Part 6
"Ya be cool, mon. Ya no be movin'." said Shoya'Jin. He stretched out his right hand as if trying to touch the raptor and gave a little wave with his left behind his back. Nura stopped growling immediately and sat on her haunches. The troll dragged his feet slowly forward, inching closer to the wild beast that eyed him suspiciously.
"Da beast be attackin', ya be movin' quick, mon." he whispered. "Ya be savin' me precious butt, ya be hearin, mon?"
Boktor slowly put his hand on the handle of his axe.
"I hear you, troll." he whispered back.
The troll inched forward, hand outstretched, whispering soothingly in troll.
Boktor could feel the sweat on his brow. The raptor was turning his head this way and that but always kept an eye on Shoya'Jin, who got closer and closer. He could feel Tusk getting nervous too.
"Calm down, buddy." he whispered and touched the boars head. "Calm down."
The raptor started prancing nervously and gave a short caw. Shoya'Jin, still inching closer, was now humming.
"Are you trying to sing it a lullaby?" Boktor whispered but the troll never answered.
He suddenly jumped forward, throwing his arms in the air, waving like crazy, shouting at the top of his lungs. Nura charged, bellowing loudly, snarling and showing her teeth. Boktor could feel Tusk flinch and he was pretty sure his own heart had skipped a beat or two as well.
The raptor rolled his eyes in terror. Roaring loudly, he turned on his heels and ran away. Shoya'Jin was laughing and even Nura seemed to be enjoying the scene, although you couldn't be sure as hyenas seem to be giggling and laughing all day long.
"Damn it, troll!" Boktor shouted, "shoot me with an arrow if you want to kill me but don't do that kind of stuff!"
"Me be knowin' da rapta be jumpy creature. Me be calmin' 'im down an den scare him."
Shoya'Jin clapped Boktors shoulder.
"Me be knowin' also, soma time dis no be workin' ana da beast be attackin'. Dat is why ya be dere, mon."
"May the spirits have mercy, you are insane, you know that? Jumping crocolisks, scaring raptors... What's next?"
"Me be troll. Troll all be crazy. So means, me be normal." A nasty grin split the trolls face. "Me be seein' orcs be jumpin' crocs, mon."
Boktor took a deep breath and opened his mouth to give this freakish troll some pieces of his mind but no word came out. After all, the troll was right. He did kill the crocolisk and Boktor followed his lead by his own decision. He did scare the raptor away without any bloodshed and yes, he told him to come to his aid in case of an attack. Boktor shook his head and started laughing. Shoya'Jin joined him and so they stood on the road, laughing out loud. Nura joined in, too and even Tusk gave some amused squeals.
Crossroads was pretty much the same as Razor Hill. A tavern, some merchants and a blacksmith. Some of the guards were tauren and Boktor, who never saw a tauren so close before, eyed them curiously. They entered the tavern and Boktor couldn't help but stare at the huge innkeeper - another tauren.
"Welcome, friends. My name is Boorand Plainswind. I sell food and drink and rest. Make yourself at home, there is no better place in Crossroads." He laughed. "In fact, there is no other place in Crossroads."
"I am sorry, friend, but you are the first tauren I ever met. My name is Boktor. Now I know why Thrall was so relieved when your people joined the horde. You must make great warriors."
Boorand sighed.
"My people joined Thrall and the horde when they came to our rescue. The centaurs brought us close to our extinction. My people would never have survived without the orcs. But never forget that the culture of your people is very different from the culture of mine. Yes, we are tall and strong, we look fierce and yes, we make great warriors too. But unlike the orcs, fighting is not part of our way of living. The shu'halo follow the ways of the earthmother. We live with the nature, not against it. We hunt when in need, not for profit and not for sport. We do not seek the honor of the battlefield but if war is inevitable, our enemies will soon be sure to learn to fear the wrath and raging of the shu'halo warrior. But the wisdom we gain from nature and the spirits of our ancestors almost always shows a way to avoid bloodshed, my friend."
Boktor was impressed. To see that these huge people, who looked so fierce and strong, always tried to find a peaceful way was incredible. The tauren put three goblets on the table and filled them from a wineskin.
"This is my best mead, made from honey of my own bees. The first one is on the house, special service to young hunters." He laughed and took one of the goblets and drained it with a practiced flick of his head. Boktor and Shoya'Jin thanked him and took their goblets too. Boktor was used to water and wine but this mead was something special. It had a very good taste and was slightly chilled.
"That was like honey being poured down your back." Boktor smacked his lips.
"Me be thinkin' dis be good mojo, mon!" agreed the troll.
Boorand smiled. "I'm glad you like it. Now, what can I do for you?"
"Actually, we are looking for Sergra Darkthorne. Kargal Battlescaar sent us to see her."
"Kargal sent you? That is good. The earthmother knows we could use some helping hands around here." the tauren said. "And it is pretty sure you will learn al lot about hunting." He pointed out the door. "See that orc lady over there? That's her. That's Sergra."
to be continued...