Continuing Story of the Keepers of the Wild Gods
The Keepers found themselves traveling to Whisperwind Grove in the dismal lands of Felwood. It was one of the larger groves in the area aside from the Alliance friendly camp of Talonbranch Glade. They would find Recola having already arrived and awaiting her followers. The first to arrive, however, was not one of her order, but a familiar face all the same. It was a Goblin by the name of Toppy. They had vaguely met in their previous order. A welcome face all the same. Their location was so they could get a handle on the poachers. To find them, bring them to justice, and return what hippogryphs were stolen. Yet, once the Keepers finally Reco had to explain why there were not leaving quite yet. They, along with Toppy, were lead to a building by the flight master. Along the building were several nests of the hippogryphs currently resting for traveling. High in the thick boughs of the trees were many more. But Reco didn't head that way. She led her people through the building and to the back. There rested a slightly larger nest where Tadewi lay. The elegant blue hippogryph chirped at Reco when the Shu'halo came into sight. She had motioned for her group to move in close as she settled on the edge of the nest with her companion. Within they could see two eggs. It wasn't long before they got to witness the eggs begin to hatch. Two healthy chicks nestled wearily against their mother as the others looked on in awe. The Archdruid was no less proud than the mother. It was apparent she cared very much. As the night edged on the druid charged them with helping raise the chicks but encouraged to wait as Toppy urged. And one-by-one they left to leave Tadewi to her babies. But it wasn't long before Reco's fears came to pass. In the dead silence of the night a small group approached the Grove. There were five of them tucked away in the thick vegetation on the outer rim of the Grove; a male Night Elf, two Pandaren, a female Orc, and a male Worgen. There was some sort of strange magic in play as the Whisperwind Protectors were not alerted to their presence. In hushed voices they spoke. "Look at the lot of them. They're even in the trees," the Worgen pointed out. "We're not here for them," said the Night Elf. "What--" The Pandaren male elbowed the Worgen hard, "We're here for them." A large Pandaren paw grabbed the Worgen's snout and jerked it in the direction of Tadewi's nest. The bipedle canine urked and squinted his eyes in the said direction. There was a wicked snicker, "Let him go Ping." A red Pandaren of a slim build and long, lush tail showed herself next to the rugged male. "It's not his fault all that transforming changes his brain, too." The Worgen glared at the woman before his snout was released roughly. "Yeah, thanks…" he muttered. "Silence, all of you. You want them to know we're here?" growled the Night Elf. "Sorry, Soren, so--" "The hatchlings. People pay more for the babies." Soren nodded at the mother curled protectively in the nest. "Especially from such a beautiful beast." He motioned at the Orc in the back, "Quick in and out." Before long the Orc led the group ahead to the raised platform. Soren held a mass invisibility spell on them for their approach. Whispered barks of commands caused Tadewi to stir. Her feathers had bristled as she frantically looked around. But before she could see what was coming there was a thick net that entrapped her. As her body flailed, Tadewi called out in desperation. The hippogryph's cries did not go unheard. The Protectors awoke from their vigil and lurched toward the nests. "Go! Now! Grab the babies!" Soren spat at them. The Orc and larger Pandaren dragged Tadewi from the ledge and onto the ground. Her cries continued more from the sight of her babies being scooped up by the Worgen than the pain of the fall. And with the chicks nestled in the nook of his arms the Worgen followed after the group. Reco was not slow to hear her companion. The druid dropped what she was doing and ran for Tadewi's nest. She made it to see the Worgen jumping down. "No! Tadewi!" Reco cried. Her hands balled and she yanked upward hard. The ground below the straggling Gilnean rose up to try and bind him. But as the vines started to close around him the female Pandaren jumped in and let out a whirling dervish of fire. The vines reeled away in pain. In a furious rage, Reco drew her bow. With an arrow knocked she tried to take aim. As the poachers got further out she couldn't get a clean shot. Her hands trembled as Soren threw another shroud over them. When they went out of sight her heart sank. The Grove was now on high alert. The Protectors patrolled in doubled effort. And Recola sat there in Tadewi's nest; feathers of her beloved companion in hand.