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Seed tossed on high winds

Wander the world without home

Black earth embraces

Over many years of meditation, a mind can tread a thousand different roads, but there are none it will favor as much as the path it walked to reach its current place. And considering the unexpected turns my own life has taken, I am no different. Fortunately, I am rather freed from asking "What if?" I spent my youth wandering Azeroth here and there wherever my heart desired and my feet carried me. There are so many possibilities that focusing on "if" would be no different than daydreaming. A potentially pleasant experience, to be sure! However it would yield little insight. A far more worthwhile thing to wonder is what led me down this path. That, too, is easy: Aura. I had no intention of stopping in Riversong for more than a couple days, a week at most, stocking up on food and perhaps making a little coin before heading out again. That was so many years ago I can't remember where it was I was planning to go next. I believe it may have been Deadwind Pass, but that is only a guess.

I still don't know what it was that caught her eye. Well, no. That is a lie. I know exactly what about me caught her eye, but that alone would make me nothing more than a little entertainment for an evening to her. I don't think when she invited me to her office she thought it would be anything more than a little fun, either. I have spent many, many years trying to figure out what it may have been. Outwardly, we couldn't be more different from one another. She was the mayor of a city and a noble with lands, titles, wealth, and responsibility, a true lady of the Alliance of Stormwind and daughter of Gilneas. I was a monk from beyond the sea, born on the back of a turtle, no home to speak of, no accolades to my name, and no earthly possessions beyond what I carried on my back. Peace or not, I was also sworn to the Horde. I don't know if she ever faced any backlash among the nobles of the Duchy of Duskwood for her decision to marry me, she kept such things separate from her personal life as much as possible, but I imagine if she did it was handled with swift and decisive action and it certainly never got the better of her. That wouldn't have been a secret one could keep all these years if so. Still, it has caused me to worry for her regardless, and further added to my curiosity.

After these decades, the best guess I could make, why Aura wanted to spend her life with me of all people, was how spirited I was. I simply was my own person, moving from place to place as I desired and doing what I could to raise the hopes of all I met. At the time, I merely considered it living by Chi-Ji's message, to be the blazing fire that warms the hearts of others, to not let mundane concerns weigh me down, and savor every moment of life. I was, and still am, direct, bold, and headstrong, and she saw how earnest I was in my deeds. When I said I cared for others, even complete strangers, she knew there was no lie, no misdirection. I have heard her remark how easily laughter comes to me, and how infectious it is. Perhaps by living so free of all the customs and rigors she was born into, so foreign in behavior from the courts in which she was trained, she saw me as an escape from that cold world.

After our fateful meeting, I think what started as nothing more than the spark of desire kept burning, turning to soft embers. For my part, her cool confidence, certainty of self, and quiet strength grabbed my attention from the moment we met. Even then I would have admitted there are many disadvantages to wandering alone, foremost among them that I had no one to lean on. If I lacked the strength to overcome a particular obstacle, if I was hurt, caught unprepared, that may well be the end for me. It is the risk of the adventurer. She exuded, well, an aura of vigor that was reassuring to be in, allowing me to believe, while with her, I could afford to be vulnerable. Shortly after this thought occurred to me I found just how right I was. I don't know how long after our first intimate moments she began to wonder about me, hoping that perhaps we could be more than sensual strangers. Perhaps it was my youth, but I was smitten immediately.

In the tingling calm after we both had our fun, when we talked of the future rather than the past, I shared my longstanding desire to spread and protect life, one, I found, she also shared. I confessed that despite my wish to personally contribute to the life of the world, I was afraid that I was not ready for such a transformative experience, forever altering the path of my life. The quiet that followed, her deep thoughts at my words, still sits with me. She spoke of a temple she had heard of in rumor several years prior, one she had only more recently confirmed. Lost in the thickest jungles of Stranglethorn lived a goddess who bestowed on any who would follow her ways of nurturing the very purity of life itself. Her magic held wondrous powers so rich they would reshape the bodies of those who received them, a blessing she passed by offering of herself, her milk, directly from her own breast. For those like Aura, their virility would grow, becoming powerful in body and focused in mind. For those like me, the life-giving essence would collect in their womb, forming them into the very shape of motherly love, and allowing them to spread her power for a time, as she did, and invigorating the land around them, allowing life to flourish and wounds to mend by releasing that power.

I had never heard such a myth, but Aura swore it to be true, having been there herself. She pointed to the emerald fixed to her chest; she said it was the mark the goddess' priestesses placed on those who received her blessing. She would tell me the way, but I knew traversing into the harsh jungle with only the word of another could be quite dangerous. Such an exciting prospect! But I had other plans. Certainly, I wanted to find the Temple of Isis, however I wanted to know Aura more, to explore...her, as well. I hoped I had correctly seen the glint in her eye and suggested she should come with me instead, another adventure to add to our long list. I was so excited when she accepted I could hardly contain myself. Were it not for her valid rebuke, that she would have to make arrangements, as mayor, rather than simply disappearing into the night, I would have departed at once.

Our journey began the following day once all her affairs were in order. For my part, while she was doing that, I was still asleep. In those days, mornings agreed with her so much more than me. It was a pleasant surprise that she was ready, then, at the same time I was. We departed south casually enough. Still in familiar territory, and going back much the way I had just come, we spent those first days conversing, I perhaps contributing more than my fair share. It was wonderful to be back on the road and my exuberance that I had a companion made me bubble over with stories, other adventures I had gone on, myths I had heard, places I had been. She took particular interest in the lands of the Horde, having little opportunity to visit them outside of diplomatic work. I, too, had seen little of the Alliance Kingdoms, and returned her curiosity.

Once we left Duskwood behind and entered unfamiliar lands, I found myself becoming more my typical self when traveling, tirelessly running forth and taking in all the sights I could, sprinting up to a cliff to see the view, coming up to exotic plants to examine them, crouching in the brush when spying a new, strange animal. Looking back, I'm not certain how I didn't drive Aura mad running ahead every few minutes. I suppose it helped that I often found something worth seeing when doing so, engrossed as I took it in, while Aura preferred a slower but constant pace. As we went deeper into the jungle, and the foliage began growing thicker and wilder, I could sense something about the land itself had changed. It was not merely some echo of the lush flora, indeed I could feel the hum of Chi pulsing through the ground and nourishing them. I could see Aura was deep in concentration, trying to follow the source of the power as a trail. The undergrowth became troublesome to traverse, though Aura seemed to pass through it as though it was nothing more than a grassy meadow, but soon we came upon it. Personally, I almost walked into it. The vines had grown so thick I failed to notice the pillar underneath the verdant embrace, and likely would have kept walking had Aura not pointed it out.

The soft vibrations of Chi were all around, too strong and diffuse to use as a guide anymore. Aura also seemed a bit uncertain of which direction to proceed. She sniffed at the air, chose a direction, and set off. After a few more steps, I noticed stone beneath my paws, having left the soft earth behind. Had I not known better, I likely would have thought it some abandoned Gurubashi ruin. The sound of birds and insects became muted as we proceeded. The vines running this way and that across the floor made it easy to trip, and we approached a far wall covered in them. Aura began reaching through them, testing the stone behind them, until her hand simply passed through. She gently curled her paw around them and parted them, revealing a small, dark passage. She raised a hand and faint, silvery light flickered to life at her fingertips, coalescing into a hazy ball that floated just above her palm. I entered and she followed, the creepers blocking out the light of the sun. While the illumination she gave us was dim, it was enough to make out where we were going. The exotic carvings on the walls seemed ancient, many faded and worn, and in some language I did not recognize.

We remained silent, ears strained for any sound. I could hear running water echoing in, but nothing else. The tunnel gently sloped and curved down, and the first glimmer of sunlight trickled up the passage. I made haste, Aura running up behind me to keep pace, and the stone opened into a massive, open-air courtyard. It was a place of beauty. Here, the plants still burst forth in all manner of diversity, but were tended and kept in check. A natural pool had formed far off on one side, and I could hear water draining into it. Aura beamed, telling me we had arrived.

I walked for the water ahead, and as I rounded another pillar obstructing my view of it, I saw the strangest thing. I thought it one of the mythical kitsune, its long, thick, sandy tail slowly rising and falling while her feet dangled in the pool. I was surprised to see she was completely naked, though I supposed the heat of the jungle made it a reasonable choice. Her azure hair hung in wavy locks, much like Aura's but with a more untamed appearance. I felt my heart skip a beat as she turned and fixed her eyes on me. The thrum of power inside her I had not felt since I made pilgrimage to the Temple of the Red Crane. She was round with child and her forehead and chest bore a crimson gem identical in shape to Aura's. She smiled and rose, recognizing Aura, and greeted her warmly. They talked for a brief time while I watched, the warmth she bore around her felt much like Chi-Ji's, but was so much more intimate, personal. I was so deep in thought I failed to notice the conversation had been brought round to include me, telling Isis my name and why we were here. She looked at me and beamed, and it became very difficult to concentrate. My spirit sang, resonating with her music, and my heart raced. These were not strange sensations to me. I had known them before when I was honored by the Red Crane's presence. What was new, however, was the fluttering tingle I felt deep in my core. The pressure grew when she laid a hand on my arm. We returned to the pool and spoke for a time of my work as a monk of Shen-zin Su, my dedication to the August Celestials and the Huojin Path. While it was under the guise of a friendly face, I knew she was plumbing my character, determining if I was worthy of the prize I sought.

Isis seemed satisfied with my answers to her questions. She called for a couple of her Daughters to see to us, both also apparently pregnant. Aura, knowing what was coming next, began to strip off her clothes without a word, and I did the same shortly after. Isis' Daughters invited us to join them in the pool. It was refreshingly cool compared to the warm air. Once I was settled into the water, the Daughters promptly swam up to me, embracing me and asking if I was ready for my ritual bath. I was not expecting something like this. Aura smiled reassuringly and asked them if she could help. I was unused to that kind of attention, but having the three lovely ladies surround me, working out the knots of my muscles, washing away the grime that had accumulated in my journey through the thick of the jungle was wondrously pleasant. For a moment, I almost forgot why we had come I was so relaxed until Isis returned, the ripples of her divinity announcing her arrival long before her footsteps. I felt the quiver once more, my hand resting over my lower belly to try to calm it. The Daughters smiled knowingly, but refused to answer my curiosity, that I would know what it was soon enough. We emerged from the pool and dried off, each of them helping Aura and I as we tended to our fur and hair. My love finished first and the Daughters worked together to straighten and work my long mane. Another came and delivered a small, diamond-shaped emerald, just like the one Aura bore on her chest. They turned to me, assured me it would not hurt, and pressed it over my heart. They closed their eyes in concentration and the gem grew hot, not uncomfortably so, but as bare wood left in the sun. Only a moment later they pulled away and it was left there, having become a very part of my body. I prodded it and was surprised that I could feel my claw as though the gem was not there at all.

Isis promptly took me by the hand and guided me off to the side where several cushions awaited, Aura confidently following behind me. She sat and leaned back, offering her breasts to us. I exchanged one last nervous glance with Aura, who nodded encouragingly. We went to our knees before the goddess. The pounding and rushing blood in my ear made everything fall mute in comparison. The moment her nipple touched my lips, I shuddered from the spark that leapt into me, and I began to suckle from her. I began gently, uncertain of how I should be acting or what else I should have done, should have offered to her. She placed a supportive, gentle hand on the back of my head. Her milk was sweet, but the flavor, for all my skill with discrete accents of taste and rare ingredients, still evades proper description to this day. I found myself being filled with a primal need; I wanted more of her warm milk inside me at once, and I greedily began to drink down as much as I could. I heard Aura succumbing to a similar hunger, but she had pulled away. Her panting was loud beside me, a quavering breath escaping her. I think I looked, wanting to know if she was still fine, but my own desire was too strong. While I feel it is what I did, surely I must have, I have no memory of it.

The prickling energy seeped through my body, radiating out from my stomach that held the goddess' milk. I felt flushed, yet still I desired ever more. A hand on my shoulder, barely piercing the fog surrounding my mind, pulled me away. I gasped and cried out, trying to fight it and return to Isis' full breast, but once my mouth left her nipple my mind cleared. It was Aura, now a chiseled Adonis, who had pulled me away. I turned back and saw Isis laughing softly to herself, commenting on how much I must have wanted her milk. I apologized, embarrassed that I had lost control. I didn't know I had gotten so hungry from the journey, I explained, but she halted my confessions, saying that the hunger for her milk did not come from the body. I felt my belly churn for a moment and looked down, the warm Chi that had flooded into me seemingly collecting there. I was disappointed to see my body, unlike Aura's stunning physique, was completely unchanged. The fennec-god laid her hand over my abdomen and smiled, suggesting I should sit down. I did so, lowering myself opposite her. Aura sat next to me as I asked what would happen next. Isis merely closed her eyes, smile widening, as she accepted an offered jug her Daughter had brought for her to drink.

It was only a few minutes before I began to feel as though my belly was getting a bit crowded inside. Over the next couple hours, it began to round as my breathing became labored, trying to maintain my focus as I could feel the hum of primordial power building in my womb. Soon after a dull tenderness filled my breasts as they, too, became engorged with milk. They felt hot to the touch, and the skin tingled with contact, becoming rich with the same magic that was in Isis' bosom. I wavered, finding it difficult to remain upright. My head felt heavy and clouded with the rush of magic washing through my soul. Aura saw my struggle and moved behind me, telling me I could lay back on her. I obliged, thankful to get some of the pressure off my swelling belly. I clutched it in my paws, felt the coursing life energy held within, and was stunned by how much I had grown in such a short time. The last hour was certainly the hardest, but I remember little of it. I have vague impressions of my skin feeling very tight on the verge of being painful, of feeling the Chi in my womb resonate so strongly I was certain it must have been ringing like a bell, of Isis kneeling close-by, grinning with satisfaction, and running her hand against the delicate hide of my swollen abdomen, of my head swimming from sensory overload. I am not sure if I ever lost consciousness. I may well have, but the experience was so overwhelming it may have moved seamlessly from awake to blackness and back. The only thing I remember clearly was Aura. I was struggling to maintain focus, much less to stay upright, but she supported me, kept me from slumping to the ground, and grasped my hand tight to reassure me she was there, a friend was by my side, that everything would be alright.

I do not believe when she wove her fingers around mine and held my paw fast she did so for any reason except that she felt it was the right thing to do. She has always been an honorable, duty-bound sort, and in that moment was someone in need of companionship and reassurance. As the changes slowed to a stop, my midsection as round as it would be again just under a year later from my first children, Isis left us to collect ourselves, grant us some privacy. Still I lay there, against Aura's strong chest, my head resting on her shoulder, and still our hands were locked together. The song of birds came echoing down through the open ceiling, the sky turning gold and red from the evening sun. I listened to her steady breathing, the constant beat of her heart, and felt more comfortable there in her arms than I could recall having ever felt in all my years prior. Her fingers shifted, and I became consciously aware we were still holding hands, the emotional discomfort rushing in that I may have been too presumptive to continue that closeness, that I may have held on longer than she wanted. I pulled away and sat upright, heaving myself forward as much as I could, utterly unused to the weight that had settled in the cradle of my hips. I paused, one hand braced on the ground just beside me and the other on my knee to provide support. I slid further back, then, closer to Aura, and dropped my paw back down to Aura's thigh, right next to the very hand from which I had just pulled it free. I was hopeful that I was wrong, that her heart had begun to stir for me as mine I had for her.

And indeed I was. The tips of her claws gingerly traced the edge of my paw, but I did not move. Her fingertips danced up to back of my hand, and I turned it over, clutching her once more. I leaned back, tucking my head under her jaw, and rested there. As I closed my eyes, I took her other hand and placed it on my rotund belly, once more entwining our fingers together like tangling roots. She gently guided us to our sides, her arm moving up under my head to serve as a pillow, and she held me tight, pulling me closer to her body. We exchanged no more words that night, falling asleep soon after we curled up together. Before I drifted into slumber, I kissed her hand, still held tight in mine. The sudden, soft puff of breath that buffeted my hair made me smile, so pleased how the simple gesture had touched her.

It was not long after this I decided this was exactly what I wanted, that being filled with new life was invigorating, exulting, and so deeply moving. There would be little time before I asked Aura to give me her own blessing, to fill me and trust me with her own life, and so change both of ours forever.