(2023-04-15) Letter to Nunuzac

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Nesselos sends Nunuzac a letter to update her on the corruption studies they began together.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Nesselos's Missing Friend

Dear Nunuzac,

I hope everything is going well up in Northrend! I would ask if you've defeated the Lich King yet, but probably I would have heard that news. Whatever news you do have, I would be excited to hear it! That is a place on Azeroth I have never yet explored.

You and I started investigating the warlock corruption together, so I thought I should update you on my progress. For one thing, I heard that the Scarlet Crusade made a particular study of corruption, though they were more interested in the Scourge than the Fel. I visited their library with Xaafi, but they are very inhospitable and made it quite a challenge to borrow books. In any case, I did get some of their books, but I get the feeling they have more fear than expertise. They would rather harm the innocent than risk letting the evil run free. I do not think that will be my approach.

For another, I have now spoken with Sandy about stopping being a warlock! He seems interested, but also a little worried that maybe he has already gone too far. Sadly, I think I must report that humans cannot be shamans, so that will not be an option for him. I was told so by a dark-haired young lady who was quite adamant and seemed to take an instant dislike to me. I worry that maybe she had hopes of being a shaman, and was crestfallen to find such was not an option. I may have opened that wound unthinking. That, and she had rather a clear disdain for men, which must be due to some past hurt. I regret having unthinkingly opened past pain for her, and will try to be much kinder and more considerate in the future.

Finally, I also looked into corruption in Ashenvale, of the water elementals. Kaerix, Mansia and Therald helped me deliver samples to a shaman, Islen Waterseer in the Barrens, a Tauren! I think Kae was quite taken with her. Wouldn't that be a lovely pair?
However, Islen told me something very unexpected! My orc friend from thirty years ago, who was a shaman, is still alive! His name is Kraz. Not only that, he is trying to become uncorrupted again. That is a good sign, isn't it? I think it means he wants to be a good person, and feels regret? I do not know, maybe I am reading too much into this.

In any case, Kae, Mansia and Therald helped me track him down. We went to an old internment camp (they used to keep orcs locked up over here), and then Therald introduced us to Argent Crusade people. And what luck, one of them knew Kraz! He has a child of his own now, and a partner, and they said he went out across the Plaguelands.

I want to go look for him, but then again I do not. He was not himself, after he became a warlock. I saw him only once, when I was hiding in the forest, and I almost did not recognize him. His face was cold and cruel, with none of the laughter or the gentleness I remembered. I think, probably, he was one of those who destroyed my hometown. There are so many dead, and he was a part of that. This, I cannot let myself forget.

Is it unsafe of me to bring Mansia and Kae and Therald into the presence of such a person? Mansia is so peaceful, I do not know if I want that to be a part of the reservoir of her memories. Therald was viciously betrayed by his own wife, a warlock, and I do not know if it will hurt him if I am able to forgive Kraz. Kae… I think she'll be alright, as long as I make sure no one harms her. She will likely see it as a grand adventure.

But for me? Do I forgive him? Can I say, this was the demon blood and not my friend? If not, would it be wrong for me to forgive him, if he feels deep remorse? I cannot forgive him on behalf of others, but only for myself. And for him, if he is living his life in regret, will it hurt him to see me? I will be a reminder of the evil he has done. I do not know the answers. But I still want to find him. Tell me if I am being unwise, Nunuzac.

Your friend,
Ness