Chapter 29 Chapter Twenty Eight

Grimtotem tauren are all strong and strong, and have received special training.As children, the children of the Grimtotem learn how to fight when other children their age are learning about living in harmony with nature and the rituals of the Great Hunt.They learn how to kill, cleanly, with hands, horns, and whatever weapons are at hand.In any battle, the chance of winning is with the Grimtotem.They don't fight for honor, they just fight for victory.However, their number is not infinite.Magatha was only able to focus on a limited number of objectives, and she chose to take the tauren capital first.There was the center of Cain's leadership, the heart of Mulgore, the first true "homeland" of the tauren ever.The other is to kill his only son.The first mission has been successfully completed.The dawn light shone on hundreds of corpses in and around Thunder Bluff.Their goal consists of two parts: the first is to eliminate those who oppose them in high positions; the second is to plant absolute fear in the hearts of the tauren people by slaughtering those who dare to take up arms and resist.

Their enemies lay frozen in pools of clotted blood, and many were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.But their deaths were also an equally powerful propaganda tool.Magatha and the Grimtotem have taken over Thunder Bluff.They control the resources of the entire city and hold the citizens hostage for negotiations.The recent attack, along with Kane's death and the disappearance of his son, deeply disturbed the tauren.She was sure the tauren would eventually recognize her as leader, out of desperation to return to normal life. But Baine slipped through their grasp.A spy told her that one of her own called Stormsong had become a traitor.Now Magatha sat sulking in the hut that had once been the center of Cairne Bloodhoof's power.She had undoubtedly targeted Stormsong for assassination, but she had given up any hope of finding him easily.He's definitely with the imposter now, she's called Bane by that since the Grimtotem coup (and encouraged others to do the same).Once Baine is found, Stormsong must die with him, but it will likely be a long time to wait eagerly.

Magatha was not an idiot. As she expected, the tauren in Moonglade, the stronghold of Feralas and the druids, had already begun to rebel.Messengers from other tribes sent treasonous letters, bringing such bad news that they would undoubtedly be executed immediately, but they knew that such a calm attitude made Magatha very angry. Rumors arose.Some say the imposter is hiding in Moonglade.Some said that he had already reached an agreement with the alliance, in exchange for support for taking back Thunder Bluff on the condition of free trade.Some say that he is supported by the power of Mother Earth, and that his shamans and druids can drive ancient trees to fight together.

Among the various rumors, there was one thing Magatha was sure of: Bane was gathering reinforcements, and when he had gathered enough strength, he would come to challenge her. She was so lost in thought that Rahalo had to try again to get her attention.She snorted, annoyed at her absent-mindedness, which she knew the young people would take as a sign of old age.She began to direct her anger at the young orc messenger standing before her instead of her loyal servant.However, she suddenly realized something and pricked up her ears in shock.An orc means... She waved her hand, "Speak."

"Magatha the Elder, I'm from Garrosh Hellscream, acting Warchief of the Horde." Her eyes widened.Knowing that Baine would eventually return with a large force—and probably sooner rather than later—Magatha sent for Garrosh's help two days earlier.The letter was full of compliments and praises for his leadership of the tribe, which sounded sincere.She also promised the Grimtotem a formal alliance with the Horde if Garrosh would lend a hand.Garrosh would certainly be able to use the Grimtotem's special... ways.Magatha hoped that Garrosh would reply by sending an army to defend Thunder Bluff, but it was clear that Garrosh still had doubts, or wanted to tell her what he thought.In any case, she was glad to hear back so soon.She smiled mildly at the orc.

"You are welcome, Messenger. Please rest a moment. Then read what your master has to say to me." She sat back in the chair and waited patiently with her arms folded over her stomach.The orc gratefully took the water bag and drank, but declined the food.He bowed, took out a leather case from his backpack, took out a scroll, and read loudly and clearly. To Magatha the Elder Grimtotem, Warchief Garrosh Hellscream, proxy of the Horde, I sincerely wish you a slow death in pain. There was a sound of gasping in the room.Magatha was speechless, then jumped up from the chair at a speed that did not match her age, pushed the messenger away with her backhand, grabbed the scroll and read it by herself.As her vision deteriorated, she had to stretch her arms to see clearly.

I realize you've taken honor kills from me.Cairne Bloodhoof is the hero of the Horde, a noble member of a race that has always been noble.I find with disgust and outrage that I have caused his death by your unexpected betrayal. Such a tactic suits your rebellious Horde and Alliance bastards, but I despise it.I hope to have a fair match with Kane and use my own abilities to decide the outcome.Now I'll never know who's better, and the title of treachery will follow me, until I show you off with your head on the point of a spear and point you out as a true traitor. So... no, I will not send any loyal orcs to fight alongside your treacherous and vile tribe.Your success or failure now rests with your Mother Earth.In any case, I wish to hear of your death.

You're left alone, Magatha, helpless and loathsome as ever.Maybe worse.Die in solitude. Before halfway through the reading, her hands began to tremble, and she tore a corner of the letter. When she finally finished reading, she raised her head and roared, pushing her hands forward violently.A bolt of lightning fell from the sky, piercing the roof of the hut and killing the messenger. The stench of burning flesh filled the room.For a moment, everyone was staring at the green corpse with a blackened chest, and then the two Thunder Bluff guards stepped forward to pull up the corpse and dragged it out without waiting for an order.

Magatha panted heavily, snorted angrily, and clenched his hands into fists. "Elder?" Lahalo asked cautiously and tentatively.Rarely had he seen the matriarch so angry. Magatha tried to calm herself down, "It seems that Garrosh Hellscream refused to provide any assistance to the Grimtotem." She did not tell the clansmen about Garrosh's wanton offense in the letter, which would make them feel humiliated . "So we can only rely on ourselves?" Rahalo looked worried. "Yes, as always. And we all got through it. Don't worry, Lahalo. This bad news was in my plan."

Actually, it wasn't in her plan.She had expected that young Hellscream to be played with.The foolish "honor" that orcs - and, to be honest, her own race - were obsessed with was like a dormant snake waiting to be eaten by her unbelievers.Unfortunately, before she had a chance to remove the poison from Gorehowl herself, the Kor'kron guards hurried to take it away. Still, all that is needed is to destroy Baine Bloodhoof and restore order in Mulgore.The tauren would fall silent and accept her leadership.Next, when she has power, let's see Garrosh? Will Hellscream change his mind?

At the same time, she needs to prepare for the inevitable onslaught of impostors. A cool sea breeze blew through the hallway of the room on the roof of Gajik's grocery store.It made the tauren nervously pacing back and forth, his black fur and white markings clearly a sign of the Grimtotem, and despite the uneasyness of the open doors and windows, this was where he had been sent. . "Yah, you're here, good." A voice came from behind, and Gazlowe, the goblin leader of Ratchet City, climbed up the stairs and waved to the tauren.And he turned and nodded. "Don't worry. This is my town. You'll be safe as long as you stay here. I know your boss has business for me." The Grimtotem tauren nodded. "Indeed." Gazlowe pointed to a table and two chairs.The tauren took a seat carefully, and sat down more at ease after finding that the chair could bear his huge weight. "We need to get something." Gazlowe took a pipe and a small bag of tobacco from his waistcoat pocket.He talked to the tauren while filling his pipe. "I can get you almost anything, but it's not free. Favors are favors, business is business, understand?" The tauren nodded. "I came prepared and paid for it. Here's our list." He pushed a small piece of rolled parchment across the table to the goblin.However, Gazlowe unhurriedly squeezed the tobacco and lit the pipe, and only then extended a green hand to take the list.His eyes widened suddenly. "How many bombs do you want?" "You can count, goblin friend." "I thought there was an extra zero at the end. Or two." He grinned with his pipe in his mouth. "Gee, geez. Looks like I'll be able to buy myself another ship. Maybe build a city." He cast a quick glance at the Grimtotem tauren. "Are you sure you can afford it?" In answer, the tauren unfastened a sack from his waist.It was a little bigger than his giant fist, and it made a pleasant jingle when it was placed on the table. "Take it all you want. I heard you gave a fair price." "It's fair to ask for a lot of money," Gazlowe replied.He opened the pocket, and the gold coins glistened in the afternoon sun. "My goodness." "Can you get me everything on the list?" Gazlowe scratched his head, obviously hesitating whether to answer honestly or answer as he originally thought. "Maybe," Gazlowe said finally.He took a draw from his pipe and let the smoke come out of his long hooked nose. "Maybe." "Within a few days." Gazlowe coughed, puffs of smoke from his mouth. "what?" The Grimtotem Tauren took out a second purse, not as big as the first, but still quite substantial. "My...boss understands the principle that more money makes things easier." The goblin whistled softly. "Your boss is very clever," he said.He looked over the list again, then sighed. "It's a little difficult, but—yes, yes, I can get it all for you." He hesitated.The Grimtotem tauren sat there patiently, knowing that a battle between heaven and man was obviously going on in the goblin's mind at this moment. Gazlowe let out a low, pained sigh, grabbed a handful of gold coins from the second purse, and pushed the rest back to the tauren.The Grimtotem tauren looked at him in bewilderment.How could a goblin not take money? "Listen," Gazlowe said, "don't go out and talk nonsense, but... I, uh... support what you're planning." The tauren blinked. "I am very honored." Gazlowe nodded and stood up. "I'll get it to you in four days. Can't be quicker." "Acceptable." The tauren also stood up and turned to leave. "Hey, Dad?" The Grimtotem tauren turned around. "Tell Bane I've always liked his dad." Stormsong? The Grimtotem smiled mildly. "I will." The army is on the move. Although Bane had made up his mind not to seek revenge on Garrosh Hellscream, he had no intention of seeking help from the reckless orc either.That means he's on his own. Fortunately, word of Magatha's treachery had already begun.Camp Mojache has not yet fallen to the Grimtotems, but they are all fighting too hard to send reinforcements.Freewind Post repelled the enemy's attack and continued to serve the Bloodhoof family.When Bane sought refuge, all those who could fight there volunteered to join him.Bane now had two dozen hardy warriors under his command, while the others, though badly in need of training, had a passion that couldn't be ignored.Kane was well-loved in the past, and his son was revered.There is no doubt that any tauren other than those belonging to the Grimtotem - or fearing them - will rally to Bane's command. He proudly wears the Dreadbreaker, though he doesn't explain the weapon's origins.He didn't want to cause Anduin any trouble.This weapon has been out of sight for decades, perhaps hundreds of years.Despite its small size, no one would notice that this is a unique dwarven weapon.Almost all weapons are undersized for the tauren.When asked, he simply replied. "It was given to me by a friend as a token of trust in me and my motives." This explanation seems to satisfy most people. They followed the Golden Road to the Taurajo Camp.There is news from Lie Sun Stone Residence that they have repelled the enemy's attack and will send troops to join him there. Bane made no secret of his march, a strong signal to any Grimtotem agents who might be watching them that he and his supporters were fearless.Indeed, their numbers have swelled greatly since they left the lifeless Dustwallow Marsh for the arid Barrens.Other races besides the tauren joined their ranks.There are a few trolls in the party, some orcs, and even a Forsaken and a sin'dorei.The Forsaken who came to serve claimed that he owed the tauren a favor, after all, they were the ones who urged the tribe to take in the Forsaken.Other than that, most of the others were mercenaries; anyway, it was thanks to Jaina's shady funding that Bane was able to hire these soldiers with such a large sum of hard-to-trace money.Bane was sure that their combat skills would be of great use. A small black dot appeared on the far side of the road, which was in the shape of a kodo.As it got closer, Baine recognized that it was Stormsong riding on it.He steered his gigantic steed up to Baine, who was advancing on foot. "Good news?" Bane asked. "Best news," said Stormsong, "Gazlowe agreed to deliver everything we needed within four days. He didn't even take full payment. He asked me to bring you a message that he always admired Your father also supports our actions." "Really?" Bane glanced up at him in surprise. "Loyalty from a goblin. I'm so glad." Hamuul had been talking to his fellow druids before.Now he comes forward. "As you might expect, they know we're coming. Our spies report that Thunder Bluff is getting ready for a battle. The good news is they've got all their resources and soldiers there so they won't attack us halfway. .” Bane nodded. "They think that Thunder Bluff is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and any battle that happens halfway is a waste of Grimtotem's life." Song of the Storm snorted, "You should have seen Gazlowe's face when he saw the list. The matriarch and her subordinates will definitely be surprised." The reinforcements from Lie Sun Stone Residence were not many, but they obviously moved quickly.They were waiting for Baine when he turned west from the South Golden Road toward Mulgore.When the cheers sounded, Bane couldn't help feeling overwhelmed. He could hear people shouting rhythmically: "Bane! Bane! Bane!" "Listen to them," Hamuul whispered to him, "you give them hope. Your plan is bold and risky," he confessed, "but that's why I believe it will succeed. You With your father's poise and your own imagination, Baine Bloodhoof. You will win this battle well." "I pray that you are right," Bain said, "If it fails, the fate of our people will be worrying." Thunder Bluff was once a place full of laughter and laughter, but now it is completely silent.At first the Grimtotem took advantage of the night raids to win easily, but now they are prepared to fend off an army commanded by a popular leader rather than slaughter sleeping victims.Thunder Bluff has perfect defenses, and they can handle a long siege.Still, Magatha wasn't expecting a fight. It was folly for Bane to march so openly.Doing so might win him a few more followers, but it also gives his enemies time to prepare.And Magatha didn't waste this opportunity. Climbing Thunder Bluff is not a dream, but it is quite difficult, especially for the tauren.Even if climbers are prepared, something else awaits them.The elevator is the key to getting up the cliff—but the tribe's engineers are planting bombs on it that will explode at the touch of a button.In that case Baine's army would have no choice but to camp at the bottom of the cliff and wait.If the timing is right, a few of Bane's followers can be killed by the way.Some precautions have been taken against magical infiltration methods such as portals.It's going to be a long wait.Bane gave them a few days' warning, which gave the Grimtotem the opportunity to bring in large quantities of food and other supplies.Magatha has recalled all his men to defend the main city, including the troops in Bloodhoof Village and the attempted attack on Sun Stone Residence.Yes, the more Magatha thought about it, the calmer she became.Bane would fail, just like his father.And her grip on the tauren will be certain. She gradually fell asleep in Kane Bloodhoof's former residence.However, a strong flash of light and the ensuing thunderclap awakened her sweet dreams.The pouring rain fell on the thatched roof, and Magatha jumped up suddenly and snorted.Another blinding flash of lightning.As a shaman and a tauren, Magatha is no stranger to storms.But this time, there was a kind of strength and ferocity in it.She sniffed and listened, becoming alert.Maybe she was just thinking wildly, but Magatha had survived so long because she trusted her instincts.So she put on her robe and cloak to keep out the pouring rain outside. The rain splashed on Magatha's face, and she squinted and looked up.Gray thunderclouds covered the stars in a dark sky.There's nothing wrong with that.After all, this place is called Thunder Bluff.Glad it was just an extra violent thunderstorm, she reached up and pulled the hood down over her face. That's when she saw it.When the thunderstorm cloud covering it dispersed, a brightly colored airship broke through the cloud, with a bright purple airbag suspended above it. Then another ship appeared...and another.When she saw the scene in front of her clearly, she gasped in shock. "The airship is coming!" Magatha screamed.