THE VALLEY OF THE FOUR WINDS

YOON

The cottage that belonged to Yoon was a simple one, the product of many months spent in the service of the Tillers. His eyes roved over the documents he'd been given, looking for any loopholes. This was a role that suited him well…he was well aware of the legal trickery that Pandaren in the Valley would resort to in order to get their way. And those who had helped him for all those months…didn't need to know about the nastier side of Pandaren politics.

It was evening now…three months in all had passed since the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, that fabled place on the other side of the mountains, had been thrown into ruin. Three months since the protector of Pandaria, Taran Zhu, had almost died at the hands of Garrosh Hellscream. The panic of the Vale's destruction reached Halfhill within hours. Rumors first…then refugees, driven to flight.

They all carried with them the horror stories of what had been. Of relatives left behind, of a place blackened beyond ruin.

Time was ever on Farmer Yoon's mind. The friends he'd made and who had tended the farm so dutifully had left almost the second the word had reached here. Two and a half months had passed since the Battles of Orgimmar. Since Hellscream was vanquished...

And not one whisper of the Trial of the one responsible for these catastrophes had reached Yoon since. His friends from the lands beyond had not returned...Yoon wondered if they ever would.

A knock at the door disturbed his legal ruminations. A solid one…and Yoon sighed heavily as he turned to get up from his chair. When he opened the door, he met the piercing eyes of his guest almost immediately. A huge red-furred Pandaren with no shirt, but only a pair of pants and a towel thrown over their shoulder. "Can I help you with something?" Yoon asked, one hand fidgeting at his side. If this was a hired man from one of the Tiller's clients sent to argue a contract, well…

"Three other farms said you were hiring." The red-furred Pandaren pointed back up the road. "Are you?"

Yoon let out a sigh of relief. "Yes. I am, as a matter of fact. What's your name?"

"I…uh…" The Pandaren sighed. "Look, I've been in too many scrapes in recent months. I honestly can't remember it at times."

"That's not good…Well, I'm Yoon, just so you know!" Yoon stated. Then he asked cautiously, "You're a veteran of the wars?"

The Pandaren nodded once. "Yeah…"

"Well…you come in. I'll see if I can get something worked out quick." Yoon smiled reassuringly. "Come, sit down!"

The stranger did just that, throwing the towel over the other shoulder. It had a small Horde insignia on it…Yoon hoped none of the scrapes were because of those who'd lost family to the Horde getting into fights with the stranger.

"Nice place." The stranger mused aloud, rubbing one heavy hand over their gut.

"Indeed it is. It took…some time to get that way." Yoon murmured in reply. The stranger smiled…and the gesture calmed Yoon's heart somewhat.

Yoon finally found a simple document, one that he offered to those who'd come looking for work. When he offered it to the strange Pandaren, they stared at it. "Maybe I'm the fool for not asking until now…but what do you offer?"

"More than that." Yoon assured them. "You'll have quarters, and we'll provide food and clean water. And good wages. You'll be hard-pressed to find better ones in the Valley! Unless you want to go to the Alliance, that is."

The stranger's lip curled at that idea and they nodded. "Where should I sign?"

"Right here." Yoon pointed.

The stranger signed something…and Yoon was baffled. "Xai?"

"It is simple. It will work…until I remember my old name. One day, I will." The strange Pandaren…Xai…stood to their feet. Then they bowed in the traditional fashion. "Thank you."

Yoon led them out to one of the small houses the Tillers had bought. Xai looked the buildings over and then nodded. "Better than a torn-up tent in the middle of Kun-Lai…"

"That it is." Yoon smiled and opened the door…to reveal the homely accommodations. "I…hope you don't mind the cat."

"I won't. Good for mice!" Xai chuckled. "Thank you again. My first day is tomorrow, yes?"

"It is." Yoon bowed. "I'll have you sized for a shirt first thing in the morning." When Xai stared, Yoon explained, "The Tillers want to present a good image. If it's too hot, you can always take it off…but seeing as you're new, people will want to see you putting your best paw forward."

"Sensible." Xai nodded. "Thank you again. See you in the morning."

Yoon left…glad that he'd at least found someone to help with all the chores. Being the accountant and…well, now, the lawyer for The Tillers did NOT exempt him from all the other work. Especially seeing as his friends had left…

"XAI"

His mind settled as he sat down on the couch. Three days had passed since whatever fog had been placed over his mind had cleared…leaving him with no clue as to who he had been before.

Those he passed on the road to Kun-Lai were eager to tell of their exploits. There was a burning distaste, a bitter bile, that he felt rise in his throat whenever they spoke of the Alliance. There were Pandaren who had willingly served them...his people.

He had lit one of the candles, the shadows of the room seeming to melt away. He heard a soft 'mrrr' and looked to meet the accosting golden eyes of a cat. A cat with short gray fur on their back and soft white fur over their belly.

The eyes reminded him of something…of someone he'd recently met. But he couldn't quite place them.

"And how are you doing?" He offered both hands. The cat sniffed at them…then jumped into them, allowing Xai to lift the cat up and onto his shoulder.

It was good that he'd been accepted so quickly by this little fuzzball, in Xai's opinion. The steady rumble of the cat's purring was rhythmic…wonderful. It was very, very soothing to his mind. The cat moved from his hands and reclined near where he lay his head, sleep beginning to come over Xai…

He looked into the flame and rolled to the side of the couch, the cat resting on his shoulder. His thoughts slowly settled towards sleep…a good day awaited him. An opportunity to prove himself was in the offing…and he would not put it to waste.

His eyes began to close…the flame of the candle twinkling and dancing between them.

"…you are nothing like them!"

A deep, commanding Pandaren voice shattered his slumber immediately. The hostile tone in their voice was something that screamed out of the mists of Xai's mind. Xai sat up at once, a shout escaping his lips. Panting, he held a hand to his chest, his heart racing and all of his breaths becoming quick, harsh ones. The cat reacted to his sudden movement by jumping up and onto the armrests of the couch. Those golden eyes cast an accusing stare at Xai.

Xai had no idea what the memory was from. At that moment, the candle's light faded entirely…leaving Xai in the darkness.

Well, not entirely in the darkness. The cat's golden eyes seemed to shine in the darkness, and they gave him a questioning look. Xai held out both hands. The cat accepted him once again, and Xai leaned to the other side…allowing the soft-furred cat to rest on his great belly.

He had given Yoon a name, and that name was something he would hold onto. He had no other choice. He'd lost whatever name he'd been given…and inventing himself was something he badly needed to do. He had no idea of what he'd been before his memories had been lost…

But his heart would not rest until he'd found a purpose. This was just the first step.

The cat purred steadily and Xai's mind fell into slumber once again.