You never fully realize the significance of your home until you feel it almost taken away from you. The very ground from which you stand is pulled out from under your feet. Every step I took closer to Bloodhoof Village with my deceased Son seemed like two steps back.
Entering Bloodhoof Village I fully realize its significance. Ever since being driven back by the Centaur, Bloodhoof Village was the first settlement that was upon flat ground instead of on top a mesa. This is pivotal for us Shu’halo. It is the first land that we’ve felt secure with and prospered without terrible threat. Young soldiers arrive from Camp Narache, ready for a new battleface in this Village. And that day I entered my hometown with a new battleface, ready or not.
As I crossed the bridge with the lifeless body, Zarlman Two-Moons was the first to spot me. Since he is the Shu’halo who looks over the Village in the Spirit World, he immediately came up to the foot of the bridge with great concern. “Hurgorda,” Zarlman bows deeply, “I know all of what happened. I wish to inquire as to…”
“I know I am a marked Brother, Two-Moons,” I interrupted. “My people need to know what happened, regardless of how they shall react.”
Zarlman nods, “Please, do me one favor. Wait for Cairne and Baine over by the hill outlooking Stonebull Lake. We wouldn’t want this to become a spectator’s event. Go now, and I will summon Cairne and his Son. We’ll discuss this in seclusion.”
With that Zarlman Two-Moons turns around and begins to leave. “Zarlman…” I pause. Two-Moons stops and looks over his shoulder. “Watch over Sha’lim for me in the Spirit World…please.” I bow for three seconds, and as soon as I come up, Zarlman disappeared.
I settle down on the hill, putting Sha’lim across my lap and silently weeping over him. Twenty minutes later I feel a breeze pick up, then “Traveling Hunter…Hurgroda Steadwind.” Jostled, I turn around to see Cairne Bloodhoof and his Son, Baine. Zarlman stands behind the both. Upon seeing the vision of the massive Leader, I kneel briskly, “Your Greatness, I…”
“Hurgroda, Zarlman has predicted and already explained,” Cairne says with a wry smile upon his face.
“Explained, yes…but understood, I fear not,” I lower my head more.
“Twas brave of you to deal death to Fel’dan, Brother. And your Son has not died in vain, no. Letting the corruption fully exploit him would have been something far worse beyond death…”
“In all due respect,” I lower my head further, “But you still have your Son.”
Visions of his imprisonment in the Centaur camp spark through Baine’s mind. Baine remembered his weakness, not being fed, a typical fashion of the Centaur to weaken their enemies. Flashbacks of Rexxar, the Epic Beastmaster saving him, enter his mind. And Baine realizes now that his is still home, sound as ever.
Cairne lifts an eyebrow at my last sentence, and was about to speak. “Wait!” Baine exclaimed. “Our Brother surely has truth to his saying. I am here now Father, as Tagar instructed Rexxar to rescue me. Could you have done the same to me as Hurgroda had to of his own Son?”
With that realization, Cairne resigns. “Hurgroda, please arise.” I heave myself up, standing in front of Cairne. He places both hands on my shoulders and lowers his head. “That…was something I could not have done, but you have, Traveling Hunter. We shall have the time to mourn the loss of your Son. Zarlman, be sure to prepare a ritual for the One who has passed on during his Great Hunt. By nightfall, we shall hold a ceremony in his honor.”
Cairne smiles seasons of wisdom upon me. “Now where is your soulmate, Junattieta?”
I lower my gaze and shake my mane. “Such news she did not bear well. I feel she thinks I killed my own Son without reason, let alone just madness. As to where she is…” I trail off, staring upon the Village. Bonfires are beginning to be lit, small fires turning into bright orbs of engulfing flames.
“I see,” Cairne lowers his head as well. “Tomorrow you shall embark on your next journey. Though enervated you may feel, you must press on. Only soulmates can find one another.” Cairne lets out a brief sigh. “I could send all the Shu’halo in the Bluffs to search Azeroth for her. Yet only one who loves her can find where she has rested her soul.” Cairne pauses.
“I must prepare a speech of explanation in the meantime. Baine, accompany Hurgroda for the day. See to it he is cleaned and well fed. This is one Exceptional Father I could never be. Treat him as one.”
With that, Cairne walked off in the distance. I turn around once more to sit with my Son. Gazing at the lake as An’she sets, Baine sits next to me. He turns to me, admiration in his eyes. “Hurgroda…you are greater of a Shu’halo than you shall ever know.” A strong gale passes by us, my chin hair pulsating in the wind. “A Father of Winds…” Baine trails off, looking out into the distance together as the sun breathed its final sigh of the day.
