Chapter 628

Chapter 628: The Reward

After signing the contract and paying the deposit, Greed and Jesse headed to a nearby tavern for dinner. From leaving that house until entering and sitting down, Greed kept raving about its beauty, making Jesse feel rather proud about finally choosing a good place.

"But I still don’t get why you skipped that house in the Garden District," Greed said, propping his chin. "Mr. Blaz didn’t lie to you, Jesse. Plenty of Quel’Thalas’ wealthy plan to buy homes there. Don’t you want your parents to have a place in that pretty city forest?"

"And step out daily to face a dozen elves sneering at me?" Jesse spun a silver coin on the table. "Remember how they treated us at Quel’danil Lodge?"

"Our little elven wisp was nice, wasn’t she?" Greed raised an eyebrow.

"Hah," Jesse replied. "You weren’t there when I first met Vereesa. She looked at me like I was some wild beast from Stranglethorn—and she’s supposedly one of Quel’Thalas’ friendlier ones."

"When was I gone?" Greed asked. "Weren’t we in Dalaran?"

"At the Blue Meeting tavern," Jesse said. "Right after your fight with Kaffir Brightwing, when you stormed off—probably to order drinks—just as Vereesa walked in."

The sommelier brought their two light ales. Greed lifted his mug. "Ah, now I recall. Kaffir Brightwing, that arrogant fool…"

"Whatever, it’s settled." He sipped the foam. "Remember that foamy ale in Steamwheedle Port? No idea how goblins made so much foam, but it hit the spot."

"Probably some air-pumping machine," Jesse said.

"They’ve got machines for that?" Greed nodded. "Mages know everything. That ale was perfect except the murderous price. Speaking of, do you have enough coin? What was the house price again? Forgot what the man said."

"Eighty-two gold. I’m short now, but the Kalimdor commission should arrive soon. Once it does, I’ll have plenty. We killed Dethmoora after all. Even if the Reliquary pays the minimum eighty gold for leads, and Vereesa doesn’t take her cut, we’d each get forty. That’d put me over a hundred gold, Greed."

"Over a hundred gold." Greed nodded slowly. "Remember scraping together a hundred silver when we first reached Stormwind?"

"You were still crippled back then," Jesse said, meeting his eyes. "With your skills, silver shouldn’t trouble you. Right, Thunderfist?"

"Hah." Greed chuckled. "Wouldn’t have fixed myself without you, Jesse. Tell you what—if the Quel’Thalas gold doesn’t come by closing, I’ll cover part."

"That generous?" Jesse asked.

"Think I’m like you?" Greed snorted. "Coin’s good, but I’ve got plenty now. That trip with you to Karazhan’s valley—the Essence of Undeath business… earned enough to live large for ages. Don’t need extra gold soon, Jesse. Can lend it for your emergency."

"Thanks."

Jesse raised his mug; they clinked.

Two days later at noon, Derret Blaz visited, announcing he’d arranged the house deal with the Lescovar family. The transaction would happen in a week—October 3rd.

Nearly a month had passed since parting with Vereesa at Booty Bay. Considering her travel time from Burning Steppes to Stormwind, then back to Quel’Thalas to mail the Azuresong Mageblade, the schedule worked.

Jesse agreed readily. Even if the gold was delayed, Greed’s funds plus the dwarf’s coin would suffice.

Over the following days, Jesse visited the Mage Quarter daily—checking Ursula’s progress on the mysterious potion and asking Malin about deliveries.

Two days before meeting the Lescovars, Jesse hurried toward The Slaughtered Lamb when a shout came from behind.

"Mr. Jurke! Hold up!"

Malin’s voice. Jesse didn’t recognize "Jurke" immediately, walking several paces before turning back.

Spotting Malin in the crowd, he called, "Master! Apologies—didn’t hear you over the noise."

"No trouble," Malin said, rushing over. "Last night, a Quel’Thalas mage delivered a box for you. Last time elves teleported that chest here, but this one came in person…"

Leaning closer, he whispered, "Last time was Azuresong Mageblade. What’s inside now?"

Jesse adjusted his sword sheath. "Just coin, Master. The Reliquary’s payment for my Kalimdor mission."

"You never said what work took you there," Malin said, straightening the long loaf under his arm. His voice dropped lower: "Last time you dashed off to that apprentice mage for clock repairs. Was late, didn’t want to delay you. Might you share Kalimdor tales later? In Stormwind Kingdom, almost all Kalimdor lore comes from pirates—even the Grand Library’s mostly secondhand scraps. Last proper Wizard’s Sanctum survey there happened before I earned my robes."

"Will find time, Master," Jesse promised.

Malin smiled wearily. "Best collect your things first then."