Birthday Surprise

(Disclaimer: World of Warcraft and all its components are copyright Blizzard Entertainment)

(Battle for Azeroth)

(One month before Irean Icebolt’s birthday…)

“Greetings, Master Alcorn. Might I inquire how much that beautiful black horse in the nearby stables is?”

“Ten thousand gold, Miss.”

“Ah, thank you.” Læurell watched her cousin carefully, saw the slight shoulder drop of dejection. Aha! Finally, the perfect present.. if only she could raise the money somehow.

“Ahoy, Miss hunter?”

“Yes, Master Alcorn.”

“Been seeing you around a lot. How are things going in the hunting business? With them witches around I’d imagine it’s a little tough.”

“Oh, my pets handle them just fine. And I’m also fairly handy with a bow, so they don’t really last that long between the two of us.”

“Glad to hear it. I’m glad Lady Waycrest is around, else I’d be thinking of picking up and moving, with all that’s going on here.”

“Stay safe, Master Alcorn.”

“You as well, Miss…?”

“Læurell Gearbow, sir.”

****

“So, what’s this meeting about, Cousin Læurell?” Nuffin was the first cousin bold enough to ask why the hunter had called all her cousins, except Irean, together.

“I’ve seen Cousin Irean eyeing the black chargers for sale out in Drustvar, and I had a thought. She *really* wants one, because when she and I were questing in Drustvar, she asked the Quartermaster how much it was, and she was quite disappointed after hearing it would cost ten thousand gold.”

“Okay. So somehow or other we have to get that much together to get her that horse then.” Emalina surmised.

“If possible, aye.”

“Well, we definitely have our work cut out for us then. We should visit the bank first.”

****

“How much gold have you?” Nuffin popped out of the shadows closest to Læurell, making her jump.

“You scared me!”

“Sowwy.”

“Three thousand. And I will take two of that.”

“M’ok.. I can contribute that much as well.” Nuffy asserted.

“And me!” Lina piped up.

“And me!” Tanky echoed.

“Me too!” Noumi said.

****

“Hello, Master Alcorn.”

“Hello, Miss Gearbow.”

“I have here ten thousand gold to purchase a Smoky Charger. If I could have it delivered in a month’s time to a farm about a quarter mile north of Stormwind. If you have never been there, send a mail to me and I will meet you to guide you.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I think I will be fine travelling there. Does anyone in those parts know about your farm?”

“Aye, you could probably ask anyone in Elwynn Forest or Stormwind for the hunter gnome’s abode and they will point you to it. I.. kind of… supply the leather thereabouts. I hunt often.”

“Ah. Very good then. I will be sure to do that. There is a dock in Stormwind is there not?”

“Aye, there is.”

“Well then, I will see you in a month.”

****

Læurell peered around the corner. O good, her cousins were still keeping Irean busy with gifts and such. A muffled knocking sounded behind her, and she turned to go answer the door before her white-haired mage cousin started to get an inkling that somebody was at the door. She quietly opened the door and just as quietly closed it behind her.

“Hi. I’m Læurell, the gnome who talked to you a few days ago. Is it here?”

“Aye, it be here, lass. Heck of a time I had of getting here.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. There will be a very excited gnome when she sees the present we got her though.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear that. I’m off.”

“Thank you very much, Quartermaster Alcorn. Are you sure you can’t or wouldn’t like to stick around to watch us surprise her?”

“Afraid I can’t, Miss Læurell. Other deliveries to make. Be sure to give the birthday gnome my best, aye?”

“Thank you! I will!”

****

“Okay, Cousin Renie, one last gift. You have to close your eyes for this one. And let me guide you. No peeking!” Læurell placed her hands on Irean’s arms from behind, gently pushing her forward towards the door. Emalina held it open, winking at the hunter as she pushed the white haired mage out of the house, guiding her over the path to the stables.

“Ok, you can open your eyes now. Look up!” The mage blinked her blue eyes, tilted her head up, and gasped.

“How did you...?!” A black horse head descended to whuffle the mage’s hair.

“We cousins pooled our gold to get you your own mount. I know we can all choose from any mount in the stables, but we know you’ve been eyeing a certain horse from the new lands...”

“‘E’s beautiful! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Tears glistened in her eyes. “Best present EVER!”

***

A spectral wolf howled at the moon; a black armoured cat stepped out of the shadows, and they nodded to each other before the cat shifted to stag form, the ghost wolf transforming to a Draenei as she leapt onto the druid's back. Thundering hooves and pattering feet sounded behind them; a white haired gnome on a black horse led the charge, followed by a brown haired gnome on a tan wolf accompanied by a smaller white wolf, a red haired gnome on a fox, a black haired gnome on a owl-faced creature, a white ponytailed gnome on an armoured manasaber, and a black-ponytailed gnome on a white-striped cat. The stag bounded after them as they passed, heading off on a nighttime adventure.