Earlier I saw him, he was something like a withered corpse riding a demonic steed, tearing across the icy fields after his quarry. The driving snow makes it hard to see anything, I sort of wish I could track by scent again. If it wasn't for the coming blizzard he would be easy to track, the hoofs of his mount burn with an unholy fire, leaving large slushy holes in the snow. But, I will make due despite the fact that he's steadily been moving away from me as I pursue him in my savannah cat form. Hopefully this chase will end soon before I am utterly spent.
Normally, I wouldn't care if some demonic warlock crossed my path. But, this one was chasing a friend I made a few weeks back, a Draenei huntress who had "helped" me out of the wilderness. I remembered what she said about a group calling itself the horde skinning people alive. Perhaps this warlock is part of this group.
Suddenly, we drop down into a valley, and I see my hunter friend making a stand with her wolf. She has taken up a defensive position on the ridge across from us behind a fallen tree. The warlock brings his steed to a halt and dismounts in the snowy valley, as if he is accepting the hunters challenge. Then with a gesture, he summons a horrific demon. The stench of brimstone permeates the air as the massive beast materializes before our eyes. It then brandishes a wicked axe at the hunter above them. I shift to lion form and take cover, ready to pounce on the unsuspecting warlock.
Unmoved by the fel magic of the warlock, the huntress takes careful aim and shoots her rifle. The crack of the shot rings loud over the howling of the oncoming blizzard. Her aim is true and the bullet rips into the chest of the warlock, knocking him down in the snow. Then, the demon howls and charges up the hill towards the huntress.
As the demon leaps through the air at his prey, a magical hammer flies out from behind the log impacting hard against the beasts head, stopping it in it's tracks. From behind the log stands a burly Draenei paladin. Apparently, the hunter had a plan, and this is a trap for the warlock.
Another shot rings out and a bullet rips into the prone form of the warlock. The paladin then leaps over the log and falls upon the demon, striking him with a glowing sword. I stay in hiding, just observing the ongoing battle.
Suddenly, the warlock rises from the snow, seemingly unphased by the huntresses deadly shots. He raises his hands and a horrific, screech rips through the frozen wind. I feel terror raise in my heart, my limbs go weak, and I cannot help but break from cover and run. It is then, in my irrational terror, that He takes over.
My bones crack, my guts seize up in my body, and I feel a horrific change taking hold of me. This isn't like the fluid transformation I know as a druid, instead this is painful and unnatural. I barf up my lunch, mixed with blood. I feel a primal howl rise in my throat as my body grows and expands. I can feel him in my mind... No, its not Redtalon, or Sylios. This is someone else, someone who has been chasing me. Now, somehow He has found me!!
As the beast takes full control, we look up and see what was meant to be a reinforcement for the warlock. He is a hulking tauren warrior riding a black worg. Somehow in the chase I missed him falling behind. He seemed to arrive just in time to see my hideous transformation, and instead of helping his undead friend, he watched me in horror.
The beast leaps onto the warrior, ripping and tearing him with his vicious claws. I suddenly feel a tinge of sympathy for Sylios and Redtalon, I am a helpless observer looking through eyes that are not mine. The beast is in sole control.
The warrior recovers from the assault and knocks us back into the snow. He then slides off his worg and brandishes a massive axe. Once again the beast leaps through the air like a vicious madman and begins tearing and scratching at the warrior's armor. The tauren swings his axe in a wide arc through the air, missing us by a hair.
With ruthless precision, my worgen master leaps past the warrior and quickly turns, then with a powerful swipe he slashes the tauren across the back of his legs, where he has no armor. The warrior falls face down as his blood spatters across the snow. Then, the worgen leaps in his back, ripping at his neck. Suddenly, the tauren's helmet comes off in the struggle and the beast sinks his fangs into his neck. Blood flows in rivers as the worgen drinks greedily. The tauren collapses in defeat.
His rage sated with murder, the beast falls into a slumber. Slowly, my body begins to painfully revert. I regain control of myself once again.
"Calmfury, you animal!! What have you done!!" Redtalon exclaims. I do not know how long he was standing there watching. But, I can now sense both the ghostly tauren, and that whiny night elf standing over me.
With my limbs weak and shaky, I slowly rise from atop the dead warriors body.
"He was one of us!! He was a Tauren!! Why did you kill him?!?" Redtalon screams at me.
I sit in a daze for a moment unsure of what has happened. I remember the beast clearly, but I don't know how he found me.
"Calmfury!" Sylios says "your friends are coming."
I look up to see the huntress and her friends approaching me. It seems that they easily finished off the warlock, and saw my fight with the warrior.
Sylio's eyes widen and he kneels down to look me in the eyes. "Calmfury, now is your chance!! This tauren, his body is whole. You can take it for yourself and leave me!"
I look at Sylios, confused by what he is saying.
"You imbecile!! You don't have to possess me any longer! You can leave and take him!"
"No!" Redtalon cries "You will not carry this curse to my people. You will not subject anyone else to this hell you demon!!"
I feel the rage well up in me at his words, it brings new life to my limbs. It is then that I realize that because the beast has found me again, I will be wracked with his curse, subject to his fits of anger, a slave to his murderous rampages. I would rather be dead. Somehow, by sheer will alone, I give up the ghost. It's kind of like dropping a heavy bag after a long voyage.
Sylios and Redtalon look at me in amazement. "Calmfury" Sylios says "your a human!!" I look down at my ghost, my true form, I finally remember who I am. I remember the Horde, I remember Dalaran, I remember Garrosh, I remember poor Meekah, I can even remember my mother. It all becomes clear, like clouds parting before the sun.
"My name is Diogenes" I say quietly
Without further hesitation, Sylios returns to his body. I stand there for a moment as a ghost. It is an existence that is devoid of pleasure or pain. It is strangely cold, and lonely. I look down at the body of the tauren and make my choice.
"Calmfury no!!" Redtalon screams.
"Well, if it isn't my retarded druid friend" the Draenae huntress says "You put yourself in danger for no good reason, we had it under control."
Sylios opens his eyes and smiles for the first time in a thousand years.
"Greetings Druid" the noble Draenei paladin says with a flourish "My name is Heimdall, and these are my companions Sibiy the hunter, and Lilac the warlock." he gestures to the huntress and a sinister looking gnome female standing nearby. "You fight well, if your looking for employment we may be in need of your services."
Sylios sits up and looks at the trio.
"Sibiy tells me that your name is Calmfury" Heimdall says with a smile.
Sylios begins to laughs out loud, his boisterous laughter and the tears rolling out his eyes are enough to insult his would be friends.
"I am sorry my friends, please forgive my irreverence." Sylios manages to say in kaldorai "My name is Sylios and I would be most grateful if you would lead me out of this frozen hell."
Heimdall and Sibiy look confused for a moment.
"See Heimdall, I told you he was an idiot, he doesn't even speak common." Sibiy says with a sneer.
Lilac pipes up in her little voice. "He is speaking an old dialect of Darnassian. He says his name is Sylios and he wants to leave with us."
As the blizzard grows in intensity, the four figures begin to make their way to the safety of shelter. Behind them lie the defeated remains of the Horde in Winterspring. As they disappear into the blowing storm, one figure rises from the snow. Turning sharply, the bloody tauren warrior shifts into lion form and disappears into the wilderness. No doubt he is bound for the cities of the Horde, filled with a new purpose.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
pt 22 The Tauren's lament
I miss my life. I miss the feel of the wind, the sunshine, and yes even the cold. Though from what I can tell I have been effectively dead for many seasons.
I can clearly remember the day he kidnapped me. Or rather, he kidnapped my body. My name was Redtalon Grimtotem. I was once a part of the Grimtotem clan, who live apart from our tauren brethern for reasons I don't want to discuss. I was born and raised in a place called Grimtotem post in the Stonetalon mountains. At a very young age, I was not even a bull yet, I decided to follow my dreams and explore the barrens, and perhaps see the ancestral homeland of my people, Mulgore. Never had I seen a more beautiful land, and never had I felt more at home then in that place.
Sadly, it was where he found me. He came like a hellish spectre in the night. I ran for all I was worth, but he caught me. The last thing I remember were the cries of the plainstriders, my father told me that when I hear their scream it meant danger was near. He was right, as the demon seized me I passed out from fear.
When I awoke after all these years, I found myself as a ghost, and the demon calling himself Calmfury was possessing yet another body. Mine had been mutilated beyond reckoning.
These past several weeks have been miserable for me. I'm beginning to wish I would have stayed asleep. Calmfury and a Night Elf ghost named Sylios have been bickering incessantly. Sylios is some sort of elder and the owner of the body that Calmfury is possessing. From what I understand Sylios is trying to do everything he can to take control of his body.
He came close once, when Calmfury fell asleep. Sylios took control and ran us through the winter snows to some Night elf city. Sylios apparently remembered the place from thousands of years ago. But, when we got there all we found were ruins at the edge of a frozen lake. In his grief Sylios lost control of his body to Calmfury.
So now, we have taken up residence in a cave in the mountains. Calmfury preys upon a strange race of Furbolgs calling themselves the Winterfall. They possess some sort of potion that Calmfury craves. Anyway, yesterday we killed their chieftain and took his cave as our own.
"I think I have forgotten how to speak Orcish" Calmfury says out of the blue, breaking the long silence.
Sylios sneers with contempt.
I stand from my position by the entrance to the cave.
"You need to scurry your way back to hell demon!!" I say in Orcish.
Calmfury looks at me with a blank, clueless expression on his face.
Over the past few weeks I have noticed some bizarre changes in Calmfury. He seems to sit and think alot but, he's not remembering things. In fact, he seems to be forgetting more. I think it's the winterfall potions he's been drinking day after day to maintain control over Sylio's body.
"Well, I'm hungry. I'll be out hunting for a while. Don't wait up for me." Calmfury says as he rises from his bed and strides out of the cave.
Stark silence falls in our makeshift home. Nothing here but us ghosts.
"Sylios, aren't you going to follow him to make sure he doesn't wreck your body" I say in a ghostly whisper.
The mournful Night elf doesn't even look at me. He just sits quietly in the shadows.
The afternoon turns to evening, as the winds outside the cave begin to howl. Snow flurries blow in the dimming sunlight, a storm is coming in.
All at once, Sylios rises to his feet. "Red Talon. I may have a plan to end this nightmare. Will you help me?" he says in desperation.
I stare blankly at the frantic elf for a moment before nodding approval.
"Follow me!! I sense that Calmfury is in trouble!!" He says as he darts out of the cave.
It is morbid curiosity that causes me to rise and follow him into the growing blizzard outside. My father once said that nothing good happens in a storm, my intuition tells me he is right.
I can clearly remember the day he kidnapped me. Or rather, he kidnapped my body. My name was Redtalon Grimtotem. I was once a part of the Grimtotem clan, who live apart from our tauren brethern for reasons I don't want to discuss. I was born and raised in a place called Grimtotem post in the Stonetalon mountains. At a very young age, I was not even a bull yet, I decided to follow my dreams and explore the barrens, and perhaps see the ancestral homeland of my people, Mulgore. Never had I seen a more beautiful land, and never had I felt more at home then in that place.
Sadly, it was where he found me. He came like a hellish spectre in the night. I ran for all I was worth, but he caught me. The last thing I remember were the cries of the plainstriders, my father told me that when I hear their scream it meant danger was near. He was right, as the demon seized me I passed out from fear.
When I awoke after all these years, I found myself as a ghost, and the demon calling himself Calmfury was possessing yet another body. Mine had been mutilated beyond reckoning.
These past several weeks have been miserable for me. I'm beginning to wish I would have stayed asleep. Calmfury and a Night Elf ghost named Sylios have been bickering incessantly. Sylios is some sort of elder and the owner of the body that Calmfury is possessing. From what I understand Sylios is trying to do everything he can to take control of his body.
He came close once, when Calmfury fell asleep. Sylios took control and ran us through the winter snows to some Night elf city. Sylios apparently remembered the place from thousands of years ago. But, when we got there all we found were ruins at the edge of a frozen lake. In his grief Sylios lost control of his body to Calmfury.
So now, we have taken up residence in a cave in the mountains. Calmfury preys upon a strange race of Furbolgs calling themselves the Winterfall. They possess some sort of potion that Calmfury craves. Anyway, yesterday we killed their chieftain and took his cave as our own.
"I think I have forgotten how to speak Orcish" Calmfury says out of the blue, breaking the long silence.
Sylios sneers with contempt.
I stand from my position by the entrance to the cave.
"You need to scurry your way back to hell demon!!" I say in Orcish.
Calmfury looks at me with a blank, clueless expression on his face.
Over the past few weeks I have noticed some bizarre changes in Calmfury. He seems to sit and think alot but, he's not remembering things. In fact, he seems to be forgetting more. I think it's the winterfall potions he's been drinking day after day to maintain control over Sylio's body.
"Well, I'm hungry. I'll be out hunting for a while. Don't wait up for me." Calmfury says as he rises from his bed and strides out of the cave.
Stark silence falls in our makeshift home. Nothing here but us ghosts.
"Sylios, aren't you going to follow him to make sure he doesn't wreck your body" I say in a ghostly whisper.
The mournful Night elf doesn't even look at me. He just sits quietly in the shadows.
The afternoon turns to evening, as the winds outside the cave begin to howl. Snow flurries blow in the dimming sunlight, a storm is coming in.
All at once, Sylios rises to his feet. "Red Talon. I may have a plan to end this nightmare. Will you help me?" he says in desperation.
I stare blankly at the frantic elf for a moment before nodding approval.
"Follow me!! I sense that Calmfury is in trouble!!" He says as he darts out of the cave.
It is morbid curiosity that causes me to rise and follow him into the growing blizzard outside. My father once said that nothing good happens in a storm, my intuition tells me he is right.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
pt 21 Three's company
No matter how long I lay in the snow I can't feel the cold, at least not in the way that I remember feeling it.
It's been a few days since I left the wretched furbolgs and set out into the wilds of the snowy mountains. I don't know what I am supposed to find here, all I can really remember is that I hate someone by the name of Garrosh.
Everything seems so strange to me now. It was hard to hunt for my food at first because somehow I was used to hunting by scent, now I can't smell a thing. Though it seems like I can see things alot clearer, especially at night.
Today, I managed to kill a flying scaly creature and have been feasting on its flesh off and on all day. The rest of the time I have spent lying on my back in the snow and basking in the warmth of the sun.
"Are you still laying here you lazy idiot?" the booming voice of my tauren companion says to me as he steps into my precious sunlight.
Deep down inside I can't help but despise this tauren who calls himself Red Talon.
"Oh, its you again. Where is that whiny elfling Sylios?" I say with a sneer.
As much as I may despise their presence I can honestly say I think I would be dead now if it weren't for my two companions. Despite themselves, they have been helping me remember things.
The lumbering tauren shuffles through the deep snow. His ungainly race doesn't seem to have the knack for snow walking. Probably something to do with their hoofs.
"Sylios is around. I think he's up on a hill looking for a landmark or something." Red Talon says.
I can't help but laugh to myself. That stuffy elf is determined to get us out of this wilderness. As for me, I am quite happy here, and he isn't going anywhere without me.
My stomach begins to gurgle a bit and I feel a cramp coming on. Quickly, I rise from the snow and begin scrounging for my makeshift bag. My fingers begin to ache and I feel feverish as I tear at the sinew string to get it open. Reaching in and feeling around, I find the cold ceramic container that holds my precious cure. A moment later I pull the cork and begin greedily drinking the fluid inside. As quickly as the symptoms came they disappear, and a warm feeling of strength flows into my limbs.
"That was our last jar. How many of those have you put away today?" Sylios says as he strides confidently across the snow.
"There is plenty more of them to be had, we'll just kill a few more of those white furbolgs. They carry lots of them." I reply.
The Night Elf sneers at me contemptuously.
"So, if memory serves me correctly there is a place called Kel'Theril near here. There may be someone there that can help us." he says.
Once again, I lay on my back in the snow.
"Perhaps, but we aren't going. We're gonna stay right here." I say with a smile.
"What!!" Sylios yells "You ignorant fool!! We can't stay here. You said that once you have rested a bit we would find someone to help us! I want my body back!!"
"Yeah!" Red Talon snorts "Hey, what about me? I don't have a body to go back to. This idiot all but destroyed mine!!"
Sylios sneers at the young tauren.
"Well, that can't be helped now can it. It's not my fault. But, you need to get out of my body before you do something to wreck it!!" Sylios pauses for a moment "Calmfury, are you listening to me?!?"
I am not of course, I have been listening to this bickering for the past several days. No, I have no plans to give up this body, not until I figure out what I need to do. It has something to do with this Garrosh and another person... but I can't remember the second name.
Suddenly, a shot rings out across the snowy valley. I shift into a lion and disappear into hiding. Soon, I see a form moving across the icy fields below us. It appears to be a wolf, and it is chasing a white furbolg.
"Hey Calmfury look, it is a hunter of some sort." Red Talon says as he points farther up the valley.
Sure enough, I see an odd looking figure following the wolf through the snow. My curiosity gets the best of me, and I begin to creep down the snowy hillside towards the mysterious figure.
"Calmfury, you be careful. Don't go and get us killed you moron!!" Sylios shouts from behind me.
As I come around a stand of trees in the valley I see the hunter standing above its fallen prey. She appears to be an exotically beautiful female with deep blue skin and very strange curving horns jutting from her head. In one hand she is holding an ornate rifle, and with the other she is pulling a string of beads off the body of the furbolg.
"Hey, it's a Draenei woman. What's she doing out here?" Red Talon says from behind me.
I think I remember now, the Draenai were of group of bizarre travelers that came from the same world that the Orcs came from.
Suddenly, the hunters wolf starts to growl menacingly as he slowly moves towards me.
"What is it?" the huntress says as she raises her rifle in my direction.
I stand perfectly still, confident that my skill at hiding will protect me. Then it occurs to me that I can understand the language of this creature.
I watch her reach into her pack and pull out a strange tube, she strikes it on the butt of her rifle, and it ignites into a brilliant flare. She then throws it high into the air towards me. As the searing torch lands in the snow near me, I see a startled look of recognition wash across the hunters face. She raises her rifle and points it directly at me.
We stand perfectly still for a moment staring at one another.
"Druid!!" she breaks the silence. "Why are you stalking me?!?" she says in an elegant, rolling voice.
Once again my curiosity gets the best of me, I shift out of cat form. It takes me a moment to remember, but I think I can speak her language.
"Uhhh, I not sorry for hiding you from" I say with a stutter, not even sure I said anything right.
The Draenei looks puzzled for a moment. But, she doesn't let her guard down. Meanwhile, her canine companion stands faithfully at her side.
"Are you stupid or something?!?" she says sarcastically "Don't you know how to speak common?"
Her rudeness makes me angry and I feel rage welling inside me.
"What is she saying Calmfury?" Sylios says from behind me.
I ignore his question for the moment as I try desperately to remember how to speak her language.
"Uh, we are eager for help you. We don't think where to go" I manage to say.
The huntress throws up her hands in frustration, and then looks at me with a scowl.
"Ugh!! Alright you idiot, I'll help you find Starfall village. But only if you promise to stay out of my way!!" she says with a growl.
"Calmfury, what did she say!!" Sylios says in exasperation.
Once again I ignore the whiny elf and move cautiously towards the Draenei huntress. She turns and starts trudging her way through the snow as I follow. I pause only long enough to pick up the three ceramic vials that the dead furbolg was carrying.
We quietly walk for quite some time up the valley, to a place where I had not yet explored. Finally, as the sun nears the horizon we come to a forlorn little village at the base of a hill.
"Alright, you should find some shelter here for the time being" she says.
"Calmfury, ask her if she knows the way to Moonglade" Sylios says.
I can't help but hold some strange regard for the graceful Draenei. She seems to be as tough as nails but she still has some compassion for those in need.
"Uhh.. me Calmfury name. Wut be your name please" I say with a smile.
She stares at me for a moment with a contemptuous glare on her face.
"Well, Calmfury.. Idiots like you should stay out of the wilds or your gonna get yourself killed. There's all sorts of beasts and such lurking about, not to mention the Horde like to skin simpletons like you alive."
With that, she turns around and strides off into the snowy wilderness where she came.
My rage had begun to get the best of me, until she said the word Horde. Somehow this phrase has meaning to me. As I ponder this conundrum, I wheel about and once again return to the wilds where I came, away from Starfall village.
"Calmfury!!" Sylios exclaims in frustration "civilization is here, where in Elune's name are you going you idiot!!!"
It's been a few days since I left the wretched furbolgs and set out into the wilds of the snowy mountains. I don't know what I am supposed to find here, all I can really remember is that I hate someone by the name of Garrosh.
Everything seems so strange to me now. It was hard to hunt for my food at first because somehow I was used to hunting by scent, now I can't smell a thing. Though it seems like I can see things alot clearer, especially at night.
Today, I managed to kill a flying scaly creature and have been feasting on its flesh off and on all day. The rest of the time I have spent lying on my back in the snow and basking in the warmth of the sun.
"Are you still laying here you lazy idiot?" the booming voice of my tauren companion says to me as he steps into my precious sunlight.
Deep down inside I can't help but despise this tauren who calls himself Red Talon.
"Oh, its you again. Where is that whiny elfling Sylios?" I say with a sneer.
As much as I may despise their presence I can honestly say I think I would be dead now if it weren't for my two companions. Despite themselves, they have been helping me remember things.
The lumbering tauren shuffles through the deep snow. His ungainly race doesn't seem to have the knack for snow walking. Probably something to do with their hoofs.
"Sylios is around. I think he's up on a hill looking for a landmark or something." Red Talon says.
I can't help but laugh to myself. That stuffy elf is determined to get us out of this wilderness. As for me, I am quite happy here, and he isn't going anywhere without me.
My stomach begins to gurgle a bit and I feel a cramp coming on. Quickly, I rise from the snow and begin scrounging for my makeshift bag. My fingers begin to ache and I feel feverish as I tear at the sinew string to get it open. Reaching in and feeling around, I find the cold ceramic container that holds my precious cure. A moment later I pull the cork and begin greedily drinking the fluid inside. As quickly as the symptoms came they disappear, and a warm feeling of strength flows into my limbs.
"That was our last jar. How many of those have you put away today?" Sylios says as he strides confidently across the snow.
"There is plenty more of them to be had, we'll just kill a few more of those white furbolgs. They carry lots of them." I reply.
The Night Elf sneers at me contemptuously.
"So, if memory serves me correctly there is a place called Kel'Theril near here. There may be someone there that can help us." he says.
Once again, I lay on my back in the snow.
"Perhaps, but we aren't going. We're gonna stay right here." I say with a smile.
"What!!" Sylios yells "You ignorant fool!! We can't stay here. You said that once you have rested a bit we would find someone to help us! I want my body back!!"
"Yeah!" Red Talon snorts "Hey, what about me? I don't have a body to go back to. This idiot all but destroyed mine!!"
Sylios sneers at the young tauren.
"Well, that can't be helped now can it. It's not my fault. But, you need to get out of my body before you do something to wreck it!!" Sylios pauses for a moment "Calmfury, are you listening to me?!?"
I am not of course, I have been listening to this bickering for the past several days. No, I have no plans to give up this body, not until I figure out what I need to do. It has something to do with this Garrosh and another person... but I can't remember the second name.
Suddenly, a shot rings out across the snowy valley. I shift into a lion and disappear into hiding. Soon, I see a form moving across the icy fields below us. It appears to be a wolf, and it is chasing a white furbolg.
"Hey Calmfury look, it is a hunter of some sort." Red Talon says as he points farther up the valley.
Sure enough, I see an odd looking figure following the wolf through the snow. My curiosity gets the best of me, and I begin to creep down the snowy hillside towards the mysterious figure.
"Calmfury, you be careful. Don't go and get us killed you moron!!" Sylios shouts from behind me.
As I come around a stand of trees in the valley I see the hunter standing above its fallen prey. She appears to be an exotically beautiful female with deep blue skin and very strange curving horns jutting from her head. In one hand she is holding an ornate rifle, and with the other she is pulling a string of beads off the body of the furbolg.
"Hey, it's a Draenei woman. What's she doing out here?" Red Talon says from behind me.
I think I remember now, the Draenai were of group of bizarre travelers that came from the same world that the Orcs came from.
Suddenly, the hunters wolf starts to growl menacingly as he slowly moves towards me.
"What is it?" the huntress says as she raises her rifle in my direction.
I stand perfectly still, confident that my skill at hiding will protect me. Then it occurs to me that I can understand the language of this creature.
I watch her reach into her pack and pull out a strange tube, she strikes it on the butt of her rifle, and it ignites into a brilliant flare. She then throws it high into the air towards me. As the searing torch lands in the snow near me, I see a startled look of recognition wash across the hunters face. She raises her rifle and points it directly at me.
We stand perfectly still for a moment staring at one another.
"Druid!!" she breaks the silence. "Why are you stalking me?!?" she says in an elegant, rolling voice.
Once again my curiosity gets the best of me, I shift out of cat form. It takes me a moment to remember, but I think I can speak her language.
"Uhhh, I not sorry for hiding you from" I say with a stutter, not even sure I said anything right.
The Draenei looks puzzled for a moment. But, she doesn't let her guard down. Meanwhile, her canine companion stands faithfully at her side.
"Are you stupid or something?!?" she says sarcastically "Don't you know how to speak common?"
Her rudeness makes me angry and I feel rage welling inside me.
"What is she saying Calmfury?" Sylios says from behind me.
I ignore his question for the moment as I try desperately to remember how to speak her language.
"Uh, we are eager for help you. We don't think where to go" I manage to say.
The huntress throws up her hands in frustration, and then looks at me with a scowl.
"Ugh!! Alright you idiot, I'll help you find Starfall village. But only if you promise to stay out of my way!!" she says with a growl.
"Calmfury, what did she say!!" Sylios says in exasperation.
Once again I ignore the whiny elf and move cautiously towards the Draenei huntress. She turns and starts trudging her way through the snow as I follow. I pause only long enough to pick up the three ceramic vials that the dead furbolg was carrying.
We quietly walk for quite some time up the valley, to a place where I had not yet explored. Finally, as the sun nears the horizon we come to a forlorn little village at the base of a hill.
"Alright, you should find some shelter here for the time being" she says.
"Calmfury, ask her if she knows the way to Moonglade" Sylios says.
I can't help but hold some strange regard for the graceful Draenei. She seems to be as tough as nails but she still has some compassion for those in need.
"Uhh.. me Calmfury name. Wut be your name please" I say with a smile.
She stares at me for a moment with a contemptuous glare on her face.
"Well, Calmfury.. Idiots like you should stay out of the wilds or your gonna get yourself killed. There's all sorts of beasts and such lurking about, not to mention the Horde like to skin simpletons like you alive."
With that, she turns around and strides off into the snowy wilderness where she came.
My rage had begun to get the best of me, until she said the word Horde. Somehow this phrase has meaning to me. As I ponder this conundrum, I wheel about and once again return to the wilds where I came, away from Starfall village.
"Calmfury!!" Sylios exclaims in frustration "civilization is here, where in Elune's name are you going you idiot!!!"
Sunday, November 8, 2009
pt 20 A death sentence
"How dare you defy me Hamuul Runetotem! Your feeble understanding of the intricacies of the Emerald Dream may have put the whole of nature itself out of balance!!" Fandral says with a roar. His face is twisted into mask a fury.
Arch Druid Hamuul Runetotem sits in stoic silence. The old Tauren barely blinks at Arch Druid Fandral's outrageous claim.
A graceful and beautiful tauren woman rises from her seat in the meeting hall in anger. She is Bashana Runetotem, Hamuul's daughter, and second most senior druid amongst the Tauren.
"You pompous and arrogant elfling!! How dare you speak to Master Hamuul in such a manner. He is as much a disciple of Malfurion as you are!!" she says through her bared teeth.
"Ha!! I have served our founder for thousands of years young Tauren. The service of your master is but a twinkle in that time. Your people are a meer anomaly in the Order of Cenarius, and barely fit to join our ranks!" Fandral replies harshly.
Bashana balls her fists in rage, and looks as though she is about to spring across the room and attack Fandral where he stands.
"Bashana, please sit down. My dear, I can defend myself." Hamuul says calmly.
As Bashana gains control of herself, a beautiful and graceful Night elf priestess enters the hall.
Arch Druid Fandral looks startled for a moment.
"Tyrande! you were not invited to this meeting. We are discussing issues of the Order of Cenarius, of which you are not a part." Fandral says with a hiss.
The heavenly priestess turns to Fandral with a slight smile on her face.
"Master Fandral, I beg to disagree with you. Arch Druid Hamuul Runetotem invited me to attend." she says in her soft, soothing voice.
Fandral Staghelm turns to Hammul and glares at him with all the hatred and fury he can muster.
Another Night Elf druid stands from his seat in the hall, he is Quintis Jonespyre.
"Master Hamuul, you were about to explain why this young tauren druid was admitted to the Emerald Dream. Please tell us why you have taken this rash, and foolish course of action given the ongoing struggle that Malfurion fights in the dream." Quintis says with concern.
Mylentha Riverbend nods in approval and turns to Hamuul.
The elderly tauren rises from his seat and looks about the room.
"My brothers and sisters. I come today to confess that I have lied to you. I come to seek atonement and ask for your understanding."
Arch Druid Fandral Staghelm hisses through his teeth at Hamuul's plea.
"You were all lead to believe that a small tauren calfling being raised on Red Cloud Mesa in Mulgore was the reborn soul of Lord Diogenes Titus Lascarius, formerly of Dalaran, and the only human to ever be admitted into the Order of Cenarius..."
"Against my expressed assertions!!" Fandral interrupts.
Hamuul pauses for a moment before continuing.
"The reality of the situation is that Diogenes was found to be inhabiting the body of a much older tauren. We called him Calmfury, and trained him in our ways with the hope of..."
As Hamuul continues relating the story, another night elf comes to the entrance to the hall. His name is Rabine Saturna and he is a much regarded elder of the order. At his side stands a burly creature that looks alot like a upright bear. This creature is Kernda of the Timbermaw tribe of Furbolgs.
"I am certain wise Kernda that the council will want to hear what you have to say." the stately night elf says with a smile.
The strange creature looks about nervously.
"We Timbermaw want good relations with our druid brothers. It be impolite to not tell you what happened." Kernda says with a growl.
The heated discussion continues in the hall as the two respectfully stand outside.
Fandral Staghelm finally has enough of the story laid before him, he once again stands up and interrupts Hamuul mid-sentence.
"This once again proves that only the Kaldorei have the wisdom it takes to lead the Order of Cenarius. This council should never have offered to help this human, and it's short sightedness has put everything that Malfurion has worked for in jeopardy!" Fandral slams his fist down in anger.
The hall goes quiet, as the gravity of the situation bears down on its occupants.
Fandral stares at each member with a smug look on his face. As if to say I told you so. Finally, he breaks the tense silence;
"I see no other alternative but to have this Calmfury removed from his slumber, and have him mercifully put to death. Something that should have been done in the first place."
A shudder goes throughout the room. A death sentence? Never in all the centuries of the order has it been done. But in light of what has become, no one, not even Hamuul can bring themselves to even protest the order.
"Warden!!" Fandral shouts, and in walks a burly Tauren guard. "Send a runner to the keeper at the Storm Rage barrow Den. The Tauren known as Calmfury is to be taken from the den and brought to Nighthaven immediately!"
"Master Fandral!" Rabine steps forward "This Furbolg is from the Timbermaw tribe. He has something urgent that he wants to tell us. I think you should hear what he has to say."
Fandral motions for the guard to leave and then beckons for the Furbolg to enter the hall. All eyes turn towards the furry, primative beast as he hesitantly walks into the room.
"Greetings friends, I am Kernda of the Timbermaw. My chieftan has bid me to come tell you about some strange goings on earlier today."
Hamuul sits quietly with his head down while Fandral seems to feign interest in what the beast has to say.
"A druid came into our tunnel calling himself Calmfury. He seemed angry and upset about something. He was very hungry so we fed him. Then, he left without even thanking us. We only thought you should know because he said something about going to kill someone named Garrosh."
Once again the room goes quiet. Fandral stares in disbelief at the wide eyed furbolg. Hamuul stands and strides across the room.
"Kernda!" Hamuul says urgently "Are you certain this tauren said his name was Calmfury?!?"
The furbolg looks nervous and confused for a moment.
"Oh no..." The furbolg finally says, now Hamuul is the one that looks confused "he wasn't a tauren, my friends, he was a Night Elf. Yeah, he was a Night Elf and said his name was Calmfury Stonehoof."
High Priestess Tyrande jumps to her feet; "Fandral, if this human has come back in the form of a Night Elf, then he may spread the worgen curse to our people!"
Fandral looks about the room in disbelief before laying his eyes on Hamuul once again; "What have you done you fool!!" he says through snarling lips.
"I will rally the sentinels immediately, this Calmfury must be found before it is too late!!" Tyrande says with authority.
Once again Hamuul looks down at the floor in shame. His daughter comes to his side to comfort him as the assembly quickly leave the ancient hall.
"Bashana, please take us home. I am too old and heartbroken to see this to it's end" Hamuul says in a whisper.
Arch Druid Hamuul Runetotem sits in stoic silence. The old Tauren barely blinks at Arch Druid Fandral's outrageous claim.
A graceful and beautiful tauren woman rises from her seat in the meeting hall in anger. She is Bashana Runetotem, Hamuul's daughter, and second most senior druid amongst the Tauren.
"You pompous and arrogant elfling!! How dare you speak to Master Hamuul in such a manner. He is as much a disciple of Malfurion as you are!!" she says through her bared teeth.
"Ha!! I have served our founder for thousands of years young Tauren. The service of your master is but a twinkle in that time. Your people are a meer anomaly in the Order of Cenarius, and barely fit to join our ranks!" Fandral replies harshly.
Bashana balls her fists in rage, and looks as though she is about to spring across the room and attack Fandral where he stands.
"Bashana, please sit down. My dear, I can defend myself." Hamuul says calmly.
As Bashana gains control of herself, a beautiful and graceful Night elf priestess enters the hall.
Arch Druid Fandral looks startled for a moment.
"Tyrande! you were not invited to this meeting. We are discussing issues of the Order of Cenarius, of which you are not a part." Fandral says with a hiss.
The heavenly priestess turns to Fandral with a slight smile on her face.
"Master Fandral, I beg to disagree with you. Arch Druid Hamuul Runetotem invited me to attend." she says in her soft, soothing voice.
Fandral Staghelm turns to Hammul and glares at him with all the hatred and fury he can muster.
Another Night Elf druid stands from his seat in the hall, he is Quintis Jonespyre.
"Master Hamuul, you were about to explain why this young tauren druid was admitted to the Emerald Dream. Please tell us why you have taken this rash, and foolish course of action given the ongoing struggle that Malfurion fights in the dream." Quintis says with concern.
Mylentha Riverbend nods in approval and turns to Hamuul.
The elderly tauren rises from his seat and looks about the room.
"My brothers and sisters. I come today to confess that I have lied to you. I come to seek atonement and ask for your understanding."
Arch Druid Fandral Staghelm hisses through his teeth at Hamuul's plea.
"You were all lead to believe that a small tauren calfling being raised on Red Cloud Mesa in Mulgore was the reborn soul of Lord Diogenes Titus Lascarius, formerly of Dalaran, and the only human to ever be admitted into the Order of Cenarius..."
"Against my expressed assertions!!" Fandral interrupts.
Hamuul pauses for a moment before continuing.
"The reality of the situation is that Diogenes was found to be inhabiting the body of a much older tauren. We called him Calmfury, and trained him in our ways with the hope of..."
As Hamuul continues relating the story, another night elf comes to the entrance to the hall. His name is Rabine Saturna and he is a much regarded elder of the order. At his side stands a burly creature that looks alot like a upright bear. This creature is Kernda of the Timbermaw tribe of Furbolgs.
"I am certain wise Kernda that the council will want to hear what you have to say." the stately night elf says with a smile.
The strange creature looks about nervously.
"We Timbermaw want good relations with our druid brothers. It be impolite to not tell you what happened." Kernda says with a growl.
The heated discussion continues in the hall as the two respectfully stand outside.
Fandral Staghelm finally has enough of the story laid before him, he once again stands up and interrupts Hamuul mid-sentence.
"This once again proves that only the Kaldorei have the wisdom it takes to lead the Order of Cenarius. This council should never have offered to help this human, and it's short sightedness has put everything that Malfurion has worked for in jeopardy!" Fandral slams his fist down in anger.
The hall goes quiet, as the gravity of the situation bears down on its occupants.
Fandral stares at each member with a smug look on his face. As if to say I told you so. Finally, he breaks the tense silence;
"I see no other alternative but to have this Calmfury removed from his slumber, and have him mercifully put to death. Something that should have been done in the first place."
A shudder goes throughout the room. A death sentence? Never in all the centuries of the order has it been done. But in light of what has become, no one, not even Hamuul can bring themselves to even protest the order.
"Warden!!" Fandral shouts, and in walks a burly Tauren guard. "Send a runner to the keeper at the Storm Rage barrow Den. The Tauren known as Calmfury is to be taken from the den and brought to Nighthaven immediately!"
"Master Fandral!" Rabine steps forward "This Furbolg is from the Timbermaw tribe. He has something urgent that he wants to tell us. I think you should hear what he has to say."
Fandral motions for the guard to leave and then beckons for the Furbolg to enter the hall. All eyes turn towards the furry, primative beast as he hesitantly walks into the room.
"Greetings friends, I am Kernda of the Timbermaw. My chieftan has bid me to come tell you about some strange goings on earlier today."
Hamuul sits quietly with his head down while Fandral seems to feign interest in what the beast has to say.
"A druid came into our tunnel calling himself Calmfury. He seemed angry and upset about something. He was very hungry so we fed him. Then, he left without even thanking us. We only thought you should know because he said something about going to kill someone named Garrosh."
Once again the room goes quiet. Fandral stares in disbelief at the wide eyed furbolg. Hamuul stands and strides across the room.
"Kernda!" Hamuul says urgently "Are you certain this tauren said his name was Calmfury?!?"
The furbolg looks nervous and confused for a moment.
"Oh no..." The furbolg finally says, now Hamuul is the one that looks confused "he wasn't a tauren, my friends, he was a Night Elf. Yeah, he was a Night Elf and said his name was Calmfury Stonehoof."
High Priestess Tyrande jumps to her feet; "Fandral, if this human has come back in the form of a Night Elf, then he may spread the worgen curse to our people!"
Fandral looks about the room in disbelief before laying his eyes on Hamuul once again; "What have you done you fool!!" he says through snarling lips.
"I will rally the sentinels immediately, this Calmfury must be found before it is too late!!" Tyrande says with authority.
Once again Hamuul looks down at the floor in shame. His daughter comes to his side to comfort him as the assembly quickly leave the ancient hall.
"Bashana, please take us home. I am too old and heartbroken to see this to it's end" Hamuul says in a whisper.
Friday, November 6, 2009
pt 19 The forgotten watcher
Alone I sit on the white marble stone of the moonwell. Despite the cold of the morning air, I prefer to not wear clothing while I meditate. I stare into the swirling pool of glowing, mystical water. Sometimes it reveals visions of other places and times.
It is yet another quiet afternoon in the mystical valley of Moonglade. It always feels like spring in this place. Despite the constant change of seasons all across Azeroth, it never changes here. There is always the smell of new life and new growth. I have often wondered if this valley exists because of the druids who call it home, or do the druids exist because of the promise of balance and harmony this place teaches its inhabitants.
I am a Cenarion Dreamwarder. Long ago I devoted myself to the Order of Cenarius, and I have lived an ascetic life here ever since. I gave up my sense of self, possession, and even my own name, to devote my life to my job, which is to watch and tend to the countless druids who live, and slumber in the Stormrage Barrow Dens. I am not alone in this task. There are others who live as I do. In fact, across the northern reaches of Kalimdor there are several dens such as this.
Today, as I sit by the moonwell in meditation, I can't help but think about a strange word that has come to my ears. A little over a month ago a dying tauren said the word "Meekha" to me as he entered the barrow den for his long sleep.
This word Meekha translates several different ways. In Kaldorie it means peace, in draconic it means tenacity, and in orcish it means favored one. But, these diverse meanings matter little to me. The truth is that I heard this word in a prophetic dream long ago.
I had this dream while I was young. I was meditating near a moonwell as I am today. In it, I saw a war erupt in the deserts of Silithus. Great hordes of scarabs were pouring out of Ahn'Qiraj with the intention of devouring the world. But, in their way stood a massive beast. I know now that this creature was a druid in bear form, but unlike any that I have ever seen. This bear would kill the scarabs by the dozens with its powerful swipe, and its roar would shake the very ground, making the mindless invaders pause in their tracks.
I watched this battle continue for some time, wondering who would come to help this brave soul. Finally a flight of bronze dragons descended from the sky and called out to the beast, Meekha they called it.
After I awoke from the dream I researched the name Meekha in the archives and found no druid bearing such a name in all of our history. So, I concluded that this dream is of the future, instead of the past.
That is why when the tauren said that word, I was startled. Perhaps he had experienced the same vision as I, and perhaps he will find its meaning in the Emerald Dream. I look forward to talking to him about it when he awakes.
In the distance I hear a horn blow from the towering cliffs of Nighthaven, it is the fourth one today. It usually means that an Arch Druid of the order has come to Nighthaven. If so, there must be some sort of meeting being adjourned.
"Keeper, please forgive my intrusion into your meditation time. But, one of the sleepers has emerged from the dream." one of the other wardens says as he approaches me.
I stand up and turn in time to see a filthy looking night elf in a tattered shroud emerge from one of the dens. I immdiately recognize him as Sylios Leafwalker, an Arch Druid of the order. He entered his slumber when I was still young and could remember my own name.
I quickly put on my robe and jump down from the edge of the moonwell. Sylios walks in a daze across the verdant green ground.
So many times I have seen them, those who emerge from the dream. They seem like zombies in a strange way, barely even able to recognize the world around them. It is part of my job to talk to them and see them off in the right direction where they can transition into life outside the dream.
"Master Sylios, we are pleased to see you again in the land of the waking world." I say to him
He continues to walk stiff legged towards the archway leaving the compound. I walk with him trying to get his attention. Sometimes those emerging from the dream can become violent if they are approached the wrong way.
"Master Sylios you have awoke from the Emerald Dream after a great many years."
The ragged night elf stops in his tracks and stares blankly at a wandering deer in the gardens. Moments seem to pass slowly as I gradually see recognition wash across his dirty face.
I approach him closer and he turns to looks at me.
"Master Sylios, much has happened in the world since you entered the dream. Let me take you to Nighthaven to meet with the other elders."
Suddenly, a twisted look of dark rage comes across his face. His fists ball up tightly and a faint growl rises in his throat.
"My name is Calmfury!!" he yells at me in the language of the tauren. The sound of his voice echoes in the forest, leaving a stunned silence to all those who inhabit this place.
I step backwards, fearing that this creature will attack me.
With the graceful motion of a master shapechanger, the night elf turns into a tawny savannah cat, and darts off into the nearby woods.
Never in all my centuries of watching over the sleepers have I witnessed such an emergence, and I hope I never will again.
It is yet another quiet afternoon in the mystical valley of Moonglade. It always feels like spring in this place. Despite the constant change of seasons all across Azeroth, it never changes here. There is always the smell of new life and new growth. I have often wondered if this valley exists because of the druids who call it home, or do the druids exist because of the promise of balance and harmony this place teaches its inhabitants.
I am a Cenarion Dreamwarder. Long ago I devoted myself to the Order of Cenarius, and I have lived an ascetic life here ever since. I gave up my sense of self, possession, and even my own name, to devote my life to my job, which is to watch and tend to the countless druids who live, and slumber in the Stormrage Barrow Dens. I am not alone in this task. There are others who live as I do. In fact, across the northern reaches of Kalimdor there are several dens such as this.
Today, as I sit by the moonwell in meditation, I can't help but think about a strange word that has come to my ears. A little over a month ago a dying tauren said the word "Meekha" to me as he entered the barrow den for his long sleep.
This word Meekha translates several different ways. In Kaldorie it means peace, in draconic it means tenacity, and in orcish it means favored one. But, these diverse meanings matter little to me. The truth is that I heard this word in a prophetic dream long ago.
I had this dream while I was young. I was meditating near a moonwell as I am today. In it, I saw a war erupt in the deserts of Silithus. Great hordes of scarabs were pouring out of Ahn'Qiraj with the intention of devouring the world. But, in their way stood a massive beast. I know now that this creature was a druid in bear form, but unlike any that I have ever seen. This bear would kill the scarabs by the dozens with its powerful swipe, and its roar would shake the very ground, making the mindless invaders pause in their tracks.
I watched this battle continue for some time, wondering who would come to help this brave soul. Finally a flight of bronze dragons descended from the sky and called out to the beast, Meekha they called it.
After I awoke from the dream I researched the name Meekha in the archives and found no druid bearing such a name in all of our history. So, I concluded that this dream is of the future, instead of the past.
That is why when the tauren said that word, I was startled. Perhaps he had experienced the same vision as I, and perhaps he will find its meaning in the Emerald Dream. I look forward to talking to him about it when he awakes.
In the distance I hear a horn blow from the towering cliffs of Nighthaven, it is the fourth one today. It usually means that an Arch Druid of the order has come to Nighthaven. If so, there must be some sort of meeting being adjourned.
"Keeper, please forgive my intrusion into your meditation time. But, one of the sleepers has emerged from the dream." one of the other wardens says as he approaches me.
I stand up and turn in time to see a filthy looking night elf in a tattered shroud emerge from one of the dens. I immdiately recognize him as Sylios Leafwalker, an Arch Druid of the order. He entered his slumber when I was still young and could remember my own name.
I quickly put on my robe and jump down from the edge of the moonwell. Sylios walks in a daze across the verdant green ground.
So many times I have seen them, those who emerge from the dream. They seem like zombies in a strange way, barely even able to recognize the world around them. It is part of my job to talk to them and see them off in the right direction where they can transition into life outside the dream.
"Master Sylios, we are pleased to see you again in the land of the waking world." I say to him
He continues to walk stiff legged towards the archway leaving the compound. I walk with him trying to get his attention. Sometimes those emerging from the dream can become violent if they are approached the wrong way.
"Master Sylios you have awoke from the Emerald Dream after a great many years."
The ragged night elf stops in his tracks and stares blankly at a wandering deer in the gardens. Moments seem to pass slowly as I gradually see recognition wash across his dirty face.
I approach him closer and he turns to looks at me.
"Master Sylios, much has happened in the world since you entered the dream. Let me take you to Nighthaven to meet with the other elders."
Suddenly, a twisted look of dark rage comes across his face. His fists ball up tightly and a faint growl rises in his throat.
"My name is Calmfury!!" he yells at me in the language of the tauren. The sound of his voice echoes in the forest, leaving a stunned silence to all those who inhabit this place.
I step backwards, fearing that this creature will attack me.
With the graceful motion of a master shapechanger, the night elf turns into a tawny savannah cat, and darts off into the nearby woods.
Never in all my centuries of watching over the sleepers have I witnessed such an emergence, and I hope I never will again.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
pt 18 The sleep of the ancients
The solemn processional marches slowly down the road like mourners going to a funeral. Carried aloft is the litter holding the barely living body of Calmfury. He is wrapped tightly in several layers of linen cloth, making him look little more than a corpse.
With all that I have seen and heard over the past year, I can barely believe that fate would have brought us to this. Still, I do not understand what Elder Hamuul is thinking. I made my way through the Emerald Dream with the help of the green dragon flight, who jealously guard its mysteries. They made me swear a solemn oath to never reveal its secrets to anyone, on fear of a gruesome death. I was so honored that they choose me that the thought of betraying their trust is beyond my capacity.
I know that a mysterious human mage somehow made his way through on his own, using the forbidden knowledge that his kind waste their lives pursuing. But, what I am skeptical of is this idea that Calmfury will make his way across as well. If Elder Hamuul thinks that I will reveal the way, he has another thing coming.
Fireflies swarm in beautiful glowing clouds from the surrounding wilderness to light our way along the path. We pass beneath the ancient arch into the courtyard of the storm rage barrow dens. This twisting catacomb of burrows dug into the hillside house the multitude of druids who have sought out the Emerald Dream over the history of the order. Some say that the oldest of druids still slumber here.
The procession stops and the ancient keeper comes out of the den. He is a nameless night elf of unknown age that tends to the bodies of those who rest inside.
"Who seeks to unravel the mysteries of the dream?" the dark clad keeper says in a deep, booming voice.
Elder Hamuul steps forward. "The seeker is Calmfury, Guardian of Cenarius. He has travelled across the known world seeking a greater balance. Now, he seeks that balance within the dream."
"This is highly irregular Arch Druid Hamuul. Calmfury must announce himself and ask for a place within the den. No one has ever been brought here in such a way." the keeper replies
Elder Hamuul stands perfectly still for a moment, as if he did not expect to be challenged by the keeper.
"Calmfury has been gravely injured by enemies of the order. It was his final wish to be inducted into the dream before he died." Hamuul finally says with authority.
"This barrow den is a place of repose, not a graveyard. You must prove that Calmfury still lives, and he must invoke the right himself, before he is allowed to enter!"
As the keeper steps forward, the bearers of Calmfury's litter lower him to the ground. Blood from his wounds has seeped into the white linen shroud making him look quite ghastly. His once proud face, now battered and mutilated is all that shows from the wrappings.
The keeper kneels down and looks Calmfury in the face.
"Calmfury, Guardian of Cenarius, do you wish to seek the mysteries of the Emerald Dream?"
The broken tauren barely opens his eyes and looks up at the keeper. Then, he whispers something that is inaudible. The keeper leans down close, and turns his ear to Calmfury's mouth. Once again the bull whispers something.
I see tears well up in Elder Hamuul's eyes as the keeper stands up straight once again. I think he heard what Calmfury said.
"Calmfury has spoken! He may be taken in to the den." the keeper finally says.
With a collective sigh of relief, the procession resumes its solemn march into the den. The smell of fresh dirt and cool humidity prevade our senses as we descend into the darkenss.
I remember when I entered the dream and my last moments as a Night Elf. My friends helped me to dig a fresh burrow into the earth. Then, I was wrapped in the linen shroud like a corpse and the ritual of the dream was performed on me. I don't remember much about my time in the dream except that I was greeted by the image of my draconic keeper.
Some time passes while the group begins digging Calmfury's burrow in the soft earth.
It occurs to me that my own resting place is not far from where Calmfury is being laid. Naturally, curiosity gets the best of me and I slip quietly down the tunnel to take a peek. Afterall, who would pass up the opportunity to visit their own sleeping body?
My room is as I remember it. Roots hang down from the ceiling above my very small body laying on the floor. My face is all that I can see and I have a look of peaceful serenity.
"Do you miss being a Night Elf Charibdys?" Elder Hamuul says from the dark passage behind me.
I pause for a long moment as tears well up in my tauren eyes. Looking into my elven face I can't help but see my resemblance to my sister. Painful memories come flooding back.
"Elder, I do miss it. But, I have have learned so much living as a tauren. I would not trade that for anything, not even to have my little Belanna back." I try unsucessfully not to sob a little when I say her name.
"Dear sweet Charibdys. I have learned more from you than I ever thought I would come to understand. You have shown us a kind of strength and devotion that honestly may not exist in the race of tauren."
The old bull pauses for a moment, and makes a long sigh.
"Charibdys, I think it is time that we send you home to your own people where you belong."
Hamuul's words hit me hard and my heart skips a beat at the thought. I turn to face him in the musty dark of the tunnel, as tears roll down my cheeks. I cannot hide my sorrow anymore.
"Elder, I have to tell you that I don't think that Calmfury can find his way through the dream as I have. Fandrel was right, only myself and the human mage have done it, and I had the help of the green dragons to do it. Calmfury may be a druid but he is not a creature of balance and will not find peace there, he is going into a nightmare!"
Hamuul gets very serious and takes a deep breath before replying.
"Charibdys, there is something you don't understand. The truth is that I lied to Calmfury. He is not being sent into the dream to infiltrate the Alliance. Master Fandral was right, it would be a hateful exploitation of the mysteries of the dream to do so. In reality, if there is a war between the Horde and the Alliance, as horrible as it may be, it is of no real concern to us. We only care about balance."
Hamuul pauses for a moment as he looks down at the moist dirt. Then he looks up and motions for me to follow him deeper into the den. We carefully walk the winding paths past the innumerable burrows of sleeping druids. Finally, he ducks underneath a twisted root and enters the last den in the long hallway.
There on a slightly raised bed lies a bulging form wrapped tightly in his shroud. Where his face should be is the black, furry face of something that looks like a wolf. I recognize the body as a worgen, and I can see him breathing heavily as he sleeps.
"Charibdys, I would like you to meet the only human to ever be admitted into the Order of Cenarius. His name is Diogenes, and he is formerly a mage of Dalaran."
I stare in awe at the snarling, beastly form. A swell of pity wells in my chest for the poor human.
"Elder, this poor creature continues to suffer even in the dream, I don't understand how you say that he crossed over as I have." I say quietly, as if I am afraid to wake the beast.
Arch Druid Hamuul gently smiles at me. "Charibdys, the sad truth is that this creature before you is the tormented, mortal shell of the soul you know as Calmfury. After he entered the Emerald Dream, Diogenes emerged as a young tauren wandering the plains of Mulgore. He had no memory of who he was, but the stars told us the truth about him. So we called him Calmfury, and we trained him in his new life as a druid. I guess we foolishly thought the transformation had cured the poor soul of his curse."
Hamuul sighs out loud as he seems to struggle with what I think is regret.
"To our dismay Charibdys, it seems that the anger and rage he suffered with during his life as a tauren, is a remnant of the Curse of the Worgen. The evil magic of that curse has chased him through the Emerald Dream, and we fear that it threatens to affect him as a tauren. If this were to happen the curse may spread to other tauren like a disease, like it did to the humans in Gilneas. We simply cannot allow this to happen, so he needs to return to his body."
I pause for a moment in stunned astonishment before I am able to reply. "Elder, Calmfury spoke many times of his tauren family, his mother that died and his father that was some sort of painter?!"
"I know he did, but these people never existed, as tauren at least. I believe they were ghosts of memories from his former life. I think his human mother actually died of the plague in Lordaeron." Hamuul replies
It all makes perfect sense to me now, and the wisdom of the elders is clear.
"Charibdys, I think you need to go home to your life as a Night Elf. It is not right that you are here, despite all the good things you have done for us. Besides, knowing what you do about Calmfury, you can help him if he awakens." Hamuul finally says to me with a frown.
I look him in his big green eyes and once again tears run down my cheeks. The wise elder is right, I am eager to return to my people.
While they finish digging Calmfury's burrow, and lay him down in his resting place, I am wrapped in my own linen shroud. It is not unusual for several druids to share the same burrow, so I will sleep in the same place as Calmfury.
As I lay down in the soft earth next to Calmfury's unconscious body, the chanting of the Ritual of Dreaming rises in crescendo signaling its completion. Mylentha brings in the hot, burning coals that will ignite the yellow crystals, which will put us in a deep sleep and allow us to enter into the mysterious Emerald Dream.
Elder Hamuul comes to my side and holds my hand. Though there is a smile on his face, I can see tears in his eyes.
"Goodbye Charlibeth Mooncloud. You are always welcome in my lodge." He whispers.
"No Master Hamuul, my life as a tauren has changed me forever. From here on I will always be known as Charibdys" I reply with a smile.
He gives me a broad grin as he turns to leave the burrow. Mylentha also smiles at me before dropping the hot coal into the bed of crystals.
"Elder Hamuul!" I say "just to satisfy my elven curiosity, what did Calmfury say to the keeper to get us in?"
Hamuul turns to me as the yellow incense begins to fill the cramped burrow.
"He said the only thing that he has repeated since he was brought to Moonglade. He said the name Meekha."
With all that I have seen and heard over the past year, I can barely believe that fate would have brought us to this. Still, I do not understand what Elder Hamuul is thinking. I made my way through the Emerald Dream with the help of the green dragon flight, who jealously guard its mysteries. They made me swear a solemn oath to never reveal its secrets to anyone, on fear of a gruesome death. I was so honored that they choose me that the thought of betraying their trust is beyond my capacity.
I know that a mysterious human mage somehow made his way through on his own, using the forbidden knowledge that his kind waste their lives pursuing. But, what I am skeptical of is this idea that Calmfury will make his way across as well. If Elder Hamuul thinks that I will reveal the way, he has another thing coming.
Fireflies swarm in beautiful glowing clouds from the surrounding wilderness to light our way along the path. We pass beneath the ancient arch into the courtyard of the storm rage barrow dens. This twisting catacomb of burrows dug into the hillside house the multitude of druids who have sought out the Emerald Dream over the history of the order. Some say that the oldest of druids still slumber here.
The procession stops and the ancient keeper comes out of the den. He is a nameless night elf of unknown age that tends to the bodies of those who rest inside.
"Who seeks to unravel the mysteries of the dream?" the dark clad keeper says in a deep, booming voice.
Elder Hamuul steps forward. "The seeker is Calmfury, Guardian of Cenarius. He has travelled across the known world seeking a greater balance. Now, he seeks that balance within the dream."
"This is highly irregular Arch Druid Hamuul. Calmfury must announce himself and ask for a place within the den. No one has ever been brought here in such a way." the keeper replies
Elder Hamuul stands perfectly still for a moment, as if he did not expect to be challenged by the keeper.
"Calmfury has been gravely injured by enemies of the order. It was his final wish to be inducted into the dream before he died." Hamuul finally says with authority.
"This barrow den is a place of repose, not a graveyard. You must prove that Calmfury still lives, and he must invoke the right himself, before he is allowed to enter!"
As the keeper steps forward, the bearers of Calmfury's litter lower him to the ground. Blood from his wounds has seeped into the white linen shroud making him look quite ghastly. His once proud face, now battered and mutilated is all that shows from the wrappings.
The keeper kneels down and looks Calmfury in the face.
"Calmfury, Guardian of Cenarius, do you wish to seek the mysteries of the Emerald Dream?"
The broken tauren barely opens his eyes and looks up at the keeper. Then, he whispers something that is inaudible. The keeper leans down close, and turns his ear to Calmfury's mouth. Once again the bull whispers something.
I see tears well up in Elder Hamuul's eyes as the keeper stands up straight once again. I think he heard what Calmfury said.
"Calmfury has spoken! He may be taken in to the den." the keeper finally says.
With a collective sigh of relief, the procession resumes its solemn march into the den. The smell of fresh dirt and cool humidity prevade our senses as we descend into the darkenss.
I remember when I entered the dream and my last moments as a Night Elf. My friends helped me to dig a fresh burrow into the earth. Then, I was wrapped in the linen shroud like a corpse and the ritual of the dream was performed on me. I don't remember much about my time in the dream except that I was greeted by the image of my draconic keeper.
Some time passes while the group begins digging Calmfury's burrow in the soft earth.
It occurs to me that my own resting place is not far from where Calmfury is being laid. Naturally, curiosity gets the best of me and I slip quietly down the tunnel to take a peek. Afterall, who would pass up the opportunity to visit their own sleeping body?
My room is as I remember it. Roots hang down from the ceiling above my very small body laying on the floor. My face is all that I can see and I have a look of peaceful serenity.
"Do you miss being a Night Elf Charibdys?" Elder Hamuul says from the dark passage behind me.
I pause for a long moment as tears well up in my tauren eyes. Looking into my elven face I can't help but see my resemblance to my sister. Painful memories come flooding back.
"Elder, I do miss it. But, I have have learned so much living as a tauren. I would not trade that for anything, not even to have my little Belanna back." I try unsucessfully not to sob a little when I say her name.
"Dear sweet Charibdys. I have learned more from you than I ever thought I would come to understand. You have shown us a kind of strength and devotion that honestly may not exist in the race of tauren."
The old bull pauses for a moment, and makes a long sigh.
"Charibdys, I think it is time that we send you home to your own people where you belong."
Hamuul's words hit me hard and my heart skips a beat at the thought. I turn to face him in the musty dark of the tunnel, as tears roll down my cheeks. I cannot hide my sorrow anymore.
"Elder, I have to tell you that I don't think that Calmfury can find his way through the dream as I have. Fandrel was right, only myself and the human mage have done it, and I had the help of the green dragons to do it. Calmfury may be a druid but he is not a creature of balance and will not find peace there, he is going into a nightmare!"
Hamuul gets very serious and takes a deep breath before replying.
"Charibdys, there is something you don't understand. The truth is that I lied to Calmfury. He is not being sent into the dream to infiltrate the Alliance. Master Fandral was right, it would be a hateful exploitation of the mysteries of the dream to do so. In reality, if there is a war between the Horde and the Alliance, as horrible as it may be, it is of no real concern to us. We only care about balance."
Hamuul pauses for a moment as he looks down at the moist dirt. Then he looks up and motions for me to follow him deeper into the den. We carefully walk the winding paths past the innumerable burrows of sleeping druids. Finally, he ducks underneath a twisted root and enters the last den in the long hallway.
There on a slightly raised bed lies a bulging form wrapped tightly in his shroud. Where his face should be is the black, furry face of something that looks like a wolf. I recognize the body as a worgen, and I can see him breathing heavily as he sleeps.
"Charibdys, I would like you to meet the only human to ever be admitted into the Order of Cenarius. His name is Diogenes, and he is formerly a mage of Dalaran."
I stare in awe at the snarling, beastly form. A swell of pity wells in my chest for the poor human.
"Elder, this poor creature continues to suffer even in the dream, I don't understand how you say that he crossed over as I have." I say quietly, as if I am afraid to wake the beast.
Arch Druid Hamuul gently smiles at me. "Charibdys, the sad truth is that this creature before you is the tormented, mortal shell of the soul you know as Calmfury. After he entered the Emerald Dream, Diogenes emerged as a young tauren wandering the plains of Mulgore. He had no memory of who he was, but the stars told us the truth about him. So we called him Calmfury, and we trained him in his new life as a druid. I guess we foolishly thought the transformation had cured the poor soul of his curse."
Hamuul sighs out loud as he seems to struggle with what I think is regret.
"To our dismay Charibdys, it seems that the anger and rage he suffered with during his life as a tauren, is a remnant of the Curse of the Worgen. The evil magic of that curse has chased him through the Emerald Dream, and we fear that it threatens to affect him as a tauren. If this were to happen the curse may spread to other tauren like a disease, like it did to the humans in Gilneas. We simply cannot allow this to happen, so he needs to return to his body."
I pause for a moment in stunned astonishment before I am able to reply. "Elder, Calmfury spoke many times of his tauren family, his mother that died and his father that was some sort of painter?!"
"I know he did, but these people never existed, as tauren at least. I believe they were ghosts of memories from his former life. I think his human mother actually died of the plague in Lordaeron." Hamuul replies
It all makes perfect sense to me now, and the wisdom of the elders is clear.
"Charibdys, I think you need to go home to your life as a Night Elf. It is not right that you are here, despite all the good things you have done for us. Besides, knowing what you do about Calmfury, you can help him if he awakens." Hamuul finally says to me with a frown.
I look him in his big green eyes and once again tears run down my cheeks. The wise elder is right, I am eager to return to my people.
While they finish digging Calmfury's burrow, and lay him down in his resting place, I am wrapped in my own linen shroud. It is not unusual for several druids to share the same burrow, so I will sleep in the same place as Calmfury.
As I lay down in the soft earth next to Calmfury's unconscious body, the chanting of the Ritual of Dreaming rises in crescendo signaling its completion. Mylentha brings in the hot, burning coals that will ignite the yellow crystals, which will put us in a deep sleep and allow us to enter into the mysterious Emerald Dream.
Elder Hamuul comes to my side and holds my hand. Though there is a smile on his face, I can see tears in his eyes.
"Goodbye Charlibeth Mooncloud. You are always welcome in my lodge." He whispers.
"No Master Hamuul, my life as a tauren has changed me forever. From here on I will always be known as Charibdys" I reply with a smile.
He gives me a broad grin as he turns to leave the burrow. Mylentha also smiles at me before dropping the hot coal into the bed of crystals.
"Elder Hamuul!" I say "just to satisfy my elven curiosity, what did Calmfury say to the keeper to get us in?"
Hamuul turns to me as the yellow incense begins to fill the cramped burrow.
"He said the only thing that he has repeated since he was brought to Moonglade. He said the name Meekha."
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
pt 17 Hamuul's fateful choice
The wind makes my eyes water. Tears roll down my cheeks and land on the tawny fur of the Wyvern I am riding.
For most of the afternoon I have been flying across the wild expanse of Kalimdor. I heard the news about Calmfury this morning and I set out for Moonglade to see for myself what has become. I cannot say I did not expect this to happen at some point, when someone lives on the blade of a knife he will be cut sooner or later. Of course that does not take out the pain that fate has brought to us. I say this because the truth of the matter is that Calmfury is like a son to me.
The wyvern I am riding gracefully swoops over the rugged, snow covered mountains and begins its descent into the immortal valley of Moonglade. There on the edge of a crystal clear lake lies the place where druids call their home. Or at the very least where the elders of the Cenarion Circle come to discuss the mysteries of our order.
My stomach rolls as we dive into the valley and fly like an arrow across the surface of the lake. Then all at once, like the well trained beast he is, my wyvern soars into the air again and lands gracefully at the roost on the cliffs above the lake.
"Elder Hamuul, welcome back to Moonglade. You are expected in the meeting hall of Nighthaven." the Tauren flightmaster named Bunthen Plainswind says to me as I hop off the back of the Wyvern.
"Thank you Bunthen" I say, as I hear the heralds horn echo across the valley, announcing the arrival of an elder.
I collect my travel bag and head out through the streets of the small village. The air is crisp and clean. Birds in multitudes fill the air above us, giving the impression that this place is at the center of a primordial garden free of disease and death. Though, today I know that this is not the case.
The twisting paths take me to the ancient hall of Nighthaven. It's simple but beautiful architecture stands as a monument to our order. As I enter I see a bed laid on the floor, on it the most pitiable sight I have had the misfortune to witness. Wrapped tightly in a burial shroud of linen lies the once powerful Calmfury. Even from here I can see he is barely breathing. The ever vigilant and loyal Charibdys stands at his side.
"Arch Druid Hamuul Runetotem, it is good to see you again." I look up and on a balcony above the floor stands Arch Druid Fandral Staghelm
Fandral is the most senior member of the Cenarion Circle, and certainly the oldest. He is a very ambitious and impatient Night elf. On his best days he is barely tolerable.
I bow in respect of him. "Master Fandral, it is a pleasure. What brings you out of Darnassus these days?"
He chuckles a bit and looks me up and down with contempt on his face. "You think that word has not reached my ears of your plans? This effort to exploit to Emerald Dream is over." he says with a flash of anger in his eyes.
"Arch Druid, the Emerald Dream is open to any druid of the order. Why should we cut off Calmfury from its mysteries?"
"Hamuul, you know that there have only been two creatures in all of the history of the order who have traversed the dream as you propose. One was the human mage, whom you all foolishly decided to help over my objections, and the other was Charlibeth with the blessings of the Green Dragonflight. It is well known that the mage had forbidden knowledge that helped him. How do you think that this tauren will be able to accomplish this task?"
I look down in sorrow as I feel the sting of grief in my heart.
"I don't expect him to cross, in his condition he is too weak to make the transition into the dream." I pause for a moment to collect my thoughts. "Master Fandral, Calmfury was like a son to me. I have come to witness his passage and see him laid to rest."
The night elf seems surprised at my response, and looks at me for a moment as if I am lying to him. Of course, it would be the height of audacity to openly suggest that I am. That is what I am counting on.
"Very well then Master Hamuul. I will leave you to your mourning. Though I will remind you, as is my duty, to not linger on death for too long. It is not our way" he says with a sneer.
I fake a smile as the Night Elf turns and leaves the sacred hall.
"Charibdys" I say "How is Calmfury?"
The beautiful tauren looks up at me with a stoic face of mourning. I already know the answer.
"Elder Hamuul!" in walks the revered Mylentha Riverbend. She is another elder in the Cenarion Circle and one of the finest healers I have ever met. "I am sorry to say that Calmfury will not last the night. His injuries are extensive, and he has lost the will to live. He is beyond my care Hamuul. I am sorry."
She lovingly cradles my chin in her hand, trying to console me.
"Elder Mylentha, I understand that Calmfury was brought here three days ago. Why wasn't I told sooner about him?"
Silence falls across the three of us. Charibdys and Mylentha look at one another as if some secret lies between them that they dare not tell.
Finally Charibdys speaks in a whisper. "Elder, Arch Druid Fandral was here when I brought Calmfury. He personally oversaw his care and forbid us to tell anyone what happened."
Anger rises inside of me, but I dare not show it.
"Elder Hamuul, you said to Fandral that Calmfury would not be strong enough to make the passage into the dream. Honestly, if he was to be induced into the dream he may yet live." Mylentha says inquisitively
I look at the venerable tauren for a moment. If I put him into the dream then what I told Fandral in honesty will be construed as a lie.
Off in the distance the heralds horn echos across the valley, once again announcing the arrival or the departure of an Elder.
Mylentha turns to tend Calmfury's death shroud. "Oh, it sounds like Fandral has returned to Darnassus." she pauses "Poor Calmfury, if you would have harvested your own crystals we may have been able to save you."
Trying hard not to smile I reach into my travel pack and pull out a small, battered leather bag filled with yellow crystals from the depths of Ungoro crater.
"Elder Mylentha, prepare the Ritual of Dreaming, I will gather a processional. Tonight we will march to the Storm Rage Barrow Dens."
For most of the afternoon I have been flying across the wild expanse of Kalimdor. I heard the news about Calmfury this morning and I set out for Moonglade to see for myself what has become. I cannot say I did not expect this to happen at some point, when someone lives on the blade of a knife he will be cut sooner or later. Of course that does not take out the pain that fate has brought to us. I say this because the truth of the matter is that Calmfury is like a son to me.
The wyvern I am riding gracefully swoops over the rugged, snow covered mountains and begins its descent into the immortal valley of Moonglade. There on the edge of a crystal clear lake lies the place where druids call their home. Or at the very least where the elders of the Cenarion Circle come to discuss the mysteries of our order.
My stomach rolls as we dive into the valley and fly like an arrow across the surface of the lake. Then all at once, like the well trained beast he is, my wyvern soars into the air again and lands gracefully at the roost on the cliffs above the lake.
"Elder Hamuul, welcome back to Moonglade. You are expected in the meeting hall of Nighthaven." the Tauren flightmaster named Bunthen Plainswind says to me as I hop off the back of the Wyvern.
"Thank you Bunthen" I say, as I hear the heralds horn echo across the valley, announcing the arrival of an elder.
I collect my travel bag and head out through the streets of the small village. The air is crisp and clean. Birds in multitudes fill the air above us, giving the impression that this place is at the center of a primordial garden free of disease and death. Though, today I know that this is not the case.
The twisting paths take me to the ancient hall of Nighthaven. It's simple but beautiful architecture stands as a monument to our order. As I enter I see a bed laid on the floor, on it the most pitiable sight I have had the misfortune to witness. Wrapped tightly in a burial shroud of linen lies the once powerful Calmfury. Even from here I can see he is barely breathing. The ever vigilant and loyal Charibdys stands at his side.
"Arch Druid Hamuul Runetotem, it is good to see you again." I look up and on a balcony above the floor stands Arch Druid Fandral Staghelm
Fandral is the most senior member of the Cenarion Circle, and certainly the oldest. He is a very ambitious and impatient Night elf. On his best days he is barely tolerable.
I bow in respect of him. "Master Fandral, it is a pleasure. What brings you out of Darnassus these days?"
He chuckles a bit and looks me up and down with contempt on his face. "You think that word has not reached my ears of your plans? This effort to exploit to Emerald Dream is over." he says with a flash of anger in his eyes.
"Arch Druid, the Emerald Dream is open to any druid of the order. Why should we cut off Calmfury from its mysteries?"
"Hamuul, you know that there have only been two creatures in all of the history of the order who have traversed the dream as you propose. One was the human mage, whom you all foolishly decided to help over my objections, and the other was Charlibeth with the blessings of the Green Dragonflight. It is well known that the mage had forbidden knowledge that helped him. How do you think that this tauren will be able to accomplish this task?"
I look down in sorrow as I feel the sting of grief in my heart.
"I don't expect him to cross, in his condition he is too weak to make the transition into the dream." I pause for a moment to collect my thoughts. "Master Fandral, Calmfury was like a son to me. I have come to witness his passage and see him laid to rest."
The night elf seems surprised at my response, and looks at me for a moment as if I am lying to him. Of course, it would be the height of audacity to openly suggest that I am. That is what I am counting on.
"Very well then Master Hamuul. I will leave you to your mourning. Though I will remind you, as is my duty, to not linger on death for too long. It is not our way" he says with a sneer.
I fake a smile as the Night Elf turns and leaves the sacred hall.
"Charibdys" I say "How is Calmfury?"
The beautiful tauren looks up at me with a stoic face of mourning. I already know the answer.
"Elder Hamuul!" in walks the revered Mylentha Riverbend. She is another elder in the Cenarion Circle and one of the finest healers I have ever met. "I am sorry to say that Calmfury will not last the night. His injuries are extensive, and he has lost the will to live. He is beyond my care Hamuul. I am sorry."
She lovingly cradles my chin in her hand, trying to console me.
"Elder Mylentha, I understand that Calmfury was brought here three days ago. Why wasn't I told sooner about him?"
Silence falls across the three of us. Charibdys and Mylentha look at one another as if some secret lies between them that they dare not tell.
Finally Charibdys speaks in a whisper. "Elder, Arch Druid Fandral was here when I brought Calmfury. He personally oversaw his care and forbid us to tell anyone what happened."
Anger rises inside of me, but I dare not show it.
"Elder Hamuul, you said to Fandral that Calmfury would not be strong enough to make the passage into the dream. Honestly, if he was to be induced into the dream he may yet live." Mylentha says inquisitively
I look at the venerable tauren for a moment. If I put him into the dream then what I told Fandral in honesty will be construed as a lie.
Off in the distance the heralds horn echos across the valley, once again announcing the arrival or the departure of an Elder.
Mylentha turns to tend Calmfury's death shroud. "Oh, it sounds like Fandral has returned to Darnassus." she pauses "Poor Calmfury, if you would have harvested your own crystals we may have been able to save you."
Trying hard not to smile I reach into my travel pack and pull out a small, battered leather bag filled with yellow crystals from the depths of Ungoro crater.
"Elder Mylentha, prepare the Ritual of Dreaming, I will gather a processional. Tonight we will march to the Storm Rage Barrow Dens."
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