Xalroz order Sannoth that they meet again at the settlement where they can discuss a plan in helping to rise to power and get back into killing the Gods. before leaving he did want to say goodbye to the pack of wolves.
They seem to have accepted him as their friend and master. He will no doubt have this pack be useful for the future when Xalroz calls for them.
Also to make sure that blood from the heart was gone to be none left in exposing what he has done out here.
He retired back to the house on time as the father and oldest son had come back lucky to not have been caught by the two.
Yet unexpectedly there was someone that lived on the farm catching sight of Xalroz getting back into the house.
Entering back into the room with Arfast sleeping soundly, it turned out he didn't try to follow after him.
Xalroz walks to the bed the old Thorkell sleeps on sitting on it before going under the cover.
A moment was needed for him to think especially on the matter of his soul. The emptiness is greatly there four pieces gone and one alone in this body of a vessel.
"Where are the rest of my souls? They must be found soon."
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[Next morning at the farm, Xalroz]
Xalroz stands outside taking in the sight of the farm the size of land that has been taken by the expansion of this farm. He notices few people are working on this farm mostly to be slaves that are eating and living. This land.
Judging by their healthy conditions none look to be unwell mostly looking happy about their situation it shows to him. Not something you can witness often given the way the northern people tend to treat their slaves.
It is a wonder if these slaves have been living here long or once they were born into the life of a slave. There were indeed some children playing around joyfully with no worries at all.
Xalroz did catch a certain kid looking familiar to another member of this farm family.
"Interesting that a boy looks exactly like a certain someone. Seems brother or father couldn't help to have some fun with the merchandise."
"Thorkell morning, how was your walk last night? Hopefully, no one saw you right."
Arfast came to his side speaking to him as it brought his attention to this person.
"Yes, the night walk wasn't bad, just that I needed a peaceful night to enjoy."
"Look I understand that everything was too much and had to be dealt with differently, but don't hold back, you know where to talk if you want."
"That is kind of you to offer brother, but I'm fine don't worry next time we'll talk with each other."
"Great, you know I'm always here brother."
Arfast went for a hug and Xalroz had no choice but to return one to him. It didn't last for long though as he didn't want to keep hugging this human.
"Brother, I do have a question to ask you."
"Go ahead, ask me anything."
"That boy playing with those other kids too who he belongs to."
When that question was asked Arfast's face changed just like that as if someone not wanting to talk about this subject of discussion.
"Right the boy…*sigh*.. he is our half-brother."
"Half-brother, so father was the one to spread his seed into one of the female slaves."
"Yes and end it at that point mother must not hear us talking about this. It will hurt her to be reminded of our father's mistake."
"And father, what about him, does he care for the boy or not at all."
Arfast rubbed the back of his taking time to answer.
"Our father has chosen to not acknowledge the boy ever for the sake of mother's honor and dignity. It is a blessing enough by the gods that he, mother, or the two allow for the slave and her child to stay on the farm."
"Do you or our oldest brother feel anything about matters?"
"I don't know and honestly don't care, I just want to forget about it and go on with our lives."
Xalroz was pleased with this human sharing such information. Surely to be of use to him when the time is right for it.
"Well thank you brother for this talk, but I must leave to take care of business at the settlement."
"Huh, what about our chores mother not going to be happy if you choose not to do them first."
"I'm sure she won't be too upset about me skipping today."
Xalroz says already moving to head over to the settlement ignoring Arfast complaints. As he walks there are eyes on him that look and follow those same ones belonging to the young slave girl brought to this farm to work.
"What the fuck does she want."
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
[Settlement, Xalroz, and Sannoth]
"I haven't been much longer in the north. These people don't seem much different from the rest. Yet they do have that problem of acting like savages with no class at all."
"You get used to it soon. Northerners may have different cultures compared to others being a race-loving breed of warriors, men or women. Yet they are human all the same they die and bleed fighting over little things to take for their selfish selves when it is their own or other humans. I do have respect for the northern people; they make war quite fun."
"I hope you don't mind me speaking out of turn here, but what you're saying about humans does have traits we demons share with them."
"Ha, you speak only a fact about our race. A demon born with the sinful nature of greed of taking another's prize no matter what it can be."
Xalroz and Sannoth walk and talk side by side with each other passing by the people going about their business. Sannoth didn't have much to change in appearance, keeping the natural white hair.
"So my lord, what exactly are we to do in the north? What is the first step in returning you to your throne and making those blows before you in your Greece."
"I do enjoy your devotion to me. Sannoth keeps it up and I will no doubt reward you with great things that any demon will be envoys in wanting."
"My only reward is to be and stay by your side my lord."
"To kind of you, anyway my first step is to gain a weapon that can't be weaponless. I need such a thing for those I'm going to use it on and work upon making myself stronger as well, requiring more human hearts to feed on."
Lucky that Xalroz already has a way to get a weapon. The Drow elf who was the old owner of this body was a friend to a son of a blacksmith working in this settlement.
"I do have a certain task for you to do for me."
"Anything my lord I am yours to command."
"Seek out another farm and have those living on it ready for me tonight. As of now I just want you to scout out the area and look into as much as you can report back to me anything worth telling."
"Yes, I can handle tasks as that will be all my lord Xalroz."
Xalroz thinks about seeing what else this demon can do for him. A lot of options that can benefit him, but at the same time moving fast is to bring faster attention and the Gods don't have to know about his return.
"No, for now, go take care of gathering many details of the map of this land for me."
"Yes, lord." Sannoth leaves his sight parting ways on their walk together.
Alone now Xalroz walkway over to the work area of the blacksmith forge. These two people were working at the place and one was happy to see this Drow elf's face again.
"Thorkell I'm glad to see you."