Day 61
I celebrated my second month with a training camp montage. I'm not kidding either, from sunrise to sunset Captain Shatterskull had my team put through their paces. I thought I was mean to the recruits but hopping in place with a log on your shoulders is even worse. Booby trapping a small ravine for us to try to attack was just mean. A day of absolute hell when all I wanted was to hunt with my wolf! At least Argan was here taking his dues after attaching himself to us. Poor guy, I should be nicer to him. Maybe.
On the positive side I can see how we are going to benefit from it. All he would tell me about why we went through that training was that I had done something stupid and so needed extra training. None of us were happy having to march up and down the road carrying logs as teams but at least my genuine confusion put payback out of their minds. Teamwork makes the dream work.
The booby traps were mud, wolf shit, stones, and a few random items Captain Shatterskull gotten his hands on. Trying to make our way through the ravine under Shatterskull's gaze was an ordeal I feel doomed to repeat. Despite his ability to quietly pass across the ground Argan was just too big to avoid most of the traps when they were sprung. Mugga had a sharp eye but his limited view got him caught a couple times. Even Taliaa and I were stinking by the end of it despite our best efforts.
I also got in some supervised training time with Nyx. The beastmaster helping me out gave me a bunch of tricks about body language and hunting communication. We were supposed to build a bond through our time together and become able to read each other in the midst of battle. This is a lifelong path if we seek to fight together and there was no way my beautiful wolf would be a simple mount. The sprinting exercises we did we a lot of fun and Nyx is definitely faster than she looks.
At least water is a bit more common here, the smell of shit still hasn't left my nose and I doubt it has left my clothes yet. We're promised more of this tomorrow Journal. This is going to suck but at least it could be worse.
Day 62
We started out bright and early again today. I thought I'd gotten pretty far in life so far but I'm starting to realize I really am at the bottom of the Horde machine. We got to carry the logs down to the Gold Road and back up again, and it only counted if we didn't drop it while some of our fellow orcs sent ropes and nets to tangle our feet. Thanks for the black eye asshole, I'll remember that tiny broken tusk of yours.
Once we were done with the logs and finally had lunch we went right out to some clear space and got to sparring. Argan unsurprising enjoyed dominating the melee along with Taliaa, though Mugga and I gave back just as much. Unfortunately blunting their weapons doesn't do much considering Argan has a giant totem and Taliaa can use blade, axe, or mace. Still we fought on until we were drenched in sweat and our muscles were screaming for a break.
Shatterskull just nodded, had our dinner delivered by some peons, and informed us he would be waiting at the ravine. I really hope I don't become accustomed to the smell of shit and mud, but even now I'm not sure if eating was the best decision on some parts. My boots still stink.
Day 63
Yet more training. I'm not even bothering to complain about it any more. The angry raptors were new at least and I've vented a bit of frustration on them. The fact that Shatterkull kept track of the raptors to such extent as to drop us in the middle of one covered in meat amazes me. I don't think we've ever fought so viciously before.
A bit of training with Nyx was nice but I couldn't really enjoy myself after the memory of a raptor biting my ass. He bit my shiny metal ass, Journal! That was scarier than hell because it got so close so quickly. Plus the smell of meat is difficult to wash away without proper soap so Nyx was very interested in my boots. Yay.
Day 64
We got a break from training today to guard a caravan going to Splintertree Post. I brought Nyx along and we enjoyed the walk through the forest. Nyx sniffed plenty of new things on the way with the heavy wagon. Pretty easy job, I can see why idiots get bored and get ambushed.
Arriving at Splintertree Post was pretty nostalgic in a way. I'd seen the lone watch tower through a game screen so many times and now I got to walk past it under the eyes on the guards. The gates were very impressive up close to the massive logs though not impenetrable.
Once we actually got into the outpost the sight of a tauren armorer reminded me to replace or repair my battered shield when I next got a chance. Unfortunately we had to stick with the caravan master as he talked to the orc in charge, Wrilehiss. That felt weird to write.
It didn't take the peons long to unload the cargo and fill it right back up with things likely from the mine. We were off pretty quickly after that though I did wave goodbye to a few tauren faces I recognized from Taurajo. Always nice to see friendly faces again.
Now that the caravan is back in friendly territory somebody else got the guard job and we got to return to camp. Nyx is happily curled at my feet snoring away and my muscles are relaxing after the last few days. I'm also trying not to worry about the training we'd been promised for the next few days. At least we have a vague idea of what we'll be in for.
-Borgin