Varian was the quickest to accept it. Right now, he was leaning in close to Allen's ear, the grin on his face looking more and more punchable the longer you looked at it.
"Man, you've got it easy, Allen, you really do. Never thought you'd be hiding a high elf all this time. That mansion? I'll just count it as an early wedding gift. I only have one request—"
He patted Allen on the shoulder.
"Just don't get dragged off to Quel'Thalas as some live-in son-in-law, alright?"
Allen's face remained expressionless. "Our relationship is very pure."
"Yeah, yeah." Varian nodded repeatedly. "A pure master-and-servant relationship, right? I get it. I get it."
Allen couldn't be bothered with him.
Vereesa stood by the window. Her breathtaking face showed little emotion, but those sky-blue eyes clearly carried a trace of impatience.
"Keep staring," she said coldly. "Keep staring and I'll gouge your eyeballs out."
Morgan jolted, finally snapping back to his senses.
"This is a prank, right?" he stammered, pointing at Vereesa. "This is a prank, right?! Where's Mr. Wren? Where is he hiding? Behind the door? Mr. Wren, come out—!"
Vereesa looked at him, somewhat speechless, and said nothing.
...
The group set out, making their way to the gryphon roost atop the city walls.
Along the way, Vereesa's silver hair and pointed ears drew constant attention.
Whether soldiers or civilians, men or women, young or old—everyone who passed by would turn to look, then whisper among themselves.
That was why she had previously used the Orb of Deception to disguise herself as a human. This appearance was simply too eye-catching; there was no way to investigate anything discreetly like this.
They finally arrived at the gryphon roost.
It was a stone platform built high on the city walls. Several thick wooden posts supported massive nests. A few gryphons perched within them, using their beaks to preen their feathers.
These creatures were enormous—larger than the finest warhorses.
They had the heads and forelimbs of eagles—sharp beaks, powerful feathered talons—yet the hindquarters and tails of lions. Their golden-brown feathers gleamed under the sunlight, and their muscular hind legs radiated raw strength.
Vereesa stood at the edge of the roost, looking at the gryphons, her face slightly sullen. It was obvious she wasn't in a good mood.
She had received a letter today—from her elder sister, Alleria Windrunner. The letter said there was urgent business and asked her to go to the Blasted Lands to help.
That meant she would have to part ways with Allen and the others for a while.
Allen noticed her mood and walked over to her side.
"It's fine," he said softly. "Your sister is a great hero among the Sons of Lothar. If she's calling for you, it must be important. Go help her first."
Vereesa didn't look at him, only kept her head lowered.
"We're just setting out ahead of you," Allen continued. "Once you're done over there, come find us. We'll be waiting for you in Dalaran."
The three artifacts hadn't been secured yet, and there was still some time before the Sons of Lothar would be trapped in Draenor. Right now, the Blasted Lands would only see some feigned orc attacks. She shouldn't be in any real danger—Allen thought so, but he didn't say it out loud.
Vereesa raised her head and looked at him.
There was something in that gaze—something hard to put into words.
She didn't answer. Instead, she silently walked toward the railing of the gryphon roost.
A handler led over an especially robust gryphon. Its crest was silver-gray, shimmering under the sunlight.
Vereesa reached out and stroked its neck. The gryphon let out a low rumble and lowered its head obediently.
She swung herself up onto its back.
The gryphon spread its wings.
A powerful gust of wind burst forth, whipping everyone's clothes and hair into disarray.
Vereesa turned her head back.
Her gaze swept over the group—Morgan, Stella, Varian—and then landed on Allen.
She paused.
Then she turned away.
The gryphon shot into the sky!
That massive figure soared upward, its wings carving elegant arcs through the air.
Sunlight bathed it, the silver-gray crest and golden feathers interweaving into dazzling flashes of light.
The gryphon flew higher and higher, heading straight into the rising sun.
Morgan and Stella waved both hands, shouting their farewells to Vereesa.
The sunlight was a bit blinding. Allen narrowed his eyes, one hand shading his brow as he followed that figure growing smaller and smaller in the distance.
Suddenly, a bulging money pouch fell from the sky, tracing a perfect arc before landing right in front of him.
Thud.
Then, Vereesa's voice drifted down from above—fainter and fainter, carried by the wind: "Allen—! You must go to Dalaran and protect the Eye of Dalaran—!"
"This is the deposit I'm giving you—!"
"Make sure you wait for me in Dalaran—!"
The last few words scattered into the wind, barely audible.
Allen looked down at the pouch on the ground.
Then he looked up at the sky again. That figure had already shrunk into a tiny dot, vanishing into the clouds.
Allen bent down and picked up the pouch.
Varian, Stella, and Morgan immediately crowded around him. Six eyes stared fixedly at the bag, curiosity practically overflowing.
"Open it, open it!" Varian said eagerly. "Let me see what kind of token of love our Miss Vereesa left you!"
Allen shot him a look but still opened the pouch.
A burst of golden light instantly dazzled everyone's eyes.
Stella and Morgan both widened their eyes.
In their entire lives, they had never seen this many gold coins.
Varian looked at the pouch, then at his own empty pockets. Thinking of the bounty the Stormwind royal family had previously given to Vereesa, his expression gradually turned awkward.
Allen counted them—fifty gold coins, exactly.
He froze for a moment, then glanced up at the sky again. There was nothing left there.
This woman… did she just throw all her savings at me?
"Ahem." Varian cleared his throat, trying to change the subject. "Well… my friend is already waiting downstairs. Let's go meet her."
He paused, then added, "I'll leave her in your care."
Allen put away the pouch and nodded.
They headed down the stairs together.
Stella walked at the back, but her eyes couldn't leave that bag of gold.
All sorts of thoughts were spinning through her little head—
If it were Sister Vereesa…
...
On the street below the roost, a carriage was parked.
The carriage looked ordinary, but several attendants in dark blue uniforms stood nearby, scanning their surroundings with vigilance.
Their hands were thick with calluses, their skin dark and rough, curved blades hanging at their waists.
A pale, slender hand lifted the carriage curtain.
A delicate face appeared.
Golden hair, like spring sunlight, fell softly over her shoulders.
Her face was small and refined, still carrying a hint of youth, yet already revealing the breathtaking beauty she would grow into.
Her light blue eyes were clear and bright, now curiously observing them.
Varian stepped forward.
"Let me introduce you, Allen."
He pointed to the blonde girl.
"This is Jaina Proudmoore."
---
I will post some extra Chapters in Patreon, you can check it out. >> patreon.com/TitoVillar
---