Saun's point of view:
Following our lord's orders, both Irina and I marched into the forest, we had to find a way to get the bird slaves for ourselves, I am sure we will be able to get some good results, Irina's sinister smile is a clear sign that she is sure to succeed.
From my perspective, it would have been better to eliminate them, if they did not exist it would delay the formation of a landing zone, giving us more time to prepare.
Although it is also true that having vassals would be the best for our ascent, but who says that they will submit to us, they have already been slaves for so long, as we know that they will not betray us or simply flee in search of freedom.
As far as it goes, we would grant them a half freedom, they would be under our, well, if they try anything funny against us, I will be the shadow that will haunt them for the end of time.
Before long we had reached an inner area of the forest, the sounds were now more audible, we could tell there were more slaves and they were surely deforesting in a hurry, the rumbling sounds became a comparsa for the sounds of screaming and whipping, we could even catch the smell of blood.
We stopped at once, decided to climb a nearby tree and try to see the situation, hidden in the leaves of the canopy.
To our surprise, the landing zone was full of people, there were more than a thousand of them, among this group the monkeys were really easy to distinguish, with their attempt of rag to cover themselves, the countless wounds on their skin and flesh. Also because they were the only ones working.
The current situation was really worse than a few hours ago, there were even children being subjected to work and being whipped.
- It seems that the situation is going better than expected, I would even say that they are not feeding them - To my surprise, Irina was happy about the current situation, let's see, I am not fond of them, but.... I would prefer to kill them quickly and without suffering.
Well it's everyone's perceptions.
At that moment Irina was looking at me and although we could not see each other's eyes, I could notice her displeasure.
- I don't enjoy their situation, crazy killer, only that if they suffer like this, it will be easier to attract them, we could even get their unconditional loyalty, think about it from another point of view. Some kind people, decide in a somewhat altruistic way to remove them from all suffering, heroically saving them and subjugating their monstrous captors, wouldn't they feel indebted? - As she said this she gesticulated, giving drama to her monologue.
I could only think of one thing, though.
- WHAT DO YOU MEAN, CRAZY KILLER? - To which she laughed.
- I knew that's all you'd be thinking about, tell me, weren't you thinking it would be more efficient to kill them all? - At that moment I was stunned, she wouldn't have a mind-reading ability, would she?
- No, I don't, but most of you are like open books to me - WITCH, she can read minds.
Irina showed me her middle finger and jumped to the floor.
I'll have to tell the master about Irina's frightening ability.
I followed the witch and we stayed down.
- Well, the plan will be this, it is very simple, you will have to look for a gap between the guards and approach a man, the one who is more wounded but with better constitution, stay always hidden and tell him without further ado, that they have a chance to escape from this situation, if he asks how, just tell him that when the battle begins to be attentive to the white beings with masks and when they are being removed, to close their eyes and continue charging, to transmit this to all of his race - I nodded, but I did not like it, this is one of the secrets of our lord, if they passed this information to their captors then we would be without one of our most powerful cards.
- I understand your displeasure, but I know that when our master sees the immense number of enemies he will want to take off his mask and we will support him. I am also sure that they will not betray us, their suffering is too great to pass up an opportunity.
Finally, if they ask you about how the master is, you tell them what you really think, do not lie under any circumstances, only then success is almost 100% sure - I nodded and activated my personality, becoming something like a shadow, without any sound, more agile, lethal.
I began to march along the edge of the area, taking advantage of the night my figure was difficult to see, more so for some guards with such low stats.
Being so, I could look for the right slave without much fear, according to Irina, strong and badly wounded.
After an hour, I was able to see one that matched, although scrawny I could see a strong physiognomy, he was also very badly wounded, so much so that an old slave was supporting him on his body while they worked.
At that moment I gave thanks that they were working on expanding the area, making them always scattered and at the extremes, making my job much easier, if they got to be in the middle of all the guards, it would be almost impossible to get in to talk to any of them.
I started following the pair of ape-men and came just a tree away, hiding behind it.
I could hear their panting, their bodies were on edge and yet they continued their work, the desperation was clear on their faces, the fact that this old man could support the man, was truly a miracle.
- Do you desire freedom? - I could see it, in his eyes there was bewilderment, a touch of fear and hope. But the latter was quickly hidden and consumed by despair.
- Please, Mr. guard, don't play such a bad joke on us - The old man's face was sad, while the young man's was full of libido and bloodlust.
It seemed that I was mistaken.
- I am no guard, or anything like that - With that I extended my hand and removed the darkness from it, letting her see it outside the tree where I was hiding and a stretch of my arm.
Her eyes shone again.
- I will repeat it again, and this time I expect an answer - Do you wish for freedom? - At my question the young man began to tremble, he seemed ecstatic, but instead, the old man quickly stopped him.
Now I understand why the witch sent me to find such a young man, impulsive, easy to deceive, to attract, without the wisdom of years.
I may have screwed up by having the old man in on it too.
- Tell me stranger, what would be the price for our freedom, there is no free lunch in this world - Damn old man.
- The price would be your freedom, once saved you will serve under my lord - The old man looked doubtful, while the young man almost shouted.
- Forget it dad, he is another monster trying to make us slaves, at least in battle we will die with honor - His temper reminds me of Gal, although he is also right, from his point of view it would not change much his situation.
But the old man's words impressed me.
- Shut up you stupid bastard, if you die who will defend the clan, do you think that after dying those filthy birds will leave ours, you're just a fucking deluded and a coward, prefer to die rather than stay by their side, is the thinking of fools - It seems that the strong character of the son came from the father.
- Stranger, I want to ask you some questions, but it will have to wait a bit, in no time this tree will fall and we will move on to the next - Without saying anything I moved, in a minute the tree where they used their magic was uprooted.
- Well stranger, you said that we will serve you, then tell me what deal we will have - Age is usually a symbol of wisdom and the old man was the confirmation of this rule.
- First, you will not serve me, only my lord. Second, you will qualify as vassals, but this will last during your existence, the only thing different from being slaves is that you will not have chains, nor will you suffer hunger, nor will you be punished unless you do something stupid, if not, you will suffer even more than now - The old man was thinking and the young man did not dare to speak, but his clenched fists showed his discontent.
- We will also give you a welcome gift - At that moment, I was smiling, just thinking about it made my heart race, a pity they couldn't see my face.
- What will this gift be? - The young man asked, but the old man was still in his thoughts.
- What gift would be more pleasant than revenge - hahaha. I noticed it, I heard it, their hearts skipped a beat, looks like it will be fun in the end not to kill them.
They, both father and son, were trembling, they looked like a pair of jellies with a touch of bloodlust.
- I have one last question - The old man recovered much faster than his son.
- Tell me old man -
- What do you think of your lord, you've mentioned him a few times - That damn witch has predicted everything, she's really scary.
- My lord is a saint in this world, someone who has given his life for us, although he didn't do it out of kindness, he admitted it, he doesn't want us to think things that are not, he is kind to his own and the executioner of his enemies, I am his weapon, one of them and my life is his, if you serve him you will live, if you fail him you will be dead and he will not need to give the order, for I will be your shadow until there is none left alive - With every word, a touch of adoration and bloodlust was expelled, there were no lies, only facts.
Both old and young were trembling, fear, bloodlust was engulfing them, it seemed they were enveloped among predators.
- Finally old man, when you march to war, watch for the beings in white with masks, if they take off their masks, run with your eyes closed, if you do you will survive and be saved. If this information reaches the birds, you are dead, if you do not, you are dead, if you do not behave when you are with my lord.... -
- We will be dead - The young man seemed to understand, but not completely.
- No, you will not die, you will live, while you see how your friends and relatives are tortured during your whole life and I assure you that it will last a very long time - With all this said I left, there was no need to say more.