(2024-07-03) The Horde I Used to Know

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Author:	OzmaAsimov
Summary:	Oshok introduces Crim to another shaman — his daughter, Nekrisha. Three generations of orcs discuss the state of the Horde, Outland, and Azeroth.
Rating:	T for Teen

Nekrisha sits in quiet meditation at the summer bonfire.

[Oshok]: Ah, there she is.

[Oshok]: I thought I might find you here, daughter.

[Oshok]: There is someone I would like you to meet.

Nekrisha glances up at the familiar voice, grinning brightly at her father.

[Nekrisha]: Sorry, I was lost in communion.

Midsummer Celebrant says: I'd like to see the Alliance try to steal our flame.

[Oshok]: This is my friend Crim Ragefang of the Warsong clan, Hero of the Mag'har. He was your brother's trainer in the arts of war, but he is also a friend of the spirits, as you are.

Crim cuts an imposing figure. He's about average height for an orc, but he has an absolutely massive, hulking frame even by orcish standards. He wears an impressive set of plate done up in purple Warsong colors with a pair of large axes, one of which is decorated as a totem.

Nekrisha perks with interest. "A shaman! It's an honor to meet you, Crim Ragefang. I'm Nekrisha Riverbend."

Nekisha salutes Crim with respect.

Crim beats his chest in greeting, "Throm-ka. Your father has told me much about you. It is an honor to meet you now, myself."

Midsummer Celebrant says: The Horde fires will never be extinguished!

[Oshok]: Perhaps we can retire somewhere less… *Oshok gestures at the chaos.*

Nekrisha glances around at the festival activity. "Perhaps we should go somewhere a bit quieter?" she says, having the same thought as her father.

Oshok laughs at Nekrisha.

Crim grunts, "A good idea."

[Nekrisha]: There's another fire this way.

Nekrisha leads them away to a more secluded, and quieter, spot.

[Nekrisha]: I've been up here a lot lately. Ever since the Earthen Ring established their circle here.

Crim grunts and looks at Nekrisha with interest, "You're with the Earthen Ring then?"

[Nekrisha]: No, but it seems like something to aspire to.

[Nekrisha]: I just hope to learn what I can.

Crim nods, "It is. They do much to help the people of Azeroth. The elements are tempestuous, especially now. We would be lost without them."

Nekrisha nods solemnly. "It seems like Azeroth needs us more than ever. Shamans, I mean. Even I can sense how much it suffers, even now."

Crim lets out a soft grunt. It's like some bizarre orcish in-between a sigh and a growl, "I can as well. It has been a challenge continuing to fight as I have."

Oshok sits quietly and listens to the two talk. He has never been one for excess words.

Nekrisha tilts her head. "What do you mean?"

[Crim]: I've been spending much of my time fighting back the Alliance in the Barrens and Stonetalon. The elements always need reigning in to be channeled, but it's been growing increasingly difficult.

Nekrisha nods. "I see."

[Oshok]: You've heard that the Horde has taken Gilneas?

Nekrisha lifts her brow at Oshok. "I hadn't, no. We breached their wall?"

Crim grunts and grimaces bitterly, "Taken and abandoned. In the Banshee's rush to deny the Alliance another friend, she has hastened them to their side."

[Oshok]: Came at them by sea. Or, the Banshee did.

[Crim]: And here we are with nothing to show for it.

[Oshok]: It seems our current leaders are more interested in conquest and vengeance than building a home.

Oshok lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.

[Oshok]: It reminds me too much of the Horde I used to know.

[Crim]: It does remind me of the stories…

Nekrisha glances around, then says quietly, "I miss Thrall."

[Oshok]: In order to live as conquerors, one must always find something new to conquer. While your last prize rots.

Oshok says gently to his daughter, "So do I."

[Crim]: Wise words, Oshok.

[Oshok]: I find a strange hope in the admission of the goblins to the Horde.

[Crim]: I miss Thrall too, but I have hope for Garrosh.

[Oshok]: Whatever my feelings about goblins, they are builders. They value prosperity.

[Crim]: You don't trust the goblins?

Oshok makes an 'ehhhh' so-so gesture with one hand.

[Nekrisha]: I hadn't thought about it like that, Father. But you're right. Though…isn't it also true they profit from war?

[Oshok]: Yes, but it is the profit that matters more to them. Prosperity.

[Oshok]: The Horde has been short on builders. Conquerors, nomads, refugees. but no builders.

[Crim]: They will profit where and when they can. The profit from war because we are at war. They do not seek it themselves.

Oshok nods.

[Nekrisha]: I suppose they would frown on wasting resources. Maybe they'll be able to influence Garrosh.

Oshok nods.

[Crim]: I agree that they will serve us well. As long as Garrosh can understand how to utilize them.

Oshok looks dubious.

[Oshok]: I hope we need not rely on his understanding.

Oshok is clearly not a fan.

Crim eyes Oshok, "Give him time. He has the strength we need, even if he is misguided."

[Oshok]: I know that he is of your clan, Crim. I hope my doubts about him do not sting personally.

Crim grunts, "No. It's not personal. At least not because of my clan. I urged him into leadership in Nagrand. I do not want to look back and regret that decision."

[Oshok]: If he lives long enough to find wisdom in age, he may become a strong leader indeed. Many of his flaws seem like problems of youth.

Nekrisha pouts momentarily at 'problems of youth'. What are you saying, Dad?

Oshok sees the pout, and meets it with an unrepentant fatherly gaze.

[Nekrisha]: At least he still has Vol'jin and Bloodhoof in his ears. My friends say they may temper his impulses.

Oshok nods.

[Oshok]: If he will listen to them and not be goaded into, say, a mak'gora with them.

[Crim]: That they will. *he offers Nekrisha a smile* Sorry if your father and I are taking up all the conversation. We've thought much of the state of the Horde over our lives.

[Oshok]: It is good for her to listen to her elders.

[Oshok]: Speaking of Bloodhoof… have either of you heard news on the current whereabouts of Magatha Grimtotem?

Nekrisha nods. "Father is right. I'm trying to learn from my elders. I need to pay more attention to these matters."

Oshok nods at you.

[Crim]: As to Garrosh's youth, he's older than Thrall. Even older than I am. He's hardly a child.

Oshok looks surprised.

[Oshok]: That… does not speak well for him, then.

[Oshok]: Given his actions, I had assumed him an adolescent.

Crim lets out a low growl, "I would say the same if I didn't know better."

Oshok fals into a troubled silence.

[Nekrisha]: I think I would have assumed he was closer to my age, too….

[Nekrisha]: What was that about Magatha Grimtotem, Father?

[Oshok]: Mm? Oh. Wondering her whereabouts. Or if she still lives. I do not know.

[Nekrisha]: Ah. No, I haven't heard anything.

[Crim]: Wherever she is, her followers are being driven out of Mulgore. I and a few tauren comrades are making sure of that.

Oshok grunts in satisfaction. "Wicked woman."

Oshok studies Crim curiously. "Have you many tauren friends?"

Crim nods, "I do. I haven't had a place I'd truly call a home in all my life, but I feel most comfortable in Mulgore. I blame it on my Warsong blood having been raised here on Azeroth."

Oshok nods thoughtfully. "I have sparred with their warriors - formidable - but I would like to get to know them more deeply."

[Nekrisha]: You were raised on Azeroth, too?

Oshok chuckles for some reason.

[Crim]: I was. In the Eastern Kingdoms. Mostly in the wilderness of Lordaeron.

[Crim]: However I was born in Nagrand.

Nekrisha grins. "Me too! I mean about the Eastern Kingdoms. I was born there. The Arathi Highlands, I think?"

Oshok grunts.

[Crim]: And how do you like it here in Kalimdor? I imagine it's different for me having only come here for the first time as an adult.

Nekrisha nods. "I was still pretty young when we came here to join Thrall. It's certainly a lot different from the Eastern Kingdoms. But it's the first place I've ever been able to call home."

Oshok studies his daughter.

Crim grunts and looks at her fondly and with a touch of envy, "Good. This is the new home of the Horde. You are right to cherish it."

Nekrisha smiles. "I do. We've earned our place here, and I'd like to think the spirits guided Thrall to this place. So it must be where we belong."

Crim almost freezes where he stands hearing an orc who's able to say without a shred of guilt that they belong in Azeroth.

Oshok has no comment.

[Crim]: I will continue to fight to earn us this place. We will not be leaving after coming this far.

Oshok grunts. "What choice do we have?"

[Nekrisha]: True. It isn't as if we can really go back to Draenor, right?

Crim shakes his head, "Hardly any of it is even habitable anymore."

[Oshok]: Someday I will find the courage to return.

[Oshok]: I must see what it has become.

[Crim]: Perhaps I can join you, if you would have me.

[Oshok]: Of course.

Oshok inclines his head.

[Nekrisha]: I'd like to see it someday. Just to see where our people come from.

[Oshok]: We can go together.

Nekrisha grins and nods eagerly.

[Nekrisha]: I'd like that, Father.

[Crim]: I think that would be good. It is important to understand one's heritage.

Oshok grunts and nods.

[Oshok]: What is left of Gorgrond?

Oshok peers at Crim searchingly.

[Crim]: Not much, I'm afraid. I'm sure you're aware that Draenor is falling apart. Slower now than it was, but it's only a matter of time. *he pauses* Nearly half of Gorgrond has already crumbled into the void.

Oshok works his jaw and says nothing.

[Nekrisha]: Crumbled into the void? So, it's just…gone?

[Oshok]: It is… difficult to imagine.

[Oshok]: We will see. One day. When I am ready.

Nekrisha 's face tenses up somewhere between confusion and horror.

[Crim]: It is. Imagine a world where instead of an ocean leading out into the great beyond, there is just… nothing.

Oshok shudders.

[Nekrisha]: I'm not sure I can even imagine that.

[Crim]: Still I think it would be good to see. Let it stand as a warning to the poisoned gifts of the Legion. *Crim looks dead at Nekrisha and points to his red eyes*

Oshok lowers his own dark red gaze.

[Oshok]: It is fortunate, Nekrisha, that you were born free.

Nekrisha peers for a moment, but then his point seems to sink in. "The only gifts I'm interested in come from the spirits."

Nekrisha nods solemnly to her father.

Oshok nods in approval.

[Nekrisha]: It wasn't easy. Always on the run. But I think it was better than-…yeah.

[Crim]: Good. You would be wise to keep it that way.

Oshok grunts. His eyes go distant.

Nekrisha thinks it might be rude to point out the two men were under demonic influence.

Crim looks down at the Warsong emblem on his shoulder and grunts sardonically.

[Nekrisha]: My mother raised me on stories of how things used to be. And of my father.

Nekrisha grins proudly at Oshok.

Oshok grunts and averts his gaze.

Oshok clears his throat and rises.

[Oshok]: I should return to the forge.

Crim grins between the two, "I've heard a few of the tales myself. And seen a couple as well."

[Oshok]: Soon, Nekrisha, you and I will hunt.

Crim grunts, "It was good to see you."

Oshok stands at attention and salutes.

Nekrisha nods. "Yes, Father. I'm ready whenever you are."

Oshok grunts and heads off.

Nekrisha watches him go, eyes full of awe.

[Crim]: You must look up to your father.

Nekrisha grins, nodding emphatically. "He's a hero! I can only hope to be half as great as he is."

Crim grins, "Only half as great? You ought to have more ambition." Crim laughs.

Nekrisha chuckles. "I suppose. I just want to do right by my people, and my mother's memory."

Crim nods, "A good start. I suppose I'm a bit more ambitious than most. I grew up wanting to become Warchief."

Nekrisha keeps her voice low, "I suspect you'd be a better one than-…some."

Crim similarly keeps quiet, "I'd be lying if I said the thought hadn't crossed my mind." He holds loosely onto the hafts of the axes on his belt.

Nekrisha nods solemnly. "Best not speak too openly about that, though."

Crim grunts, "Agreed. I set that dream aside years ago when Thrall brought the Warsong into the New Horde. I'd like to keep it that way."

Nekrisha sighs. "Do you think there's any chance Thrall will return to us?"

Crim strokes his beard and considers this, "I don't think he would have stepped down at such a time if he had any intention of returning to leadership. I think this may be his way of teaching us to move on and learn to lead ourselves while he continues to help from the sidelines."

Nekrisha's gaze drifts over to the circle of stones erected by the Earthen Ring. "Or maybe…showing some of us another way."

Crim grunts, "Perhaps. He has taken it upon himself to fight for all of Azeroth, not only the Horde. It's one of the many things I admire about him."

[Nekrisha]: Dabu. As do I. And I'd better get back to my training if I'm going to be of any help to him. It's been an honor, Crim.

Nekrisha stands at attention and salutes.

Crim salutes her back, "The honor is mine. Carry on the legacy of our people. I will continue to fight to make sure that that future remains for you."