Nullthara: (English) "Thanks for not emphasizing the importance of my house."
Alexander: "Like I promised, you will have your vengeance here, and abroad. Along with that, you will be one of the most powerful people in the world. Seriously hold your horses, we have hundreds of years to complete our goals." (Common) "Now then let's go buy some people…. Does anyone else find that weird to say?"
Nullthara and Genmar both shake their heads no.
"Ok… just wondering."
After purchasing a house, the trio head towards the slave market with their remaining 1001 gold. Traveling closer to the coastline, passing north of the Octa Grandia, the three see an amphitheater to their east. Before them is a vast area with people of all races in cages. Following Genmar, Alexander and Nullthara approach merchants near a stall with a vast amount of half-elves.
Slaver: "Welcome friends to our emporium. What exactly are you looking for today?"
Alexander points to his ears.
Alexander: "We'd be comfortable having people of our race guarding and serving us. I mean, it honestly just makes sense."
Slaver: "No need to justify yourself to me. Come, let me show you our stock while you tell me exactly what you need."
Alexander: "We want people with potential, fighters, intellectuals, or arcane users. They must have a sturdy build, um, you know… generally solid breeding stock. Also, we need them to be at or under 16 to allow us to break them in, making them truly subordinate.
Slaver: "I know exactly what you want."
Moving down a line of cages the slaver points out a few slaves.
"We have three users of the weave, one in your age range. Two former engineer trainees, one former merchant's son, and six people that can fight. Now all these could be considered decent breeding stock."
Alexander: "Be aware, we do not want those that are musclebrained idiots, or twigs that break in the wind."
Slaver: "Then, we have just one engineer and two fighters up to your requirements."
Nullthara: "We'll take all of them."
Slaver: "Very good, sirs and madam. Let me retrieve them."
In a couple moments three half-elves are brought out of their cages. One is female, she has short brown hair like chocolate, orange eyes that glisten like amber, and her pale skin would reflect moonlight. Although not defined, her body structure could be molded into a masterpiece with proper training. One of the males has medium grey ghastly hair, icy blue eyes like the glaciers of the arctic, a tinge of light blue in his skin, and is cut like a perfect gem. The last of the three is also male. He has short fiery red hair with ghostly pearl eyes, is already standing over 6ft, and has the potential to be stronger than a minotaur.
"These are the best half-elves we have. Size, looks, ability, intelligence, all accounted for. The girl is named Therra, the grey head is Torin, the red is Falkas. Therra is the engineer, the other two are fighters. In total, the price for the three is 200 gold for the woman, 100 each for the males."
Alexander: "I'm not one to usually put a price on a life, but those are damn good. We'll take them. If you ever have any more exceptional products find use and let us know."
The slaver takes out papers for the right of purchase and ownership for the slaves. Nullthara along with Alexander sign the documents after which the slaver speaks up again.
Slaver: "Now, would you like them branded so they may be identified if they run away? It will lower their price if you try to resell them of course, but the insurance of their return is worth it."
Alexander: "No need, my good man. I don't want to ruin their bodies. They are fine as is. Genmar, please give this man his 400 gold while we wait for the slaves to be properly prepared."
The slaver smiles as the coins are counted before him. As he waves his hand an attendant comes over putting shackles on the three slaves' limbs, handing Alexander the key to the locks.
"Seems like we are all set. We will definitely be back if we need any more of your services."
Slaver: "Thank you very much young man. I'll be happy to take your gold anytime."
Grabbing hold of the chains for the slaves, the group heads east towards their new home. As they come up to the building Alexander stops everyone. He then hands the house key to Nullthara, motioning her to ahead.
Nullthara: "Thank you."
Walking up Nullthara touches the grey painted walls. Staring at the repaired windows she hears the sound of glass shattering in her mind. Nullthara trails her hand across the door unlocking it. As she pushes the door open, ghosts of her parents lay unmoving on the floor. The figures start to dissipate before her, turning towards Alexander with tears in her eyes, a subtle smile forms on her face.
"Come on in to our new home."
Alexander, Genmar, and the three slaves enter the house after Nullthara. The interior no longer has the mounts of past glories nor masterful weaponry. Although the living room along with the connecting kitchen are barebones, it is more than what Alexander and Nullthara had at the temple. They have a couch in front of the fireplace, a dining table, and four chairs strewn around the area. Next to the fireplace there is a door leading to a room with a pool for bathing. There is a walled off section with a stone bench that has a u-shaped hole in it. The faint sound of running water is heard flowing through the sewer system under the house. Lighting the room are narrow windows near the ceiling, along with the ability to open the fireplace to let warmth in. Up the stairs is a single hallway with a window on both ends. Two doors line the left, two are on the right. They all have the same furniture; a full size bed with a pillow and blanket; an armoire; a desk; a chest; and a single wooden chair.
Genmar: "It is a lovely house. I'm glad you were able to get it back Nullthara…. Here Alexander, take my bag of holding for a bit. It should help since you're probably going to buy a few more things for the house, clothes along with weapons, and your remaining money is still inside. Oh, whenever you are looking for a blade go to Dakaster's Forge in the Commercia Forum. Tell Dakaster that I sent you, you'll get a discount. I need to be heading back to the shop, if you need anything come find me."
While Genmar leaves the building Alexander and Nullthara turn to face their slaves. Therra, Torin, and Falkas have broken sunken eyes, devoid of hope. Looking at them, Alexander takes out the key to their shackles motioning for them to follow him to the backyard. The backyard is closed off by a stockade style fence, there is a little pond and green grass. Alexander stands in the shade of the overhang from the roof guiding the slaves to stand in the middle of the yard.
Nullthara: (English) "Why did you bring them out here?"
Alexander: "I'm planning to do something called hazing. I need to see how strong the wills of our would-be companions are. After all, I don't want to take care of somebody weak and worthless."
Nullthara: "Alright, let's see what they got."
The three slaves look confused by the strange language, but don't utter a single word.
Alexander: (Common) "Therra, Torin, Falkas it's a pleasure to officially meet you. I have an offer for y'all, and your outcomes depend on how you react. The first one to unlock their shackles is a freeman. We will kill the other two, because dying in chains is better than living in them. If one of you attacks us, all of you die. Now… get to it."
Alexander tosses the key onto the ground in front of the trio. As the key hits the ground, Torin springs into action darting for it. Falkas and Therra grab him, throwing him back. Turning their focus towards each other, Falkas launches a massive right hook into Therra's ribs. Responding to Falkas, Therra brings him close, kneeing him in the crotch. With Falkas keeling over, Therra picks up the key, as she does so, Torin picks her up slamming her head onto the ground. The all out brawl continues for 10 more minutes, cries of pain escape their mouth, desperation is seen in every action, blood splatters across the ground, and the key they were so drastically fighting for was kicked over to Alexander, forgotten in the moment. Picking it up, Alexander raises the key.
"Stop watering the grass!!... Congratulations you crazy bastards, you are now founding members of Sol Invictus."