"A reward?" Rhode scratched his head. "That's awfully kind of you, but there's really no need..."
Mostly, Stromgarde wasn't exactly wealthy. He would feel rather embarrassed asking them for several thousand gold coins.
"You should accept King Thoradin's kindness," Arthas said. "As far as I know, although nobles from other countries can't be granted another noble title, they can still be rewarded with land."
Thoradin nodded as well. "Indeed. If Earl Rhode doesn't mind the poor soil of the Arathi Highlands..."
"All right, then." Rhode thought for a moment before saying to Thoradin, "How about giving me that North... whatever farm? Including the woodland to its north."
What Rhode wanted was Northridge Farm, the farm the Cult of the Damned had used as an experimental target.
Originally, Rhode had planned to visit the area after leaving Stromgarde, mainly to return to the Cult of the Damned's graveyard.
There were necromancy spellbooks there, along with "spellcasting materials" and all sorts of unusual herbs...
As the saying went, know yourself and your enemy, and you would never lose a battle.
Everything there was crucial to Rhode's research into countering the Scourge.
Since King Thoradin wanted to reward him with land, he might as well take the opportunity to ask for that place.
That would work out nicely. On his own land, he could do whatever he liked without constantly filing reports and requesting permission.
After all, it was the Cult of the Damned's experimental plot. If Rhode conducted research there, he might accidentally produce some ghoulish monstrosity. Without prior notice, a passing Stromgarde patrol might well deal with it.
Of course, the farm's location was also quite good. It was the closest to his base in the Hillsbrad Foothills, which would make his future work easier.
In fact, Northridge Farm and Durnholde