Chapter 709

Chapter 709: Clear Clues

Although the Sun King announced the matter of Grim Batol to all elves present at the Farstriders’ abode, it was clear the residents of Silvermoon City hadn’t received the news immediately.

Walking the streets, Jesse sensed these High Elves understood humans and dwarves allowed into Silvermoon weren’t ordinary folk. They tried not to cast strange glances, maintaining normal behavior, yet curiosity still drew their eyes his way.

Gazing up at the tall towers lining the walkway and their fancy decorations, Jesse suddenly realized these High Elves didn’t yet call themselves "Sin’dorei," meaning Blood Elves. Yet the city was still awash in reds and golds, much like later Silvermoon City.

Of course, there weren’t nearly as many statues of Kael’thas Sunstrider, nor the blood-red banners bearing the Golden Phoenix king’s symbol.

Before arriving, Jesse had assumed High Elf cities would feature mostly blue or silver decorations… after all, in the game, the Silver Covenant—High Elves leaving Quel’Thalas for Dalaran—looked just like that.

Still, blue and silver banners and ornaments weren’t absent. Many on the streets wore blue or white robes, even Prince Kael’thas himself. It seemed the leader who’d later rename survivors "Sin’dorei" Blood Elves after the Scourge invasion often appeared in silvery robes.

Jesse guessed pre-Scourge High Elves and later Blood Elves weren’t vastly different. Sun worshippers naturally favored gold and red, colors of sunlight and the Sunwell. Those who later left Quel’Thalas probably adopted blue and white deliberately to distinguish themselves from Blood Elf kin and align with the Alliance.

Vereesa led them through a western gate into a narrower walkway. To the south stretched a wide fountain plaza.

She looked southward. "That’s Eaglewing Square. The Reliquary headquarters is just ahead. See the white stone pickaxe emblem, Jesse? Remember it if you come alone later. I’ll go in first; wait here."

"Okay." Jesse nodded at the white banner hanging beside a tall building. He recalled the Reliquary being east… but that hardly mattered now.

Eaglewing Square interested him more. In the game, this was the first outpost new blood elf characters reached at level 5 after leaving Sunstrider Isle. Jesse always thought it a small town, never realizing it was part of Silvermoon City itself.

But in the game, huge sections of wall lay shattered. Abandoned districts teemed with magical creatures, rogue constructs, and mindless Fel-magic addicts. More perilous than Elwynn Forest’s wilds, it offered none of a capital’s safety, feeling like a frontier settlement.

"Hey, Jesse," Greed asked, "that Nathanos Marrise, the Lordaeron man—what’s his deal with her sister?"

"Master and apprentice," Jesse answered. "Lordaeron wanted a ranger corps. Nathanos got sent to Quel’Thalas for training. Sylvanas was his teacher."

Greed cleared his throat, watching a wobbly Arcane construct pass. "Many elves at the feast whispered their bond was… special. Look: Vereesa’s with you. Captain Alleria Windrunner wed Turalyon. Then the middle sister… Sylvanas made a human Ranger Lord, royal court and nobles be damned. There’s gotta be a reason."

"You’ve got a real nose for others’ business," Jesse muttered.

Greed chuckled. "What else do you talk about over drinks? Besides me clobbering eight Orcs in Grim Batol with just a hammer…"

"Wasn’t it six? Forget it." Jesse cut him off. "Serious talk. Can you take me to Andorhal when we leave Quel’Thalas?"

"Sure. But does Andorhal have a gryphon nest?" Greed asked.

"Should," Jesse said. "It’s a big town now. If not, stable Goergette at a nearby nest first. I’ll find you—meet me in Stratholme."

"What for?" Greed pressed.

"Dealing with a demon. A friend’s threatened by an Andorhal warlock. Wants me to find and kill his demon servant."

"Then I’m coming," Greed declared.

"No pay," Jesse countered.

"Uh… what demon? Tough?"

"Just a succubus."

Greed frowned. "No gryphon nest? Handle it yourself… get your little imp to help."

Dusk settled. Yet Quel’Thalas knew no nights like Elwynn’s moonlit darkness. Even after dark, stars shone under a northern glow, like distant city lights from another life.

The two dozed against an Arcane lamppost when Vereesa finally emerged from the Reliquary. "Hey," she approached. "Jesse. Got news."

Jesse rubbed his eyes. "Well?"

"Dar’Khan *did* examine the scrolls we brought from Eldre’Thalas. Likely made his own copy."

"Don’t let him know we checked…" Jesse murmured. "So those traces Amy found in Dalaran’s library *were* probably left by Dar’Khan. Why else would any other Quel’dorai dig into such obscure Demonic?"

"What were you two doing in Dalaran?" Greed demanded. "Feels like I missed half the story."

"Explain later," Jesse dismissed him.

Vereesa asked, "You think Dar’Khan will try summoning an Ered’ruin?"

"If Dalaran lacks what he seeks? Probably." Jesse admitted. "But Ered’ruin summoning isn’t simple. Materials, incantations… it’s complex. My own knowledge is incomplete. Doubt he’ll beat me, but I must hurry."

"I can monitor Quel’Thalas for demon summoning," Vereesa offered. "We have contacts in Dalaran too. If he acts, I’ll warn you."

"Count on it." Jesse said.