Three years had passed, and having experienced the grand spectacles of the War of the Ancients, Shandris was no longer the ignorant young girl she once was.
As an apprentice taken in by Tyrande during her days of poverty, Shandris had gradually become the High Priestess' most trusted confidant, entrusted with numerous heavy responsibilities in recent years.
Since most of the combat priestesses under Maiev's command remained indifferent toward her, Tyrande intended to form an elite unit with Moon Priestesses as the framework—one that would follow her orders implicitly.
After the food crisis was resolved, Malfurion and the Druids had become increasingly immersed in the Emerald Dream over the last few years. The Druidic sect's management of the physical world grew more and more lax, and the reins of power within the race gradually converged in Tyrande's hands alone.
Thanks to the blessing of Nordrassil by Ysera, the Dreamer, Night Elf Druids could enter the Emerald Dream without any hindrance. The vast, natural landscapes within the Dream fascinated the Druids, causing them to linger and eventually become addicted to its tranquility.
Because of her relationship with her foster son, Cenarius, Ysera felt a natural affinity for the Druidic sect he founded and was happy to see them help maintain the stability of the Emerald Dream.
After three years of tempering, the sole ruler Tyrande was no longer the green, newly appointed High Priestess she had been. Over these years, she gradually removed priestesses who held opposing views from the core of the theocracy, promoting those whose political stances aligned with hers.
She altered the principles of the late High Priestess Dejahna, merging theocracy with civil governance to expand her influence and authority without restraint.
Even after securing full political control, Tyrande remained unsatisfied. She began to extend her reach into military power—a domain she could never have set foot in while Jarod was still present.
Andreas offered no opinion on Tyrande's consolidation of military and political power. If she had the ability to lead their people toward a path of stable development, a temporary autocracy was not entirely unacceptable.
At least from the development of the past three years, while Tyrande possessed a heavy desire for power—even rivaling Queen Azshara—she had made no catastrophic errors in the big picture. Many minor issues in the details had been subtly corrected by Andreas.
However, it was precisely because of his long-term close contact with Tyrande that Andreas saw her flaws clearly. She was stubborn, headstrong, and emotional. Although no major issues had surfaced in the brand-new Night Elf polity within these few years, the class contradictions buried deep within society still existed, and Tyrande seemed to place little importance on the matter.
Perhaps it was because of the crimes committed by the Highborne in attracting the demons, or perhaps she had unpleasant childhood memories involving them; regardless, when facing conflicts between commoners and nobles, Tyrande instinctively sided with the commoners.
The Highborne—who now possessed no special privileges and held only their vast wealth—felt resentful but dared not speak out. Anyone who dared to openly challenge Tyrande's authority was exiled far from Annahis.
"Andreas."
The call from ahead snapped Andreas out of his wandering thoughts. Having changed out of her military attire, Shandris was waving to him from a city garden.
Jogging a few steps to stand before Shandris, who was dressed in slim-fitting casual wear, Andreas smiled apologetically. "Sorry, I'm late."
"It's fine. I know you've been very busy lately."
Shandris naturally took Andreas' arm, a gentle smile appearing on her face, which was now devoid of war paint during this time of peace. "It's rare to have a day off. Don't keep frowning."
"Frowning? I wasn't, was I?"
"Outwardly, maybe not, but I can feel it. You're not in a good mood. Is something bothering you?"
There were no grand, romantic spectacles between Andreas and Shandris; their relationship had developed naturally, reaching this stage as a matter of course. Three years of companionship had allowed Shandris to gradually accept the "new" Andreas.
Compared to the introverted and shut-in childhood friend of the past, the mature, steady transmigrator who could step up and take responsibility at critical moments better fit Shandris' ideal partner.
Andreas himself couldn't tell whether his feelings for Shandris were driven by the lingering memories of his predecessor or if he was simply attracted to this gentle and strong girl. However, he wasn't someone obsessed with "mental purity," so he didn't dwell excessively on a question that had no answer.
"...Shandris?"
The familiar voice made Andreas' brow twitch. Seeing his reluctant expression, a silent, light laugh appeared on Shandris' face.
Turning to look, it was indeed Tyrande, riding a snow-white Nightsaber and leading several priestesses on patrol. She looked at the two's linked arms with a complex expression.
Shandris paid no mind to Tyrande's attention, nodding slightly to her. "Mentor, you have worked hard."
Andreas knew Tyrande disliked him, not just because of an instinctive repulsion, but also because he had frequently voiced opposition to her decisions over the years.
"High Priestess Whisperwind, this is personal time. If you have nothing important to say, we shall take our leave."
"Um... oh, alright." The dazed Tyrande snapped back to reality, waving them off impassively. "Go ahead. Shandris, remember to come see me tomorrow evening. I have a long-term important mission to assign to you."
"Yes. Then we shall take our leave."
Andreas could feel the gaze behind them following until they disappeared around a corner. Shandris poked Andreas' forehead with her finger, amused. "What exactly is going on between you and Mentor? Why do you always look like you can't stand each other?"
Andreas didn't answer directly, merely shrugging playfully. "Who knows?"
South of Annahis lay a large cemetery filled with numerous stone tablets. Most of the Night Elves who died in the War of the Ancients had tombstones erected here.
Andreas and Shandris stood silently before a gray marble monument in the cemetery, engraved with the names of over a dozen deceased members of the Moonshadow family. Right next to it was the tombstone for the Feathermoon family.
After a long silence, Shandris let out a long sigh. "It's a pity these are only cenotaphs. I wonder when we will be able to return to Val'sharah to truly visit their graves."
"There will be an opportunity." Andreas used a Druidic spell to call forth a breeze, gently brushing away the dust on the tombstones.
After cleaning the Feathermoon monument, Andreas hesitated in silence for a good while before finally testing the waters. "Shandris, I'm leaving."
"Leaving?" Shandris was stunned for a moment, but then a look of relief appeared on her face. "I thought you planned to keep it from me forever."
Andreas turned to her in surprise. "How did you know I would leave?"
Shandris shook her head with her hands behind her back, looking at the brilliant starry sky and chuckling playfully. "I didn't know you would leave, but I knew something was on your mind. You've been keeping it bottled up for three years."
"Is that so..." Andreas followed her lead, looking up at the stars. The full moon hanging in the sky cast a soft light over the cemetery.
Shandris tilted her head at him. "Looking at you, you probably don't intend to take me with you, do you?"
"Well..." Andreas scratched his head sheepishly. "Setting aside your relationship with Tyrande, I also need someone who can tell me whenever Tyrande plans to do something stupid, so I can prepare in advance."
"I understand." Shandris leaned her head on Andreas' shoulder, her voice sounding a bit muffled. "When will we meet again? At least give me a general time."
Andreas shook his head bitterly. "I don't know. Maybe in a few years, maybe decades, or even centuries. But..."
He cupped Shandris' lowered head. Two streaks of tears were flowing down her cheeks, and her misty eyes pained Andreas' heart. He wiped away the tear tracks with his rough thumb and gave her a light kiss on her moist red lips.
"I promise you." Heavily thumping his chest with his left hand, which held a pendant, Andreas spoke firmly. "Our thoughts will not be separated. My heart is always with you."
Shandris also pulled out a matching pendant from her chest and pressed it firmly against her heart. A radiant smile broke through the tears on her face.
"Me too. Elune be my witness, our hearts will always be connected."