"XAI"
The affinity that Xai had for tearing out tangled roots from the field was beginning to get the new hire of the tillers some attention. If he went to work in the fields, he would usually find at least five or six sets of eyes staring at him, regarding his big red-furred shoulders as he set to work in the fields. The trowels he put to use were sturdy, but they were being put to the test on a particularly gnarled and ancient-looking root.
He unbuttoned the flannel shirt after it snagged something yet again. The sun was high, but his task was not yet finished.
There was a small hand tapping at the back of his leg. He suppressed a growl that seemed somehow, very natural to him, and regarded a young Draenai child…who'd apparently attached themselves to the Tillers in recent days as a runner and field hand. "Messages for you, sir." The Draenai bowed their head. "Will you need water?"
Xai rubbed his shoulder with one paw; some of the dirt that had gathered to that paw flaked away. "That'd be nice, sure. What's the message?"
The Draenai recited the message with great haste, almost tripping over their words. "Haohan Mudclaw asks if you would be open to coming over for dinner tonight, and sends his compliments. Mister Hillpaw informs you that he will be back this evening and would like you to attend."
Xai nodded when they were finished. "I'll be there." He removed a number of bronze coins. "There's for the water."
The Draenai smiled from ear to ear and took off like a shot, running back into town. A few of the Pandaren watching Xai laughed at the sight.
An ache gathered in his right forearm…actually, both forearms, now that he had a chance to think of it. He was doing hard work, and while his stamina was improving day after day, he was still not…satisfied with matters.
Xai rubbed his paws together to get them as clean as possible, then sat down in the shade of a small lychee tree that grew next to the road. It was likely one of Hillpaw's projects that had gone to seed but the old Pandaren had never had the chance to 'correct'. Still…the fruit was good this time of year, and the shade welcome. These were Hillpaw's fields, too…
The Draenai returned swiftly with a jug of water, which they offered to Xai with a bow. The huge Pandaren accepted it and gestured for the Draenai to sit next to him. "Might as well enjoy the shade, right?" He offered a smile…or at least as much of a smile as he could offer. Draenai were Alliance by nature, and while Xai had gotten used to the idea that working for the Tillers could mean working for the Alliance…there was still something suspicious about them.
"Thanks." The Draenai child offered a smile of their own. Their teeth were clean and very nicely kept. "You're Xai, right?"
"Right you are, young'un." Xai chuckled. "I never caught your name, but I've seen you the last few days or so."
"Marcos." The Draenai looked up to meet his eyes.
"That a common Draenai name?" Xai was a little miffed.
"Not really. One of the humans who sent me here named me that." The Draenai admitted.
"You were sent? You weren't raised by your own?" Marcos chook their head. Xai rumbled softly and nodded. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"I don't know my real parents." The Draenai murmured and leaned against Xai's shoulder. "I'd like to think they were nice. The humans who sent me here didn't want me getting into trouble. Halfhill's safe…at least, that's what they think. They'll be back."
"I'm sure your parents were nice." Xai murmured as he took a sip from the jug. "Thank you again, by the way."
"You're welcome." The Draenai child bowed, showed him a very toothy smile, and then dashed off.
When Xai returned to the bunkhouse that evening after his work was done, he found Farmer Yoon and Haohan Mudclaw waiting for him. Both seemed quite unhappy about something, but whatever that something was, Xai didn't know. "Is there a reason for the long faces?" Xai quipped as he stepped inside.
"I've…heard tell of something serious going on beyond these shores." Haohan spoke softly.
"There's always something going on in the outside world." Xai murmured. He wasn't sure whether to sit or stand. Haohan and Yoon also seemed to fidget, but when Xai sat down decisively, they followed suit. Xai's golden-eyed cat joined him and was rumbling warmly on his shoulders within a few moments.
"That may be true." Haohan said. "But what I've heard is more serious than that." He met Xai's eyes. "About three weeks before you arrived, a few outsiders showed p and passed through the Valley. They brought with them a war criminal…a Kor'kron Dark Shaman of some sort."
Xai's eyes narrowed. There was something familiar about the word Kor'kron. Those in the Valley of the Four Winds did not care for them…and neither did the Tillers. In fact, if someone with Kor'kron allegiances showed up in the Valley or asked to trade, they would usually have that request denied. "From the sound of your voice, it did not go well."
"Indeed…it did not." Haohan murmured, then met Xai's eyes once again. "The Kor'kron's associates attacked the village and placed innocent lives in danger attempting to free him. We…interceded. This place is our home."
"How did you do it?" Xai seemed surprised. For all the look the Tillers senior members had as sturdy Pandaren and tenders of the land, the Kor'kron were elite soldiers of the Horde by reputation alone. How could simple farmers succeed against them?
"It is a long story." Yoon said in lieu of Haohan. "If you would like, I can relate it later. What we have heard…is that something serious is going on beyond these shores."
"Correct." Haohan picked up now. "There is a rumor of a…portal. A gateway to another world. For some reason, it has opened, and an army from the other side has come through."
Xai's ears drooped. It had been three months in total since his arrival, and Pandaria seemed like it was at peace…his tasks in the Tillers had increased, as had the trust they'd placed in him. To hear that matters elsewhere were not so peaceful was… His mind was conflicted. The tasks had been tedious at first, but he'd found enjoyment in them, had reveled in his own strength as he had upturned stumps and removed boulders from fields. The community of Halfhill had benefited from his presence, and this was something the Tillers had been glad to relay to him.
The outside world was not something he knew a great deal about. His memories of the time before he'd come to the Tillers were fuzzy at best. What was he to do with this information? He could wield a pitchfork easily enough, yes…
His attention turned back to the conversation as Yoon spoke once more. "The outsiders who came through here are returning for some of the things they…left behind." Yoon's ears drooped now. He had a few friends in the outside world. "They might even be recruiting for Pandaren to fight this foe from another world."
Xai closed his eyes a moment. "What if the invading army comes here?"
Yoon and Haohan exchanged a glance. "We truly do not know." Haohan admitted. "The Shado-Pan would have a better grasp of that than we would. That much is for certain."
Xai frowned as his attitude soured. "If the fighting comes here…"
"I hope it does not." Yoon spoke quaveringly.
Xai ignored him and continued speaking. "…we must stand for ourselves. I…I've thought of joining the local militia. If this foe is so terrible that mere rumor of it has people returning to pick up their belongings and oppose them, you cannot assume they will remain beyond the shore forever."
Haohan's expression hardened somewhat. "You've given the matter a lot of thought."
The burly red-furred Pandaren nodded in response. "I have. I've…cherished my time here, and I am grateful for it…"
Haohan Mudclaw stood to his feet. "I won't stop you from helping a higher cause, Xai. We've been glad to have you…but if some day you are not here…" The leader of the Tillers bowed to him. "I hope that wherever you go, you succeed."
Xai did not laugh; Haohan's face was far too serious for that to be taken well. He did, however, smile. "I'm not leaving just yet. But…thank you all the same."
Yoon stood and bowed as well. "We should let you get some rest, Xai. You've had a long day." Xai supposed that he did as the two Tillers left him in peace. The door swung shut behind them, propelled by no hand but rather closed by the wind alone.
The cat remained on Xai's shoulder, appearing to fall asleep but still purring happily. He tickled the cat under the chin with one of his thick fingers, and the cat's golden gaze met his own eyes. Eventually the big Pandaren rested on his side, and slumber claimed him soon enough.