It was cold. Very, very cold.
Despite the ice that froze over the greater balcony outside of the Mogu'shan Palace, Morrigan did not have that difficult of a time finding purchase and landing at the entrance where the fabled explorer Brann Bronzebeard recently had kept himself. Seemingly this locale was one of the better kept strongholds to obtain knowledge about this land of Pandaria, maintained by the Pandaren historians to preserve the history of their ancestors and rivals alike. Thus, Mizue was not too surprised to learn that the dwarven archaeologist would be present there. Though it was not his audience the Field Captain sought this evening; but rather, one of the Pandaren elders who greeted her in the Jade Forest shortly after arriving.
Lorewalker Cho.
Boots make a soft crunching noise against the collected snow upon the grounds as Mizue slips off from Morrigan's back, causing the phosphorescent-hued drake to wield her head back toward its owner, gazing at the hooded paladin through its slitted, violet eyes. Gloved gauntlet slides against the neck of the beast warmly, while the cold winds blow forth across the Vale. Pausing to face one of her many loyal companions, Mizue cups Morrigan's maw to look her friend in its eyes.
“I know it's cold, but wait 'ere for a moment; I shan't be too long. With hope,” Mizue speaks and gets a low grunt from Morrigan in reply. About-face turn leads Mizue through the somewhat warmth of the interior, taking a moment for her shrouded eyes to soak in all of the manuscripts and treasures preserved in this small sanctuary. Bathed in the warmth of a trove of knowledge waiting to be learned; it was hard for an avid reader such as Mizue to focus briefly. As her head turns back forward, she stops in her steps as her covered eyes look upon the recognizable Pandaren seemingly engrossed in one of the many books available here.
Mizue could understand.
“Excuse me, Lorewalker?,” Mizue approaches the foot of the stairs leading up to the dais Lorewalker Cho stood upon while reading. Hating to interrupt the man while he was involved in his book, but considering the need of his knowledge of these lands on behalf of completing tasks to honor a Mandate, she had to disrupt him.
Cho did not look up from his book, but Mizue would continue: “Considering this is the Seat of Knowledge, I have come to req--”
“One who seeks knowledge should not hide their eyes or mask their voice, young one.”
“.. eh, forgive me,” softly correcting herself with an apology while her hand raises up to her hood. Gripping and pulling the covering from off over her head, holding it at her side with her fist. Reawakened emerald eyes look firmly across at Lorewalker Cho as now she meets him with optic contact.
“Ahh yes, I remember those pigtails anywhere. What brings you out here to me on this chilly evening, my paladin friend? It must be rather urgent to come out in this type of weather.”
“I suppose that is one way of puttin' it. I have been tasked by one of the leaders of my new .. association to prove my worth. To demonstrate that I can exert strength when needed, and not be'ah weak link in the chain. Durin' my active duty in Northrend with the Argent Crusade, I have encountered a vast array of things that should have killed me, that should have tore me asunder. Yet I held on and survived--alongside my companions. I stared death in the face countless times, and I proved I could survive then against the Scourge, so now I fear nothin'.”
“But all of this is new territory to me, so that is what brings me to you, Lorewalker. You know much about this isle, so perhaps you can point me into a right direction of some type of challenge that I can try to overcome.”
Cho did not reply for a while, leaving the Seat of Knowledge to be cloaked in just the murmurs of others reading and the faint crackling of brazier fire. It seemed to come as a glint in his eyes as the Lorewalker focuses over on the green eyes of Mizue before speaking.
“.. I'm sorry, young one, but combat is not really my area of expertise.”
“.. great.”
“However, I do know of one who is such an expert. But I warn you, young elf, he is a ruthless teacher, yet with a heart of gold, and a belly of iron. And much like your greaters, he too does not reward weakness. If you wish to seek him out, I will tell you where he can be sought.”
Emerald eyes narrow in a concentrated manner upon hearing that, as the ruddy red lips of Mizue curve just slightly upward as a result.
“Bring him on.”
