Tamashi couldn't keep still. Her well-traveled relative, the druid Bookh, was coming home to Bloodhoof for a family visit. Greatmother Windstar was determined that such an illustrious visitor should have a proper welcome. Tamashi was taking a day off from her training as a paladin to help get everything ready. Ever since the messenger had arrived telling of the upcoming visitor, the whole clan had been aflutter.
I wonder what cousin Bookh will think of my decision to become a Sunwalker? Tamashi pondered, as she pounded the last particle of dust from wall hangings. None of the Windstar clan had ever followed the path she now trod as a paladin. Druids, hunters, even shaman aplenty graced the clan's heritage. Bookh himself was unusual, however, in the wide amount of traveling he had done, so Tamashi thought he might be understanding of her choice.
She tweaked the last hanging back into place, and looked around the lodge with a satisfied smile. Fresh fruits filled a bowl to overflowing. A haunch of kodo sizzled over the cooking fire. She brushed off her tunic, making sure no stray dust clung to it, and straightened the brown cape that marked her as a Browncoat. She was proud to be a member of the same group as her famous cousin, and hoped to make him proud as well.
The soft sound of a throat being cleared made her turn around. A female troll stood in the doorway, and for a brief moment, Tamashi thought it was her friend Lith'atal. But, although she could tell the Troll was a druid by the markings on her armor, it was clear she was an older female. Her eyes twinkled good-naturedly, and she winked at Tamashi when she paused in recognition of the Browncoats cloak.
“Who is it?” Greatmother Windstar called from the next room.
Before she could answer, Tamashi's uncle peered around the corner. When he saw the Troll, he snorted disgustedly and said to Tamashi, “Tell the creature we don't want her kind here,” as he turned around and left.
“Uncle!” Tamashi cried, scandalized, but the Troll simply chuckled. Tamashi, flushed in embarrassment, politely motioned the Troll to enter and seat herself by the fire.
“Uncle Arlo has always been a bit closed-minded” the Troll said, as she settled down cross-legged on the rug. Tamashi, at a loss for words, moved to pour a cup of the tea brewing over the fire. Whoever this guest was, she seemed totally at ease and confident in Tauren tradition. Perhaps this is a friend of Lith's father? Tamashi wondered as she shyly handed the tea to the guest. How did she know Uncle Arlo's name, though? Tamashi hoped this unexpected visitor would not stay long. She was eager to meet her cousin Bookh, and didn't want to be distracted having to be hospitable to a stranger.
A gasp came from the inner doorway as Greatmother Windstar entered the room. The Troll rose, and made a respectful bow to the elder. Tamashi stood silently as the gazes of the elder and the Troll locked. Volumes of communication seemed to pass between them, and then both sighed – the troll in apparent relief, and the elder in...regret?
Surprisingly, the Greatmother opened her arms and enfolded the Troll in a warm, long hug. Tamashi was stunned. Her clan was usually accepting of other races, with some exceptions, like her Uncle Arlo, but this kind of open affection was unheard of.
“Oh my child, my child, you are traveling an unexpected road,” Greatmother said sadly. “You will have many challenges you never could imagine, but will also do more good than you ever dreamed.”
The Troll gently kissed the cheek of the Greatmother, in what was a familiar gesture for a Tauren, but seemed odd for a Troll.
“I knew of anyone in the clan, you would understand, dear Greatmother,” the Troll smiled broadly as she settled to the rugs in a place of honor next to the Greatmother's own place.
“Come Tamashi, greet your Cousin Bookh properly,” Greatmother Windstar's eyes twinkled as Tamashi's mouth fell open in surprise.
I wonder what cousin Bookh will think of my decision to become a Sunwalker? Tamashi pondered, as she pounded the last particle of dust from wall hangings. None of the Windstar clan had ever followed the path she now trod as a paladin. Druids, hunters, even shaman aplenty graced the clan's heritage. Bookh himself was unusual, however, in the wide amount of traveling he had done, so Tamashi thought he might be understanding of her choice.
She tweaked the last hanging back into place, and looked around the lodge with a satisfied smile. Fresh fruits filled a bowl to overflowing. A haunch of kodo sizzled over the cooking fire. She brushed off her tunic, making sure no stray dust clung to it, and straightened the brown cape that marked her as a Browncoat. She was proud to be a member of the same group as her famous cousin, and hoped to make him proud as well.
The soft sound of a throat being cleared made her turn around. A female troll stood in the doorway, and for a brief moment, Tamashi thought it was her friend Lith'atal. But, although she could tell the Troll was a druid by the markings on her armor, it was clear she was an older female. Her eyes twinkled good-naturedly, and she winked at Tamashi when she paused in recognition of the Browncoats cloak.
“Who is it?” Greatmother Windstar called from the next room.
Before she could answer, Tamashi's uncle peered around the corner. When he saw the Troll, he snorted disgustedly and said to Tamashi, “Tell the creature we don't want her kind here,” as he turned around and left.
“Uncle!” Tamashi cried, scandalized, but the Troll simply chuckled. Tamashi, flushed in embarrassment, politely motioned the Troll to enter and seat herself by the fire.
“Uncle Arlo has always been a bit closed-minded” the Troll said, as she settled down cross-legged on the rug. Tamashi, at a loss for words, moved to pour a cup of the tea brewing over the fire. Whoever this guest was, she seemed totally at ease and confident in Tauren tradition. Perhaps this is a friend of Lith's father? Tamashi wondered as she shyly handed the tea to the guest. How did she know Uncle Arlo's name, though? Tamashi hoped this unexpected visitor would not stay long. She was eager to meet her cousin Bookh, and didn't want to be distracted having to be hospitable to a stranger.
A gasp came from the inner doorway as Greatmother Windstar entered the room. The Troll rose, and made a respectful bow to the elder. Tamashi stood silently as the gazes of the elder and the Troll locked. Volumes of communication seemed to pass between them, and then both sighed – the troll in apparent relief, and the elder in...regret?
Surprisingly, the Greatmother opened her arms and enfolded the Troll in a warm, long hug. Tamashi was stunned. Her clan was usually accepting of other races, with some exceptions, like her Uncle Arlo, but this kind of open affection was unheard of.
“Oh my child, my child, you are traveling an unexpected road,” Greatmother said sadly. “You will have many challenges you never could imagine, but will also do more good than you ever dreamed.”
The Troll gently kissed the cheek of the Greatmother, in what was a familiar gesture for a Tauren, but seemed odd for a Troll.
“I knew of anyone in the clan, you would understand, dear Greatmother,” the Troll smiled broadly as she settled to the rugs in a place of honor next to the Greatmother's own place.
“Come Tamashi, greet your Cousin Bookh properly,” Greatmother Windstar's eyes twinkled as Tamashi's mouth fell open in surprise.
I love this story. Arlo was incensed enough to have one living in town, when I brought Lith home. I can only imagine his anger to have one in the family.
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