Chapter 112: In the Same Boat

"This might sound bad," Jess said, checking that nobody was passing nearby, "but even if you don't believe in the Holy Light that much, couldn't you try calling on its power and using it? It wouldn't cost anything to try."

Gred sighed. "If that worked, why would I need to beg the church for help? I'm thinking about going back to Aerie Peak and asking a sage to teach me."

Jess glanced sideways. "You want to become a shaman?"

"Shaman, shaman... the word sounds like something trolls would say," Gred grumbled. "I mean learning from the sages how to speak with the sky and earth, how to call wind and lightning. I'd thought about it even before the war was over, but I didn't have the talent."

He picked up a pebble and tossed it into the water.

"I'd just been wounded back then. They hadn't told me to leave the order yet, but I already knew it was coming. I tried doing what the sages said and speaking to the different spirits. But I couldn't hear nature's voice or the words of water. You know how frustrating that feels. And I was still hoping my injury might heal, so I didn't keep at it. Once everything was truly over, I never thought about becoming a sage again. I just left the Hinterlands..."

Gred's voice stopped suddenly.

Jess noticed the dwarf sniffing the air again and again, his nose twitching. He looked toward the canal, then the street, and finally at Jess.

"Wait. Why do I smell scorched smoke-drake skin?"

"You can actually recognize that smell?" Jess asked in surprise.

He pulled his hood forward.

"It's made from a smoke-drake's back sail."

"Good heavens!" Gred stared wide-eyed at the reddish-brown material. "Did you save up to buy this?"

"Of course not. I'm so broke these days I have to think twice before buying bread."

Jess lifted his chin. Finally, someone he could show off to!

"This was a gift from His Majesty Varian Wrynn, King of Stormwind, Defender of the Royal City, and Lord of Stormwind Keep."

"Are you serious? What kind of nonsense is that?" Gred touched Jess's shoulder and sucked in a breath. "Damn, that really is smoke-drake hide! It's genuine!"

"You're so sure. Are there smoke-drakes at Aerie Peak?" Jess asked curiously.

"Of course there aren't any at Aerie Peak. They're beasts of Khaz Modan," Gred said. "Back in the days of Grim Batol, our ancestors used the hides of smoke-drakes living deep underground to make all sorts of things: clothes, armor, little pieces of furniture. Some of those things were taken to Aerie Peak. I practically grew up surrounded by those expensive old antiques. That smell... it's unique."

This is a copy from the author's posting, made without permission; reading the chapter at its publication source supports the writer.

"At Aerie Peak, a cloak made from a smoke-drake's sail could sell for one gold coin."

"Only one gold?"

"Only?" Gred reached up to feel Jess's forehead. "Have you got a fever?"

"But the shopkeeper who handed me this cloak said it could sell for three gold coins," Jess said.

Gred laughed. "What, do you think it's made from Cunning's hide? Three gold coins... Have you heard of Cunning? A giant smoke-drake that lived for more than a hundred years before the dwarves of Ironforge finally hunted it down. They say even real dragons feared its strength. Its great sail, scales, and skin were turned into over a dozen sets of clothes and armor. Each set could sell for ten, twenty, even dozens of gold coins!"

"Funny thing," Jess said. "That's exactly the name Larson gave the smoke-drake this came from. Do you think it could be the same monster?"

"Huh?" Gred said. "Let me see it again."

He felt the cloak again and thought for a while.

"I'm not a professional smoke-drake hunter or leatherworker. I can't tell whether this came from a special one. But I have heard those clothes were sent to Stormwind. Did the king really give this to you? You're not boasting, are you?"

"Of course he did. I've got a letter as proof. Want to see it?"

Gred quickly waved both hands. "Stop! Don't. Keep it to yourself. I don't need any more reasons to feel jealous."

"Then there's a pretty good chance this really is Cunning's hide. I'm so jealous." He rested his chin in his hand. "If Chief Falstad gave me a warhammer someday, I'd treasure it even if it were cracked. Though even if someone gave me a hammer now, I suppose I couldn't use it."

"Why are you talking like that again?" Jess shoved him. Gred stumbled sideways and nearly fell into the canal.

"The church won't take me. I have no talent for becoming a sage. What am I supposed to do? Go to the Wizard's Sanctum and learn little tricks?" Gred waved his hands and laughed. Jess couldn't tell whether the dwarf was mocking him or himself.

"So do you understand why I started learning those spells?" Jess asked.

Gred's smile froze. The ends of his black mustache drooped.

He pulled his coat tighter.

"But dark magic still hurts the body, Jess Seso. Keep using it, and sooner or later something will go wrong. If you asked me to study it, I'd never agree."

Jess wasn't planning to teach Gred shadow or fel magic anyway, but he didn't say so.

"Maybe when we go to Dalaran, you can try the church in Southshore or in the capital of Lordaeron," Jess suggested. "If this church won't take you, maybe the requirements there are lower. And be more careful about what you say next time. Before you go, ask the priests here about the teachings of the Holy Light. They may not let you become a priest, but if you ask to convert and join the faith, how can they refuse?"

"Sounds like too much trouble." Gred scratched his beard. "From what the priests here said, becoming a priest involves attending some school and going through training. I imagine getting their approval as a warrior also means following a lot of complicated steps."

"What about Ironforge?" Jess asked. "Don't plenty of Bronzebeard dwarves believe in the Holy Light?"

"You want me to go to Ironforge?" Gred asked.

"Sure. What's wrong with that? They're your people too, aren't they?"

"My people... I suppose." Gred scratched his beard again. "Let's forget that for now. It's too far away. Since you don't want to take a job, how about sword practice outside the city tonight? Back to our regular lessons."

"Sounds good." Jess stood and brushed the dirt off his pants. "I've felt cooped up lately too. Sword practice will give me some exercise and help me relax."

"Perfect. A few days ago, I got two wooden practice swords from some dwarves," Gred said. "Now we can swing away without worrying."