A tauren druid appeared in camp one night. These Beings fascinated Talukah, they were huge, enormous, and many were mild in temperament; in battles she always looked for one to stand by. And shapeshifting, they can shapeshift! Talukah can't help but scratch their manes behind their ears when she's standing next to one in formation for some ceremony or debriefing, and it shifts into a cat or a bear. Tailwagger, her worg pup can't quite figure out if he wants to play with these Beings or is afraid of them.
Ashenrock was his name, and he knew Bok'theg. The two had exchanged words that weren't kind, but weren't completely hostile either. Talukah eavesdropped, quite happy to discover that this druid knew clan members, and in fact was a member himself from a long time ago. How opportune. He seemed healthy-looking and clear-eyed, and yet experienced of battle and the Blacktooth Grin way more than Talukah could imagine.
When the two finished talking and went their ways, Talukah ran up to Bok'theg and pulled on his sleeve. "Talukah." he muttered with his ever often air of annoyance.
"Bok'theg, who was that?" Looking back at the tauren. Before Bok'theg could answer, Talukah blurted, "Will you introduce me to him?" The old orc raised an eyebrow at her, then nodded with a grunt.
The next evening, around a campfire Talukah got a proper introduction to the massive druid. Stories ensued of Ashenrock's time in the Grin years before. Talukah told him all about the happenings in the Mok'gun, about Virroth and Smashblade, and her fear of them. They also shared stories of their siblings and friends. Several other Grin had gathered around the campfire, and a couple of times Talukah embarrassed herself with uncharacteristic behavior. She had raised her voice to a clan member, one she liked. Another when a passing traveler tried to make himself comfortable, and Talukah grouched at him. When Ashenrock commented on the Grin's general behavior, it was noticeable that they were seeming jumpy and even paranoid.
A day later, Talukah was happy to receive Dargon's letter. It was perfect timing to visit with an old friend and she was looking forward to being in the bright sunlight. She had not tended to her need for rejuvenation in a long time, and from the look of it, that was showing in not only herself, but the clan.
While busy around camp and preparing for her departure, Talukah was aimlessly thinking about the Mok'gun, of course her mind was never far from it. With Virroth away or gone, supposed leaders have come and gone, some bloodthirsty, some clueless. (Makes one wonder if indeed Virroth is gone.) A new idea struck her thoughts so sharply, that it stunned her. Her best option was to tell Ashenrock, he could be objective, being away from the clan for so long. Maybe he noticed it already? She left note for Ashenrock to see if this idea rang true and would hopefully have some news upon her return.