You think its gone, then it comes back. Found a quiet little spot in Dalaran* for a drink after my shift. Damn my ankles were red raw. I need new boots, these ones are rusted and dented and have totally shredded me today. Enjoying an ale and a chat with an elf I’ve recently got acquainted with was both enjoyable and difficult. I find the elves to be decent creatures, and this woman is a fine example of a good fighter. But she has a subtle glint in her eye that I do not trust. She challenged me to an arm wrestle. She cheated. I try to save that behaviour for the Horde*. I’m not a proud person, nor am I surprised by much. But I know what I trust and what I don’t.
Then, Felian Lightfire. Of all the people. Felian bloody Lightfire.
“No no I hardly knew your wife mate.”
Damn, I hate the sound of my own lies.
“No no I don’t know why she disappeared from my guild.”
How can I even comment that other people are untrustworthy?
“No no I wouldn’t try to tempt your wife away from you or try to kiss her, or anything unnatural like that.”
Adal, I’m a proud Draenei warrior with a dirty little soul. Shit.
A lot has happened, and I haven’t been bothered to write. I don’t remember it all and I can’t be arsed to recount it. Travelling around this fermented rock, selling animals like a trader, when I know nothing about selling. Markets, bazaars, stables, useless trekking. Drinking the little I’ve made, trying to work on repairing my battle armour and parade armour and all those other tasks which used to have meaning, but now are just expensive waste.
I came back to Stormwind to visit Adella’s grave. I haven’t been to see her ever before. I promised myself I wouldn’t. It’s a modest stone paid for by father, but never even seen by him, in a grassy clearing in a Forest called Elwynn. Whatever happens in the future, this stone means we’ll never forget this planet, we’ll never really leave it. I sat and stared at the ground, imagining the two hooves and the collection of jelly-like chunks of flesh that I know are slowly decomposing in there. Maybe its not even her, maybe she’s still out there. That’s Khryssa talking though, she says words like that and I tell her to shut up and get a grip. I shouted at her on the day they erected the stone, what a ridiculous day that was. I don’t feel connected to that heap of gore in there, what does burying it even mean? Why am I writing about this?
The rest of the piece of parchment contains notes for a letter in Common language. Some phrases are written repeatedly, some crossed out, some spelt wrong and then corrected*
DEAR GREAY Grey -
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I am writing to apply for There is a potision I have wread read your flyer
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concerning the
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Please accept this as a formal fornmal formal application Contacts:
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Ironforge address
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Name, rank, number, conditions of service, payment, own equipment available for use
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own transport
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signed, Roxannah Au’Doix
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Dear Commander Grey
Elwynn Forest, Eastern Kingdoms, Azeroth
by Fundeath
Spent the early morning nursing a moonberry* juice - yes, there was nothing else available. Rummaged through my pack to see if there was any of the silverleaf left. Just a few leaves left in the wrapper.
The wrapper. A crumpled flyer printed in dark ink. Big letters, “The White Hunt”.
Auberdine, by Acthekawaii
One Talbuk sold. At last a little gold in my pocket. I say a little, he went for a lot more than I was expecting. On the back of this positive feeling I went to the little tavern on the docks. They had no whiskey. No ale either.
Caught a small group of people smoking some silverleaf* on the beach under the pier and persuaded them to sell me some. Spent the day comatose on the beach. This is a new low.
This piece of parchment is a flyer of sorts – a small advertisement produced by The White Hunt.
Each day we wait, the horde gathers strength. Are you prepared?
If you haven’t supported us, it is very unlikely you are. Do not be amongst the burned, limbless corpses buried beneath smoldering wood when the war begins. It is coming. And the Alliance leaders would have you wait until it is too late to stop it.
But there is hope!
The White Hunt is here. It fights for you, lives so that you will not die. Many already support us, and they do so for the children. Can you dare think to live in a world where the savages still threaten your loved ones? Ensure that won’t happen. For the Alliance, for the Light’s justice, join us! We are waiting, but we cannot wait forever. The horde surely won’t.
Commander Grey, The White Hunt
Back on the boat, now with the 5 Talbuk in tow. I’ve chosen to head for Azuremyst Isle as I suppose the most fertile market for them will be among my own people. Lets face it, when a dwarf or a gnome gets up on one of these they look like a cherry on top of a giant cake. I’ll pass by the markets of Auberdine and Ashenvale also. I quite like the elves, I’ve now decided. I used to think they were a bit namby pamby, but a few months back I heard this old elf talking about some wars they had in their past. I think they have more backbone that I previously gave them credit for. They did serve me some god-awful food though - it was like, vegetables. I mean, fair enough, dress a nice side of Boar with a few leaves, or even a root or two, but… just vegetables? I’ve purchased a few bags of jerky just in case.
*a few sentences have been started and scribbled out again with angry, scratchy lines which indent the paper*
I couldn’t find the boys from the regiment to thank them for their service.
