Aftermath: The Fight for Pandaria

Chapter 1 – The Wisps' Whispers

It had been ten years since Dowager Queen Rhenn had left the shores of Azeroth for the new lands to the south. The High King Anduin had been elected to rule the Alliance as his father had before him. Though not as military minded as Varian had been, Anduin was a priest by nature wanting to resolve conflict without bloodshed, but it was becoming apparent he no longer would escape it. Since the landfall of the Alliance and Horde the old battles had been brought up and it had been rumored that it was escalating.

At home in Stormwind everyone was abed for it was night.

Lady Archpriestess Helene Mograine woke with a start. She had been dreaming. She had sat bolt upright in bed and looked about the room. She touched her stomach and then looked at her husband.

The death knight had been working on missives for the Ebon Blade. He would often be with his wife until she slept when he was in Stormwind City and then go about his work. He no longer required the sleep that the living did.

Highlord Darion Mograine set his papers down at the desk and walked to his wife. He was not dressed in his armor, but was near in case of action. He sat on the edge of the bed and looked at his wife. "What is it, Helene?"

She had been tossing and turning for nearly an hour and woken with a cry that brought her upright. He looked at her and then touched her brow. He poured her some water and watched her drink it down before he cocked his head at her.

"Death. All I saw was death and blood flowing." She looked at him. "A Pandaren. He had a face wrap and he was weeping over the body." She swallowed and closed her eyes. "There was such a wound. No one could cure it."

"Whose?" He asked.

"My mother's." She whispered.

He looked at the look in her desperate eyes. He pulled her into his arms and held her. "We have not heard. Perhaps it was only a dream."

She shook her head.

ZzZ

It was barely two weeks later. The weather was becoming colder. Winter's breath was coming, but as the sun heated the land it became crisp and beautiful and though not hot, it was pleasant. It was the time of the Apple Harvest as well as Pumpkins in the town outskirts. A time to gather for winter and have materials to settle in as winter came upon them. Autumn was a beautiful time of year in Azeroth and Stormwind was no exception to this rule. The trees and bushes were turning and it was the time for trying new kegs of aged ale and making warm pies. A time of bounty and plenty.

Lady Helene walked through the cemetery of Stormwind as was her practice. She needed some air after the meetings she had been in with her brothers and the rest of the Alliance leaders. Her twin Jamiy was leader of the Argent Crusade who was reclaiming the northern boundaries that used to be Lordaeron and then Scourge territories. The Ebon Blade headquarters was also to the north and the Argent Crusade and Ebon Blade often worked together to keep the peace and uphold the friendship born between Darion and Highlord Tirion Fordring first and then Darion and Jamiy after who shared not only a good friendship, but were joined by a woman, Lady Helene herself. Highlord Mograine had married her and Highlord Jamiy Ambrose had shared a womb with her.

She paused looking at the great memorial of King Varian, King of the Alliance and for a time her adopted stepfather. Though not buried there, few knew of where he truly rested. His elaborate tomb was built by the dwarves of Ironforge. The Dark Irons had added their own ornate spin on the framework as a thank you and honor to the King of the Alliance.

Anduin had spoken up for Moira and her son, Dagran who now served as the member Dark Iron member of the Council of Three Hammers. Dagran had proved himself loyal to the Alliance when there had been questions about Moira's motivations. He had fought beside King Anduin when the Zandalari trolls had threatened Ironforge. The other two members declined the defense effort, but Anduin, and the Dark Irons had saved the day.

Anduin never forgot their courage to stand with him and they never forgot him or his father. Moira had always been friend to Queen Rhenn and Helene sighed, heart heavy looking at her stepfather's tomb and the two smaller tombs for his two queens. Rhenn's tomb was nearly completed, but like her husband she was buried elsewhere. The request for her body had been denied by the Shado-Pan, though Lord Taran Zhu had sent a note about how she had fallen in battle. Admiral Taylor had sent his condolences and his report on her death to Anduin as well.

Anduin and Ellsa had had a state funeral for the Dowager Queen with a casket draped in black that was marched to the city with a drum as the only sound beside the horseshoes on the cobbles. Helene had read the report about how their mother had died and sighed. She had been charged by her brother in letting her sisters know. Alanis had perished in Theramore beside Rhonin, but Armathea and Vivan had to be told. The Sun Queen was easier to write to it seemed. Helene had trouble finding the words when it came to her youngest sister. Vivian had always been her own person and even now as she studied under the great Maarad of the Draenei.

Both sisters had come to the funeral, Thea dressed in her state robes of the south, her husband beside her and her four children with her. The half-breed children had less hair than their sire, but the elder two were nearly as tall as their mother and they were but eight and six years old. Ramses and Nefertiti had the look and temperament of their sire, but the girl had the soft grey eyes of her mother. The younger two, Hani and Imhotep had their mother's color and disposition.

Vivian had come with Maarad at her side and stood away from her siblings, but had wept as the casket passed them. Estranged from her siblings, she did not feel welcome, but their grief brought the family together and Anduin welcomed his rebellious sister back to Stormwind with open arms.

The girl was barely seventeen and she had told her siblings as they sat together that she had married. This surprised them all, but it made Helene smiled. A marriage and a coming life would strengthen the family and as so the Archpriestess was not surprised when her sister told her two sisters she was carrying a child.

At the wake it was more a celebration of life than mourning the passing of a beloved woman, leader, mother, and grandmothers. With all her children present, and all but one child, Alanis who had passed before her, Rhenn's memory was alive and well in the memory and hearts of those who had loved her.

Anduin made a holiday named "Water Day" a day where games with water were prominent and so it would be remembered Rhenn's ability to be in tune with water. Archpriestess Helene had set her mother on the path for sainthood within the Church of the Light on the same day with high approval from the bishops and other high leaders of the church.

Helene took a breath as she stood by the tombs. They had a beautiful view of the water of Stormwind Lake. Trees shaded the area and the trees were starting to color. A leaf fell and Helene caught it in her hands. She sighed. Her children were grown and now she was feeling her own age. Shagara was under stress as the Matron of the Horde and wife of Garrosh Hellscream. His behavior had become more and more erratic and she had recently traveled with her children to Pandaria to escape him. She had sought refuge among those who did not side with the battles, but had been turned away. She was a powerful shaman and many feared her as much as they respected her. The Shado-Pan were her last hope, but the last letter she had sent said cryptically that the Monastery was under siege and she had been sent to the Temple of the White Tiger until it was safe for her. Djenni was a druid and had been trying to heal the land in northern Kalimdor where the elements had destroyed and left it desolate. Neumu was busy in the Outlands keeping the peace for the great Naaru, A'dal.

She heard a soft laugh and looked up and saw a ball of light circling the tree above the tombs. She cocked her head. She had never seem a wisp here in Stormwind. It waved around the boughs. She could hear a small ringing, like that of a bell above her. She then heard a laugh, like a child. She turned her head to the water and something moving on the water. It was a spirit, floating above the water with water dripping from its body. Suddenly the water swirled and lifted like a geyser before it.

The creature laughed again and looked at her expectantly before the water churned again and uplifted. Helene stepped over the short wall and across to the path. She walked down the small hill and stood on the shore. "I do not understand." She said.

She heard a whooshing sound and the wisp was floating above the churning water. The wisp was lifted into the air and the spirit laughed with joy. It turned to Helene. "Play?" It asked simply.

Helene blinked and cocked her head at the spirit. The large eyes looked so innocent.

"What is it?" A male voice asked.

Helene looked up to see her brother standing there. Jamiy was large even by human standards. He was well over six feet tall, broad in shoulders, and his skin was a deep tan. His hair was dark as were his eyes as he stood in his Crusader plate armor regarding the small creature as it giggled and lifted another water geyser.

"I am not sure." Helene answered. "It seems friendly."

"Indeed." He regarded her his hand on the pommel of his sword. "What brings you here, sister?"

"I was thinking, musing. I saw the oddest thing. There was a wisp in the tree there?

"A wisp? Like those in Kalimdor?" He asked. "I thought they were the spirits of night elves who had passed."

"I did as well." She looked back. "It was just there and then it was playing in the water with that spirit." She shook her head. "It seems gone now."

"Still interesting. I have never seen such a creature here." Jamiy said taking a step forward. He touched the water and the tiny thing shifted looking up at him

"Play?" It asked again

It giggled and tossed a bubble to him. He made a move to catch it. It sat on his hand and he looked at it in wonder. He then saw the creature looking at him expectantly. "Oh sorry." He tossed the bubble delicately into the air.

The small creature laughed and chased it as it floated above it.

"What do you think it is?" Helene asked. "It sure is a happy little thing."

The bubble popped on its nose and it giggled playfully and then moved to make another geyser.

"It is a child of Shu." Came a voice to her side.

A woman had appeared from nowhere and the twins looked at her. She was young, with the look of a high elf. Her face was not familiar, but her hair was icy white. Her stature put her to Helene's chin. She wore a dress of gray which matched her eyes. She smiled as the spirit purred at her. She dropped down and put her hand in the water.

The small spirit came to her and she lifted it. It giggled and then looked at the twins shyly. It looked down and played coy.

"What is a Shu?" Jamiy asked. "And who Madam are you?"

"They call me Windsong." She said. She smiled at them. "Shu is the Ancient Spirit of Water of Pandaria. He has lost a dear friend and is need of help to find her." She smiled and lifted a finger and pressed the small creature's belly. It giggled as she tickled it gently.

Jamiy looked at his sister. "We would be willing to help of course, but Pandaria is weeks away by boat." He sniffed and blinked. Cherry blossoms? This time of year? It seemed to be around the woman.

There as another giggle and a similar spirit appeared dancing on the air. Helene looked up. "A child of air?" She asked.

"Yes, a child of Dafeng." Windsong said. "Defeng also mourns the loss of the friend. Will you help them?"

"It will take days, but we will leave as soon as we are able."

Windsong smiled. "My time here grows short, but I look forward to meeting you soon. Come to the Mountain that never rests. The holy place at the summit you will find me and my keeper. There are many trials that await you."

"We have faced many."

Windsong nodded as she began to fade and glisten. "The hero twins are known by many. Celestial's Blessing upon you. These children will see you well to the ancient lands. Fair thee well."

Helene gasped as Windsong was again an orb of floating light. "The Wisp. Windsong is a wisp. I never knew they could talk."

"I did not either." Jamiy said. He looked down. "Helene…" He said seeing puddles at their feet. She looked down. The child of Shu lifted its arms and suddenly bubbles engulfed them. They were lifted into the air.

"Jamiy?!" She asked. She touched the bubble as they lifted into the air.

He spread his hands. The bubble did not pop, only distort. He looked at his sister in confusion as they lifted into the air. Then the child of Dafeng took a deep breath and blew and they were moving out over the city, and out over the ocean.

ZzZ

Anduin had been coming up to see his siblings when he watch them lift into the air in some sort of mystic bubbles. He called guards to him, but as the first arrows failed, he stopped them fearing for his siblings should they fall from that height. He told them to leave and looked about. What had happened?

He looked about for an answer. He spotted the wisp in the tree. It was circling around. He had never seen one of those here before. He stepped to it. He knew they were capable of feeling emotion if not intelligence.

It was very out of place here. He stepped forward and lifted his hand. The small swirling light swirled and then came to him. It swirled around his hand.

"Hello, young Prince." Came a soft voice. It was distinctly female. There was the heady smell of cherry blossoms on the air. Odd for this time of year.

He blinked. "Do you know where the bubbles are taking my sister and brother?"

"The twins are needed. There is trouble brewing and the whole of the world depends on their success."

"Where?"

"Success is measure slowly. Much like the hourglass, one will be forever counting grains when one should really be noting the sand pile forming."

He cocked his head. "What?"

"There is much you can learn, young prince. My time has run. The twins go not only to save one the love, but the whole of the world."

"Another task laid out for them by the Life Binder?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes."

"Do you always speak in riddles?"

"Do you always have so many questions? Look within for the answers you seek."

He frowned and cocked his head at her. "My mother always told me to go with what my heart tells me."

"And what does it tell you?"

"To trust you."

The light danced a bit on his palm. "The young are always so ready for answers. Answers come like the seasons, one knows they are coming, but who knows the date of the first frost or the first sprout."

He chuckled. "Indeed. You sound like Prophet Velen."

"He has learned well."

He looked at the light and sighed suddenly his breath catching. "If you can find my mother in the spirit lands. Can you tell her how much I love her and miss her?"

"You mother never will leave you."

"I have lost two."

"Ah, but have you?" The Light danced to the tombs and skipped about. "Your heart is like a flame for memory, young prince. The memories you have keep them alive."

"Do they remain here?"

"Many pass, some do not."

"That was not really an answer to my…"

The small light came and hovered near his face. "Remember and they are free."

He nodded and the light moved and to the tree. It hovered a moment longer and then disappeared. He stood staring at the spot a moment and then he shook his head as he heard footfalls. He turned his head and saw Highlord Mograine coming to him.

"Greetings, your highness. Have you seen my wife or Highlord Ambrose?"

"They are on their way to Pandaria."

"What?" He asked.

Anduin looked at the undead Ebon Blade leader. "Come we must make battle plans. If the spirit was right we have a fight here we must worry about as well."

He blinked. "I have heard rumors of problems in Orgrimmar. Shagara tried to convince Jaina to save her people. Thankfully Kalec was about to reach the woman, but Shagara has been rifted from the woman she saw as her aunt since."

"I lost a sister to the Horde's use of the Focusing Iris. Genn has told me that they are planning something."

"Garrosh is not one to be idly by."

"Indeed."

Darion looked toward the south. "I hope a Zephyr brings my wife home soon. We will have need of those two before long."

"The spirit said they were going to prevent something. Something that could affect us all."

"A spirit?"

"A wisp?"

"Wisps talk now?"

"This one did." Anduin looked at his brother-in-law. "Don't look at me like that. Your wife speaks with the dead."

"Perhaps because she is married to the undead?"

"I think that is because she has the sight."

"Perhaps, King Anduin."

"You are a non-believer of life after death."

"I am not sure what I believe, but if you heard from a wisp so far from home, the message must have been urgent."

"So it would appear."

"Well with luck Jamiy and Helene will be done with their task soon enough."

"Come." Anduin said. "She will be safe."

"I know. Jamiy will not see anything happen to her." Darion said. "Though it is often her saving his hide."

Anduin laughed. "True enough."

They walked back together to the Keep as the sun set on the land. To the west, chasing the setting sun, were two large bubbles floating southwest. Behind them, laughing in the sea were the small Children of the elements.