Chapter 7
Fox walked toward the stables. The sun was just starting to stain the sky a bright golden. The morning sea air caused her to rub her arms. They were heavy and sore. Folding bandages was not a hard job, but when done en masse, the job certainly had left a memorable dent. She was just cresting the hill when she saw the Pandarian Sky Serpents near the flight point. Their presence caused her to halt. The Panarian guards were certainly Shadow Pan. No one could mistake their uniforms. But knowing how Taran Tzu felt about the invaders to his shores it was a shock he would even consider sending an envoy to Lion's Landing at all.
"I see you have found some of our new visitors." Shaw came up behind her. The red hair was tangled, as if he rushed from his room in a great haste.
Fox looked over at her boss. At least he was speaking to her again. She decided to hold her tongue, just in case. Being on the receiving end of Shaw's barbs was never a pleasant experience.
"I tried to catch you before you left the barracks. There will be no fishing today. Taran Tzu of the Shadow Pan has come to visit with King Wrynn personally." Shaw indicated to their Pandarian holding the great Sky Serpents reins.
"Taran Tzu is here?" Fox choked. Now that could not be good. Taran Tzu's delightful personality was certainly going to bring out Varian's best natural colors.
"We just pulled his Highness out of bed for the Lord of the Shadow Pan. If you would like to head over, you can take up the guard position from those on duty. I bet any number of them would give you a months wages to be out of there."
"Varian before coffee, dealing with Taran Tzu? I'll pass. Actually, I might just head over to Halfhill instead."
"Coffee you say?" Shaw perked up with an amused look. A hand raising to casually stroke his beard.
Fox suddenly felt even more ill at ease then ever before. "Are you considering running some up to our precious King Wrynn?"
"No. I was considering brewing myself the most fragrant cup ever known to Azeroth. Then walking back and forth in front of the conference room door; until I get the King's attention. Then I am going to shoot the both of them a fake look of innocence and take a long fortifying sip."
Fox stepped away from him. Certain that a bolt of lightening was going to strike the devious instigator down in that moment. It was a wonder that Shaw still had a job with his sadistic sense of humor. Wisely she chose not to voice her opinion. The pain in her arms still a nagging reminder of the power this man had over her. "Am I permitted to leave for the day?"
"Yes, Fox. Make yourself scarce. At least one of us will be saved from dealing with the coming storm." Shaw nodded to her. "I am going to go brew that coffee and get a few jabs in while I can."
The day had passed wonderfully for Fox. That her crops had been over seen by Farmer Fung in her absence delighted her. He was truly a master of the fields. The Pandarian had won her ever lasting devotion for his efforts. Gina Mudclaw and Farmer Yoon pulled her into deep conversation at the Halfhill Market about pest control. Then Tina Mudclaw passed by. The lovely woman inviting Fox to join her and Ella for lunch over at her house. How could Fox refuse such a kind hearted offer from such a dear friend?
Fox managed to pull herself away late in the afternoon to make the trip back to Lion's Landing. What she had not expected was to find Shaw pacing by the flight master when she landed. "By the Light, Fox! Where have you been?" He rushed over before Besty even set one claw on the ground.
"I have been at Halfhill. I told you as much this morning before I left. If memory serves me I even asked your permission." Fox gave a gasp of surprise as Shaw grabbed her arm am pulled her off Besty. She hardly managed to get her feet under her.
"That's odd because I flew to Halfhill, and Yoon said you left well before noon!" Shaw dropped his hold and stepped back. One ring laden hand pushing through his tousled hair. If it were possible, Fox would say he looked worse then he had when she left.
"That is because Mrs. Tina Mudclaw invited me to lunch. Which flowed into a pleasant afternoon tea." Fox snapped back as she followed his pacing with her eyes.
"Great. So, do you have any idea what has happened here since you left for tea and cookies?"
Fox blinked, "No." But she knew what was about to happen to Shaw, if he didn't curb his abusive tone.
"As expected Taran Tzu left Varian in a far less then pleasant mood. There has been word of another uprising of Horde activity, that demanded his attention. Lady Proudmoore came around as well. Let me tell you, that confrontation had even myself running for the doors! Lately that mage has been wildly unreasonable flowing into down right scarey. Lastly Anduin has decided to extend his stay on the Timeless Isles rather then returning to meet up with his father as scheduled. He informed his father by letter of his intent. So permission was not asked. Seems the young Prince knows what outlook his father would take on the subject." Shaw rushed it all out. Then taking a deep breath he added, "As Rogers, Taylor and I huddled in a circle for protection; do you know what his Majesty had to say after his initial rant was done?"
"No?" Fox raised an eyebrow almost feeling sorry for her boss's terrible day. It did not seem fair considering the wonderful time she had been having.
"He said, and I quote, I gave up my morning fishing for this? And then guess who he asked for?" Shaw pinned a heavy stare on Fox.
"He didn't!" Fox felt her jaw drop.
"Oh yes, he did. And do you know what I had to tell him? That you were in Halfhill. And do you know where I was directed to go then? If you say Halfhill you would be correct. Do you know who I could not find in Halfhill? Of course you do. Because while I was telling King Wrynn that I had not found you, and had no idea where you had run off too, you were having tea with Mrs. Mudclaw!"
"Oh."
"Oh? That is what you have to say? Oh?" Shaw looked as if he was about to start tearing his red hair out of his head. "Whatever, Fox. Just get yourself over to the main keep and let him know that you have returned. That way I may get to keep what little of my behind I have left."
"You're not going to go with me?" Fox shot Shaw a pleading look.
"Do I look insane to you?" Shaw gasped in horror. "Of course I am not going with you. What I am going to do is find Taylor and a stock pile of alcohol, and try to forget this day ever happened."
"Alright, but just remember one thing, Shaw." Fox sighed deeply before rising large chocolate doe eyes at him, "My first aid is exceptional and my fishing skills are improving."
"What about cooking and archeology?" Shaw tossed back.
"I have supplies in my pack so I am assured not to starve anytime soon, and I could not locate a stone carving the size of a mountain."
"Just make sure the King doesn't realize it."
Fox made her way across Lion's Landing until she came to the keep doors. No one tried to impeded her progress. The doors to the main counsel chamber were open. The guards nodding at her to enter. One look around saw the room in disarray. The King sat behind his desk hardly visible behind the stacks of books and papers. A fist slammed down on the desk with such force the sound of it caused Fox to jump. Varian rose the hand back up to cradle his head. A load groan escaping him that bespoke an accompaniment of a headache.
Fox frowned and shook her head. This was not the way a warrior should live. No wonder his Highness was so discontented. Books were the realm of scholarly mages. The fact, Varian had been roused at dawn, and from the look of the food trays, not left the room all day was abhorrent. She empathized his plight. He needed fresh air and room to move. Imagining what it would be like to be at the mercy of every slightly changing political strife. That everyone in the entire kingdom expected him to do exactly the right thing at every turn. Compounded by the heavy burden of being High King of the Alliance, that forced him to oversee and command every other leader within it's folds. The pressure of just thinking about it cause Fox's stomach to tighten.
Fox raised her chin and called out, "So I heard you want to go fishing, your Majesty?" The high spirited tone of her voice exploded in the silence of the room.
Varian looked up and smiled, "Thank the Light you have returned." He rounded the desk and a brisk stride drove him past her through the door. "I thought I would be trapped under that mess for days."
Fox turned on her heel almost running to catch up with him. "I was only gone for a few hours. Surely you could handle life without me that long."
Varian laughed loudly and it resounded through the halls. "It was not life with out you that was bothering me. It was the fishing I missed."