Yichimet's "Letter of Yichimet to Hidua Grimtotem" (rfps)

[Mortica]

1st Letter of Yichimet to Hidua Grimtotem

In the Grimtotem script:

5th day of 1st week of Harvest:

I've made my way to Mulgore and there set up to gain the trust of someof the Shu'halo in the area. They are less than fierce, as you said,but some of them are surprisingly perceptive about what I am, whichraises the hair on their backs and makes their nostrils flare. It is asight to see! As if they want to swing at me with whatever broom orshovel is in their hand. Perhaps being surrounded by such lush lifethese past few years has given them a keener sense of smell. I know Icarry something of the Needles with me. Though why they would assume,then, that I was a Grimtotem when the simpering lesser clans arescattered throughout the glorious rock spires as well is beyond me.

Most interestingly, I have become involved with a group of members ofthe Horde called "The Grim." They are a motley bunch, but there is lifeand wisdom in many. One called Maledictus, a necromancer of thedead-ones with whom Magatha is so obsessed, preaches on the value ofhate and anger near nightly. To hear his words is to know I've foundthose who feel as we do: death to the pink-skins, death to thelong-ears. We will have our lands back, Hidua. The Shu'halo will roamthis land once again, and the glory of the hunt will be what it was.The fat dwarves will not plunder the earth. The humans will not bringwar wherever they go. The Kaldorei, in all their arrogance, will knowwhat condescension is like.

There is also a Shu'halo druidess, Snowfeather, who seems uncomfortablewhenever I am around. I can't read her well yet. I don't know if she isremembering some past injustice done her by a Grimtotem--a very likelyscenario, I know--or if it's something else. I do hope it's somethingelse.

I will soon be making my way to Thunder Bluff, Hidua. If possible, Iwould like an audience with Magatha. If you can arrange that, please do.

Glory in the hunt.

Yichimet

[Mortica]

2nd Letter of Yichimet to Hidua Grimtotem

In the Grimtotem script:

7th day of 1st week of Harvest:

You, Hidua, are a fool. Magatha has never heard your name before, asyou know. I am a fool for believing you. Out on orders from her? What,did you think Rahauro would simply send me away? That you would havetime to gain her ear? He could see I was seeding her favor! All theother Shu'halo drones come to him with loathing dripping from theirsnouts. How could he not see me for what I am? You are more arrogantthan I ever thought. In fact, you are dangerous to yourself.

Magatha has become suspicious of you and me. She did not say sodirectly, but I could see a change in her as she unravelled the facts.I practically grovelled at her feet, explaining that I had no idea shewould not know of our plans, but still she thinks it was an act. Hermood grew so cold I could feel the air cool in her tent. If your planswere ever to succeed, you have split their roots now. The sapling willwither. Fool. Fool, fool, fool. Stay alert, Sorcerer. I don't know whatMagatha may plan as a reprisal.

To think, my eyes--the ceremony--the Vision of the Tree--all of thisnow a pile of lifeless sand. Grow your cactus in it. I will move on togreater things.

Yichimet

[Mortica]

3rd Letter of Yichimet to Hidua Grimtotem

In the Grimtotem script:

2nd day of 2nd week of Harvest:

I noticed with some satisfaction the empty-taloned return of CarriesYoung Prey Far. At least you are not arrogant enough to beg forgivenessor your own ignorance of Magatha's devices, or some other idiocy.

Never mind that, though. I was angry. I am still angry. However, ourplans may yet drop fruit. Rahauro has taken a liking to me, for I havedone him some favors in the past few days. I will tell you of itsometime, but it involved chasing down a young Grimtotem's corpse anddestroying troggs in a chasm in Thrall's own city. The Warchief seemsso intent on exiling all his "traitors" that he doesn't pay attentionto the danger growing beneath his streets.

I believe having Rahauro on my side will help us, Sorcerer. He does notsay it, but Magatha seems to put greater trust in his abilities andopinions than anyone will say. I have not been stupid enough to tryMagatha's tent again, of course, but in the future I will visit heragain, when her mask has softened and I'm not in danger by doing so.

Enough of Magatha, though. I told you before of this group, The Grim,to which I've pledged myself. I think our greatest hope may lie withthem. Magatha's power is great, but she still needs to keep an innocentportrait in front of Cairne's face. This is not a liability my newfriends have. You see the advantage, I'm sure.

Before I end, I must mention: I have been having returning Visions ofthe Tree. They are happening so often I may mix another sapta formyself. Is this wise?

Glory in the hunt, Sorcerer.

Yichimet

[Mortica]

4th Letter of Yichimet to Hidua Grimtotem

In the Grimtotem script:

6th day of the 2nd week of Harvest:

Yes, it was good to read your words, Sorcerer. For all your faults, youhave been like a father to me. I still think you're a fool for notsharing with me this story you tell, but I can see why you might havekept the secret. Magatha's past is a thick forest--no one can see thewhole of it, we have to wander tree to tree--but I did not know youwere a part of it. I will return home sometime soon. You can tell memore then.

Everytime I return to Thunder Bluff, which is not often now, perhapstwice since my last letter, Rahauro has some new task for me--not much,truly, often just running something from one bluff to the other like amessenger boy, but I will do anything to gain his trust. He is thedoorway to Magatha. However, yesterday he asked me to bring a satchelto some un-named Grimtotem of the Stonetalon branch. I did not lookinside, but of course I'm curious. I'll dig in the earth and find theanswer.

You are right about the sapta, but I will have to do it soon no matterwhat. If I can hold off until I return home, then I will, but theVisions are getting more and more frequent. I do not sleep without themnow. The Tree looms, as always, and the Hellfire that descends itstrunk feels hotter each time I See it. I am starting to wonder if wehave not misread the signs. Have you Seen anything more lately? Is itjust me?

I've found myself surprised lately, also, by some of our Shu'halobrothers and sisters. Several of them have made their way into theGrim, and they fight as ferociously as those of our blood. And none ofthem Grimtotem! It is thrilling, to say the least. Maybe not all of theweaker tribes are deaf to our warnings. To watch Snowfeather slice intoher enemies! She is a lioness. I will tell you of all of them soon, allof them. They are full of rage. When they realize that this land isours only, and will be ours alone again soon, they will fight like allof our tribe to the last of their breath.

I've written much. Carries Young Prey Far will be weighed down.

Glory in the hunt.

Yichimet

[Mortica]

5th Letter of Yichimet to Hidua Grimtotem

In the Grimtotem script:

7th day of the 4th week of Harvest:

I know I told you I would write as soon as I returned to Mulgore,Sorcerer, but I have not had the time. Simply an excuse, I know, andyour scathing letter is certainly fitting. However, much has happened,and I hope it serves as a bedding for my late reply.

I did not make it back to the Barrens in time for the caravan transportthat I told you about. I wish I had left sooner. Because I was notthere, Snowfeather lost her hoof to some pink-skinned mongrel. I ragelike a Bulltotem and low like the smallest youngblood, and I can onlyblame myself. And because of other problems, I haven't had the chanceto sit around the fire with her and offer comfort and a plan to rightthis crime. She seems confident in her ability to find a replacement,though what sort of magics she will use to do so are beyond me.

Rahauro was annoyed with my disappearance, though I believe this to bea not-so-thick bark covering his anxiety at losing me. Worry pooled inhis eyes even as he sneered at me. In the end, though, he was quick toask me to carry yet another package to the Stonetalon Grimtotem. Thesame nameless, faceless bull took the package as before, which meansthat I am still nameless and faceless to many people also if Rahaurotrusts me to carry the package. I don't know if this is good or bad,though I'm sure it is only bad for my vanity.

I have been getting weak spells, Hidua, and I don't know how to fendthem off. They are swiftly followed by a relapse of the Vision, whichhas become a waking dream that I cannot break from my head. The saptayou mixed while I was home did nothing, I am sorry to say. The Vision Ihad that night was not what we had seen months ago together. I am stillpiecing together its meaning. I wish you had been there when I awoke.Where had you gone? I can't fathom you most times.

In any case, the weak spells last for a few minutes to a whole night attimes. I can't understand. Perhaps it is my new hunting grounds inAshenvale. I am getting closer to the Tree, and I think I may befeeling a pull to or from it. Oh, I cannot describe it in a letter. Yousurely know what I mean. The only one who may know is this hunter MohanI told you of--though if he has figured it out he is the most cleverShu'halo I've met. I feel a bond with him, though, so I think I maytell him of the spells, perhaps even the Vision. He is slowlyunravelling his story to me, and I think we trust each other enoughthat some secrets may be passed. (It's funny, I can hear you urgingcaution even so far away. The wind seems to speak your words today.)

I've written too much. The bird will be heavy enough to allow for some snarling, squealing quilboar to shoot him down.

Glory in the hunt, Sorcerer.

Yichimet

[Mortica]

6th Letter of Yichimet to Hidua Grimtotem

In the Grimtotem script:

6th day of the 5th week of Harvest:

I am going crazy. Beside this letter is another I wrote to Mohan. I wrote it last night. I don't remember writing the letter.

The Vision is alive around me. I come back to the Needles and all I see is Fire, Tongues, Tree. Stones speak.

I can't come see you. I can't see Rahauro. The bird's claws are in myshoulder, and they are the only things keeping me from licking the moon.

It seems Magatha has sent me on a quest, since I have a note from her.I pray I did not say anything to her that would make her know mycondition. When I think of her face, I see skull after skull afterskull.

What am I to do, Sorcerer?

[Mortica]

7th Letter of Yichimet to Hidua Grimtotem

In a sloppy mix of Grimtotem, Taurahe and something else:

I do not know the days anymore. I hope Young Prey does not eat thisor you. He feasted on my back last night. What a strange owl he is,eating fur and skin his master pulled from his own back.

I Saw the future of our lands last night. I am not certain but I thinkmy friends were there. Mohan, though, was missing. The land was brownand dead and demons turned under the grass. I chewed a flower but itdid not help.

I love you, Sorcerer, and you have destroyed me. My Eyes turn in my head endlessly. I see the back of my skull.

I yell at them, but no one listens. The Tree stands tall in Orgrimmar, the Tree stands tall elsewhere too.

I will keep a necklace of ears for you to remember me.

Khaz-thaur khir em midrothar r dun-efrit. Grima gar-modi.

These Tongues move on their own.