Prologue:

I slid from the silky sheets of my bed, abandoning the warm, sweet, safe haven of my chamber, and slithered despairingly down the steps of the tower, moving slowly through the door that led into the palace proper.

It was not as I had left it.

"Hello, Magna," One of my long gone children greeted me; his crown perched on a head of raven hair, proudly atop an unfamiliar face. I did not see myself there.

"Hello," I said, my voice a mere memory of the commanding force it used to have. The echoes of battles, of screams and commands sounded in my ears, and I closed my eyes, sending away the memories. Not yet.

"I have scribes from the different kingdoms gathered, if you are ready. Would you like a drink?" The boy-Joshua, I think his name is-asked, and I felt his un-calloused fingers grasp my elbow delicately.

Another man did that, long ago. His hair shone gold and his eyes glowed with love-

No.

"I am fine, thank you. Lead me to them," I said resolutely, opening my eyes and running a pale hand through my eternally young hair, the platinum strands soft against my skin.

I was led through halls, the stone unfamiliar and the light blinding, until the smells of ancient words greeted me.

Words of my own time.

The great Library loomed around us, and at a great table, surrounded by plush chairs, sat five different scribes, all hungry looking and awe struck.

"Milady-"

"Magna Jade-"

"It is an honor-"

I held up a hand, and a wave of warm magic flowed through the room, silencing the sniveling children, who looked aghast at their silence.

"I need none of your praise, children. I only wish to finish this and be left alone." I said, and I watched the Thalassian scribe keenly, for her eyes were a turquoise that I hadn't seen since my young days before Arthas.

"Apologies, Magna," The elf spoke in smooth Thalassian, something that my ears only just remembered, "It is the shining of your eyes that has me struck. You are the last of us with the affliction."

I nodded, "Just so, my people deserve that," I responded in common, to convey to the room, "Now," I continued, sinking into a dark blue chair, being swallowed slightly by the soft cushions, "Where shall I begin this bedtime story?" I asked, irritation and fatigue already tugging at my senses.

The orc spoke first, his skin a ruddy greenish brown that pleased me-my peoples are all freed from the affliction-"Could you please speak of the time when Pandaria was a fresh discovery?" his tongue was rough, and his common was poor, but I could see the interest light in the others' eyes. Joshua the king placed himself in his mock throne, seemingly uninterested but secretly curious.

I sighed, "That would've been…1200 years ago…" I began.