The letter arrived a week after the Rethe celebrations in Hamglen. The stern reason of her mother transpired through her words, interspersed with her very own hot temper. Zavas’ ears began to turn red as he turned the pages and yet he could not help laughing either.
“…I will sabotage the entire brewing operations at the mountain if I have to. What by our forefathers were you thinking??? Oh right you were not! Shame on you and your drinking, thrice cursed. You haven’t been a wet beard for over two centuries father! Your overly fortunate minded disposition will this time not just endanger you but the Breelands and your friends themselves. Have you not thought for one moment that someone must have brought these beasts north for a reason? Your finding it cannot have been pure coincidence, rather a nuisance unlooked for. Again you got yourself involved with matters beyond our power and comprehension. Angmar yet stirs with things I wish I could make my mind forget. What if it was them in the mountains in winter, and now they may be after you to take back what they consider theirs? Who else would go to lengths as such bringing southern beasts north nor have the means to? Have you no fear? As it is clear you already attached your heart to the poor beast I will take it in my hands to solve this matter. If I understand your last letter, you have still not decided or proceeded with your preparations to travel to the far south in persuit of the Scoundrel. (Will you ever or should I consider it my business now? Tell and I shall take the steps needed!) So it shall be then. I will see to it that the beast is taken there safely immediately. I will not indulge in your dissent father, do not even try! It needs to go to its natural lands, for its own good. Make your farewells and await further instructive word from me before the month turneth…“
That too had been weeks past now. She had sent the dwarven group his way, they had made Hamglen and Bree their daily business, he only marvelled she did not actually join them. It was nearly time now their preparations were coming to a close. Zavas groaned and took to his goblet letting the letter’s content pass through his mind.
Mahurani raised his head, curiously using his long trunk to reach for Zav’s beard. The sun was shining warmer these days and the young Mahurani delighted in its light and fire. They sat by the stream passing through Hamglen by the hill of The Boar, falling down right here in a shimmering cascade of water. “Don’ ya look at me like that, too. I know I know! She is right. Ye know how much I love ye, but ye don’t know what ye are missing either. Tha’s what shocked me when I picked you up so far north. How anyone coul’ ve brought your mother from so far… it doesn’ seem likely. Bitter taste it leaves of something fishy going on somewhere. Me girl is right, as she usually is. That hag and spirits business still puzzles me. Something is terribly wrong. The traces of war still follow us. For you to be born in the realms of my forefathers when yours are surely missing your voice. I can see ‘em before me inner eye still. The sands and the heat, the trees and grasses that only grow far far south. I have travelled there in me youth ye know for many a year.” Mahurani let out a deep growl, contend and accustomed already to the words that would follow. Zavas continued in his revel, eyes glinting.
“There are no lands like those beyond the new king’s city and reaches. Winds carry the scent of adventure, music like the rush of battle and beautiful like all yer senses bewitched in a dark spirits’ dream. The food tastes like pure many coloured fires and a thousand beautiful flowers of kinds ye never saw before. Tall ships part through the ocean like the sharp edge of an axe. Enemies they were, but did they not too yearn for peace and a simple life. Aye! They did. I know. I proved meself to them, laughed with ‘em, hunted with ‘em, fought and learned with ‘em. Oh and your kind traversing the great plains is majestic. Your herds are as much a brotherhood as any dwarven house could claim. Proud and towering, their presence gives a grounding to the very earth. They have a mind to them they do that our human fellows may not always see.“
Zavas sighed and patted the beasts long ears as its dark eyes silently sought the depths in his. “Ah ye will see soon, the caravan is nearly ready. I will accompany ye til Trestlebridge or the woods of Annundir from there our brothers will take ye to the Ranger folk for counsel. They will find the safest route south. I wonder will they choose the sea route from the far downs? Would the long ears and ranger folk even help? To see the deep seas again, just once…” Zavas' mind trailed off. “I will miss ye dearly. So dearly me friend. I wish I could come with ye all the way but something in me heart tells me me matters in these lands are not finished yet. One day not too far ahead I will either travel far to the northeast and follow in my ancestor’s steps for one last battle or I may come and find ye all grown and pray me last goodbyes on this earth to the oceans themselves with ye at me side.” Mahurani trumpeted as the sun set over the hillsides and made the leaves shake on the nearby trees in blood red.
It was a few days later that they set forth and Zavas yet knew not to what he would return alone…
