None of us had slept when the sun arose. In the morning, Jathan met with the tribal elders. He asked me to wait for him outside the Matriarch’s tent. The voices inside were at times agreeable, at times angry. I could hear my Tauren elders raising their voices. But after much debate an agreement was reached. The elders slowly exited the tent. Each looked at me and turned away. The Tauren were angry at me. The Cha’ Or seemed sad. The elder-most Tauren just shook his head as he walked away. He was snorting with malice.

Jathan was the last. He is much shorter than both the Cha’ Or elders and the Tauren. But still, he commands much authority. It must be the way he acts. He came to me and I listened. He explained much. He was sitting as Patriarch of the tribe until Vacae could be found. He had requested me from the Elders. He had a special task for me to fulfill. He told me he wanted me to journey to the Oasis of Verdun. But that was only the beginning of my journey. He wanted me to find the Quorum of Elders and ask them where the Bonding Year had gone. And when I had found out, he wanted me to travel there and find Aquila. And accompany him back to us. Jathan believes that our tribe will need Aquila’s help to find his mother.

I have no idea where to begin. Or how to find him once I have. But I suppose the first step is the Oasis. I can’t let my friend down, after all.

As Jathan was explaining my task, he led me to the part of camp where my Tauren had their tents. We came to the center, and every Tauren in our tribe was sitting before the Windtotem. Praying to the ancestors. I was about to join them when Jathan told me to keep standing. Before long, all of the others were standing. Looking at me. The elder-most Tauren asked me to step forward to the Windtotem. He pulled it from the ground as I watched and asked me to turn around. He seemed sad. Jio ‘Hanni, a female Tauren came forward and wrapped a leather harness around my shoulders and waist. When she pulled it tight and fastened the cords together, I felt a weight upon my back. I looked up to see the red ribbon of the Windtotem above my head.

That is what the Elders had been arguing about! Jathan had asked them to let me carry it with me. Why? The Elder behind me explained that Jathan believed I needed all of the ancestors’ blessings to succeed in my journey. After much debate they had agreed. I cannot decide whether to be angry at Jathan for depriving my people of it, or overjoyed that I now carry it with me.

Regardless, the day went on with much goodbyes and I received many parting gifts from my tribe. Then I set off across the plains towards the Oasis of Verdun. I’ve always been good at finding my way in the wilderness. Maybe that is why they picked me.

As I neared the Oasis, I began to come upon small settlements. Homes, villages, and other dwellings. The people were staring at me openly. Perhaps they were scared? Perhaps they were intrigued. I suppose they have not seen one of my kind. But even so, I don’t like the attention.

I don’t understand. Who are they? And why did they attack? I don’t understand.

They came from the direction of the smell. Kaa’ Jah Kushani in white. They all wore white. They were friendly. We welcomed them in easily. They said they were a guild of craftsmen from Verdun. There was no reason to doubt. They seemed to be looking for something. What, I could not decide. Although they did not trust our Cha’ Or brethren. They spoke to us, made friends easily. It wasn’t until dark that we saw their true character.

They found what they were looking for. It was not a thing, but a person. When twilight had taken the earth, they forced themselves in to the tent of our Matriarch. They killed the Cha’ Or guards, and captured her before we could fight. Each was strong and a keen warrior, but they were few. They escaped! Some did not. Our dead were many more than theirs. We did not find Vacae among the dead, and we assume she has been taken, although we do not know where.

Jathan searched among the dead for clues. I do not know of what, but he seemed angry. We were not able to follow the men.

We sang the song of the Earth as we buried them. From Earth our brothers came. To Earth they return.

My name is Marn Plainstrider. I am not sure who owned this book before me. But I can tell you she didn’t suffer. My axe claimed her life before she could feel the pain. I’m not a killer, although I have killed many. My party and I were attacked while we stopped at a well. They were of the ruthless Tai ’Tek tribe. They have no honor. Setting a trap for someone at a well is a barbaric tactic. But we’re Kalim’ Dor. They had no chance. Still, Oreg Gro’ Gosh was killed. Shot in the back. May he join the ancestors in peace. He’d not have gone if Aquila were still here. I miss my friend. We triumphed, but would have fared better.

I found this book in her coat. I can only imagine she’s wealthy. Paper is hard to come by. I hid the book in my pack and took the rest of the spoils to my brethren. I wanted this treasure for myself. I can’t write well. But I’m learning. I hid the book until I was able to take it to our matriarch, Vacae. When I asked her to teach me, she was more than happy. She’s like a second mother to me. After her son was called for the Bonding Year, she took us in. Jathan and I. We were his best friends. She’s been teaching Jathan more of her ways. But I am turned to fight. After the Gathering, Tai ‘Tek attacked us. We were unsuspecting so soon after the Gathering. They didn’t conduct a raid. It was an attack. They slew many of our brave warriors. They especially slew our beasts. We have to carry much on our own backs now. After the attack, I needed to fill gaps in our tribe. I’ve been a part of every hunting party since then. I’ve gone out every day. I’m honored that they think I’m a good warrior. But I’m tired. It was refreshing to find this book. And Matriarch Vacae has been eager to teach me to write. I’ve been eager to learn.

I also enjoy spending time with her. She is as wise as a Tauren Elder. She loves the earth and sky just as I do. She knows the heat of fire and rush of water just as I do. She honors the ancestors. I think I have much to learn. But she is happy that I have learned quickly. It takes time because I am large and I cannot grasp the feather the way her slender fingers can. And my fingers cannot move the same. But despite being slow to write, I am quick to learn.

I worry that I am not learning fast enough. The spirits are restless. Our elders have felt their stirrings through our mighty Windtotem. I do not know if I can feel it. But the air has smelled strange lately. And I miss my friend.