Wintersaber Mount: Unexpected Challenge

It was so cold.

The snow reflected the light with such intensity, it was blinding. My face was becoming raw from the cold wind.

I need a new cloak, some new pants and jerkin. I definitely need some new boots. This cold wasn’t quite what I was expecting.

I was taken in by a sweet dwarf lady, named Donova Snowden. She lived next to a hot spring, and had a cozy fire on which we roasted rabbits that we caught. Hot springs! I couldn’t believe it! It was so warm, so wonderfully warm. Granted, it was hard getting to the tent from the spring without ice forming on my beard. But, it was so nice to just soak.

She told me a great deal about Frostsaber Rock and the Wintersaber Trainers. She was also worried about the Furbolgs in the area. I told her I would look into the Furbolg situation, but my primary reason for being here was the Wintersaber Trainers. She seemed to understand, she also smiled and shook her head. “You best be careful, Night Elf. There are sabers that encircle the rock; and they don’t take kindly to strangers. Don’t get yer arse ate off!” She giggled as she said it.

I smiled back at her and said, “No worries. I’m just going to see what it is like. I don’t plan on being close enough to be eaten by anything. I also need some skins and fur. I need something warmer encasing my frail exterior.” She snorted and stuck her tongue out at me as I waved and walked away.

“Come Darcy,” I said. My friend for many years, from Darkshore. She was a Moonstalker Matriarch. I found her in a trap, with her young dead around her. She was barely alive. I don’t know why, but I released her. By Elune, she was heavy! But, I carried her back to Auberdine and nursed her back to health. She has been my steadfast companion every since.

She loped beside me, beyond me, off the trail, beyond view. I can’t say that I tamed her, as much as she puts up with my existence. *chuckle*

I saw it in the distance…Frostsaber Rock. Its huge!

I was told that the trainers liked to sit at the top, meeting travelers there, who are brave…or perhaps foolish enough.

Something was wrong. It was quiet, to quiet. Looking around, I didn’t see any animals, didn’t hear any animals. Darcy seemed to stay closer to my side than usual, with her ears peeled back across her skull.

That isn’t good.

So, I stop. I close my eyes, listening intently.

There it is! A soft crunch of snow.

I open my eyes, but I don’t focus in on any one thing. I was looking for movement, probably very slow movement. I would only catch a glimmer, if I was lucky.

There it is! In the distance, up the road, in between us and Frostsaber Rock was a cat. It was a solid white cat…and it has seen us! In the snow, she…is it a she…can barely be noticed. She is practically invisible. She is huge, and I can only guess how horrible an opponent she would be. I might have to face her one day, but not today.

I tap Darcy on the shoulder, motion with my head. She nods, and we both begin to walk unhurriedly back up the road towards the camp.

I hear a sharp roar, a mocking roar. I know from which throat it has come.