Part 1:
It was the time of the first war. I Crotalusco son of Krem'lok a great warrior in the Bleeding Hollow Clan. Still young at this time training in the arts of warfare. We were camped near the edge of the Black Morass with about 20 other family units from our clan. Awaken early one morning by my father, the sun not yet peaking over the horizon. This was a happy day for me as my father and I were off to hunt game. I quietly gathered my things as to not wake my mother, twin sister Alaya and younger brother. If only had I known this was the last time I would see them alive.
After days of hunting we had all the game we could carry. Even then my father praised my connection with the natural world. My ability to track, find my way in the dark swamp somehow came easy to me. As my father put it " Your ability to sense your surroundings surpasses my own" I didnt understand it at this time but i knew where to find game, clean water, knew what trails were unsafe and which led no where. I dont know how I knew these things, I just knew.
Returning to camp, still far off I begin to smell smoke. Camp near by? my father asks, there are many orc encampments in the swamp. I explain that I feel this smoke is from large fires, much larger then for cooking. With that an expession appears on my fathers face, one i have not seen before now. Dropping the game ha had been carrying, He unsheathed his blade and ran in the direction of our encampment. Too young yet to grasp the situation I follow. As we neared camp the smell of fire grew stronger. It was then I realized the expression of my father. It was FEAR not for himself but for our family.
Reaching camp we found it ablaze. The bodies of our clansmen lay everywhere, the smell of blood heavy in the air. My father bellows a terrifying scream of anger as search for survivors to no avail. My mother Sindie lay dead from a gaping wound in her torso. My younger brother lay near her, trampled by what must have been human calvary. They had killed everyone, warriors, women and children. It appeared the warriors had fought bravelt against what must have been unsurmountable odds. Yet one corpse was not to be found, that of my twin Alaya. We searched the surrounding swamp for hours for any sign of her escape. There was nothing, not a single track.
Two days we have traveled, after burning the remains of our encampment. My father not speaking the entire time. Grief fury and rage burn within him as I have never seen. We arrive at a large horde encampment. This however is not a of the Bleeding Hollow Clan. I then realize this is an encampment of the Blood Moon Clan. My mother had spoken of her clan often, yet this was my first time among them. They welcome us, offer some food which i readily accept. The rage within my father consuming his thoughts as we had not stopped to rest or eat. While i ate happily my father leaves me to speak with an older orc. This confused me, my father Krem'lok, the great warrior was obviously stronger then the old one.
After some time my father returns, the old one and a female at his side. This is Drakum and his mate Kimber, sister of your mother. My mother spoke of Kimber often as they had shared a special bond. Kimber and my mother Sindie were twins as were Alaya and myself. Father then explains to me that I will be staying with Drakum and Kimber. Glancing at him he responds harshly. You will mind me crotalusco, I leave in the morning to find Alaya. I must know you are safe, You will stay and continue your training untill I return with your sister. I agree reluctantly knowing my father planned more then just the search, the rage still burning in his eyes.
So begins my training under the elder shaman Drakum of the Blood Moon Clan. Despite the ban on shamanistic arts, Drakum had continued to teach those within the clan. My life as a Blood Moon Begins......
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Part 2:
Weeks have passed with no sign of my father. Will he return? Is he still alive? Has his rage driven him insane? All questions I ask myself daily. Setteling into my new home feeling less out of place each day. I meet many in the clan, both warriors and hunters though it is the warriors that impress me much. The warriors of the Blood Moon are an honorable and proud bunch. Nightly I listen to tales of great battles against the Draeni intently. One memorable story was told at the central fire by Toktan.
Toktan's Story
" While traveling to trade with the Stormreaver Clan Contor and myself were attacked by four Draeni Contor is much older then Toktan and walks with a notable limp Contor quickly beheads the first one as I engage the next. Steppin aside of its first attack, I slash its belly. As my foe screams in agony Contor is fending off the attacks of two of these ugly beasts. Suddenly I am in pain as blood trickles from my side as the Draeni spear pierces me. Immediatly I counter attack spilling his entrails onto the ground. Pausing from the story Toktan displays his scar from this battle As I rush to assist Contor, who is giving the death blow to his second victim. The remaining Dreani slashes Contor's thigh down to the knee. As I Remove the arm from the Draeni body Contor pierces its heart with his dagger. Its was a great battle!!"
With that the croud lets out a war cry and cheers the heros of battle. Even T'kar Chieftain of the Blood moon clan shares tales of his youth. The Blood Moon had taken me in and my respect for them grew daily.
One afternoon I follow Drakum on one of his daily trips into the swamp. Being carful not alert him of my presence, my curiosity overwelms me as I spy on him from a distance. Drakum seems to roam the swamp with any sense of direction. Stopping only to pick a mushroom here and dig up a root there. Sometimes Its as if I hear him speaking, yet im too far away to make out the words. The wind must be whispering to me again, I say to myself. Many of a time I thought someone was speaking to me when alone in the swamp. Suddenly a sense of danger flows over me. Wolf I shout drawing my blade and rushing Drakum's side. Calm yourself young one Drakum replies. I know she is there, there is nothing to fear from this wolf. But! But! I stammer. She means us no harm Drakum interupts. Put that overgrown knife away before you hurt someone. About to say a few choice words regarding his comment of my sword, but think better of it. A curious one arent you CrotalusCo? I had been caught, he knew I was watching him. Yes, he says, I have known you were there all along. Quickly trying to find an excuse Drakum heads down the trail. Come we should get back before the storm yells Drakum leaving me behind. Bewildered looking at the clear sky above as I rush to catch up. As we get back to our encampment Drakum calls out for Blaxus. A young orc about my age runs up in response to his calls. Blaxus Drakum states, I have some speckled mushrooms and Coto root, process them right away as they will be needed tomorrow. Work! Work! Blaxus replies as he runs off with the satchel.
Too Be Continued ..........
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