Chapter 117: Agreeing on a Date

"Yes. I've already decided to go home."

Jess answered calmly, though inside his emotions were surging like waves.

"I need to take a student to Dalaran at the end of the year," Duchamp said. "The Kirin Tor is organizing an Orcish-language exchange meeting. I expect the issues they'll discuss will be closely related to the topic you chose."

So this really was the opportunity. But had he been chosen only because of his essay topic?

For some reason, Jess suddenly wasn't quite so excited. Had he won the chance through sheer luck?

He realized the saved silver coins weren't what made him happy. He'd wanted to believe that his effort and talent had beaten classmates who'd studied Orcish for who knew how long.

"I've been studying Orcish for less than two months, Master," Jess blurted out.

*Damn it,* he cursed himself. *Just say yes! Are you really going to give up the money to protect your pride?*

Duchamp nodded and looked at his notes.

"Even so, your skills are undoubtedly the best in this class, Jess Seso. I think sending you to Dalaran will be an excellent way to demonstrate the Kingdom of Stormwind's Orcish-language research. Unless you don't want to go?"

"I do," Jess said. "Of course I want to go, Master."

*Best in the class?* Jess laughed inwardly. *Why didn't you say I was that good in the first place?*

"Then I'll submit your name," Duchamp said. "When do you plan to return to Lordaeron? The exchange meeting takes place before Winter Veil, around December tenth or eleventh, according to the information I've received. You know how long it takes to sail from Stormwind Harbor to Southshore, don't you?"

"About half a month," Jess said.

"Yes. Roughly half a month. You'll need to leave within the next ten days to have enough time. There's still some distance from Southshore to Dalaran."

"I need to discuss the date with the friend who's traveling with me," Jess said.

"How many friends?"

"One."

Duchamp rubbed his rough chin.

"Tell me as soon as you decide. I might even be able to get Master Andromath to arrange two places for you! The travel funds are already there. We may as well use them. Have your friend give me his details, preferably on a sheet of paper—name, race, if he isn't human, and so on."

"Thank you so much, Teacher."

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"Don't thank me. Thank our Master Andromath," Duchamp said with a smile. "He's paying for my trip too!"

"Master Duchamp, are you traveling with us?" Jess asked.

"No. I'll submit the results tomorrow and leave in three days. My itinerary was arranged long ago. I have to visit Durnholde Keep first and stay there for a while. We can meet in Dalaran."

After the exam, Jess ran through a light rain to the Dwarven District. He reached Gred's home and pounded on the door. Nobody answered, so he hurried to the Pig and Whistle Inn.

He pushed back his hood as he entered. Sure enough, Gred was drinking in a corner.

Jess dropped into the seat beside him and slapped the table.

"Hey! Guess what, Gred."

"You're marrying an elf?" Gred asked without expression.

"What elf? Guess again."

"You punched a red dragon to death?"

"Where would I find a dragon? Try again!"

"You're inheriting a noble title?"

"You're no fun, Gred."

"You're the one who told me to guess." Gred grinned. "Come on. What are you here to show off this time?"

"Never mind." Jess stood. "I thought you might thank me for getting you a free boat ticket. Apparently not."

"Hey!" Gred sprang over the table and grabbed Jess in a bear hug. "Don't go, my seventeen-year-old big brother! I need it! I desperately need that free ticket! Thank you so much!"

"That's better," Jess said. "Get me a jug of ale. We need to decide when we're leaving."

Gred called the server, sat down, and leaned close.

"You passed that Orcish exam?"

"Of course," Jess said. "I've spoken with a native speaker. That's a lot more than people who can write the language but can't speak it."

"Don't remind me of that native speaker." Gred shook his head. "Still, who would've thought the Wizard's Sanctum had that much money?"

"You checked? How much is the fare?" Jess asked.

"Fifty-eight silver coins a person. We'd book the ship leaving on the seventeenth, the *Great Conqueror of Baradin*. It was a troop transport during the war. The Steamwheedle Cartel bought it and spent some time repairing it. Now it's a merchant ship. It may be even slower than the one we came on."

"Great Conqueror of Baradin. Sounds huge," Jess said.

"It's enormous. But old and battered. If the sea is calm, we should reach Southshore between December first and third."

"I have to be in Dalaran before December tenth," Jess said. "When will we go to the Hinterlands?"

"We don't need to decide that now, Jess," Gred said. "Winter Veil lasts for days. I don't have to show up at Aerie Peak on the very first day as if I can't live without them."

"Fair enough. Are there any other choices? I mean, other ships."

"This is the only ship willing to carry passengers at a suitable time," Gred said helplessly. "The others leave too late, cost too much, or are fully booked. It's Winter Veil, you know. Everyone wants to go home."

"People will pay that much to go home?" Jess said. "Stormwind really has plenty of rich people."

"A lot of passengers work aboard the ship to pay their fare," Gred explained. "I wanted to ask about doing that too, but there aren't any places left for me. I never thought about going home for the holiday until this year, so I have no experience and missed my chance. If you hadn't found a way to get us free tickets, this trip would have cost a fortune. We might have had to sell some belongings or take one more dangerous job just to afford it. A few days ago, I was even thinking about going after that gnoll chief."

That reminded Jess of what Marin had said about another group of mercenaries being defeated by Hogger.

"We'll have plenty of chances later."

"Chances for what?" Gred asked.

"Killing that gnoll!"

Gred stared at him. "I was just talking. You're serious?"

"When we get back from Dalaran, the bounty might be even higher. You can bring a few friends from the Warriors' Guild. I refuse to believe we couldn't kill him together."

Gred drank and slowly nodded.

"I did trade a few blows with that tall monster. I don't think killing him is impossible. His followers are probably the biggest problem."

"Maybe we'll find a way to cure the lasting effects of your injury in Dalaran," Jess said. "Then, when we get back, you can fight them at full strength."

Gred stared at the rim of his half-raised cup.

"Let's hope so."