"So if Novak was the one who had you steal it why'd you sell it at auction?"
Nala asked Xavious on the journey back to the empyrean wolf territory.
They'd already had the conversation about what would happen to Xavious once they got back.
Out of the two options that Xavious had the wolf was better of the two so he decided to explain why he stole the sword in hopes that the wolves would at the very least not kill him.
Because the mother knows, even if Azreal let him go now Novak would find him and prison would be a paradise in comparison.
"Because I lost the paw, without the paw I'm technically just a thief who trespassed in your territory and stole something from you so you'd have all right to come back for it, but if it was sold at auction they could just steal it back from whoever bought it, that was always the plan I just didn't know when they were gonna try and steal it back"
Nala didn't respond immediately, thinking over his words for a little while.
"Why you? Why not one of their own?"
"Because I'm technically a member of the black spiders—well was, don't let my race fool you, plus I owed a favor and this is how they chose to collect" Xavious answered with a sigh.
Finding out what she wanted to know Nala didn't question him further.
The rest of the journey they would occasionally make small talk but all an all it was a fairly quiet journey.
Unlike when they were leaving they didn't stop on the journey back since others would be after them it was best to get back as soon as possible.
Woshhh
Woshhh
Woshhh
The moment they took their first step in the empyrean wolf territory several watchers jumped out of hiding and surrendered Xavious, who aside from throwing his weapon to Azreal didn't move.
His eyes, however, remained on Nala as if to remind her to vouch for him, Nala, on the other hand, gave a comforting nod.
One of the watchers unwrapped a cloth from around his waist and tossed it to Azreal.
All the way up until they got to the center of the city the watchers didn't give Xavious much chance to breathe.
Ahadi and Azan were there to greet them with big smiles, especially when they saw the sword across Azreal's back, Ahadi was particularly happy but mostly to see his daughter safe.
Nala expected to be scolded or punished in some way but all Ahadi did was hug her to the point where it almost seemed like he was trying to suffocate her.
"Welcome home"
"Thank you father" she responded under her breath.
Xavious stood by the side not saying anything at all, barely moving, he knew quite well what that sword and tomb meant to them.
With a little head movement from Ahadi to the watchers they carried Xavious away, Nala was about to speak up but Ahadi stopped her.
Azan was smiling from ear to ear while looking at Azreal while making drinking motions with his hands.
Catching what Azan was doing from the corner of his eyes Ahadi slapped him in the back of his head.
"Let's go"
Refusing to let go of his daughter's hand, Ahadi brought Azreal and Nala into the back garden where the woman was.
When she saw them she smiled.
"Welcome back"
Letting go of her father's hand Nala stepped forward and made a bow towards her Great Great Aunt.
"I'm home Great Aunt"
Nodding her head she turned her attention to Azreal.
"You're back a lot soon than I expected"
"Same here" Azreal responded while taking the sword from his back then handing it to Ahadi who refused.
Furrowing his brows he turned to look at the woman who nodded to him so he brought the sword to her, inspecting it carefully she placed it beside her.
Deep down he was expecting some sort of ceremony, a preacher and fire, and the works.
"Well I suppose you'll be expecting your reward now, mhmm whenever you're going to the blacksmith just bring Nala along and describe what you want"
Ahadi was about to speak up when his Great Aunt stopped him, he had no choice but to hold it inside, why Nala? If it's a case where they needed a representative Isn't Azan also a direct descendant of their bloodline?
Before Azreal responded he took a sidelong glance at Nala who was sitting without any reaction asked, nodding his head Azreal hid his disappointment at not being able to find out what the sword was made of.
"So what do you plan on doing now?"
Azreal thought for a second before responding.
"Leaving with Xavious to go meet up with some people to show my gratitude then I'm heading for the capital"
Azreal made sure to mention Xavious because he didn't know where Kakar and the others were and what's the point in discarding a perfectly good servant?
lol
"And where are your friends?" The woman asked while maintaining a small smile.
"No idea, Xavious is the one with the directions"
The smile on her face grew wider.
"I see, we'll speak about your friend soon, for now, you can head by I'd like to speak to Nala"
Finally caught up!
It was hard getting back into writing and editing after not doing it for almost a week :)