#northrend exploit

Makketo heaved and tugged but the liquid filled barrel was heavy. The pandaren of course didn’t offer to help, only watched laughing as the little highmountain tried to drag the heavy thing. She heaved as she looked up, seeing Bear with a towel, sitting against the wall drying herself off on a mat. Keto tried again to drag it but her hooves just slid on the wood and she fell on her rump rather embarrassingly.

“What are you doing?” Bear’s voiced called to the sheepish tauren.  “Stop standing there like an ass and help her.” She chided the pandaren, whom was laughing loudly at the antics of the young one. He finally picked it up and brought it to Bear, with Makketo sheepishly in tow. Bear didn’t know what to say to the girl. Makketo just scratched her brow and chuckled. “S-sorry…”

“Don’t be sorry. Your strength is in magic, not braun. You can summon roots to entangle your foes and call Mu’sha’s power from the heavens. I can’t do that. It’s impressive.” She patted the girl as she set the large keg beside her and poured herself a mug. Makketo smiled to the compliment and sat on a pillow beside Bear.

Bear was silent for a long moment. Chugging one mug and starting on the second before pausing long enough to lean her head against the back wall. She sighed and gave a painful smile. “Ruch would have loved to know he was right…” Makketo remained quiet. “Ruch Bonelash.” She toasted her mug then laughed. “Oh Ruch and Jukk used to get into it all the time.” She laughed.

“Then you explain where it came from! It’s not dwarven ale or orcish! And it’s got some strange markings on it and-”

“Oh boyo. MON. AIN’T NO TALK’ BURR BE MAKIN’ ALE. Ja dun hit’ya head! Pandabutt.” The yellow hair darkspear mocked the young orc. “PANDAREN. AND THEY’RE REAL!” He bellowed as he stepped threateningly towards the troll. But he jumped up the rigging of the Zepplin before the orc could get close. “Ah onleh know one talkin’ burr.” He cooed as like a monkey he clambered over to the pale pelted blonde also leaning against the rigging. Reaching a lanky hand through the ropes to tussle the tauren’s hair.

Bear just gave a deadpan smile as her lavender eyes looked up. “When you fall to your death, we’ll be the ones laughing.” A grizzled old orc said as he read a book quietly in the corner. The deck of the Zepplin had many patrons as it headed to Northrend. Each either excited, nervous, anxious and trying in their own way to keep calm.

This was no pleasure trip, nor a ski vacation. No the Lich King declared war and was sending his undead minions to the cities. Causing chaos and death as he tried to expand his empire. Now the Horde and Alliance sent their armies to Northrend to face the threat head on. Some sought glory while others sought vengeance.

They’d been flying for a almost a week now and a cold wind had started to blow, though no land could yet be seen. The airship was massive. Carrying not only Bear and her companions but steeds, siege vehicles, war supplies, weapons, and provisions. The goblins steering the ship were everywhere although they smartly stayed out of the way of the Horde Army that filled the ship.

“Bear, tell him pandaren are real.” Bear smirked. “Do you mean furbolgs?” but the young orc shook his head. Jukk wiggled his head through the large holes in the net and laid his head atop Bear’s like a cat. His arms listly laying beside her neck on either side. Her left arm curled around the rigging while the right lay on her hip. It was clear he was using the massive tauren as a safety wall between him and the rage filled orc. “No! I was reading about them and they’re NOT FURBOLGS.” He growled.

“Ju gonna end up like Ukral ova dere iffen ya keep readin.” His mocking comment roused a glare from the elder orc overtop his glasses. “What’s that supposed to mean?” He growled in his grizzled tone. “Old an’ borin’.” He chuckled. Bear just shook her head. A tauren calf walked up on deck, looking as though he were entering his preteen years. Though he stood almost as tall as an elf or forsaken. He frowned at Jukk and his mother.

“He’s like a multicolored cat, Ohan.” The young one looked unamused. “He’s weird.” The young tauren said opting to sit next to Ukral. Ruch guffawed loudly, pointing at Jukk. “And he smells weird.” Ukral added, to which young Ohan chuckled at. “Das jus’ mean, mon.” Jukk pouted but it was clear his expression wasn’t all that serious.

Her boys. All four in her head were ‘her boys’. Sergeant Ukral Bloodsnarl was an old kindred soul. He often teased Bear saying she was an orc in another life and she didn’t deny it. For all she knew it could have been true. The old warrior has red eyes, a hint of his demonic oppressed past. His black hair was nearly fully grey and neatly tied back in a bun though enough was lose for her to know it was shoulder length.  His grizzled beard was also well kept and he was surprisingly well read. Enjoyed his books, good beer and a fine fight. Which was made obvious by his well worn plate armor and heavy war axe and shield.

Grunt Ruch Bonelash was your typical youth trying to prove his worth in a sea of war veterans. He was brash, loud, and aggressive but he also enjoyed books. Which is how his friendship with Ukral started. His skin was a lighter shade of green and his brown eyes suggested someone born here on Azeroth. Though the corruption that poisoned his parents turned his skin green, he didn’t have the lingering effects like the red eyes. His dark brown hair was tied back into a ponytail and braided with leather. His unmarked armor was a sign of disappointment for him as was his unbloodied two-handed sword. Northrend was his proving ground and his seriousness prove that.

Grunt Jukk of the Darkspear. If ever there was a man so worry free and care-free and like a cat, it was this troll. Everything was a joke and he took nothing serious. He enjoyed getting a rise out of the orcs but had the agility to get out of the way should he need to. If Bear hadn’t seen it herself, she would have thought him worth nothing more than a laugh. But she’d honestly never seen a better archer and spearman rolled into one furry goof ball. He was formidable. When he finally got serious. He was even more lion like with the wild mane of yellow hair that he seemed to have little control over. His pale blue fur was tattooed with tigers and trollish letters.

Last was her own flesh and blood. Her baby boy, Ohanzee Sunstone. Although Ohan wasn’t a little calf anymore. He was twelve now and able to join her on her journey. Honestly it was something she was constantly challenged on but her choice to bring her son was her own. She wasn’t going to leave her boy behind.

“Ju gotta lemme fulfill a goal, Mama.” He said folding his arms across her head and horns. “Oh?” She said quizzically. “I wanna ride ya shouldas in’ta battle.” Bear couldn’t stop the loud laugh that escaped her lips. Ruch sneered and Ukral shook his head with a sigh. Ohan however chuckled a little. “I serious! C’mon mama! We be badass team. Ju chargin’ta battle an’ me firin’ arrows wit’ Shiva runnin’ at our side!”

“And what of our brothers?” She motioned to the two orcs. “Oh. Pandabutt ‘ere be screamin’ in’ta battle on hims worg and Ukkie… be like… readin’ a book. NO! No! He detailin’ our combat.” Ruch groaned and walked away. “So… He’s a bard now? Ukral would you sing as we went into battle?”

This was the first time Makketo had seen Bear without armor, though she did wear a leather wrap around her bust. The little one was taken aback by the deep scars that marked Bear’s almost cream white pelt. “Oh Bear… I should have brought more medicine…” She said, her ears dropping. Bear lifted her head and looked at her scars, chuckling softly. “Oh these are old scars, dove. I just need something to ease the aching in my shoulder.” That shoulder was what had Keto’s eyes transfixed. So deeply scared, mangled and it was clear it never healed quite right. She’d seen the Sunwalker in battle so it was obvious she could use her arm, but it made the sling she always wore more reasonable.

The young one stammered but finally made her way to sit behind Bear. “I want to try my healing.” She said softly, to which the elder smiled but laughed. “Long as your healing is better than your attempts to shift into animal forms.” Keto blushed and frowned sheepishly. “Oh n-no. I’m a much better healer then… changing… forms…” She replied scooping her fingers in the amber salve.

She smeared it all over her hands and then tenderly smeared it on Bear’s deeply scarred shoulder. Soon a green glow began to emanate from her fingers. Snaking out over Bear’s pelt like tendrils of a vine. Bear’s muscles eased and the pain started to subside. The elder sighed and slouched deeper into the water out of relief. “Don’t worry. I could never get the hang of shifting either.” She said as she leaned her head to the side.

Makketo paused. “You… You were a druid?” The elder chuckled. “Wouldn’t say I was.” The silence told her the child was confused. “Many generations of my family had been of the druidic path… I was… the ‘black sheep’ as humans say.” She said with a smile. “I could heal… The one time I tried to shift… It was so painful and my teacher had me stop. I just wasn’t cut out for that. But… I didn’t want to heal. So I trained with the braves. And… well. You’ve seen that worked well for me.”

Makketo paused her healing to scoop more salve onto her fingers and smeared the medicine onto Bear’s back, brushing away her blonde locks. “Did you always use An’she to heal?” The question gave pause to Bear as she remembered her past. “No… No I used Mu’sha’s power to heal. Much like any druid will teach you.” But this only raised more questions.

As the zepplin grew closer it was obvious the white was moving. “What’s wrong with the ship, mama?” Ohan said curiously but a booming voice made him jump. “Get off the rigging, grunt, before you fall off.” The deep tauren’s voice was certainly enough to make Jukk jump and clamber off the rigging to stand beside Bear. Quickly enough the warrior was sure she hadn’t seen him move that fast since she’d known him. Then again Legionnaire Mojag Ironhide would make anyone jump to attention.

Their commander was a huge tauren bull with a chestnut brown hide and worn leather armor. He was a grizzled bull with a missing eye, broken horn and a deep gash on his face. “And get that calf below deck. Howling Fjord is a war zone, not a daycare.” Ruch raised a brow and stepped back, knowing one does not come between a bear and her cub. Ukral stood, anticipating a clash.

The female warrior’s fur bristled and her ears flattened against her head, putting her son down beside her. Her fierce lavender eyes bore into the bull as she stepped up to him. “My son’s place is at my side. At my side, he will stay.” She growled back as a rough hand grabbed her plate shoulder pad. She snapped her head to see it was Ukral, holding her back. But her commander stepped forward into her face. “On the battlefield is no place for a child.” He barked back but Bear was just as quick to retort.

“He is old enough to know what war is and if I cannot protect him-”

“Mama the white things on the Alliance ship-”

“This isn’t the time Ohanzee!” She barked as she wheeled around at him but her eyes led up to a swarm headed their way. A mass of white and grey swirling was screeching as they rose from the damaged Alliance vessel down below. “Ready the cannons! Archers and casters take aim!” Mojag bellowed as he shoved past Bear. Jukk pulled his bow off his back and aimed at the screeching swarm. Ruch drew his weapon and stood ready for the beasts while Ukral unsheathed his sword but looked on. “What are they?”

“Birds…” Bear said, but the stench on the wind told her all she needed to know. “Undead birds. Ohan draw your sword.” To which the young boy did, though fear riddled his blue eyes. Bear pulled her twin swords from her back, swirling them once as the threat grew closer. “STEADY!” Mojag called as the sounds of the cannon ports opening clanked and archers and casters lined the port side.

The screeching grew deafening as bear swayed, her tail swishing as Mojag called out again. “STEADY!” The archers looked back anxiously and by now the swarm of undead birds darkened the sky. He said it once more as each member twitched nervously then the scar faced druid roared, “FIRE!” With that the zepplin shook violently to the thunderous booms of the cannons and the twang of the bow strings and echoes of spells being cast nearly drown out the cacophony.

Ukral quickly moved to the boy’s side, ready to protect him when the undead got close enough. It wasn’t a question of if, but when. Many birds fell from the sky but it hardly seemed to effect the swarm. “FIRE!” Mojag bellowed again. Bear roared and slammed her sword against her chest in a ‘come at me’ fashion as the cannons fired again. But suddenly the swarm of undead eagles and vultures were upon them, overwhelming the airship. The Horde cried out a battle cry as swords slashed and spells boomed.

Bear roared as she jumped and spun in the air, her massive twin swords spinning and slicing undead birds that came too close. The warrior danced, her swords connecting with the flying vermin. Her brothers in arms swung their weapons and many undead avians hit the deck and fell overboard. Despite the many birds that swarmed her she was unrelenting. She jerked her head, throwing one to the ground. Smashing the undead bird with her hoof as she swung her sword to block another coming at her head.

The roar of a bear echoed beside her as Mojag took his bear form, his massive paws swiping birds that surrounded him. Ruch was joyously hacking and slashing the enemies down while Ukral slammed his shield into birds and hacked them with his axe. Spells went off around them and arrows whizzed past the lady warrior’s ears. But she didn’t stop swinging her swords. She fought with everything she had, even as she was covered in rotting gore.

Another screech sounded as massive bats flew into the swarm, but these were alive. The banner of the Horde and Dark Lady flew off some riders as more arrows, spells and bombs went off around them. It was the bat riders of Vengeance Landing. “For the Horde!” Many of her brothers and sisters called out in combat.

Bear saw a huge rotting eagle attacking Jukk and trying to pull him off the deck as he fought several other birds. She turned her sword ever so slightly and like a baseball bat she hit a bird into to the one attacking her companion. Knocking them both off the airship. “Nice shot, Mama!” He said as he cleaved another in two with his spear. Suddenly the airship jolted and listed to one side, in horror mama watched a few brave souls fall overboard as vultures ripped and tore through the rigging.

“Get them off the rigging!” She bellowed and despite her rank, her voice carried such command that many near her stopped to attack the birds on the rigging. Suddenly a burst of shimmering purple sparked infront of her and there stood a forsaken. He held his hands together, bowing graciously to the tauren. “Good evening.” He said politely as he then shoved his hands out. A shock wave of arcane exploded from his rotting body, causing the many birds in its wake to explode.

“I say. Quite the weather we’re having? Stormy with a chance of undead birds? Quite dreadful.” He quipped sending a barrage of arcane missiles at the birds pecking and tearing at Bear. She had to smirk at this quirky undead, even though she didn’t care much for his kind she was thankful.

The ship jolted again as the birds cut through more ropes. The nameless undead jolted back and it was clear he was going to fall. Bear reacted like lightning and grabbed his flailing arm in order to stop him tumbling and rolling off the dipping bow… Only to have it rip off. She stared dumbfounded as he fell and she was left with his arm as he tumbled down the deck. Another druid cast roots that grabbed the mage as well as a few others and saved them from falling over the edge. “Oh dear…” He said looking at his missing arm.

The hand shrugged as if accepting the fate that befell it and it’s owner but Bear had no time to really understand what was going on. She shoved the limb on her belt and yelled to the crew. “Archers and casters hit those birds! Everyone else to the back! Get off the bow!” Her quick thinking rallied the forces to stop the airship from listing so terribly and helped stabilize it. Meanwhile the undead mage, Jukk and the other ranged fighters attacked the birds on the rigging.

Bat riders flew by and also worked to get the undead off the zepplin. The combat started to fade as they grew closer to port. More bat riders arrived and they were now in range of the cannons which pelted the swarm surround the ship. Soon the screeching started to fade as the surviving undead flew away. The zepplin was heavily damaged and she’d lost some of her crew, but most were alive. Bear stomped one last undead avian before looking up, breathing the fire from her lungs as she watched the undead fly away.