Swordsmanship Teacher

That afternoon, Jess and Gred met near the Gilded Rose with the things each had kept. They borrowed a scale at a freight station to see exactly how many herbs they'd gathered on the trip.

Gred took the tied bundles out of his bags one by one, while Jess weighed them.

In the end, they had seven pounds of Silverleaf, 0.6 pounds of Kingsblood, two pounds of Peacebloom, five Briarthorn plants, two pounds of Bruiseweed, one plant that might be Earthroot, and about 1.1 pounds of Grave Moss.

"That feels like a little less than we estimated," Jess said, hefting the whole bag in his hand. "Did we drop some along the way?"

"More likely some of it dried out."

Gred picked up a bundle of Silverleaf and gave it a couple of shakes. "Look. These leaves have gone stiff."

"Stop shaking it," Jess warned. "At this rate, you're going to shake a few more copper coins off it."

"Now that's a scary thought."

Gred put the herbs down. "Shall we figure out what it's all worth?"

Jess took out his scroll and read, "Peacebloom, two silver. Silverleaf, two silver and fifty copper. Earthroot, one silver each. Briarthorn, two silver a plant. Grave Moss, seven silver. Those are the prices she gave me. She never said how much she'd pay for Kingsblood or Bruiseweed and the other herbs."

The dwarf held up seven fingers. "Let's leave out the Grave Moss and Kingsblood. Take those for yourself and don't count them toward the money. I want a seventy-thirty split."

"Fine."

Jess began muttering to himself. "Two times seven is fourteen, five times seven is thirty-five..."

"What are you reciting?"

"Quiet... Thirty-two silver and fifty copper. It might not be exact. We'll have to ask at the alchemy shop."

"How did you work that out so fast?" the dwarf asked. "Are you sure it's right?"

"More or less. It's only a rough figure anyway. Don't they teach arithmetic at Aerie Peak?"

"Of course they do," Gred said quickly. "Then let's get moving. If we leave these herbs out here in the sun, they'll dry out even more. The Harvest Festival sun is brutal!"

The two shouldered their bags and headed toward the canal.

"Did you ask about the weapons?" Jess asked. "Will the smiths in the Dwarven District buy elven weapons?"

"Six silver for the long one, twelve for the short one. You want to sell them or keep them?"

"I can barely use a sword. What would I do with a short blade? What about you? Want to use it?"

"I'm not much good with elven weapons either," Gred said. "We might as well sell them."

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As they crossed the temporary wooden bridge, Jess asked, "Why's the short one worth more than the long one?"

Gred pulled the short blade from behind his waist. "Look at the patterns. This one isn't standard-issue. Someone commissioned a craftsman to make it. That dwarf offered more because he wants it for his collection."

"Twelve silver just to collect it?" Jess asked doubtfully.

"How much did you expect? Did you think it was made of mithril? Honestly, the workmanship isn't anything special. It's worth more mostly because elven weapons are uncommon. The longer one wasn't even made by an elf. A Bronzebeard over there said a craftsman in Dalaran made it, and I believe him. Dalaran goods are always copying elven styles. Didn't I tell you back then we'd get a dozen or so silver at most? My eye for weapons isn't wrong."

"Then we'll do it your way," Jess said. "Did you ask about that black staff?"

Gred shook his head. "They couldn't identify the material. Someone offered three silver. I turned him down. It's not a fir-wood stick! Maybe it's made of some strange material from Draenor. Wouldn't I be an idiot to sell something that came through the Dark Portal for half a month's rent? And it's not like we're desperate for money now."

He shifted the load on his shoulder.

"Oh, right. I'm planning to move to the Dwarven District soon. A Wildhammer dwarf who's settled in Stormwind wants to rent me a room for cheap. I'll bring that staff over to your place tonight. You look after it. Since it belonged to the orc warlock, you might get a chance to ask someone in the Mage Quarter whether they recognize it."

"I wouldn't dare ask," Jess said. "If it turns out to be some unclean item, they might arrest me."

"Surely it's not that dangerous?"

Gred gave a dry laugh and glanced at the distant wizard's tower.

"Well, keep it for now anyway. See if there's anything about it in their library. Don't sell it until we know what it really is."

"It's probably just an orc staff. Wrap it in cloth when you bring it over. Don't let people see it."

After saying that, Jess suddenly remembered he might soon be moving into the Mage Quarter himself.

If he did, wouldn't the orc warlock's things he was secretly keeping be much easier to discover?

The Mage Quarter had all kinds of devices that could detect dark magic. He might walk past something, set it off without warning, and be exposed. If he wanted to study shadow magic or other warlock knowledge, perhaps he was better off continuing to live outside the quarter. The walk was only half an hour anyway.

Besides, now that he could earn a bit more, several silver coins in monthly rent wouldn't be such a burden. He could simply tell Amy Marin tomorrow not to bother looking for an apprentice dorm room for him.

It was Gred's first time in the Mage Quarter. He kept staring at the beautiful houses on both sides of the street.

"Did you sell that bow?" Jess asked. "The elf's bow."

"No. I think I'll keep it. I rather like it."

"Did you ask what it's worth?"

"A hunter offered seven silver. It really is an old bow. But I'd rather use it than sell it. I can go hunting, relax, and get some better food at the same time."

Jess smiled. "Take me with you next time. I need to learn to hunt too."

"Sure," Gred said. Then he suddenly added, "But I was thinking that day. Would you be interested in learning to use a sword? I think you've got talent."

"Talent?" Jess asked. "You mean swordsmanship?"

"I've barely seen you use a sword. I mean fighting in general."

"Uh..."

"What? You don't think I'm good with a sword? I'm an experienced swordsman. Humans all think dwarves prefer hammers, but that's because most dwarves they meet are blacksmiths hired by human nobles."

He wasn't wrong. Dwarven warriors were actually very skilled with swords. Prince Arthas Menethil of Lordaeron had learned swordsmanship from Muradin of the Bronzebeard family. How well Arthas had learned was another matter, but Muradin's skill must have been recognized by the royal family of Lordaeron.

"If you've got the time, I'd love to," Jess said. "When can we start?"

"Tomorrow evening. Two silver a month for lessons."

"You're making money off me now?"

"Ha! You expect lessons for free? I'm not your father!"

Jokes aside, after their trip through Duskwood, Jess felt he'd be hard-pressed to find another teacher as skilled as Gred who'd agree to teach him swordsmanship for so little money.

Hiring a real former gryphon rider to train him for two silver coins a month sounded ridiculous no matter who heard it.