Chapter 684

Chapter 684: Winter Journey

As December arrived, the weather grew increasingly colder.

Jesse stood on the city walls draped in a mountain lion skin cloak that had survived over a year, waiting for Greed. Today they would set off for Dalaran. Since stepping outside, he had repeatedly patted his back and waist, his heart remaining unsettled.

Without his magic wand or the Azuresong Mageblade, he carried only the purple demon bag and the Blade of Eternal Darkness sheathed carelessly at his waist.

He’d always checked for these essential survival tools before traveling. Their sudden absence left him perpetually uneasy.

Beside the imp, the demon bag held Zardeth’s organized spells and his half-finished Death Knight report. These needed completion in Lordaeron… though he suspected he might forget both crucial tasks during the journey, he resolved to remember what he could.

The thought of seeing his parents warmed him, but the prospect of encountering Kel’Thuzad in Dalaran chilled his heart anew.

Yet he needed no words for Kel’Thuzad. That man wouldn’t openly oppose him if he valued his Kirin Tor Council position, nor would he risk exposure with covert attacks.

Finding Krasus quickly to explain everything would improve matters. Most importantly, he needed to see Vereesa soon.

“How long have you waited here, Jesse?”

Greed ascended the stone steps and called out.

“Not long,” Jesse replied. “Just cold enough to freeze solid after standing awhile.”

Greed patted Jesse’s chest. “Then let’s depart. Everything prepared?”

“Ready,” Jesse nodded.

Walking through the corridor, Greed said, “I’ll visit Aerie Peak while you and Vereesa head to the royal city. A direct boat from Dalaran to Lordaeron’s capital needs no booking. No need to race there by gryphon, eh?”

“Agreed, Greed.” Jesse replied. “We’ll arrange a meeting point with Vereesa later.”

Goergette wasn’t waiting atop the walls. As Jesse wondered why, Greed reached the ramparts and blew thunderous whistles. Frenzied wingbeats and dwarven curses erupted from beyond the wall.

The enormous gryphon burst into view, scattering gray feathers as she soared toward Greed.

Greed shouted apologies in Dwarven before leaping onto her back. “What kept her earlier?”

“Just play,” Greed chuckled. “But what amusement rivals soaring the skies with me? Right?”

“Aye,” Jesse agreed.

Once Jesse settled, Goergette launched from the walls at Greed’s command, near-vertical ascent yanking Jesse back to his wild gryphon terror in the Hinterlands.

After several dizzying spins, the gryphon steadied. Below sprawled Stormwind in its entirety.

Jesse beheld Stormwind for the first time—a gray-white expanse like a giant sesame-speckled pancake. Passing the Cathedral of Light, its spire seemed ready to snag his trousers.

Patrolling Gryphon Riders shouted disapproval at Greed’s abrupt maneuver. Before Greed could retort, Goergette shrieked piercingly, scattering the golden gryphons amid their riders’ curses.

Gryphon travel halved their journey time. Crossing Dun Morogh’s snowfields, Jesse finally saw Ironforge firsthand.

Observing its mountain-embedded, ever-open gates, he understood why Wildhammer, Dark Iron, and Bronzebeard clans had warred centuries ago for this city.

Ironforge’s gate stood as a mountain-carved fortress, ancient bronze tracery gleaming under sunlight. Those designs and the sky-visible bronze anvil emblem likely dated back millennia.

Towers melded with stone cliffs flanked the gates, framed by snow-capped peaks and towering pines—making Grim Batol seem drab by comparison.

Jesse stared silently at the vista until Greed broke in: “Even now, Aerie Peak houses those dreaming of retaking Ironforge. Were it not for Dark Iron Dwarves’ unforgivable crimes, more Wildhammers would seek war with Bronzebeards today.”

Nearby Gryphon Riders noticed them and approached cautiously. Goergette growled, trying to scare off the golden gryphons, but the riders maintained a stubborn distance.

“We’re too close to Ironforge,” Greed muttered. “These pests… Ignore them, Goergette. Head for yonder snow peak.”

He pointed toward a distant plateau. Goergette surged forward, reducing the golden gryphons to specks before vanishing entirely.

They landed near a pine grove. Greed rubbed his mittened hands. “We’ll rest here. Let our gray sister stretch her wings—she’s earned it.”

He bellowed Dwarven commands toward forested slopes. Goergette shot skyward in excitement, shaking snow from nearby trees…

Jesse brushed snow from his cloak, tightening his hood. “I thought you forbade ‘wild antics’ on Bronzebeard land?”

“This isn’t wild!” Greed retorted. “She’s from Alterac—loves this terrain.” Jesse pressed, “Won’t dead mountain goats anger Bronzebeards?”

“Goats?” Greed scanned the area. “See none. We’ve bread enough—unless you crave Bronzebeard mutton? Honestly, your greed astounds me.”

Their twenty-day voyage by ship became six days with Goergette, including rest stops.

Passing Southshore, they’d plotted a dramatic dive to “surprise” the town. But spotting its watchtower, they wordlessly abandoned the idea—no need to disturb the fragile peace.

They flew through the night over the Alterac Mountains. At dawn, Goergette remained vigorous, beating toward Dalaran’s fairy-tale violet spires piercing the clouds.

Two violet-robed mages on small gryphons intercepted them, shouting: “Land at Krasus Square! Proceed further and you’ll strike the Violet Citadel!”

Krasus Square?

Jesse recalled the post-cataclysm Krasus Landing for flying mounts, but no such place existed during this era. Had he missed it last visit?

Guided eastward, they discovered a white plaza encircled by violet walls near the Violet Citadel.

This was Krasus Square? Vastly larger than in games… Gryphons and High Elven Dragonhawks crowded the area. As Goergette landed near a gryphon nest, neighboring mounts stirred anxiously.

“She’s oversized!” A Dalaran administrator rushed over, yelling at Greed: “Requires special accommodations! Come with me, dwarf—I won’t command this beast masterless!”

Greed turned to shout, but gryphon cries and wingbeats drowned his words.

“What?!” Jesse yelled.

“I’ll go with him! Wait here!” Greed roared back.

“State your name, dwarf!” Another administrator called. “That’s Stormwind tack! You’re from Stormwind?”

“Aye!” Greed confirmed. “Greed Thunderfist of Aerie Peak!”

“Greed Thunderfist… Noted.”

The administrator scribbled as they dismounted. Spotting Jesse’s ring, he asked: “King Varian Wrynn’s court mage? No royal envoy was announced…”

“Stormwind court mage visiting family in Lordaeron,” Jesse clarified. The administrator checked his ledger: “Jesse Seso. You?”

“Indeed,” Jesse raised his ring-hand.

“Master Antonidas requires notification of your arrival.” The administrator handed duties to an apprentice. “Await him here, Master Seso. I’ll summon someone from the Violet Citadel.”