Chapter 679

Chapter 679: A Proposal

This was Jesse’s second time entering Stormwind Keep. Since learning the king wanted to see him, he’d felt uneasy. He’d always felt nervous about such occasions, disliking awards ceremonies and especially public praise. His first meeting with Varian Wrynn at Stonewatch Keep had left him uncomfortable, and that incident had been embarrassing.

“We should go in, Jesse. The soldiers are heading inside,” Greed whispered. Thank the Light this dwarf was with him, Jesse thought.

As they ascended the palace pathway, Stormwind’s royal guards in heavy cloaked armor saluted them at every turn. Jesse nodded shyly in return.

“What’ll the king give us?” Greed murmured. “Gifts? Not sure,” Jesse replied.

“Didn’t those old men at the Wizard’s Sanctum tell you anything?” Greed pressed.

“They hinted I might join the court mages,” Jesse said. “The king’s got something for you too. But you should ask for what you really want.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Greed nodded. “Already have an idea.”

“What?”

“Just watch,” Greed grinned. “You’ll approve.”

Guards deeper in the palace announced their names. Upon reaching the throne room’s pinnacle, Jesse found Varian Wrynn observing them from his throne.

Seeing the king sit so properly felt unnatural. Varian wore no crown or regal circlet—just his signature military-blue attire, resembling a rebel who’d stormed the palace and seized the throne after overthrowing the rightful king.

Nobles’ murmurs swelled until the king commanded: “Quiet! Jesse Seso and Greed Thunderfist have arrived.”

Varian exchanged whispers with the towering knight beside him—Lord Bolvar Fordragon. After Bolvar’s nod, Varian sprang from his seat, descending the steps to clasp Jesse in a fierce embrace.

“They barred me from seeking you, Jesse. I should’ve come after Nethergarde—my fault.” In that instant, Varian shed his royal bearing, becoming again the youth barely older than Jesse.

Gripping Jesse’s shoulders, he turned to Greed: “Deathwing… Jesse, you breached the Dragonmaw fortress. You stood against that world-scourging black dragon, triumphed, freed the Red Dragon Queen, and ended the orcs’ enslavement of her children. May she honor her vow against opposing the Alliance, lifting her crimson shadow from our lands.”

“Master Greed Thunderfist—this comes from my heart. The Alliance owes you gratitude. Not just Stormwind or Ironforge—the entire Alliance.”

A nearby noble added: “Truer words, Your Majesty. Especially for Kul Tiras—countless ships lost to red flames, a blood debt against the Dragonmaw orcs.”

When they’d reached the Wetlands, Jesse had cared little about reclaiming his name. Survival mattered—preventing further ruin, leaving some positive mark… and stopping the black dragon.

Only through the king’s words did Jesse grasp the weight of what he, Greed, and Vereesa had achieved.

“The hour has come,” Varian declared, surveying the throne room’s mages. “I formally invite you to join the court mages, Jesse. Your presence will sharpen our defenses against the kingdom’s evils. This followed council with my advisors and court mages—no whimsical decision. And wasn’t this our agreement?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Jesse dipped his head. “I accept.”

“Splendid.” Varian exhaled as applause filled the hall.

A royal servant presented a jewel box. Varian extracted a sapphire-encrusted gold ring engraved with a lion and Jesse Seso’s name.

“The sigil ring of Stormwind’s court mages,” Varian announced. “Worn by countless great mages. Now it belongs solely to you.”

“My gratitude, Your Majesty.”

“This isn’t all, Jesse.” The king lowered his voice. “More awaits discussion later.”

Jesse nodded.

“Now, Master Greed Thunderfist.” The king smiled. “I know your desire—and intend to grant it.”

“Truly, Your Majesty? You know my wish?” Greed gasped.

“Goergette is yours.” Varian proclaimed. “That magnificent silver-gray Alterac gryphon belongs solely to you now. I know Wildhammer dwarves honor gryphons as kin. Though I shan’t call him property, none but you may command him henceforth.”

Greed blurted: “Could I fly Goergette to Dalaran with Jesse tomorrow?”

“Today, if you afford his feed,” the king chuckled.

“Outstanding!” Greed hugged Varian’s waist. “Nothing else needed!”

“You’ve earned this, Master Greed,” Bolvar Fordragon remarked.

Greed nodded. “Stormwind’s trust honors me.”

The dwarf then yanked Jesse’s belt, hissing through clenched teeth: “Hear that, you little rascal? Gryphon-flight north! Picture those prancing noblelings gaping up at us… on Goergette!”

Jesse nearly laughed aloud, heart pounding with excitement.

He’d make Greed land at Southshore—let Goergette’s dragonet-sized wings scatter hats like that Kirin Tor mage’s gryphon did… No, Goergette dwarfed even that Alterac breed.

Post-ceremony, a lavish banquet unfolded in the palace. Jesse recognized none of the central table’s dishes beyond the fruits; most looked utterly alien.

Greed feasted freely, regaling palace children with adventures that swung them from laughter to tears.

Jesse felt adrift in the crowd, eventually retreating to a corner. Fingering his new ring, he listened to Greed’s boasting.

“Jesse.” King Varian materialized behind him. “A matter requiring your counsel—concerning a mage tower.”

“A mage tower?”

Jesse’s pulse quickened. What now?

“You’ve seen that mysterious tower near Stonewatch—the Tower of Ilgalar.” Varian explained slowly. “Since the Orc War, Horde warlocks held it as their dark studies’ bastion.”

“Post-victory, the Wizard’s Sanctum claimed guardianship. Yet Shadowhide gnolls covet it—lately exploiting our defenses to seize it… Stonewatch’s scant forces can’t safeguard such an isolated structure.”

Jesse recalled Wizard’s Sanctum mages like Morganth dwelling within Stonewatch’s walls, not the external tower—clearly too perilous.

“Come spring, we strike to crush the gnolls’ ambitions,” Varian continued. “But Shadowhide warlocks wielding black magic infest it now.”

“Join this mission, Jesse. Your black magic expertise and gnoll knowledge will spare many lives. Succeed, and the tower becomes rightfully yours. Its last master perished in Karazhan’s tragedy. The Wizard’s Sanctum sought a new keeper—Master Andromath and the archmages consent. Only your acceptance remains.”