Looking at the stout figure, which, despite its robustness, radiated an aura of surprising agility and strength, Varian felt a surge of camaraderie.
After all, who could resist a teammate who was both endearingly clumsy and undeniably powerful?
Based on Jaina's earlier introduction, Varian recalled his name: Chen Stormstout, a pandaren from a mysterious, mist-shrouded island, and a new acquaintance Jaina had made at the Crusader's Outpost in Kalimdor.
Varian retrieved another flask of Saffron Brew from his pack and tossed it to the pandaren.
Chen Stormstout accepted the offering without hesitation, uncorked the flask, and downed the fiery liquid in a single, hearty gulp!
"Ahhh~ Burp!"
Chen punctuated his drink with a satisfying burp!
"Excellent brew! The taste is not inferior to my family's ancestral recipe!"
Even from the pandaren's name, it was evident that the Stormstout clan was a family deeply intertwined with the art of brewing.
Others might be unaware, but Galen, having encountered this pandaren before and recognizing him as the legendary "Old Chen," knew his true origins.
He hailed from Pandaria, a land of ancient secrets and serene beauty, and his ancestors had followed the great pandaren explorer Liu Lang, embarking on a journey across the seas aboard the colossal sea turtle, Shen-zin Su.
Over centuries, Shen-zin Su had transformed from a pandaren's mount into a living island, a behemoth carrying a thriving community on its back, sailing across the vast oceans.
After Liu Lang's passing, the sea turtle never returned to Pandaria, and the pandaren who had ventured forth with him settled upon Shen-zin Su's back, establishing a nomadic existence upon the living island.
The Stormstout family, to which Chen belonged, was renowned throughout Pandaria for its exquisite brewing techniques, operating a sprawling brewery in the verdant Valley of the Four Winds.
However, Chen's branch of the family, after settling on Shen-zin Su's back, had severed contact with their kin who remained in Pandaria, continuing the tradition of brewing in their ancestral homeland.
"Human prince," Chen boomed, his voice filled with jovial enthusiasm, "Once this mission is complete, I will personally brew a cask of the Stormstout family's finest ancestral brew, a libation worthy of the gods themselves, to repay your generosity!"
"Good! It's a deal!" Varian replied, a grin spreading across his face.
At this moment, a fourth figure emerged from the ventilation shaft, a human mage of similar age to Varian, clad in a flowing blue mage robe and sporting a mane of fiery red hair.
It was Jaina's mentor and senior colleague, the legendary Archmage Rhonin, his presence radiating an aura of quiet power and arcane mastery.
Jaina and Vereesa Windrunner followed Rhonin, their movements graceful and precise, followed by a figure who exuded an air of regal mystery: Duchess Katrana Prestor of the Kingdom of Alterac, who also held the title of Countess of Stromgarde!
Varian knew only that this noblewoman was shrouded in enigma and possessed a decidedly... complex relationship with Galen!
Behind Katrana, two imposing tauren allies squeezed out of the cramped passage with surprising agility: Baine Bloodhoof, the young Chieftain of the united Tauren tribes, and Mayla Highmountain, the stalwart leader of the Highmountain Tauren. Varian had fought alongside them during the climactic battle at Mount Hyjal. It was rumored that their fathers, united by the shared struggle, had subtly encouraged a bond between the two young leaders.
Following Baine was a powerfully built, brown-skinned orc, his muscles rippling beneath his bare chest, his face obscured by a menacing bat-shaped mask. He wielded two wickedly sharp single-handed axes, their edges gleaming ominously in the dim light.
Varian gripped the hilt of Shalamayne, his ancestral blade, his hand tightening reflexively. As the King of Stormwind, his hatred for the orcish Horde was deeply ingrained. But this particular orc bore the symbol of the Argent Crusade on his belt, a symbol of alliance. Moreover, he was a companion of Jaina. Suppressing his instincts, Varian reluctantly restrained himself from drawing his blade.
This orc reminded him of his former orcish friend, Go'el, from the Silver Hand, a memory that stirred a complex mix of emotions within him.
"Oh, Rexxar, hurry and help Misha, she's stuck!" a young voice called out from the ventilation shaft.
"Roar!" a low, rumbling growl echoed from within.
"Okay, okay, I won't... assist your posterior, you can manage it yourself!" Rexxar's voice grumbled.
Finally, a massive brown bear squeezed out of the passage, dislodging a chunk of brickwork as it emerged.
Behind Misha, the last member of the group appeared: a tall, elegant high elf male, carrying a finely crafted war bow, a quiver of feathered arrows slung across his back, and adorned with a flowing white cloak, emblazoned with the symbol of a silver lyre.
It was Lirath Windrunner, another individual whom Jaina had persuaded to join the expedition, ostensibly to prove his worth. Varian knew him to be a distant member of the renowned Windrunner family, Galen's brother-in-law, and a graduate of the Silver Hand training camp from five years prior, making him Varian's junior.
The sight of Lirath evoked a flood of memories within Varian, recalling the arduous yet ultimately rewarding days of his own training. Looking at Lirath , who had endured the same trials and tribulations, and for a longer period, Varian felt an unexpected sense of kinship.
Forgetting his animosity towards the masked orc for the moment, Varian stepped forward, drawing his shield, a gleaming bulwark emblazoned with the golden lion of Stormwind, preparing to assume the role of the team's vanguard.
"Where do we proceed from here, Jaina?" he inquired, his voice firm and resolute.
"Let me consult my arcane charts... based on the structural layouts of similar floating cities, the left passage should lead us deeper into the necropolis," Jaina replied, her brow furrowed in concentration.
Varian was about to lead the group towards the left passage when Chen Stormstout stepped forward, his expression surprisingly serious. "Friends, I sense that you are skilled in the art of offense. Allow me to handle the defense."
"Old Chen, are you certain you are capable of such a task?" Jaina asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"Fear not, Jaina," Chen replied, his eyes gleaming with confidence. "I am the most outstanding Brewmaster to emerge from the Five Dawn Monastery in the past century. Offense and defense are equally within my mastery!"
Chen, in that moment, was taking advantage of the others' ignorance of the true nature of the Brewmaster class. In truth, within the hallowed halls of the Five Dawn Monastery, he was considered... less than exemplary.
"Then we shall proceed with Old Chen in the lead. Varian and Liam, follow him closely, providing support. Rhonin, Little Sparkle, and I will form the center of our formation, providing arcane support and coordination. Lirath and Rexxar, you two will bring up the rear, guarding our flanks. Baine and Mayla, your task is to protect Sister Katrana, ensuring her safety at all costs!" Jaina declared, her voice authoritative and decisive.
This unconventional team, assembled by Jaina's eclectic connections, accepted her strategic arrangement without objection.
However, none of them could have anticipated the bizarre discovery that awaited them at the end of the passage. The tunnel opened into a circular chamber, and nestled in one corner was an exquisite cat's lair, adorned with a dazzling array of gems, an assortment of miniature toys, and several balls of intricately woven yarn. Beside the cat's nest were two gleaming bowls, filled with food that emitted an enticing, otherworldly fragrance.
It was the pampered sanctuary of Kel'Thuzad's beloved wizard cat, Mr. Bigglesworth!
As the group cautiously prepared to bypass this strange chamber, a soft, plaintive "Meow!" echoed through the air.
Lirath, reacting instinctively, drew his bow and nocked an arrow, aiming directly at the source of the sound!
"No! Do not harm him! Kel'Thuzad will descend into utter madness if his feline companion is harmed!" Jaina cried out, her voice filled with alarm.
Varian, his keen eyes having already spotted the Siamese cat with its pristine white fur, jet-black face, paws, and tail, charged forward with surprising speed, intending to shield the creature from harm!
Chen Stormstout, with a display of astonishing agility, executed two rapid rolls, his thick, furred paw scooping up Mr. Bigglesworth, cradling the cat protectively against his chest!
Varian arrived just as the arrow was about to strike. With a swift and decisive movement, he swung Shalamayne, his ancient Elven blade, upwards!
CRANG!
The arrow, a streak of silver, was deflected by Varian's blade, the ancient Elven sword singing as it met the projectile, sending it harmlessly careening away!