Cats

On the night of the solstice, my family was joined by an outsider, a Pandaren calling herself "Twychy." She was a friend of Siuliaruin, and wished to know more about us, as Siuliaruin speaks much of us in the times she is away.

She seems to have enjoyed our company. Yesterday, I had received five packages, wrapped neatly in Winter Veil parchment. When I opened them, the torn parchment revealed cages, each containing one of four cats, and a very strange creature made of mushrooms. I am surprised, and now overwhelmed. I have not cared for a companion animal before in my life, and recently I have come into the possession of a strange rabbit creature, a strange mushroom creature, four cats, and a silkworm. For now, the cats rest within their cages in my hut. I am afraid to turn them loose, for they may fall from my hut high upon the wall, or perhaps wander into the raptor stables Zau'tal and his family care for, and become a meal for the tribe's raptors. I do not know what a cat should eat, but from what I remember of tracking lessons from my father long ago, the lions of the Barrens hunt giraffe, zhevra, and kodo. They have happily eaten scraps of kodo meat for now, but I must learn what else they should eat to stay in good health.

I believe I should seek out others who may desire a companion animal. I would feel much more at ease if I know that these animals are in more capable hands than mine.

Lughnasadh

Last night, the tribe celebrated Lughnasadh. I am unsure what this means... perhaps I shall ask Siuliaruin next time I see her.

What I am aware of is that it is a day of bonding. I had arrived late to the celebration, and saw the end of a bonding ritual between Zeyda'lei and Zau'tal. If I am understanding this correctly, they are not lifemated, but it is a similar ritual, to last until Lughnasadh next year. I am happy for them, and especially Zeyda'lei. She had told me of things troubling her once before and found she had travelled a rocky path in life, and to see her happy and finding family in the tribe makes me feel happy.

We began to share things we had created. A troll named Etsuni had joined us in our celebration, but I did not notice her until after Siuliaruin finished the ritual. I am aware she wishes to become part of the tribe. She showed us her talents as a scribe, bestowing us with hardened skin from a glyph she had recently learned how to create. Siuliaruin had a potion that affects the mind much like the one Mukwa had created for himself. Zau'tal showed us two weapons he created - an arrowhead that creates noise in flight to disrupt those who fight with the power of the earth, arcane, or demons, and a type of weapon I have not seen before, capable of returning to its owner after being thrown. I did not have anything to show... instead, I recited the song about apples I created from Truth or Dare with Pipiltin. I felt a little foolish, but Vivvienne, Etsuni, and Siuliaruin believed it to be a good song.

Amidst this, a few death knights had descended upon us and began to bother us. I planted myself firm and prepared to fight if needed, but it seems they only wished to disrupt our ceremony, and not cause actual harm. When it was clear to them that they were not welcome, they left us alone. I was relieved, for I am unsure if we would have been victorious in battle against them. Still, I would not have hesitated to lay my life down to protect my family and the one wishing to join us. If that was to be the end of my life... then I would have fallen knowing that I had done so selflessly and with honor, and that my spirit would return to live with the Earth Mother, and my ancestors.

Honoring the Flames

Yesterday evening I spent much time in Orgrimmar, listening to the Midsummer tale weaver's stories of Midsummers past. His tales gave to me a better understanding of this celebration, and inspired me to honor the flames this year. I was also moved to snuff the bonfires lit by those deemed enemy of the Horde, upon hearing tales of atrocities committed by them during this festival.

I returned to the Ravine to gather my armor and prepare, asking one of the Wind Riders in the service of the tribe if it would not mind helping me in this task. While reluctant due to my weight, he agreed to help me in this task, and we set out for Orgrimmar. I called out to the tribe on my talisman to share my intentions, and Nystia, Caelyssa, Siuliaruin, and an initiate I had not met before, named Alexir, responded to my call. We gathered at the zeppelin tower and began to plan our route through the Eastern Kingdoms, beginning in Strangled Thorns Vale and travelling north.

Our travels were safe until we reached Goldshire, where we were ambushed by a group intent on protecting their bonfire. I attempted to fend off the attackers to the best of my ability, but we were overwhelmed. I am not sure of what happened to the others, but for a time I was knocked unconscious and left for dead. I came to my senses near Siuliaruin, and the others eventually found us. My head ached, but I thought little of it and pressed on... this would come back to me later in dwarven land. I became dizzy and unable to stand. Nystia offered to take me home, and Siuliaruin created a portal to Thunder Bluff for me.

I slept at an inn in Thunder Bluff on Pipiltin's recommendation, and awoke with no ails. I pray that the others are safe and in good health, and wonder if they had decided to press on without me. I believe I am feeling well enough to continue our quest tomorrow night, but I must prepare. I will tell the tribe of this tonight at our circle.

Midsummer Celebration

Last night the Burning Tusks gathered to celebrate midsummer, the time of the year when An'she's light has reached the height of its power, and when his light begins to yield to Mu'sha's. It is as much a time of celebration as it is a time of mourning, and like Noblegarden it is a celebration of life.

Siuliaruin hosted the tribe's celebration, and required that we wear as little as possible, or no clothing at all. We were brought to a forest with a lake and "faerie dragons", a type of creature I had never seen before. We were all given a circlet made from the leaves and sticks of the trees around us, and then we were brought to the lake. Siuliaruin told us to consider our bad memories, and to let the water take them away in its ebb and flow.

I thought of everything that had happened to me and Ferak over the past weeks... the nightmares, the whispers, the ritual... and fell into the lake. The water was refreshing, and I felt as if the weight of these painful memories was indeed cleansed from my heart. The others seemed to have felt the same way. I saw Ura and Pipiltin chasing one another playfully. Gren'mazi gave the tribe an interesting show of fire on the water's surface. Even Mukwa attempted to enjoy the swimming despite feeling tired, and later I would see that his spirits had been lifted greatly.

We bore witness to a rare and beautiful sight on returning to the forest: the faerie dragons had decided to bless our celebration. They gathered around the ring of mushrooms we had intended to enter and bathed it in a glowing light of many colors. I was struck with awe at this sight, and Siuliaruin noted that to see such a thing was very rare. We proceeded then to light a bonfire, feast, and dance. There were stories to be told, unfortunately I was too tired to join them to listen, or share. I excused myself and thanked Siuliaruin for bringing us to this place before dressing myself and returning home.

As the seasons change and An'she's light begins to dim again, I am reminded of the passing of time, of the families I have been a part of since I left my birth tribe, and of those I speak with or fight alongside. Faces, spirits, and the desires of those I know have and always will change, but one thing is absolute: I will do all I can to protect and aid those I know and love.

Until ash.