Chapter 705

Chapter 705: The Farstriders’ Abode

The Farstriders’ abode lay southeast of Silvermoon City, within the runestone barrier. When Jesse departed Windrunner Village, he left the imp and demon bag behind, riding alongside Vereesa and a group of Farstriders on their striders. They journeyed all day before arriving.

As they neared the Sunwell, Quel’Thalas’ scenery grew increasingly surreal. Here, trees and grass pulsed with vivid energy as if alive. Elves sat chatting on the grass, some playing music in groups while laughter and voices mingled in the air.

Their hurried group felt starkly out of place.

Passing elves lounging on a roadside fence, they glanced up at Jesse and Greed, muttering surprised words in Sayaad. Vereesa shot them a withering look, making them cover their mouths and duck away. Jesse guessed the remarks weren’t flattering.

The Farstriders’ abode was a vast domed temple, its walls coiled with scarlet and gold flame-like patterns. A spiral staircase climbed to a second-floor terrace, reminding Jesse of the Mage Tower in the Wizard’s Sanctum—humans had clearly borrowed this from elves.

Perched on a high slope near a crossroads, they dismounted and gazed northwest. Beyond the dense forest, Silvermoon City’s towers rose in the distance. Jesse wondered if he’d get to enter the city this time.

Seeing Vereesa arrive, many Farstriders approached, offering congratulations in Sayaad. She thanked each cheerfully. Jesse spotted Ranger Lord Lor’themar Theron, whom he’d met at Nethergarde, among the crowd.

After speaking with Vereesa, Lor’themar turned their way and gave a slight nod. Jesse nodded back.

Not just Farstriders, but magi filled the grounds. Distant Holy Light devotees and priests swarmed the area, far exceeding Jesse’s expectations. Even Silvermoon City guards marched down the road from the city, bearing long shields and blades.

“Never seen so many elves at once,” Greed whispered.

“Same,” Jesse murmured, eyeing approaching elven priests.

The dwarf swallowed hard. “This feels worse than hiding in Grim Batol, Jesse. I’m getting twitchy.”

Soon, priests blessed Vereesa. Some drifted off to chat with magi or Farstriders; others whispered about the two outsiders.

The discomfort deepened.

Jesse shrugged his shoulders when someone clapped him and Greed from behind. They spun around—

“Kaffir?”

“You two,” Kaffir Brightwing said, hands on hips. “Why not mingle?”

He eyed Jesse. “You’re a warlock. Should have plenty to discuss with mages studying the Twisting Nether.”

“We don’t speak Sayaad,” Greed said. “What’s to say?”

“Jesse Seso!” Kaffir frowned. “You won over the Farstriders’ little princess but never learned Sayaad?”

“Busy…” Jesse mumbled guiltily.

“See Nathanos?” Kaffir pointed at a ranger in a brown cloak and green leather. “His Sayaad’s near perfect—sounds just like a Quel’dorai.”

“Nathanos is here?” Jesse stared. The ranger stood sturdier than others, blending so well with laughing elves that Jesse had missed him earlier.

“Didn’t expect that human ranger,” Greed remarked.

“Most Quel’Thalas Ranger Lords are here,” Kaffir said. “He had to come. He’s one too.”

“You disagree with his rank?” Jesse asked.

“His Orc War leadership and combat skills? Impressive for a human. But many Quel’dorai Farstriders who bled in the troll wars still wait for promotion…” Kaffir shrugged. “Especially compared to Lor’themar Theron—a Ranger Lord before him—it feels thin, Jesse.”

Vereesa finally broke free and joined them. “Teacher Kaffir! You came from Lordaeron for my ceremony!”

“General Sylvanas Windrunner’s orders. Couldn’t refuse.” Kaffir smiled. “But congrats, Ms. Vereesa. You earned this.”

“Don’t call me that, Teacher.” Vereesa squeezed his arm. “You’ll always be my teacher.”

“Had you been this polite years ago, teaching’d have been smoother,” Kaffir teased.

Vereesa flushed just as a horn blared from the abode’s heights. Even without Sayaad, Jesse knew: the ceremony was starting.

Guards from Silvermoon City had sealed every crossroads around the abode, standing rigid at key posts. Their severity made Jesse uneasy—this felt bigger than a simple ritual.

A few priestesses blessed Vereesa as the crowd hushed.

“Will Prince Kael’thas Sunstrider come?” Greed blurted. “Never met him.”

Kaffir shot him a look. “Greed, what’re you thinking?”

“Meaning?” Jesse asked.

“Of course he’s coming,” Kaffir said, baffled. “It’s Vereesa Windrunner.”

*Kael’thas?*

*Finally—I’ll see him.*

Jesse fixed his eyes on the Silvermoon road, where strider-riders and shield-bearing guards still streamed in.

Then white striders arrived, flanked by crimson and gold ones, halting at the abode.

Leading them was an elf in gilded armor, a sun-bright mantle draping his shoulders. Every mage, Farstrider, and priest bowed, their Sayaad titles ringing clear even to Jesse.

He was the Sun King Anasterian!