Therra, Torin, and Falkas stop mid-fight with looks of confusion. Without the energy to stand they end up sitting on the ground.
Therra: "Master, what is Sol Invictus, and why did you have us fight?"
Alexander: "Firstly, I had you fight to test your metal. The weak cannot be the first to step towards greatness after all. Sol Invictus is the name for the company of mercenaries that I am forming. Now, you don't have to have to join us, but I highly suggest you do. There will be wealth, power, comradery, and eventually a place to truly call home. If you choose to leave us, you'll likely be recaptured as a slave again, eventually dying in some ditch somewhere. So please pick your path wisely."
Pointing at Nullthara, Falkas gasps out his words.
Falkas: "Then what did she do? What did she do to earn her place?"
Alexander looks over at Nullthara waiting for an answer. A lackadaisical tone exudes from mouth while she just shrugs.
Nullthara: "I killed a man who attacked my family in this very house, turning him into paste in the process. On top of that I beat and poisoned four kids from our orphanage."
The eyes of the three sitting half-elves go wide in fearful admiration. Torin directs his attention to Alexander.
Torin: "What have you done? You look quite young to sound so calculating."
Alexander: "Well I've always been good at math, but that's not important. Besides that, when I was six I found an Atra Venena snake then used it to kill two kids. I also sold the snake for royalties to our very large friend who helped us buy you."
Therra: "Are you two insane?"
Alexander: "Anyone of ambition is never truly sane. So to answer your question… kinda."
Therra: "That isn't the most reassuring answer…. Huh, fuck my life. I guess I'll bite, what does being a part of Sol Invictus entail?"
Alexander: "I'm glad you're interested. Well first you'll have martial training in hand to hand combat, the elvish longsword, and we'll set up targets back here for one-handed crossbows. Second, proper education in all subjects, while we focus on each of your strengths more. If you are able to learn some spell casting over time, do so. At night we are going to scout back alleys near popular taverns and other secluded areas to set up ambushes. Finally, you'll learn the language called English, only those in our following will know it."
Nullthara: "Learning an unknown language was my favorite, you get to talk shit about people right in front of them."
Torin: "What about our living conditions, food, and personal items?"
Alexander: "I was thinking that obviously Nullthara can have her old room, I obviously get my own room, one of you gets their own room, and two of you can share a room or one of y'all sleep on the couch. Here's a hint, sleeping on the couch is better for a foodie. Also I know a spell that can provide us food every day in the form of a berry or two. Actually on the note of personal items, after we finish talking here we need to go buy weapons and clothes. We can't have you wearing rags all the time, and I know I want another set of clothes."
Torin: "Ya, nothing screams I'm a respectable person like bloody dirt covered rags."
Nullthara: "Alright, let's go to Dakaster's and pick up some weapons first, that is our priority. Now let's get you out of your chains."
The five half-elves leave their new home in the direction of the Commercia Forum. To Alexander, oddly familiar sounds of hammers making iron sing are just to their left. The marketplace they walk into may not have the same stall makeup, but it is the same one he went through at his birth. On the far side of the forum spots a building painted pink with stained glass windows. Women outside of the establishment wear lace body fitting dresses, extenuating their huge tracts of land. Ignoring the building for now Alexander leads the group to Dakaster's Smithy. There is an open forge to the left of the shop with nobody working it at the moment. Walking inside Alexander sees a red skinned tiefling leaning back in a chair next to the entrance.
Vallista: "It has been some time little boy. I didn't expect to run into you here."
Alexander: "Hey Red. Did you have fun with your murder?"
Vallista: "Not too much fun, but I had a thousand reasons to enjoy the aftermath. Alright, head to the counter, Dakaster will help you out."
An oddly stocky bald half-elf with a big black beard stands behind the counter.
Dakaster: "Welcome to my humble shop, what can I do ya for?"
Nullthara: "Genmar sent us your way, he said something about a discount."
Dakaster: "Really? I swear people in our circles keep getting younger and younger. When did you start to work with Genmar?"
Alexander: "You know the Atra Venena venom? I captured the snake for him when I was six."
Palming his face, Dakaster slowly starts to speak again.
Dakaster: "Why am I not surprised, Genmar is so laid back that if he was stabbed he'd let the situation go. Ugh, his decorum is insufferable sometimes."
"Huh, back on topic then. The discount that is offered is the reduction of 10 percent on sale prices. Also, since Genmar seems to trust you, if you at some point procure something that wasn't yours I will buy it at 50 percent of its value."
Alexander: "Ha, to be honest he was way too calm when he inferred what I did while catching the snake. Anyway, your discount will be put to good use today my friend. By the way, how did a fellow half-elf come to be a blacksmith here?"
Dakaster: "It's simple, I'm from the city Arakezka in the Mountains of the Karakin. They're famous for smithing and architecture, I trained as an apprentice eventually making it to this fair city. As for the side business, that is a story for another time."
Therra's eyes gloss over when Arakezka is mentioned.
Alexander: "Lovely backstory nice, short, and to the point. So, here is what I need: 5 one-handed crossbows, 5 elven longswords, 10 daggers, 5 sets of dark leather armor, and 100 bolts."
Dakaster: "The total will be 338 gold, letting you know now I rounded up. Don't blame me either, you're getting a discount."
Alexander takes out the gold from the bag of holding leaving 263 gold pieces.
"So are you going to equip everything here or not?"
Torin: "It'd be smart to put this equipment on now just in case anything happens, also I really want to get out of these fucking rags."
After taking some time to get everything fitted the members of Sol Invictus leave armed to the teeth. Over the next three hours they buy caltraps, ropes, wires, seven sets of clothes each, cloaks included, basic toiletries, bars and bells for lifting, and a target for their crossbows, storing it all in the bag of holding. The remaining gold they have after all their purchasing is 206.
Alexander: "It's been quite the eventful day. Let's head home, train, study, and sleep. Tomorrow we shall head to the mercenary guild to find some fun work for adorable children such as ourselves."