Shupashupa
Ancestors guide me! I never thought I would say those words.
I ran into Buyaga today at the Brewfest outside Orgrimmar. He is hard to miss towering above all others and challenging even the mighty Taurens for sheer size. Despite myself I found a smile upon my face, “Lok’tar Buyaga! Let me buy you an ale, I suspect you’ve not yet had your fill.” I threw a few gold coins on the counter and the bartender kept a steady flow of mugs for Buyaga. We chatted a bit, discussing the merits of Orc brews and the horror from the Ogres, generally enjoying the light hearted feel of the Fest. After his tenth or so, Buyaga fixed me with a look and asked me to take a walk with him; and so we wandered away from Orgrimmar and off toward the bank of the Southfury.
He told me of how this river reminded him of a lake outside Garadar, the color of the waters similar, and the presence of angered water spirits as well. And yet there was peace as well, the water remained calm and still continuing on its way.
I found myself sitting in the sand, next to this great Mag’hari Orc, watching the waters go by as though there was nothing else; No Alliance invading the Keep or sinking our vessels. No war front. Just that place and time. I found myself asking him where he had been last night, he had missed the Clan gather (I was not going to say I missed him!)
“I was detained by the medics,” he told me. Several arrows he had taken to the chest, but here he stood and the elf archer lay dead. I wanted to punch him for his foolishness, but instead, I simply laid my hand upon his chest. Still he grunted in pain, the wounds still fresh beneath his armor.
He turned our conversation to the Services the other day, how strange they were with the two warlocks speaking of personal power and self respect. Buyaga is an Orc driven by honor and the need to find a worthy cause worth fighting for. Personal power is good, but only if used for the greater good, not self serving.
I offered him a small truth. “I only go to these services of late,” I told him. “Trying to understand the spirits and our connections has become more important recently.” I could not bring myself to tell him why!
“I can bring you to the spirits, but only you can decipher their message to you,” he told me. More talk of spirits! And yet, when he speaks of them, there is a light in his eyes, there is more to him than muscle and bone, and so I find myself trying to hear.
He spoke more of his home in Nagrand, how the barrier between the living and our ancestors was less there; and so I recalled a feeling I had at the old style Kosh’arg that was held there. I would not have made anything of it, but talking to Buyaga, I began to recall a feeling of more than just the participants at that gathering.
Suddenly his face cleared and he stood up, “There is something I want you to see. I am sure you have seen it before, but I want you to listen to it.” I confess I was curious. I had been enjoying just sitting and talking with him, but this seemed important, so I got up and we called our Worgs. He lead me across the river and north, past the city and up into Ashenvale to territories I had not spent much time in. Despite myself I found myself laughing, trying to spur my Worg to match his mounts much longer legs. Eventually her pulled up at a small pond and dismounted. We would go the rest of the way on foot.
We crossed the pond and he warned me of the presence of demons. He led me into a small vale, the path filled with demons. We acted like children throwing rocks and shadows, except these shadows were fel creatures; at least until we came upon a great stone block set into the earth. “Do you know this place,” Buyaga asked me? I confessed I had never been there.
“This is where our people were freed from the blood curse,” he told me. This is where Grom saved us all. This is where the future of our people was born. This is Grom Hellscream's resting place. Thrall himself made this monument.”
Unbidden, I found my hand reaching out to touch the stone face, “Despite the filth and taint, there is still something here…something alive,” I could feel it!
Buyaga’s voice, deep and resonant spoke the words carved into the stone, “Here lies Grommash Hellscream, Chieftain of the Warsong Clan. In many ways, the curse of our people began and ended with Grom. His name meant "Giant's Heart" in our ancient tongue. He earned that name a hundred-fold as he stood alone before the demon Mannoroth.
“ ...and won our freedom with his blood.
“Lok'tar Ogar, big brother. May the Warsong never fade.
“-Thrall, Warchief of the Horde.”
“This, Shupashupa,” Buyaga continued, “is our past, and the beginning of our future!”
I found myself kneeling before the great stone, my jaws clenched before the words began pouring from my lips, “For as long as I can wield my blades, the Horde will not fall. I will honor Grom’s sacrifice, and Thrall’s vision!”
Buyaga knelt beside me, his huge presence reassuring, “Honored ancestor,” he intoned, “Grommash Hellscream. I come to you today to ask for your guidance. Speak to Shupashupa. Let her know that our ancestors watch and protect us.” Then he looked at me, “Open yourself to him. Let go of the fear and the hate. Let your honor be the only thing in your mind. No greed. No lust. Just duty to your people, and honor to yourself.”
There was no other decision, “I will try…” I faltered. “…No!...Victory or Death!” my fist pounded the charred earth, “I will!” I looked around, more demons and fel beasts had gathered watching us. Buyaga’s giant hand on my shoulder, pressed me down, “No, stay. I will take care of them. In Grom’s name.” And he waded into them, axe in hand. I was not sure who’s battle was going to be harder. I sat there and tried to find peace, some calm eye of the storm. Trusting in Buyaga to ensure I would not be disturbed. And again the words came to me.
“Honored ancestor...
“This one seeks to understand and to know the will of her forebears...
“How you could sacrifice so much for so many...
“To know that there is more...
“That younglings not yet born may see a better world...and perhaps I may watch over them and guide them...
“I do not know how...
“Please help me to find a way to hear.”
After a few moments, the sound of my voice faded in the vale. The only sound the faint dripping from Buyaga’s axe.
“Do you feel him, Shupa? His strength? His wisdom?
“Perhaps…a quiet thing,” so very quiet, but there! “I never, ever lower my guard…it was different, and pleasant. Thank you.”
“It is not something direct. They speak in our souls, and in the wind.” Buyaga fixed me with a look, was it pride? “Shupashupa, this has been one of the greatest honors of my life. To bring one closer to their ancestors is an honorable thing. Thank you for letting me guide you.”
“I will continue to listen for it and perhaps it will grow louder,” I walked up to him and placed my hand flat against his chest, and said quietly, “Giant heart..."
“I think I will come here from time to time. Clean away some of this rabble and filth…and listen.”
He looked at me and then turned away in thought, “I think there is a name out there for you. One, like mine. I am no shaman, but I have thought the same word, ever since I met you…Hidden… The honor in you is hidden. Others who do not know where to look, cannot see it. Your desire for a life of meaning and to bring yourself closer to your ancestors, hidden, but I see them. I see -you-.”
I pursed my lips, weighing his words, “Maybe so. It took me long enough to find it within myself! I am glad you see me Buyaga”
“But you have found it. Question is, do you see it?”
At that I offered a smile, and fixed the great Mag’har with a look, “Like the tiny voice of Hellscream, I have begun to see it. To make it grow larger. Again, of late it seems more...important”
