Chapter 23 Chapter Twenty Two

Magasa watched from a distance, her calm face did not show the slightest bit of growing excitement in her heart.These two fighters are a match for each other, even though they are completely different in every way.Kane has strength, wisdom, patience and experience; Garrosh has physical strength, youthful blood and speed.The long-simmering dispute between the old and new generations reached a boiling point tonight.Only one person can make it out alive, and the winner will determine the future of the tribe.Everyone present knew they were witnessing history, and Magatha saw expressions on people's faces, from fear and shock to enthusiasm and joy.

It was a fierce battle, more evenly matched than anyone expected. Anyone, except Magatha, of course. She'd been waiting for this opportunity for years, waiting for it to fall like a leaf from the treetops to her lap, and the time had finally come.Her spies in Orgrimmar reported back to her in time, and she hurried from Thunder Bluff to the arena.Putting it down, it is much easier for her to bless herself as a shaman as a weapon. Earlier, when she had begged to see Garrosh and received permission, he had been in a private room below the throne room with a few Kor'kron guards. "I told you before, Garrosh Hellscream, I think you are just what the Horde needs. When the time is right, I will offer my support and that of the Grimtotem. Today, let me Get ready for your blessed weapon."

Garrosh stared at her. "You're making Kaine an enemy? Isn't he one of your tauren brethren?" Magatha shrugged. "I only want to do what is best for my people. And I believe that is to follow you, Garrosh Hellscream." He nodded, "That's very sensible, and it shows that you are a wise leader for your clan. The future belongs to me, not the old cow, although he may have been powerful at one time." He wrinkled Frowning, "I... respect him quite a bit. I don't want to kill him with my own hands. But he is the one who initiated the challenge, and he offended my honor."

"Indeed," Magatha said. "That slap was a real...everyone was talking about it. Shame. He must be given back." Garrosh growled, his cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment where the black tattoo wasn't covering.Magatha was still expressionless, but laughed heartily.It was such a breeze. "So, do you accept my blessing for your weapon and the support of the Grimtotem?" He looked her up and down for a moment, then nodded. "Then let your decision be seen and understood, my lord. You will bless my weapon before the duel begins." Not long after, under the watchful eyes of everyone, he took out Gorehowl.Magatha could hardly restrain the excitement in her heart. She chanted the prayer of blessing, took out the small medicine bottle she had prepared not long ago, unscrewed the stopper, and sprinkled three drops of ointment on the ax blade.Traditionally she should use her hands to apply the ointment.But this time she didn't.

Garrosh didn't know the difference. He also didn't know that he was being used by her.That was good—if the orc had known her plan, he would have killed her on the spot.If only he had known that the weapon he so cherished had been smeared with poison. Yes, she saw Gorehowl shatter the ancient runespear, slicing Kane's chest and arms, and the tauren suddenly staggered and stunned for a few seconds.It's so easy.But I've put in so much hard work.This is balance. Garrosh took his chance.He swung Gorehowl high above his head, then slashed the screaming battleaxe down to deliver the decisive blow.The ax blade cut deep between the neck and shoulders, cutting through flesh and tendons.Blood spurted from the severed artery, Kane Bloodhoof's strong legs bent, and he fell to the ground.By the time his body hit the ground, Kane was dead.The arena was filled with thunderous cheers, punctuated by gasps and sobs.

And so an era is over.With his death, a new era began. Those loyal to Cairne stormed into the arena in grief, lifting the body of their fallen leader.Magatha knew what was coming, and the funeral met everyone's expectations.They will baptize the body, clean it of dust, blood, sweat and oil, wrap it in a funeral blanket for cremation, and sprinkle the ashes into the wind and river so that he can be with Mother Earth and Sky. Father with you.Before that, in order to show respect for Cain, the funeral procession will mournfully and slowly travel from Orgrimmar to Thunder Bluff. But those expectations would be dead wrong, and they gave her a long-awaited opportunity.

Turning to one of her protégés, she whispered in Tauren, "Now, send the message. Kane is dead at last. The reign of the Grimtotem begins tonight." The full moon hangs high above Thunder Bluff, and the night sky is clear and cloudless.Tauren are usually active mainly during the day, although some activities are carried out at any time regardless of day and night, but it is generally quiet in such early morning hours.The smoke from several campfires was carried by the night wind into the starry sky.The tauren were sleeping in their tents. Grimtotems operate in the dark.They were as stealthy as shadows, like spots of black ink in the silvery moonlight.Some have come to Thunder Bluff on wyverns, beasts whose wings are as still as the night sky in flight.Others came on foot, climbing the cliffs with sheer willpower and grace out of proportion to their size.They have been lurking here for many years, and they will start to act as soon as they are notified.

They all carried weapons—nooses, daggers, short swords, bows and arrows.No muskets, nothing that made a sound.Voice means exposure; exposure means resistance; and that's not what the matriarch wants.Their task is to kill silently before rushing to the next victim. They patiently hid in the shadows and walked behind the tents on the lowest level of the mesa until they were all in position.The slight footsteps of the cow's hooves sounded in the night, even if someone heard it, it would not attract attention.Then, they attacked in unison. Grimtotem assassins rushed towards the tent.Some of these targets are familiar to them—fighters who are proficient with weapons, or particularly powerful druids and shamans.What if a person has the power of a wild bear if he doesn't have time to wake up and change form?If a person has already been pierced through the chest, so what if he has martial arts?How easy it is to slit the throats of those defenseless.

They assembled by the pool in the middle, counted and gesticulated.They split into two teams.One team rushed to the soul heights, and the other pair rushed to the hunter heights.They didn't take care of Elder's Highlands.Magatha had lived there until tonight, and her loyal followers had no doubt killed the unfortunate druids.The old decks creaked under the weight as the Killers trotted across the drawbridges, but these bridges also rattled when the wind was blowing, so they weren't afraid to be exposed. They charged straight at the victims and jumped on top of them.The awakened shamans only had time to gasp before dying.They were the Star Chasers—all dead, not one left.Don't worry about the Forsaken who live in the Pool of Visions in the basement of Soul Rise.Most of them secretly support Magatha, others are not interested in the tauren or who leads the tauren.

On Hunter Heights. The battle here is even more brutal.Hunters are alert and strong enough to stand up to them.But they are not the opponents of the Grimtotem clan. After all, the opponent has the advantage of surprise attack, and all the weapons are poisoned.Soon, the high ground also fell silent, and the killers returned to the center of Thunder Bluff one after another. Those who were the greatest threat to the Magatha elders have been eliminated.Now is the time to slaughter wantonly, to plant fear in the hearts of the remaining tauren.They must know that the Grimtotem's rule has no room for error, nor for softer notions of forgiveness and mercy.

Like a child, Thunder Bluff will be reborn in a pool of blood. "Wait," said a Grimtotem shaman, holding up his hand.Although his original name is Jowan, others like to call him Stormsong because of his affinity for the two elements of wind and water.He led the team that besieged Bloodhoof Village, and he had told his subordinates in advance that he would not use his great power unless it was absolutely necessary.At this moment, his second-in-command, Tarakal, was waiting for the signal to attack. "Wait?" Tarakal replied in bewilderment. "We have received orders, Stormsong. Let's do it!" The shaman wiggled his ears and sniffed the air. "Something is not right. They may have been alerted to our presence." Tarakal snorted. "Impossible. We've been training for tonight's operation for years." Stormsong stared at him, "Since we have our own spies and channels of information, there is no doubt that Kane has them too." The mission over there in Thunder Bluff is broader - kill anyone who poses a threat to the matriarch.The list is long, and many of those involved in the operation were not able to complete the task.But here in Bloodhoof there is only one target—only one person to kill.But this man had to die, or the whole bloody action of the night would be pointless. Baine Bloodhoof is Cairne Bloodhoof's only son and sole heir, and he lives here instead of staying with his father on Thunder Bluff. Now, the tauren are sleeping peacefully in their tents, and some even sleep on the ground under the moonlight.They don't yet know the bad news that their beloved patriarch has joined the ranks of their ancestors.The hikers who had witnessed the battle in Orgrimmar and planned to return to report to Baine had all been swiftly and silently dealt with before then.Any mage or anyone else who could get a message to Thunder Bluff quickly was stalked and carefully watched—or dealt with.The road has been blocked.Magatha planned carefully and did not leave the slightest chance for his opponent. Bloodhoof Village was the first tauren settlement to be founded on the plains rather than on the safe mesas.It was proof that the tauren had developed a sense of security in a once-unfamiliar land. Really safe from predators and other species of attack. Not so for the Grimtotem clan. "If anyone has been warned of Cairne's untimely death in the arena, it must be his son," said Stormsong. We won't fall into a trap. If it's not safe inside, we'll have to readjust our tactics. Don't do anything until you hear my signal, understand?" Stormsong was about Kane's age, and though his black fur was flecked with grey, he was as strong and alert as the dead cow.Tarakal moved uneasily.He is younger and full of enthusiasm, and he has been longing for tonight's battle for a long time.He didn't want to wait another minute, but finally nodded. "You are the leader of this mission, Stormsong." His voice clearly indicated that he hoped for another situation. "I will obey. But hurry, huh? My blade thirsts for Baine's blood." "Me too, friend. But I don't want to shed my own blood if possible," said Stormsong.The two dozen killers assembled for tonight's mission laughed silently. "I'll be back as soon as possible." Tarakal watched him go quietly, the black fur disappearing into the shadows. He waits. He waited and waited, shifting feet restlessly, ears twitching slightly with mounting anxiety.Around Tarakal, the warriors were restless and impatient.They are all eager to fight, so it is difficult to accept this sudden pause.Tarakal didn't know how long he stood there, trying hard to see through the darkness in front of him, and then a voice finally sounded in his heart. "He's long overdue," Tarakal roared. "Something is wrong. We cannot wait any longer. Grimtotem, attack! In the name of Magatha the Elder!" Baine Bloodhoof woke up suddenly.He tossed and turned in the fur mattress, a strange chill ran down his spine.He had a dream just now, although he could not recall the content, but it made him very disturbed.So when he heard voices coming from outside the tent, he immediately got up, put on his clothes, and went out to see what happened. Two Bloodhoof warriors were holding another tauren.Despite the dim moonlight, Baine recognized him. "I know you," he said. "You are one of Magatha's men. What are you doing here at this time of night?" The tauren was old but not weak.He didn't want to break free from the warrior who was clutching him.Instead, he gave Bane a look of pity and distress. "I have come to warn you, Baine Bloodhoof. Your father is dead, and you will be next. You must go, and go quietly." Baine felt a pain in his heart, but he suppressed it immediately.This is a Grimtotem Tauren.This must be his ruse. "You lie," he rumbled, "and I don't like to joke about my father's health. Tell me what you're really here for, and maybe I'll forgive you for your bad joke." "I'm not lying, Patriarch," the Grimtotem tauren insisted. "He challenged Garrosh Hellscream to a fight to the death, and he fell in the arena." "Now I know you're lying. Thrall has given the ban. Deathmatch is no longer a matter of death." "Those old rules are back in force now," said Stormsong. "Cairne challenged, and Garrosh agreed—on the condition that he fight the old rules. So it's really a matter of death." Bane froze for a moment.From what he knew of his father and Garrosh, it was possible.He knew his father disapproved of Thrall's appointment of Garrosh—and, truth be told, neither did Baine.If Cairne felt that Garrosh posed a real danger to the Horde's safety, he could have challenged him.And if Garrosh decides to change the rules, it's entirely possible that Kane won't flinch. "My father should have won that kind of battle," he said in a slightly trembling voice. "He would have won," agreed the shaman, "if Magatha hadn't poisoned Garrosh's weapon. She used her shaman status to bless Gorehowl, and took the opportunity to paint the blade of his axe with Poisonous ointment. One blow will suffice." He said bitterly and angrily, "In my knapsack—open it. There is a sad evidence in it." Bane nodded to one of the champions.The tauren opened the backpack they had seized from the Grimtotem tauren, and stared wide-eyed.Bain felt a chill in his heart.The warrior slowly reached into his backpack—and pulled out what looked like a broken stick. Baine reached out, and the champion placed the shard of the legendary runespear in Baine Bloodhoof's palm.He closed his palm tremblingly, feeling the familiar runes touching his skin.He staggered back.His strong and kind father—whom Baine had expected to die an honorable death in battle or a peaceful death in his sleep—was murdered by traitors... The Grimtotem tauren continued, and the anger in Bane's heart began to sprout. "Two dozen Dreadtotem warriors are waiting outside, ready to attack with fire. I should have commanded the mission myself, but I have come to warn you. Your father was a noble tauren, though I did not Disagree with some of his decisions. He didn't deserve to die like this, and neither should you. I've served the matriarch for years, but this time..." He shook his head. "She has gone too far this time. She has brought disgrace to shamanism. I will no longer be a part of her plans." With two strides, Bane narrowed the distance between him and the Grimtotem Tauren, and grabbed the Tauren's beard and pulled his head up.The Grimtotem Tauren snorted, but met Baine's gaze calmly. That weird dream... that uneasy feeling... Bane felt a piercing pain in his chest, making it almost impossible for him to breathe. "Father," he said softly, and that's when he realized that the Grimtotem defector was telling the truth.Tears stung his eyes, but he blinked them back.There will be plenty of time in the future to mourn the loss of my father.If what this apostate says is true— "What's your name?" "They call me Stormsong, Patriarch." patriarch.Now he assumes he is the head of the Bloodhoof clan... "I will stay and fight," Baine declared. "I will not flee in danger. This village bears my father's name, and I cannot abandon its people. " "We are outnumbered," said Stormsong, "and your life is not so easily given up in battle as others are. You are the last of Bloodhoof, and you are clearly the leader of your clan and people The best choice for you. You are responsible for the safety of the tauren clan, and you should go and get back what was stolen. Do you think Bloodhoof Village is the only tauren settlement that was attacked tonight?" Bane's eyes widened in horror as Stormsong continued, "Even now, the carnage continues on Thunder Bluff! Wait until the sun rises above the horizon tomorrow morning to see the bloody aftermath of this ignominious night." Magatha is about to rule over all the tauren. You must live. You have no time to die fighting for your father's vengeance! Come with me!" Bane snorted angrily, grabbed the front of Stormsong's leather vest, and let him go.The shaman was right. "This may be a ruse, a trap!" said one warrior. "He will lead you into an ambush!" Bane shook his head sadly. "No," he said, "it's not a ruse. I can feel it. The shaman is telling the truth." He let go, staring at the fragment of the rune spear that he had been clutching tightly in his hand. Put it carefully in your fanny pack after a while. "My father was killed, and I must live to take care of our people as he wished. Song of the Storm Grimtotem, you risked a lot to warn me. And I would also risk trusting you. You know, if you betray me, you will be the first to die." "Of course I am well aware," agreed Stormsong, "that I am alone, and you are many. Now... the Grimtotems lie in ambush in three directions, but I think I know a way to dispel them. Come with me. " The Grimtotem clan rushed to the village.It was not the sleeping tauren who greeted them, but well-trained and fully armed warriors who were ready.Tarakal wasn't surprised; he guessed that Stormsong had been captured, and Baine had been alerted to the attack.However, they are Grimtotems, and they will fight to the death. Many fell to Tarakal's axe, but he never saw Baine Bloodhoof.Every Grimtotem tauren present knew that killing Bane was the only goal of the night, and as time passed, Bane was nowhere to be seen.Tarakal began to panic. There is only one explanation for this. "Grimtotem!" he yelled, swinging his ax at a druid who was about to transform into a cat, nearly cutting her in two. "We've been betrayed! Bane has gone!" find him!find him! Now that the Grimtotem tauren are trying to break out of Bloodhoof Village, the fighting villagers are no longer targets, but annoying nuisances.Suddenly the ground started shaking.Talakal spun around, ax clenched in his hand, and stared ahead in horror. Nearly a dozen kodos charged straight at him and his men.Some kodos rode the inhabitants of Bloodhoof, but others wore only saddles and bridles.There are also undomesticated Kodos that don't even have saddles and bridles on their backs.These frightened and irrational behemoths roared loudly and rolled their eyes, showing no intention of slowing down. There is only one choice now. "Run!" Tarakal yelled. They run away.The Kodo beasts followed behind, and their speed seemed to be getting faster and faster. Now the Grimtotem Tauren are really running for their lives in a hurry.There is Stone Niu Lake ahead, which may be a safe place.Tarakal plunged headlong into the icy water, sinking under the weight of his armor, but he didn't slow down.The kodos followed, but their gallop slowed in the water.Tarakal swam as hard as he could, trying desperately to get to the surface.The armor that was originally worn to protect him now puts him in danger of drowning.Now the kodos scatter back to the shore, snorting and shaking off the water from their fur.Tarakal began counting the number of Grimtotems floating on the water.Some sank to the bottom of the lake, and some didn't even have time to escape into the lake.There will be time to remember them later. For now, the survivors had to swim across the lake first. They swam slowly, all drenched and shivering with frustration. They failed in their mission.Bane escaped.Stormsong betrayed them.And Tarakal didn't expect Magatha to be happy to hear the news. Bane looked at the herd of wild animals and nodded in satisfaction.It was a good plan, to startle the herd and give them a chance to escape.Although kodos are tame animals even in the wild, they are unstoppable when frightened and run wild.The Kodo herd drove the enemy to flee west, and they were trapped in the hills with no way out.Some of the enemies would die, but the rest would escape and continue to pursue them; it was little more than a delay, but a moment's delay would benefit Bane and his followers. "Camp Taurajo isn't overrun by the Grimtotems yet, is it, Stormsong?" The Grimtotem Tauren shook his head, "No. Our main targets are Thunder Bluff, Bloodhoof Village, Sun Stone Residence, and Camp Mojache." "Then we'll go to Camp Taurajo, and hopefully it hasn't become a secondary target. We can prepare transport there." "Where are you going?" Song of the Storm asked. Baine's eyes were determined to drive the Kodo beasts to run wildly.He was filled with the pain of losing his father and the anger at the bloody night the Grimtotem had created. "I don't know," he admitted, "but I do know that my father must be avenged. I will not relax until the treachery of the Grimtotem is revealed. My father allows them to live with us, even though they refuse to join the Horde. Now, I will expel them from all aspects of tauren society. I swear I will." Baine hadn't been out of Mulgore many times in the past few years, and he had almost forgotten how wide and empty the Barrens were.Jon Stareye greeted them and led them into the tent without disturbing the orc guards.Bane didn't know who else he could trust now.They met behind a large hut: Baine; the four warriors who had accompanied him from Bloodhoof; Hamuul Runetotem, recovering from his wounds, who had brought a Miserable Tales; and Stormsong of the Renegades.Jon joined them, bringing a plate of food—apples, watermelon, Mulgore spiced bread, and a hunk of cooked meat. Bane nodded his thanks to the hunter.He took a bite of the fruit, then looked at Hamuul. "I take your word for it, Hamuul. Even though Stormsong is a Grimtotem, I believe him. It is cruel that our leader has turned his back on us, and now I have to trust a former enemy." Stormsong buried his face.He seemed awkward here, but he had gradually earned the respect and trust of Bane and the others around him. "I don't know if Garrosh knew about the attack, but I know I survived because of their negligence," said Hamuul. "They left me there to die, and I almost died. As for That duel," he glanced at Stormsong, "Garrosh may or may not have agreed to the poison. It doesn't matter. Magatha has gotten what he wanted—control of Thunder Bluff, Bloodhoof Village, maybe There's Camp Mojache. Even all the tauren if we don't stop her in time." "But not Sunstone Residence," Jon said softly. "They sent a messenger. They repelled the attack of the Grimtotem." Bane nodded.That's good news, but it's not enough.Bane let out a soft growl, forcing himself to continue eating.He has to keep up his strength even though his stomach doesn't want food. "Arch Druid, my father has always trusted your advice. And I need it now more than ever. What do we do now? What do we do with her?" Hamuul sighed and thought.There was a long silence. "From what we can tell, most of the tauren are now under Magatha's control—whether willingly or not. Garrosh may not have had anything to do with this betrayal, but he's certainly a reckless brat, and whatever Said he wanted your father to die." Bane took a deep breath, Hamuul gave him a sympathetic look, and continued. "The Undercity is not safe for you, and the orc guards that patrol there are likely loyal to Garrosh. The Darkspear trolls may be trustworthy, but they are too few in number. As for the blood elves, they are too far away to render aid. And Garrosh will probably get to them before we do." Bane smiled wryly and gestured towards Stormsong. "So our enemies are more trustworthy than our friends," he said coldly. Hamuul had to nod in agreement, "At least it's easier to deal with." An idea suddenly occurred to Bane, both reckless and dangerous.Just as his father had taught him, Bane turned the thought over in his head for a long time instead of blurting it out.At last he spoke. "I've always believed that an honorable enemy is better than a dishonorable friend," he said softly. "So let's go to a respectable enemy. Let's go to the woman Thrall trusted." He looked at everyone one by one, and saw expressions of understanding gradually showing on their faces. "We're going to Lady Jaina Proudmoore."