(2026-01-11) Tales of Ancient Strategies

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Ajinny, Almeiria, Arric, Brannagen, Gwenivene, Lena, Mi Shu, and Shun gather at Lorewalker Cho's pavilion for more stories, this time about ancient strategies against the mogu and the sha. ~4600 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Lorewalker Cho sits at his home in the Dreamer's Pavilion, by a table now set with multiple teapots and cups, ready for his friends.

Lena arrives and raises a hand with a smile, as she moves in to sit at the table. "Good to see you again, Lorewalker."

Shun grunts as he steps up with the others.

Mimi bows to Cho as she enters the pavilion.

Brannagen is dressed in luxurious Pandarian style robes and a broad brimmed Pandarian style hat.

Arric Falrevere also arrives, a bit later than the others but not appearing rushed. He ties up his ornery-looking white horse and approaches the group with a smile and a wave, his pale blue eyes scanning for familiar and unfamiliar faces.

Almeiria joins the others, cloaked in her shadowform. "Lorewalker," she says in greeting.

"Come in, come in," Lorewalker Cho says, smiling. "I have prepared more stories for you all today, perhaps some which may be of deeper interest."

Shun dips head, then heads on in.

Lorewalker Cho scans over the familiar crowd, raising a hand to Arric and then pausing on Mi Shu. "Hello, my fellow pandaren. I do not believe we have yet met. Are you from the Jade Forest?"

Mimi shakes her head, "No. I'm from the Wandering Isle, but it is an honor to be able to visit the mainland. Thank you for having me." She bows again.

"Oh, a wanderer!" Lorewalker Cho says in delight. "Our people can be so fearful of wandering at times, it is good for us to meet our more adventurous cousins."

Mimi's eyes sparkle at the praise.

"Oh, brilliant, brilliant!" says Arric. "You're one of the pandaren who joined the Alliance, then?" He gives Mimi a warm smile.

"Yep! I joined the Alliance to learn more about its people and do what I can to help." Mimi elaborates.

"Much the same!" Arric says to Mimi. "I am also from an… unaffiliated island, but could not bear to sit by and do nothing in these times."

Gwenivene trots up astride Gethennis. The Quel'dorei steed! No, the unicorn one! Get your mind out of the gutter. She dismounts and waves happily to her Cobalt buddies. "Hellooo!"

"Hello, Gwen," Lena says with a warm smile.

Lorewalker Cho looks curiously at the unicorn. "What an interesting companion…"

Gwen beams at Lena. "Hi!" She turns the bright smile to Cho. "Isn't he just? He's from the northern lands of my home continent."

"Such wondrous creatures you have in your lands," Lorewalker Cho says. "Though I expect some of ours seem wondrous to all of you. I hope I may travel there someday, when the troubles here are settled."

"One o' those high elven mounts," Brannagen says, then begins sketching the unicorn.

"Your cloud serpents are utterly splendid," Arric enthuses. Arric takes a seat near Gwen.

Lorewalker Cho begins pouring cups of tea. "They are, aren't they? I have heard the Order of the Cloud Serpent had a little welcome meeting for outsiders. They have some fascinating stories."

"They told us how the Order was founded," Arric says.

Brannagen remains standing. Perhaps he enjoys being taller than everyone for once.

"Mm," Lena says, accepting her tea. "They were quite welcoming. The little ones are so cute, for all the large ones can be dangerous."

Shun nods.

"Not dangerous to us though, surely," says Arric.

"They are wild creatures," Lorewalker Cho warns. "Though most you will see now are tamed."

"I am comfortable with wild creatures," says Arric, "though admittedly wild creatures the size of a small house can be worthy of caution."

Lena chuckles quietly.

"I have two stories prepared for you today," Lorewalker Cho says. "The first is more metaphorical, and shows how our people regard conflict. The second is… a history that I think you will find of interest. Or at least, a partial history."

"Ooooh," says Bran, his turquoise eyes sparkling.

Shun lifts his head.

Mimi’s ears perk up at attention.

Arric stares at Mimi's ears a little.

Almeiria makes a small noise of satisfaction. History. Good.

"First we begin with the story," Lorewalker Cho says, looking around to see if everyone has their tea.

Brannagen is holding his teacup pandaren style; Arric is trying to drink the tea like a human nobleman. Yes, his little finger is out.

"It is called… the Warlord and the Monk," Lorewalker Cho says. "It is the story of a marauding mogu warlord, who rose in power to threaten the Jade Forest."

Brannagen looks over with a smile as a new pandaren joins the group.

"The Thunder king? Or another one?" asks Shun.

"I've had dealings with the mogu," says Arric. "Dreadful creatures."

The Lorewalker says, "This story is simply one of the many mogu warlords that threatened our people."

Shun slowly nods.

Lorewalker Cho raises his head when he sees the new pandaren arrive, and smiles widely. "Welcome, welcome! What is your name, my new friend?"

“Ajinny,” she says.

"Welcome, Ajinny, we were just about to start the story," Lorewalker Cho says, handing her a cup of tea.

"Nice Outfit!" Brannagen says to Ajinny, then goes back to sketching Gwen's unusual mount.

Arric, meanwhile, seems more interested in the turtle accompanying Ajinny.

“Now, back to this Warlord…” Lorewalker Cho continues. “ ‘I will rebuild the mogu empire!’ The Warlord proclaimed before the gates of the Temple of the Jade Serpent. ‘And your kind will again be made to serve.’ “

Lena glances north, in the direction of the Temple of the Jade Serpent.

"Yes, the mogu are always on about others serving them," says Arric. "Ugly in disposition as well as features."

Lorewalker Cho chuckles. "They are indeed. To this mogu, a single monk called down from the battlements, ‘How many mogu do you bring to challenge us?’ “

Brannagen quietly finishes his sketch and then switches to taking notes on the story.

“The Warlord said, ‘I have brought my army of one hundred mogu!’ the warlord proudly challenged.” Lorewalker Cho smiles. “The monk answered with confidence, ‘Ah, but behind these walls we have five hundred.’ ”

Ajinny happily drinks her tea.

Lena looks over at the new pandaren with mild curiosity.

“The mogu army shuffled and began to question their leader,” Lorewalker Cho says. “Doubt filled their hearts and the army ran away.”

"Why would he do that? Give away his strategic information?" Almeiria asks. "Arrogance?"

Mi Shu listens intently. She grew up with heroic stories from her grandmother and she's eating this up.

"The mogu?" Lorewalker Cho asks. "I expect it was arrogance. And the laziness of hoping the monks would simply surrender in despair."

"From behind a wall?" Almeiria scoffs.

"Arrogance definitely seems to be one of their defining traits, from what I've observed."
says Arric.

Ajinny scoffs at despair before battle!

“At this rebuff, the Warlord was furious! He left the temple and sought out his mogu allies,” Lorewalker Cho says. “After long arguments, threats, promises, and praises, the mogu again raised their army.”

Brannagen begins to make a very brief sketch of a mogu in the corner of the page, focusing on their snarling leonine facial features and the odd curling ridges along the backs of their elbows and ankles.

“Before the gates of the Temple of the Jade Serpent the mogu warlord called out: ‘I bring six hundred mogu to challenge your pitiful five hundred defenders.’ “

"I like those odds!" says Arric.

"For the monks," Lena says with a faint smile.

"Aye," says Brannagen, stroking his fiery beard-braid. "Defenders always have the advantage."

“The monks liked those odds and more,” Lorewalker Cho continues, “From the battlements, a single monk voice called out: ‘Did we mention that for each of our monks, we have one full grown, mogu-eating serpent? They are ever so hungry.’ “

Shun raises a brow.

"The cloud serpents," Lena says, clapping her hands once.

Brannagen flips back a few pages in his journal to show Lena his sketch of a sinuous, playful looking baby cloud serpent.

"Oh, that's lovely," Lena says with a giggle.

Brannagen beams at her, his smile turning his eyes into little upside-down crescents.

“At this the mogu army broke apart again, doubting their resolve and running deep into the land,” Lorewalker Cho says with a smile.

"Woo hoo!" cheers Brannagen.

"Did this have to do with the sha?" Almeiria asks.

At mention of the sha, Bran turns back even farther in his journal to a sketch of a horrifying, shadowy creature. Its fingers have fingers. It's a nightmare. He does not actively show this page to anyone.

"My next story, will, Almeiria," Lorewalker Cho says with a gentle smile. "And it is a history. But I will not rush a story."

"No, I think she means… the doubt sha?" Lena says, glancing to Almeiria for confirmation.

"Yes. I have heard it was sealed beneath that very temple," Almeiria says.

"Ah, I see what you mean," Lorewalker Cho says thoughtfully. "This would have been in the time where the sha was imprisoned beneath the temple. It may be that this helped the monks to sow doubt in the mogu's hearts."

Bran looks a bit smug for a moment. "Blue Squad kicked the tar outa the Doubt sha. An' despair, too."

"I have heard," Lorewalker Cho nods. "It is an impressive achievement… but I fear we will face more from the sha in time."

Shun grunts.

"I apologize, Lorewalker, for the diversion. Please continue," Almeiria says.

"They defeated the Mogu without ever even landing a single blow." Mimi pipes up.

Lorewalker Cho nods at Mimi. "Yes, the doubt in their hearts turned them away from conquest of the Temple, for many years, without needing to strike a blow. But… the Warlord returned."

Bran does not apologize for his diversion. He is still looking a bit smug.

“The Warlord returned with a mighty legion of mogu and quilen and weapons pilfered from the tombs of their ancient emperors,” Lorewalker Cho says. “ ‘Kneel, supplicants!’ he shouted. ‘I bring 1000 mogu and 500 quilen to your gates. I have weapons of magic and dark powers to call upon.’ “

"That sounds a bit like what they're trying to work up now," Lena murmurs.

"Oh dear, what are quilen?" asks Arric.

"They are beasts of stone, animated by mogu magics," Lorewalker Cho explains.

“From the battlements, a single monk voice responded: ‘And have you found our spy yet? He is ever so clever.’ “ Lorewalker Cho smiles.

Lena chuckles.

“At this the mogu legion turned on each other violently,” Lorewalker Cho says with a touch of sadness. “Each always suspected someone else of being a traitor or a spy. Among the mogu there is no trust, only strength and force.”

"Ha!" says Bran, sounding satisfied.

"And stupidity, apparently," Almeiria says.

Bran snorts.

"It sounds like the monks new the mogu's weaknesses alright," Lena says with a wry smile.

Ajinny giggles.

Shun slowly shakes his head in agreement.

Mimi snickers at the turn in the story.

"Pandaren seem to be terribly clever, on the whole," Arric says. "And mogu… less so."

"That's my impression too," Lena says with a nod.

“War waged before the temple as the mogu destroyed themselves, unleashing the full weight of their doubt, anger, fear, hatred, violence and despair,” Lorewalker Cho says, shaking his head. “When the smoke cleared, only the Warlord remained before the gates. He had slain many of his former allies, and was left with no friends to help him claim his throne.”

"It's always ideal when you can turn the enemy upon itself," Arric says with a solemn nod.

Ajinny nods in agreement with Brannagen.

"If only the Horde would so oblige us," Arric says dryly. "They always seem just on the verge of it, but forever disappoint."

Lena raises her eyebrows. "That's some impressive infighting, to leave only the one."

"He did say it was a metaphor, Lena, dear," Almeiria reminds.

"Aye," Brannagen says, "Next one will be real history!" He seems excited by this.

"Yes, of course, thank you for the reminder," Lena says, smiling.

“From the temple a single pandaren monk stepped out, surveyed the battle scene, and began to sweep up the mess,” Lorewalker Cho says, making a sweeping motion with his hands.

“The Warlord was confused,” Lorewalker Cho says. “ ‘Where is your army?’ the Warlord demanded.”

Ajinny gives a pre-emptive snort.

Lorewalker Cho bows his head. “ ‘You brought it with you,’ said the monk with a smile. ‘My friend, if you must strike the first blow, you have already lost.’ “

"Ah, seriously??" says Bran in delight. "Nice twist!"

Lena makes a kind of delighted huh of surprise. "There was never anyone but the one monk?"

"Love it," says Bran. "Metaphor or not, it's quite inspirin'."

Ajinny nods at the monks wisdom, sets down her tea to politely, quietly applaud.

"And it is true, in that our elite monks are few in number," Lorewalker Cho says. "But very strategic and wise."

Bran joins in when Ajinny starts clapping.

"What a clever trick! I know Granny would love this story." Mimi says.

Shun closes his eyes, "Sometimes getting the first strike is important. Particularly if you can end it right then and there."

"Perhaps," Lorewalker Cho says. "But our monk ended the battle with no strike at all. I think that is better."

"Hm. I suppose," Shun mutters.

Lena claps in appreciation as well.

"From what I've seen of the pandaren," Bran says with a twinkle in his eyes, "this kind o' cleverness, the whole 'work smart not hard' attitude, is quite realistic, even if this particular one's just a metaphor."

"Doubt, anger, fear, hatred, violence, despair," Almeiria repeats thoughtfully. "Do you believe these are all sha? We have, according to Bran, here, faced doubt and despair."

"Are the sha finite in number?" Arric, the newcomer human, asks sincerely.

Lorewalker Cho considers Almeiria's words. "The sha do embody negative emotions, and those are all negative things."

"Fightin' the Despair sha was the worst of et," Bran says with a little shudder. "Made ye wanna lay down yer weapons an' just… give up."

Lena looks at Bran sympathetically. "I can't imagine. I'm glad you weren't facing it alone."

"The great sha, the ones buried by Emperor Shaohao, may be finite," Lorewalker Cho suggests. "But I have seen many, many lesser sha."

"Aye," says Bran with a nod. "The little ones just come at ye like raindrops sometimes."

Arric looks concerned by this description.

"This leads us into my next story," Lorewalker Cho says. "Since our last teatime conversation, I have gathered all the writings I could find about Emperor Shaohao and the sha. Most of them are fragments from the Book of Burdens."

"Who was Emperor Shaohao?" Arric asks. "Forgive me, I'm a bit new to all of this."

Brannagen is about to respond to Arric, but shuts his mouth and looks to Cho.

"He was the last Emperor of the pandaren empire, ten thousand years ago," Lorewalker Cho explains.

"Noted," says Arric crisply. "Thank you."

"Do you have no leader, then?" Almeiria asks.

"We do not," Lorewalker Cho confirms. "We do have mayors of different villages… and of course there are the monasteries, Tian and the Shado-Pan, and the temples…”

“But for now, we are speaking of Emperor Shaohao. I will tell you what I know, and I encourage you to look for more lost scrolls of this story as you travel,” Lorewalker Cho says with a smile. “Now, let me begin this story, which is also a history."

Bran turns to a fresh page to take notes.

Almeiria, too, seems to be paying close attention, though it is hard to tell through her shadowform.

“Ten thousand years ago, the day Shaohao was crowned Emperor of Pandaria,” Lorewalker Cho says, “he followed the tradition of all the emperors before him and sought the counsel of the great Waterspeaker of the jinyu.”

"Even then, they listened to counselors," Lena comments.

“Usually, the Waterspeaker would give some wisdom for a new emperor, to help guide their path,” Lorewalker Cho explains. “It is ordinarily a happy ceremony, leading to much merriment afterward.”

"Ah yes, the fish people," says Arric. "I've just spent some time in their village. Lovely folk."

"Do you call them that to their faces? Fish people?" Almeiria asks.

Arric blinks. "Are they not?"

"Would you be insulted if someone called you a vrykul-person?" Lena asks curiously. "I don't have a strong feeling in either direction, myself."

"Ah, you mean if someone called me the spawn of a hairy giant? Yes, I believe I would be offended," Almeiria says.

"If it isn't appropriate, then I won't say it," Arric says agreeably. "But no, I wouldn't much mind being called a vrykul-person, myself, as it's reasonably accurate."

"We do grow hair, after all," Lena shrugs. "And there's nothing wrong with being hairy. Or furry."

Lorewalker Cho smiles. "Well, then, let's get back to what the jinyu Waterspeaker had to say…"

"By all means!" says Arric.

“With a light heart the young emperor stood before the prophet and awaited to hear what he presumed would be good news,” Lorewalker Cho lowers his head sorrowfully. “The Waterspeaker listened to the song of the great river, and his eyes widened with
terror."

Ajinny gives a smallish gasp.

Lena looks on with suspense.

"The Waterspeaker saw before him a kingdom of sorcerers surrounding a great well, and from this well they called forth a host of demons,” Lorewalker Cho intones. “Green fire rained from the skies, and all the world's continents shattered."

"Ah. That was around that time," Almeiria says.

"Wait, that's…" Lena looks at the other humans and dwarf.

"The Highborne," Bran says.

Shun blinks.

“Having spoken with your people at some length, now, I think you know the event to which I am referring, yes?” Lorewalker Cho asks. “It is what you have called the Sundering of the World.”

"Aye," says the robed dwarf, still making notes in his journal even as he talks. "Know a couple of elves old enough they lived through the whole mess!"

"It was…" Lena looks to the two pandaren. "The elves, a long time ago, ended up opening a gateway for demons. It sort of… shattered the continent. Makes sense it would've affected this place too."

"Was Pandaria always an island, or did it shatter as well?" Almeiria asks.

"Aye!" says Bran. "Ten thousand years ago, the whole world had only one continent. Now it's…. this."
"Some conjecture," Bran continues, "tha' we ain't even finished findin' all the scattered bits. The Maelstrom makes it a bit difficult."

"It was a terrible disaster," Lorewalker Cho nods. "And it must have been daunting for a young emperor to know it was coming. Terrified by the vision presented before him, Emperor Shaohao realized that he was not to live a life of luxury. From the humble town of Dawn's Blossom, his journey to save Pandaria began.”

"Dawn's Blossom!" Arric the nobleman says cheerfully. "I was just there, day before last."

"It is a dear, ancient town," Lorewalker Cho says with a smile.

"Ten thousand years…" Bran murmurs as he keeps taking notes. "I dinna thenk even the dwarves have a town that old."

“The Emperor sought wisdom from the Jade Serpent, Yu’lon, and she advised him to divest himself of his burdens, purify his spirit, and to become one with the land,” Lorewalker Cho says. “But how to do this?”

Brannagen's eyes shine at the mention of Yu'lon the Jade Serpent.

“Emperor Shaohao consulted with his companion, the Monkey King,” Lorewalker Cho continues. “The two of them long discussed the Jade Serpent’s counsel, but found it unclear.”

Brannagen flips back in his journal to a sketch of an enormous statue of a draconic serpent twining around a column. His expression is a bit wistful.

"The Monkey King," Arric cuts in. "Was that a hozen?"

Shun slowly tilts his head.

"Ah, yes," Lorewalker Cho nods. "The leader of a people seen as ungovernable. He was a dear friend of the Emperor Shaohao."

"It seems a great deal has changed," Arric says dryly.

"But still, there've been some hozen as are friendly," Lena points out. "…a few."

Arric makes a vague hrrrmph sound. It would seem he has not met those hozen.

“Shaohao found that many doubts clouded his mind,” Lorewalker Cho says, “So he decided his first step was to purify his spirit of doubt.”

Brannagen pays keen attention to this bit.

“Shaohao meditated for three days and three nights, trying to purge his spirit of all doubt,” Lorewalker Cho says. “The Monkey King grew weary of waiting for him to finish, and took to woodworking.”

Brannagen chuckles.

Lena raises her eyebrows.

“The Monkey King whittled a strange grimacing visage out of bamboo. He urged the Emperor to place the mask of doubt on his face…" Lorewalker Cho gestures to his own face.

"Ach!" says Bran. "A hozen fella gave us just such a mask, an' it worked against the sha!"

"Right, I heard of that," Lena nods. "This is… the story that came from?"

"I wonder why that might be…" Almeiria murmurs.

“The Monkey King’s motivation was merely mischief and passing the time, but the mask worked,” Lorewalker Cho says. “As Shaohao pulled the mask away, his doubts took on a physical form. For seven hours they fought, until the Sha of Doubt was buried.”

"Aye," Brannagen says thoughtfully. "The sha are emotion withou' form, an' they want ta take form. So… the masks… it seems they're a better version o' that emotion, so they take them, instead of us?" There's an inquisitive note to his theory.

"It seems that way," Lorewalker Cho says. "From all I can tell in history, it was a lucky chance that they hit on this method of drawing them out. And now, you know exactly where the Sha of Doubt was buried, my friends. As you have seen it emerge and defeated it once more.”

"I'd had a suspicion," Bran chuckles, "tha' the hozen didna come up with tha' method… strategically."

"Do you mean anything in particular by 'buried?'" Almeiria asks. "In the ground literally, or sealed somehow?"

Lena nods to those who might not know. "Over at the Serpent's Heart, the sha came out and wrecked the statue. They're rebuilding it now."

"As far as I know, buried in the land," Lorewalker Cho confirms.

"People sure do have a tendency ta bury powerful evils all about the planet," Bran muses with a touch of irony in his voice.

"Emperor Shaohao's task was to become one with the land," Lorewalker Cho points out. "So in that sense, he chose to bury his doubt in it."

"The land doesna seem to appreciate it," Bran says.

Lorewalker Cho sighs sadly. “In any case, Shaohao considered this a great success. From that day onward, the last emperor had no doubt that he would save Pandaria from the Sundering. He became a creature of faith.”

"Good fer him, but possibly less so fer Pandaria itself," Bran muses.

"Are you suggesting that the Emperor created the sha?" Almeiria asks.

"Oh aye, tha' seems pretty obvious," says Bran. "I have a theory cookin'. But I'll keep it ta meself fer noew."

Lena raises her eyebrows again. "I hadn't considered that. But it does seem to flow from the story."

“At this point in the story, Emperor Shaohao was filled with courage but fretted over an uncertain future,” Lorewalker Cho gestures to the west. “He sought the counsel of the Red Crane, the spirit of hope, deep within the Krasarang Wilds."

Shun just furrows his brow deeply.

"The Red Crane told the Emperor that hope was within all of us, if we looked deep enough,” Lorewalker Cho says. “This was again unclear counsel, but the Monkey King decided to try his magic again.”

"The Celestials don't seem to want to come at things clearly," Lena says with a slight smile.

"Takin' away his fear this time?" Bran guesses.

"It was despair within Krasarang, was it not?" Almeiria asks.

"Despair, this time," Lorewalker Cho confirms. "“The Monkey King presented Emperor Shaohao with a Mask of Despair. A forlorn visage of terrible sadness. The Emperor donned the mask and drew out his own hopelessness…"

Bran nods, and makes notes.

“The battle against the Sha of Despair lasted four days and five nights in pouring rain,” Lorewalker Cho says. “But with the help of the Red Crane and the Monkey King, all of Shaohao's despair was extinguished and imprisoned in the land.”

"The battles get harder as they go," Lena comments quietly. "Not… the best sign for us."

"Yep, yep," Bran murmurs to himself as he writes in his journal. "It's all comin' together now, makin' sense."

“From that day forth the Emperor knew the future was bright,” Lorewalker Cho says with a smile. “He became a creature not only of faith, but of hope.”

"If ye wanna really simplify et," Bran murmurs, "was the hozen fella caused the sha."

"If that is the case, Lorewalker, then we are not truly banishing the sha," Almeiria comments.

“Some of you have seen where he buried his Despair, as well, in the Red Crane Temple, and have defeated it yet again,” Lorewalker Cho says. “Perhaps you are following in his footsteps, becoming creatures of faith and hope.”

"Is the White Pawn still hangin' about there?" Bran inquires randomly. "Anyone know?"

Shun shakes his head at Bran.

Bran frowns and mutters something about spoiled princes.

"There's an army team with the Pawn, last I heard," Lena says sideways at Bran.

Bran grunts. Oh no, he's joined the Grunt Guys.

"Not sure where they're at, right now," Lena adds.

"I feel like we will need to do something different, this time around," Lorewalker Cho nods. "But you already are, pulling them up from the ground and destroying them."

[Bran]: "Well, I'm nae sure how the emperor's battles went, but I assure ye there was no literal buryin' in our cases, aye."

"Something to be said about just burying your emotions I guess," Shun mutters.

"Burying his emotions did work, for ten thousand years," Lorewalker Cho says to Shun. "But it seems that it does not work forever. There also must be more to this history, of what Emperor Shaohao did next, but I myself will need to travel and search for it."

"Then why do I…" Almeiria trails off and shakes her head, seeming to retreat inward. "No, never mind."

Lena looks over at Almeira with a flicker of concern.

"That is all I was able to gather, for today," Lorewalker Cho concludes. "I will, of course, tell you when I find more."

Shun grunts, "Thank you Lorewalker."

"You are welcome, all of my friends, to visit at any time," Lorewalker Cho says, smiling around at everyone. "And to enjoy my tea."

"I am not convinced that this story, as well, doesn’t contain some exaggeration, if not metaphors of its own, given what I have seen of pandaren storytelling, but time will tell I suppose," Almeiria says.

"Ye know I'll be back," Brannagen says with awink.

[Ajinny]: Thank you for the story! I'm grateful you share your wisdom so freely. And what an unexpected treat, to hear a story from my people!

"Thank you very much for your hospitality." Mimi says with a smile,

"Our task will be to find the truth in the heart of it," Lena nods.

Brannagen beams at Ajinny.

Ajinny beams back.

Lorewalker Cho smiles at the two pandaren. "It is always a pleasure to make new friends, and I might consider the two of you old friends, long-separated."

Shun nods to the rest, then moves to take his leave.

"Until next time, Lorewalker," Lena says, finishing her tea and rising with a bow. "Thank you for your wisdom."