#taoshi

Lightning flickered against the bulk of the distant mountains of Kun-Lai, and the world grew loud for a moment. The torches about camp that had been set out for the evening were sputtering, a few snuffed outright by the sheets of driving water and wind.

“Taoshi, over here!” She heard a voice through the cacophony of water striking the tents around her, and looked to see a tent flap raised slightly. Two sets of deep blue eyes and one of gold met her own, and there was a red-furred paw raised out to reach one of hers. “Inside, quickly!”

She didn’t waste a moment sprinting into the tent. When her eyes adjusted to the low light, she made out the great belly of Lao-Chin, who was oddly dry. This had to be his tent, yes? Lao-Chin smiled readily. “Here, get that soaked leather off and I’ll get you a towel or four.”

She wondered what he meant by four for a moment, then realized that she was simply that wet. Her undershirt was freezing now that she was in the shelter of the tent, and as soon as she removed the clammy metal and leather uniform, she shivered. “Thanks, folks.” She muttered through chattering teeth. Lao-Chin hung her uniform on a long pole and offered her a blue towel. As for the other two who were here…she made out Tenwu easily enough. As for the other figure…the moment that a light was struck within the tent, the breath was sucked out of her lungs. Some of that was embarrassment.

“My Lord. You have my apologies; I didn’t realize that was you.” Taoshi bowed after wringing a huge amount of water out of her forearms.

“At ease, brave Taoshi.” Taran Zhu bowed in reply, and a rare smile lifted the corners of his lips upwards. “You look like you’ve had yourself a good and proper soaking.”

“I most certainly have, my lord.” Taoshi chuckled abashedly. “More’s the pity, I took a good long bath this morning…”

“If nothing else, you’ll be squeaky clean for sure.” Tenwu piped up. “You didn’t get any crushed quilen powder on you earlier, did you?”

“No fighting for me today.” Taoshi confirmed with a shake of her head. “Two patrols about camp, however.”

Taran Zhu seemed to nod. “It’s been quiet the last few days. I made the trip from the Monastery today to check up on matters.”

Taoshi began using the next towel she had to dry off her undershirt, which no longer clung to her stomach and chest once she’d done so. “My lord, would it be impertinent to ask what you found?”

“Not at all.” Taran Zhu inclined his head. “The fact of the matter is that the garrison in Townlong has served its purpose. The Sha of Hatred has been destroyed, the mantid are in full withdrawal, the mogu in decline, and an operation to the South in the Dread Wastes may soon rid us of the Sha of Fear.”

“That is good to hear.” Lao-Chin murmured from where he sat down. Tenwu soon joined him and the huge brewmaster at once wrapped an arm about the much smaller rogue’s shoulders. “I had a few encounters with Sha-possessed mantid. Or Sha-influenced mantid…” He shuddered. “They’re worse than usual when those foul things are pushing them forward.”

“After Tai Ho made his report, and after our efforts drove the Mogu from the Temple of Niuzao, I spoke with the August Celestial himself.” Taran stated. “Niuzao gave me his blessing and a number of other items of information. Some of what he said…” Taran Zhu sighed. “Some of that troubles me very greatly. I’ll tell the order at large before I return to the Monastery.”

“I hope the rain clears up before you go, Lord Zhu.” Taoshi expressed quietly. “A soggy slog back to the Monastery wouldn’t be pleasant.”

“Indeed, it would not be.” Taran chuckled. “I actually wanted to speak with you. In private.” He gestured to Tenwu and Lao-Chin.

Both of them took the hint. Taoshi had nothing to fear from Taran Zhu…but if she was going to be told something that no one else could be present for, she suspected it was something very important. Tenwu took a thick paper umbrella and unfurled it while he still had the advantage of the tent covering him from the rain. “Whenever you need us, we’ll just be a tent over.”

“Thank you both.” Taran Zhu bowed. The two younger Pandaren left them in the tent.

Taoshi folded both arms behind her back…clad in only her undershirt. Not exactly the most dignified appearance she’d ever had, but considering the…soggy state of her uniform…she didn’t exactly have a great choice in that regard. “I await your command, my lord.”

“Dutiful as ever.” Taran Zhu nodded gratefully. “I’ll make this quick as I can.” He drew a long breath. “Zhiyao’s death in the defense of the Ox-Gate, as well as that of Shado-Master Zhen during the battle for Longying, leaves us two Shado-Masters down. There are traditionally three per discipline, from the Blackguard, Omnia, and Wu Kao Disciplines.”

Taoshi nodded, and Taran continued. “Your conduct has been exemplary, Taoshi. Nurong and Ling speak of you in glowing terms. Occasionally you get a little impetuous…but your heart and your duty are in the right place. It was for that reason…” A searing flash of lightning lit up the skies immediately above the garrison, even with the tent protecting them. The thunder’s roar was such that Taran Zhu’s words were lost. The Lord of the Shado-Pan sighed and held a hand to his snout for a moment. “Ah. I believe what I was going to say was that I wanted to see if you were interested in succeeding Zhiyao. He was one of the Wu Kao’s finest, just as you are now.”

Taoshi’s breath caught in her chest. Her ears were still ringing a bit from the earlier thunderclap, yes...but she’d heard Taran Zhu perfectly just now. “My lord, I hope not to seem too presumptuous, or worse yet, arrogant…”

“Go right ahead.” Taran offered.

“…I would be very interested.” Taoshi bowed at once. “And I would be honored to serve the order in such a role.”

Taran Zhu smiled now, a genuine expression that lifted his eyespots slightly. “Then when you next return to the Monastery with Ling and Nurong, you will be named Shado-Master before the whole of the order, and your name be added on the scrolls of our order’s history.” The Lord of the Shado-Pan bowed. “I look forward to that day. Until then, brave Taoshi…” Taran Zhu inclined his head once again. “Keep up the fine work.”

“I shall do so, my lord.” Taoshi bowed.