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| Details |
| Author: | Alli |
| Summary: | White Squad heads to Westwind Rest to provide Alliance help for the locals. Arric is a good father and/or trainer, though Rica would like to eat a yaungol. Anareline and Colson are reminded of other military times. Gwen faces porcupines, and Pookie is very strong. Also, Janice writes furiously in cameo. ~7200 words. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
White Squad splits off from Blue Squad and prepares to ride for Westwind Rest.
Arric says, "Rica, follow."
Gwen turns and startles at Rica. "OH, biscuits! I keep forgetting how big you've gotten."
Anareline makes a clicking sound with her tongue, and her nightsaber comes from… probably a shadow nearby. The predator cat eyes Rica and then stands for Anareline to mount.
Colson waves back to Mordecai, with a small blown kiss, before mounting on his paladin charger. Tenacious stomps the ground eagerly.
Rica makes a soft grating sound at Gwen…
Gwen peers over at Arric with a half-worried smile. "Does that mean she's annoyed…?"
"She was trying to soothe you," Arric says. "Unfortunately, raptors don't have very soothing sounds in their repertoire."
The team rides to Westwind Rest.
Anareline slows as she enters Westwind Rest, and gracefully dismounts from her nightsaber.
"Oooh. Heh…interesting!" Gwen gives Rica an adoring smile. "Thank you, Rica."
Sully “The Pickle” McCleary is seated by the bonfire with a couple of pandaren youths in new-looking, ill-fitting Alliance tabards and one familiar grizzled pandaren in farmer’s clothing.
Arric dismounts his felstee- er Tirasian stallion.
“And here they are!” announces Sully brightly as White Squad approaches. “I told ye they’d be around, pal. Whatever it is, Cobalt will handle it.”
Colson dismounts gracefully, though he keeps hold of the reins. He raises his brows faintly at Sully's words.
Anareline frowns slightly at the dwarf, but approaches the fire.
"Wait there, Rica," Arric says, pointing.
Elder Tsulan looks up and relief smooths the deep furrows in his brow. “Friends,” he rumbles warmly. “It is good to see you. There is trouble nearby.”
Tenacious is also nearby! So you're going to be fine.
"What sort of trouble?" Anareline asks.
“There is a mogu soul-caller… I do not know if you are familiar with the mogu, but one of their soul-callers has come to the north of here, in the Mogujia Ruins. He is animating the statues there, to make a stone army. He must be stopped.”
Janice Mattingly is sitting in a nearby tent, writing furiously. She glances up at Cobalt Company, but does not engage.
Anareline glances over the team, and nods at Gwen. "At least one of our number has encountered them before. We will stop him."
Gwen nods grimly. "We encountered some mogu in the Jade Forest doing something like that."
"I'm familiar with them as well," Arric assures them.
“Ye might stop by Mishka before ye head out,” Sully suggests. “Couple’ve our new recruits have tangled wi’these animated statues Tsulan mentions. She might be able to use some assistance for the injured.”
"Ah," Colson says. "Of course. I am a healer, I would be glad to be of any help."
"We will," Anareline says solemnly.
Arric studies the draenei medic in fascination.
The draenei healer is pacing back and forth between two infirmary tents, taking stock of supply crates arranged outside of each. She is preoccupied, murmuring to herself, her eyes narrowed, but she looks up at White Squad’s approach and brightens at once. “My Cobalt friends! What do you need?”
"It is less of what we need, and more of what you might," Anareline says. "We came to ask if you needed any assistance."
“Oh! I would be grateful, actually, if you could help me with a thing.” She glances toward the massive blue-and-gold command tent. “When we began to hear reports of the animated statues from the injured, Admiral Taylor told me to take care of the problem. Taking care of people, I can do. Taking care of problems of this kind…. This is not my specialty. And I do not like to suggest destroying ancient artifacts, but if they are being reanimated to harm people… Would you go to the Mogujia Ruins and destroy the statues there? Before more can be raised against our people?”
"We are heading there in any case," Anareline nods. "We will destroy their means of harming the people of Westwind Rest, while we are there."
Colson inclines his head. "Ah, I see. If they are being used in such a manner, that is a way of healing as well. Sometimes, that is what is necessary."
Arric nods.
Rica waits patiently by the village's stable.
"Thanks," Mishka says. "I hope that will stem the tide of the injured."
"White Squad, let's move out," Anareline says with a nod.
Arric says, "Rica, follow."
Colson moves out.
Anareline's saber sidles up at the right time.
"Yes ma'am," Colson says with military precision.
Win-Win glares at Tenacious. Arric jerks his head around with the reins so it's pointing the way they're going. "Stop it," he says.
Tenacious snorts aggressively. Colson puts a hand to the charger's neck. Now, now.
Ana frowns slightly at Colson’s address, for some reason. She looks back at him and says, "You may just call me Anareline, if you like. Or Ana, if you need something shorter. I am not a military officer."
"Yes, Ana," Arric says, making it sound like ma'am.
"Ah. It is… habit. It is often automatic," Colson says, somewhat apologetically. "I am not always able to consciously halt it in time, especially in the field. Though I will strive to do so more, if it makes you uncomfortable."
"Does it?" Arric asks her curiously.
"Thank you," Anareline says, nodding to Arric and Colson. "I have a military background. A very old military background. It was not a good experience, all told. The world nearly ended."
Arric's eyes widen.
Anareline looks forward. "Ah, the statues. We can destroy them as we speak."
Arric eyes a statue and spots a weak point where the stone has cracked. He aims right for it with his rifle.
"Ah, yes. I remember you mentioned, a long time ago. I will call you Ana, as you like. I am aware we are not in the army. There are merely some lingering habits that I find difficult to break, but I will do my best," Colson says.
"I'm sure she won't take offense if you slip," Arric says warmly. "Habits can be hard to break."
"How curious," Gwen says, picking up a shattered piece of the statue. "It's clay."
"You have my thanks," Anareline says, with a faint smile. "I realize I am squad leader here. I will lead, I just…" Ana turns to Gwen. "Clay? I would have imagined stone."
"Hm," Colson says, examining the statues.
"I suppose it makes some sense," Gwen says. "Some clay can be even stronger than stone, if properly fired."
Arric seems to have no opinion on clay vs. stone, and seems faintly put out by not having an opinion.
"And it can be easier to shape," Anareline suggests.
Colson rubs some of the clay between his gauntlets, examining it more closely.
"I suppose it must be easy to keep perspective, with all you've seen, Ana," Arric muses.
"Stone shards," Colson murmurs. "I am unfamiliar with this material, and this stone."
Ana considers Arric. "It is easier to keep a certain perspective, but it might not match perfectly with that of others."
"That's helpful, actually," Arric says. "Different perspectives help one find the truth, hm?"
"At least these seem dormant," Anareline says, moving to smash another statue. "And yes, I can hope that is the case."
Rica seems very very annoyed by the way the statues respond to her biting.
"I have not lived nearly so long, but my own experience with the army was such that I still have those who know me by other titles, and they mean them with respect when they use them, but I find it… uncomfortable to hear it. It is also my preference to not be called by it," Colson says. "So I understand, though in a limited way."
Arric listens carefully to Colson, then nods. "What do you prefer to be called?" he asks.
"Colson," Colson says. "Particularly in the field. I have other titles, but that is my preference within Cobalt Company."
"Very well Colson," says Arric cheerfully.
Colson smiles faintly. It might almost be visible.
"All of us by name, then? Unless either of you have an objection," Anareline glances to Gwen and Arric.
"Fine with me," says Arric. "I get 'Lord Arric'ed enough in town."
"No objection from me. I'm happy to be just Gwen," says the mage.
Anareline nods. "Then that's settled." She peers up a stair. "There is one not dormant ahead."
Colson watches as the statue grows dormant…before their eyes. And then not.
"Oh they look… quite similar," Arric says, startled.
"Ah. They are not entirely stable," Colson says.
The team destroys that one.
"That has no doubt contributed to the danger they pose, as they would seem at times benign," Colson guesses.
At the top of the ramp floats a soul-caller, over a sigil surrounded by piles of skulls in a pentagram.
"Oh, that looks like our target all right," says Arric, sighting down his rifle.
Rica makes an excited clacking sound.
"Indeed," Anareline says. "Let's end him."
The soul-caller cries out, "We shall rise again!" as he falls.
Gwen frowns deeply at the soul-caller, even as he falls, chiding him. "What you do is terrible!"
Once the soulcaller falls, Arric peers at the diagram and piles of skulls. "One can definitely tell this fellow was up to no good, even if one is a layperson."
"Oh, green tea leaf," Colson says as he spots the herb among the piles of skulls.
"The skull piles do rather set a certain tone," Colson agrees with Arric solemnly.
Arric laughs delightedly.
Colson smiles faintly, but visibly.
Anareline frowns at the setup. "At least, the foul magic must be powerless without the mage behind it."
Thye team heads back down towards Westwind Rest.
"I have really got to take some time, when matters aren't so dire, to learn more about different types of magic," Arric muses aloud.
"We just don't discuss such things in Kul Tiras, really," he clarifies.
Anareline raises her eyebrows. "Nor in my people's lands, until recently."
"Well, long ago, and now recently," Anareline amends.
"It's a fascinating subject! We talk about it all the time in Dalaran," Gwen says. "I mean…obviously."
"Ah," Colson says.
Arric laughs. "Yes, I would think so, Miss Gwen. Gwen."
Gwen giggles.
[Arric]: "Believe it or not, in Kul Tiras we often discuss sailing."
Colson's lips twitch.
Arric winks at Gwen.
"I am utterly surprised," Anareline says, neutral-faced.
"Hehe, I am shocked. Shocked." Gwen giggles again.
Colson chuckles.
As the team approaches Mishka, she looks over hopefully.
Arric composes himself into seriousness again.
“Please tell me that you have the Mogujia situation under control,” Mishka says earnestly. “Please?”
Colson inclines his head.
"We would be delighted to!" Arric says. "Honestly, even."
"We smashed all the statues we saw, and put an end to the soul-caller," Anareline confirms explicitly.
“Alright!” Mishka gives a sigh of relief. “Looks like we won't have a bunch of statues to worry about any more. Good work, Cobalt!”
"They were most disconcerting," Arric sympathizes.
"Wait there, Rica," Arric says, pointing.
"I don't doubt it," Mishka nods. "Beyond my area of expertise."
Elder Tsulan looks up from his seat by the fire. "I heard you killed the soul-caller! You've saved all of our skins, believe me. You have no idea how much trouble those guys can stir up. Err, or, I guess you do, now. Kind of. Almost.”
Elder Tsulan gestures in the direction of the mogu situation. “Imagine that, but a lot worse, and for a couple thousand years.”
Colson inclines his head.
At "all of our skins," Arric stares at Tsulan's fur for a moment.
"I can imagine that," Anareline says seriously.
Colson doesn't look much like he has a great imagination, but maybe that's his face.
Elder Tsulan looks over in the direction of the entrance to the camp. “Now… I saw Bo come in looking terrified. Could you see if he needs your help?”
"Of course," Anareline says.
Colson politely looks for Bo. "Where may we find Bo?"
A shivering, scared pandaren stands near the flight master.
Colson doesn't have to wonder for long. "Ah. I see."
Arric points.
Anareline strides over. "What seems to be the problem?"
"Cobalt Company is here," Arric says soothingly.
"Aww…hey, it's going to be alright." Gwen reaches out to gently pat Bo.
“Thank you so much for freeing Westwind from the yaungol,” Farmhand Bo says, looking at the team nervously. “After the rebuilding was settled, I went back to my work on Farmer Chow’s land, to the southeast of here.”
Bo looks up gratefully at Gwen.
Colson looks directly southeast.
"I take it something happened?" Anareline asks.
“I… I escaped from there today,” Farmhand Bo says, tears glistening in his eyes. “It's been taken over by yaungol, but the old man and his wife just won't give it up! Please, go there and help him out.” Farmhand Bo glances over at Sully and the Alliance banners, and adds desperately, “Maybe if you do, he'll be willing to send some folks back here and help you guys farm up some food for the new town?”
"Of course," says Arric, giving the pandaren a bracing shoulder clasp.
"We would, even if that were not the case," Anareline says reassuringly.
Colson nods. "Of course."
"Light be with you," Colson says, with a Blessing of Kings to Bo.
Bo straightens a little, maybe with a touch of kingly confidence.
This time when Arric mounts up, Rica leaves her position and follows Arric without being told.
Farmer Chow and his wife Uyen are hunkered down behind an outcrop of stone, with three yaks tied nearby. They’re brandishing a pitchfork and a rolling pin, respectively.
Colson's expression shifts slightly at the sight of the rolling pin.
Rica casually saves Gwen from a porcupine.
A tasty, tasty porcupine.
"Oh! What an aggressive little creature," Gwen grimaces at the bloody mess Rica has made of the porcupine. "Thank you, Rica."
Anareline looks over and nods once, satisfied that Gwen is safe.
“You're a sight for sore eyes, Cobalt,” Farmer Chow says in relief, spotting the tabards. “Are you here to help me get my farm back from those blasted yaungol?”
"Of course!" says Arric.
Colson inspects both farmers for wounds, passing over a quick [Flash Heal] just in case.
“Those Ordo yaungol have taken over my farm,” Farmer Chow says, the distress clear on his face. “They’re working my farmhands to death! It just ain't right. Please, you’ve got to help get them out of there.”
Rica has a snack while they sort out their mission.
Anareline looks over towards the field, her jaw tightening. "We will, certainly."
"Never fear," says Arric. "We have much experience in such matters."
“Even if you get them out, we might well all starve together,” Uyen says, pursing her lips. “I don't even have a pot to cook in! Let alone ingredients to put in it! Here's a list of the things that I need. Grab them while you’re out there!”
"We wouldn't want that," Anareline says mildly, taking the list.
"Oh… er, I'm sure someone can recognize what you need." He looks at the women.
Colson frowns, as he looks over at the situation on the farm. His hands clench tightly before he unclenches them deliberately. He inclines his head to Uyen. "Of course."
Gwen arches an eyebrow at Arric.
Arric looks cluelessly back at Gwen.
"Root vegetables, it looks like," Anareline supplies, not noticing Arric's assumption. "And a pot."
Gwen tsks quietly.
As the overseers swarm, Colson's hands glow with the Light, and a Holy Radiance surrounds the group.
"Oh this is terrible!" Arric says, his voice pitching upward in distress. "Those poor farmers!"
"The yaungol are not only invaders, but slavers," Anareline says grimly.
"Unacceptable!" Arric says.
"So it would seem," Colson agrees.
As the team slay each overseer, a small group of pandaren cheers and runs off.
Colson is not a distant healer, as he draws his sword, moving into the front line to fight and heal.
"How dare you!" Arric says to one he's aiming at. "You ought to be ashamed!"
The yaungol does not seem ashamed, but soon is dead.
When a raider goes for Gwen, a shield of Light envelopes her.
Suddenly, a very large virmen bursts out of the ground.
Arric shrieks!
Ana charges in to attack.
Despite his alarm, Arric joins in immediately.
"Whew, thanks, Colson!" Gwen flashes him a smile.
Colson's hand touches Arric briefly, as the Light suddenly makes Arric seem less threatening.
Arric seems to have no idea what happened, but smiles at the "friendly hand touching."
Having collected root vegetables, the team searches for Uyen’s pot.
"In here," Anareline says. "The pot."
Arric tries to lift the pot.
Arric fails to lift the pot.
Colson moves to assist. "Together?"
"Let me," Anareline says, and looks at the others. "Or together."
Arric flushes slightly and looks around like he's hoping no one saw it, but then nods gratefully to Colson.
Anareline moves in to lift from her legs.
"Oh, let Pookie. She's pretty strong…and not really doing anything else." Gwen gestures to her arcane familiar.
Colson also lifts from his legs, as a lawful paladin.
Rica does not offer to help with the pot, despite having two perfectly good hands.
"Ah," Anareline says, looking at the arcane construct doubtfully. "If the creature can carry it."
"Let us get it outside, and then the familiar shall take over?" Colson suggests.
Pookie obediently offers to take the pot.
Arric looks dubiously at Pookie.
Anareline meets Colson's eyes. Trust it?
Colson inclines his head. He trusts in Gwen.
Anareline relinquishes the pot to Pookie.
Arric trusts in the more experienced squad members.
"It's okay!" Gwen assures them. Pookie hefts the pot, sloshing the contents terribly as she carries it back. With Pookie carrying the pot, however, it frees the squad to guard it from the enemies.
“Do you have everything from the list?!” Uyen demands immediately as the team returns.
"Yes," Anareline says. "The pot is clear, and we have the vegetables." She hands over her share.
"Um…some of the Yaungol's soup may have spilled. I hope you didn't really want that…" Gwen toes the earth.
Colson hands over what he has collected. The paladin is no farmer, but he does recognize his root vegetables.
"Oh, certainly not," Uyen says. "Who knows what those brutes eat? I do still need the pot, though."
"Tide— Light only knows what was in it," Arric says, his nose wrinkling a bit.
Colson considers that, and passes a hand over the pot, with a [Cleanse] for poison.
"Oh good. Pookie, you can pour out the rest. Um…over there." Pookie, indeed, looked about to dump the hot soup right in the middle of the group. But the construct obeys Gwen and moves away before overturning the pot.
Uyen looks over the vegetables. “Well there you go,” Uyen relaxes. “We should be plenty good, now.”
Farmer Chow smiles fondly at his wife, and then turns the same smile on us. “Now ain't you just the thing? Though, I guess it's not fair to force these here workers to stay with us, now that we don't have much work for 'em…”
"You are intending to say…" Anareline prompts, and then waits quietly.
“Well, far as I figure, we've got quite a lot of rebuildin' to do,” Farmer Chow looks to the farm with a sigh. “I'm not one for joining any big causes, but my farmhands aren't gonna have much to do 'round here, to be honest. And, since you helped them out, they want to join your "Alliance",” Farmer Chow sighs. “So, who am I to stop 'em? Bring 'em with you, back to Farmhand Bo. I'll miss 'em, but they're better off with you.”
"Oh, splendid!" Arric says.
Colson waits patiently for the farmers to come to their own conclusions.
"If that is what they want," Anareline says, looking around at the farmhands.
Arric seems sure that's what they want.
"We are honored," Colson says sincerely.
"It is!" says one of the farmhands eagerly. "I want to be in the Alliance!"
Arric cheers and slaps him on the back.
Some of the others nod agreement.
"Oh marvelous! You will love it," Gwen assures the pandaren.
"Then… we will escort them, back to Westwind Rest," Anareline says. "To see them arrive safely."
Colson smiles faintly, more in his eyes than lips, so it might be difficult for the pandaren to see anything at all.
"If you have any questions, I'll be back to Westwind Rest in an hour or so, I can tell you anything you want to know." He beams at the pandaren farmers.
"Light be with you," Colson blesses the farmers staying behind.
Arric watches the blessing with interest.
Gwen eyeballs a porcupine suspiciously.
"So… Colson… when you do a blessing, does it require certain hand gestures, or words, or is it more… internal?" asks Arric.
"Ah, internal, primarily. It is a matter of will and belief," Colson answers. "It does not require words or any gesture, merely a thought and intent."
"Fascinating!" Arric says, and the exclamation point on the end of that seems sincere.
Colson inclines his head with that faint smile to Arric.
The team arrives back to Westwind Rest along with a number of farmhands.
“Is that…” Farmhand Bo’s face lights up. “HEY! You brought 'em back!”
Arric waves amiably at Bo.
"Wait there, Rica," Arric says, pointing.
Farmhand Bo is happier than we’ve ever seen him before. “You did good, bringing these guys back. We'll have 'em farming you up some food in no time!” He beams, and adds, “Oh, Elder Tsulan said he needed to talk to you, on your return.”
"Of course," Anareline says, inclining her head.
They move back over to where the Elder rests by the fire.
"Elder Tsulan, you asked for us?" Anareline addresses him.
“I’m so pleased you were able to save Farmer Chow’s people,” Elder Tsulan says, watching the farmhands filter in. “Still, I know the Alliance needs recruits, and there's just not enough of us here right now to make a fighting presence."
Anareline frowns faintly. "That is our concern and not yours. You have no obligation to provide soldiers for the Alliance."
Colson's expression is a careful neutrality.
“Okay, but I know where you may find more, if you are willing to make a habit of rescue,” Elder Tsulan says. “The yaungol over at Fire Camp Ordo, to the northwest, have taken many of my people as prisoners.”
"We must free them!" Arric says immediately.
“If you would be willing to rescue them from their captivity,” Elder Tsulan says, “they'd more than likely be willing to join the Alliance. What do you say, Cobalt?”
"It is the right thing to do, no matter what they may or may not do afterwards," Colson says. "Thus do my paladin vows compel me to act."
Gwen nods firmly, looking terribly worried. "We'll get them out!"
"We must free them," Anareline nods to Arric. "Yes, regardless of whatever decisions they may make afterward, regarding the Alliance."
"Exactly!" says Arric. "Er, though the paladin part… less applicable."
Colson inclines his head.
“You’re heading into Fire Camp Ordo?” Sully says from three feet away, a rhetorical question. “Oh, well now, let's have us some fun! Those Ordo yaungol to the northwest have saved us the trouble o' havin' to make some bombs. They already have them there. Let's put their explosive barrels to good use and destroy their oil-pumpin' machines, shall we?” Sully winks.
"Oh, that sounds capital," Arric agrees.
"I…" Anareline trails off, staring at the dwarf. "If they have oil-pumping machines, then I would agree that demolishing them is in everyone's best interests."
"It is unlikely they are using them for good purposes," Colson says.
Arric says, "Rica, follow."
"The camp is not far," Anareline says, staring at it. "What are those lines of fire… not our objective right now. We're on a rescue mission."
Arric puts some yaungol in HIS line of fire.
Gwen stares up at the streams of fire. "Cheese and crackers…"
Colson frowns up at them, and then over at Gwen. "They do appear to be magical in nature, but nothing I am familiar with."
A pandaren chained by some bombs whispers, "Please, would you get me out of here?"
"By the TIDES!" Arric says when his attention is called to the pandaren's plight.
"That's what we're here for," Anareline nods.
Colson passes a heal over her pre-emptively. "Light be with you."
The pandaren does a happy little dance and then dashes off.
"That poor woman!" Arric says, distressed. "Can you imagine?"
"It's lucky we were here," Anareline nods. "I worry about them feeling they owe us a debt of gratitude. But… still we must help them."
"What sort of brutes do this sort of thing?" Arric seems to teeter between worry and outrage.
Colson doesn't look like he can imagine anything. But maybe that's just his face. His compassion does seem to be strong enough to heal significantly.
"It's just terrible," Gwen says, her eyes glistening with angry tears.
"Bombs, here… and this spinning machine… is an oil pump?" Anareline stares at it dubiously.
Arric happily plants some explosives by the pump. He seems comfy with explodey things.
As Rica is splashed by something, a Holy Shock of lightning streaks out to heal her as instantly as she is burned.
"That can be your job," Ana nods to Arric.
"Capital!" Arric agrees.
Rica makes a soft trilling sound as Colson's healing hits her. She then turns to stare directly at Colson. Like him, she does not have facial expressions.
Colson blinks at the raptor, and turns his attention to the others.
"If I don't get away from these beasts, they're going to kill me!" A pandaren prisoner whispers. He flees gratefully.
"Another rig!" Arric says, pointing to the west. He carries some bombs over.
Colson blesses the pandaren, healing them before they flee.
"Face your fate!" says one of the yaungol as it attacks.
It isn't easy to see if the paladin has any Retribution he brings, except that the Light covers his sword as he brings it down upon the yaungol.
"I just want to go home," wails a pandaren in a cage.
"You poor dear…" Arric coos, rushing to help her.
"We will see you free," Colson says reassuringly. "You will go home again."
"Blessing of the four winds upon you, strangers," she says with a smile, before she flees.
"And the Light be with you," Colson says in return.
"Oh, that sounded almost Kul Tiran," Arric muses.
"Is the wind popular in Kul Tiran culture?" Anareline asks. "I suppose it is integral to sailing."
"Oh yes, we have lots of expressions involving the wind," he says. "Fair winds and calm seas, that sort of thing."
"Ah," Colson says.
"Here, perhaps it is more to do with walking with the wind," Anareline says, looking up at the mountains.
"Yes, a favorable wind is always a good thing," Arric agrees cheerfully.
"Indeed," Colson agrees.
The team returns to Westwind Rest.
"Wait there, Rica," Arric says, pointing.
Colson examines the team over once more, including Rica, for any lingering damages or burns.
Sully waves as White Squad approaches and says, “Ho ho, that were a fine sight to see. I knew I should have gone up there with ya, Cobalt!”
"We'd have been glad to have you!" Arric says.
Elder Tsulan smiles. “The prisoners have made their way back here. Thank you, thank you so much! Your Admiral wants to speak with you.”
Colson inclines his head, and then looks for Admiral Taylor.
Admiral Taylor paces around while the new pandaren recruits get their practicing underway.
Arric gives the Admiral a crisp salute he's clearly been practicing.
Anareline nods to him, but doesn't salute.
Admiral Taylor pauses when he sees the Cobalt team approach, and walks over. “Well, if it isn't our heroes, Cobalt Company.”
"Happy to serve the Alliance, sir!" says Arric.
“Recruits, I want you to remember that it was Cobalt Company who saved you, and the Alliance who are going to save Kun-Lai!” Admiral Taylor says, loud enough to carry.
Colson's eyes drop down briefly to note that the Admiral is…not wearing shoes. There is no expression on the paladin's face. He instead returns his gaze lawfully, and cracks off a proper military salute.
“For the Alliance!” many of the trainees cry out happily.
"For the Alliance!" Colson echoes, out of habit as much as genuine sentiment.
Anareline watches the disciplined pandaren trainees with a faint frown.
Arric very quickly echoes the cry as well! None should ever suspect him of not being For the Alliance, for any reasons.
Anareline doesn't say anything. Probably she just missed the moment for it.
Admiral Taylor gestures the team over a few steps, and returns to an indoor voice to confide, “I really wasn't sure we stood a fighting chance out here, you know? These guys may be a little rough around the edges, but we'll be able to whip 'em into shape.”
"Yes, sir!" says Arric. Then he notices the feet. He can't stop staring.
Anareline's ear twitches at 'whip'. "I trust you don't mean that literally."
Colson's lips tighten briefly at whip, but he inclines his head.
Admiral Taylor gives a quizzical look. "Figure of speech. I don't whip my soldiers.
"Of course not," Colson agrees. "We appreciate you clarifying, however, given their history."
“Anyway, with their help, we'll have a real fighting chance at holding our own here in Kun-Lai,” Admiral Taylor says. “You've done great work. We should be able to maintain our base of operations here now without too much trouble.”
Arric is still staring at the Admiral's bare feet.
"I am…" Anareline searches for the right word. "Pleased to help. That is, to help rescue the pandaren prisoners. Is there anything further the Alliance needs from us today?"
“There’s one more thing,” Admiral Taylor nods. “The yaungol of Fire Camp Ordo are a dire threat. I need you to head northwest and take out their leader.”
Arric rips his gaze away from Taylor's tootsies. "Yes, sir!"
"We can do that," Anareline confirms.
"Ah." Colson's expression is neutral, but his posture is perfect. "Yessir!"
“Unfortunately, his four subordinates are maintaining a fire barrier that prevents us from getting to him in the adjoining cave,” Admiral Taylor says with a grimace. “Take them out and the shield will come down. You'll find them in their tents, channeling."
"Ah, the fire beams," Ana says.
"Ah, the fire beams," Colson says.
Colson clears his throat as he and Ana speak in near unison.
"Ah…the fire beams," Gwen whispers…because it felt like the thing to do.
Arric says, "Rica, follow."
"Now remember, Rica," Arric says in the tone of a man addressing his teenage daughter. "The fallen yaungol are not for eating." … a teenage daughter who might be in danger of eating yaungol, I guess.
"The first beam connects over here!" Gwen points north.
Anareline nods, following the point of Gwen's hand.
"Do you think there's any risk of blowback, when we kill the caster?" Anareline asks.
Rica looks at a fallen yak and makes a noise. "I suppose so," Arric answers, but it would be a bit rude. You can wait for a proper hunt later. Those were domesticated beasts just doing their jobs."
"Could be? They're probably stabilizing it," Gwen considers.
"We'll be careful then," Anareline nods. She glances to the raptor. "Is she hungry?"
"When isn't she?" Arric says in a tired-father tone.
"But they also seem to be the source…or an anchor. I think the beam will likely just retract or dissipate." Gwen says.
"I will be prepared, in case," Colson says. "Be advised, the Light can heal wounds, but it cannot restore burned hair."
Arric touches his hair. His own, not Colson's, I should specify. Arric does give Colson a friendly little hand-touch in thanks for the information, though. As one does.
Colson's own hair is of its usual length. You'd never know it was once burned completely off. Colson seems faintly surprised, but he offers Arric a slight smile, and touches back.
"Understood," Anareline says, and dives into the fight.
The blazecaster dies without ruining anyone's locks. The fire beam dissipates.
"The next is right here," Ana says, turning to the next fire caster.
We kill that one, too. One more fire beam down.
"The rest are on the other side of camp," Ana says. "We'll have to fight our way over."
Colson looks up at the fire shield, watching for any sign of instability.
Rica makes a series of noises. "We're just focusing on the leaders," Arric says. "We don't need to kill them all." She makes another noise. "I'm not even going to dignify that with a response," he says sternly.
"Ah, green tea leaf," Colson says as they pass by it.
"Right here!" Gwen calls out.
Anareline looks over curiously at Arric. "What did she say?"
"If she had her way, we would just massacre every yaungol that exists," he says sadly. "I'm having trouble teaching her er… restraint.”
“She will at least do as I say, though," he assures them.
Anareline frowns disapprovingly as she moves in to slaughter the pyromancer.
As the pyromancer begins to channel a Rain of Fire, a Hammer of Light manifests from above, striking down to halt it.
"There may be yaungol elsewhere that are not part of this war party," Anareline says. "We may one day find yaungol who are our friends."
"She is very smart, and she can understand 'for killing' vs. 'not for killing,' but she gets confused when it's 'for killing some but not all.'" He shrugs.
We reach another hut from which a flaming beam emerges.
"This must be the last," Anareline says.
"I have known those who struggle with such nuance. These are reasons for structure and leadership," Colson says to Arric. "It is good that she has such."
Arric beams. "I do my best," he says.
"That is all we can do," Colson says. "You do it well."
We kill the final flame caster. The fire beams above us abruptly collapse.
Gwen beams at Arric. "It's really amazing how you've taught her. You seem more like a father than a trainer."
Arric colors slightly, then clears his throat. He jumps as the beams collapse, not having expected that dramatic reaction.
Anareline considers Gwen, possibly trying to work out the difference between a father and a trainer.
Colson looks up, his hands glowing ready with the Light.
"Their leader must be unguarded now," Anareline says. "Let's move."
"Tally ho!" Arric cries. Rica shrieks happily.
Colson moves. "Yes m." That's what he says. Yes m.
The team approaches the cave, now unguarded, where the Ordo Warbringer waits.
“I've been expecting you, outsiders,” the Ordo Warbringer cries out.
Rica wiggles with obvious impatience.
Bright wings of gold form behind Colson's back, as the paladin's eyes glow briefly golden.
"Yeah, well…we were expecting you to expect us!" Gwen taunts masterfully.
"Exactly," Anareline says, confirming Gwen's take.
Anareline charges into the battle, guarding her hunter, mage, and healer.
Rica lets out a sound that most have learned to dread if traveling through Stranglethorn, and sprints into the cave to join the attack.
Arric hangs back, looking for openings to take precise shots with his rifle. One bullet whizzes close enough to ruffle Ana's hair, but doesn't touch her.
Anareline doesn't even flinch at the bullet.
Gwen suppresses a shiver at Rica's sound, very glad she's not the target of it. She whirls her hands, gathering arcane energy, then releasing it in a powerful blast at the Warbringer!
“Spirits and elements of Pandaria, I call upon you! Destroy them!” the Ordo Warbringer cries, and four spirit wolves coalesce and attack the team as he is enveloped in a fiery shield.
Arric yelps in surprise as the wolves appear, but quickly masters himself.
Anareline hastily backs up and whirls her sword in a cleave, trying to draw the attention of the spirit wolves. She carefully dodges Rica, who is clearly not a wolf.
Colson seems extraordinarily calm, as he alternates between the practicalities of swordwork and the Light's healing. As the spirits form, a shield of Light forms around Gwen to protect her while she casts.
Gwen grits her teeth and conjures up a blizzard of icy shards to rain down upon the yaungol and his spirit wolves.
Rica bites into a wolf, finds it doesn't taste interesting, and returns to the yaungol.
One by one, the wolves fall.
“What?! I will finish you myself!” the Ordo Warbringer says, turning to the team in a rage.
Another shield of Light surrounds Colson a moment later, to keep the healer protected, while he concentrates on keeping the others healed.
"Will you?" Arric says dubiously, sighting down his rifle.
Rica goes bananas.
"I would not count on it," Anareline says flatly, moving in with a powerful strike.
Gwen throws arcane missiles! "Pew-pew-pew!"
The Ordo Warbringer will not finish us himself. Instead, he falls under the onslaught.
“Our homes… destroyed… We did what we had to….” the Ordo Warbringer struggles to say, as his life leaves him.
Arric blinks, lowering his rifle. He stares at the corpse.
Colson frowns as the warbringer falls.
Anareline looks down at his body, frowning. "That is no excuse to invade another's home, but… something drove them?"
Gwen's brow knits together at the yaungol's dying words.
Arric suddenly begins to visibly shake. "I lost my home, too," he snaps at the dead yaungol. "I have somehow managed to avoid slaughtering everyone in my path."
"Hm." Colson hesitates, and then offers a prayer to the Light over the body of the fallen, to ask for the Light's grace.
Anareline nods. "He is beyond our lectures now, or I would also offer mine."
Rica chrrs softly and leans against Arric. He scritches her pointy skull.
"If we want to get to the root of this problem, I think we're going to need to find out what cost them their homes," Gwen says.
"There is no excuse, no. They have chosen a dark path, but that is not what grace is for. It is not a thing that is earned, but offered when we least deserve it," Colson says quietly.
Arric nods thoughtfully at Colson and takes a deep breath, mounting up to return.
Anareline clicks her tongue and her saber comes out. She swings up on its back.
"It does not change what we must do now with the knowledge we have. We are aware of something beyond a choice of evil that motivates them. We should report it," Colson says.
"Agreed," Arric says.
Gwen straddles Gethennis and rides him hard!
Anareline doesn't dismount until she's near Admiral Taylor. Without preamble, she says, "The yaungol leader is dead."
Arric is a bit pale, but does not seem in danger of immediate swoonage.
Colson offers a brief touch to Arric's shoulder, a steadying compassionate hand of a paladin.
Arric smiles back at him and touches his shoulder also. Fren.
“You've done it, Cobalts! I'm in your debt! Again!” Admiral Taylor smiles warmly. “You have no idea how happy I am right now. If you were one of my officers, you'd be getting a promotion!”
"We are not," Anareline says mildly. "But your thanks are appreciated. The yaungol — they say there is something driving them. As he died, the leader said their homes were destroyed."
It is Colson's time to pale slightly, a strange look in his eyes, as if the words strike an odd chord to mention a promotion after a death like that, and his right hand clenches.
In a nearby tent, Janice Mattingly takes furious notes.
Colson's face is Extremely Neutral.
Arric touches his shoulder again. No reason.
"Hm," Admiral Taylor says. "I'll see what I can find out. Maybe some of the pandaren know something. Thanks for bringing me the information."
Colson blinks, and glances over at Arric. There's no change in his expression, but he inclines his head.
"Of course," Anareline says, and gestures the team away from the Admiral.
Colson salutes Taylor with military precision, and then follows Ana's direction.
Anareline looks over each team member carefully. "Are you well? Is there anything I should address?"
At a gesture from Arric, Rica runs off into the wilds.
"I am fine, thank you," Colson says.
"All is well, Ana," Arric says.
"I'm alright," Gwen says. "Thank you for checking in." Padrick chirps from Gwen's shoulder. He's fine, too.
"I can be a bit… reactive at times," Arric says, "but you needn't worry over me. I won't slow us down even if I become… distressed."
Anareline nods, but still looks a touch concerned. "I hope you will tell me, if ever that is not the case. All of you. Good work today, we have saved many lives."
"I am not short of courage, even if I do feel fear," he insists. "You may always count on me. We will save many more."
Gwen smiles at Arric. "It's okay to feel things. I think you do well keeping it from getting in the way, though."
Arric smiles at Gwen.
"I do count on you," Anareline says simply. "We are a team, so we must rely on one another."
Colson is not reactive, but he does nod. "And I was merely briefly reminded of another time, with a…promotion after a mission that I am not especially proud of," Colson says neutrally. "I am fine."
"If you ever want to talk about it," Arric says, "I'm happy to listen. But I also understand if it is a story you tire of repeating."
"I do not find emotions or reactions a negative thing, or a weakness. I may not seem to feel things, but I do," Colson says. "I am aware that I often give such an impression. I hope that we will work together well."
Arric gives Colson a warm smile and a shoulder-touch.
"That goes for all of you," Arric says. "My ears are always open!"
Gwen gives Colson a little shrug. "I assume everyone feels things, even if they don't always show it."
Colson gives Arric a faint smile, and a brief touch in return with a Blessing of Kings. "Light be with you all. I shall be returning to Binan Village. Mordecai and I will remain there to assist with the infirmary."
Now Arric looks like he might be wondering if his comment about open ears was somehow offensive to the one with the long skinny ears. He is certainly looking at her ears.
With that, Colson inclines his head, and takes his leave.
Anareline doesn't seem to mind ears-staring. "I will remain here, in Westwind Rest. Until next time." Anareline nods, and heads back towards a tent.