A New Land

Evidently all of these strange bear-people are from a shrouded land far out in the ocean between Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms. While I still have not spoken with one of the natives, I hear whispers of unplundered resources and a fortune to be made there.

It is worth investigating as long as I do not became caught between the Horde and Alliance armies.

Reoccupied

With Westlynn accompanying me I returned to Felwood and peered into the place where I once made residence. The motivation behind the visit was mostly curiosity, made achievable when she expressed interest in seeing the place some months ago. I did not forget the conversation, and would have referenced it had my presence been questioned by any forest dwellers. Her presence legitimized that.

No guardians did we encounter but the ruins were not empty. We descended to my room (I  liked it, it had candles lining a round walkway above), when I heard noises from deeper in. We retreated when the occupant appeared as a two-headed Wrath hound. I am not as proficient at moving silently as Westlynn, and feared that we would be discovered. Fortunately it did not spot us.

We exited the ruins and continued with another conversation, but only after I confessed irritation. The Elder treant had called me a corruption and wished me and my beloved gone from the wood, and now something worse resides in our place. I suppose I could be amused by the irony of it. 

A Strange People

In Orgrimmar there were very strange bear-like people running about. I did not approach.

Knighted

Often have I written of the ideals of chivalry, politeness and proper behavior, but concealed the shame that I did not know whether I was qualified to speak on them. To my great disappointment, death knights are almost never knightly, despite our name. Without remembrance I could not claim to be a real knight myself, and certainly could not claim nobility after death.

When my beloved read the story regarding the Future King and his knights, I asked whether one could still claim knighthood without recalling whether or who had bestowed the honor. The answer was that one’s behavior was more important. That same evening however, D.A. asked me to obtain a sword.

I was confused and somewhat distressed by the request because my beloved does not wield swords. I fretted over whether this preluded a desire for combat; something I never want my beloved to be involved in again. But I could not refuse. In Dalaran I acquired a silvery blade appropriately expensive and beautiful, as suits D.A.’s tastes.

To my astonishment, that night the sword was used to affirm and dub me Knight and Champion of my beloved’s house. As the head of that house this was well within D.A.’s powers and discretion to bestow, and was one of the greatest gifts ever given me. I am no longer undefined or unqualified. Even with a gallon of ink I would still find it difficult to express how thankful and overjoyed I was.

And still am.

Theramore

The Alliance city ruled by Lady Proudmoore has been razed by the Horde, and war is certain to follow. When I learned of it I informed my beloved and set out to determine how much danger this house and its residents could face. While some investigation assured me that it is not likely that we would be discovered, the risk has increased.

Initially I also worried that conscription orders may be issued. D.A. expressed in clear, strong terms that I would not be permitted to submit to them if they were. This is not due to any love of the Alliance or hatred of the Horde, but rather that our interests do not match either. After some brief thought I agreed. It is for the same reason that I have chosen to remain unaffiliated with any organization or clan.

For Nemeiah I do not worry because she is affiliated with the Argent Crusade, which is by necessity neutral. And Westlynn is a civilian, by my estimation. Both can seek refuge from war if needed.

Sacrifices

Over two months have passed since the return from the realm of shadows. Having rescued my beloved and with both of us nearly restored, I collect reflections on the losses and sacrifices.

I now possess only Whisper of the two demon hunter blades. Ruin was destroyed in that moment I freed my beloved from the Witch. No weapon could have survived that strike; nor would I have allowed it to, after. It is set aside.

The Soul Anchor spear I have put away in the hope that it and the dagger are never needed again.

Viere lives. What he occupies himself with I know not, nor do I intend to discover the answer. As long as he respects my borders he is not a concern.

The friendship with Urukha and by extension, formal affiliation with her tribe is ended. Still I cannot calculate what caused her to behave with such disdain and belligerence toward me while I suffered from the effects and horror of my journey. She once called me sister. Even offering to adopt me into her family. I gave her counsel when she asked it, and honored her departed kin. I now imagine her congratulating herself on being rid of me, calling herself brave and accomplished for turning on her nearest friend. No communication or apology has she offered since the last inflammatory conversation more than a month ago. Thus, I consider our association concluded.

But the highest cost my beloved still bears. I have done everything within and without reason to speed healing and bring comfort. It is something I cannot fight or shield against. Nor is there anyone to vilify except for the Witch and myself. It will remind both of us for the rest of my beloved’s existence what price we accepted order to be together.

Once and Future King

“I will find a book and read to you I think. I know you get bored with nothing to occupy you.”

My beloved introduced this method to keep me relatively immobile while resting to heal an injury. This was done also when recovering initially from the shadow realm, as it gave us something to think on other that what had happened.

The story this time involved some of the characters also found in the Green Knight tale. About a king that began unknown, and who gathered knights to his famous table.

One scene depicted the hunt and slaughter of a unicorn, which I found poignant because these creatures are universally considered good. My beloved explained that it perished due to the deception of the villainess and the naïveté of the boys that killed it. But as a result they were no longer so jaded. Their deeds thereafter reflected how they had viewed the incident and shaped what they became. One resorted to villainy; another rose to be a great knight.

I related some of the story to Nemeiah, although I could not offer an accurate translation of the title, as is evident in this entry.