Chapter 785

Chapter 785: The Master of the Sword

To grasp the elemental language in this book, Jesse first needed to learn Dwarven. By now, he could skillfully use Orcish, Common, and Demonic while managing basic Dragon Tongue. With Ered’ruin, scarce learning resources meant he only understood simple notes on specific topics so far.

Yet through studying these diverse languages, Jesse had learned tricks to pick up new ones. He judged he could master a language’s basics within three months.

If focused completely on study, he might halve that time.

Dwarven merely served as a bridge to the elemental language—requiring no fluency, only enough understanding to avoid confusion. Making it a tool for exploring the elemental world sufficed.

But achieving even this in two or three weeks seemed unlikely, let alone tackling the more complex elemental language afterward.

The voyage to Kalimdor would offer study time, and Greed’s presence there would help practice Dwarven.

Yet Rueg refused to lend the elemental language book. What now?

After a week of searching, Jesse bought *Droken Goldbeard’s Khaz Modan Runes* from a dwarf scholar for twenty silver coins. Though common among Ironforge scholars, its value lay in the Common-tongue notes scribbled by prior owners. Despite the steep price, Jesse bought it.

Back at the Thorium Brotherhood’s lower levels, Rueg was still struggling with his succubus.

Jesse skimmed the dwarf dictionary, learning rune pronunciations until roars in the room faded into heavy breaths and faint moans.

Soon Rueg emerged, wearing a peculiar smile. "My apologies, Seso. Forced to listen outside, enduring such loneliness…"

"Nothing to endure," Jesse said.

Spotting the book, Rueg asked, "You found *Khaz Modan Runes* this fast?"

"You wasted too long in there." Jesse tapped the cover. "Let’s talk seriously, Rueg. How do I borrow that elemental language book? We both know thirty gold coins wasn’t a real offer."

Buttoning his shirt, Rueg replied, "Ever think I said that because lending it outside the Brotherhood is forbidden?"

"What if I joined the Thorium Brotherhood?"

"I was joking! You actually considered it?" Rueg stared. "You’re no Dark Iron dwarf—not even a dwarf!"

"First time for everything," Jesse countered.

"Impossible." Rueg shook his head like a rattle drum. "I can’t decide that." His eyes drifted to Jesse’s waist. "Anyway, I’m headed to the Great Anvil."

"Why?" Jesse touched his new scabbard. "Interested in this?"

Rueg feigned indifference. "Not especially. But that sword’s enchantment intrigues me. The Wizard’s Sanctum’s work exceeds expectations."

"That’s no enchantment," Jesse said. "The sword… just *is* like this."

Rueg blinked. "How? Made from Northrend blue steel?"

Jesse rested a hand on the elemental language book. "I’ll tell you if you lend me this for a few months."

"Damn it all, you—" The Dark Iron dwarf covered his face. "First, tell me where you got that sword. Let me judge if its origin’s worth my risk."

"Ever heard of Azuresong Mageblade?"

"Fairy tales!" Rueg snapped. "Azuresong Mageblade’s an elven relic—a Blue Dragon gift to Quel’Thalas! How’d *you* get it? Fine, it resembles paintings of the blade, but details differ. The color and material? All wrong. Just a skilled fake… Vain mages love fooling amateurs. I’m Thorium Brotherhood, Seso. Don’t insult my wisdom."

Jesse drew the sword onto the table. Soft melodies whispered from the blade, delicate against Ironforge’s subterranean rumbles.

A light blue glow emanated from it. Under the brazier’s light, its turquoise edge resembled fine crystal yet not fully transparent.

Rueg stared, his anger wavering.

Whatever the material, this blade was extraordinary.

"That music… You needn’t borrow Azuresong’s fame, Seso. It’s already a treasure—an artwork. Truth now."

“This was indeed the Azuresong Mageblade,” Jesse looked at the dwarf across the table and said, “but it wasn’t the original one. The original was destroyed at Grim Batol, and the Blue Dragon King reforged this sword using its remains and his own scales.”

“I’d never heard that legend,” Rueg sat down and stared at the sword. “Where did you hear that? When did the Azuresong Mageblade go to Grim Batol? Was it before or after that witch destroyed it with Black Magic?”

Jesse said, “A few months ago, I took it to Grim Batol and accidentally damaged it during my fight with Deathwing. The Blue Dragon King Malygos helped me repair it.”

“That’s just…”

Rueg muttered, frowning. He reached out to touch the blade but pulled back, rubbing his fingers.

“Honestly, I find it hard to believe the hero who wielded the Azuresong Mageblade against Deathwing and rescued the Red Dragon Queen is just this young fellow? Was that really you?”

The dwarf gave Jesse’s ring a doubtful look, seeming torn between belief and doubt.

“This person sits before me? Dressed like a refugee from Stormwind—I can’t convince myself.”

“I look like a refugee because you burned my clothes with fire element!” Jesse replied helplessly.

“True, sorry.” Rueg pressed on, “So you didn’t find a poet or bard to turn your tale into a song for every inn and tavern? Didn’t share the Azuresong Mageblade’s new legend with every gnome, human, dwarf, and elf you know?”

“I didn’t have time,” Jesse leaned back against the stone rest. “I just told you, didn’t I? If you doubt me, ask King Bronzebeard—he knows why the elves gifted me this sword. Or ask any Blue Dragon or Red Dragon directly.”

“You’re making it tough; I haven’t seen those dragons. Meeting a black dragon might be easier. And King Bronzebeard…” Rueg swallowed. “Enough talk—can I try holding this sword?”

“Sure,” Jesse said.

The dwarf carefully gripped the sword on the table, took a deep breath, and slowly lifted it. The Azuresong Mageblade made odd sounds, like unhappy grumbles.

Rueg hesitated. “Am I holding it wrong? I feel like…”

“It’s a magical sword,” Jesse tried to reassure him. “Maybe it responds better to a spellcaster’s power.”

“I’ve shared the sword’s story and let you touch it—few in this world have. Rueg, in return, you should lend me that book.”

Rueg gently set the sword down, eyes glued to it.

“Could you lend it to me for a while? I want to test and study it—this chance is rare.”

“Hah,” Jesse said. “No way.”

“Fine, that’s too much,” Rueg slapped the table. “I won’t risk the Thorium Brotherhood tangling with the Azuresong Mageblade’s owner over small rules. Take the book, but return it by the next Feast of Winter Veil. The overseer will check the Brotherhood’s treasures then. If it’s missing and you’re not here to explain, I’m in trouble.”

“The Feast of Winter Veil—nine months from now? No problem,” Jesse said. “I’ll definitely bring it back to Ironforge before then.”

Rueg warned, “Don’t think learning the element’s language and communication skills means you’ve mastered fire, Seso. Grasping this book just starts your flame path—it’s a long road! The Thorium Brotherhood has Pyromancers stronger than me, and Shadowforge City more. To go far and bond deeply with fire… remember to return it.”

Jesse asked curiously, “Can the Thorium Brotherhood help me enter Shadowforge City and connect with those Dark Iron Dwarves?”

Truthfully, learning fire control was secondary; Jesse really wanted to uncover magic revealing the black dragons’ true forms, which might tie to Shadowforge City.

“No chance. Blackrock Mountain is crawling with Orcs now—too risky,” Rueg said. “You could go if you avoid them.”

“Just walk in? Won’t the Dark Iron Dwarves capture me?” Jesse asked.

“Why think that?” Rueg replied. “You’re not a spy from Ironforge or Aerie Peak, and not an Orc. A Stormwind magic advisor? Don’t mention it—I doubt Shadowforge City hates humans that much. You’re a strong warlock; their warlocks would find you interesting. But learn Dwarven first—fewer speak Common there than in Ironforge.”

Jesse digested his words, realizing Shadowforge City was a Dark Iron Dwarf city, not a dungeon full of hostile foes. They had no reason to attack on sight.

The hardest part was getting in. Shadowforge City lay deep in Blackrock Mountain, and with Orcs holding Blackrock Spire, entering meant likely Orc patrols.

But the cloak Vaelastrasz gave him could help; he’d disguise as an Orc to cross their territory, then drop it to meet the dwarves.

This needed careful planning—he’d focus on preparing for Kalimdor first.

Beyond Dar’Khan Drathir, he didn’t know how many had seen the Reliquary’s records or were hunting for Ulthalesh.