#97

Pressed into the journal is a letter; written on fine parchment with good ink, in a strong hand. It's wax seal is missing.

Eishona!

Hello my dear friend - I hope you are well. I had heard about your mishap in Vol'dun while in Nazmir - I penned this letter as soon as I had the chance. Reports say you lost most of the people you employed, my condolences. I understand you were rather close to them.

I do hope you are able to recover, you're a strong, resourceful doe - I believe in you. Call on me or Benerlet if you need.

Yours respectfully,

Jukko Softhoof.

****

On the next page is a photo of Eishona and her wolfhawk, Sweylo, this time in midair. She appears elated. Below, she writes underneath in an excited hand that gradually neatens up.

We did it! Sweylo carries me on his back now, with minimal fuss! I've been given permission to take him out of Highmountain now, and I couldn't be happier. I took a week from negotiations to come work with him and it really paid off. We took a flight around Trueshot, and next the valleys of Highmountain, it was well worth the wait! I was even able to let him hunt for some rabbit before we went back, and he came when called. I'm so proud of him! I'm so grateful for my teachers, trainers and handlers here in Trueshot Lodge - I'd not have had this work without their knowledge and help.

I also got a letter from Mr. Jukko - I guess news of our caravan's troubled has spread. He sounded concerned. I'll write to him after I finish this entry. I know he's a very busy bull - between his work in Nazmir and family in Highmountain, after all.

Of note, before I left for Highmountain, I met a curious fellow. A demon hunter, an elf by the name of Damien Felwaver. He was looking for someone, a guide he was waiting for.  He seemed keen to travel to Thousand Needles, I'd have offered him help but I've not traveled there myself. He stank of weird things, like burning pitch and.. whatever it is demons reek of. But he didn;t seem specifically rude. 

Speaking of which I need to see if Ohanjo still wants to go to Thousand Needles still- he mentioned about wanting to go. 

I got another letter too, from the Alliance left in Highmountain - they've given up the search for Routledge, and I think maybe it's time I let him go too. I miss him, and hope maybe, that he'll come back but I can't keep holding on to the notion. I have no way of knowing if he's alive, but just to be sure, I make an offering for his spirit when I make offerings to the Earthmother.

I did visit the site of our camp. It's a much happier place, with none of the gloom and blood from before. A Rivermane doe set up a home there, with her calves and mate.  I stayed with them for a night, enjoying their tales and hospitality.  I rarely have trouble in Highmountain. I even see elder Ranna, who looks so frail now, she says her spirit walks a fine line between life and death lately. She was bundled up in her little hut, surrounded by blankets, pillows and candles. I might not see her in the flesh again, with the way she talks. Maybe I'll see her again if I walk in the spirit realm again, maybe with Elder Wooshy.

Bhenta and Sufa are doing well; they enjoy our time in Highmountain - the hunting is good and they get plenty of scraps and bones to crunch on. I've been working with them to help their recall - Bhenta is prone to ignoring me when it suits her - the trainers in Trueshot say that comes with being a leader, and not something you can just break out of an animal. You have to work on it, and we do. I keep dried liver and a clicker on hand to reward her and Sufa for doing what is asked of them. 

Tusok and Tulk are also doing quite good- Tusok is less violent with strangers, but just to be safe I keep him away from questing hands when we're out on a trade spell in Orgrimmar or Mulgore. His great side and hairy appearance give people the impression he's cuddly - when he's not. You would not believe how many people just think they can walk up and pet someone's working beasts. Those tails and feet can inflict serious damage! Tulk seems to have reached his full size - still smaller than Tusok, but much more biddable. I can allow someone to pick through his bags and not worry about him lashing out. Tusok and I have much work to do.  The handlers here in Trueshot say it'll be a long road - Tusok is used to being a huge brute in the field, that the life of a beast of burden might be hard to adjust too - I'm not keen to turn him loose, because despite his energy, he's still used to being cared for. It'd be a terrible thing to turn him loose after growing used to being handled and cared for.

The teachers here say a good handler develops a mental bond with their beasts, one I am trying to understand. So far, we'll stick with verbal commands. Pk'tow says he had this bond with a great cat he had in his care, called Takk. He said when Takk passed on, it was like losing a brother, so close was their bond.  I'm not sure I am ready for that kind of a bond, but do ensure my beasts are well tended. Pk mentioned that kind of bond doesn't just happen - his and Takk's bond came from years of trust and working together. Though he did say some handlers just happen upon the right companion and it just works out. 

My time In Highmountain is coming to a close - I am due in Everlook for interviews and money talks with Ginja. Her last letter seemed full of worry. I think the losses are truly troubling her. We might lose her in the caravan, which might mean the end of our business - I hope not. I rather enjoy working with her.