A Simpleton's Words

August 16

2011-08-16T23:16:00.001-07:00

Elly is back. Thank the Light.

Just seeing her like that…I wanted to cry, still do. She looks better now, but I know she’s not out of the woods yet.

We found her chained up in a cage, a collar around her neck that kept shocking her as if she were a dumb beast…bastard. We managed to get her out in time, the ship was sinking…

-Several scratched out sentences follow.-

I’m scared. I don’t want to lose her, I don’t want to ever lose her again…

August 7

2011-08-08T07:55:00.001-07:00

I keep telling myself that it can’t get worse- that a man can only have so many enemies…Guess that ain’t true. As it ends up, a man can have a lot of enemies without even knowing it.

I didn’t hear the Captain when she gave a warning, I didn’t feel alarmed. ’Hell,’ I thought, ’probably got too drunk to carry herself home.’ They knew though, knew something awful had happened. You could see it on their faces. It didn’t take long for the Commander Xynrael to send me, Elly and Melathanore out to patrol the parameter…

That’s when it started.

Rohok stood guard at the eastern gate at eight-thirty that night, just as he had done every night since we got to that festering pit. Wasn’t a bad guy either, as far as orcs go…One night he even showed me how to fix my gloves so my fingers didn’t blister. I guess you could say I thought of him as a friend…Maybe he thought of me that way too. Maybe that was why he looked at me like that when he went for his axe. Maybe he felt bad because he was about to help kill us all…I sure hope he did.

After that, it was a rush of gunfire and explosions… Even now we ain’t sure where half of the Vanguard is…

We got out of Stonard fast once it started raining bullets and split up. I’m not sure why, but I guess Xynrael had his reasons for it. He took off with Malarius, Elly and Saerelde while me, Doc, Hallistus and the new guy went with the Forgemaster. He took us through the battlefield, not so much as blinking as he brought down orc and human alike. The man moved like a machine.

I remember wyvrens coming at us about half way to the shoreline…then I get too tired to remember much. I recall the temple and seeing what seemed like a small army of our allies coming at us on one side, and on the other that horrid tauren. He helped us, but I feel like it may have come at a price. We’ll see…

Tate tried to get to me then, poor boy must have had his wing snapped trying to get free from the flight master…Elly is right though, Tate would’ve just suffered had he lived…though I won’t be thanking Hal for killing him like that.

- A tear drop stains the page. -

Saerelde’s ship got to us after what felt like an eternity…I think it was called the Rising Phoenix. I spent a good while admiring it during the down time, short as it was. We couldn’t have been at sea for a few hours before we had a new problem to deal with- pirates.

It was chaos on her deck during the attack, all of us were already exhausted and most of Xynrael’s group was injured. Once again we were fighting aerial assault, and I stood there useless… I got a few of the dragon hawk riders down, but it didn’t matter once the bombs started flying. We’re all lucky we got out of that. Some of us more than others…

- A splash of honey mead stains the last paragraph. -

Nine of us are in Booty Bay now, and Xynrael is nowhere to be seen. Calthos said he had something to take care of…but it can’t be so important that he’d leave us after all that. I don’t know what we’re meant to do here, though I suppose it’s good as anywhere else now…

After all, we’re traitors…but at least we can drink in peace here.

July 16

2011-07-17T01:00:00.001-07:00

Didn’t sleep well last night. Kept having nightmares.

I still ain’t sure what came over me out there, but I couldn’t control it. I remember knocking a tree down and then going off to find something else…anything else, to hurt. Then I saw them.

An orc, looked like an archer by nature, had managed to get further than the rest. Must have been pretty tough, or damn stubborn…I tried to warn him, but two Alliance footmen got to him first. Ran him clean through then took his head clear off just to be sure they’d brought him down…

After that, it was blurry. I charged, killed them both and after that…I’m not sure how many more I got. I’m still not even sure how I got so close to the keep, or what their faces looked like. I don’t even really remember the Commander showing up, wasn’t until I saw Elly sleeping that I really came out of it all.

I pretended to sleep after that, partially to not wake her…partially because I didn’t know what to say if I did. I know it’s silly, that she’s been in plenty of battles and would probably know better than me how to see all this…But I don’t know if I can tell her. I could have stopped after the first kill, could have done the honorable thing and helped fight the Alliance back into their keep…I didn’t though.

I was behind the line of battle, I was tearing a hole through their ranks…I targeted their healers just so the footmen wouldn’t stand a prayer…I think some of them were women…

Worst is, I know it wasn’t because they’re our enemies and it wasn’t with the intent to save our men’s lives…it was because they were something to kill.

-Tears stain the page, and in several areas, the ink is smeared.-

July 15

2011-07-15T04:27:00.001-07:00

Tired. So very tired, and so very, very happy.

Elly and I finally got our wedding, I couldn’t believe she agreed to do it…Specially with me bringing it up out of the blue. I know ma is going to throw a hiss fit over it, but that’s alright because everything was just how it was supposed to be.

Midsummer’s Fireworks, out on the waters of Booty Bay. No Calthos. None of ma’s stuck up friends…Even Mel didn’t try to kill me, just threatened me. It was great. And Elly, I’ll be damned if she isn’t the prettiest damn girl on any planet I’ve been to…I love her.

The honeymoon was just as amazing. We spent a week in Winterspring in Elly’s cabin, only going out to eat or for her to play with the cub I bought for her…and the nights…I just wish I could tell her how special she is to me.

Of course, it had to end. I went back to Zangarmarsh for a few days, did about the same work I’ve done for the past few months. Kill naga, guard supplies headed for Terrokar, kill more naga. It’s getting a little mundane…Kinda funny, considering not long ago I would have never thought I’d ever see Outland.

It was all worth it though, I finally got my chance. I ain’t too fond of the fact that I’ll have to be fighting Alliance, but at least I can show them how hard I’ve worked, how much blood and sweat I’ve poured into training with and without my father’s help. I’ll get to show Elly everything I’ve learned, and get to stand beside her as we fight.

This may not be the life I wanted, or expected…But now that I’ve got it, I’d do anything to keep it…

2011-06-09T07:25:00.000-07:00

There just ain't even words.

My ma is insane sometimes, I swear.

Though, at least she ended up approving of me and Elly marrying.

That's good, right?

June 6

2011-06-07T00:29:00.001-07:00

I gave my report to the Commander. He said I did good, that it meant I had the makings of a soldier, at least, the beginnings of one. Until right then, that was exactly what I had wanted to hear from him, the praise I was looking for. But, it didn’t settle right. All I could keep thinking about was what I could have done differently, what I could have done right.

A good soldier wouldn’t have been beat down by worm like Carkel.

Elly keeps fretting around. I know she’s only worried, but it’s driving me up the wall. I want to tell her to settle down, that I’m alive and that’s what matters, but I can’t seem to get the words out. I keep wondering if she’s disgusted by me…I looked in a mirror earlier, she had told me the truth, my face was bad. As much as I try, I can’t move the left side of my lips…Can’t smile right.

The Commander introduced me to another warrior- fresh meat like me. His name is Astirion, though he goes by Rock. Wrong as it may be, I kind of hated him. Not cause he’s a bad guy, hell, I’m sure once all this passes, we’ll be damn good friends…But because he seemed so perfect, like what I should be.

Everything about him was better, his looks, his mentor, even his armor and weapons shined…

Ma always said jealousy is a petty thing, and I shouldn’t be upset over what others rightfully have earned, but I was. I was jealous that he had just joined and got to train under the leader of the War Corps, that the Commander seemed to have some sort of silent approval for him.

I felt like hitting him when he started acting all charming towards Elly…What’s wrong with me?

This ain’t me. I know it…I know I ain’t angry, I shouldn’t be. I did what I set out to do, I defended my home- proved all of them wrong.

Elly had a device…it showed me everything she went through in Northrend. They were fighting hundreds of scourge and ghouls, and none of them seemed to have a scratch on them. It ended as they found Mel. She’s under the impression that it was because of me that Carkel didn’t catch them…

I think she knows something is wrong, I just don’t want to tell her. I don’t want to let her know how much all this has shaken me…I want to be strong, I want her to believe I’m strong.

I need to train…I need to hit something.

June 6

2011-06-06T03:17:00.001-07:00

It’s odd…Thinking about how to write everything that’s happened in the last day. Fel, I can barely remember most of last night.

Elly, Seana, and Miss Duskbane took off with the Commander to Northrend to get Mel. He said I couldn’t…Funny, maybe if he had let me go I wouldn’t be looking like this now. Though, in an odd way- I’m kinda thankful for it all.

I went home after they left, spent most of the afternoon pacing about an doing busy work. I finished my hammer…wish I’d known I was going to use it so soon, but fel, it sure did a good number. I was training with it when he showed up.

Introduced himself as Garoth…Gregor…Summin like that. Started saying all this bullshit about Elly, fuck, he even called her a whore. I told him to leave, but when he refused, we started fighting. I don’t remember much…But Light, I sure do remember the ghouls….How they came at his call, how they grabbed me…

The claws.

The healer healed most of the scratches, the ones that weren’t too deep. Even got my arm mostly healed up, but he said my face won’t ever look the same again. I suppose it ain’t too bad, even if I can’t move some of the left side of my face. He said summin about ‘nerve damage’, said I was lucky that I didn’t get a hit of plague with it.

Fel, I’m lucky Elly got home when she did. I wasn’t sure I could hold on for another hour. I had barely gotten myself to the door, away from all the corpses. Once again, I feel real sure she’s the one…The way she took care of me, I felt like I woulda died without her. She didn’t even lie to me about my face, but she still acts like I’m as attractive as ever.

It don’t matter what anyone says, she’s the best damn thing to ever happen to me. An’ I’ll gut that Carkel for sayin’ otherwise.

June 1

2011-06-02T00:29:00.001-07:00

Ugh. I ran into that Seana lady and the troll that interrupted me and Elly- Durzuli, I think. Anyways, they were talking about Malarius, of course. Damn Forsaken comes up everywhere I go nowadays. Sat there and told her that she was too harsh sayin he should be put down like a dog.

Of course he should, damn man is a raving lunatic.

But it’s for Elly, after seeing how much she wants to find him and have him around for the wedding and all, I don’t want her to get upset. Even if that means trying to make sure that rot for brains doesn’t get killed for all his crap.

I just wish she saw him- fel, all these people, the way I do. But that ain’t gonna happen, after all, they’ve known each other for forever an a day. It just ain’t easy knowing she forgave him so easily after being ready to rip his head off herself that night. But, that’s just how she is…and most of the time, it’s a great thing.

Apparently this Carkel guy has taken him all the way up to Northrend. I keep wondering if I should say something to the Commander about joining in on the hunt, but I ain’t sure Elly wants me to go. I don’t even think she liked me wandering off when we went to Dalaran.

Thank the Light she sure loves her sweets- cupcakes, an such that is.

But soon enough I won’t be so pathetic, and maybe then she won’t worry over it. After all, she got us some raptor hatchlings, and they’re doin more damage to me than anyone else ever has. Fel, hers near bit my toe off.

For all her worryin, she'd prolly kill me for all the stuff Utani got us into tonight.

He showed up while Seana, Durzuli, Elly and I were talkin. He sure is a strange guy, makes these neat little trinkets an such. Anyway, he spotted this guy who said he knew Quel'dorei...Though, I think he was one, but it's hard to tell with Death Knights an all.

Anyway, I went with Utani to keep him outta trouble. That sure didn't work. Somehow, we ended up robbing the Blood Knights blind. He got some good wine, cheese and cigars while I distracted them...I know Elly and the Commander would kill me if they found out, but it was...exhilaratin. I ain't ever felt that way before...

Oh, and we almost got into a fight with a Blood Knight- that's what caused all that.

Anyway, we ended up wandering to the Wayfarers to find a light, and Utani proceeded to try to get a goblin to kiss him. Summin about the Commander telling him to find a girl with hips...While Utani is good guy, I kind of hated him for it. For getting the Commander to give him advise, give him a real task...

When Elly told him we got engaged, I barely got a congratulations...I don't know why it bothers me, after all, I ain't sure I even like him that much, I shouldn't want his approval or his opinions...But I do.

I should probably head home...This bar is giving me a headache.

March 30

2011-05-30T04:53:00.001-07:00

I did it.

After she told me she loved me, I couldn’t stop myself. I didn’t want to wait, and Light, I sure didn’t.

Tonight, I surprised her. She looked so pretty, covered head to toe in dirt, even her armor hardly looked black anymore. And the way her goggles made those cute little circles around her eyes…She’s the only woman I’ve ever known that would look good walking around in nothing but mud.

Of course, I had gotten all dressed up. Even shaved, though I get the feeling she prefers it when I got a bit of a beard. I felt kind of dumb when I saw her…looking all perfect and such. I gave her flowers, and then I thankfully managed to get her to put on the blindfold before I brought her out to the cabin…I even rented a chicken just so she wouldn’t make up some excuse to ride her hog.

She loved it, said she couldn’t believe I’d done it for her…The look on her face just told me I had to do it. So I did.

I got down on one knee and told her how I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, and thank the Light, she said yes!

For a second there, I couldn’t stop thinking about what I’d do if she said no, if she’d finally figured out I wasn’t anywhere good enough for her or if she had decided that it’d be too much trouble watching out for my hide. I know that now that she’s said yes, I’m just going to have to work harder, and train faster. I don’t want her worrying about some idiotic forsaken coming at me with an axe again….

Not that she would. Good girl that she is, the minute she heard that Mel’s head has been messed with, she forgave him…I just wish it was that easy for me. I get that the guy has his issues, fel, anyone who’s died and come back has to have at least a few, but it ain’t that easy to forget nearly getting your head cleaved off or the bruises…

Speaking of which, I got plenty of ‘em. Wasn’t until earlier yesterday morning I finally got all the silver I needed for her ring. Barely got it to the jewelcrafter on time cause a yeti near took my head off. It was worth it, Elly can hardly keep her eye off the thing.

But yeah, some shaman found us out in the cabin. Ain’t got a clue how, considering the guy is blinder than a bat, but he got Elly all riled up and now we’re on our way to Dalaran. It’s a little disappointing, but probably for the best…After all, I don’t think I can keep saying no to her.

It ain’t that I don’t want to…well, do the deed with her. I just don’t want her to regret doing it before she’s ready, before we’re ready. And ma always said that it shouldn’t be done until you’re married, and after finding out all this stuff, I think she’s right. About most things, at least.

Though, I’m getting the feelin she was wrong about the Commander. He ain’t as bad as I thought he was, and ain’t half the demon Ma makes him out to be. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have had anything to show Elly tonight and I’d still be trading blows with a wooden pole…Jani was right, he ain’t his past.

But I still ain’t sure he’s a father either.

Elly finally stopped snoring, so I’m guessing we must be getting close to Dalaran. I’m surprised she can sleep on these things, gives me the shakes just looking over the side, but she seems to be able to sleep through anything…At least flying death traps nearly crashing. And Light, the girl can fall asleep so fast…

2011-05-30T04:26:00.001-07:00

I love her. I dunno if she knows it, but I do.

I know I ain’t known her for that long, but it feels like I’ve known her forever…Just, I didn’t have her there to hold and to kiss.

Miss Elly gives the best kisses.

She’s so kind, and so, well, everything she does she does it her way, not anyone else’s. And she don’t push me to be anything I’m not. I still can’t believe she likes me as I am. I can’t believe she wants to be with me.

After I stayed over the other night, I couldn’t stop thinking about how amazing it was just to be around her, to be there for so long. She don’t know this, but today I went out and bought some land. It ain’t much, barely an acre…but it’s something.

I’m gonna build a home here, an’ maybe once I finish training I can give it to her. And if I’m real lucky, maybe someday she’ll tell me she’s been thinking the same things.

March 20

2011-05-16T03:20:00.003-07:00

Ma ain't too happy with me, keeps talkin bout how I nearly gave her a heart attack with all the bruises and scratches I came home with...Though, I'm thinkin it was more the smell, or the blood...

I had to tell her, couldn't make up nothing to excuse walking through the door in torn up armor. She didn't like it one bit, none more when I told her about the Commander. She tried to get me to quit, told her no. It felt right, destroying those creatures...No, that wasn't it...It was helping the others, protecting them. For once, I felt like I could do something right. Felt like I was meant to be there.

I just wish I'd stop having these dreams, nightmares. I keep hearing those undead wailin in my head.

2011-05-16T03:20:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it! He threw a damn knife at me! All cause I won't fight, won't walk around drippin blood and crap all the time. I don't see why they want me to fight some bad. Why can't they just see there ain't no purpose in it.

My leg hurts.

March 6

2011-05-16T03:19:00.001-07:00

Ma had me bring some of her herbs down south, to Light’s Hope Chapel.

It ain’t the first time she’s had me do deliveries, but normally just down into the Ghostlands. I thought the scourge there were bad, but damn, I swear I saw an abomdamnation fifty feet tall- at least! It had a piece of gut hanging out that was bout as long as ten of me. I wish I could’ve gotten a better look, but I thought myself smarter to get outta there before it hooked me. Momma says some of them can do that.

The paladins there were so amazing, wearing all that plate. I even saw a pretty girl- though, I spose I shouldn’t be thinking of her as pretty. From what I hear, we’re supposed to hate the humans. I always heard they were more stupid than us, but them crusaders seemed to think pretty smart. Mean too, I smiled at her and she gave me a glare so hard it made Dr. Sunkeeper seem like a pup.

Got me to thinking that maybe girls would like me better if I weren’t so scrawny, and fel, might even make lifting that damn hammer easier. So soon as I got home I started working on some armor. Most of it is mail and leather, I gave a pair of plate boots- like the Commander wears- a try. Couldn’t walk in them, so I figured I’d put weights on my shoulders. At first, I kept falling over. Damn near broke my nose a few times, but now I can almost walk twenty minutes without tipping over! Mr. Bloodthorne is gonna be proud of me.

I been getting some muscle on me too, you can almost notice it now. Momma noticed it, thought it curious. I still haven’t told her bout the Vanguard yet, don’t plan to either. She’ll tell me that I’ll get mixed up in a war or something round those lines. I’ll wait until I can make her proud of me for doin it. Maybe after I slay a dragon or something.

I even been practicing with one of those pole arms. They’re easier for me to lift and move than my sword, and don’t cut myself so much when I hit trees. I wonder if Dr. Sunkeeper will keep throwing bombs at me when I’m bigger than him…Stupid old fart.