and black feline. When the Orc didn't move, Kelidanya glanced up at her. The hunter was looking at her expectantly. What did she want?

Zagna barked, <Go!> She leaned down and swatted the full-grown lioness on the rump. Kelidanya started, scrambling to her feet. To her relief, the Orc pointed. Could the other pets understand her speech? Kelidanya would have to pay close attention around Zagna if she was to keep up her ruse. But the Night Elf's relief quickly faded when she realized where Zagna was pointing. Into the same cage as Gren!?

She had no choice but to obey, but as she walked into the cage, she knew that this would complicate her plans. Trapped with the lion, she wouldn't be able to transform back to her true self without risking the big cat's ire. She had hoped to open the gate or find and exploit a weak-point in the wall's construction, but both plans would be difficult with a lioness's paws. Worse, she would be stuck alone with an unpredictable lion. What if he wanted a repeat of today's earlier tryst? Hopefully he would be smart enough to recognize her distinct lack of interest.

The heavy gate closed behind the Night Elf with a rusty clank. At least now the Night Elf was safely separated from the massive tiger. She looked into the beast's eyes and got the impression that Bangaloo was too smart for her own good. Something about the magic used to bind hunter and pet seemed to enhance both the animal's mind and body. Immediately, Gren approached his new companion, but now that the tiger was no longer a threat, she wanted nothing to do with Gren. Her vulva was still sore and leaking with his seed. Kelidanya shied away from the lion, flattening her ears and baring her teeth, a low rumble growing in her throat.

Kaduum watched as Gren stopped in his tracks. A new plan had been forming in the Tauren druid's mind. Arranging for the Night Elf's degrading rape by a mere beast had been thrilling, but observing her humiliation had left him wanting much more. He might have a way to take it even further, but first he had to convince Zagna.

<Hmm, do you see that?> he said.

Zagna was turning to leave. <See what?> she asked, regretting the question immediately. She was quickly learning that the best way to handle Kaduum was to ignore him.

<Your new lioness growling at Gren.>

Trying to end the conversation, Zagna simply said, <Yeah.>

Kaduum stepped in front of the retreating Orc. <Aren't you worried?>

Zagna let out an exaggerated sigh, saying, <She couldn't hurt Gren, and he wouldn't hurt her.>

<Not much of a companionship, though. I thought that was the purpose.>

Zagna narrowed her eyes. <What do you want me to do about it? Want me to release her back to the wild?> Actually, that plan appealed to the huntress.

<Oh, no, Zagna,> the Tauren began. <You're clearly in a rush to face those Ogres. No, I know a troll who could improve your new lioness's attitude toward Gren. I'm willing to contact him on your behalf. Just a small dose of magic to help your new pet adjust to her new life...>

Zagna glanced Kaduum over. What was the expression? Beware of annoying Tauren druids bearing gifts? She knew he wouldn't let her go until she agreed, and she was tired of arguing. <Fine, do what you want with her. But I don't want you or this troll doing anything to Gren. Okay?>

Kaduum nodded, a toothy grin splitting his face. <Of course not!>

Zagna chose to ignore his expression, deciding she was better off not knowing. Turning her thoughts to the slaying of Ogres, she walked out of the stables, Bangaloo at her side. Kaduum strode away shortly after, flicking his tail. Gren stretched himself out contentedly on the floor, lying where the most warm light fell.

Kelidanya sat in the corner, feeling very much alone.