46. Make me proud

[moonshadows]

Anyone else would be confused at how such a beautiful day could be blustery, but I know better. The sea breezes flit around us, tugging playfully at our hair and clothes as we stand on the Stormwind dock and watch the ship come in. He doesn’t even wait for it to be properly moored; as soon as it is possible, he leaps straight from deck to pier and runs up to us. He’s gotten taller and he’s nearly as broad-shouldered as his father, the promise of youth filled out with hard muscle, but I still recognize him. How could I not? He’s his father in miniature: the jutting chin, the wild hair, the deadly eyes.

“Mother!” He sweeps me into a tight hug and spins me around.

“Tammis!” I laugh, hugging back. “My beautiful boy, all grown up!”

He sets me down and turns to his father, but Varian beats him to the punch.

“You make me proud, son.” His orcish has gotten much better since the day we met, and the words come out clearly Frostwolf-accented.

Tammis draws himself stiffly up to his full height and raps his breast sharply with one fist. “I will bring honor to your name, Father!”

“You already have.” And he embraces his son fiercely, both of them struggling to hold back tears.

I am not so restrained.