Chapter 807

Chapter 807: It’s Getting Harder to Stow Away

At dusk, the entrance to Gadgetzan flickered with unsettling multicolored lights. In the distance, a group of humans in brown cloaks, wearing hats or face coverings, argued with several goblins.

Jesse had little energy to care about their dispute. His own situation was troublesome enough. The dark green-skinned caravan leader had been chattering incessantly.

While crossing the desert, they’d spoken with mercenaries escorting a Kodo caravan and learned airship tickets to Everlook usually cost two or three gold coins. Including the succubus, that meant eight gold coins. Even if the succubus stowed away, it’d still cost six—an exorbitant price.

This didn’t surprise Jesse. After all, a boat ticket from Stormwind to Southshore cost fifty to sixty silver coins just to cross a large bay on the Eastern Continent. Gadgetzan to Everlook spanned nearly the entire continent from south to north—a far greater distance.

The airship fare and the goblin’s pestering grated on his nerves. He sighed slowly.

"This desert teems with horrors! Bandits, scorpions with stingers bigger than my head, Silithid, Ogres—yes!" The goblin jabbed a finger at Jesse. "You three couldn’t handle these threats. Surviving the trek alone is a miracle! Do you know how to cross a desert? Where to find water? Even water is our company’s product! Skulking behind our caravan for a free ride? Ridiculous…"

"If you objected to us following, you should’ve said so at Steamwheedle Port," Jesse countered. "No one ever mentioned paying to trail a caravan to Gadgetzan. Others told me it was acceptable."

The goblin’s lips twitched. Greed added, "We caused no trouble and used nothing of yours, not even water. Our waterskins came from Steamwheedle Port."

"I don’t deny that," the goblin snapped, glaring at Greed. "But did you consider the risks? If you’d collapsed in the desert, the water company couldn’t let you die of thirst. If bandits or Ogres attacked, our Kodos and Steamwheedle Cartel mercenaries would’ve handled them. We couldn’t ignore stowaways! So you *did* benefit from our protection! You exploited our security to reach Gadgetzan safely! Such services in Kalimdor are priceless. Gadgetzan Water Company saved this city, but Lord Noggenfogger isn’t a philanthropist!"

"Actually, sir," Vereesa said coldly, "by your logic, *you* received *our* protection."

"I see no proof of that!" The goblin made a show of scanning the area. "Where is this protection? A caravan guarded by two Kodos and a dozen well-armed mercenaries needs no extra security!"

Vereesa eyed the resting Kodos. "I bear no ill will toward Kodos, but I could kill them easily—along with your ‘well-armed’ goblin warriors. And this dwarf?" She nodded at Greed. "He’d finish the job quicker than I could."

Greed puffed up at the praise, proudly stroking his beard.

"As for this human," Vereesa glanced at Jesse, "you don’t want to see him fight."

The goblin scrutinized the young human. Jesse wore an eerie dark-metallic cloak that shed every grain of sand. Beneath it peeked a gray-purple robe adorned with faintly glowing runes. A sword in a battered scabbard hung at his hip, its hilt sporting a silver-clasped sapphire.

Various pouches—some leather, others of unidentifiable hide—dangled from his belt. None resembled wholesome treasures, yet the goblin’s gaze grew intent, his expression shifting.

Conflicting emotions warred within the goblin, but Jesse sensed rising excitement. Did he recognize him? Or was it fear?

It didn’t feel like fear.

The caravan leader smacked his lips, rubbing his hands. "Fine. Since you’re clearly not ordinary drifters, I’ll cut you a deal."

"Bloody thieves," Greed muttered. "Name it," Jesse said.

"Three people and a demon: five gold coins." The goblin held up both hands, fingers splayed. Jesse stiffened. Did his attire make him look wealthy? Was this a shakedown?

"What?!" Greed roared. "Sailing from Booty Bay cost barely more than that!"

"And was just as dangerous!"

"Bullocks! Last time we trailed a caravan here, they charged nothing!"

"Then pay for *that* trip too! Combined, I’ll give you twenty percent off. Refuse, and we visit the guards!"

"For a few coins, this man could tear Gadgetzan apart!" Greed seized the goblin’s collar, pointing at Jesse. "Risk that?"

"High risk, high reward, dwarf." The goblin grinned. "Seems you’d rather cool off in security. Know how many sand-bandits pose as travelers to spy on our water convoys? If you won’t pay, I *must* verify your identities…"

"Bandits?!" Greed’s fist clenched, but he shoved the goblin aside.

The airship belonged to the Steamwheedle Cartel. Harming Gadgetzan Water Company personnel would ground them all.

Vereesa lowered her head, exhaling a soft Elven curse.

"Going might not be bad," Jesse murmured to her. "He’s a Steamwheedle Cartel executive. If he keeps up with news from the other continent, he’s heard of us—or at least you and your family. With any sense, he wouldn’t feud over coins. But he might dislike *me*."

"Conflict?" Vereesa asked. "You know him?"

Jesse swallowed, choosing his words carefully—avoiding any mention of Forest Trolls. "That curse-curing potion I made in Booty Bay? It’s tied to Noggenfogger. He and a partner created the original formula. I helped the partner improve it… and took a cut. So I hope the partner never gave him my real name."

"The potion needing troll ingredients?" Vereesa nodded.

Jesse gave a stiff "Hmm," then raised his voice. "We’ll go."

The goblin blinked. "Five gold is nothing to travelers like you! Must we waste more time? You won’t depart sooner, or—"

Jesse scanned Gadgetzan’s skyline. Among the towers, he couldn’t spot the airship dock. None were berthed anyway. Time wasn’t pressing.

Seeing his indifference, the goblin coughed. "Fine. Three gold?" He held up three fingers.

"No," Jesse said.

"I’m game." Jesse eyed the others. "You?" Vereesa shook her head. Greed shrugged. "Your call."

Jesse glanced back where Molofeel sat silently watching him. She’d offer no opinion—nor would the imp.