“Land ho!”

The ship landed with a thud at the shore. Nets were strewn over the sand and rock beaches, and pandaren sat in their boats (and some slept) with their reels cast, eager to produce the first catch of the morning.

“So, this is Pandaria?”

First mate Moldmane frowned. Rumors of mists lifting to reveal a once-secret land full of treasures and precious artifacts had reached the gnoll’s furry brown ears. He stood firm, his back arched with a mane of black hair, as he intently surveyed the scenery. Moldmane had expected flowers, trees, tall temples lined with precious stones, and stray golden coins ready for the taking. In short, he was rather disappointed.

“Mrgl mrgl! Mrg mrg blech!”

The gnoll turned his attention to the murloc behind him voicing his discontent with the land they had come across.

“Silence, Gurky, I’m well aware,” spoke Moldmane sharply, “we will need to change course and look for another location. Meechi! Over here.”

He called out to a young vulpera, in her late teens, standing at the far end of the ship, and she ran quickly over to him in response. Her pink-tipped ears stood on their ends as she awaited the command from the first mate.

“Meechi, I have a special assignment for you. As you are well aware, you are the newest member of The Stray Dogs and have been with us for several months. It is time for you to complete the Trial, which every Stray goes through to prove themselves worthy of our company.”

The vulpera’s gold eyes glittered at the prospect of a challenge.

“What do I do?”

“The land before us lies unexplored and with new treasures. We have also been told there are numerous valuable artifacts here. Your trial, Meechi, is to find one of these artifacts and bring it back. Only then will you have proven yourself to be a true member of our crew.”

Meechi had an inquisitive mind and demanded more information.

“Where do I go?”

“Use your senses, your Stray’s instinct. They will guide you to the treasure.”

“What does this artifact look like?”

“I cannot tell you! But you will know it when you see it, unmistakably.”

“How will I know?”

“YOU JUST WILL!” Moldmane answered exasperatedly. “Now hurry! There is no time to waste!”

Meechi checked her bag for all her belongings, including potions, thin rope, various pieces of metal, strands of dried flowers, scrolls, needle and thread, scissors, a can of oil, some trinkets she had picked up from a traveling caravan, and a pouch of gold coins.

The gnoll held a furry finger up. “One rule, Meechi,” he declared, “you are not allowed to return until you have obtained the treasure.”

“Okay!” Meechi exclaimed and eagerly climbed down the anchor to the shore. “I’ll be back!”

“But chief, I neva had to—”

“SHUT UP!” Moldmane struck the saurok next to him on the forehead. The lizard-like creature whimpered and rubbed the spot where the gnoll had struck. “That hurt.”

“You,” the gnoll turned to the quillboar at the steering wheel, “set our course for the south. We sail in thirty minutes.”

“What about Mee—OUCH!”

The first mate struck the quillboar hard across his snout. “Do not ask any questions.”

“Aye aye…”

The fox will be long gone by then, Moldmane thought to himself, out of my sight, forever.

* * * * *

Meechi stood on the shore, the thrill of exploring new territory making her legs tremble with excitement. Several huts lined the shoreline, and she wanted to go visit every single one and check for trinkets and gold. There were more important things at the moment, however, like finding out where she was. The vulpera walked over to one of the pandaren sitting in the boats.

“Hello!”

The pandaren slowly turned his head towards Meechi. “Hmm?”

“Who are you?”

“I am a fisherman,” the man responded. He began slowly turning back to his reel. The vulpera wasn’t finished yet.

“Where am I?”

The pandaren once again begrudgingly turned his attention to Meechi, responding, “This is the fishing village of Sri-la.”

“Do you have a map?”

The fisherman frowned at the meddlesome traveler.

“Go to the inn,” he replied, pointing towards a flight of wooden steps behind him, “Lana can help you. Now goodbye.”

“Okay!”

Meechi walked around the beach, observing several of the other pandaren she assumed were fishermen as well. One was hunched over what appeared to be a fishing net, making repairs to a tear at the bottom. Several paces away, a fisherman was hammering away at planks of wood. The vulpera concluded he was crafting a boat. Having satisfied her curiosity, she walked back towards the wooden stairs and ascended them. A pandaren stood there next to a post decorated with lanterns and bearing a red kite. Meechi looked to the left and noticed the entrance to the inn.

As she stepped inside, she was greeted by a pandaren woman.

“Welcome to my inn, weary traveler,” she spoke kindly. “What can I do for you?”

Meechi studied the innkeeper. Her short brown hair was tied up in the back and decorated with a blossom in the front. She wore a white shirt with green suspenders, and her face bore a pleasant smile.

“Are you Lana?”

“Yes,” the innkeeper replied, “I am Lana the Sea Breeze.”

“Can you give me a map?”

“I have several maps I can offer you, young one,” Lana spoke. “Where would you like to go?”

Meechi realized she hadn’t the faintest idea of pandaren geography, much less knew the names of any cities on this continent. She thought for a moment and answered.

“I’m an archaeologist, and I’m looking to document famous sites and artifacts,” Meechi carefully avoided mentioning she wanted to take an artifact for herself, “where would you recommend?”

“Ah! I know!” Lana broke out into a smile. “I suggest you visit the Temple of the Jade Serpent, the libraries there house much information on Pandaria’s history, famous monuments, and precious artifacts located in the shrines and temples.”

The vulpera pirate’s eyes widened at the prospect of knowledge on many valuable artifacts. This was exactly what she needed!

“Okay! How do I get there?” Meechi asked eagerly.

“Talk to the flight master Gingo Alebottom,” the innkeeper replied, “he will tell you how to get to the Temple of the Jade Serpent. I’m sure you saw him on your way here!”

The vulpera nodded. So that’s who that man was. Lana handed Meechi several maps of the Jade Forest.

“Thank you very much!” The vulpera turned towards the exit and ran out the door and down the steps to the flight master.

Gingo Alebottom wore a brown and grey jacket that did not entirely cover his stout body and sported a thin moustache that drooped to below his chin. His thin beard mirrored the narrow patch of hair on his head, and his green eyes sparkled as they reflected the warm sunlight.

“Would you like to go somewhere, young one?” The flight master’s voice was gruff but kind.

“I’d like to go to the Temple of the Jade Serpent,” Meechi replied, “can you get me there?”

The pandaren smiled. “Yes of course,” he answered, “Forty gold can get you to the flight master just outside the main temple grounds. Would you like to use that path?”

“I would,” the vulpera responded, and withdrew several pieces of gold from her pouch. It was not a large sum by any means, so she did not see the need for bartering or price negotiation as she normally would on a purchase.

“Thank you,” bowed the flight master after receiving the coins. He turned around and motioned at the kite hanging from the stand behind him.

“This will take you to my fellow flight master, Ginsa Arroweye. Safe travels!”

Meechi mounted the kite, which, due to its grey color and shape, resembled a large manta ray made of cloth with wooden supports. The path first took her over a body of water then above a series of small cliffs lined with shrubs. At the other side of the terrain were lined dozens of pink cherry blossom trees, their petals shining like diamonds in the sunlight. Meechi finally approached a series of rooftops she assumed to be the greater temple grounds. The shingles were a teal color, and brown and golden decorations lined the shingles and outer wall.

The kite landed shortly afterwards at the feet of a pandaren woman. She had short, grey-black hair with a streak of green at the front and two small poles of bamboo tied into her hair. Her chest plate was of a silvery green color, and her sleeves and scaled leggings bore a golden green color that matched her eyes.

“Welcome to the Temple of the Jade Serpent, traveler,” Ginsa Arroweye spoke kindly, and picked up the kite as she continued, “do you need assistance finding your way around the temple grounds?”

“No, thank you,” Meechi replied graciously, “I will explore it for myself!”

“Very well then,” the flight master replied, “safe travels, young one.”

The vulpera turned around and followed the stone path to a small clearing housing several buildings. She entered the one closer to the road and was greeted with the familiar sight of flasks, potion bottles, books, and herbs and flowers strewn about tables. The apothecary who owned the shop chuckled as he watched Meechi’s eyes widen with excitement.

“Welcome, fellow alchemist,” he greeted her with a smile, “I can see you are most pleased to have discovered my humble station. Is there anything you would like to purchase or trade?”

Apothecary Sun wore a bright yellow robe and an earthy brown apron across his torso. Meechi walked up to one of the tables and looked around.

“I could use more potions, naturally,” she answered, “but I would also like to know if I can find fresh herbs and flowers here to make my own. What do you recommend?”

The apothecary thought for a moment. “Quite conveniently,” he began, gesturing towards the exit of the shop, “we grow several bushes of the snow blossom plant just outside. Its white flowers, mixed with a dash of cinnamon and black tea, will create a revitalizing drink you can use to strengthen yourself or allies. There is no charge for using the plants from those bushes, please help yourself.”

“Oh really? Thanks!” Meechi scurried off towards the bushes and bent down to pick the snow blossom flowers. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw several travelers of various races discussing something, but she could not hear most of the conversation.

* * * * *

Mori watched the death knight closely as he inched his way along the edge of the grass to several paces away from the table where the draenei were seated. The young blood elf couldn’t see his face from this angle, but she did notice one of the draenei, a paladin, glaring at him. Oh dear, she thought to herself, I hope he doesn’t get into trouble again!

“Sahtra, where are you going?”

​

It was no use. It seemed that for the time being Sahtra ignored everything except for the draenei paladin that he hoped would become the next soul to taste the blade of his cursed axe. Mori sighed and walked over to one of the bushes alongside the road, absent-mindedly staring at the ferns, when something moving caught her eye. The young blood elf stuck her head further into the leaves and noticed a dead dragonfly perched upon one of the stems. Let me try something! Mori thought to herself. She held out her hand over the bug and whispered.

“Animate.”

The bug’s remains slowly morphed back into the shape they had taken in life, although the dragonfly bore a darkened, grey color instead of its former blue-green hue. Mori smiled widely as the bug began buzzing around again, excited that she had successfully performed the reanimation. Before the bug could get very far, Mori caught it once again and, holding it by the wings, took the undead dragonfly over to Sahtra. The young blood elf noticed he was still facing the draenei and tugged on his cloak to get his attention. The death knight turned towards her without speaking a word.

“Look, Sahtra! I reanimated a bug!” Mori held out the undead dragonfly as far up as she could for his approval.

The human grinned at the child’s enthusiasm and talent. “Great job, little one,” he said proudly as he affectionately ruffled her hair. Mori beamed at the praise and let loose the bug, her vibrant green eyes following its path back to the bush where it had so often sat in life.

Sahtra knelt down next to Mori and whispered, “How are you feeling, child? You passed out after the Ritual.” His blue eyes glowed softly.

“I’m feeling fine!” Mori replied, trying her best to keep her voice down, “I got a lot of good rest.”

“Excellent.” The death knight stood back up and glanced at his traveling companions, who were doing business with the draenei. “If there’s anything you want crafted,” he spoke to the young blood elf, “you should go talk to them now.”

Mori nodded and gleefully walked over to where Tolkar and Halvor were standing. Sahtra brought me back from the Ritual safely, she thought to herself with a smile, I knew I could trust him!

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