{"sf1_id":62923,"sf2_id":"keNA6K91","title":"Tales of Mulgore - Chapter 3: Shadows of the past","author":"SecreT","words":2816,"posted_at":"2008-10-01T14:29:00.000Z","tags":["F/solo","Fanfiction","Tauren"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/62923-tales-of-mulgore-chapter-3-shadows-of-the-past","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/keNA6K91","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/b0/43/b04317c0-7466-4a12-ba1c-541adaadfdef","description":"#3 of Tales of Mulgore","content":" **Writers note: This story contains reminiscense flashback scenes**\n\n_Flashback scenes are made with Italic text_\n\n_---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------_\n\n\\*Splash\\*   \n\"Hey, watch out, you are going to scare the fishes!\"   \nI pulled out the lure of my fishing pole, letting out a sigh as I   \nnoticed it was empty. Sherinda giggled while she was swimming backwards   \nwith the oasis water reflecting the moonlight, with her naked wet body   \nshining as she approached a small waterfall to enjoy a relaxing shower,   \nbut the joy and beautiful vision coming from her was overran by   \nthe gurgling of my stomach begging to be filled.   \n\"C'mon! The water feels great, come and take a bath!\"   \nI attached another worm to the lure, mumbling at the same time.   \n\"Dinner is not going to catch itself you know, I refuse to eat those   \nraptor ribs again\"   \nThen I raised my head just to see a small stone hit me between my eyebrows.   \n\"Hey! Whats wrong with my raptor ribs?\"   \nI rubbed my forehead while standing up, I forgot how mad she becomes   \nwhen I mention her food, it wasn't that bad, but sometimes I felt like   \neating my own arm, mostly when she did her special \"Mystery meat with   \nsurprise\".   \n\"Nothing, nothing, is just that I wanted some firefin snapper for once   \nbecause... I... err... want you to cook it for me!\"   \nSuddenly her deep red eyes were filled with a bright sparkling and she   \ngrabbed her hands while showing a wide open smile.   \n\"Reeeeeeeally?\"   \nSaying this she immediately dived down the water and the silence   \nprevailed until a huge watery explosion send dozens of fishes flying   \nover my head, the rain of water combined with firefin snappers filled   \nthe shore as Sherinda resurfaced, raising her arms up in the sky in   \nsign of victory. I gave her a silly look while poking the fish out of   \nmy shoulders.   \n\"Yeah... I guess that will be enough\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;The cooking fire crackled as the smoke raised above the trees,   \nSherinda gathered all the recently \"fished\" goodies and started   \nplacing them carefully so they wouldn't get burnt. She always seemed   \nto enjoy it, picking whatever we found to make it a dish worth of a   \nking, truth be told, if it wasn't for her continuous feeding, I would   \nprobably be starving all day and my body wouldn't be as strong as it   \nis now.   \n\"Go pick some fruit for desert, this is still gonna take a while\"   \nI shacked my head as I came back to my senses, staring at her always   \nhad an effect on me that bring me serenity and calm, as if she   \nirradiated an aura of purity and innocence that soothed my mind (Even   \nthough she acted in a slutty way some times) I giggled silently to   \nmyself while standing up to start searching for some sweet treats we   \ncould use for desert.   \n\"Hey Flamefeather, take care of Sherinda while I'm gone ok?\"   \nThe big red feather owl, which has been standing silently up a branch   \nof a tree nearby, nodded its head slowly while closing its eyes.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;The sound of the crickets around accompanied me while examining the   \ntrees a hundred yards away of the place we were standing, with my   \nknife at hand I chopped a cluster of golden bananas when suddenly the   \nsound of a breaking branch behind alerted me, making me turn around   \nand throwing a dagger in swift motion. I stared at the bushes, holding   \nthe handle of my sword ready for whatever could jump at me, but then I   \nnoticed two yellow glowing eyes looking back at me, while a shadowy   \nfigure emerged grabbing my throwing between its teeth. A dark skinned   \npanther walking in a subtle rhythm, white moons tattooed all over its   \nbody and bright feathers adorning the neck, gently it proceed to place   \nmy weapon at the floor and a soft and deep voice sounded in my head.   \n\"It's been a while, that who calls himself a Secret\"   \nThat voice... my face then took a surprised expression after I   \ninstantly realized it.   \n\"Sa... Sadria!\"   \n  \nWe had been walking for some days now with no fixed destination, I  \ndecided to head north in hopes of finding a more soft weather than  \nthis hot barrens. Neither of us directed a word to each other since we  \nbegan our journey, the oddity of our travel didn't allow us that  \nmuch confidence, but if I was to stay with this tauren, first there  \nwas something I needed to know.  \n\"Sherinda... when we were on that cave, why didn't you leave me and ran away?\"  \nThe girl raised her head and after some thinking she gave away a bit smile.  \n\"Earthmother told me to stay with you\"  \nAgain with this earthmother, it was easy for me to realize it was some  \nkind of deity for this people, but so far all the members from this  \nrace I have encounter were able to, somehow, communicate with it.  \n\"Does this... earthmother order you to save me?\"  \nShe shacked her head doing a negation motion.  \n\"Earthmother never orders anything, but she is wise and worth to  \nbelieve. She told me the kindness of your heart and the pain in your  \nsoul, both reasons of you following me to that place\"  \nKindness? She saw my own people slaughter his brethren and instead of  \nshow hate to them, she tried to find the good in others. And as if she  \nread my mind, she asked me.  \n\"Why did your brothers do it? Is there any reason why you hate us?\"  \nEven with the noticeable young appearance, she still seemed mature and  \nwise choosing her words, probably Taurens get taught by they parents  \nsince they are born. I couldn't help to show a sad face when she  \nasked such a thing and probably anything I would say trying to excuse  \nthem would be nothing but a lie, so I had to be franc with her.  \n\"We humans have been in conflict for dozens of years with a race of  \nberserk warriors in our homeland, and recently a new plague upon us  \nraised our own kind from death and turned them into mindless killers.  \nWe came to this lands in search of a promised salvation, but our weak  \nminds and bodies fear anything that is different from us, making any  \nrace we find our enemy\"  \nShe stared a me for some seconds then turned her head back at the path  \nwe were walking.  \n\"You fear what you don't know. I understand\"  \nHer words stroke me down as if an arrow pierced my heart, how such  \nserenity was possible? I blocked her way, kneeling with my fist at  \nthe ground and my head down.  \n\"I'm sorry for everything I have caused you, I promise to find a way  \nto compensate your lost\"  \nWhat a sad and pathetic image, I have been only but a crying baby  \nsince I came to this place, everything I could receive was pity and  \ncherish. If we wanted to survive, I had to get stronger in mind and  \nbody. The wind flowing was all I could feel until a warm hand forced  \nmy head to be raised, only to encounter a soft smile.  \n\"You didn't do anything wrong, you don't need to apologize\"  \nSherinda circled around me and kept walking with me still at the ground.  \n\"Did your earthmother also told you that?\"  \nStopping for some seconds she placed a hand at her chest.  \n\"No, I decided that myself\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Days passed and the yellowish landscape began to show a more rich  \nvegetation, it seemed like we were entering a forest, plunged into a  \npermanent night with trees raising without being able to see the top.  \nFlowers mixed with fireflies, sounds of wild animals created a  \nsoothing melody, a place that was a delight for the senses. I haven't  \nseen such a paradise in my life, since I was born they only thing I  \nsaw was death and destruction. This could be a good place to settle  \nfor a while as long as we didn't sense any incoming danger, sadly I  \ntook us little time until we hear a loud screeching sound followed by  \na tree falling behind us.  \n\"Sherinda lets take cower!\"  \nWe hided in the bushes a coupled of yards in front of the recently  \nfelled tree, as we saw a huge metal monster, with one big saw constantly  \nrotating at one hand while the other seemed like a huge claw, upon  \nlooking to it carefully I could notice a greenish figure at top of it  \nmanaging some levers at a fast pace, which I could recognize as a  \nGoblin. It began to chop the wood at fast speed and after completing  \nseveral logs, it moved to begin its work at another tree.  \n\"I wonder what are they doing, but for now we better retreat\"  \nMaking a gesture with my hand telling Sherinda to retreat we turned  \naround and suddenly a shadow jumped over me biting my arm and forcing  \nme into the ground. The animal had strong fangs that would have  \npierced my flesh if it wasn't for the armor covering it, while making  \nme struggle to try to set myself free. My other hand reached my dagger  \nand before I could even stab the creature, it jumped backwards while  \nstill facing me. What kind of animal have such reflexes and knowledge  \nof danger? Before I could answer that myself, my head was filled with  \na melodic voice which I couldn't figure its source.  \n\"Balana darel ashera nor\"  \nWas that cat actually talking to me? Even with my surprise I still  \nmaintained my combat stance and even if it seemed silly, I replied back  \nto whatever was talking to me.  \n\"I don't know who you are, but you better leave us right now\"  \nThe feline figure raised an eyebrow, which was strangely large, and new  \nwords assaulted my head.  \n\"Oh, so you speak the taurahe language. Such an oddity, but doesn't  \nmatter, all strangers are not welcome on this woods, take your green  \nskinned barbarians out of our lands. Also, free that tauren girl you  \nhave taken as an hostage\"  \nWe both glared at Sherinda, as she was standing in the distance  \nholding a stick facing the cat, which kinda surprised it as if it  \nwasn't expecting the girl to be hostile.  \n\"Sorry kitten, but we are walking together at our free will, and you  \nwill have to do way more than that to try and separate us\"  \nIt stared at me for some seconds then redirected the look to Sherinda.  \n\"Is that true young one?\"  \nShe nodded without hesitation and all of the sudden a flash of light  \nblinded us for some seconds. Upon opening my eyes, my mouth dropped  \nwide open, as the place which was occupied by a ferocious animal showed  \na woman of dark skin and amazing beautifulness, she looked like an  \nhigh elf of the Dalaran magic school, but way taller and buffed in  \nproportion with deep glowing eyes and the feather necklace that  \nadorned her neck in her previous form was still there.  \n\"Follow me\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;And so we did, silently she lead us to a cave filled with glowing  \nitems and many drawings that resembled the moon in different phases.  \nUpon making a motion with her hand, she invited us to take a sit while  \nwashing in the crystalline waters of a small lake.  \n\"My name is Sadria Moonfeather, and I'm a druid who follows the  \nteachings of the great Cenarius. For years now, we night elven have  \nbeen interacting with the tauren race to pass the teachings of the  \nnature onto them, since they are the closest beigns to Elune's earth.  \nYou are walking along with one of them, don't get me wrong, you are  \nstill not welcome on this lands, but it means you have been acknowledge  \nby them and gifted with their wisdom, so it means you must be  \nsomething special.\"  \nSaying this she gently sat in front of us, drinking from the same  \nwaters she just used. Armed with valor I replied back.  \n\"My name is Secret and she is Sherinda. We are just seeking for some  \nplace to stay until we know where to head. But let me ask you  \nsomething, you mentioned some green skinned barbarians before, how did  \nthey look like?\"  \nThe elf let out a sarcastic smile and pointed towards the lake.  \n\"Well, man who calls himself \"a secret\", take a look for yourself\"  \nI stand up and walk slowly to worth the water, and upon reach it  \nstarted to create a living image depicting a huge settlement which was  \ngetting more and more clear to see, but filling me with dread as it  \ndid.  \n\"Orcs! What are they doing here?\"  \nSadria approached my side and for the first time I could notice a tone of anger  \nat her voice.  \n\"Those mongrels showed up a couple of days ago and began to cut down  \nall the trees after destroying our bases spreaded all over the forest. I'm one of   \nthe few survivors of this area, but reinforcements will be here soon. The wrath  \nof Cenarius itself will fall and crush them!\"  \nShe allowed to stay that night and by morning she took us to the opposite edge  \nof the forest, leaving us in what it seemed a long tunnel.  \n\"Soon a big battle will strike here, it would be better if you are as far away as  \npossible. That passage will take you to the Stonetalon mountains, it isn't much   \nsafer, but as long as you don't get into the harpies territory you should be able   \nto find a tranquil place to stay. And make sure you keep that girl alive or one day  \nI will find you and shall teach you a lesson\"  \nI gave Sherinda a look and with more confidence than ever I gave her the proper  \nreply.  \n\"Don't worry I made a promise\"  \n  \n\"Sadria! You really scared me there, come join us we are having a good dinner\"   \nI started walking but noticed the night elf wasn't following me and I felt something   \ncompletely wrong there, as if a huge killing instinct was growing behind me.   \n\"That day, when I left you, Cenarius was killed by the berserk orcs but I   \nsurvived again, alone and disturbed for years. And after wandering around for   \nthis forsaken lands, do you know what I find out?\"   \nI could feel a drop of cold sweat going through my spine and I reached my   \nsword again ready for the worst.   \n\"The taurens are now allied with the same murdering green bastards and   \nthey have the guts to claim they still care about their precious earthmother.   \nI was about to pounce that girl and feast on their corrupted skin, but you   \nnoticed me to soon\"   \nWith a shocked face turning into pure rage, I unsheathed my weapon and pointed   \nat her in a threatening way.   \n\"Well, you will have to teach me a lesson in order to reach her, so will you try   \nand strike me first?\"   \nBut as I said this, that murderous aura began to fade away and the crazed elf   \nturned around going away slowly saying her last words.   \n\"For all this years you kept your promise and protected her, that proves me   \nto have no chance against you. But listen to me carefully, as long as I stay   \nalive I will find you and all taurens traitors and take care they pay for what   \nthey have done. And this is a promise\"   \nShe was gone, but the dread of her words echoed in my mind as I tried to calm   \ndown before going back to Sherinda, it would be better if she didn't know   \nanything about this. As I approached back to the fire camp I forced a smile   \nat my self.   \n\"Look I found some good bana.... \\*Plock\\* Ouch!\"   \nThe feeling of a rock between in my forehead was repeated once more, geez I   \nhope she could find a more kind way to get mad at me.   \n\"Why did you took so long, the food has been ready for a while and now is   \nprobably cold!\"   \nI sited near her scratching my head.   \n\"I'm sorry, I got lost\"   \nShe gave me a silly look then removed my hand from my head, giving the hurt   \nspot a sweet kiss. Offering me one of the cooked fishes after she took a bite   \nof it, it was really tasty and it somehow made me feel better. With our stomachs   \nfilled, we cuddled up and she rested her head at my shoulder, I would pay   \nanything for these moments to never end.   \n\"We are going back to Mulgore tomorrow, we better rest tonight\"   \nBut she already was asleep, so I caressed her hair and looked around, even   \nif I wasn't able to see anything, I could still feel a presence. That was going to be   \na long night.  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Tales of Mulgore","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/62922-tales-of-mulgore-chapter-2-my-name-is-secret.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/62924-tales-of-mulgore-chapter-4-a-loyal-companion.json"}}