While Jon was, for the most part, enjoying his sojourns across the wilds of Kul Tiras, he did miss his daily trip to the Cathedral of Light in Stormwind. The citizens of Kul Tiras did not worship the Light, but rather their spiritual needs were met by a clerical order known as the Tidesages. The Tidesages were devoted to the Tidemother, and the wind and sea was theirs to command. The winds powered their sails and the hulls of their ships became impenetrable to monstrous creatures of the ocean deeps.
Only with the diplomatic mission from the Alliance did priests of the Light walk among the citizens of Kul Tiras. On the streets of Boralus, Jon Chess had met a former client of his, Thes'salia Dharkgrove. She was a scion of a Sin'dorei noble house who had been exiled as a Ren'dorei without having been recognized, and so her loving relatives had sent an assassin after her to make sure that her shame was never attached to their House. Jon and Lynesia had prepared an ambush, and Thess had willingly gone along as bait to lure the assassin. Lynesia had blasted the Sin'dorei assassin with fire, and Jon had stolen his identity, crafting an illusion with Shadow magic to assume the dead assassin's visage.
Thess had listened to Jon's complaint about having to return to Stormwind so that he could observe the ritual Confession of Sins, and obtain absolution. Thessalia had offered to stand in for the Cathedral priest on duty for such matters, and Jon had taken her up on that offer. Several times now, the two of them had met in a remote location, and Jon had unburdened his conscience, and Thess had granted him absolution. This time, the two of them had arranged to meet at Jon's rented apartment above the Scribes & Nobles bookstore. Jon had led her up the stairs to the modest one-room apartment. At the far end was a single bed, and a small breakfast table with two chairs. Near the table was a small coal heating stove, on top of which was a silver tea kettle. A small selection of white porcelain mugs sat on a bookshelf nearby, along with a small package of sea biscuits and flatbread. A large chest near the bed held Jon's clothes and other goods, and the rest of the room was bookcase after bookcase, about half-filled with books Jon had brought over from Stormwind and Dalaran.
"Its not much, but I don't need much - I am often out visiting customers, or soliciting new business," Jon explained. "Welcome! Please make yourself at home. May I offer you some Suramar Spiced Tea?"
Thes'salia had invoked the Rite of Absolution, and they became surrounded by a sound-proof ward. Within the confines of the spell, anything could be said, at any volume, and nobody outside would hear a thing. Thess finished the ritual and sat down on the wooden chair across from Ches. "Blessed be the Light. Who comes forth to unburden himself and seek clarity of mind, and the comfort of forgiveness?"
"My name is Jon Chess, and it has been about a week since my last confession,' Jon replied. Thess knew well how long it had been, as she had officiated at his last confession. "Preiestess, I am a humble..." Jon paused as Thess started to laugh; the idea of Jon as 'humble' was just too silly. Smirking, he continued. "...merchant of cheese, an agent for Elling Trias' cheese business in Stormwind. I also hold a reserve commission in the Alliance military forces as a Commander of Reconnaissance, commanding a fire team of recon scouts."
"I understand, Jon... about some things you may not speak, even to a confessor," she answered. While things told her under the seal of the confessional were sacrosanct, many military directives were not for the ears of anyone without the proper clearance. "About what may I help you to unburden yourself?"
"Well, I am feeling guilty about some spying I have done here in Boralus," Jon replied, blushing a little in spite of the firmness of his voice.
"Was it for the Alliance military?" she asked, seeking clarification.
