At not even a season old, I have Sha’lim a bow which I handcrafted and he held, even when in his hammock. It is tradition that the hunting sons of Bloodhoof Village get their first arrow on their tenth season, a mark on the start of their hands on training. Ten seasons pass, and Sha’lim observes my hunting in Mulgore with intent observation. Upon his tenth season, I hand him his first arrow in the presence of Cairne. “Son, you have made note of the ways of the Hunter. Now is the time where you begin to hunt with Courage, Strength, and Honor,” I said. “Being a Great Hunter for the Bloodhoof Clan is a not a job, but a privilege and a blessing bestowed upon you by the Earth Mother. Make your fellow Shu’halo proud and a belly of full.”
Sha’lim bows before his father, bow on his back and ceremonial arrow in hand, “I shall succeed and make you proud, Father. By nightfall I shall gather for the Clan and care for the Earth Mother.”
By daybreak I observed Sha’lim gather his first feast. It was a good one hundred ten yards away, there he spotted a buzzard. The buzzard swept the fields, terrorizing a young kodo which had strayed from his herd. There he sent an arrow that directly hit the jugular of the buzzard, falling the creature. It was such a direct hit that he needed not another arrow…the buzzard lying on the Earth Mother motionless, just feathers ruffling in the the winds. Instead of collecting his catch first, I noticed that went for the kodo, and directly traced his herd. The kodo had a mutual understanding and seemed grateful for his saved life. Sha’lim then came back and gathered his buzzard, where he then prepared a feast for both Juna and I that starry night.
That night as Junattieta and I put Sha’lim to sleep, Juna pulled me aside a small hill aside Stonebull Lake. There was not a cloud above, and the lake mirrored its approval of the night sky. “Hurgroda, there is a pressing matter I must tell you of.”
“What might that be, dear love?” I inquired.
Junattieta looks off in the expansive, cool fields. “I…have a calling with the Cenarion Circle. No longer in the fields of Mulgore. The Earth Spirits are in harmony here, they need not my aide no more.”
“Where does your calling heed you? Why, it can’t be too far off…”
Junattieta says hastily, “Felwood. They want…no, they need me in Felwood. The Earth Mother is not well, you know that.”
I shake my head in disbelief, “What are we to do with Sha’lim? We cannot leave our family here, they need our gathering skills and vigil of eye. What do you propose we do?”
“Veran Tallstrider said he would look over the Clan. Dear…you know this will no be forever. Not only does the Cenarion needs this, the Earth Mother beckons. Plus, Innkeeper Pala has given us an abode among the encampment. You could…”
“…have Sha’lim hunt in Ashenvale,” I interrupt. “You know we should not meddle in the lands the Night Elves inhabit.”
“But we have ties with the Cenarion, you’re not a marked man!” Juna begins to quicken her breathing. “The Night Elves are not to interfere with you and Sha’lim’s gathering. You can supply for not only Emerald Sanctuary, but for Bloodvenom Post as well.”
I look down at my reflection in the lake, seeing a look of insecurity and concern. “You know…it will be dangerous to hunt there for Sha’lim. I mean, not the Night Elves, but the beasts that roam the land. They are decades older than he is!” I pause a moment and let it all soak in. “But, as the Father, this means I must continue to observe him, though tradition stands against such actions. I will…protect my son.”
And with those words, I got up and gathered my Great White Kodo. Juna follows, giving a little smile. “I thought you would understand. I promise you, living in Emerald Sanctuary will not be forever. We will move on, and all return here. The Earth Mother foresees this.”
“I trust you with all of my soul, Juna,” I reply. “Let me have a moment with the Earth Mother, I shall return by daybreak.”
“I understand,” Juna nods. “Bu…”
“Yes, Juna?”
“I…love you.”
I give a compassionate smile, “And I for you as well. You will make the Cenarion proud, and the Bloodhoof will gain stronger ties with them. You will make you mark, loved one.”
And with that, I turned and rode off into the distant fields of Mulgore. I rode off to a secluded place that I reflect on; a place that no one yet knows of, even to this day.
