"Searching for a path to Pandaria?"
Chen Stormstout took a sip of the rare hundred-year vintage. This was authentic, time-honored spirits, aged for a full century. Thanks to precise magical brewing, it lacked the mustiness that usually plagues ancient alcohol.
Wine isn't necessarily better just because it's older; every vintage has a "sweet spot." Drink it too early, and it's unremarkable; too late, and it becomes a foul, murky liquid. Only at the perfect moment does it earn the title of a masterpiece. Furthermore, this aged brew provided a minor boost to one's power—much like the Shadowberry wine favored by mages to expand their mana pools.
"Li Li and I left Pandaria aboard Shen-zin Su. That land is perpetually shrouded in mists that sever all senses; even dragons would lose their way. Finding it is nearly impossible, and even the Great Turtle doesn't know when he might wander back toward the mainland."
Chen was an honest man. Having enjoyed the gift of wine, he wanted to help, but he truly had no direct way back. Otherwise, he wouldn't be staying in Lordaeron under the pretext of searching for new recipes.
Shandris frowned. This was her first major task from her father; she couldn't let it fail immediately. "Is there no other way?"
"I'm afraid not," Chen scratched his head, looking embarrassed. "But I can give you the method to contact Shen-zin Su. He is a demigod, though his strength is likely no match for yours now."
Li Li, who was busy "sampling" the wine beside them, rolled her eyes and muttered, "Going to Grandpa Shen-zin Su is a long shot. You'd be better off finding Madam Goya. she's down near Gadgetzan. She left Pandaria using her own power. If anyone knows the way back, it's her."
"Li Li! Madam Goya is not to be trifled with! Sending Princess Shandris there is like sending a lamb to a tiger's den!" Chen barked. He knew the Pandaren underworld all too well. Most Pandaren who left the mainland lived on the Wandering Isle atop Shen-zin Su, drifting aimlessly. Goya was a different breed entirely.
"Madam Goya? Li Li, tell me more," Shandris urged. While she could always ask her other "aunts"—like Sintharia, the new Black Dragon Queen—it made more sense to consult fellow Pandaren first.
Li Li drained her glass and let out a small hiccup, her eyes turning misty. "Madam Goya was a landowner in the Valley of the Four Winds. For some reason, she left Pandaria—not by turtle, but by striking a deal with the Mantid of the Dread Wastes. She's ruthless. She runs a casino near Gadgetzan and dabbles in piracy. Uncle doesn't like her style, which is why we didn't stay with her."
She giggled. "Gadgetzan is a goblin city, but it's a lawless place. It's the only port for food and water in the Tanaris desert. It's a den of vipers and thieves—one of the few places Lordaeron hasn't expanded to yet. You'd have to be careful."
Shandris rolled her eyes. She was a demigod now. Mortal dangers were for "nameless" adventurers; there wasn't much in a desert port that could threaten her.
"I understand. Thank you both for the information."
Back at the Administrative Manor, Onyxia was yawning as she headed toward her bedroom. Pregnancy had made her uncharacteristically lethargic, which is why she'd brought in Nalice to handle the day-to-day finances. The Empire was growing too fast; with orders worth millions of gold pieces, even a one-percent dip in profit meant losing hundreds of thousands of coins.
She had to keep a tight leash on those "bastard Goblins." They were cunning and refused to truly submit to the Empire, which annoyed her. She made sure to squeeze their profit margins to the absolute minimum.
"Auntie! I'm here!"
Shandris appeared at the bedroom door, her wide, bright eyes making it impossible to refuse her. Onyxia smiled; she was very fond of Shandris. The girl possessed a natural, lovable aura that calmed even the most savage beasts—a blessing from both the World Soul and the Moon Goddess. She was the true First Princess of Lordaeron.
Onyxia pinched Shandris's slightly chubby cheek. "Come in, little one. What's troubling you?"
Shandris explained the situation, relaying what Chen and Li Li had said. Onyxia's sleepiness vanished as she began to calculate.
"Gadgetzan? That place is a dusty hole. The lack of fresh water has kept it from ever becoming more than a small port town. It has zero commercial value," Onyxia noted, slipping into her business logic. "I considered setting up a base there once but decided against it. With Theramore as our main hub, we don't need it. Besides, the Naga use those coastlines for pearl farming."
"Stop, stop! Auntie, you're getting off track!" Shandris interrupted.
Onyxia chuckled. "Don't be impatient. Having a foothold there would make things easier. Actually, we're about to move against the Scarab Wall soon. The Mantid have been maintaining a front there, hunting the Ahn'Qiraj insects. You can get military support from them."
"Take a letter of mine to Nalice," Onyxia continued. "She'll arrange for a team to accompany you to Gadgetzan. We'll give Madam Goya some Imperial business to handle. She wants gold and stability; not everyone gets the privilege of working for Lordaeron. Oh, and go see Azshara. Her Naga know the oceans better than anyone; they might have mapped Pandaria already. Don't put all your hopes in one place—just getting to Pandaria is the goal."
Onyxia patted the girl's cheek, feeling a surge of excitement for her own unborn child. She hoped the baby would inherit at least half of Shandris's talent and grace.
"Thanks for the advice, Auntie! Get some rest. When my new brother or sister is born, I'll have a great gift ready for them!"
Shandris was the perfect example of a modern princess. She didn't want to be married off into a new family; she wanted to stay with her parents and explore the world. As for "continuing the family line"? Between her father and all her "aunts," she figured they had that covered.
Near the coastal region, the air was filled with the scent of sea salt and coconuts. Because of a demigod's blessing, the black-skinned coconut trees here—the sweetest variety—bore fruit year-round.
The area was guarded by Naga Royal Guards and a magical detection network. No trash, no dangerous predators, and no intruders could get past the barrier.
Azshara lay lazily on a sun lounger in a bikini. Returning to her High Elf form was a rebirth for her. Her past as a Naga was a punishment from the Moon Goddess and the World Soul for her hubris. As a Queen who once had the favor of the world, she had betrayed that trust by attracting the Burning Legion.
If it hadn't been for Arthas stepping forward to drive back the Legion and stabilize the Well of Eternity at the cost of his own strength, the Broken Isles would be nothing but a chaotic Arcane storm today. As his consort, her death sentence had been commuted to a life of service and redemption.
Her former maidservant, Vashj, was also there, her belly similarly swollen. Unlike her mistress, Vashj was using her time to meditate and cultivate her power.
Suddenly, Vashj opened her eyes, her serpentine pupils dilating before she relaxed. "Princess Shandris!"
Shandris came bounding over, jumping off the back of her Frostsaber. The cat let out a low growl before vanishing—teleported back to the Gryphon Roosts. Like Arthas, Shandris could summon and dismiss her mounts at will, saving her the trouble of tending to them personally.