Several
weeks had passed since Alaia had led Cristianno to the Temple of the Red Crane
in search of training in the meditation and the ways of the monk. Although the
Pandaren saw no problems with her moving lightly due to her now showing belly,
Cristianno still had a problem with it and didn’t trust the Pandaren monks. He
watched her practice and when he felt comfortable enough to leave, he went out
to smoke. This happened almost every day they were there. The Pandaren were
already aware of the elf’s nasty looks and cautious glance over Alaia, but no
one bothered him as long as he was at a distance from Alaia’s training.
During
one of his smoke breaks, he noticed a furry figure approach him. His cigarette
lit up as he inhaled and slowly exhaled, expelling the smoke out into the
forest in front of him. “Can I help you?” he said softly. He was trying to
avoid conflict with anyone around him and he didn’t even turn to see whom it
actually was who had stepped beside him.
“She’s
doing very well.” He recognized the voice. It was soft and young, but forceful,
like a mother praising her child. It was the same voice that scolded him when
he heard it.
Cris
nodded and took another drag of his cigarette. “She’s very capable.” He
exhaled. “I just don’t want her to get hurt.”
“She
won’t. Their movements are actually quite gentle and relaxing without any force
behind them. However, she will be able to control her emotions.” The Pandaren,
Xuelan, looked at the pirate again. “What about you?”
“What
about me?”
“There
is so much around you…” Her voice lingered off as she looked around him. This
time, Cris side-glanced at her, eyes narrowed as he sneered. Xuelan caught his
eyes and stared. “You have been hurt, betrayed, and there’s a tortured look in
your eyes.”
“You
have no idea what I’ve been through my entire life,” he said in a low tone.
“Maybe
not, but the way you stand and live, betray you. Anyone who is in tune with the
world can see how damaged you are. And…” Xuelan looked behind her and took a
step closer to him. Cris didn’t move. “…you’re under someone’s control, aren’t
you?” Cris closed his eyes and turned away, back toward open window that faced
the lush forest surrounding the temple. “We can help you, elf, but you have to
want to help yourself as well.”
“You
have no idea what I have to deal with.”
“It
can’t be worse than the sha.”
Cris
snickered. “You have no idea.”
Xuelan
took a step back and turned outward as well, placing her paws on the balcony
rail. “You want to be free of this? Then let us help you. Otherwise, your
desire to stay on our land will hurt you. You will attract the sha, just the
way your wife did.”
With
a smirk, Cris put his cigarette out against the stone railing and flung it out
into the forest. “I will do no such thing.”
Xuelan
watched the squished butt fly down into the green canopy below them and she
sighed, extending her hands out and waved them over the rail. A gust of wind
moved around them and the butt flew up into air. It landed on the rail in front
of Cris. The elf smirked as he stared at the remains of his cigarette in front
of him. “Don’t throw that,” she said softly.
Ignoring
the cigarette, Cris turned to look at Xuelan. “You don’t know me.” He began to
walk away from the Pandaren, but she stopped him.
“Wait.
I don’t know you because you don’t want to open yourself up to me.” She took a
deep breath, “I just want to help you. I feel as if you need it.”
With
a chuckle, Cris walked back to Xuelan, pointing at her face. “I don’t need your
damn magic. I don’t need any magic.”
“But,
this isn’t magic,” Xuelan responded.
“Right.”
“But
it isn’t. I use the energy of the world to what I do.” She turned to the window
and pointed outward. “The world is living and filled with energy. With the
proper training and respect, the elements can be used. Air, water, fire, and
earth. It’s not magic, it’s -- ”
“The
spirits,” Cris said bluntly as he rolled his eyes.
“Well,
yes, there is that, but I work more with the world’s energy.” Xuelan looked at
Cris. “Why would you say spirits?”
He
sighed and walked back to the rail and slouched over, looking down toward the
far ground. “The last time I worked with someone who manipulated the elements,
she said she worked with spirits that granted her magic. However, she’s…” He
paused, trying to shake the image of Tia’Zula from her mind. “Look, I just
don’t like magic.”
Xuelan
smiled and placed her paw on his shoulder. “I promise you this has nothing to
do with magic. I have seen the Tauren work similarly. I can even teach you to
tune in with the world. You may
not be able to manipulate the elements but you may be able to hear them and
listen to their guidance. Then, you will have inner peace.” She noticed Cris
glancing at her paw and she slowly removed it. “Is this…whoever you were
talking about, the reason you are surrounded by so much negative energy? Why she is controlling you?”
Cris
shrugged and looked back out into the forest. He turned and walked back into
the temple, where he saw Alaia smiling as she held a position on the floor. “I
don’t know, but I need to protect her.”
The
Pandaren stood beside him and nodded. “So, will you allow me to guide you in
meditation? For her sake? For your child?”
That
was enough for Cris to nod without considering what the training may consist
of. “Fine.” Xuelan smiled and nodded. “But I ain’t easy to deal with. Just
warning you now.”
“Don’t
worry, elf. I cleanse the sha from the land. I can deal with one stubborn
creature such as yourself.” The Pandaren turned to look at Cris and he sighed,
shaking his head as he continued to watch Alaia train.
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