Chapter 797

Chapter 797: Everything Goes Smoothly, No Matter What

The next day at noon, Jesse came to The Slaughtered Lamb basement. When Ursula saw him, she immediately asked, "Are you heading to Kalimdor?"

"How did you know?" Jesse asked, somewhat surprised.

Ursula straightened a blanket on the bench and said, "Two days ago I heard about Vereesa at SI:7. First they mentioned a Ranger Lord from Quel’Thalas had arrived in Stormwind. I asked who it was out of curiosity, and they didn’t mind telling me. So I guessed your group was preparing to leave."

Jesse nodded. He hadn’t wanted many people knowing about his Kalimdor trip, especially not linking it to Ulthalesh. This uncontrolled information leak made him uneasy.

The Alchemist noticed Jesse’s concern and said, "Relax. SI:7 doesn’t know why she came—at least from what I gathered. They only suspect it relates to you."

"Truthfully I’d love to meet her, Jesse." Ursula leaned against the counter. "Getting to know my little brother’s girlfriend isn’t too much to ask, is it? And I’d like to hear what those Quel’dorai nobles think of folks like us."

"She’s staying at The Gilded Rose." Jesse gestured westward. "How about lunch together today? She admires your alchemy, Ursula. I believe I mentioned that before."

Ursula drew a sharp breath and exhaled slowly.

She studied Jesse for a long moment before waving a hand. "Never mind. Seems I’m less courageous than I thought. These elves… It’s not about her personally, Jesse. I just can’t adjust to them—their appearance, mannerisms, speech patterns. Better forget it."

"Let’s discuss business. Did you come for potions?" Ursula pointed toward the back shelves. "Our summoning attempts drained our stocks—Flask of Distilled Wisdom, Shadow Oil, Shadow Protection Potions, plus protective potion and Mana Potion. I need reserves for further trials. Current inventory’s low, but I can prepare some. When do you leave, Jesse?"

"I still have your previous supplies." Jesse sank onto the bench. "Mainly came to ask if you need help before my long trip."

"Hah." Ursula smirked. "Thought you’d forgotten me after finding a girlfriend." "What do you take me for?" Jesse reclined sideways. "Go ahead. Kalimdor—"

"Excellent!" Ursula produced a rope-bound notebook, flipping pages. "Could you obtain a Hippogryph’s horn?"

"Might mean warring with local elves, Ursula." Jesse shook his head. "My team isn’t equipped for that."

Ursula nodded. "There’s a plant called Bloodpetal in Kalimdor. Goblins covet it. Could you bring me samples?"

"Honestly? Out of our way." Jesse shrugged.

"Out of the way?" Ursula frowned. "You know its habitat?"

Jesse looked up. Of course he knew—these vicious plants thrived in Un’goro Crater, southern Kalimdor’s lowland rainforest between Tanaris and Silithus deserts.

A towering volcano dominated that jungle, teeming with bizarre creatures like dinosaurs. Their northern Kalimdor mission left no time for Un’goro exploration. Merely crossing Tanaris would exhaust them.

"Heard of it." Jesse shook his head. "Grows in Un’goro Crater—nowhere near our destination."

"Un’goro Crater…" Ursula muttered while marking her notebook. "Surprised you know that."

Jesse found it stranger she’d heard of Bloodpetals from goblins but not their origin. He kept silent.

Ursula set down her pen. "Ever heard of furbolgs?"

"Vaguely," Jesse replied.

"Same here." Ursula closed her booklet. "I hear they’re forest-dwelling tribal beings, ancient residents of Kalimdor. Any tribe surviving this long… must possess unique herbalism and medicine. If you encounter them, could you inquire about special alchemy recipes?"

"Doubt I’ll even communicate with them," Jesse said.

Ursula crossed her arms. "You were first among us to master Demonic, Jesse. Don’t claim it’s impossible."

"Requires luck, Ursula. First, no guarantee I’ll find furbolgs. Second, no promise they’ll share knowledge. Third, their skills might not surpass yours."

"I’ll take those odds." Ursula smiled. "But bring back remarkable knowledge, and rewards follow."

"Such as?" Jesse asked.

"Depends on your findings," she replied.

"It’s a deal." Jesse stood. "Got any powerful Flask of Distilled Wisdom? I’ll buy some."

Ursula sighed and said, "As far as I know, not many can make Flasks of Distilled Wisdom right now. Selling you one for 8 gold coins feels like a big loss to me. It takes me ages to gather the materials for just one flask, and I haven’t even sold the one I have yet. Now, it looks like you’re going to snatch it at a low price."

Jesse chuckled and counted out eight gold coins from his pouch, placing them one by one on the table. "Isn’t it good to have steady customers?" he said.

Ursula eyed the Stromgarde coins and replied, "Then, when you go to Booty Bay, you can help me spread the word. Just say the potions made by Alchemist Alkhana from the Secret Alchemy Room in Stormwind are key to surviving Grim Batol…"

"Alkhana?!" Jesse frowned. "Isn’t that Sayaad? It means ‘arcane.’ I thought you didn’t like elves."

"What do you know?" Ursula shot back. "Because I’m a half-elf, I’m supposed to dislike elven stuff. So a mysterious alchemist with an elven name won’t be linked to me. Got it?"

"Alright, alright," Jesse said. "I’ll remember to help with the advertising."

"Good," Ursula nodded, satisfied. "That’s better. Have a pleasant journey, Jesse. Bring back good news for me."

"I will," Jesse replied.

The air was chilly, with dark clouds hanging low. The wind howled through the Valley of Heroes, scraping against the swords, longbows, and warhammers held by the huge statues, making sharp, eerie sounds.

The gryphons on the walls stirred restlessly, flapping their wings as if itching to fight the wind. The largest Outland gryphons were especially noisy, their racket drowning out the shouts of the gryphon administrators trying to calm them.

Unusually, Goergette was very quiet today, surprising the dwarves who usually guarded him. They were chatting with some human rider apprentices nearby about this oddity, thinking Greed’s arrival had settled Goergette down. But Jesse knew it wasn’t that simple.

He glanced at the corner where Molofeel was hiding, watching the silent gryphon. Goergette stared back at her spot, as if sensing a demon’s presence.

Goergette not only sensed her but seemed to know he’d soon be carrying this demon. He let out annoyed and slightly scared "boo boo" sounds, sounding less like a gryphon and more like a giant cuckoo bird.

"Is he unwilling to carry Molofeel?" Jesse whispered to Greed beside him.

"It’s fine; I’ve talked him into it," the dwarf said. "I’m actually glad this crazy one finally learned what fear is. It’s good for him."

Nearby, by the outer wall, Vereesa and Amy had been talking for a while. A dwarven gryphon administrator with goggles came over and handed a thin scroll to Greed. "Give this to the gryphon administrator at Booty Bay, Thunderfist! They’ll send Goergette back when it’s time, so no worries!"

"Thanks a lot," Greed nodded, then called out, "We’re ready to leave anytime, little wisp. You good?" Vereesa gave a thumbs-up into the wind, then smiled at Amy before jogging over.

Amy walked up to Jesse. "I really want to join your adventure in Kalimdor, Jesse, but it seems this gryphon can’t carry a fourth person."

"Maybe by the time we reach Kalimdor, you’ll have learned to teleport yourself there," Jesse joked.

"Not many mages in Dalaran can teleport that far. More in Quel’Thalas can," Amy said, watching Vereesa’s back. "So she’s really looking forward to this trip, Jesse. She enjoys your company—don’t hurt her feelings."

"I know," Jesse said.

"That day at The Blue Recluse, I said a lot of stupid things," Amy lowered her head. "I’m glad you listened. I didn’t know who else to talk to."

"Trust me, Amy," Jesse said. "I know how it feels to have no one to talk to. I really do." Amy nodded silently.

"Well, best of luck in Dalaran," Jesse smiled. "And wherever you are, I hope you do well."

"Then, I wish you a safe trip to Kalimdor," Amy smiled back. "And a safe return too."