The fire was small, designed to draw as little attention as possible, while being inviting to those for whom it was meant. All around, figures milled in the darkness. Most were familiar with each other, but never met. Tonight, though, excitement and nervous energy was coursing through them all. The world they lived in was changing, and no one quite knew what to expect. Most were likely to stay safe for the moment. Five were going to brave the new world, however, and they would meet tonight for the first time to discuss strategy.
The first to sit was a blonde blood elf, clad in armor that shouldn’t have protected as much as it did. The rest of her was a study in fancy efficiency, with a tight, high ponytail and close-fitting bands in her upper ears. A black crow and silver owl glided to land on either side her as she sat down. She stretched her legs out in front of her, crossed at the ankles, as the next person came up.
The sky blue troll looked at the two birds with amused respect. She too had made a trip into dangerous territory for companions, but the tiger she had befriended in the Echo Islands was still her favorite. Tonight, however, she had also brought her grey raptor, who snuffed at her fire-red scythe-shaped top sprout before settling in behind the bench Kyly chose. “Hey mon,” she greeted Tiai. “How it goin’? ”
A low feline growl came from across the fire before the blood elf could respond. “Shhh, Lita,” a low, pleasant voice said. The night elf stepped confidently into the light of the fire, nodding to the other two hunters. A gray nightsaber followed her in, eyeing the Horde members, especially the pets. After a moment, she yawned and stretched, before laying down in front of the fire. The violet skinned woman turned and motioned for someone else to step forward.
A young female dwarf approached hesitantly, a large white bear pushing up under her hand. “Are you sure this is okay, Lay?” the blue-eyed girl asked as she glanced around. The night elf was obviously the most powerful being at the fire, but Cara was more shy than nervous, and was looking for a way out of this. Her black braids swung back and forth as she sized up the others.
Layiaissa smiled, but another voice answered. “We are all sisters here,” a black Tauren said as she came forward. A pair of tall striders, one blue and one pink, followed her. “There is no war, no faction. We are simply hunters, and more sisters are on their way. They just won’t make it before the new world comes.”
Lay nodded, her purple ponytail bouncing. “Well said, Soma.” Cara and Tiai both looked behind them into the darkness. Sure enough, four other figures stood in the shadows, obviously taking in all that was being said. They both looked back, startled, as the other three started to laugh.
“Ah, Tiai, how you not know ‘bout them,” Kyly asked.
The blood elf tilted her head back haughtily. “Like I care,” she sniffed, and Kyly, Lay, and Soma broke into a fresh wave of laughter. Cara even smiled. Tiai glanced back at one of the shadows, and met glowing eyes set in a face that kept morphing in features and horns. She shook her head, and focused back on the fire as everyone calmed back down and settled in.
“So,” Lay said. “What’s everyone doing tomorrow? Have you picked your targets?”
“Of course,” Tiai said confidently. “I’m already sitting in the Barrens, waiting for a wind serpent by the name of Washte Pawne to appear.” She itched the back of her head. “I hope he’s worth it. I’m never going to get all the dust off me.”
Soma snorted. “Like the princess, I’m also waiting for a wind serpent. Luckily, I am able to wait for Azzere the Skyblade to appear in a nice, comfortable inn in Taurajo.” She smiled at Cara, ignoring Tiai’s sputtered denials about her toughness. “What of you, little one?” she asked gently.
“Well, I haven’t gone too far from Ironforge,” Cara said, becoming more animated as she began to talk about what she was truly passionate about. “I heard there’s a blue worg by the name of Timber in the middle of the lake. I’ve actually been thinking about him for a while now, but I just didn’t have the room for him.”
The others chuckled at that. “I be havin’ the same problem,” Kyly said. “I be headin’ into the Wailing Caverns myself. I got my eye on one of the serpents in there.”
“Ambitious,” Tiai said approvingly. Cara looked confused, but Soma and Lay looked skeptical.
“Are you sure you’re ready for that?” Lay asked, sharing a concerned look with the Taureen.
Kyly shrugged. “Maybe. What’re you doing tomorrow?”
There was a flash of pain on the night elf’s face. “I’m planning a tour of Kalimdor, ending in Winterspring,” she said. She could still see Shy’s face before she ran off. Even though she had allowed Lay to save Araga, there had been betrayal there. She couldn’t let that be the way it ended between them. “Right now, I’m in Darnassus. There is a cat called Duskstalker there. I wasn’t strong enough to tame her back when I left Tedrassil for the first time. I will fix that mistake first.”
The five continued to converse in excited, hushed voices long into the night. Eventually, the fire dimmed, and they made their way to get some rest. They would have to be fresh tomorrow. For as the sun set, The Great Hunt would begin.
