Home

[Srelok]

Home. A simple word, but with such meaning. I watched the sun rise over Durotar, home of my people. But it left me wondering. Was this my home too? Or that of Korgara, who was born in Nagrand? I looked at the bundle of furs still sleeping soundly beside me.

I heard a soft moan a little deeper in the outcrop, where Sinami was still sleeping a few metres away. I looked at her too, briefly. asleep, she looked almost at peace. A lovely looking female, actually, though I let go of that thought quickly and looked back to the slowly awakening world. I didn't need the distraction. My mind wandered enough as it was..

Images once again flickered through my mind, of Devilstep. Old, reliable rockface Devilstep. Dying in my arms, nothing I could do. I tried pushing that thought aside as well. I thumbed the prayer beads wrapped around my left wrist. Again, I wondered at the sentence in Devilstep's will giving them to me. "To Srelok Grimtide I gift my prayer beads. May they guide and aid you with the spirits, and shield you from the worst of them...." I heard myself whispering the memorised words, and looked behiond me at Sinami again, hoping she wouldn't wake up. She needed her rest. I grabbed my staff and pushed myself to my feet, walking away from the camp a little stiffly. My body was still not as strong as it had been, and I was beginning to worry I might never recover fully.

I looked into the distance at the lands before me. Was this really my home? It didn't feel like it, but six words floated into my mind. "Home is where the heart is.." An ancient saying, but I believed it to be right. Which meant the tribe, in my mind. All of them where my family now. All of them worthy of my respect and all the help I might be able to give them. Which brought me back to another worry. Why had I applied for an Elder position again..? The power, the prestige..? No. I wanted to aid the tribe as best as I could and if I could advise the chieftain through this trying time I felt this the best use of my abilities and knowledge. Ofcourse, the chieftain would have to listen to me first, not just walk away in discomfort every time I came near...
I should tell him of my new level of control. Steelheart would want to know too. The night Devilstep fell, I'd finally learnt control. I wasn't sure how, but I could switch my 'gift' on and off at will now. I looked at my wrist again, to the prayer beads.
"Was that what you meant, Devilstep? Is this your gift to me?"
I liked to think it was. Perhaps the old blademaster really had the best at heart for me...

I returned a little while later, finding Sinami gone. I wondered at that, but decided not to think anything of it. I was just thankful she'd let me stay there last night. For the next night I'd find a secluded spot for myself. No need to make the tribe wonder what was going on between us, because there was nothing. I thought...

[Okiba]

Good stuff!

[Gridish]

All this Krogon mentioning.. It's like he died or something.. gawd... It was a good read mr Srelok!

[Bamm]

Great read, but has any one mentioned to Krogon about this new blademaster toy, should we?