Chapter 753

Chapter 753: News from the Burning Legion

Vereesa was in Stormwind?

Hearing Greed say this, Jesse Seso lost all patience to finish the last of his drink.

He hurried to the Mage Quarter and arrived at the residence of the Elf Mages. After explaining the situation to the guard, the guard went inside. Before long, Vereesa pushed the door open and rushed out.

The sky was overcast. She wore only a simple grass-green tunic, not the special cloak gifted to her by Sylvanas when she was appointed Ranger Lord. She looked much the same as when they first met in Dalaran.

"How many days have you waited?" Jesse asked.

"I arrived the day before yesterday," Vereesa said. "I got your letter… and came immediately, Jesse. Luckily, a dragonhawk knight heading to Nethergarde brought me along. You summoned that demon, right? Where is he? Inside Stormwind?"

"He… couldn’t appear in Stormwind, Vereesa." Jesse jerked a thumb behind him. "Let’s talk at The Blue Recluse?"

"Alright," Vereesa said.

With that, she hurried ahead.

The new semester at the Wizard’s Sanctum had begun, and The Blue Recluse was filled with a fresh batch of young faces.

Refugees who had left the kingdom during the war were gradually returning. The darkness of Duskwood drove more and more villagers from Darkshire, Raven Hill, and other small settlements to Goldshire and Stormwind. As a result, more potential mages sought entry to the Wizard’s Sanctum.

Vereesa’s arrival caused a small stir in The Blue Recluse. Clearly, some new apprentices were seeing an elf for the first time.

But the Ranger Lord paid little mind to the curious glances or hushed whispers now. She wore no cloak or face-covering adornments, sitting calmly by the window, pushing back her silver hair as she looked across the table at her lover.

Jesse ordered two glasses of lamb’s milk and a plate of salted biscuits from the sommelier, smiling as he said, "Did you come to see me, or are you just eager to know what the demon told me?"

"Can’t I care about both?" Vereesa replied. "I wanted to see you, and the demon’s news gave me a good reason to come. Of course, the news itself is important enough…"

She took a deep breath, then lowered her head. "Tell me. I’m ready for it."

"Lothar’s son still stands. The Expeditionary Army resists in Draenor," Jesse said. "But the situation…" Vereesa gripped the table, biting her lip and avoiding Jesse’s gaze.

"What about her?"

"The Burning Legion’s goal is…"

"What about *her*?!" She looked up sharply.

"…to crush the Expeditionary Army, Vereesa." Jesse forced himself to finish. "And she leads them. If the Sons of Lothar still hold against the Burning Legion, with no sign of collapse, doesn’t that say it all? At least I know the disaster in Draenor didn’t kill Alleria Windrunner or Marshal Turalyon." But the Expeditionary Army’s situation isn’t good, Vereesa. Demon warlords invade that world. So what’s happening right now? I can’t say for sure."

Vereesa nodded, steeling herself. "She’s the finest Farstrider, the best ranger in Quel’Thalas. Not even Sylvanas matches her. Demons could never kill her. It’s that simple. As long as Draenor isn’t dust, she’ll find a way to live."

Jesse picked up a biscuit and took a bite. "That’s what I meant."

"Damn it." Vereesa pressed a hand to her forehead. "I was almost… almost accepting her… What do we do now, Jesse? What can I do?"

"Hint to your sister first?" Jesse suggested.

"She…" Vereesa’s eyes widened slightly, fixed on a crack in the table. "How do I tell her? That demons of the Burning Legion told us? That you summoned one?"

"More than that. A Demon Lord," Jesse admitted. "Ordinary demons wouldn’t know. I helped summon a Lord of Ered’ruin with some warlocks. Even *he* didn’t have the full picture. That Doomguard they summoned earlier? The brute barely knew his own tongue."

Vereesa paused briefly, then lowered her brows. "That makes it harder to explain. What else?"

"What else?" Jesse said. "Getting to Draenor means the Dark Portal. So for now…"

"Nothing but prayers," Vereesa finished. Jesse nodded.

The elf took a soft breath, steadying herself. A small smile touched her lips. "All things considered… it’s the best news I could hope for, Jesse. I shouldn’t grieve."

Her expression turned serious then.

"About that Demon Lord… You’re alive. Stormwind stands. I’ll assume you have him under control."

"So far, it holds," Jesse said.

"If that changes…" Vereesa leaned closer, her voice low. "Don’t hide it from me."

"Never," Jesse said. "But I’ve bound him. Should be fine unless I drop dead."

"Feels like I’m falling into darkness with you," Vereesa said, shaking her head. "If Alleria knew what we’ve done… I can’t imagine."

"Sounds like you regret meeting me?" Jesse teased.

"Knowing a man who dabbles with demons? Maybe." Vereesa folded her arms on the table, meeting his gaze. "Knowing the warlock fighting tooth and nail against Teron Gorefiend? Not for a moment."

"But it all makes you who you are. Jesse Seso."

The elf leaned across the table. They kissed then, in the heart of the noisy tavern, oblivious to the world. When they parted, Vereesa smiled softly, taking another deep breath to compose herself.

They ate some biscuits. After a while, she asked, "Any news about that thing you’re looking for?" Jesse glanced at the young mages chatting nearby. "Too many ears here."

"Come back to my quarters then?" Vereesa asked.

"I don’t have the Wizard’s Sanctum ring. They might bar me from such a sensitive spot," Jesse reminded her.

"It’s fine," Vereesa said. "Remember the Sun King’s words, Jesse. You and Greed are always welcome among the Quel’dorai."

Jesse drained his milk. "We’ll talk there."