In the game *World of Warcraft*, the Sunwalkers joined the Horde during the *Cataclysm* expansion.
According to the game's lore, the tauren worship the Earth Mother, whose eyes are the sun An'she and the moon Mu'sha—the moon goddess Elune.
Since the night elves worship Elune, in order to maintain balance between sun god and moon goddess worship, a tauren warrior named Aponi Brightmane—who had fought in the Northrend campaign—imitated the Knights of the Silver Hand and founded the Order of the An'she. He named the tauren warriors who wielded the power of the sun "Sunwalkers" and declared himself their leader.
It's hard to say whether Aponi Brightmane, after witnessing the impressive combat power and survivability of paladin forces while fighting alongside the Argent Crusade in Northrend, but finding it inconvenient to join them due to racial differences, secretly created a parallel paladin order within the Horde.
In terms of both class abilities and story quests, the tauren Sunwalkers in the game are almost identical to Alliance paladins who follow the Holy Light.
Of course, the above analysis is based on in-game lore.
In reality, Blizzard added Sunwalkers to the Horde mainly to balance class availability between Horde and Alliance.
After all, Horde players who wanted to play paladin were previously limited to blood elves—and male blood elves were widely considered too effeminate…
Ethan originally chose a tauren Sunwalker because tauren looked imposing, Sunwalkers were tanky, dealt good damage, could heal, were easy to find groups for, and made excellent raid leaders.
Even in his wildest dreams he never imagined that one day he would actually wield the power of the sun in the real world to save his own student.
With his back to the others, Ethan stared at his own hands, still savoring the strangely cold-yet-warm sensation that had flowed from the depths of his soul when he channeled Holy Light—a feeling that lingered long after the glow had faded.
From the very first day he transmigrated Ethan had been puzzled.
Did the bastard who sent him here really believe that simply enhancing his physical strength would allow him to shoulder the burden of saving the world in this medieval society that revered bloodlines and noble birth?
If so, that was giving him far too much credit.
The last man who tried that path was Anduin Lothar—and he had already been killed by Orgrim Doomhammer.
So ever since transmigrating Ethan had simply drifted—never pursuing any real plan or grand ambition.
But if he had also been granted the power of the sun… things would be very different.
Perhaps he really could assemble a team capable of saving the world.
This powerful body lacked royal blood, so he couldn't follow Liu Bei's path—but he could follow the path of the Great Teacher Zhang Jiao…
After completing the difficult task of "saving the world," he would then have the luxury of either remaining in Westeros as a celebrated savior enjoying wealth and honor, or attempting to return to 21st-century Earth to resume life as an ordinary wage slave—idling away his days eating, sleeping, and serving as a lackey to the Tiger Vanguard.
The only immediate concern was how to refuse someone who was carrying a dying wounded man.
Honestly, he could simply claim he had used up the magical tumor he extracted from the giant spider's body—and that would probably be accepted without much trouble.
The real fear was that the patient's family might not believe him and cause problems.
Did medical malpractice lawsuits even exist in Westeros?
That night Ethan thought deeply about the future. Chaotic ideas churned in his mind, keeping him awake almost until dawn.
At the same time a small seed called "ambition" quietly took root in his heart, waiting to see what kind of flower it might one day bloom into.
The next morning the wildfire Eddie had started had quietly burned itself out.
Ethan rose with heavy dark circles under his eyes—only to find the others looked much the same. Everyone appeared exhausted and sleep-deprived.
It seemed he wasn't the only one who had lain awake wrestling with stress and memories of the previous day.
Among them only Kevin—who had been unconscious from his wounds the night before—was already up and energetically preparing breakfast, waiting for his teacher to wake.
"Teacher—you're awake?!"
Ethan rubbed his eyes stood and sat down beside the steaming soup pot. He picked up the ladle stirred the contents and asked:
"Awake? You look half-asleep yourself. Did you add the jerky?"
"Yes—the bread's been warming for a while. We can eat soon."
In Westeros—except among nobles—ordinary people usually ate only two proper meals a day: one in the morning before work and one in the evening after returning home. The rest of the time they subsisted on dry rations.
After transmigrating Ethan had grown accustomed to this rhythm—and therefore placed great importance on making breakfast worthwhile.
Just as he was adding more ingredients to the pot Kevin's voice came quietly from behind:
"Teacher… yesterday… did you save me?"
Ethan didn't turn around. He scooped up a spoonful of the dried-meat bean-and-potato soup tasted it and answered:
"Did they tell you? What did they say?"
"When I woke up this morning I thought I was dead… then I saw Conrad urinating into the river so I greeted him… and he told me you used some kind of glowing magic to pull me back from the edge of death yesterday."
Ethan turned met Kevin's eyes and asked calmly:
"Do you believe what he said?"
"I believe it!" Kevin's voice carried a fervor Ethan had never heard before. "Conrad told me you said it was a gift from the sun god An'she—and I believe you're telling the truth!"
"Hahaha!" Ethan laughed loudly. "I thought you'd accuse me of blaspheming the Seven.
I'll teach you these skills when the time is right—but not yet."
Ethan stood and called to the companions eating breakfast around the other two campfires:
"Hey brothers—come here a moment. I have something to say."
After the others gathered—some still chewing hard bread others holding bowls of wild-vegetable soup—Ethan spoke:
"Yesterday afternoon we went through a brutal fight.
In that battle our comrade Brother Havis unfortunately died.
I feel deep regret about it personally."
He paused then continued:
"To express our condolences I propose we set aside one gold dragon from this reward as a death benefit for Havis's family—delivered by Lord Ander.
Does anyone object?"
The three men who had come with Ethan naturally had no objection.
Ander—as the one ultimately responsible—also did not refuse.
Seeing unanimous agreement Ethan went on:
"Fortunately—apart from Juan being unlucky enough to be bitten twice by spiders—everyone else came through unharmed. That's very fortunate.
When we return to Winterhold everyone come to my house.
I'll treat you all to a proper feast—what do you say?!"
"Great!"
"It's a deal!"
Eddie and Conrad were the first to clap and cheer for the plan.
Ander laughed heartily:
"If you're hosting in Winterhold I won't miss it!
Captain Ethan—shouldn't you treat *me* to a separate meal?"
Ethan grinned back:
"Hey—we've been doing *your* work.
Shouldn't *you* be the one treating us?"
"That's true!" Ander nodded exaggeratedly. "When we get back to Rabbitpaw we'll have a proper feast.
I'm telling you—anyone who doesn't pass out under the table is disrespecting me!"
Everyone laughed and chatted freely—understanding perfectly without needing to say more.
This puzzled the naive Juan.
He tugged his brother-in-law's sleeve and whispered:
"Conrad… I remember I was almost poisoned by a spider yesterday right?
And Kevin—you said the captain saved us with magic?"
"You talk too much." Conrad slapped the back of Juan's head. "The captain said nobody was hurt—so nobody was hurt.
If anyone was injured it must have happened from a fall this morning—not from a spider bite yesterday!"
The space was small.
Conrad didn't bother lowering his voice.
Everyone heard—and no one contradicted him.
Ethan was quietly pleased.
The ability to heal the wounded and raise the dead—when he could not yet reliably access magical power—would only become a heavy burden if widely known.
That was why he had spoken as he did.
From now on no matter who claimed Ethan could revive the dead he would never admit it.
If you insist I can—then show proof.
If you can find even one wound remaining on my student I'll concede.
However Conrad—that old fox—was quite shrewd.
Ethan gave the man (currently lecturing his brother-in-law) a long thoughtful look.
A perceptive veteran like that was worth cultivating.
After breakfast everyone packed up and prepared to leave.
Ethan walked over to the giant spider's corpse enduring the stench and slowly circled it twice chin in hand.
Kevin—seeing his teacher's expression—asked curiously:
"Teacher—what's wrong with this monster?"
"Kevin—have you ever heard of creatures like this before?"
Kevin answered matter-of-factly:
"Yes—I have.
My old nanny used to tell stories about all kinds of monsters.
Fish-men singing under the water goat-headed men playing flutes in the woods giants beyond the Wall… things like that."
Ethan nodded.
"I see…"
"Kevin—this is different," Eddie interrupted walking up beside them.
"The ones you're talking about are children's bedtime tales.
This isn't.
I've spent decades in this old forest—hunted bears killed wolves skinned rabbits bled deer—but this is the first time I've ever seen anything like it."
Eddie picked up a twig and tapped the giant spider's carapace producing a dull *thunk*.
"This thing has an impossibly hard shell and a huge head and abdomen.
Normally those spindly legs couldn't possibly support its weight.
Yet it stood ran quite fast and moved very nimbly.
There's almost certainly magic involved."
He tossed the twig aside and turned to Ethan:
"If not for your calm leadership Captain we would all have died in that dark forest and no one would have known until our bones were picked clean."
Ethan shook his head to stop the praise:
"Since I'm your captain it's my duty to bring everyone back alive.
No need to mention it again.
Eddie—what do you think about taking this corpse back with us?"
"Take it back?" Eddie was taken aback.
Ethan turned to his client:
"Lord Ander—do you want the spider's remains?"
Ander—who had been smothering the last embers of the campfire—turned and looked at him suspiciously.
"What—you want to *eat* it?"
"Definitely not." Ethan waved a hand quickly.
"I need to give Theon Greyjoy some kind of explanation.
You gave me ten gold dragons.
If I go back and tell him it was payment for helping you—not his gambling debt—he probably won't accept it and trouble will follow.
If I bring this monster back things will be very different."
Ander frowned.
He had completely forgotten about that little Greyjoy brat.
Trouble.
"Wouldn't that just shift the blame onto me again?"
Ethan patted his chest.
"It's fine.
If anyone comes looking for debts later send them to me.
I'll take responsibility."
In truth Ander also wanted the giant spider.
Though hideous and ferocious as a trophy it was worth building an entire room to display.
He had originally planned to secretly return with his men after Ethan's group left and claim the corpse for himself.
Since Ethan was offering to take it Ander couldn't exactly compete with the main tank for loot.
So he could only scoff:
"No need—you can have it.
But how are you going to carry it back?
That thing looks heavy."
"I have a plan."
Conrad stepped forward at that moment.
"Before Juan joined me he spent a few years learning carpentry from the village carpenter.
Though the old man never taught him anything practical making a temporary stretcher shouldn't be hard.
Juan—can you handle it?"
"Leave it to me!
Captain—I can never repay you for saving my life.
Let me handle this small thing at least."
As Juan spoke he picked up his axe rolled up his sleeves and prepared to chop wood.
Then his brother-in-law slapped the back of his head again.
"Saving your life? Hm? What did I just tell you? Forgotten already?"
Of course Ethan couldn't just stand by while others worked for him.
He picked up his own longsword and began felling trees as Juan directed.
Seeing this the rest joined in.
Together they quickly fashioned a sturdy stretcher from branches and rope strong enough to carry the giant spider's corpse.
From the riverbank back to Rabbitpaw Village the giant spider and its spawn had long dominated the area—keeping other predators away.
And since Ethan's team had already killed the matriarch and dragged its body behind them the return journey was eerily quiet—no further trouble.
Back in Rabbitpaw the giant spider's remains caused an immediate sensation.
Men women and children poured out of their homes to stare.
Families of the missing men—upon learning their loved ones had been devoured and absorbed into the monster—were filled with rage wishing they could tear the corpse apart and scatter the ashes.
But considering the giant spider was technically the garrison commander's prize—and reeked unbearably—they had to give up the idea.
Although Ander gave up his claim to the remains to soothe the feelings of the villagers under his authority he discussed with Ethan the possibility of leaving the spider's carcass in the village for a few days.
This served two purposes:
first to boast of his martial prowess;
second to warn the people against venturing needlessly into the Wolfswood lest they become spider dung with no one to save them.
Thus Ethan and his group stayed at Ander's invitation.
During those few days Ethan and Ander finalized payment for the mission.
Following Ethan's earlier suggestion Ander withheld one gold dragon as death compensation for Havis and delivered it to the man's family.
Of the remaining nine gold dragons Ethan decided to give one to the Stark household guard Haiward.
He had served as witness and would need to maintain a consistent story with Theon Greyjoy—some benefit was only fair.
The remaining eight gold dragons were divided into six shares: one gold dragon and ten silver stags per share.
Ethan—as captain—took two shares; the others each received one.
Although Ethan took more Eddie Conrad and Juan voiced no dissatisfaction.
Juan was a newcomer while Conrad and Eddie were seasoned mercenaries.
They knew Ethan's division was already extremely generous.
Holding so much coin felt like holding a hot coal—they even quietly considered urging their captain to keep a larger portion.
After resting several days in Rabbitpaw and hiring two local tanners to strip the rotting tissue from the giant spider's body Ethan and Ander arranged a cart and returned to Winterhold with the monster's grotesque shell.
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