Chapter 634

Chapter 634: This Time, Only Alone

At the Pig and Whistle Tavern that evening, a group of young dwarves were crowding into the pub, shouting for the owner to bring more drinks. They were calling out unfamiliar names of beers from Ironforge—names Greed had never ordered—as they happily gathered around the large table near the open space in the corner of the hall.

That big table was set up for patrons to drink and watch fights. Countless dangerous brawls, even armed clashes, had happened in that small open area.

Looking at the spot, Jesse remembered Greed dueling the young master of the Trollbane family. Deep down, he didn’t want to carry this burden.

Without the Red Dragon Queen or Krasus, there were only untried drinks and unfamiliar meats from unheard-of creatures, marinated in strange spices.

“Smoked wolf meat, gentlemen,” the server said with a smile, setting the plate on the table. Well, familiar animal meat worked too.

Greed glanced at the sizzling meat, then at Jesse, and asked, “What’s wrong with you? You just bought a house—shouldn’t you be happy? This is a celebration, damn it, but you’ve looked like someone kicked your dog all evening. Speak up. Problems in the new house? Bugs?”

Jesse turned back, recalling his earlier thoughts about controlling his emotions, making sure Deathwing wouldn’t sense any sign of betrayal…

After a moment’s thought, he said, “Just thinking about some things. Got distracted.”

Greed shook his finger. “Nah, something’s off. Tell me what that mage said to you yesterday.”

“He sent me to the Wetlands on a scouting mission. It’s tied to that old investigation about the Orcs and the dragon race. Remember? When I was always heading to Lakeshire.”

“Oh, that business—the Orc battle banner, right? I remember.” Greed asked, “Need my help this time? How long will you be gone?”

How long?

Jesse looked up at Greed. “I don’t know. How can you guess how long these things take? The Orcs might never show up, or maybe they’ll take my head on day one…”

He drew a finger across his neck. “But I doubt there’ll be much fighting, Greed. You’d be bored coming along. Besides, it’s a Kirin Tor mission—no pay. They’re treating me like a beast of burden.”

Greed chuckled. “Then I’ll go to Lordaeron and fetch your parents.”

“No,” Jesse said quickly. “Not yet.”

The dwarf paused. “Changed your mind again?”

“Wait till I get back. After I return from the Wetlands. I want to see them first thing—even if it’s in secret. Screw what the Kirin Tor thinks. I don’t want them arriving just to hear their son’s run off on some mission again.”

Truthfully, he worried that linking his parents to Stormwind felt dangerous right now.

The scourge invasion was ten years off, but Deathwing was already at their doorstep.

“Alright, I get it.” The dwarf tapped the table. “But that leaves me with nothing to do. When I first got back from Kalimdor, I planned to rest and play awhile. But after two or three weeks, I’m bored stiff.”

“Watch the house for me, Greed,” Jesse said. “I’ll give you the key.”

“Watch the house?” Greed eyed him sideways. “What do you take me for…?”

“You can live there,” Jesse said, avoiding the dwarf’s gaze. “I’ll also give you the deed, the contract, and the money—about fifty or sixty gold. Some of it’s for future renovations. I think the agent lowballed the costs.”

“You’re giving me the money?” Greed stared.

“Keep an eye on the workers during the renovations,” Jesse said. “Make sure they don’t mess up.”

“Uh.” Greed hesitated, then nodded. “Fine. Since it’s like that, you can count on me.”

“I know I can,” Jesse said.

What else?

Jesse thought as he spoke. What else needed handling? What did he have left? Some meaningless Demonic scrolls? Vereesa had already handed those to the Reliquary.

Right. Vereesa.

Jesse’s brow twitched.

Now he regretted not explaining everything in Kalimdor or Booty Bay. Why wait until after buying the house?

Just stupid insecurity carried over from his past life, or some pointless sense of ceremony—like thinking finishing a goal meant he could go home and get married. Ridiculous…

No chance to take it back now. No way to see her again either.

He didn’t feel ready to face this. But when would he be?

His mind flooded with questions, and he worried they’d shake the calm he’d fought to maintain.

Ever since realizing Deathwing might sense his thoughts and emotions, even daily life and ordinary conversations felt as draining as casting Shadow Magic.

Am I scared? he wondered.

Probably. But honestly, he wasn’t sure what he felt anymore.

—But not every challenge gives you time to prepare.

“Unexpected things happen.”

Jesse’s lips moved slightly, as if answering a voice in his memory.

—Maybe the real difference between me and those heroes is that even when surprises hit, they meet them at two hundred percent.

—The main difference between you and heroes? Your surprise hasn’t come yet, Amy.

Recalling that, Jesse smiled faintly. He finally understood how empty his words to Amy Malin at Nethergarde had been—easy to say until it’s your turn.

Of course, this wasn’t just any surprise. It was Deathwing. No wonder it wasn’t easy.

Either way, his surprise had arrived. Meeting it at two hundred percent was the only choice.

“True,” Greed said, slapping the table. “Who knew buying a house would bring more trouble? And you can’t even refuse. When your parents get here, we’ll have a real celebration. This one doesn’t count—that Elf Mage ruined everything. Oh, and we’ll invite our little Elven Wisp too.”

“Yeah. We’ll talk then,” Jesse said absently.

After speaking, Greed fell silent, watching as Jesse hurriedly grabbed bread, soaked it in grease from the smoked meat, and stuffed it into his mouth.