Bookh lounged in the water with her eyes closed, soaking in the hot mineral pool on the outskirts of Shattrath. The steamy water was soothing her aching muscles, but it could not soothe her frustration with her recent archeological pursuits. She had been inspired to try her hand at the new fad of archeology by several of her friends who had found valuable items. Unfortunately, most of the things Bookh had found so far were useless to her. Sure, the pet was cute, and the mount was nice, if a bit bony for long distance riding, but so far, she'd found none of the marvelous items of power she'd heard of others finding. Probably the only thing of value she had found was an ancient shaman's helm, but it held no interest to her. "I be wasting my time grubbin in da dirt like a bloody dwarf," she thought, annoyed.
Suddenly a soft sound caught her attention, and she opened her eyes to see a female draenei holding the helm and staring intently at it.
“Hey dere!” Bookh shouted, half rising from the water.
The draenei started, nearly dropping the helm, but she placed it carefully down on the pile of Bookh's belongings and backed away slowly. “No harm, no harm” she babbled in broken Orcish, and stopped, poised as if to flee.
Bookh eyed the youngster, and her rather ragged looking gear, and switched to Common. “Whatcha be doin lookin at my stuff, blue girl?”
The young draenai's gaze returned almost involuntarily to the helm while Bookh spoke, the longing in her eyes almost palpable, then she replied, her voice trembling.
“I meant no harm, Honored One. I felt the call of the spirits in your helm. It is an item of great elemental power. I am but a young shaman, but I sensed it strongly and it drew me here. I am a healer, you see, and I currently am helping at the orphanage in Shattrath. My name is Shaa'nar Ba'rishti - Blue Sun” she bowed respectfully to Bookh.
Bookh smiled, “I be a healer too, little Blue.” She paused a long moment, thinking. “I don't know all dat much about how da shaman types do yer healing. Would dis helm be of help to ya?”
Blue shook her head sadly. "As much as I would wish it, this helm would be more suited to more offensive spells. I dabble with them on occasion, but my heart is for healing."
Bookh looked consideringly at the young would-be healer, then nodded slowly.
“I need ya to do somethin for me, little Blue.” Blue nodded emphatically, glancing at the helm again, then back at Bookh.
"Of course, Great Lady," Blue replied, bowing respectfully.
Bookh chuckled, a smile on her face. “My name is Bookh, little Blue. I need you to guard my belongings for a few minutes.”
“Of course, Honored One…ah, Bookh.” Blue smiled tentatively as Bookh turned to go.
Bookh shifted to her flight form and darted towards the center of Shattrath, to Blue's utter amazement. Blue spent the next little while in rapturous contemplation of the helm, glancing up every now and then to look for Bookh's return.
After a fairly short time, Bookh returned, a carrying a good-sized bundle. She placed it into Blue's arms, and chuckled at the stunned look on the shaman's face.
"Well open it, will ya?" Bookh prompted with a grin.
With trembling fingers, Blue unwrapped the package, to find a helm, shoulders, cape and chest armor perfectly suited for a healing shaman, fairly crackling with elemental power.
"These….are for me?" Blue asked, astonished. "But surely they are too valuable…" she dropped to one knee, still clinging to the gear as if to a lifeline, tears of joy beginning to form in her eyes.
"LIFE is valuable, little Blue" Bookh said quietly, but intensely. "I got a lotta respect for da Earthen Ring, and anyone who is as drawn to healing as you should have every help ya can get. Besides, I been diggin up so much trash lately, twas nice to do a bit of shoppin for someone who needed it."
"But….but….our peoples are enemies," Blue stammered, still clutching tightly to the precious bundle.
Bookh snorted softly. "I don't hold with blaming a whole people for da actions of a few hotheads. All races have good and bad folks in em, and not any one of em is better or worse." She paused for a moment, then her grin widened. "Matter of fact, I have a good friend, a Tauren, whose mate is Draenai like yerself."
Blue's eyes grew wide, "Truly? That is something i never would have imagined."
Bookh chuckled, " I don't tink Mato really expected it either, but dey do well together. In any case, use dese in good health" Bookh winked at the young healer.
Blue rose slowly, and somehow managed to bow deeply without dropping her precious burden. "I will never forget this, Honored Bookh. I will do my best to touch many lives with this healing power." She bowed again, and turned to go.
"One moment," Bookh interrupted, rummaging through her pile of belongings and remnants of her archeological explorations. "Do you tink ya could use dese too?" and held up a set of oddly shaped wind chimes.
Both of them began to giggle…
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
'Family' Reunion
Bookh grumbled as she viewed the trampled grass in the Moonglade meadow. The Lunar Festival was over now, and the normal peaceful atmosphere had returned to the druid enclave. She hated the crowds that always invaded Moonglade during this festive season, and tried to avoid errands that would force her to endure the presence of so many strangers in what she had always considered a refuge from the outside world.
'Night elves are too welcoming for their own good sometimes,' she thought wryly. Why, she’d heard they’d even given over part of their capital city to a ragged band of refugees from Gilneas. She snorted softly as she thought of the Worgen. If the elders of the Cenarion Circle were apoplectic about the revelation of Troll Druids, she wondered how their reaction to the Worgen Druids had been.
Bookh’s reverie was interrupted by a quiet, slightly gruff voice.
“Excuse me, Lady. May I ask a question?”
She turned to see a Worgen, bowing respectfully to her. She frowned a bit in concentration, her gaze passing over the white streak in the younger Druid’s fur. There was something vaguely familiar…she shook herself and replied to the patiently waiting youngster.
“Do I know ya?”
“I am afraid not Lady. I have never seen a Troll Druid before. You are quite…intimidating.”
Bookh threw back her head and laughed heartily."Then ya must be a brave one to face one as terrifyin' as me.” Bookh mimicked a fierce growl, then laughed again and motioned the Worgen to come sit beside her.
“I never met a Worgen either, “ Bookh grinned as she looked at the feral form seated beside her. “Ya seem pretty fierce yerself.”
“Perhaps this will be less intimidating” the Worgen winked at Bookh with a twinkle in her eye, shimmered and reformed as a red-haired human female, still with that distinctive white stripe in her hair.
Bookh chuckled and nodded. “Ah, much better. I ‘ll not be tempted to flee in terror now.” She smiled at the younger Druid and asked politely, “So, what brings ya to Moonglade? Ya’ve missed the Lunar Festival, ya know.”
The younger Druid shuddered delicately. “I do not care for such crowds, for all their celebration. It is too hard on the surroundings.” She looked mournfully at the trampled grass in the meadow before her.
Bookh nodded in agreement
“So many memories,” the young druid murmured as she looked around, a wistful look on her face.
“Ah, so ye’ve been here before?” Bookh said, curiously.
The younger druid nodded.
“Aye, although my people were forbidden to leave Gilneas before the invasion, my desire for learning the druidic path was so great that my elders reluctantly allowed it, but only if I were sworn to secrecy.”
Bookh looked a bit puzzled, but waited patiently for her to continue
“I was sworn to secrecy, and heavily enchanted with enchantments that disguised me as a Night Elf. No one ever knew, not even my dear foster brother.” She chuckled wryly.
“I know he got frustrated with me at times, because those very enchantments caused me no little difficulty in spellcasting, specifically healing spells.” She sighed again. “It has been so long since I’ve seen him. I came here to try and find him, as we had lost touch. I want to show him how far I’ve come.”
“I know he got frustrated with me at times, because those very enchantments caused me no little difficulty in spellcasting, specifically healing spells.” She sighed again. “It has been so long since I’ve seen him. I came here to try and find him, as we had lost touch. I want to show him how far I’ve come.”
A dawning realization swept over Bookh as she stared again at the white streak in the worgen’s hair. “Kit? Little Sister?”
Kit leapt up and took a step backward. “How do you know me? I have never met you before. Besides, no one has ever called me “Little Sister but….” Kit broke off as Bookh nodded slowly. “But…but….how?”
“You’d best sit down Little One, this is quite a tale,” Bookh chuckled and patted the log they had been sitting on. She quickly related the tale of her recent experiences, and the changes they had wrought. Kit sat there, dumbfounded for a moment, then moved to hug Bookh.
“Dear one, it seems the face of the world is not all that has changed. I am just glad to have finally found you again.” Bookh smiled and returned the hug.
“I want to hear all about yer adventures since we last met, Little Sister. Come to my place and we can…oh” Bookh paused a moment, a blush coloring her cheeks.
“What’s wrong?” Kit asked, concerned.
“Nothing wrong, just another…change,” Bookh paused a moment. “Ya see, I don’t live in Bloodhoof anymore. Remember my old friend Derrial? Well, we..ah….” her words stumbled to a stop and she blushed even more.
Kit threw her head back and laughed merrily. “Ah, I want to hear EVERYTHING!” she giggled and hugged her dear friend.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
A New Twist
The loud knock was followed by the sound of his door being thrown open. "Old Troll, ya in there?"
Derrial chuckled under his breath, and then shouted, "Come on in Old Bull, no need ta break da door down, I'm in da garden"
Once the initial awkwardness of Bookh's change had sunk in, the two had fallen back into their close camaraderie, even to the use of their nicknames for each other. If they were in public, folks looked at them rather oddly when Derrial called an attractive female Troll "Old Bull" but the glint in her eye precluded any questions.
There was such a glint in her eye now. Derrial closed his mouth on the comment he had been about to make about where he should hide the bodies. His survival skills were intact, and he knew better than to irritate Bookh further with that look on her face. He put down the garden tools he had been working with and moved to grab a flagon of Darkmoon Special Reserve off the shelf as she flopped down in her favorite chair. He poured a couple of glasses, handed her one, and blinked as she tossed it down without flinching.
Sipping the potent brew carefully, he looked at Bookh. "Either dat was not da Special Reserve dey sold me, or sumptin' not so comfy is on ya mind."
She held out her glass wordlessly for him to refill it, and drank that one in a single gulp as well. Setting the glass down on the worktable with a sigh, she turned to Derrial and met his curious gaze.
"Do ya remember me talkin about my old flame Bow?" Bookh's face showed a mixture of anger, upset and something else.
Derrial answered slowly, "Uh… Ya?"
"I ran inta her today in Orgrimmar." Bookh paused, a look of distress creasing her brow.
"Well, it is no uncommon thing for two ladies or two guys ta truly love each other. If ya feel sumptin' for her, don't be denying it ta yerself."
Bookh snorted. "Certainly not, Old Troll. Dat part of our relationship died long ago. But what I found out today was…so had she."
Derrial squinted in confusion. "I think I missed a few words dere."
"She was killed early in the Northrend campaign, and she's a 'death knight' now." Bookh enunciated the words with distaste, almost making a curse out of them. Looking at the confused look on Derrial's face, Bookh tried to explain.
"I know as a priest yer comfortable with both shadow and light, but da death knight is a perversion of life, not its opposite. Life and its cycles are sacred to da Earth Mother, da Night Elves' Elune and even as I've begun to learn about da Loa of da Trolls, dere is a passing beyond, yet still a connection to da cycle. Da death knight bypasses all dat - steps outside of da cycles of life, death and rebirth, as it were - and to a druid it's an….abomination!" Bookh's words grew more and more emphatic as she continued to speak, and the fierce look on her face made Derrial want to take a step backwards.
"Da death knights were created by, and fought on da side of Arthas." Bookh shuddered slightly in memory of the prolonged fighting in Icecrown Citadel. "Dere were a faction of them dat broke away, however, and fought against da Lich King, and Bow was one of dem. But dat still doesn't change…" Bookh's voice broke off and her head lowered for a moment. When she raised her head, her eyes were shiny with unshed tears.
"We were children together," she said brokenly. "We grew up in Bloodhoof, played on da plains of Mulgore. Fel, she was my first case of puppy love. And now…she's a THING!" Bookh bowed her head again, and her tears began to flow.
Derrial's eyes widened in surprise. He'd never seen Bookh cry before or look so fragile. Without thinking about it, he went to her and gently pulled her into a hug, softly stroking her head and whispering soothing sounds.
Bookh gave a long shuddering sigh as she calmed, relaxing comfortably into his arms. After a time, she looked up at him, face still wet from her tears.
Derrial reached to wipe her tears away, hesitated, and then completed his action.
"So, Old Troll, where ya been hidin' dis sensitive side of yers?" she said, with a faint smile.
"Um… Well, I …" He smiled at his own fumbling words as her smile brightened slightly. "Oh, it's always been dere. It just takes a special lady ta bring it out."
She looked at him, the look on her face fleeting from surprise to pondering to smiling. Emboldened by her smile, Derrial leaned in and gave her a tender kiss.
"Well, dis is certainly a new development," she murmured.
"Shut up, Old Bull," Derrial whispered and then kissed her again.
Derrial chuckled under his breath, and then shouted, "Come on in Old Bull, no need ta break da door down, I'm in da garden"
Once the initial awkwardness of Bookh's change had sunk in, the two had fallen back into their close camaraderie, even to the use of their nicknames for each other. If they were in public, folks looked at them rather oddly when Derrial called an attractive female Troll "Old Bull" but the glint in her eye precluded any questions.
There was such a glint in her eye now. Derrial closed his mouth on the comment he had been about to make about where he should hide the bodies. His survival skills were intact, and he knew better than to irritate Bookh further with that look on her face. He put down the garden tools he had been working with and moved to grab a flagon of Darkmoon Special Reserve off the shelf as she flopped down in her favorite chair. He poured a couple of glasses, handed her one, and blinked as she tossed it down without flinching.
Sipping the potent brew carefully, he looked at Bookh. "Either dat was not da Special Reserve dey sold me, or sumptin' not so comfy is on ya mind."
She held out her glass wordlessly for him to refill it, and drank that one in a single gulp as well. Setting the glass down on the worktable with a sigh, she turned to Derrial and met his curious gaze.
"Do ya remember me talkin about my old flame Bow?" Bookh's face showed a mixture of anger, upset and something else.
Derrial answered slowly, "Uh… Ya?"
"I ran inta her today in Orgrimmar." Bookh paused, a look of distress creasing her brow.
"Well, it is no uncommon thing for two ladies or two guys ta truly love each other. If ya feel sumptin' for her, don't be denying it ta yerself."
Bookh snorted. "Certainly not, Old Troll. Dat part of our relationship died long ago. But what I found out today was…so had she."
Derrial squinted in confusion. "I think I missed a few words dere."
"She was killed early in the Northrend campaign, and she's a 'death knight' now." Bookh enunciated the words with distaste, almost making a curse out of them. Looking at the confused look on Derrial's face, Bookh tried to explain.
"I know as a priest yer comfortable with both shadow and light, but da death knight is a perversion of life, not its opposite. Life and its cycles are sacred to da Earth Mother, da Night Elves' Elune and even as I've begun to learn about da Loa of da Trolls, dere is a passing beyond, yet still a connection to da cycle. Da death knight bypasses all dat - steps outside of da cycles of life, death and rebirth, as it were - and to a druid it's an….abomination!" Bookh's words grew more and more emphatic as she continued to speak, and the fierce look on her face made Derrial want to take a step backwards.
"Da death knights were created by, and fought on da side of Arthas." Bookh shuddered slightly in memory of the prolonged fighting in Icecrown Citadel. "Dere were a faction of them dat broke away, however, and fought against da Lich King, and Bow was one of dem. But dat still doesn't change…" Bookh's voice broke off and her head lowered for a moment. When she raised her head, her eyes were shiny with unshed tears.
"We were children together," she said brokenly. "We grew up in Bloodhoof, played on da plains of Mulgore. Fel, she was my first case of puppy love. And now…she's a THING!" Bookh bowed her head again, and her tears began to flow.
Derrial's eyes widened in surprise. He'd never seen Bookh cry before or look so fragile. Without thinking about it, he went to her and gently pulled her into a hug, softly stroking her head and whispering soothing sounds.
Bookh gave a long shuddering sigh as she calmed, relaxing comfortably into his arms. After a time, she looked up at him, face still wet from her tears.
Derrial reached to wipe her tears away, hesitated, and then completed his action.
"So, Old Troll, where ya been hidin' dis sensitive side of yers?" she said, with a faint smile.
"Um… Well, I …" He smiled at his own fumbling words as her smile brightened slightly. "Oh, it's always been dere. It just takes a special lady ta bring it out."
She looked at him, the look on her face fleeting from surprise to pondering to smiling. Emboldened by her smile, Derrial leaned in and gave her a tender kiss.
"Well, dis is certainly a new development," she murmured.
"Shut up, Old Bull," Derrial whispered and then kissed her again.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Old Friends
Derrial looked up from his alchemical experimenting with a grumble as a knock sounded on the doorsill of his Sen'Jin dwelling. The stock of herbs he had gathered in Northrend was proving inadequate to the needs of the Browncoats in their adventures in Mt. Hyjal and other areas affected by the Cataclysm. Working with the new herb, Cinderbloom, was annoying, since it had a distressing habit of bursting into flame at precisely the wrong moment. However, several singed fingers later, he was just beginning to find some workable elixirs and potions. But he really hated interruptions when he was working, so he stomped over to the door and flung it open.
Standing in the doorway was a female troll, grinning at him. A very small portion of his mind noted the Browncoats cloak, but most of his attention was on his appreciative appraisal of his visitor's form.
"Well now, dis be a pleasant surprise!" Derrial grinned back at her, and politely motioned her to enter. "To what do I owe de honor of dis visit?"
"Just checking in with ya, Old Troll" his guest replied, settling herself comfortably in an armchair near the work area, putting her feet up on the edge of the worktable.
Derrial was taken aback for a moment, both by the greeting and by the familiar way she'd just made herself at home, as if she knew the place. He and his friend Bookh had always called one another "Old Troll" and "Old Bull" - come to think of it, he'd not seen Bookh for some time - but no, he shook his head, that wasn't possible… although, that WAS Bookh's favorite chair when he came to visit…
"Ya hadn't heard the news then, I take it," his guest said with a giggle. Derrial shook his head, perplexed.
"Let me see if this jogs yer memory. 15 seasons ago, just south-west of Crossroads, remember that little grove of trees right by the water…." the female troll's eyes twinkled mischievously as she paused.
Derrial's mouth fell open in astonishment. He knew his friend would never have told anyone else about that…situation…that Bookh had extricated him from. "By all de ancestors, BOOKH!" Derrial gasped. "What happened to ya? Not that I don't appreciate da changes, o'course, but…seriously." His confused questions were drowned out by Bookh's uproarious laughter.
"Pull up a chair, Old Troll, and break out a flask o' something strong - dis is gonna be quite a tale," Bookh paused for a moment, "and I guess ya won't be callin me 'Old Bull' anymore."
The stunned look on Derrial's face brought a fresh outbreak of giggles from Bookh. This was gonna be interesting…
Standing in the doorway was a female troll, grinning at him. A very small portion of his mind noted the Browncoats cloak, but most of his attention was on his appreciative appraisal of his visitor's form.
"Well now, dis be a pleasant surprise!" Derrial grinned back at her, and politely motioned her to enter. "To what do I owe de honor of dis visit?"
"Just checking in with ya, Old Troll" his guest replied, settling herself comfortably in an armchair near the work area, putting her feet up on the edge of the worktable.
Derrial was taken aback for a moment, both by the greeting and by the familiar way she'd just made herself at home, as if she knew the place. He and his friend Bookh had always called one another "Old Troll" and "Old Bull" - come to think of it, he'd not seen Bookh for some time - but no, he shook his head, that wasn't possible… although, that WAS Bookh's favorite chair when he came to visit…
"Ya hadn't heard the news then, I take it," his guest said with a giggle. Derrial shook his head, perplexed.
"Let me see if this jogs yer memory. 15 seasons ago, just south-west of Crossroads, remember that little grove of trees right by the water…." the female troll's eyes twinkled mischievously as she paused.
Derrial's mouth fell open in astonishment. He knew his friend would never have told anyone else about that…situation…that Bookh had extricated him from. "By all de ancestors, BOOKH!" Derrial gasped. "What happened to ya? Not that I don't appreciate da changes, o'course, but…seriously." His confused questions were drowned out by Bookh's uproarious laughter.
"Pull up a chair, Old Troll, and break out a flask o' something strong - dis is gonna be quite a tale," Bookh paused for a moment, "and I guess ya won't be callin me 'Old Bull' anymore."
The stunned look on Derrial's face brought a fresh outbreak of giggles from Bookh. This was gonna be interesting…
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
A Family Visit
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.
New Troll Here (Part 3)
The first thing that could be sensed was light - soft, greenish light. Not the sickly green of the fel-cursed Scourge plague, but the green of newly growing plants. Then a gentle warmth suffusing Bookh's body, soothing away the burning pain of mortal wounds. Was this some new unexplored facet of the Emerald Dream? Bookh wondered, pondering this unexpected aspect of the afterlife.
Or was it the afterlife? The sounds slowly becoming audible to Bookh's ears seemed depressingly familiar. Screams, shouts and muffled explosions of the elemental attack on Thunder Bluff continued unabated, though sounding oddly different.
How in the world did I survive that? Bookh wondered, cautiously gathering strength, and beginning to stir. Bookh's limbs didn't seem to be responding quite correctly - everything felt strange.
"Don't move too quickly, mon...I mean... FEL!" Ka'puna sounded distraught, and Bookh felt the gentle restraint of hands on shoulders. Ah, that explains it, Bookh thought. Ka'puna must have found a healer from the Browncoats to come and pull Bookh from the very jaws of death. It was certainly well beyond her capability to cast a proper healing spell.
Bookh's eyes opened, blinking, finding focusing a chore - especially since Ka'puna's face was filling Bookh's vision. They were virtually nose to nose. Bookh lifted a hand to gently push Ka'puna away, but froze, mid-motion. Where there should have been a large, Tauren hand was now a much smaller three-fingered one. Ka'puna sat back, eyes wide, and shaking as she stared at her teacher.
"Whaa...?" Instead of the normal baritone, a mellow alto voice came out of Bookh's mouth. Bookh turned a penetrating stare on Ka'puna, who shrank back into the corner.
"I couldn't find any of da Browncoats, mon...uh...Bookh," Ka'puna looked crestfallen. "After I dragged ya in here, I tried, I really did try to find 'em, but everyone be busy with dese elementals." She cleared her throat nervously as Bookh's silent scrutiny urged her to continue. "Well, I remembered what ye be tellin me 'bout healin, how healthy bodies be in proper balance with nature and all. But then ya stopped breathin, so I tried to bring ya back into balance. And, well, I kinda used myself as a model of healthy balance..." Ka'puna trailed off again, waiting for this to sink in.
Bookh's eyes closed in a silent prayer for patience to the Earth Mother. Opening them again after a long moment, Bookh began a brief self-examination. Hands: three-fingers, much smaller than before. Feet: In place of hooves, three broad toes. And where did my lovely tail go? Bookh thought with a sigh. Streching, hmm, body feels a bit stiff, but not bad, certainly healed up, but not quite...right.
Then Bookh placed a hand on a chest was that no longer wounded, but also decidedly feminine.
"Oh my!" Bookh winced slightly as her new voice grated on her ears. She turned and looked at Ka'puna, who grinned tentatively back at her.
"What is da Cap'n gonna say to dis?" Bookh wondered out loud...
Or was it the afterlife? The sounds slowly becoming audible to Bookh's ears seemed depressingly familiar. Screams, shouts and muffled explosions of the elemental attack on Thunder Bluff continued unabated, though sounding oddly different.
How in the world did I survive that? Bookh wondered, cautiously gathering strength, and beginning to stir. Bookh's limbs didn't seem to be responding quite correctly - everything felt strange.
"Don't move too quickly, mon...I mean... FEL!" Ka'puna sounded distraught, and Bookh felt the gentle restraint of hands on shoulders. Ah, that explains it, Bookh thought. Ka'puna must have found a healer from the Browncoats to come and pull Bookh from the very jaws of death. It was certainly well beyond her capability to cast a proper healing spell.
Bookh's eyes opened, blinking, finding focusing a chore - especially since Ka'puna's face was filling Bookh's vision. They were virtually nose to nose. Bookh lifted a hand to gently push Ka'puna away, but froze, mid-motion. Where there should have been a large, Tauren hand was now a much smaller three-fingered one. Ka'puna sat back, eyes wide, and shaking as she stared at her teacher.
"Whaa...?" Instead of the normal baritone, a mellow alto voice came out of Bookh's mouth. Bookh turned a penetrating stare on Ka'puna, who shrank back into the corner.
"I couldn't find any of da Browncoats, mon...uh...Bookh," Ka'puna looked crestfallen. "After I dragged ya in here, I tried, I really did try to find 'em, but everyone be busy with dese elementals." She cleared her throat nervously as Bookh's silent scrutiny urged her to continue. "Well, I remembered what ye be tellin me 'bout healin, how healthy bodies be in proper balance with nature and all. But then ya stopped breathin, so I tried to bring ya back into balance. And, well, I kinda used myself as a model of healthy balance..." Ka'puna trailed off again, waiting for this to sink in.
Bookh's eyes closed in a silent prayer for patience to the Earth Mother. Opening them again after a long moment, Bookh began a brief self-examination. Hands: three-fingers, much smaller than before. Feet: In place of hooves, three broad toes. And where did my lovely tail go? Bookh thought with a sigh. Streching, hmm, body feels a bit stiff, but not bad, certainly healed up, but not quite...right.
Then Bookh placed a hand on a chest was that no longer wounded, but also decidedly feminine.
"Oh my!" Bookh winced slightly as her new voice grated on her ears. She turned and looked at Ka'puna, who grinned tentatively back at her.
"What is da Cap'n gonna say to dis?" Bookh wondered out loud...
Going Home (Part 2)
Bookh smiled as they stood at the railing of the zeppelin, watching the lush, green plains of Mulgore unfold beneath them.
“There is my birthplace," he pointed as they flew over Bloodhoof Village. He turned to look at his student, Ka'puna. He was looking forward to showing her many of the places he'd explored in his youth. He hoped that the peacefulness of his home would have a calming effect, and help the young Troll learn more focus in her druidic studies.
"I've never been so far from da Echo Isles before" Ka'puna muttered. "Orgrimarr was awful excitin' - what about 'dis Thunder Bluff place?"
The zeppelin was just beginning to dock at Thunderbluff Mesa, and Bookh chuckled softly. "Thunder Bluff is much more peaceful of a place, little one. You will find it a quiet..."
Bookh's words trailed off as his eyes widened in amazement. The normally silent mesa top was awash with clusters of elementals and Tauren defenders locked in combat. Elemental rifts dotted the entire city, as far as Bookh could see. As they cautiously disembarked from the zeppelin, a loud rumbling behind them caused them to turn quickly. A rift had formed virtually on top of them, and earthen elementals surged towards them.
The battle was brief, but violent. The two druids stood back to back in bear form, battling the stone elementals. Swipe, maul, growl, the two of them efficiently turning the hulking rock-like creatures into sprays of pebbles. They had defeated nearly all of them with swipes of their great furred paws, when a unlucky blow from the last, dying elemental sent Bookh flying backwards, even as the elemental burst into fragments. Ka'puna let out a roar of protest and ran to her fallen teacher.
Bookh faded in and out of consciousness as Ka'puna, still in bear form, dragged his bleeding body to shelter in a nearby tent. Tears ran down the young Troll's face as she vainly attempted to staunch the bleeding, but it was no use.The wound had torn through Bookh's armor and deep into his chest. Bookh shook his head slowly and struggled to speak one last time.
"Seek out the Browncoats, little one," Bookh gasped, the blood from his ghastly wound beginning to choke his breathing. "They will....protect you."
His last fleeting thought as he slipped towards death was a prayer to the Earth Mother that Ka'puna would survive this madness...
“There is my birthplace," he pointed as they flew over Bloodhoof Village. He turned to look at his student, Ka'puna. He was looking forward to showing her many of the places he'd explored in his youth. He hoped that the peacefulness of his home would have a calming effect, and help the young Troll learn more focus in her druidic studies.
"I've never been so far from da Echo Isles before" Ka'puna muttered. "Orgrimarr was awful excitin' - what about 'dis Thunder Bluff place?"
The zeppelin was just beginning to dock at Thunderbluff Mesa, and Bookh chuckled softly. "Thunder Bluff is much more peaceful of a place, little one. You will find it a quiet..."
Bookh's words trailed off as his eyes widened in amazement. The normally silent mesa top was awash with clusters of elementals and Tauren defenders locked in combat. Elemental rifts dotted the entire city, as far as Bookh could see. As they cautiously disembarked from the zeppelin, a loud rumbling behind them caused them to turn quickly. A rift had formed virtually on top of them, and earthen elementals surged towards them.
The battle was brief, but violent. The two druids stood back to back in bear form, battling the stone elementals. Swipe, maul, growl, the two of them efficiently turning the hulking rock-like creatures into sprays of pebbles. They had defeated nearly all of them with swipes of their great furred paws, when a unlucky blow from the last, dying elemental sent Bookh flying backwards, even as the elemental burst into fragments. Ka'puna let out a roar of protest and ran to her fallen teacher.
Bookh faded in and out of consciousness as Ka'puna, still in bear form, dragged his bleeding body to shelter in a nearby tent. Tears ran down the young Troll's face as she vainly attempted to staunch the bleeding, but it was no use.The wound had torn through Bookh's armor and deep into his chest. Bookh shook his head slowly and struggled to speak one last time.
"Seek out the Browncoats, little one," Bookh gasped, the blood from his ghastly wound beginning to choke his breathing. "They will....protect you."
His last fleeting thought as he slipped towards death was a prayer to the Earth Mother that Ka'puna would survive this madness...
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