Even without Andreas' suggestion, Shandris had sensed an unusual aura from the Druids of the Talon's overly "clean" reconnaissance reports. The resolute Shandris did not linger in Moonshadow's Rest after receiving the briefing; with the help of the Arcanists, she quickly returned to Astranaar—together with Andreas.
Five years had passed since his last departure from this new capital. The city's overall layout still followed its initial planning, but it was visibly apparent that this treetop city was much quieter and less crowded than it had been immediately after the war.
The Arcanist responsible for managing the teleportation chamber froze when he saw Andreas, his mouth falling open in a gasp. "Aren't you—"
"Shh!"
Andreas placed a forefinger to his lips and gave a playful wink to the Highborne elf, who looked somewhat familiar. "You saw nothing. Only Shandris returned through the portal, understood?"
The young Highborne hurriedly covered his own mouth, looked around nervously, and then nodded frantically with a series of muffled "Mmph-mphs."
"Good." Andreas patted the Arcanist's shoulder. "I recently met with Dath'Remar to discuss things. Wait a little longer; your treatment here in Astranaar should see some degree of improvement soon."
By the time Shandris stepped out of the teleportation tower, Andreas was already nowhere to be found. She strode directly toward the Temple of Elune at the center of the city.
The eastern district of Astranaar was designated as the Druid District. Rows of exquisite wooden houses were nestled here, and inside almost every one was... a slumbering Druid. Ever since Ysera granted the Druids access to the Emerald Dream, most of these nature-loving elves had become enchanted with that world of primal, pristine beauty, finding it hard to leave.
Furthermore, they had a very legitimate reason for their indulgence—helping the Green Dragonflight maintain the stability of the Dream.
In the top floor of the tallest three-story wooden tower in the Cenarion District, Archdruid Malfurion had just returned from Val'sharah. Exhausted, he hadn't even had the chance to pour a refreshing drink when a black panther suddenly appearing before his eyes gave him a massive fright.
Patting his forehead helplessly, Malfurion said with a chuckle, "Andreas, the next time you sneak into Astranaar to see me, could you give me a heads-up? This really isn't good for my heart."
If an ordinary Druid had approached in a Prowl state, Malfurion, as an Archdruid, would have easily detected them. But Andreas was different. Possessing Shadow energy made him the ultimate master of infiltration. Setting aside his ability to reach a destination directly via Shadow Step, few could see through a stealth where he shrouded his entire body in Shadow power.
The black panther laughed heartily as he shifted back into human form. Andreas sat opposite Malfurion without ceremony, pouring himself a cup of tea and draining it in one gulp despite the Archdruid's rolling eyes.
Malfurion's lips twitched in mock pain. "Drinking like that is a total waste of such fine leaves. My supply of tea is already running low."
Andreas waved his hand with a smile. "No matter. When the next season's superior spring tea is ready, I'll have someone send more for you to savor slowly, mentor."
Indeed, "Clear Tea"—the refreshing drink that had recently begun to sweep through Night Elf society—came from Moonshadow's Rest. It was another experiment from Andreas's farming efforts.
Initially, Andreas thought the Night Elves might not be used to a beverage that started bitter and left a sweet aftertaste, but the Druids, led by Malfurion, had taken an unexpected liking to it.
Malfurion nodded with satisfaction, but as he set down his teacup, the expression on his face quickly turned serious.
"Let's get down to business." Malfurion looked at his favorite apprentice with a conflicted gaze. "You wouldn't risk being discovered by Tyrande to enter Astranaar for no reason. What is it you need from me?"
Andreas shrugged. "Indeed. And this matter concerns the stability of the factions within our race."
Malfurion's brow twitched slightly, and he asked tentatively as if sensing something, "The Highborne?"
"Precisely. It seems you've noticed too, mentor."
Malfurion gave a bitter smile. "I've only recently realized that Tyrande's suppression of the Highborne has gone a bit too far."
Sighing, Malfurion gave his promise. "Don't worry. I will advise Tyrande on this matter. We are all comrades who survived a brutal war; there's no need to reach the point of drawing blades against one another."
Malfurion possessed a classic "good guy" personality. He wasn't as vengeful or decisive as Tyrande, but he also didn't make low-level mistakes out of haste or agitation. Stability was Malfurion's guiding principle and his personal creed.
Andreas stopped there, not delving deeper into the topic. Since Malfurion had given his word, he would certainly not go back on it. Shifting the conversation, Andreas brought up Shaladrassil.
"Mentor, how is the growth of the World Tree in Val'sharah progressing?"
Malfurion nodded. "It's going well. Fandral and a few others are leading teams to take turns caring for it. We expect the World Tree to reach maturity within a hundred years and officially connect with Nordrassil."
Though Malfurion spoke of it lightly, Andreas, as a partial Druid, knew the process would be anything but simple.
Since they usually met only for official business, this rare chance for private talk led Andreas to steer the conversation toward the development of Moonshadow's Rest. Malfurion was quite curious about this prosperous town that had been gaining fame in recent years. The two talked in a Q&A fashion until the sky began to grow pale with dawn, at which point Andreas bid his farewell.
He left not because they had run out of things to say, but because an unwanted visitor had suddenly arrived.
Knock, knock~
"Malfurion, it's me, Tyrande. Is now a convenient time?"
Malfurion looked at the raven flying away from the window and couldn't help but smile. "It's convenient. Come in."
...
Andreas had no interest in the private conversation of the Archdruid couple. After visiting the Arcane District to report the progress to Dath'Remar, he used a teleportation spell provided by Dath'Remar to return to Moonshadow's Rest.
Upon his return, he happened to meet Leticia, who was waiting with an expectant face. Andreas laughed and patted her small purple-haired head. "I've inspected and purified Aku'mai. You can go play with it now."
"Yay!"
As Leticia cheered and turned to leave, Andreas caught her by the hood of her robe and pulled her back.
"What's the rush? Let's get one thing straight: you cannot let Aku'mai run wild and disrupt the town's order. Can you do that?"
"Hehe~ No problem! I'll take Little Aku outside the town to play."
Little Aku... what a terrible name.
Keeping the retort to himself, Andreas waved her off. "Go on then. And don't start playing like a wild dog just because Shandris left. I'll be finding time to test the progress of your strength soon."
"Eh?!"
"Stop acting. You'd better prepare yourself."
Andreas' lips curled into a smile as he strolled toward the Administrative Hall, ignoring Leticia's watery, pleading eyes. "If you fail the assessment, you'll be going into honest seclusion—and you'll be taking your 'Little Aku' with you."