The Cracked Mesa Irregulars: Part 1
#3 of TCMI
Warcraft, taurens, and all that great stuff is copyright Actiblizzion.
also heads up, this series does get adult, if you're not 18 or don't wanna see that sorta thing stop reading otherwise please enjoy!
Scratching himself Brauner yawned, sitting in the garden behind his home with his mother. "What is it you called me here for so early in the morning mother?" The elder Tauren sipped from her tea before calmly speaking to her son.
"To be honest Brauner I had a vision you had traveled to Mulgore my son, you met a Tauren by the name Zigzahal and his guild" Brauner flicked his tail at this remark but decided not to inquire. Brauner could see where this was going and spoke up
"Mother, you can't be thinking of sending me to that place because of a dream..." Lilith shook her had before responding to her son once more.
"A vision, Brauner, is a small view of things to come. You trust me and your brother but still your heart is closed off. I feel this Tauren could help you become a better person Brauner that is why I'm sending you to Mulgore."
"V...very well mother." Rather than fight, Brauner decided it was best to follow his mother's wishes.
"How wise of you Brauner, you know better than to fight a losing war" Rime mused.
Brauner let out a frustrated sigh at his current situation, standing on a hill in Mulgore. "I can't believe she sent me out here like this" he grumbled to himself remembering the morning's events.
"Brauner... have faith in your mother, visions are magic may not have existed in your old world. But you can't tell me that after having me around you still don't trust it..."
He sighed and shook a paw in the air. "I'm sorry I know you're right, it's just a lot to take in and believe you know..."
If Rime could, he would've nodded "I can understand...hmm... Brauner someone is coming from behind us."
Before Brauner could retort the sound of a deep, robust voice called to him."
Hail Brauner, My name is Zigzahal. How goes it?" Brauner couldn't believe what he had just heard, his mother was right, the vision was true? For now he'd stay careful, he turned around and was met with quite the sight.
Zigzahal was a tall brown Tauren; white splashes of fur covered his stomach and thighs. A silver ring lay clad against the gold shade of his horns which stood straight up, flowing brown hair tied in more relaxed loose braids than his own. The Tauren's rugged frame wrapped in leather and strands of armor in strategic places didn't cover the fact he had nipple rings adorning his chest. Below his waist was a modest loincloth. Brauner tried hard not to stare; he turned to the side, snorting while adjusting the light blue scarf wrapped around his neck. "It goes well I suppose, you must be here because of a vision as well?" Zigzahal nodded slowly before taking a few steps closer. "That's right, I envisioned a bull standing upon this very hill waiting for me." Zig smiled and adjusted the harness holding the halberd against his back. "As for exploring, I've seen a fair bit of Azeroth myself and believe me. She's a demanding mistress, but she'll reward you if you've the stones to venture beyond the towns."
Trying to regain his composure he stated the one thing that's kept him going for so long. "I've been alone most my life Zigzahal, I know how to handle myself." Zigzahal couldn't help but smirk at such a cold remark. "You say that now, but you'll soon discover that not everything can be overcome with resolve alone. Sometimes you need someone to watch out for you. We all need to admit our shortcomings." Brauner snorted at the words but sighed softly in defeat. "I must admit my family has shown me that life alone may not be so great." "Aye adjusting to life's changing winds is a challenge we must all must learn. You might be able to maintain your will in front of Azeroth's beasts, but having those you can trust brings a safety unknown by yourself, there's always room within my adventurers' company if you desire. The cracked mesa irregulars are always looking for new recruits."
The thought amused Brauner; he shifted himself and looked directly at Zig. "What need would your clan have for a lost one among their ranks?" Looking him up and down Zigzahal scratches his chin. "We're a small organization; I don't often have the luxury of choice. Rime decided to interject and spoke within Brauner's mind. "Give them a chance Brauner... you did for me after all." Brauner groaned as if he was just spoken to,
However Zigzahal hadn't spoken a word. "What good would come of me helping you Zig." "What ill could you see coming from it? Aside from me providing the muscle, we have a shaman, a druid, a hunter and a rogue whom learned he was our brethren just months ago." "He'd certainly provide the muscle B, rrrrrawr!" A red hot streak of embarrassment washed over Brauner at the remark of his hidden partner before he responded. "Well... i guess that's sound logic... but what does the guild normally do?" "Mercenary work mostly, but I ensure we keep up with the scruples. Mostly, supporting the Horde military. Scouting and the like. We also provide aid to certain neutral and sympathetic alliance settlements."
"I appreciate your kindness Zigzahal, aside from my Mother and brother you're the only one whom has opened up to me. I accept your offer." Zigzahal smiled before replying to the comment. "Well then, shall we head to the guildhall? Don't get your hopes up though it's not as grand as it sounds." A hearty laugh escaped Bruner's lips at the remark. "I had very little to call my own while growing up, a ceiling would be an upgrade honestly." "Hehe, a ceiling we have. The guild works out of my cabin, it's a modest place just a short walk from Thunder Bluff actually. I can introduce you to the rest of the guild." "I think I'd enjoy that Zigzahal. What's Thunder Bluff like? I hear it's the town of our people." Zigzahal nodded in agreement "Sure is. It's amazing what they did in only a few short years. It used to be another base plateau until Chieftain Bloodhoof settled on it. Our clan hold is in a little village underneath it, be one of the wellsprings. "Well lead the way then. How far out is the trip? Brauner scratched under his silk purple shirt as he questioned his new found friend. "It's not far, just over the next hill."It's not far, just over the next hill. Follow me and mind the wildlife, the beasts have been restless lately. Zig shifted his weight and scratched a chest strap, the hand inadvertently brushing one of his nipple rings. "Mind if I ask where it is you hail from?"
A rather strained sigh escaped from Brauner's lips from the rather complicated conversation that was sure to come from the response. "Like I said before I'm what was considered a lost one, before coming to Azeroth I was in an alternate world." Zig raised his eyebrow in interest "You came from elsewhere in the nether? What was it like?" "Well.... monsters were few, Buildings were tall and would reach into the sky at night, and the cities were filled with lights and people. Brauner cut himself off and coughed. "Life was peaceful there." Sighing dreamily Zig looked out wistfully at the horizon. "I may be a warrior, but I hope one day to find a place where war isn't so... commonplace." "You'd be surprised at how monotonous life could be. It was like being strangled. Tied to the same daily routine, I guess a part of me is glad I've returned here. Like I've been freed from those tiresome bonds." Zigzahal looks down with sadness on his face "maybe your right. But maybe in a place my brother wouldn't have had to die. "You'd be surprised what people do when such a life becomes stale, My father sacrificed himself to save me when someone decided they felt the urge to play god and kill a mere child." The last sentence left a sour taste in his mouth; he didn't want to remember this so he changed the subject.
"So you said your brother has passed on?" "I....I think so, I'm not really sure. He fell in battle against the scourge. No body was recovered. I...I hope he's at rest. The alternative is too... chilling to consider..." "What do you mean alternative Zig?" Zig continued his tale at the behest of Brauner's question. "To be one of the scourge, to join their damned ranks" The thought alone made Zigzahal shudder. Brauner curled his tail with curiosity he didn't know what the scourge was; he inwardly looked at Rime for an answer who bluntly replied. "The undead, like your brother Brauner." "Oh! You mean a death knight then Zigzahal?" Brauner tilted his head curiously. "That would be the best thing I could hope to have happened to him. To think my brother is now a shambling corpse... I don't know what to hope for. Death Knight or dead; it's a rather cheery choice, isn't it? "I suppose it would depend on the person wouldn't it? I found out recently that I actually have a twin brother. However he has become a death knight. In comparison I suppose a second chance at "life" is something people would wish for." "Your brother's a death knight? What's it like? Is he any....different? Like in personality, I mean" Asked Zigzahal with a tinge of hope in his voice. "Well to be honest I was young and in the other world. I didn't know I had a brother until recently, from what my mother has told me he's no different from when he was alive." "Then... there may be hope yet for Agnail....If he really is alive, I've got to find him. Though, I have no idea where to begin." "Zigzahal... I'm not sure what I can do but...I'll try my best to help you find him." "Thank you Brauner. I'll look into it later. Look, we're here."
The crest the hill and look out over Mulgore. Thunder Bluff loomed in the distance but a small number of huts and cabins cluster near a well. "My place is the cabin off to the side. I'm not sure if the rest of the team is here. Head's up, though. Rohukarlo, the shaman, isn't the friendliest type. He's an exiled Grimtotem, so don't expect a warm welcome." Before Rime can answer the obvious question coming to Brauner's mind he speaks" What's a grim totem?" Brauner felt a bit out of place and let out a sigh, His breath was visible however, like he'd let out a puff of cold air. Zig sighed before responding. "Renegade Tauren, think that Kalimdor belongs to the Tauren and everyone else is a disease. Worse yet, they think that all Tauren who don't share their viewpoint are just as bad. Rohu was kicked out by his family after he received a vision telling him to repent." Brauner folded his ears back sadly. "I can understand what it's like to be ostracized for being different. He must think people look down on him." "Being a half-blood Grimtotem leaves him hated by his tribe and mistrusted by everyone else. The only reason he trusts me is I saved his life, and even then he gives me murderous looks every once in a while." A sigh escaped Brauner's lips while he remembered his own tormented past. "I can't help but feel his pain. It's hard to grow up knowing everyone thinks your trash." "Aye, it is a pain I know all too well" Zigzahal reached up and scratches his mane, briefly revealing a number of scars in his hide. "Let us go in."
Brauner let out another audible sigh, the air that brushed against Zigzahal was indeed ice cold. "...Alright" Zigzahal pushes aside the entrance flap, exposing a comfortable common room with hide covered seats. "It looks like everyone else is gone. I'll show you to your room now however." Brauner mooed softly, a tinge of red sliding over his ivory white fur. "My room? That seems awfully generous of you Zigzahal, I couldn't possibly impose." "Please don't worry about it" Zig's ear twitched in embarrassment. "A tribe of trolls built this place after we recovered some ancestral spear of theirs. They were really thankful, and I have a room for ten more Tauren if it came to it." "Well... I'm flattered at how much you trust me. I feel like I don't deserve it." "Brauner... sometimes you gotta go out on a limb and trust people from time to time. Here, this should suit you" Zig pushes aside another flap, revealing a modest bedchamber with a pile of furs in one corner serving as a bed. Brauner lets out another sigh of air, more visible then his last one. "I appreciate the trust, I'm glad I took that chance with you Zigzahal."
"Mind if I ask about that cold thing you've been doing Brauner? Are you a druid or a shaman of some sort?" Rime sighed before reassuring Brauner. "I suppose he'd have to be told about me eventually eh?" Sorry Zig, it's not that exactly either. I ran into a water demigod who was trying to escape his father's corruption. I let him reside within me, In return I gained his power to control, summon, and manipulate water. When I'm nervous my body temperature involuntarily drops. Zigzahal opened his eyes wide, awestruck at what he had just heard, an awkward silence passed between them before the warrior realized it. "Wow, that's... I'm not sure what to make of that...Either way, Welcome to the team. I'm sure you and your....uh, companion will be a boon to the clan." Brauner could Zigzahals eyes upon him, it made him turn and look off to the side. "Brauner... I'm sorry It seems like we have frightened him." Brauner could do little more then remain silent however. "Hey, c'mon now kid. I'm okay, It's just that was a little more then I was expecting. Spirits I get, Elemental demigods aren't an everyday thing. Even on Azeroth. I'm uh; sure you want to get some rest. I know I'm feeling a little beat, and there's so much left to do today. Gotta sharpen my halberd and work out some dings in my armor."
"I suppose so Zig, I may try and find a lake nearby to wash myself though." "Stonebull Lake is a bit to the south, but a few of the more sane goblins hooked the place up with plumbing. One of the bathrooms is right down the hall. I'm gonna go nap before I start on the repairs. You sure you're okay Braun?" Brauner nodded slowly. "Yeah I'm fine. I'm just really far outside my comfort zone, being so open about my life and all that." "Well my door's always open if you ever need anything. Of course, my room has none so the flap's always unsecured" Zigzahal smiled weakly at his joke. "I appreciate all your doing for me Zig, I'll make sure to speak with you if I have any desires." Brauner flicked his nose ring with embarrassment after he thought about his comment. "I'll be off then" He turns to leave yet looks back. "You sure you're okay? Seems like there's something else on your mind" Bruner's face turns red at the words but tries to relax "Ah... no I'm fine, i think i just need an ice cold shower to clear my thoughts" Rime teased the bull however. "Ohhhhhhhhhh yes, nice and hard, Zigzahal." "Very well then. If you're positive, I'll be down the hall if you need anything."
Zig headed off through the doorway to his room, and let out a thunderous yawn, propping his halberd against the wall, pulling off his harness and kilt he lays on the bed in nothing more then his loincloth." Brauner sighed and starts to mumble when he assumes Zig is out of ear shot. "I'm so glad he can't hear you Rime I could just murder you if you'd blurted that out" The spirit couldn't control his laughter as the pulled his loose shirt and pants off, leaving him nude within the room. He continues to grumble under his breath and slips down the hall nude finding the bathroom easily and closing the door behind him. Meanwhile in his bedroom Zigzahal muses to himself, shifting his body into a more comfortable position, reaching down he pulls his scrotal piercing into a less awkward position. "I'm sure Brauner will fit in. However I wonder when Rohu will be back, I could use some fun." Brauner now in the shower turns the knobs and sighs as the water cascades over his ivory fur; the bull lets out a sigh of relaxation and rests his head against the wall looking down at his swollen sheath. "Come on Brauner... you know you wanna. I can just hear you crying out his..." "SHUT UP RIME I DONT NEED THIS RIGHT NOW!" He shouted into the empty room. "But... I guess it wouldn't hurt.... It certainly has been a while."