Booty Bay

Booty Bay is hot! So loud. Smells like fish and old salt and I dunno know what else. I stabled Yak at the dock. She didn’t like the boat. She made the yak face at me, but I told her the next boat will be bigger! She didn’t believe me. She’s a very smart yak.

I found the Salty Sailor and asked the bartender about passage to Silvermoon. Three men stood up right away! They said they could help! And knew someone with a ship! They knew the way to Silvermoon! Man, I was so glad. It’s hard to find help in a strange city. I thanked them very much.

One of them smiled and his teeth were bad. He asked if I had coin for the passage fee. I said yes! I started to reach for my purse. The other two moved closer. They smelled like rum and sweat and something else. I didn’t know what.

A voice came from behind them. From a dark booth in the corner.

"Gentlemen."

The three men stopped. They looked at each other. They looked at the booth. Then they walked away. Fast! One of them knocked over a stool and made a real loud noise.

A goblin stood up from the booth. He was big! For a goblin. He wore metal boots with real big spikes. He didn’t look at me. He sat back down with his drink.

I stood there. Then I followed him. He helped me, so I had to thank him!

He didn't look up when I sat down. Just kept drinking. But, I started talking anyway! I told him everything. Silvermoon! The void invasion! Looking for my parents! Lost at sea as a baby, raised by monks on the Wandering Isle! It all came out very fast. I don't know why. Something about him made me think he would listen. Or maybe he just wouldn't care enough to tell me to stop.

He listened. He didn't interrupt. When I finished, he set down his glass and said, "Shen-zin Su stays near Pandaria. Ship went down near here, it'd be in the records."

I stared at him. "Woah... that's so helpful!"

"Grazmo," he said. "Just don’t call me ‘Megaton’. Don't ask."

I didn't ask.

We went to the Port Authority together! Well, I went, and he walked behind me looking like a bodyguard. It worked better than any bribe! But I still had to bribe them. All my Halfhill savings, gone in one sweaty handshake. Worth it!

The manifest was there! The Dawnrunner, twenty-four years ago. Two dorei traveling to Silvermoon. Names: Thelen and Venalosa Vesperwind!

And a notation from the ship's doctor. Pregnant patient.

I couldn't breathe. The world went very small and very loud. This was them. This was really them.

Grazmo looked over my shoulder. "If that ain't a lead," he said, "that's a pretty old godsdamn good fucking coincidence, kid."

Then he showed me the way out! Drew me a map on a napkin, actually drew it! I went back for Yak and made him noodles right there in the street. He didn't say much, just ate, but he finished the whole bowl!

"If you're ever in Silvermoon," I said, "come see me."

"I'll do that," he said, "if I'm ever up there!"

He laughed! Actually laughed, this rusty sound like he didn't do it much. Then he faded back into the crowd, just another shady guy in a town full of them.

I don't know if I'll see him again. But I know my parents' names now! I know they were going to Silvermoon! I know my mother was pregnant with me when the ship went down!

That's something. That's real!

V