Rhodes felt somewhat innocent. I just praised Azshara a few times, didn't I? But this Queen is a notorious narcissist; surely you know that, Moon Goddess. Is it really worth coming after me for such a small thing?
Truly, disaster comes from the mouth! Everything was fine, but a single compliment turned into a grievance. Women can be so petty.
Azshara's red lips curled into a faint, enigmatic smile as she turned her gaze toward Rhodes. "My dear Chief Advisor, when did your fame reach the Temple of the Moon—even disturbing Elune, who is usually so silent? It seems your 'praise' the other day didn't just make my heart bloom!"
Hahaha, how delightful! the Queen thought. The Moon Goddess is so jealous that she's sent her messengers to take Rhodes back. This only proves my beauty surpasses Elune's. To Azshara, this was perfect. As for whether Rhodes would face trouble, she didn't worry much; the Moon Goddess surely wouldn't be so small-minded as to harm him. If she lacked even that much grace, she wouldn't be fit for the entire Night Elf race to serve.
Alarm bells rang in Rhodes's mind, but he maintained his composure. "Your Majesty's wisdom is absolute. That day, I was simply entranced by your peerless dance and spoke from the heart. Perhaps my wording was... a bit too passionate. If I offended the Moon Goddess, it was never my intent. I never imagined the musings of a mortal would reach the ears of a deity."
Azshara sat upon her throne, the lingering smile of pleasure from his previous flattery not yet gone, though her golden eyes now held a touch of playfulness. She didn't dismiss him immediately; instead, she gave an elegant wave of her hand.
"Show them in. I should like to hear why Goddess Elune has suddenly taken an interest in my Chief Advisor."
A moment later, the delegation from the Temple of the Moon, led by the High Priestess, stepped into the palace. The tranquil moonlight surrounding them formed a subtle contrast with the surging Arcane energy of the court.
The Moon Goddess Elune is a deity leaning toward the side of Life. Why? Because her sister, the Winter Queen, governs Death; as her twin, Elune is a goddess of the Life system.
"Greetings, Light of Lights, Queen Azshara," the High Priestess bowed respectfully.
Rhodes scanned the messengers and spotted a familiar face: Tyrande. However, the Tyrande of this era didn't have the "big sister" or "matriarch" aura of ten thousand years later.
This Tyrande from ten millennia ago was still a young Night Elf maiden. She wore a simple, elegant moon-white priestess robe, her figure beginning to show grace but still retaining the slenderness of youth. Her silver hair flowed to her waist like moonlight, making her clear silver eyes seem even brighter. Her violet skin was smooth and delicate, and her exquisite features looked as if they were carved by moonbeams—a mix of lingering innocence and the faint, budding aura of the strength and compassion she would one day possess.
She stood quietly in the group, like a night-blooming cereus, pure and bright. Honestly, the young "Grandma Tyrande" was stunning to the extreme.
Stay far away from her, Rhodes told himself. He had no desire to be hunted down by his ally, Illidan. As for future drama, hopefully, it would be erased once he returned.
While Rhodes was observing the priestesses, they were observing him. The aura surrounding Rhodes was entirely different from Azshara and her Highborne. The Highborne radiated Arcane magic, but Rhodes emitted a holy radiance and a gargantuan life force. At first glance, the priestesses almost thought he was a legendary Druid; his natural aura was simply too intense.
Could it be, they wondered, that the Goddess summoned him specifically because of this rich life energy?
"Rise," Azshara said with regal authority. "For the High Priestess to come personally with an oracle suggests a matter of great importance. I wonder how my advisor, Rhodes, managed to move the Goddess to issue a decree?"
Royal and divine power often clashed. Azshara's relationship with the temple wasn't great, but as the primary deity of the race, she couldn't easily erase Elune's influence.
The High Priestess remained calm, unruffled by Azshara's presence. "The Goddess's will is vast and unpredictable. The oracle merely indicated that a person named 'Rhodes'—explicitly stated to be in your palace—must be summoned to the temple for an audience. The reason was not stated; we only obey."
"Oh? Just a name?" Azshara said with a mocking lilt. "Then perhaps it is another Rhodes. I have several here. There are a few Furbolgs named Rhodes, and I believe a Pandaren also goes by that name. Truly difficult! Which one could it be? With only a name, I cannot be sure. Oh, and do we have any Night Elves named Rhodes? I should send someone to check; it might take a year or two. Why don't you stay here in the meantime?"
This was a blatant stall, though Rhodes felt a bit awkward. The Pandaren I can handle, but a Furbolg? You're going too far, Azshara. Still, if it helped him avoid the Goddess, he wasn't complaining.
"Your Majesty, you joke," the High Priestess replied. "The oracle points directly to the gentleman standing beside your throne, he who possesses the strange radiance and powerful life force. The guidance of the moonlight is never wrong. We seek neither Pandaren nor Furbolg."
A flash of displeasure crossed Azshara's eyes, quickly hidden by a wider smile. She knew she couldn't avoid it; her stalling was just a small test of authority—a silent mockery of the Moon Goddess's "pettiness" performed for Rhodes's benefit.
See? I tried to help you, but the Goddess wants you specifically. My hands are tied!
"I see," Azshara drawled, turning to Rhodes. "It seems the Goddess has called for you by name. My dear Rhodes, your 'poetry' has apparently reached the heavens. Since the Goddess herself has called, I cannot keep you. Go with the High Priestess to the Temple of the Moon. Remember, you are my Chief Advisor. Once the audience is over, return immediately. The Arcane glow of the Well of Eternity needs your wisdom more than that cold moonlight. I'm sure the Goddess just wants to hear your poems. She is a merciful deity; you will be fine."
Sorry, dear, that's all the protection I can give you, she thought.
Rhodes bowed. "I obey Your Majesty's command."
Fine, I'll go. Besides, he needed to meet Cenarius anyway to ask about the path of Life. During the battle at Mount Hyjal, he had learned some Druidic magic, but his strength wasn't what it is now. If the Holy Light ever turned against him, he'd need a backup.
The High Priestess nodded. "Thank you, Your Majesty. May Great Elune bless you." She gestured for Rhodes to follow.
The group left the palace and arrived at the city gates.
"Lord Rhodes, please follow us. We shall return on Nightsabers," the High Priestess gestured toward the mounts waiting with moon-white saddles. "The journey is long. To avoid delaying the audience, we must hurry." She looked over her team and settled on Tyrande. "Tyrande, you shall share your mount with Lord Rhodes to look after him and save time."
As an outsider, they assumed Rhodes had no mount and had never ridden a Nightsaber. Of all the mounts, Tyrande's was the largest—a majestic giant white tiger. (This wasn't the one from ten thousand years later, as Nightsabers don't live that long, but a progenitor of that lineage.)
Both Rhodes and Tyrande froze. A faint blush colored Tyrande's cheeks. Sharing a mount? This meant being physically close to this mysterious stranger for a long journey. It felt improper, especially since she had already privately committed her heart to Malfurion.
"High Priestess, I..." Tyrande began, but was silenced by a single look. In the temple, the High Priestess's arrangements were not to be questioned.
Rhodes's scalp felt numb. Please, I don't want any 'close encounters' with Tyrande! The awkwardness of her hot-and-cold personality ten thousand years later was enough for a lifetime.
"Respected High Priestess, I appreciate the arrangement," Rhodes said, "but sharing a mount with Lady Tyrande might be inconvenient and could potentially stain the temple's holy reputation. As for the mount... please do not worry. I have my own way."