The Princess and the Turtle (part 2)

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Kaldorei Empire, Kun Yomi, Kun-Lai Summit, Lei Shen, Lorewalker Cho, Master Chang, Mogu, Old Kalimdor, Pandaren, Pandaria, Warcraft, World of Warcraft, WoW, Yaochi, Yu Gwai, Zandalar, Zouchin Province, Zouchin Village

Yaochi was sitting up on the grass at the feet of the mountain. Although she was still in great pain, nothing seemed to be broken. By the grass she could tell she’s in Zouchin Province, the northernmost province of the Pandaren Empire, one isolated from the rest of the Empire by great mountains. The only thing further north was the Plains of Giants and then remnants of the Zandalari Empire, and finally the Kaldorei lands. She had never seen any of these lands, only hearing frightful tales about the vicious, cannibal trolls who used to be allies of the mogu, and about the night elves, powerful magi who hated the trolls as much as pandaren hated the mogu. Perhaps there was a story between them, but no one could tell it to her but ancient tomes written in characters she hasn’t learned yet. Indeed, there were no Lorewalkers yet back then!

Her position quickly torn her away from these musings. She was wounded and in pain, sitting at the feet of the Kun-Lai Mountains. Master Chang was undoubtedly dead, killed brutally by the mogu villain and ancestors only know what kind of gruesome ritual his remains were put through. The carriage driver was lying motionless and breathless on nearby rocks, with a bolt in his chest. Even the yaks were dead. Her only companion seemed to be the turtle that gave her water when she woke up. What kind of turtle would know how to do such things? There was something odd about it. It moved with speed and deliberation she only saw from people, and his eyes… there was something about his eyes. When she looked into his eyes, she saw a splinter of sentience. There was no doubt, that was not a normal turtle.

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The Princess and the Turtle (part 1)

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Ao Guang, Emperor Huizong, Kun Yomi, Kun-Lai Summit, Lei Shen, Lorewalker Cho, Master Chang, Mogu, Pandaren, Pandaria, Thunder King, Vale of Eternal Blossoms, Warcraft, World of Warcraft, WoW, Yaochi

Long ago in Pandaria, far before the Sundering has torn Old Kalimdor apart, old Emperors ruled the land. Although the first emperor was the tyrant Lei Shen, a hopeless horror who enslaved every living thing in Pandaria, slain gods and defeated ancient Keepers, once he died and his original Empire crumbled, the people of Pandaria saw the need for stability one powerful ruler will provide. Thus, the first of the Pandaren Emperors was crowned and his dynasty ruled for centuries to come, as gentle and just rulers.

In time, the first Pandaren Emperor’s descendant, Huizong, ruled on the Jade Throne in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms. He had no sons, which troubled his court greatly, for at this time, only a son could succeed his father on the Imperial Throne. However, he had one daughter, who he had great care and respect for. His daughter, Yaochi, was trained to be all his possible successor could be. Trained like a boy, she resented her father, claiming he only ever wanted a son, not her. But despite this resentment, young Yaochi still loved her father and did what he commanded.

One day Princess Yaochi was being driven in a carriage to the Peak of Serenity, to get her lessons from the wise, old monks that resided there. As the carriage was driving through the snowed mountains of Kun-Lai, she was looking out of the window and thinking of everything she could see all across Pandaria, if only her father didn’t take up all of her free time with exercises and lessons in the palace. She didn’t even pay attention to Master Chang, her father’s court advisor and monk, who was trying to prepare her for her lessons, instructing her about everything awaiting her.