Day 159

Sergeant Brickes' squad have finally been outfitted properly with shields and daggers, even those with clawed hands, so we got to let them have proper spars with each other today! To be honest however they were far more interested in watching Taliaa, Kilgorath, and I have a three war duel in the sparring yard. You really think I can't needle someone down until they give in? Ha! Even if Taliaa only agreed if we had a time limit to make it more of an exhibition I probably got more out of it than our rookies did.

Kilgorath may lack some of the more fancy tricks that the others have shown me but as he explained it the longer the fight goes on the worse it will be for his opponent. I believe it. He has firmly surpassed me in a stamina battle if I try to go on the offense but I have enough experience dueling Taliaa to learn how to counter his tactics, which are basically a more energetic dual wielding version of my own. Just apply everything that stops me against him for fun times!

Anyway once we were done with our little show we paired the infantry off against each other and I had Taliaa and Kilgorath watching over them while I gave Brickes a workout. The man observed everything we did with a keen eye so I figured it was best to just give him a trial by fire like I tend to get and I was not disappointed in the least. His shield skills are superb, likely influence from his previous life, though his axe skills need improvement. At least he managed to last ten minutes with me while I held back and he managed to pick up the shield hook trick with startling ease.

Of course after Brickes managed to drag my shield out of position I body checked the hell out of him and knocked him on his ass, but he surprised me with a backwards roll and returned to practice eagerly. I know from personal experience that it is harder than it looks to do that with a large shield disrupting you but damn if he didn't manage it. After we finished up I told him that the hook was a far more effective tactic if you used your own shield to slap their weapon aside or if he had his dagger out to drive through their guard. I'll never forget Kilgorath busting my nose with the head of his axe shaft with that little trick either, ouch.

After we were finished up and I'd washed some of the sweat away I spent time on guard duty with Nyx while also trying to teach Waryk some basic reading skills. And by that I mean of course that I carefully wrote down every letter from the Common alphabet before writing down his name and my own for him to learn. Is this a distraction from my duty? Yes. But only a minor one since I prepared the papers in advance and with Nyx beside me I didn't need to worry about someone sneaking up on us. Jonjon still regrets the time he tried to scare me for a minor prank, Nyx almost bit him in a very unfortunate place.

The daily training sessions have seriously improved my reflexes though personally I don't think I'm any closer to using warrior attacks. Taliaa did relent with the constant beatdown by paladin abilities however when I mentioned that it would probably be better for me to experience the warrior skills to get a feel for them. Sadly this meant longer training sessions because I needed to practice against Taliaa and Kilgorath to get used to multiple ways of fighting. Thankfully for my pride they haven't dragged the others into these sessions.

It wasn't all fun and games of course, Bryson had been on my case for the last few days about my paperwork. In a minor case of spite I tried filing the last few papers in Common but the Forsaken man just laughed and thanked me for not making him read more Orcish. I almost asked why he didn't despise the reminder of his life before I realized something.

The man loves paperwork the way I love a good book, undeath simply allowed him to forever handle his papers so why would he dislike his old language when his oldest paperwork was in Common. Oh, I should mention I obviously didn't write any sensitive papers in Common, just a few supply receipts for really minor stuff like nails and whetstones. We don't touch the terrible rations the Horde tries to give my squad, everyone here has much better taste than that.

Another exciting thing was that a couple of letters arrived today and while mostly short they made me smile. I'm not sure if that was from happiness or pride but the progress being made was wonderful. The Horde Collective has potential members going to meet me in Orgrimmar! I even managed to get permission from High Executor Darthalia to make the trip, mostly because I'll be asking them to journey to Tarren Mill for training and more manpower in her domain pleases her.

'Borgin,

Dashade and I are bringing our friends to Orgrimmar for some time away from Outland. The entirety of Shadowmoon is in such chaos right now I can't imagine I could properly describe it. Infernals raining from the sky, demonic warriors of endless numbers, and of course dealing with every fortification on the way. I hope those memberships you offered are still open, Rustybucket and our friend Rolos have finally agreed.

See you soon,

Zylam'

'Guild Master Borgin,

I find myself packing for a cold environment for the first time in years. Cousin Bullhorn is bound to forget something of course and I am well aware of his habits of packing. He sends his greetings to you but he is currently giving a fond farewell to his city dwelling friends.

Laryne is dealing with some new issues in Stonetalon and I plan to visit him before crossing the ocean. He claims that someone is intentionally destroying saplings at the edge of his work and needs an extra hand to catch them. Or perhaps more accurately, an eye in the sky.

In regards to recruitment I am afraid to say I have not had much success. Most of those who showed interest are shamans, hunters, and druids who shall be staying in Mulgore to continue tending the forest and cannot travel to your campaign. I have managed to convince two young adventurers to at least meet you in Orgrimmar and sponsored their stay there. Even Redtitan admitted they showed potential so I suppose it is in your hands Guild Master.

Bullhorn is planning to stop at the Crossroads and Razor Hill for last minute recruiting. He made some friends in the area and wishes to ask them for assistance in spreading the word. I've taken the liberty of donating one hundred gold coins to his efforts and to acquire some basic arms for those who need them.

Perched on a rock,

Greentitan, Cenarion Druid'

I'm not entirely certain Greentitan didn't troll me at the end there. Though now that I come to think of it is the reason flying mounts aren't easily accessible now because they are always dying in battle? Five years of breeding before the Cataclysm after years of increasing the breeding due to wars could certainly do that. Well now I want a wyvern dang it. Actually to be more accurate I want a gryphon or a drake but those would try to eat me or maul me.

The letters are from a few days ago so I suppose it is a good thing I got permission so easily. I'm really looking forward to seeing Orgrimmar again and grabbing some spears while I'm there. If I have enough time I'll even head out to check on the road progress though I won't be disappointed if the number of recruits I have to deal with prevents me from doing that. I'd send a letter out that way but I honestly can't remember if Lucky Joe can read and I don't think Mason would take it too well.

As for local news Journal, Forsaken workers are making progress with their construction efforts. A minor foundation issue stalled them for a couple days but they were back in action before I'd heard about it. Whoever supplanted me as the local Gossip King is now denying me information in a timely manner! I'm kidding of course but I am also envious of their stone foundation compared to our packed earth to a small extent.

I've had to drag Shatterbang away from the site several times already because he was arguing with basically everyone involved in the construction. Seeing as the civilians are under the authority of the High Executor I reminded him that he is a little fish annoying a much deadlier piranha and he needs to chill out. He grumbled a bit before settling down with a curse about 'artistic differences' and going back to his megaphone project. I'm still worried about my ears near that thing.

More than a few adventurers have popped into town today as yet another skirmish happened West of Southshore. Two permanent deaths were reported for our side and I'm planning on attending the small vigil a friend of one of the adventurers convinced the priest to hold tonight. It saddens me to see the relative peace and quiet we had has once again been thrown away but that only makes me more determined to get Brickes' squad up to standard.

Oh damn, Argan is drunk and feeling lucky like the punk he used to be. Considering we can hear him inside the longhouse I'm definitely going to have to punish him. Well crap now Taliaa is heading out to stop him, I'd better get out there and supervise things. Good thing I can write quickly!

-Borgin