The Blademaster's Farewell

[Rowgen]

Spoiler:

I’m tired, the old man thought dully. He closed his eyes, rubbing the lids as he put down the feather quill. He squinted down at the foreign words he’d written, frowning to himself as he read them over once again in light of the candle.

Overlord Kaz’gil,

Thank you for accepting my resignation. I’ve relinquished command of the Deadeye Watchers and left Rekka’nar Bloodfist to lead in my stead. I have faith in her ability, and I am certain you will find her to be an excellent replacement. I hope Warlord Teztez’jin will remain to assist her, should she require it.

Aka’magosh,
Kag’rin Sunderskull

Kag’rin sighed, and put the letter away. He drew another piece of parchment from the stack, and took up the quill once more. The words came to him slowly.

Ogar’mash and Akua,

I am proud of you, my children. Know that I will always watch over you, even unseen. My blood runs in your veins, and I will always be with you in spirit. Perhaps in our journeys, our paths will cross once more.

Your father,
Kag’rin

The lie left a sour taste in his mouth. A father would’ve been there. A father would’ve known them. They’re strangers, and it’s too late to change that. He put the letter down, together with the first, and began with the third. The words came as easily to him this time as they had come hard before.

Rekka,

My departure is sudden, I know. I have resigned, and left command of the Deadeye Watchers to you. I am sorry for putting this burden on your shoulders so soon after Daichi’s death, but I know you have the strength to lead the Watchers. That strength of youth is what the Watchers need now.

May the Wind always be at your back,
Kag’rin Sunderskull

He smiled weakly in spite of himself as he reached for another letter. He paused after he’d written the next recipient’s name. He ought to know. He’d want to know, he told himself and continued.

I see now why you left us in Felwood, old friend. I have grown weary of battle and bloodshed; it has lost all the sweetness I relished when I was younger, all meaning. Glory is something for younger warriors to crave, and there is more of those for every passing day. I have fought for the Horde for as long as I can remember, but there are others to fill my place now. There are others who can defend it better than an old cripple like me.

Kag’rin

He glanced up to the name again, mouthed it; Jurok. He missed him. Another moment of hesitation, and he rolled up and tied the letters. His body groaned as he rose from the chair and left the dimly lit tent. He spied the young orc right where he'd expected him to be. "Gresh," he called to him. "I have a final task for you!" He handed him the letters without ceremony, murmured a good-luck and slipped back into the tent to pack his things.