Crack!
It's only 4 in the morning in Orbis as the newest members of Sol Invictus begin their first day of training. Fresh blood, sweat, and tears cover the new trainees. For Falkas, Therra, and Torin this so-called "hell week" may have been worse than being in chains. As what Alexander considers basic exercise subsides, the hand to hand sparring begins. Therra and Torin are paired off while being instructed by Alexander on their form. Falkas drew the short stick of getting the shit kicked out of him. After no more than a minute Falkas has his jaw rocked by a butterfly kick, knocking him to the ground. Nullthara dances away from him while taunting.
Nullthara: "I can't believe that move actually landed. You are really inexperienced, haha. I've been getting my ass beat for years. It feels good to have the shoe on the other foot."
Falkas: "Miss, is it going to be like this every day? I don't know if I can handle it."
Nullthara: "Don't worry Biggy Smalls, tomorrow you won't be with me. You'll partner up with Torin or Therra depending who gets the lovely experience of sparring with me. Now get back up. Round two, fight."
When the sun begins to rise Alexander calls everyone together. He pulls out his mistletoe.
Alexander: "Good work today everyone, time to eat. Alakazam, Fallazool, bipity bopity give me thy property, do I need to say these words, only if they rhyme like curds!"
With this pointless incantation 10 berries appear in his hand.
"Eating one of these will give you enough sustenance for an entire day, also they have a limited healing effect. Eating two will be a healthy amount of resources for your body to build muscle mass. Be warned don't eat much food after taking two, or you'll probably throw up. Now eat your berries and hit the bath, we have a lovely day ahead of us."
Nullthara and Alexander who are used to cleaning themselves gleefully, cannonballs causing waves in the water. Torin, Falkas, and Therra are a bit more hesitant. In their years even before being slaves they haven't had such a place to clean themselves. Nullthara to break the ice, glides over to Therra subsequently yanking her into the bath with an out of character giggle. After taking a nice long soak, the five put back on their leather armor with fresh clothes underneath. Over the top to cover their weapons and bags they put on dark cloaks. They leave towards the northwest sector of the city which holds the divitae forum where the finer crafts along with the headquarters for guilds are.
As they continue forward passing by the amphitheater the roars of a dying beast boom out followed by the roaring applause of onlookers.
Torin: "Once a week, from our cages we heard the cheering crowds as slaves that weren't sold. To be honest I really didn't care who would buy me or what for. I never imagined I'd be free… in a manner of speaking."
Alexander: "I've never been a fan of the whole slavery thing. I'm glad that I got you out of that situation. Tell me what other kinds of fights are there in the amphitheater?"
Nullthara: "That I can answer. I've seen a few fights that my parents were in. Usually warriors can get paid to face off against captured monsters from around the world. Depending on who's fighting and the creature the rewards may vary. My favorite were the All for One fights, where two people or groups fight to the death. The risk seems to be worth the reward as everything owned by the defeated is earned by the victor. On top of that the winner also gets 10 percent of the revenue of ticket sales, which is only due to the insane turnout for All for One fights."
Therra: "Well, people have always loved spilled blood as long as it isn't theirs."
Alexander: "What a fun way to earn some gold. Nullthara, add that to our to-do list."
Approaching the northwestern sector of Orbis, the party encounters an open gatehouse and wall separating it from the rest of the city. Passing through the archway Alexander takes in the ostentatious change in scenery. Paved brick roads, huge guard houses line the walls, dazzling multi story homes line the streets, and estates are strewn about. Children laugh while running throughout the streets. The smell of freshly picked flowers permeates the air. Eventually the street they are on turns into the forum. Unlike the others, the divitae forum doesn't have any outside vendors. It has dessert shops, restaurants, music parlors, and every other want that the bourgeois could desire. A couple of blocks away rises a mage tower where practitioners of the weave legally study under supervision. A bit closer is the mercenary guild, two stories high and the only building that doesn't look like it was made for stuck-up nobles. Entering the building hard oak wood flooring greet the group's feet. Center posts reach to the roof with trophies from hunts hanging down them. The main floor has its own tavern to the left, a bounty board is in the back of the room, to the right is the front desk where a couple people are handed sacks of coin.
Alexander: "Y'all go grab a drink, I'll see how we can take a bounty contract."
Walking to the desk, those that gained their coin jauntily strut away. Sitting behind the counter is a man and woman who look to be twins. Both humans have cherry red hair with blue eyes. On the counter they have nameplates Jelena is in front of the woman, Julian is in front of the man. They both squint their eyes at the child that is approaching them.
Jelena: "Um, are you lost little one, where are your parents?"
Julian: "Kid, could you please go away? We may have more people to attend to soon."
Alexander stops right in front of the desk.
Alexander: "Gnomes, halflings, dwarves all these short peoples fight monsters or kill people. Why are you so surprised to see someone so young? Now tell me how I should go about doing some mercenary work with my men."
Julian: "You've got balls of steel, you'll definitely need them when you enter this line of work. To get work you can of course sign up to our guild. You and those of your company will have your information put on file. You will have to aid the city in times of war, which you will be paid for of course. Also, if there is a beast threatening the city you'll have to help kill it."
Alexander: "I'm not really seeing any upside to working under the guild. It sounds like I'll just get a broke back without any of the mountain."
Jelena: "As my brother said you can join the guild, but you don't have to. The difference is when you turn in a bounty you will get a 25 percent reduction in your reward. Plus there aren't any wars now or threats to the city, so there aren't any real obligations."
Alexander turns walking to the bounty board.
Alexander: "Thanks for the offer to become government lackies, I think we'll pass on joining your guild."
On the board one of the bounties catches his eyes. Grabbing it, he heads over slamming it before his four comrades.
Nullthara: "The Bandits of Belthorn Mountain. 40-60 well armed bandits based at Belthorn Mountain. Wanted dead, for murder, theft, and rape. Reward 2000 gold. The location of their ill gotten gains. Reward 500 gold. Bring the head of the man seen on back as proof of completion."
As all but Nullthara stare at Alexander with worry, he just grins in response.
Alexander: "You have a month to get ready. After all, the best teacher is experience."