Winding Roads

Story Circle was a pleasure, as it always is. I was delighted to see Sorvitsune had come to listen! It was an unexpected, but not unpleasant surprise. Aside from Sorvi, though, none of my other friends put in an appearance. There were plenty of people I knew, of course, but that was simply because they were regulars of the Story Circle. I am sure that everyone was just busy elsewhere, but it was still disappointing not to see them. Sorvitsune, though, had someone approach them and recognize them from their old wyern! And it was none other than Erythresh! I had no idea that they knew each other, much less came from the same wyern. I somehow had it in my head that a wyern was something akin to a tribe, but according to one of the stories later told by a different dracthyr -- there are only five! So I suppose it increased the chance of Sorvitsune knowing and having these other dracthyr as wyernmates. Sorvi, however, did not seem at all pleased by this and barely acknowledged Erythresh. I found it both odd and curious.
 
The stories went as they usually do, entirely pleasant to listen to. There was no odd poetry, no discomfiting diatribe, no exhaustingly long and confusing tales that seemed to have no real beginning, middle, or end. It was just a good night for stories. As I was telling my own story, Artimir showed up with a friend in tow, whom we were later introduced to as Jaerim. He seemed like a nice enough sin'dorei, but very aloof and stand-offish, especially after Artimir left.
 
I spoke with Moa'che and a draenei he seemed to be friends with -- Lady Khan-something -- her name seems to elude me at present. More introductions were made. She seemed well-pleased by the stories she heard, finding particular interest in the one told by Elder Huwah. Being Alliance, I am sure she has had no real education on the shu'halo people or our history, our land, our people, so I offered to take her around Mulgore and educate her. She said she might take me up on that offer and in turn I said Moa'che was welcome to attend, since they seemed to be steadfast friends already. Perhaps it would be of more comfort to her to have along someone she knows.
 
Once they cleared off, we spoke with Jaerim for a while longer since the man was still lurking around after Artimir had gone to bed. We learned that the man has ten adopted children of various races and creeds, one of whom is a drake that has an interest in dragonracing! We learned of this when Sorvitsune spoke of their own passion for it, but Jaerim was not sure he wanted his son involved in such a dangerous passtime. In a compromise, I made the suggestion that, perhaps, his son could come out to Mulgore and observe or even practice race against Sorvitsune. Mulgore is a perfect place for it, given that there are not many obstacles or things to crash into. This idea seemed to please Jaerim.
 
We were eventually joined briefly by Jeff who informed me of a message given to him by Na'harli, a concern that Kheerah had been crying in Orgrimmar and that my name had come up, because of course it did. I do not know if this is in connection with the conversation that Rory had with her yesterday or if it is something fresh from today, either way, I told Jeff that I had no interest in speaking to Kheerah. My answer seemed to put Jeff out for some reason, for he almost instantly made his excuses to leave. I cannot seem to even look his direction these days without somehow upsetting or annoying him. When I mentioned this to Erythresh, who had also joined us, he said that Jeff was complicated and that even for as long as he has known him he still did not fully understand him. That made me feel somewhat better, but it still makes me feel like every conversation with Jeff is like walking on eggshells.
 
Jaerim also decided to depart at that point, which left Sorvitsune and I with Erythresh. Again, knowing Erythresh's interest in learning more about Mulgore and the shu'halo, I offered to tour him through the basin and explain some of our culture and history -- which he accepted! So we will do that on the week's end. As we stood talking with him, Sorvitsune and I, the subject of their shared wyern came up again, but before I could ask any questions I was surprised to see Hurskan arrive!
 
I told Hurskan that if he'd come for the stories that he had come to late to hear them, however, he said he was not there for stories. He had come to make sure that his friends were all right. I told him of my battle with the Quillboar Juggernaut, my wound from my assassin -- and my death from Elizaveta. Almost immediately, stormclouds broke out overhead and the thunder rumbled; knowing Hurskan as I do, it was touching to see that my death angered him. I know if I were to tell him he were free to do as he wished, he would ride the thunderheads to Alterac and smite Elizaveta with a lightning bolt and have-done with her devilry.
 
We spoke for a while about all that he had undergone with the Furies, the threat of the Harbinger, and the attack on the Telogus Rift. He spoke of people having Visions of Light, rumors of which I have also heard, and that Hurskan said he was also having. I wondered why I was not also part of their number. Hurskan suggested that my bond with the Light and my faith might make me exempt from such a Call -- because I need no Calling. Wherever I am needed, wherever the Light wills me to go, I will serve and I will fight, if need be. I took comfort in that. I need no Visions or Dreams to tell me where to go or what to do, when the time comes, I will rise to the challenge as I have always done.
 
Eventually, he asked why Elizaveta killed me and I told him it was because of my defiance, that when the choice came to deal with me or with Rory, Elizaveta chose to broker a deal with Rory. She knew I would never submit to her, that I would rather die than let anyone else be drawn into her malicious schemes. Hurskan had earlier asked after Rory, if he were still alive, and I told him that Rory was alive and well. At this point, he asked me if Rory had returned to me then.
 
I could only be honest with him, as I am always honest with all my friends. I told him that Rory was mine in every way that mattered, but that there was still no blanket for me. Hurskan understood my meaning, because we discussed the nature of our courting traditions long ago. He asked me then if Rory still had his Others, Sorvitsune and the rest. I told him that Sorvitsune was no longer an interest for Rory, that ship had sailed, but that Rory still kept Tazzi and Monnie because I had told him to, that Rory could keep them until we broke the Binding, because Rory needs them to remind him what it means to live and because the two of them will help me to keep Rory alive. Hurskan prodded me, suggesting that I disapprove of this arrangement. To which I told him that I love Rory; that Rory wanted me to choose him and I have. But I have also encouraged him to pursue these other women, I have allowed it, and done my best to accept it and my place in it. All for love of my Rory.
 
Rory gave Olivia's life to save mine; we can blame Elizaveta all we want, but I know in his heart that Rory will forever blame himself. I cannot ask him to give up more of the people he loves for my sake. He tells me it will be MY choice when he leaves them, Tazzi and Monnie, but in my heart of hearts -- I want HIM to choose ME. I encouraged him on this path, yes, but it should not be me that decides when he ends it. When he is well and truly ready to give them up -- which I do not feel that he is just yet -- then I have every faith he will choose me. Hurskan asked me what happens if Rory does not choose me in the interim? I told him then once the Binding breaks, Rory becomes mine anyway -- unless Elizaveta kills him first. Hurskan said with every faith that I would not allow such a thing to come to pass. I agreed, I would not let such a thing come to pass -- but sometimes such things are not up to us.
 
Qiao joined us not long after that -- and not long after introductions were made did Hurskan hear the call of the winds once again, and off he went. Qiao and I were not alone for long, and odd troll woman came upon us and some light, meaningless conversation was had. The troll kept calling us 'adorable' because of our sisterhood and our bond for each other, she also mentioned some kind of 'Hunger' that Qiao has as a Death Knight, which Qiao summarily dismissed. The troll woman kept calling me 'Miss Sun-butt' which I am unsure was supposed to be compliment or insult. All in all, the woman reminded me much of Na'harli. I have to wonder if they are related.