#75

Pasted to the page is a photo of a strong looking tauren bull. His armor and face are striped and daubed with warpaint in yellow and green. The bull looks exhausted and deeply troubled.  Underneath the picture the doe has written a name: Jukko Softhoof.


I met with Jukko here in Darkshore. It is a wretched, terrible time here. We were both called in to duty here, though for different reasons. My supplies and services as a trader were called for, bought outright, even. The Horde pays well for services, and I am loathe to have had any hand in assisting the actions here. I have aided in the slaughter of innocents.

Jukko was called in from some long standing contract that he assumed was forgotten. But it was rustled up he says, and he was called in to this mess. His abilities with a mace were called in, and he is in such a sad state. We shared a campfire last night, eating a measly meal of dried meat and biscuits. All around us were campfires, with others huddled around. Some were injured, many cried. Even more we could hear reveling in the destruction of the World Tree and the elves.  Jukko was covered in blood spatters, saying only, “They were desperate. Angry. They had every right to be. I tried to be merciful The sentinels kept coming. An’she guide me, I have done so much wrong this day.” 

We cried, watching the ashes fall down as Teldrassil burned. I don;t fully understand why. Jukko doesn’t either. He sent a letter with one of my couriers to his mate, confiding to me that he’s afraid his mate will be called to serve. He says she’ll not leave their calves (though he assured me they have plenty of aunties and uncles in Thundertotem), and I believe him. I think he’ll leave his post to see Miss Benerlet and his calves, and abandon the horde. He says his duty is to his family, then the Cenarion Circle. “I gave up my life with the horde. You are lucky they overlooked you. Yours is simply a business contract - if you screw up your supply runs, at worst you’ll be fired. Maybe your reputation will be soiled a little -  I am stuck to this.. this terrible mess. She’s not MY warchief, yet I am bound to work in her name. So many are dead because of us. Because of HER. Sharyu and Wunto deserve better than this.”

My goblins and I are tasked with using our wagons and what remains of our stocks (and horde supplies) to deliver weapons, foods and the like to the lines. So many angry folk I see. Most don’t talk, taking gear and food with a snarl - focused on the battles as they worked their way through Darkshore. Most of my goblins are happy enough to work here, the pay is decent if they can stay alive. We lost three of our team, Ginja sent letters to their families and told me the rest are eager to either leave or stay, they’re just waiting for Ginja and I to give the word. I think we’ll go at dawn tomorrow. I’ll even take Jukko if he’s feeling up to it. The terrible work is already done, there is no need for us to remain. The Horde can run it’s own supply lines I think. I might return to Thundertotem, and keep an ear out for Routledge.  Ginja is quietly unhappy with this work, claiming she signed on to run trade routes, not feed and arm maniacs. I agree with her. She said few were spared, those that made it fled away on boats and hippogryphs.  I’m hurting for them, so much is lost.