Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Vigil

The great, armored raptor beneath him sounded his complaint. The bull had been still too long, and the raptor was understandably tired of holding him aloft. "Easy, Tohopka," he spoked to it in hushed Taurahe, "You go hunt pigs, but don't stray too far from my sight, mmm?"

He patted the raptor on its side before hopping down to the ground. It strode off into the distance as the bull took one knee. He had been here for hours today, and countless hours since it had begun. From a rocky outcropping that sprung up through the red dust of Durotar, he watched the goblins, the brewers, and their hired crew dismantle the festival.

Gunnar settled in beside him, panting in the heat. The bull watched the proceedings. Drunkards and revelers protested the end of the festival, asking the goblins to stay for just one more day. Many already had their fill and had stopped attending the event several days ago. Others only protested the noise, undoubtedly nursing hangovers.

All of this, the bull saw as he watched.

Others had disappeared on him before, and even now there were those who he had not seen in too many days. He had always found them, though, whether they knew it or not. One who tracks well can find the ones they seek from several days behind. The tracked will only know they are being stalked should the hunter wish it so.

The circumstances of this disappearance were different. He had found the trail and followed it to the end in hopes of catching up to the one who made it. When he found the end of the trail, he saw the signs of the struggle that had ensued. He knew that his quarry was taken by surprise, and he knew the identities, as difficult as it was to believe, of the attackers. A group of them. Their trails diverged almost immediately, as soon as they had left Thunder Bluff.

All that had been left behind was a purple hat and a few feathers. The trail was dead.

Mograg opened a well-lined pouch marked [Surestrike Goggles v2.0] that he wore on his hip. He placed the goggles over his eyes. Pressing a button at the side, he zoomed in as he scanned the horizon. All that seemed out of place was a black raptor with orange stripes and faded red armor greedily devouring a boar. He replaced the goggles and continued to watch.

None of those whom he questioned, and none who had accepted coin to watch for his quarry while Mograg could not, had produced results. This had certainly been the type of event that he would attend, at least once, but no evidence of his presence could be found.

The afternoon wore on. The last of the festival was packed away. He was approached about being hired as an escort to see the caravan safely back to Steemwheedle Port. Mograg declined each offer before mention of the coin was made, citing in broken Orcish that he had "other thing to do."

He gave a sharp whistle. Moments later, the raptor Tohopka was at his side once more. He walked Tohopka and the wolf Gunnar to the zeppelin tower and strode up the ramp. The female goblin, Snurk, was the first to take notice of him. "Hey there, cutie! When are we going to take that vacation in the jungle you promised me?"

"No jungle. Not this day. I need to go to city under city," he replied evenly.

"You never go there! What's the occasion? Got a hot date with a cold body?"

"Hunting."

"The strong silent type. My favorite!" she swooned. "The hunting is better in the jungle, you know. And after we get all hot and steamy, we can take a dip..."

"Hunting someone."

"Is she prettier than me?"

The bull merely grunted.

"Ooo. You know how I love a mysterious man."

"Bull."

"Even better," she cooed. He saw her eyes glance behind him. "Looks like your ship's just come in." She added, more quietly, "Here's to hoping mine will one of these days."

Mograg boarded the zeppelin. He walked below the deck, near the propellers. He watched them with curious eyes. While it carried him across the ocean, he began making sketches in a small book he carried with him. The sketches carefully detailed the turn of the blades, their angles, and his estimates of their size compared to the thrust they produced.

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