Tuesday, July 31

Tyr's Hand

Last night, I encountered Annjia in Orgrimmar. We spoke briefly, and were joined by Pipiltin. I had been searching for Urukha to ask if I may travel to Tyr's Hand now that Annjia tells me it is safe, and hoped that one of them might have seen her that day. Sadly, they knew as little of her whereabouts as I. Annjia stated she was leaving for Tyr's Hand and invited me to come, but I could not, not until I had spoken with Urukha. Fortunately, I would find her later that night and she would grant me permission to visit Tyr's Hand.

I had heard from Pipiltin that there was a restless worm spirit living in the Western Plaguelands, responsible for the illness the tribe had overcome only recently. I thought it prudent to borrow a wind rider from the tribe, and flew over Tirisfal Glades and the Western Plaguelands. I could not fly over the Eastern Plaguelands; the road to Tyr's Hand was as Nemeiah warned. As I came to a bridge, the air and clouds started to become thick, and the land was dying. The wind rider refused to continue past this point... I do not blame him for this. He agreed to stay by the river to wait for my return, and I travelled the road by foot.

My arrival in Tyr's Hand was relieving. The earth was still ill and Mu'sha's light could not touch us, but the air did not suffocate. Annjia and Nemeiah found me, and Nemeiah was quite pleased to see me - I received a hug. Unfortunately, Annjia could not stay, and returned home to deliver a package she carried. Nemeiah then led me around Tyr's Hand, showing me how she and the other members of the Argent Crusade lived. The buildings were large, and carried a certain kind of beauty, though they felt cold to me - I find more comfort in the huts often built by my people, from wood and animal skins, rather than the stone and cloth favored by the humans.

During her tour, Nemeiah showed me a library, though all of the books within were written in the humans' tongue, Common. She offered to translate anything she might think I would like. In return, later, I had offered her the tribe's help with tending to a garden she wished to grow behind the building she lived within, should they be willing to do this. She was surprised at this offer and thought it to be much too kind, but I thought it to be fair if she were to begin translating a book from her library for me.

Tuesday, July 10

New Visions

At last, the spirits of my ancestors have reappeared to me in my sleep. The messages and images were fleeting, but unfamiliar. What is clear is that I must travel south. I was shown a dense forest... perhaps Feralas? But, the elder I had seen atop Sky Father Spire pointed more towards Thousand Needles...

I must follow this vision... but alone, as I have in the past. I shall bring this journal with me, should my journey turn grim, and I will keep my talisman close to my heart.

Urukha and Pipiltin shall know of my departure. I do not know if... when... I will return, or where it is I am going, exactly. Time will tell. My ancestors are watching over me.

Monday, July 2

Urukha

Urukha is an orc in the Burning Tusk Tribe, and Pipiltin's mate. As I have written, we met first in Northrend at the jousting tournament, where I was first introduced to the Burning Tusks. She is a huntress, but like her mate, is also in tune with the spirits of the land.

Despite our differences in race, Urukha and Pipiltin are the closest things to siblings to me that anyone could ever come, as I had been born an only child. While I had not been drawn to her initially, with Pipiltin as my mentor I could often and easily find Urukha when Pipiltin was unavailable, usually under the tree in Orgrimmar. She would always be willing to listen to what I had to say, and to help me where it was needed. Over time we grew closer, enough for her to come up with a term of endearment for me, "Big K," a name which she calls me to this day.

For some time I was not sure of how close we were as friends... no, as family. This changed one night, however; Pipiltin had become gravely injured while helping the tribe find a cure for an illness, and to mend her, I believe I was told that Urukha had channeled some consciousness through Do'xian to do so... or was it the other way around? This resulted in Do'xian gaining some of Urukha's memories. I approached him following this and he turned to me on the verge of tears, to tell me I was just like a brother to him, something I had not ever seen him do before to anyone. When I had later revisited this memory with a rational mind, I realized that Do'xian spoke as though he was Urukha, and was I honored to find that an elder of the tribe considered me to be one of her own.

I have noticed that Urukha is very concerned with appearance, of her own and those around her. I found this strange at first, as she is missing an eye... I have seen many hide such injuries as this. However it was not until later that I learned she did wear an eye patch until Pipiltin insisted she remove it. I feel that this concern is silly. I have always seen clothing as a tool to protect one's body from the elements, and in recent times, to protect others' eyes from what they do not wish to see. I have never seen clothing or armor as more than this, however Urukha has insisted on clothing me in garments I normally would not wear. I will admit I feel foolish when she insists I wear something new, though the garments she gives to me manage to be very comfortable while satisfying her standards of appearance.

I do miss the hide vest I lost the night I traveled to Elwynn in my sleep... I wonder what has happened to it?

Sunday, July 1

The Wedding

Last night was brother Westel's wedding. Unfortunately, I had returned home a few hours before the ceremony and slept through it; I am a fool.

I was brought to the celebration regardless, and a good time was had by all, I believe. Brother Mukwa had fallen down while dancing and seemed to have harmed himself, but I saw he was in good spirits. I also saw brother Qua'nah, and I believe the Regent was there; I did not know they had returned to us! Westel and Astoreth approached me a few times during the dance. I feared they would have been cross that I was not at the ceremony, however, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that they were honored by my presence nonetheless.

The tribe, and friends of Astoreth and Westel spent most of the night dancing. When the music ended, the remaining guests presented gifts to them. Zau'tal gave to them a pair of small raptors, a friend of theirs is sending them a large collection of wine, and Rhezzaka gave them some fish she had caught while in Northrend. I had no material gift for them, so I offered An'she's blessing instead, which they gladly accepted, and I relayed my best wishes and prayers for them before departing for the night.

I look around and see so many meeting their mates. I am happy for them. But with this, and other recent events, I wonder when I will find love of my own.