Chapter 57: Daughter of the Sea |
Varian was the quickest to accept it. Right now, he was leaning close to Allen’s ear, his grin unbearably smug.
“You lucky bastard, Allen. I never thought you’d be hiding a high elf. That mansion can be my early wedding gift to you. I only have one request—”
He slapped Allen on the shoulder.
“Don’t let yourself get whisked off to Quel’Thalas as some live-in son-in-law!”
Allen’s face was blank. “We’re just keeping things simple.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Varian nodded emphatically. “A simple master-servant relationship, right? I get it. I totally get it.”
Allen couldn’t be bothered with him.
Wen Laisa stood by the window. Her stunning face showed no emotion, but those sky-blue eyes screamed impatience.
“Keep staring,” she said, her voice icy cold. “Keep staring, and I’ll gouge out every single one of your eyeballs.”
“This is a prank, right?” He pointed at Wen Laisa, his words tumbling out. “This has to be a prank! Where’s Mr. Wen Lei? Is he hiding? Behind the door? Mr. Wen Lei, come on out—”
Wen Laisa gave him a slightly exasperated look but said nothing.
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The group set out, heading to the gryphon outpost on the city walls.
Along the way, Wen Laisa’s silver hair and pointed ears drew every passerby’s gaze.
Soldiers and civilians, men and women, old and young—everyone who walked by turned to stare, then leaned in to whisper and gossip.
That was exactly why she’d used the Orb of Deception to disguise herself as a human before. This appearance was far too eye-catching; there was no way to investigate discreetly like this.
Finally, they reached the gryphon outpost.
It was a stone platform built high on the city wall, with a massive eagle’s nest perched on several thick wooden posts. A few gryphons were crouched in the nest, preening their feathers with their beaks.
These creatures were enormous, taller than the finest warhorses.
They had the heads and forelimbs of eagles—sharp beaks, powerful feathered talons—but the hindquarters and tails of lions. Their golden-brown feathers gleamed in the sunlight, and their muscular hind legs radiated raw power.
Wen Laisa stood at the edge of the outpost, staring at the gryphons with a sullen expression. She was clearly in a bad mood.
Today, she’d received a letter—from her eldest sister, Alleria Windrunner. The letter said there was an urgent matter and she needed to go to the Blasted Lands to help.
That meant she would have to part ways with Allen and the others for now.
Allen sensed her unease and walked over to her.
“It’s okay,” he said softly. “Your sister is a big hero in the Sons of Lothar. If she’s calling for you, it must be important. Go help her first.”
Wen Laisa didn’t look at him. She just kept her head down.
“We’re only setting off ahead of you anyway,” Allen continued. “When you’re done over there, come find us. We’ll be waiting for you in Dalaran.”
The three artifacts weren’t secured yet, and there was still time before the Sons of Lothar got trapped in Draenor. Right now, the Blasted Lands would only see some orc diversionary attacks. She should be safe going there—that was what Allen thought, though he didn’t say it aloud.
Wen Laisa lifted her head and glanced at him.
In that glance, there was something unspoken.
Without answering, she silently walked over to the gryphon outpost’s railing.
The beast tamer led over an especially sturdy gryphon. Its crest was silver-gray, shimmering in the sunlight.
Wen Laisa stroked its neck. The gryphon let out a low rumble and docilely lowered its head.
She swung herself up onto its back.
The gryphon spread its wings.
Its massive wings whipped up a gale, sending everyone’s clothes flapping and their hair flying.
Wen Laisa looked back.
Her gaze swept over the group—Morgan, Stella, Varian—and then landed on Allen.
She paused.
Then, she turned her head away.
The gryphon launched into the sky!
Its enormous figure shot upward, its wings tracing graceful arcs through the air.
Sunlight bathed it, and its silver-gray crest and golden feathers merged into a dazzling blaze of light.
The gryphon climbed higher and higher, flying straight into the rising sun.
The glare was harsh. Allen squinted, raising a hand to shield his eyes as he followed the shrinking silhouette.
Suddenly, a bulging money pouch plummeted from the sky, arcing down and landing right in front of him with a precise thud.
Smack.
Then, Wen Laisa’s voice drifted down from above, growing fainter and farther away:
“Allen—! You absolutely have to go to Dalaran and protect the Eye of Dalaran—!”
“This is my deposit to you—!”
“You must wait for me in Dalaran—!”
The last few words scattered on the wind, barely audible.
Allen looked down at the pouch on the ground.
Then he looked back up at the sky. The figure had already become a tiny dot, vanishing between the clouds.
Allen bent down and picked up the pouch.
Varian, Stella, and Morgan instantly crowded around him. Six eyes were locked on that pouch, curiosity nearly spilling over.
“Open it, open it!” Varian’s face was full of gossipy excitement. “Let me see what token of love Miss Wen Laisa gave you!”
Allen shot him a glare, but still opened the pouch.
Golden light immediately dazzled everyone’s eyes.
Stella and Morgan’s eyes went wide.
Neither of them had ever seen this many gold coins in their lives.
Varian looked at the pouch, then patted his own empty pockets. Remembering the bounty Stormwind’s royal family had given Wen Laisa earlier, his expression grew increasingly awkward.
Allen counted them—exactly fifty gold coins.
He froze for a moment, then looked up at the sky again. There was nothing left up there.
That woman... Did she just throw her entire life savings at me?
“Ahem.” Varian cleared his throat, trying to change the subject. “So... my friend is already waiting downstairs. Go meet him. Get to know each other.”
He paused, then added, “Take care of her for me.”
Allen put the pouch away and nodded.
The group started down the stairs.
Stella lagged at the back, but her eyes couldn’t leave that bag of gold coins.
All sorts of thoughts churned in her little head—
If it’s Sister Wen Laisa...
Down on the street below the outpost, a carriage was waiting.
The carriage looked ordinary. Around it, a few attendants in dark blue uniforms were scanning the area warily.
Their hands were thick with calluses, their skin dark and rough, and curved blades hung at their waists.
The carriage curtain was lifted by a small, delicate, pale hand.
A tiny, exquisite face peeked out.
Golden hair, like spring sunlight, fell softly over her shoulders.
Her face was small and refined, still carrying a bit of youthful naivety, but the outline of future beauty was already visible.
Her light blue eyes were clear and bright, and at this moment, they were sizing them up with curiosity.
Varian stepped forward.
“Let me introduce you, Allen.”
He pointed to the golden-haired girl.
“This is Jaina Proudmoore.”