Deception (a World of Warcraft Fanfic)

The Eternal Vale

(Sarah)

The sun was out, the air was light, and not a single face wore a frown on this lovely day.

Today was the day the Vale's gates would open once again.

Valurine did not hesitate to join in on the festivities. She had bought herself a conical hat, which, in my opinion, looked funny on her. She stood with someone who appeared to be a Lorewalker, they held a very intense conversation on the war tactics of the mogu and mantid.

I wasn't really in the mood to celebrate. I spent most of the afternoon following Anduin around as he made small talk with the refugees who had traveled all this way to be let in the Vale.

He's quite the charmer, he made his way through the crowd, greeting everyone politely and handing out food to the hungry refugees. He was a prince like no other, a man of the people, even if they weren't his people.

He caught me starring and waved at me. I stayed a bit behind the crowd, trying not to draw attention.

Taran Zhu accompanied me. His yellow eyes were narrowed, darting from the south, where the sunwalkers came to reunite with their leader, and the east, where a group of night elves flowed in on their beautiful white leopards.

"Which are your people?" he asked, turning to me.

I shook my head, "Neither."

"Neutrality is not being allied with no one, it's being allied with all. We Pandaren remain neutral, though some of our more adventurous have sided. We open this gate to not only the Pandaren, but the Alliance and Horde. I am proud of your people, they choose not to fight here."

"The tauren and night elves are both peaceful people, they share a great love for nature, and that is enough to cause them to tolerate their differences in Pandaria." I said, spotting Dezco conversing with a druid of the opposite side. She smiled and played with Dezco's twin sons, who were reunited with him this morning.

"Perhaps they could serve as a good influence on their factions." Taran had also spotted Dezco, his harsh glares softened a bit. "And perhaps they will protect the vale instead of their flags."

"Their loyalties are strong, do not underestimate them. Their concerns will be spoken, but they fall on deaf ears."

"That's what I fear."

"Fear not," chirped a familiar voice, "Even the less peaceful of the factions have helped us a great deal with the Mogu."

"You'lon! You're ok!" I exclaimed, hugging her panda cub form. "But the statue..."

"Let us not dwell on the past on such a happy occasion." She wore a smile, but her eyes expressed a darker emotion.

"Very well. Oh, there's someone I'd like you to meet."

"Should it be Anduin Wrynn? I just finished speaking to the boy. He's a bright one, real cute, too. Boys like that are rare, child." She giggled, nudging my arm.

"Oh... I, er..." I stampeded, struggling to suppress a girlish grin, "Valurine was who I had in mind. She's the Draenei to the left in the hat. She is a lovely person, but struggles to understand that the Horde is not the only one to blame for the sha. Perhaps you could enlighten her."

"Perhaps I could, and I will in time. She, however, is not the only one who sets the blame at the feet of one faction. I shall see what I can do."

"I'd best join you," mumbled Xuen, his face had lost it's gentle grin and had hardened into a more serious visage, "They must hear this from all of us."