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| Details |
| Author: | inkie |
| Summary: | Cobalt Company's forward squads follow Lorewalker Cho's invitation up the Veiled Stair and into the steppes of Kun-Lai. Which are mostly on fire at the moment. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Arric waits at Halfhill, holding a white Tirasian stallion by the bridle. Next to him is an adolescent red Lashtail raptor. He must have been here a while, because no one is staring at him. He pushes his goggles up on his head and gazes over the landscape for a moment, admiring the rolling green hills.
Shine emerges from the inn, a tanuki waddling along at his heels. The tanuki has a rather self-satisfied air. Shine does not have any kind of air. He's just Shine.
Arric spots Shine — because Shine wasn't trying not to be spotted — and gives him a hearty wave, grinning. "Ah! There you are! Pleased to hear I'd be working with you."
Shine nods at Arric and crosses the yard toward him. "Falrevere. Aye, likewise." He nods to Rica as well.
The white stallion, Win-Win, glares balefully at Shine with swampwater-green eyes. Rica politely rrrrrs in greeting at a moderate, human-conversational volume.
"How's your little friend today?" Arric says, looking at Bun.
Shine looks down at Bun. Bun looks up at Shine and does not answer the question. Because he's a tanuki. "Fine," says Shine.
"Does he have any particular dietary requirements?" Arric asks, studying Bun.
"As long as there's plenty of it, no." Shine glances down again. "Got his name from eating steamed buns."
"He seems to be in good health," Arric observes, "so you can't be going terribly wrong. At least, judging by what I know of similar creatures. I could be misjudging the signs."
Not too far off, Shun is staring at a black goat with its reins in hand. It’s just chewing slowly, nonchalantly.
Atley marches into the center of Halfhill, helmet tucked under his arm. He gives Rica a firm glare of assessment.
Shine nods politely at Arric, then turns his head and surveys Atley. He nods again.
Arric gives a respectful half-bow to Atley. "Sir Atley," he says. Rica glares back at Atley with piercing turquoise eyes.
Atley's gaze flicks to Arric and he inclines his head. "Lord Falrevere. Do you prefer that, or simply Arric?"
"Oh heavens! Arric is fine. Half the syllables and none of the fuss." He smiles.
Shun just sighs and approaches the other Cobalters.
Atley grunts his agreement and nods at Shun before he gestures vaguely to Rica. "Wot's your beast make of Pandaria?"
Arric looks to Rica. She makes a soft grating sound. "She's getting used to it," Arric interprets.
Atley scoffs with amusement and briefly looks around, squinting. "Aren't we all."
Shun grunts.
"Good to see you again — Shun isn't it?" Arric smiles.
Shun nods. The goat butts into him a bit and he pushes it back.
"Hey," Estel says, approaching.
Shine steps quietly away from the group to collect his horse, a black Tirasian mare.
Win-Win gives the mare a look like he might be negging her in horse language. Neighing her.
"Afternoon, Estel," Atley greets.
"Estel, hello!" says Arric brightly.
Gwen hops off a kite and strolls up to the gathered Cobaltians. "Hello, friends!"
"Oh and hullo Miss Gwen!" Arric smiles and gives her a wave.
Atley turns and nods at Gwen, cinching his thumbs in his belt. "Gwen."
"Hey, Gwen!" Estel goes to give Gwen a hug. Very professional.
Gwen gives Estel a big ol' professional squish.
Almeiria quietly joins the group, her dark eyes assessing those gathered. She's dressed for travel.
Shine surveys Almeiria. He nods respectfully to her. "Miss Fey."
"Shine, dear," Almeiria says in greeting.
Atley eyes Almeiria for a moment and nods in greeting.
Estel grins and waves Almeiria over. "Hey!"
Atley turns and spots Colson. "Sir Colson," he growls with some wryness.
"Good afternoon, everyone," Colson greets, exactly on time.
"Hey, Cole." Estel waves.
Shine nods to Colson.
"A bit of forewarning," Arric tells the group. "I've created a sort of… combat-assistant. Ghost iron is most amenable, I've found, for complex tinkering. It's shaped like a dragon whelp. If I bring it out during a fight try not to be alarmed!"
Shun blinks.
"Don't kill your dragon whelp, in other words," Almeiria clarifies.
Anareline rides quietly into Halfhill on the back of her saber, scanning the town for the Cobalt team. It is not difficult to find.
Arric removes the inert creature from his pack to show them. Right now it looks like a very sleepy dragon whelp.
"Oooh, you made a dragon? Fascinating!" Gwen chirps.
"Just so!" Arric says to Almeiria with a laugh. "It took forever to make."
Atley squints up at the sky and tugs on his helmet. Pitter-patter goes the rain on his armor.
Anareline stares at the not-biological-dragon in bafflement, and then raises a general hand of greeting.
Arric looks at Anareline with transparent fascination.
Atley looks back to Arric. "That tinkering ought to prove useful."
Estel waves to Anareline. Her hood is up, because rain.
"Oh I hope so!" Arric agrees. "Made this rifle as well." He pats it.
Colson seems unbothered by the rain. It could be that he isn't. Or it could be his face. Who knows.
Arric looks like he is bothered by the rain but trying really hard not to look like he's bothered by the rain. And failing.
Shine does not seem to have noticed the rain. Or maybe that is just also his face.
Atley clears his throat. "Right then, you lot. Listen up."
Colson listens up.
Gwen puts her hat back on to keep the rain off her face.
Anareline does not seem to mind the rain too much. Her long hair is wet. She turns her attention to Atley.
Shun lifts his head.
"Lorewalker Cho sent word to muster both the active squads and meet him at the foot of the northern mountain pass, leading to Kun-Lai Summit. I trust you've brought warm clothing. I hear it's biting cold there," Atley explains.
Arric keeps being slightly distracted by flocks of large birds swooping by. He looks dismayed at the phrase 'biting cold' but says nothing.
Anareline nods, as the rain intensifies. "I am prepared, Sir Atley."
Colson inclines his head in acknowledgement. "Yessir."
Estel bounces on her heels. "Cool."
Shun grunts, then mounts up onto the black goat. He doesn't seem too amused.
"We'll take this road east and ride it aways 'fore we cut across country and trek straight north. Stay together." Atley says, looking between them. "Any questions?"
"No sir!" says Arric.
"None for the moment," Anareline inclines her head. "Though I hope our paths will not be sharply inclined in this rain. The horses may struggle."
Atley grunts. "We're moving in moments. Get ready."
Shine lifts the tanuki into the black mare's saddle and then swings up after it. The mare looks disgruntled.
Almeiria pulls her shadowform around her, making an irritated expression at the rain.
"Rica, that man is in charge," Arric says to the raptor, pointing to Atley. "Obey him."
"We got different folks now, yeah? Who's my team?" Estel looks at Gwen.
Atley marches up to a towering black destrier and swings himself aboard. "Anareline will be leading Colson, as healer, along with Arric, Shine, and Gwen. The rest are with me. We travel together, for now."
Arric sneaks another peek at Anareline.
Anareline picks out her human team, and smiles slightly.
Shine nods to Anareline.
Gwen fetches Gethennis and climbs atop him.
Estel goes to fetch Menace, who is a "ram" but probably should be an ewe. She's a menace regardless.
Colson barely has time to start to gesture before a paladin charger eagerly stamps forward. TENACIOUS IS HERE. HE IS READY. HIS TIME IS NOW.
Win-Win glares at Tenacious as though he wishes to be his personal nemesis.
TENACIOUS ACCEPTS.
Khamsin is staying out of that male nonsense.
Atley looks between them all before nodding and turning Hal'vyr. "Let's move."
Anareline's nightsaber looks like it might be considering the tastiness of horses.
Win-Win glares at the saber. TRY IT.
YEAH, TRY IT, TENACIOUS ADDS. Wait, no, his nemesis already declared it. Dang it.
Gethennis eyeballs the saber, lifting his horns proudly as if to declare, 'I am no horse!'
Once they are moving, the saber is all business, paying attention only to Anareline's commands.
The black goat's bell jingle jangles as it runs along with the group. Shun's eye twitches a little.
"H-hello! I'm sorry I'm late!" Iphindra says, not panting at all because the polar bear did most of the running.
Atley glances over his shoulder as Iphindra arrives and grunts in the rain before carrying on.
Anareline glances over and spots the other non-human. She nods a greeting.
Estel waves to Iphindra.
Arric stares at Iphindra with the same sort of fascination he stared at Anareline.
At the foot of the pass, there is no sign of the Lorewalker, but a pair of small figures wearing enormous backpacks are waiting. One of them perks up. "Blue person group! Friends of the Lorewalker?"
"Aye, that's us. Cobalt Company. Is he about?" Atley asks, looking around.
Anareline peers at the small creature in fascination. It's not just Arric who does it.
Arric tries to peer under the small figures' hats to determine what they are. It does not help.
The grummle shakes his head cheerfully. "No! Lorewalker says, go up the Veiled Stair and find Binan Village! The Stair is very dangerous." He beams.
While they're stopped, Shun reaches in front of the goat and just. Cuts the bell free. No more jangling.
Almeiria can't help but snicker at the released bell.
Shine glances over at Shun and his goat. He smiles faintly.
Atley nods slowly. "Right. Fair travels." He walks past the grummle.
Colson murmurs a Blessing of the Light as the grummle mentions that the stair is dangerous.
"Thank you, good sir!" says Arric to the unidentified small person.
Iphi tilts her head, looking at the grummle in front of them. "We'll b-be careful on the stairs!"
"Dangerous stairs," Anareline says, arching an eyebrow.
"Well, it's wet," Estel says. "Wet stairs get slippy."
Gwen peers up the stairs. "They do look kinda spooky in the rain."
"Maybe they'll be sli-slippery with the water!" Iphi nods at Gwen. "Be careful."
"Mind your footing," Atley says, leaning down to affectionately thump Hal'vy'rs side a few times. Clang clang.
Menace has no problem. This is her ideal terrain.
Shun’s goat also seems to have little issue.
Menace might also enjoy a sheer vertical surface.
Ana's saber seems fine on wet stone stairs.
Win-Win, to no one's surprise, HATES WET STAIRS.
Tenacious seems all too eager to go up the stairs. Colson has to restrain the charger from, well, charging up.
Iphi's polar bear is visibly worried about the stairs. The world is supposed to be mostly flat, so she can hunt better.
"It is curious, to carve stairs in a mountain," Anareline says quietly. "It strikes me of hubris."
"Stairs," Almeiria scoffs. "They look like an afterthought."
Atley spots another Lorewalker and approaches. "Hail, miss."
The woman looks up, startled. “Wow! More of the strangers from beyond the mists? What an age we’re living in!”
"Oooh, a little shrine." Gwen perks curiously.
Win-Win's eyes roll, whites visible, and he huffs and shifts his weight. Arric lays a hand on his neck.
"Wot' brings you here?" Atley asks.
"I just needed a moment to rest here. These steps can really take it out of you!” The woman smiles.
"Oh, I bet," says Estel who is letting Menace do all the hard work.
Anareline smiles faintly at the woman. "Take care, then."
Iphi waves goodbye to the woman.
Arric waves to the lady.
Colson blesses her with a Blessing of Might.
Atley nods once and briefly glances back at the party before continuing.
"I was looking at a scroll back at that shrine," Gwen says. "It say it's good luck to count the stairs as you climb! I wish I'd known that when we started."
Atley grunts.
"Perhaps next time," Ana nods. "I have no idea how many I've crossed."
“Keep going, you’re almost there!” calls a pandaren woman by a campfire. She grins at them.
"Travelers," Atley greets with a nod.
All of Arric's concentration currently seems to be on keeping his furious stallion under control. No one told Win-Win there would be stairs, much less wet ones.
“This is my third trip through the pass," the woman tells them. "I wish I could say it gets easier!”
"Are there places to stop along the way?" Ana asks. "Or is camping traditional?"
Atley examines the Traders mildly as he pulls out a piece of jerky and starts chewing.
"Oh, yes. I’m looking forward myself to a cold mug of relief at the Tavern in the Mist. The brew is excellent, but keep your weapons close if you stop there. You’ll run into all sorts of characters," the woman's companion says.
"Hm," Anareline glances up the continuing path.
"Very well, then," Atley says.
"A-and do you know how many steps there are?" Iphi asks.
“Nope!” the pandaren woman says cheerily.
"The scroll says nobody can agree on how many stairs there are." Gwen shrugs.
Khamsin stares down a wandering goat.
"Seems like maybe someone should do a study," Gwen muses…certainly imagining herself as 'someone'.
"Do y-you think it changes with the people going up and down?" Iphi asks Gwen.
Gwen blinks, considering Iphi's words. "I…don't know! Oh, this changes the whole approach to the study."
"Fine idea to mount a ram up this way," Atley comments to the group as he spots another wild mountain goat.
Shun’s black goat bleats at its wild cousin as they pass by.
Colson stays near the back, watching carefully for signs of fatigue or danger.
Ahead of them, more of the curious, laden grummle figures trundle cheerily along.
Estel waves to the groups that they pass.
At the top of the road stands a knot of pandaren wearing matching broad red hats and red-and-purple vests, all of them armed with halberds. Most of them lean casually on their weapons, making low-voiced conversation, but their gazes are sharp and wary and follow the travelers as they pass.
A kite-master stands in the stony, packed-earth yard at the foot of an ancient dragon tree. The yard before him is ringed with crude lean-tos and rickety wooden fences, sacks and crates of goods heaped carelessly here and there. Shaggy beasts of burden browse muddy hay while a grummle with a pack laden to twice his own height argues with the pandaren stable-master.
"Hey, rain's stopped," Estel says, pushing her hood back.
"Your Common is excellent," Arric says warmly to Anareline.
Anareline turns to Arric. "I have been speaking it for some years now. Not many, though."
"I've never had to learn another language I didn't grow up with," Arric says. "I admire those who manage it!"
"I know only the two," Anareline admits, and then peers at the pandaren in the inn yard. "They appear… uniformed? This may be a more dangerous place."
Atley examines one of the exchange guards and nods. "Hullo', then." He marches over to the kite master. "We're Cobalt Company. New here."
The kite-master grunts.
Shine makes a wary survey of the yard. It isn't the cheeriest kind of inn-place.
The tavern stands on stilts above a rocky shelf on the slope. A staircase of rough-hewn logs leads up to the arched entrance, where another pair of the laconic red-clad guards lean against the wall.
"We going in?" Shine asks quietly.
Atley dismounts Hal'vyr and starts marching up the steps. The destrier waits patiently, statue-like. "Aye."
"Horses are probably thirsty," Estel says.
THIRSTY FOR MORE ADVENTURE. BRING ON MORE STAIRS! But, no, Tenacious is put aside. To wait! Fine.
Gwen slides off of Gethennis and ties him up.
Shun parks the goat off to the side and dismounts.
Estel ties Menace up with the travel yaks so she won't just leave.
Arric secures the restive white stallion before joining the others upstairs.
Anareline slides off her nightsaber to go inside. She doesn't tie it up or anything.
"Wait there, Rica," Arric says, pointing.
Iphi gently pats her stressed bear on the back as she dismounts. She goes up the stairs to the inn with the others.
The pandaren innkeeper is a man with a long, wispy moustache and braided goatee, dressed in a black silk vest. A substantial part of the common room has been partitioned from view by an ornamental screen.
The only other occupants of the room appear to be a slim, dark youth in a heavy turban and richly-ornamented clothing, and a hulking pandaren bodyguard. After a moment, a movement in the shadows along the wall behind him reveals a pair of black-leather-clad figures loitering unobtrusively.
Atley swiftly and discreetly performs a headcount of armed bodyguards and their curious charge.
"…….." Shun just stares.
Estel beams at the youth, waving furiously.
Shine stays near the doorway, scanning the room impassively.
Iphi tilts her head at the youth.
Anareline stares at the non-pandaren, and then notices Estel's reaction.
The youth surveys the new arrivals with inhuman red eyes, and inclines his head to Estel and Shun. His smile is a dazzling flash of teeth. “I see you are among the vanguard of explorers in this strange new land. How have you been finding the mysterious continent of Pandaria?”
"Mysterious, indeed," Atley answers gruffly.
"You could say that," Shun mutters in response.
Arric stares at the red-eyed youth.
"It's very vertical," Estel says. "Tons of stairs."
Iphindra giggles at Estel's comment.
Colson's lips twitch.
Atley briefly looks from Shun and Estel to the mysterious youth.
“I am pleased to encounter friends who can get things done,” the strange young man tells Estel. “I assume your comrades are equally competent? Do continue on your adventures, don’t let me hold you back, but perhaps you might return to me once you’ve gotten the lay of the land. I will be right here.”
Atley raises his head. "Who are you?"
The youth inclines his head graciously. “I have chosen the name ‘Wrathion.’ To my knowledge, I am the last of the black dragons. My father was Deathwing, the Worldbreaker, the Aspect of Death… but please, don’t hold that against me.” He flashes that smile again. “Let’s just say I am… unaffiliated. I am always, however, on the lookout for prospective heroes. It’s good to know there are people around I might rely on.”
"They are," Shun replies, curtly. He pauses as Wrathion introduces himself, eyeing Dane and the others for their reactions.
Colson's brows raise at the introduction. "Ah."
Anareline stares at him, frozen in something like shock.
Iphi chokes on her own saliva at the reveal. She takes exactly one step back.
Gwen gasps dramatically when Wrathion introduces himself and his bloodline.
Estel nods. "For sure. These folks are Cobalt Company. That's Dane, Anareline, Gwen, Colson, Arric, Shine, Iphindra, Almeiria." She moves up to gesture to each person in turn as she introduces them to Wrathion.
Atley's glare deepens. He exchanges a look with Shun before sharpening his gaze upon Estel.
"A pleasure, I'm sure," Wrathion tells them.
Arric stands there trying to look like he didn't help at the battle against Deathwing.
"Wrathion," Anareline repeats, and she bows politely to the dragon.
Colson bows, appropriately. Because, well. That's what you do.
Son of Deathwing? Almeiria miiight be holding that against you, little dragon. No offense.
Shine regards Wrathion neutrally. Sorry not sorry about your dad.
Arric also hides his engineered dragonling under his cloak.
"Estel and I can vouch for this one. For now," Shun states.
"Obliged." Wrathion grins at Shun. "I shall see you later in your adventures, I hope."
"Indeed. We're carrying on," Atley says.
"Yeah, I'll stop by for sure." Estel grins and waves. "Later later, your highness."
“Careful if you’re headed farther up the pass,” the innkeeper warns. “The Exchange Guards only patrol to the end of the torch line. Past that, you’re on your own with the saurok.”
Atley looks to the Innkeeper and nods. "Our thanks." He turns back to Wrathion and bows. "Highness."
Arric stares at Estel and Shun with renewed fascination and a Question in his eyes. A Question or Three.
"Right." Atley turns and marches out, tugging his helmet on.
Iphindra bows very shyly. She has many questions.
Shun grunts and dips his head at Wrathion before exiting.
As they step outside, Gwen says, "That was weird…right?"
"V-very weird!" Iphi nods.
Arric says, "Rica, follow."
Ana voices one question after they leave. "Estel, you are… friends with Deathwing's son?"
Atley climbs aboard Hal'vyr. "Keep company with dragon princes, do you?"
"Yep," Estel says.
Colson is not surprised. Or that's his face. Or maybe that's just Estel.
"And Shun…?" Ana turns to him. His greeting was less exuberant to the dragon.
"Friend is a stretch but we are allied for the time being," Shun says to Ana.
The steep path ahead is desolate; the grass and rough pine growth seem to end just beyond the tavern’s yard. The yellowing bones of some large animal lie half-buried in mud alongside the track.
Just beyond the last torch, a dark-clad pandaren with a crossbow is perched on a ledge overlooking the path. He glances at the travelers. “Ho there! Be wary of the path ahead!”
Colson is wary of the path ahead.
"I guess we're done with stairs, huh?" Estel waves at the pandaren.
Atley pulls Hal'vyr to a stop and nods. "Who might you be, then?"
“I am Len the Whisperer, a ‘retrieval expert’ for her ladyship, Madame Goya. It is her will that guides the ebb and flow of travel on this road. My role is to ensure that certain… less scrupulous types do not take advantage of her ladyship’s hospitality.”
Atley leans back and grunts, thinking it over. "We're passing through. We mean no harm to you or your Lady."
"We're from Cobalt Company, passing through at the invitation of Lorewalker Cho," Estel says.
The pandaren shoulders his crossbow and surveys them. He gestures at the rocks to the east of the road ahead, past some more bleached bones. “One of her ladyship’s convoys was struck by a band of marauding saurok. They made off with some… merchandise Madame Goya had a mind to sell.
“One does not steal from her ladyship.
“You appear to be a stronger force than I am alone. Perhaps on behalf of Madame Goya — and for the safety of your fellow travelers on the road — you might ‘educate’ the saurok. We’ve warned them before, but it seems they have short memories. Their leader resides in a burrow to the northeast. Eliminate him and I can pay a generous bounty.”
"Of course!" says Arric.
Estel opens her mouth to volunteer and looks at Dane.
Atley cranes his head in a nod. "Very well. We'll see to them." He looks to Estel and gives a nod.
Shun grunts.
Gwen blinks at Arric and his quick agreement. Chuckling, she nods. "So be it!"
"Dismount, you lot. Let's get to it," Atley says.
Anareline dismounts and fights a frilled lizard man.
Estel pulls her Shadowform around her.
Arric joins the group, sighting down his rifle and giving commands to Rica, who charges in with the others.
A lone tanuki goes galloping up the path in dismay. A moment later, Shine appears from the shadows well ahead of him, behind a saurok.
"I'd thought the saurok only kept to swamps," Atley observes.
"Dark cave seems to suit them just as well," Almeiria says.
"Perhaps the mountain cave saurok are a new variety?" Anareline suggests.
"T'may be," Atley says.
"I think they need or really, really like w-water, but there are water in caves too," Iphi hypothesizes.
Arric seems familiar with the saurok, or at the very least unbothered by them.
Anareline nods to Iphindra, trusting her judgment.
"Target spotted," Shun states.
Atley squints ahead at the channeling saurok. "That'll be them, then, I warrant."
"Cut them down," Atley states.
They cut Leechfingers down. In, like, nanoseconds.
“Perhaps… we attacked… too soon,” chokes the saurok.
Anareline frowns. "What? Attacked too soon?"
Atley grunts thoughtfully at the dying words. "May be wot' got the mantid. More Sha about. Stay sharp."
Shun furrows his brow.
Colson stays sharp. Look at those pauldrons.
Shine slides back into the shadows.
Ana looks over at Estel. "I have thought about it, and I am still curious as to how you befriended Deathwing's son. I would like to hear that story someday, if it can be told."
"I concur!" Arric says.
Iphi nods at Ana and Estel.
"I'll ask him if he wants me telling it, how 'bout that?" Estel smiles.
"Fair," Arric agrees.
"Fair enough!" Gwen says.
Anareline nods. "Thank you."
As they get out of obvious danger, Estel lets her shadowform disperse.
It is easy to spot the invisible Shine because of the purposefully trotting tanuki.
Len the Whisperer watches their return impassively.
"We've sent the message," Atley says to the Whisperer.
Len’s smile curls faintly. “You have the gratitude of Madame Goya — and, as promised, your reward.” He offers out a sack of coin. “If you ever have need of… rare or unusual goods, stop by her ladyship’s trading house near the tavern below.”
Shun grunts in stealth.
Atley extends a hand to take the gold. "We'll be carrying on, then."
Among a litter of boulders to one side of the road, a grummle’s tiny corpse lies pinned by a saurok spear.
Anareline frowns at the corpse.
"Hold. Healers!" Atley says.
Colson is already moving.
Estel pauses to attempt a resurrection, which fails.
Colson attempts a resurrection immediately, kneeling. The Light forms, but nothing takes hold.
Iphi places a hand beside the corpse, flowers bloom all around the corpse, attempting to bring him back.
"He's obviously been dead for too long," Almeiria mutters.
"You never know," Estel says to Almeiria. "But I can't get this guy. Already gone."
"Neither can I," Colson says, as he rises. "I fear the soul has long passed on."
"His pack's gone," Shine observes. He glances back toward the saurok camp.
Arric gestures sadly to the dead grummle. "What are those — people?" he asks.
Atley points at the grummle corpse. "These?" he asks Arric.
"I have not seen them before today," Anareline says, looking down. "But they seem to be friends."
"They are merchants," Atley counters, nodding at the healers. "We'll press on. Keep your heads on swivels."
Colson keeps his head on a swivel.
"Another," Shun mutters.
Shine regards the second tiny corpse impassively.
Colson makes another attempt.
Estel does too. No luck.
Nothing. Colson's lips tighten into a line, but he continues.
Iphi looks sadly at the corpse they couldn't bring back as they walk away.
"But what manner of merchants? I've never seen their like," Arric persists.
"Being a merchant does not exclude friendliness," Anareline says mildly.
Atley squints in thought. "They remind me of the pygmies in Uldum, only far less aggressive."
The path opens onto the scrubby, bone-littered bank of a fast-flowing river. A waterfall drops roaring away to the east.
A pandaren and a grummle sit by the side of a ramshackle dock to which a couple of boats are moored. They are in conversation, but at the approach of strangers, the pandaren heaves himself to his feet. “Hey there. I don’t think you want to go down that tunnel on foot today. The saurok are out in force, and they are mighty territorial.” He gestures at the boats. “Egg Shell here and I were planning to take the river to Binan Village. You’re welcome to join us.”
Arric blinks at the name Egg Shell.
"Very well. We'll join you. We're Cobalt Company." Atley up-nods. "Who are you?"
“I’m Brewmaster Boof. Welcome!” The pandaren beams.
"We're humans and elves of the Alliance," Arric clarifies.
Estel looks at the boats, then at their mounts, then at Dane.
"All aboard then, you lot. Are there any mounts that can't handle it?" Atley asks.
Win-Win looks like he can't handle much of anything, but Arric keeps him steady.
"My friend h-here is big, but she's a great swimmer!" Iphi says about the polar bear.
Tenacious is ready! Willing! He loves boats adventures! JUST WATCH. LET HIM ON THE BOAT, COLSON.
Win-Win hates Tenacious so much, his eyes say.
Ana's saber does not look pleased, but she pads over to the boats.
“Ever been to Kun-Lai before?” Brewmaster Boof calls over his shoulder from the boat’s prow. “It’s great. Long flowing farmlands. Beautiful mountains. And absolutely nothing dangerous whatsoever.”
Shun eyes Boof skeptically.
"Wonderful!" says Arric.
“Hozen attack grummles,” Egg Shell observes.
“Well… yes. There are problems with the hozen,” Boof allows.
"Ah. I am sorry for your loss," Colson says to Egg Shell.
“Tigers,” says Egg Shell.
“Yes, and the tigers,” Boof agrees.
Saurok are beginning to appear from the shadows along the river-tunnel’s walls. They run back and forth along the stony ledges and heave spears at the boats.
"I adore tigers," Arric says, patting his rifle.
“Darkhatched saurok are very dangerous, and very powerful,” Egg Shell notes equably.
Atley draws his shield. "To arms!"
Estel quickly starts shielding their mounts, who are most likely to panic.
“The spears are just for show,” Boof says. “As long as we don’t get out of the boat or make eye contact or get hit by a spear, we should be fine.”
"I'm sure we'll rise to the occasion," Arric says. "Cobalt Company always does."
A village is visible ahead, shaded by vividly autumnal trees. To the south is a rough encampment, with a few weary, ragged-looking pandaren moving around campfires. From beyond the village to the north, smoke rises, and a clamor of shouting and enraged bellowing sounds in the distance.
Boof stands up. “Wait a minute. What’s going on? Do I hear fighting? Is that a refugee camp? These people are farmers, not fighters!”
Anareline lowers her brows in worry. "Trouble?"
Arric loads his rifle.
“We’d better see if they need help,” Boof says grimly as he and Egg Shell set about securing the boat.
Atley draws Thunderfury and nods. "You've got us to count on."
Colson readies the Light.
"Let's find who's in charge," Atley says.
Estel ties Menace up nearby.
The pandaren man pacing unhappily outside the inn turns toward the strangers. He drops at once to his knees, making a gesture of supplication. “Strangers! You are the Lorewalker’s friends? I beg you, please help us.”
"We are," Atley says. "Wot' needs doing?"
The man climbs to his feet, relieved. “I am Mayor Bramblestaff. I fear the yaungol have breached the wall, and now the Bataari tribe has reached even our own outskirts. Binan Village is the last refuge on the steppes, and our warriors fight to keep the yaungol at bay, but I do not know how long we can hold. Will you push the Bataari back?”
Arric blinks at all the unfamiliar words.
"Yaungol… Bataari…" Anareline mouths.
Shun slowly tilts his head, "What do they look like?"
The mayor blinks at Shun. "Like… yaungol? Big? Horns?"
"We will." Atley looks to Shun. "They look like tauren. Only larger."
Shun nods at Atley.
Those are a lot of proper nouns going on, but Colson understands the concept of the wounded. "You have wounded?"
"Yes," the mayor tells Colson. “If you are willing — Apothecary Cheng is over there by her infirmary. She may require assistance also.”
Shine looks over his shoulder at the building the mayor indicates.
Colson nods. "Understood. We have healers. We will help. Rest easier."
Anareline turns to sight Apothecary Cheng by her infirmary.
"Sorry… larger than tauren?" Gwen boggles.
"You'll see," Atley mutters darkly.
Arric pats Gwen. "We can handle them, I'm sure."
Gwen chuckles nervously at Arric. "I'm just having trouble imagining it!"
Colson blesses the Mayor, and follows Ana.
Iphi’s eyes widen at everyone’s incomprehension of what every creature here looks like. "Maybe we should make a-a book with all the new words we've learned, so we can share with the Company?"
"We can book make after we fight," Atley says.
An exhausted-looking pandaren woman in a stained robe, her hair in disarray, is leaning against the wall of the building with her eyes closed. She straightens blearily at the approach of strangers.
"Apothecary Cheng?" Atley asks.
“I am Apothecary Cheng, yes,” she says. “Are there wounded among you? We have… so many wounded.”
"No. We're sorted. We've come to help," Atley says.
"We got healers," Estel says.
"We have healers among us, how may we be of service?" Colson asks.
“Ah.” Cheng smiles tiredly. “We have not been able to reach all the wounded on the battlefield. If you are able to heal any you can find, we would be grateful. I have a liniment — an old family recipe — that you can use if you have no healing powers.”
"We can help y- you!" Iphi says. "We'll save as many people as we can!"
Shun nods and takes some of the liniment.
"A liniment! Wonderful! I can help too, then," Arric says.
Atley looks to the healers and gestures to the liniment. "We'll conserve wot' we can."
Apothecary Cheng nods wearily.
Anareline nods and takes some liniment as well. She murmurs, "This reminds me of the Molten Front."
Colson blesses Apothecary Cheng with a Blessing of Might. "Light be with you."
“I have heard that we may have to retreat into the Valley,” says a nearby farmer to another. “But I don’t want to give up our home here.”
Atley briefly eyes one of the nearby farmers.
“Are those the strangers the Lorewalker summoned?” a villager wonders aloud to another. “They look pretty powerful. Maybe they can drive the yaungol back!”
The road at the north end of town is blocked by rough wooden barricades; others are strewn across the nearby fields. Everywhere, pandaren battle massive, shaggy tauren-like creatures.
"Yaungol, I presume," Anareline says, looking out at the fighting.
[Shun]: "Ah."
[Colson]: "Ah."
Colson glances at Shun.
Shun glances at Colson.
"Rica, that is a 'yaungol,'" Arric explains. "It seems they are the enemy here."
“Hey!” calls a pandaren woman with a longbow. “Over here!”
Atley draws Thunderfury and his shield. He jogs over to the archer.
“I am Commander Hsieh,” the woman says breathlessly. She keeps her attention on the battlefield before her, and talks fast. “As soon as their reinforcements arrive, the yaungol are going to overrun our position here, and the village will be lost. Can you collect as many intact arrows as you can from the battlefield, so my archers and I can hold the line?”
"Take heart. You've got reinforcements of your own, Commander. We'll get you your arrows." Atley growls.
Anareline nods. "We will bring you what we can."
Commander Hsieh nods, still watching the fields.
"Anareline, take White Squad left. Carve through them. We'll move right," Atley says.
"Understood," Anareline says, and waves her squad of humans to the left.
Arric hurries to get behind Anareline. Some distance behind Anareline. With his rifle ready. Rica, meanwhile, charges ahead at Anareline's side.
Gwen gawks at the yaungol. "They really are bigger than tauren!"
Ana smiles briefly at Gwenivene. "Cobalt has fought larger enemies. We will prevail."
Atley literally disarms a yaungol before punching through their chest with Thunderfury. "More savage than tauren, too."
Colson's focus is on the wounded of the battlefield, immediately beginning to work on those he can see, as holy lightning crackles across the field.
Iphi grows flowers all throughout the battlefield, healing both allies and injured Binan warriors.
On the far side of the lake to the east, a blackened shore seems to burn with a familiar eerie white light.
Atley doubletakes, looking out over the lake. "Look familiar?" he growls at the Sha emanations.
"Mm… perhaps we will get more answers here," Almeiria murmurs, gazing at it. But the fight continues, and she is forced to turn her attention back to the yaungol.
Iphi raises her hands. Flowers grow on Atley's arms without restraining his movements, linking him to her. They are now in symbiosis.
Shun is nowhere to be seen on the field but every so often one of the Bataari falls.
It is very obvious where Anareline is fighting. She is not stealthy about it as she cuts through the yaungol and collects arrows.
One might assume that tanuki are extremely dangerous creatures, from the way yaungol fall bloodily ahead of a waddling little one.
Atley pulls an arrow from the ground and inspects it before adding it to his collection.
Rica continues to attack alongside Anareline while Arric keeps a careful distance from the enormous yaungol, taking precise shots.
Estel puts Bun in a safety bubble of Light.
Bun scrabbles to a halt, astonished by his bubble. He stares wildly around himself.
Arric notices Bun and can't help but laugh.
Colson is a bastion of calm as he makes his way through the battlefield, at peace at the front, healing the people he has never met before. He uses his sword and shield as much as the Light when necessary.
Gwen stays at a distance behind her comrades, lobbing arcane missiles at the impressively large yaungol.
Anareline turns to check over her team and notices the deadly tanuki. She raises a curious eyebrow.
Bun prods the bubble gently with a claw and, when it does not do hurt or weird noises or smells, resumes rolling along, now in bubble. Bunble.
Almeiria focuses on what she is good at, which is bringing down the enemy. If some of her shadows transfer life energy to nearby injured, it is purely incidental.
"Mind your aim," Atley growls.
A yaungol rushes at Iphi. Plants slither and move around her, making her look big and intimidating and… Kind of Dane-shaped. The yaungol startles and moves back.
Atley examines the nature magic before he winds up, flinging a thunderbolt at the started yaungol.
"Are you all right, Gwen?" asks Arric solicitously, looking to his non-armored mage-friend.
Anareline's gaze snaps to the mage, assuming from Arric's question that she may not be alright. Then she relaxes. "It seems we're to war immediately here."
Gwen nods, panting a little. "Yeah, I'm good. Nothing a little temporal shield can't handle. Probably."
Arric smiles at Gwen, then coughs slightly from the nearby smoke.
Bun trundles along, biting at his bubble experimentally as he goes. The bubble does not seem to be taking external damage, because the yaungol continue to drop before Bun reaches them.
Atley returns and scouts out Anareline. "All sorted?"
Anareline nods. "We saw to what wounded we could, and have brought arrows."
Colson inclines his head.
Commander Hsieh nods curtly. “Looks like you got more than enough. Quick — I think I see their reinforcements massing on the horizon. We’re ready for them now, at least.”
Atley hands over his arrows and nods.
"Back to the Mayor, you lot," Atley says.
"We put a fair few of them to the sword, Mayor," Atley says with a nod.
“We are delivered!” cries the Mayor joyfully as they approach. “The Lorewalker was right about you, friends.” He bows very low. “We will ring the gong so all will know!”
He isn’t even finished speaking before a gong clangs loudly — and repeatedly — almost directly behind them as a villager hammers it with enthusiasm. Cheers go up around the village.
Colson inclines his head. Yes, this is the Proper Lawful way to announce things.
Anareline flinches at the sudden gong.
Iphi startles.
Arric also flinches.
Estel covers her ears.
Atley glances at the gong.
Shun twitches.
Shine vanishes.
Almeiria makes a sound of disgust and also covers her ears.
Bun growls.
"It is effective," Anareline says, her own ears twitching. "I doubt anyone is unaware now…"
"Back to the Apothecary, then," Atley yells over ringing ears.
"Wh-what?" Iphi asks, rubbing her very delicate ears.
Arric also has delicate ears. What?
Estel just follows Dane.
"Apthecary Cheng," Atley greets. "We saved every wounded we came across."
The Apothecary bows deeply. “You have my thanks, friends. You have shown great honor through your actions, and saved many lives today.”
She hesitates and then clears her throat a little sheepishly. “Some of your people from the battle at Serpent’s Heart were brought to a monastery in the west of Kun-Lai to heal,” she says. “Lorewalker Cho suggested they be moved here to meet with you. They are still very weak, but awake now. You will find them upstairs.” She gestures at the infirmary building behind her.
Anareline's gaze sharpens on Cheng.
Shine's gaze sharpens on the building.
"Oh!" Estel grins. "Hell yeah."
"Our people?" Arric echoes.
"Ah," Colson says. "I see."
Atley narrows his eyes. "You've our thanks."
"From the Serpent's Heart," Anareline nods. "I know of this battle."
Shun furrows his brow.
From within, raised voices can be heard. “This is destined to be Horde land,” growls a rough voice. “Soon, you and your Alliance will only be found in history books!”
“I’ll wait until you’re healed to finish you, Nazgrim,” says the familiar voice of Admiral Taylor coldly. “Let it not be said that the Alliance has no honor. But Kun-Lai Summit is where you’re going to die, orc.”
"Oh, that's Taylor," Estel says cheerfully.
Shine takes a swift step toward the door at the sound of Taylor's voice, then looks to Atley.
"Taylor?" Arric echoes. "Admiral Taylor?"
Colson's expression goes Very Neutral.
Shun's eyes narrow just a touch.
Iphi raises an eyebrow at the voices.
Anareline's jaw tightens with anger.
“As soon as I can get up, human, I’m going to crush you!” snarls Nazgrim.
“I grow weary of this Horde coward,” Admiral Taylor snaps. “There must be someplace else in this village to rest.”
Atley stomps inside.
"Wait there, Rica," Arric says, pointing.
“Please,” says a mild pandaren voice. “If you both would remain calm —“
Admiral Taylor is propped up at one end of the room, glaring balefully at the orc propped opposite him. He looks thin and wan and haggard, shadows under his eyes, but his gaze brightens and he sits up further at the sight of the Cobalt tabards. “Cobalts! Lorewalker Cho told me you were well, but I’m glad to see it for myself.”
"Steady! Steady." Atley barks, snarling at General Nazgrim.
Nazgrim snarls back silently. The pandaren healer steps between the orc and the new arrivals, screening him from view.
"Sir," Shine says to Admiral Taylor.
Atley tears his gaze from Nazgrim to look at Admiral Taylor. "Admiral." He salutes, and removes his helmet.
Anareline stares coldly at the orc, but makes no move to violence. She steps over toward Taylor.
Almeiria pays the Horde no mind at all. They are not her priority.
"Lord Arric Falrevere," Arric introduces himself. "I'm a friend of Admiral Fallon's; I've joined Cobalt out here."
Admiral Taylor smiles wanly at Arric. "Another of Fallon's friends, eh? And a Cobalt to boot."
Colson's expression is Neutral, as he makes a military salute to Admiral Taylor, out of respect.
Iphi whispers to the Binan Mender that maybe they should keep the two groups in separate rooms. Maybe.
Estel drops to a crouch. "Hey, good to see ya, you look like shit."
"We hadn't known you were here, Admiral. Or them," Atley says.
“I’m glad you lot made it through as well. Jade Forest was a disaster,” Admiral Taylor says wearily. “Anduin’s gone. We lost good people. We didn’t stop the Horde from advancing into the continent.” He shakes his head at Estel.
Arric goes a bit pale at "Anduin's gone".
Shun just. Sighs.
Behind the pandaren, Nazgrim barks a laugh.
Iphi looks back at Admiral Taylor. "He's gone… a-again?"
Admiral Taylor frowns. "What do you mean… again?"
"Anduin?" Anareline glances to Atley. "I think your information is from Jade Forest? It is out of date. He should be safe."
Admiral Taylor's eyes widen. "Truly? Thank the Light."
Shine nods. "There's army with him now."
"That is what I was briefed," Anareline nods. "An army team accompanies him."
Iphi sighs with relief.
Arric looks deeply confused.
"At… least he's not alone?" Gwen trying to sound hopeful about the prince.
“Well, then.” Admiral Taylor lies back a little, weakly. “I think I’ve got a way to get the locals on our side, at least. One of the healers was saying you just fought off the ‘yaungol’ here?”
"Aye, sir. Marauders from the far west," Atley says.
"A-and healed their wounded!" Iphi nods.
"We did," Anareline nods.
Admiral Taylor nods. “They say there’s a village to the northwest, where some of the refugees and wounded here came from. It’s called Westwind Rest, and it was also sacked by yaungol. If you could head up there and help out any of the survivors camped nearby, that should go a long way toward local goodwill.”
Shine tilts his head slightly at 'Westwind Rest.'
"Oh, for sure," Estel says.
"This is their land, and we are visitors," Anareline says, cutting her gaze towards the orcs' side of the room. "What aid we can give should be theirs."
"We'll see to it. In the mean time, sir… You and the greenskins are guests here. We won't draw their blood in Binan Village. That also goes for the Company," Atley says.
Shun grunts.
Taylor nods, his jaw set, and eyes the pandaren healer standing between him and Nazgrim.
"You take care," Estel says to Taylor with a smile. "Later, later."
Atley glares at the orcs as he marches out.
Shine salutes Admiral Taylor and then turns to leave. Bun growls at the orc as they pass.
Arric says, "Rica, follow."
Colson exhales slowly once they are outside the tense atmosphere. "Hm."
"Awkward indeed," Arric murmurs.
"These pandaren may regret tending to the Horde," Atley growls.
"Or their trees will," Anareline murmurs, looking at the trunks.
"Or maybe b-by staying neutral, they get both of our help!" Iphi says, hopefully.
Anareline glances to Iphindra. "Watch your back. Do not expect neutrality from the Horde, not even during an unrelated war."
Iphi looks down. "You're right."
Atley grunts. "We'll make for this retreat. Stay smart."
Colson stays smart.
Shine stays smart. Bun was never smart.
Farms and villages still smolder in the distance. Carts lie abandoned or broken along the road, and vultures circle ominously.
"We've come in the middle of a sacking," Atley observes.
Arric ties a bandanna around his mouth to help deal with the smoke in the air.
At the crossroads, a group of threadbare refugees turn wary, hostile gazes on the strangers.
Arric waves at them.
Estel gives the refugees a thumbs-up, accompanied by a silent blessing of Fortitude.
One pandaren man rises to his feet and lumbers over. “I’m Bo. The yaungol came through here and sacked our farms and the nearby village, Westwind Rest. Killed some of us and ran off the rest. We’ve been hoping for some help from Binan Village. I don’t suppose that’s… you?”
"That's us. Wot' needs doing?" Atley says.
"Never fear, help has arrived!" says Arric.
Rica makes a raptor sound.
"We are of the Alliance," Atley adds, pointedly.
Anareline shifts slightly so that her Cobalt tabard is more visible.
Bo gives them a once-over and shrugs. #OkayAlliance. "Head down the road to Elder Tsulan," he says. "I'll gather folks up and meet you."
Shun grunts.
Estel gives Bo a thumbs-up. "Will do."
"Light be with you," Colson says, with a blessing.
"We'll find the Elder, then," Atley says, spurring Hal'vyr on.
Arric gasps aloud at the sight of the wall before them, admiring it.
Almeiria scoffs at the large gate. "Arrogant mogu," she mutters.
The scene at the next crossroads is much like the one at the last, except that it is a grizzled elder pandaren who has been leaning against a signpost who straightens and approaches. “As dark as things seem,” he says, “we must not give up hope. We will not be cowed by the violence of the yaungol. You… have you come to help us?”
"Yeah, we're here to help," Estel says, blessing this group of refugees with Fortitude as well.
"We have. We're of the Alliance. We come to help your people," Atley says.
Elder Tsulan breaks into a broad smile. “Aha. Then all is not lost after all!
“The yaungol have always been a difficult, proud people, but never this violent or aggressive. I do not know what has prompted this change in their behavior, but perhaps removing their leader will settle them again? Go directly east of here to the Bataari camp and set their banner ablaze. Challenge Ur-Bataar to a fight. And, optimally, defeat him. This will help to secure our safety.”
Shun nods.
"Their leader," Atley says. "We'll see to it."
"Sha, probably," Estel mutters.
Colson's brows raise faintly. Tenacious stamps his hoof defiantly. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.
Win-Win tries to stamp his hoof at least 5% more defiantly than Tenacious did.
Iphi's polar bear hides her face behind her paws. Challenge sounds scary.
"If that will be sufficient to drive them off the land," Anareline nods.
"I imagine the Tauren have convinced these yaungol to join the Horde," Arric speculates.
Anareline glances to Arric. "If they had, they would not be in the Apothecary's building, instead of with the yaungol soldiers."
"True," Arric allows in response to Anareline.
"They may want to. Can't say for certain, yet. Watch for Horde sigils, and slay the rabble 'fore we summon their leader," Atley says.
"I wonder if they're distant cousins. Like the taunka of Northrend." Gwen muses aloud.
Estel nods to Gwen.
Iphi nods at Gwen. "P-probably, right? They must have a commo ancest– AH!" she moves out of a yaungol's way.
"Banner there," Shine says.
"Alright then, you lot. Set the thing ablaze," Atley says.
They set the banner ablaze. Moments later, a massive yaungol bull spawns charges toward them, bellowing.
They silence him, and then head back toward the crossroads.
Sure enough, Elder Tsulan and his group have been joined by Bo's ragtag comrades outside the smoldering village ruins.
Arric coughs even through the cloth he's tied over his face.
“You did it!” cries Elder Tsulan. “We have lost so much, but at least we now have justice and safety. So it is decided: We will join with your Alliance, and with your help, rebuild the village.”
Anareline looks over the burning ruins, her expression pensive.
"That's wonderful news!" Gwen claps.
Shine eyes the burning village doubtfully.
Colson sends a [Holy Shock] to Arric, just in case of minor smoke damage.
Atley inclines his head. "Indeed."
Arric is clearly smiling, judging by his eyes. They are watery though.
Shun just eyes the flames in the background while listening.
Estel looks around for a lake or a river.
Arric belatedly realizes he should put his goggles back on, and does so. He is now just goggles and a white bandanna.
"It looks like a lot of work ahead," Anareline says contemplatively. "But we can build, as well as fight."
"Dismissed for the day. We've done fine work. Make yourselves available to these refugees to get this Rest back on its feet," Atley says.
"Gwen, anything you can do about the fire?" Estel asks.
Arric is busy coughing a lot about the fire.
"Once we've gotten the flames out, we can get to work," Atley says.
Shun grunts as he gets to work with helping deal with the flames.
Shine also ties a kerchief around his face before dropping from the saddle and going to help. Bun growls and stays put on his Shine’s horse. He is prepared to flee the scene.
Despite his constant coughing, Arric immediately pitches in to help.
Atley observes Arric stepping forward.
Rica does not help. But she does not hinder, at least.
Gwen cracks her knuckles and conjures up a light ice storm, which melts quickly over the conflagration, making fighting the fires much more manageable.
Iphi helps grow plants nearby, so they can have a little more food.
Colson inclines his head. "I intend to travel back to Mordecai, and we shall attempt to do more for those who were wounded in the recent battle. Light be with you all."
Anareline nods to Colson, and then affixes a tie around her own face. She moves in to fight the fire.
"Mind the saurok," Almeiria reminds.
Atley nods. "I'll be quartered at Binan for a time," he says.
Estel ties Menace up nearby and goes to help with the fire.