Chapter 1
Jadearra's POV
I struggled against the warm sheets of my bed, hair getting caught in my mouth and my head pounding with less than satisfactory sleep, again.
I won the war of the bed after a few moments, kicking the sheets from my legs and snatching my headband from the nightstand, using the stretchy fabric to pull my hair back from my face and out of my mouth. The knock on my door alerted me a moment before Delevenia-my oldest maiden-let herself into my chamber.
"You need to sleep more, child. I can see the void in the bags under your eyes," The old crone said, holding a set of simple red robes, the golden Theron crest displayed on the front.
"Give me potion to cure the nightmares, and maybe I would," I snapped, fatigue and irritation throbbing behind my eyes.
"An addict is not fit to rule a realm, or fight for her father, and that is what you would become," Delevenia said the line as though it weren't the billionth time she's had to.
I chose not to respond this morning, dedicating my energy to slipping out of the nightclothes that covered me just slightly, and tiredly taking the fresh robes from Delevenia. I stubbornly ignored her as she gathered my nightclothes and set them aside.
Another knock on the door alerted me as my favourite maiden let herself in.
"Good morning, my lady!" Elvira said brightly, headache potion in her hands and a grin on herself.
Delevenia grumbled something that sounded suspiciously like 'addict' as I gave Elvira a grateful smile and took the potion, my mind clearing almost immediately.
"Shall we braid your hair, Jadearra?" Elvira asked, her own soft sea foam eyes searching my face; smile fading slightly as I shook my head.
"No, thank you Elvi. Is Father waiting for me in the war room?" I asked as I finished squirming into the snug robes, Delevenia silently buttoning the back and straightening pieces.
"Yes. Your mother too, as well as the Ranger Ge-Halduron." She changed her wording quickly as my face twisted, heart clenched.
Delevenia may be old and crotchety, but we agreed on a few things, "That rat should not have been named general." She grumbled, smoothing out a wrinkle on my sleeve roughly.
"Agreed. But it has been done….no-no use grumbling, is there? Thank you ladies." I said, slipping into some cloth shoes and leaving the chamber.
I stepped into the hallway and was immediately greeted with a stormy grey wolf with a laughing grin and lolling tongue.
"Good morning Bandit, we have a meeting to attend," I smiled at him, letting him lick my fingers before I gave him a quick scratch behind the ears.
I moved quickly through the corridors, grumbling at the restrained stretch my legs-stupid robes.
Before long, I stood before the doors to the war room, great, wooden structures with the Theron crest carved into them. I took a deep breath and rolled my shoulders, feeling the calming presence of Bandit at my side. With a deep breath, I wrapped my slim fingers around the handles and pulled the door open.
The table stretched across the entirety of the room, made to hold councils of much more than six. Father sat at the head of the table, looking every bit the Reagent Lord that he is. His platinum hair hung down in waves, tied partially atop his head in a tail that shined.
His face was young looking, lined from both laughter and glares and wars. His one good eye shone a brilliant emerald, the other covered with a golden patch that was engraved with the crest. He sat in simple clothes today, his only grand detail being his war bow, a great, ornate presence that was as ornamental as it was deadly when in use.
Mother sat to his right, looking coldly regal and slightly angry this morning. Her raspberry hair tied up into a bun, with only two strands hanging down to frame her face. An ornate hairpin with the family crest stuck out from the front of bun, as though it were emerged in it. Her slightly darker skin made her deep sea green eyes all the more capturing, and the slant of her brows was the only sign of any anger she had. She wore deep green robes with golden accents, her hands covered by black gloves that ended in golden talons. Mother did not fight out of choice, but Elynae Theron had been a ranger of her own grandeur back in Father's youth.
To father's left, Halduron Brightwing, the current Ranger General of the Silvermoon court, sat proudly, his clothes all flashy blues, and not a single sign of the family's crest on his person. Beside him was, surprisingly, Lady Liadrin of the blood knights. She was not a common attendee of war council meetings, only called when matters were dire. Across from her and beside mother was Grand Magister Rommath, his raven hair hanging from his frame flatly, and his face covered by a deep red garment that matched his robes. The sigil of the Kirin Tor hung beside the family crest, and his presence was as surprising as Liadrin's. Such a gathering of the Silvermoon Court hasn't been seen since the death of Anasterian Sunstrider, and that fact alone made my core clench slightly with tension.
I took a seat beside Liadrin, nodding to the elder elves in the room, "Good morning," I said lightly, smiling.
"Good morning, daughter, it is good to see you are feeling well? Have you eaten?" Mother began firing her caring questions my way, and it made me feel a little less empty inside as I answered.
As a servant was sent to fetch a light breakfast for me, Father began the business.
He stood, pushing his chair back from the table and stretching slightly, "I have called the war council here on the orders of Garrosh Hellscream, our…proud, Warchief," Father said, and I felt fury and hatred a million other emotions swirl through my veins at the sound of that cretin's name. Mother caught my eye, and I knew that she felt the same.
"What of his orders?" Halduron asked, trying unsuccessfully to ease the brewing tension in the room.
"General Nazgrim has reported that an Alliance ship has crashed into an Island previously uncharted on any map on Azeroth-an entire continent, in fact." Father said, and excitement replaced my anger.
"Do we know of any cultures? Natives? Anything?" I asked, and he gave me an indulging smile.
"We currently know nothing, but the Warchief has ordered that all factions are to send military units, and purge the Alliance from the land and claim it for the Horde." Father said, and momentary chaos broke out.
Liadrin was saying that we have to follow orders, while Rommath shouted over her that this was a useless waste of resources, and Halduron roared over both of them that it would be a death sentence to disobey.
"Silence." Mother snarled, and all the now standing officials froze, roars dying on now silent tongues. She had not raised her voice, her face had barely even twitched, but the voice of a queen had poured from her now closed mouth. I realized that her angered brow and calm non-reaction gave away that Father had informed her of this information beforehand.
A servant came in during the silence, his steps seemingly loud in the tense silence as he placed a tray of milk bread and honey in front of me, bowing as he retreated from the room, the doors closing again with an ominous thump.
After a moment, Father broke the silence, and the others all sat, "I don't approve of the orders that we have received, but as such, to disobey is seen as rebellion in our Warchief's eyes, and one nation would not stand long against the entirety of the Horde, and the likely Alliance who would swoop in on the weak." Father said, sitting in his own chair, and I debated his information in my head. A new land to explore…
"As such, I have thought of a compromise. Instead of immediately sending out an entire unit-which would weaken all of our forces immensely-we shall send out a small team to explore, map, and learn about this new continent. This way, we appease our Warchief, and learn about whatever this new war is that he wants us dragged into." Father said, and I stood as though jolted by electricity.
"I volunteer to personally lead this expedition, Father." I said, my shoulders back and emanating excitement and hopefully confidence.
"Absolutely not." Mother countered me, standing from her own chair, and placing her gloved hands on the edge of the table, talons digging into it slightly.
"It is not only a political failure to send our last living heir off to some land that we know absolutely nothing about, but it would be my own failure as a mother to allow it." She said this calmly, with frosty rage and protectiveness coating her tongue and underlining her words in such a way that they struck me sharply.
"It would show disinterest and lack of dedication to the horde to send anyone else, and it hurts me as your more than capable child to have to fight on this in the first place." I countered her, matching her tone and holding her gaze without blinking.
"Silence, both of you." Father stood again, and mother backed off, holding my eyes as she sank slowly into her chair. I sat down again, never blinking.
"Let us hold a vote as to if we will allow this-as a council." I knew Father aimed his final words to Mother, and broke eye contact, looking to him imploringly.
Please send me, Father. I promise I will not disappoint you.
"All those who approve of sending Jadearra Theron, Reagent Princess of Quel' Thalas and Lady of the Mist to spearhead the Expedition, rise." Father remained standing, as Rommath, Myself, Liadrin, and after a moment, Halduron stood. Mother remained seated, nostrils flared and fury floating off of her in sharp waves.
"All opposed, please rise."
We all sat as Mother stood defiantly, her breathing growing shallower and frantic.
"It is settled. Jadearra Theron shall spearhead the expedition.
I stood at the crest of the hill, mist-hanging low around me as I watched the dockhands scurrying around to prepare the ship in the early morning light. The wind sung sweetly in my ears, and Bandit's breathing sung in time. As the sun left the horizon, I was to set sail for this 'Pandaria' and begin this expedition.
I took in one more deep breath of the mist, its comforting aura and whispers of the dead soothing me and giving me strength as I made my way towards the docks. Leather pants, boots, and cloth shirt covered me, paired with a leather vest, quiver, and belt. My cloak hung and floated behind me in the wind, and my hair fluffed out like a main, held back by my headband.
Mother and Father were waiting at the docks, along with Elvira and Delevenia, and-
"Oh, ri," I grumbled, seeing Lo'Daras Dawnwalker standing proudly beside my father, talking animatedly with him.
Of course, he is the one who noticed me approaching, "Good morning, my love! I am to accompany you to-"
"Like hell you are." I growled, and he stopped, shocked.
"Jadearra!" I don't know who squawked first, my mother or Delevenia.
"I am not marrying him, I will not be courted, and I will not be accompanied," I said, looking with stubborn anger at Father, who looked guilty.
This would be the fourth time he has attempted to set me up with Lo'Daras, and I will have none of it.
"Apologies, daughter. I merely thought you would not want to be alone in this new land," Father said, and I smirked as Lo'Daras was led away by a dockhand, sulking.
"I will have my shipmates, and Bandit, and my memories of you," I smiled, wrapping my arms around him in a tight hug, emotions tugging themselves out of their neat crates to make my heart pound.
I hate leaving them.
"Be safe, my Jade. Quel' Thalas looks to you. O riom a." Father spoke into my hair, and I smiled against his chest.
"I love you too, Father."
I pulled away from him, and turned to Mother, whose self-control was wavering badly.
"Would you like a gift from this new land, mother? Jewels, silk, scrolls, anything?" I asked, and she gave a watery smile.
"I wish to be given the first branch you trip over in this new land," she said, and I gave her a quizzical look, "Why?" I asked.
"Because when I receive it, I'll know my clumsy Jade will be home and safe, and that is all I truly want." With that, she threw herself at me in a hug, sobbing into my shoulder, strawberry red hair tickling my cheek.
I fought back tears of my own, hugging her tightly and kissing her hair, "I promise you mother, I will bring you this and more, for you deserve the world. I love you so much."
"I love you too, Daughter. Be safe, and…fight for your sister, that she may accompany you in the mist."
Tears actually did sting my eyes, and trickle down my cheeks momentarily, and I gave her one last squeeze before pulling away and nodding to Father, who took her into his arms as she cried for her children.
"Milady, are you ready?"
I turned to see one of companions calling from the boat, and I nodded, taking my bag from Delevenia, hugging Elvira quickly, and gesturing for Bandit to follow me.
"For Thessali! For Quel' Thalas!"
This is what was yelled along the coast line of the Eversong by my beautiful people, and I smiled and waved.
Yes, for Thessali, I will carve the monster's skull for my trophy.
I come at your call, Warchief.
I have never seen so much Mist.
Whispers of unfamiliar dead surrounded me at all times, choking my senses and leaving me fatigued and strained at any given time. We've been sailing through the choppy water and mist for three days now, and I've taken to carrying a torch, swinging it toward the mist to dissipate it here in there. I felt guilty for not listening to the mist I was sworn to protect, but I had to focus and there was so much.
I stood now, leaning against the side of the ship, head hanging limply forward to watch the waves before, when the call I had been listening for for nearly three months finally sounded.
"Land, Ho!"
None of the others had any trouble seeing, it seemed, but the mist crowded closer than ever now, clogging my senses until-
"Enough!" I brought my arms around and slammed my palms together, and the mist moved from the ship entirely, restoring my senses to their full glory-
Wow.
I felt my jaw drop as I ran from the side to the bow of the ship, climbing onto the swirling figurehead of the ship and balancing there over the waves, staring in awe at the landscape before me.
Pandaria.
The forest was so…so green. Emerald layered over the ground, complementing the white sand of the beach, before fading into the deep green of the tree tops, held up by deep mahogany trunks, and framed by sharp, tall peaks that went into the clouds.
A shadow fell over me, and I looked up to see-Mother of Azeroth!
I scrambled backwards, nearly falling off the damn ship, staring at the massive, dragon like creature in front of me.
It had no wings, but it held itself aloft in a way that spoke of practice. Its scales glittered a navy blue and its eyes glowed a fiery red. Great horns poked out of its head, among is facial ridging and-reins.
Good god, something's riding this thing.
"Milady?"
"Hold!" I held my hand out behind me, the ship stilling, and I slowly stood on my perch, face to muzzle with this thing. I eyed its small legs, which ended in talons as long as my arms, and flicking tail, which could send me flying in seconds.
Suddenly, the thing breathed, and hot wind sent my hair flying back from my face and left me coughing.
"Who are you?"
It talks?!
"I am not the Cloud Serpent, stranger." The voice took on a note of amusement, and the thing-a Cloud Serpent, the man called it- lowered, to reveal its rider.
Whoa.
The only way I could even begin to describe him is to compare him to a panda. He was very…round, but muscular, according to his posture. His hat was lower and wide, casting his face into shadow, but his eyes glowed gold and his ears were small. He was panda like in colouration-black and white and seemingly furry-and his paws held the reins of the Cloud Serpent.
"What business do you have here in Pandaria?" The man asked again, his voice rough and gravelly, with an accent punching his words.
"I am…I am Jadearra Theron, Reagent Princess of Quel' Thalas and Lady of the Mists. May we dock here?" I asked, using my full title and hoping this man somehow knew what it meant.
"Why should you be allowed?" He countered, and I bit my lip, thinking for a moment.
"I have been sent to study this land, and its inhabitants and cultures, which we didn't previously have any knowledge of." I responded, and he was still for a moment, watching me.
"You sent the mist from your ship like a monk…and you call yourself the Lady of the Mists. Why?" He questioned.
"I do not know what a monk is, but…In my land, and seemingly here as well, The Mist is the gateway to the realm of the dead, and as the Lady of the Mists, I can…I can hear the dead, and sometimes see their manifestations. I sent the Mists from my ship because they were smothering my senses with their power." I said, and the rider's head went to the side slightly, before he nodded.
"Alright, deathspeaker. Your ship may dock." With a blast of wind, the serpent shot from its place in front of the ship, its speed causing waves to rock the boat.
I turned to the crew, "You heard the…man. Bring us in."
Within an hour, we were docked, and the little port city that we were in was filled with more of these panda like people. They watched with curiosity, and one child in particular looked excited-her eyes were as green as the treetops, and when she caught me watching, she gave a big grin.
"Take care of yourselves on your mapping expedition, I shall be on my own from now on." I told the crew, and they nodded. I took my quiver and slung it over my shoulder, picked up my simple bow, my bag, and beckoned for Bandit to follow.
As my feet sunk into the sandy earth of this new land, the man from the Cloud Serpent approached me, his Serpent nowhere to be seen.
"Hello, Deathspeaker." He said, and I bristled.
"I am not a dea-well…I suppose I am, but please do not call me that." I said, and I saw him smirk under his hat.
"Apologies Dea-Jadearra." He caught himself this time, and I gave a nod in gratitude, when giggles caught my attention.
I looked around the rider man to see the small child with enchanting eyes hiding in a bush, watching us. She waved animatedly, and with some hesitation, I waved back.
The man looked over his shoulder and saw the child, only nodding at her before turning back, "I am Lord Taran Zhu, of the Shado-Pan."
"Shado-Pan?" I blurted, and I bit my lip to keep my mouth shut. My manners are just dead at this point.
"We are the Watchers of the Wall, and the Pandaren's only military force." Lord Zhu said, and I nodded-tucking the names Pandaren, Shado-Pan, and the Wall away for later.
"Now Lord Zhu, will I ever get to talk to her?"
I turned over my shoulder to see-a Blood elf?
She definitely hadn't been on the boat, and sunwell help her she looked like she should be ill. Her hair was grey with very little brown in it, and she had wrinkles of age throughout her face. Her skin was dark with a seeming glow to it, and her eyes were the same as that Panda gi-
She's not a real elf.
"Yu'Lon," Lord Zhu bowed low, the brim of his hat nearly touching the ground. I followed suit, my head never dipping as I eyed the not elf.
"Rise, I wish to speak with her alone." Yu'Lon nodded to Lord Zhu, who gave me a look of utter suspicion before turning and walking away.
"You're not an elf." I said simply, and she gave a kind smile that reminded me of Mother in a way that my chest throbbed.
"Quite right-the eyes gave it away, didn't they? Never can mask them. Just so, this is a form that you're a little more familiar with, compared to my true form, and I'd rather you were comfortable." Yu'Lon was all happiness and good age-like the grandmamma whose spirit remained young.
"That and the accent. With all due respect, your current mask is giving more anxiety than anything-you look diseased. Elves don't age physically, and to do so is to have a deadly disease that is feared by my people." I said, and she looked shocked before a moment, before nodding, and closing her eyes.
With a light breeze, her hair went from grey to a deep woody brown, curling down her back, as the wrinkles and lines on her face disappeared, and she looked much healthier. I gave a nod of approval, and she grinned.
"Now, I overheard your conversation with Taran Zhu, about your purpose here in Pandaria, and I have a…. proposition, for you." Yu'Lon said, and as if on cue, a Pandaren-that must be their race's name-brought two gigantic dragon turtle like creatures up, whose shells were covered in a cushion and whose ridges were tied with reins.
"I would like you to come with me back to my temple, where you could study with my resident Lorewalker," Yu'Lon said, and my brain all but exploded with questions.
"Why do you have a temple? What is a Lorewalker? Why do you extend this kindness to a stranger?"
Yu'Lon smiled, "I am one of the four August Celestials. We…influence the Pandaren people greatly. We are their leaders, if you would prefer to think of it that way. My temple is the Temple of Jade Serpent, which rests in the heart of the Jade Forest. A Lorewalker is a…historian, of sorts. Much of the Pandaren's own history has been lost to them, and the Lorewalkers seek to piece it back together. Our Lorewalker-Lorewalker Stonestep-has a large library within the temple of information on the cultures of Pandaria. Why do I extend this kindness? Well…there are many reasons, many. Some you will learn in time," Yu'Lon finished, and while she evaded my last question, she answered well enough for me.
Yu'Lon and I climbed up onto the turtles, Bandit curling up against my lower back and a cushion for a perch, and Yu'Lon continued to speak with me as our turtles meandered down the grassy road.
The sun was heading for the horizon, and soon the only light on the path were the torches, and the jade trees hung ominously around us. I felt the mist creeping in, the whispers rising in volume, and forced my willpower into concentrating on Yu'Lon.
"The land is troubled, Jadearra," Yu'Lon said, and I raised an eyebrow, not even surprised that she knew my name.
"Your Alliance and Horde have brought war to our shores, awakening a terrible, terrible enemy known as the Sha." Yu'Lon continued, getting a look to her eyes as though she were thousands of miles away.
"When the Celestials were young, the last Pandaren Emperor, Shaohao released his negative emotions into the land, as to be able to rule his people wisely in the threat of something known as the Sundering. The Celestials assisted him in this path, and for this we are deeply regretful, as it has caused many conflicts. The Shado-Pan were formed to watch the Pandaren enemies beyond the wall, and to defend the Pandaren from the Sha, who have been dormant for thousands of years. Your war, your dark energies, it…feeds them, gives them strength, and they're breaking out of their prisons. It is…troubling." Yu'Lon finished, coming back to the road, and she smiled, "Ah, here we are."
I was in awe; the temple was beautiful. Great stonewalls surrounded the temple grounds, spare for a round doorway that we passed through. The rolling grounds were a thousand shades of green, with brilliant pink blossoms sprouting throughout. As we passed through a second set of rounded doors, the granite courtyard of puzzle piece shaped stones was revealed, surrounded by a villa-esque assortment of jade pillars and brilliantly blue tiled roofs.
Two Pandaren in elegant green robes and gold accenting came from the corners of the courtyard, helping Yu'Lon and I from our turtles, and taking my bag-when the woman reached for my quiver and bow, I growled slightly, and she backed off.
Bandit had leapt from the turtle upon reaching the grounds, and he trotted in now with a small train of doting children that pet him and gave him attention. His laughing grin and lolling tongue told me that he was satisfied.
I looked around, feeling Yu'Lon's eyes on me, and watched a Pandaren woman who dressed like a warrior, with reddish brown and white fur, and facial markings in the shape of knives along her cheek bones, as she led a group of what seemed to be trainees through some sequences, and all were accompanied by adorable little swirling Serpents-Cloud Serpent hatchlings.
"The Order uses my Arboretum to train their companions," Yu'Lon gestured through an archway that seemed to be tucked into a corner, and I saw pink blossom trees that swayed in the fading light.
As we approached the main steps, she turned to me with a stern, mothering look that made my heart ache, "Now, the libraries and the grounds are open for you to explore and meander through, but you are to never pass into my private chambers. If I am no where to be found, contact Priestess Flameheart, and she will call for me. I take my true form and shed all masks within my chambers, and she is one of the very few mortals who can stand to look upon me without pain. Goodnight, Jadearra." With that, she turned and slipped through the great cherry wooden doors, which closed with a thud of dismissal.
I wandered the courtyard some, finding my bag in one of the spare rooms and picking it up-I'll choose where I sleep. I eyed the pillars, with the gold serpent ridging, I wonder…
I got a running start, and with a leap, I latched onto one of the pillars, a few feet of the ground. I heard some shocked reactions, but I was too curious to care. I climbed the rest of the way up silently, using my ranger's footing to scale the pillar and find a perch on the roof-
Wow.
As clouds rolled peacefully through the early night sky, the Pandaren sun burned a brilliant red and orange, with yellows and pinks following its descent into the horizon. I looked up to see navy blue sky, and twinkling stars peaking through the clouds.
The roof had a wooden beam just barely wide enough for two of me to lay on, so I tucked my pack under my head and watched the sky, letting my mind wander off into the depths of sleep.
