《A Polite Society》 A bloody welcome Unknown City on a unknown planet ¡°There, there now it¡¯ll only hurt for a little while more¡± said an unknown creature leaning over a body on a table. ¡°I just need to cut out a few more pieces¡± it says with a sensual chuckle, ¡°ah see what I tell you, its all over now¡± it said with a purr. Putting down the knife, scissors and bowls filled with unknown flesh for the last time possibly depending on the presence in the shadows, and stepping away from the body on the table. Then loudly proclaims ¡°Marvelous isn¡¯t my lady¡± it said looking up to a throne shrouded in shadows. ¡°Yes, factorem pupa¡± hissed a voice ¡°it have better last longer than the last two dollsss, or you too shall be repurposed. Now leave us¡±. It said to a reopening of the sealed doors, ¡° and I shall give judgement in the morning¡±. ¡°At once my lady, and I promise to won¡¯t be disappointed¡± the bloody creature says bowing and backing up towards the door. ¡° Get out ¡± came a screech. Causing the creature to flee in terror through the closing doors. ¡°Now¡± said the same voice. Followed by a shifting in the shadows as a draconian presence stepped into the light¡­ ¡°shall I do with you first hmm¡±. The smell of fear started to permeate the air as the frail looking creature on the table truly realized, that the torture it had endured for 3 days straight was dwarfed by the monster sheathed in the most despotic and voluptuous armor. ¡°Mm¡±¡­ ¡°MONSTER¡± came a feminine croak from the body on the table. ¡°Monster you say¡± came the response as the being leaned over to look into the body¡¯s eye¡¯s ¡°A monster is a God seen through fearful eyes, my dear¡±¡­. ¡°and do trust me to you¡­.. to you I can be the furthest from them, as long as you please me that is.¡± It said with a flicker of a pronged tonged and slid a sharp metallic looking nail over the bodies highly augmented breast. Then grabbed a taught nipple and gave a slightly pinch and pull. Noticing as it did the goosebumps that spread over the body and the smell of fear along with a touch of arousal roused throughout the room. ¡°I''l¡­. I''ll never serve you, no matter what you do to me¡± the frighten creature said, trying it¡¯s best to move away the best it could while tied down from the prying hand currently fondling its breast. Inciting rare flashes of pleasure to flow throughout it¡¯s body only too pull around its nether regions causing warm wet area¡¯s to form that weren¡¯t from the blood dripping off it¡¯s body. A gut quivering moan came out of the towering figure. As it smelled and see''s the creatures reactions to its activities. ¡°Truly the doll maker isssss a master at her craft, to get one of the illustrious Dryadalum Docentur( High Elves) to react to it¡¯s lesser inhibition¡±. It purred reaching up and slicing the straps holding it¡¯s current infatuation to the table before carry the almost limp body, through a door in the side of the chamber and laying the elf on a bed made literally of air. Before stepping away and pulling of it¡¯s armor and puncher proof under shirt and underwear. ¡°Trust me my darling, by the time I¡¯m through with you. You¡¯ll be nothing more than another one of my loyal guards¡±. Its says before kneeling down in front of the elf and spreading it¡¯s legs apart. Then proceeded to plunge its fang like teeth into the crotch of the female elf. The next morning. ¡°Well, factorum pupa you actually came trough this time. In fact I believe I will keep and train this one myself to be one if my first Tenebris Bonorum¡± (basically the elite praetorian guard protected the Roman Emperors and a few general¡¯s in Antiquity Rome) ¡­ actually I¡¯ll make her one of my personal Progenies Matriarca, too give birth and protect my soon to be first wave into another unsuspecting galaxy to provide entertainment for this detestable plane of existence¡± said the voice yet again shrouded in shadows whit the now noticeably changed female elf laying against the voices leg watching the doll maker with a scrutinizing look that spoke volumes of the things it could do to her if she acted in anyway threatening or disrespectful to the being she now considered the only authority to it¡¯s immediate self. Especially so if one were to take in account the inch long metallic nails it now sported and the fanged mouth currently pulled into a snarl like expression. Not only that but it is quite noticeable to see even though she¡¯s sitting down that she is no longer on the small side but is now a soaring 6ft 3inches, with powerfully defined muscles easy to see because of her nakedness. Which didn¡¯t seem to bother her in the slightest. ¡°As you will it so it shall be Lady Morana¡± said a bowing doll maker.... ¡°when shall be commence with the final selection my lady.¡± She finished still bowed before the being names literally means Goddess of death and winter. ¡°Never mind the final selections, I shall bring no one else with me except this elf before you and a few other things to make speed up the assimilation into that world¡± she paused for a second moving out of the shadows to stand over the bent over figure. ¡°Also I will be bringing a few worker drones and a portable factory. Don¡¯t won¡¯t to be exposed for too long, I want to be able to have defensible walls around me while I design and grow the army that will lead the campaign¡± she finished moving over to a 3D projector currently showing a view of a planet covered in mostly water with 7 large land masses. ¡°where do you supposed would be a good place to set up first, Pupa. Over in the area known as Asia or Africanis¡± she asked turning around letting Pupa for the first time since she¡¯s been ordered to the throne world to truly see her deity in proper the light. Unable to answer as she was stunned by a beauty not meant for mortal eye¡¯s to see. The being currently bath in the light of the 3D projector was tall 7 1/5ft at the least with a voluptuous yet muscular body, pale luminous skin with a slight scale like complexion as it¡¯s skin, with dark blood colored lips under a pert self-determining nose, followed closely by small slit like cuts running along her cheeks dwarfed by the soul sucking eye¡¯s that peered threw you and found you lacking in significance, framed by black silky long hair that ended in spiked tips covering a long thin red tail ending with a club like protrusions at the tip. Pupas eye¡¯s roamed over the deity noticing other details like how large her breath were and how her reproductive phallus was slightly outlined through the tight leathers currently covering her frame. Before her head was smashed into the floor, followed by a voice hissing in here ear said ¡°you where asked a question worm.¡± ¡°Enough¡± came a voice ranging like an ultimatum as the she elf was getting ready to disembowel the doll maker. ¡°At once my queen¡± said the she elf before applying one last ounce of pressure before moving behind the now whimpering figure on the ground. ¡°I suggest you answer the question before my Praetorian kills you for taking to long.¡± Said Morana as she move over to pick up the still frozen women and holding her up until she was able to stand on her own feet. ¡°Now I asked you a question, were shall I land to began operations.¡±If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Pupa walked over to the suspended globe and moved her hand to the right in a waving motion causing the globe to spin until continental Europe was facing towards her and pointed towards the Italian peninsula. ¡°Here my lady, You should began operations here.¡± Lady Morana looked at the area picked then asked in a curious voice ¡°Why¡±. ¡°Because my lady there are currently numerous wars the country of Rome is currently involved in or to our calculations will be involved in for the next few decades. I believe it¡¯ll be a good way for you to insert yourselves into the population without having to be scrutinized to closely. Plus my lady there are currently an excess of single females for you to ravage and change into a quick if not dependable army of servants and Matrem Bonorum to protect you while you develop the perfect soldier for that planets technology level as your so set in conquering the planet with.¡± She finished with her head bowed. Lady Morana looked at Pupa before nodding and turning back to the floating globe before speaking in a voice filled with anticipation and hunger ¡°set up the portal coordinates a few miles from this city Plucentia. There seems too be an abundance of forestry to hide a stronghold for as long as it takes to capture or buy females to change into acceptable servants as you said.¡± She finished turning around and walking back to her throne and reclining in it ¡°let me know when everything¡¯s ready to go so I can adjust my form and the she elf¡¯s form so the inhabitants of that planet don¡¯t force our hand before we are ready.¡± Pupa bowed again before letting out a faint ¡°of course my lady it¡¯ll take no more than an hour to have everything set up and another for the targeted area to be susceptible to a hell portal formulations.¡± ¡°Good now get out I must prepare.¡± Came the response. ¡°Yes my lady¡± was heard before the opening and closing of the throne doors. Three hours late. Po Valley, Rome 20 miles from Placentia wall 160 B.C. A gust of wind blew through a desolate plot or grass follow by the crack of thunder that seem to have originated from nowhere causing people for miles around to look up towards a clouds sky bright with an early morning sun. After awhile most shrugged and went back to there morning duties whether it was feeding the animals or preparing a morning meal. However some where doing none of these things instead a few where running through a forest hooting and laughing as they chase a group of naked women through the dew covered leaves. Often making vulgar comments about what they where going to do too these escaped Germanic slaves from the Placentia auction blocks. In fact a few were quite surprised they managed to get this far without any food or water not to mention they were all barefoot and naked showing the world all they had to offer. Which wasn¡¯t much, fed the minimal it took to keep someone alive. Most of them where nothing more than skin and bones with a few with having some proper weight to there girths. A horn was sounded in the distance to there front, pulling exclamations of joy and lust filled howls from the men who knew that the sound of the horn meant. There prey where surrounded and the chase that began late into the night was coming to an end and a morning of pleasure and terror stricken screams was about to happen. There came another crack of thunder through the air as the men came crashing from tree¡¯s swearing and promising righteous pain for the slaves tjey were chasing, before jerking to a stop as they notice the women they where chasing were standing there in front of them not even paying attention to there slavers coming up behind them. Instead they were starring up at swirling pool of golden light 20ft high and 10ft wide. Sounds yelling can be heard throughout the forest as more slavers stumbled out of the surrounding forest only to stop in amazement as they all saw something none of them understood. ¡°What the hell are you all standing around for¡± cried a nasal filled voice ¡°forget the fucking light and grabbed those slave or so help me you¡¯ll be on the selling block next¡± the threat jarred the clearing into motion as rushed the women from all side bludgeoning and slapping the women into submission. ¡°Hey, hey easy on the merchandise you idiots. No one wants damaged goods there all ready frail looking as it is. Now put the chains on them and take them back to the¡­.¡± ¡°Sir something¡¯s coming through the light¡± cries a man next to a sweating fat man in a wool toga. Causing all to turn back to the light to confirm the man isn¡¯t lying and did in fact see something coming through, no not a something, a woman a very tall women dressed in black Lorica segmentata with a blackish purple Scutum shield across her back and a Pilum in her left hand and a black Corinthian helmet in her right. The women dressed in black legionnaire armor step out of the glowing pool and stepped to the right of the pool of light. Keeping her eye¡¯s on the crowd in front of her. Some of the men tried to meet the women¡¯s eye¡¯s butt flinched back and drew there swords or nocked arrows as they saw the darkest depts of the stygian abyss starring back at them through those soulless eye¡¯s. ¡°Well, well, well¡­¡± came a voice ¡°what do we have here Amelia, seems to me that we dropped into a little¡­.gathering no that¡¯s not right a hunt. Yes a hunt but a hunt for what I do ask you.¡± Every eye turned to the left of the intimidating woman and laid eyes on a vixen of incalculable beauty stepping down onto the grass like a conquering army and wished they¡¯d kept there eye¡¯s on the first one. For the god and a god it most surely is for that is all that there brains could come up with as they gazed upon the being standing no shorter than 8 roman ft. tall and sheathed in the brightest blood colored gold armor carrying a massive blades that gave off the vibes of being eternally hungry for the blood of the foolish. ¡°I do believe it is a hunt my lady and if my eye¡¯s are not deceiving me, which they most certainty are not because your benevolence makes no mistake in your creations. I do believe what these humanoid males are hunting a these injured women ¡± said the first women. ¡°Yes I believe you are right, you there ¡° said the god pointing to one of the women currently in chains. ¡°Do you wish to be free of these men.¡± There was a pause as the women froze not believing the god was talking to her before a nudge from one of the women caused her to gush out a strangled reply. ¡°Ye..¡± cough ¡°yes my lady I do so wish it¡± she managed to her relief as the being turned her attention to the man currently surrounding the women with dawning realization that some the bad about to happen. ¡°Now what to do with you disgusting males¡± she said out load much to the horror of the male¡¯s present. ¡°Oh I know, Amelia make sure no one tries to run into the forest.¡± ¡°Yes my lady.¡± Came the plain reply. ¡°Now, shall we get started my lovely¡¯s hmm¡± the god said with a flick of her wrist causing the sword she was carrying to scythe through the first row of men between her and the chained women. Invoking screams of surprise, fear and pain from the men gather before her. ¡°Yes, yes scream for me. Let me hear the wonderful sound as your souls are being devoured by my lovely Kusanagi. It¡¯s been years since he¡¯s had a proper meal.¡± Came a gleeful laughter as the god carved a gruesome swath of death through the clearing. Chasing down fleeing slavers and pulling the appendages slowly from the bodies, to increasingly loader and horrified pained filled screams. Until none but the frighten woman and two blood splattered women remained. ¡°Now back to you¡± said Lady Morana with a blood covered smile. Causing those same women she was smiling at to drop at a dead faint. ¡°Uhhb was it something I said¡± came a confuse voice to the minds of the unconscious women It takes just a little I looked down at the unconscious women and thought "well shit wasn''t expecting that to happen." "My lady", came the voice of Amelia in front of me. "None made it into the forest as you order," she said as I looked up. "Good, very good my vigil, unchain these women and drag them closer to the forest edge and guard them. I must activate the construct." "At once, my lady" she answers. I turned back towards the open portal and held my left hand out towards it. "Go ahead send it through" I said to Pupa who was waiting for my order on the other side. A large crate about 7x8x7 came through and slammed in to my upraised palm pushing me back a few feet, digging small furrows into the ground. "Good, now close the portal I''ll signal if we need it opened again" I radioed to Pupa The glowing portal flickers for a few seconds before fading away with another crack of thunder signaling its departure. I went to the side of the large crate and type in a sequence of code on a small keypad in the side, and was rewarded with a loud thunk follow by a hiss as the crate opened up along the seams and fell too the ground. Allowing access to the inner contents. The first thing I could see was a energy-matter converter, behind that was a couple of construction drones plug into their charge chasis, the next was a medium size box taking up most of the room in the back marked ~construct~. "There you are", I thought as I moved a round the crate to reach the box. I pulled it out and set it on the ground flipping a switch on the side. There were a few beeps followed by a screen popping up on top that said ~loading~. After a few more seconds a menu showed its self with a list asking for what type of building to choose from.
Insulae A type of apartment block capable of holding up to 40 residence
Domus Housing of the upper class in city''s or town''s Capable of holding a family of considerable size. Alomg with there guards, servants and slaves.
Roman Villas country estate of the upper class large in size capable of holding numerous occupants. Including a guards barracks, servant quarters and slave cages.
Castra Sativa a type of Roman fortress use to house 1 or more legions. Size is customizable after selecting this option.
I picked each one slowly reading the duscription and looking at the picture that was given before selecting the villa option. "We can change it as needed" came an errant thought as I picked up the box and walk to the middle of the clearing. Setting down the box I tapped initiate and move at a slow jog as I knew how explosive the construct could be as it began its task. I glanced around searching for Amelia and those women and spotted them over halfway into the forest. "It''ll take about 30 minutes for the construct to do its job." I yelled to Amelia "search the woods for wherever those men left there horses, we can''t leave them out there plus they will make our journey into the city a lot faster and provide a stable gene template for our future mounts".You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. "Yes mamm, uhh what about them" she said nodding her head towards the still unconscious women. "Don''t worry about them I''ll take core of them, now get to it", I answered causing her to bow and dive into the forest at a fast run. "Now what to do with you", I mumble squating down next to the nearest on and performed a visaul check. "Not to bad looking, could use the chance to gain a little weight". I said pushing the brown hair behind her ear. One by one I moved each woman checking there health, looks and mentally categorizing what they could be used for.
Frumentarii x2 a form of secret service or bodyguard
Armicustos x2 a supply officer who keeps track of stores
Actarius x3 a type of clerk or assistant
Servant x6 a type of worker who serves in the most basic form
After finishing that I turned back to the construct to see it was mostly finished. I walked back to the open crate and pulled the drone chassis out. I fiddled whith a bunch of toggles on there chest before turning them on and setting them to task digging a ditch and dragging the dead bodies to it then set it ablaze. By that point the construct was finished with construction and Amelia had returned with about 2 dozen horse''s and a few carts with cages on them. I assumed when I saw the cages and made note of the pore condition of the women, that they where runaway slaves. "Excellent timing Amelia, stable those horse''s over there", i said pointing to a staple to the side of the now completed villa. "The construct has finished it''s task and I must see too it that the rest of the equipment gets put in the right place", i paused looking towards the now ablaze mass grave a little ways from the front gates of the villa. I turned back towards Amelia "once your finished with that, get the drones to help you drag these people to the rooms on the lower east side of the building". I finished turning to fast walk over to the now dormant construct. I pressed a few more buttons on the screen to see how much fabricating dust it had left and saw that it has just enough for my task. I pushed a few more buttons then carried the construct about 60 meters from the front gates and pressed initiate. For the next hour i carried boxes of equipment from the crate to predetermined rooms in the villa before. Some of it was nothing more than food stores, the rest like the small red box that went into an open area with lots of derect sunlight, was gonna be our energy-matter converter where gonna need lots of fabricating dust. Other things like the oblong crate currently going into the armory will be used to create a spear like weapon with the function to shoot a plasma like beam that will be one of my future soldier''s main weapon. Another box like the construct but smaller was placed under the main complex in a large basement with an unknown number of shelves and racks to be used as the main equipment housing. Once I had everything placed and locked down l went to search for Amelia only to find her waiting for me in the central court yard. "Are they all in there rooms Amelia?" I asked as she fell into step to my right. "Yes mamm. All are currently soumd asleep, I uhh tooked the liberty of administering a sleep aid to help them to rest" she quickly affirmed as I shot her a questioning look. "Good let them get some rest, for I fear the next 6 months will be a stressful and tiring time as we train them." I said walking up some steps to the master bedroom. "But what if none of them want to stay?" she asked me. I paused and snarled "Why do you assume they have a choice. I''ll change them just like i changed you!" "Now keep watch for the next few hours, kill or scare away anyone that approaches. Then get some sleep tomorrow we began the campaign!" I yelled counting up the stairs to a set of doors at the end of a dark hallway. When I passed through the doors I stripped off my armor and undergarments to step naked onto a balcony terrace over looking the inner courtyard to see Amelia walking the perimeter. "Yes, my sentinel get lots of sleep tomorrow, tomorrow the fun begans." I said in a light tone. "Tomorrow, our first mark on this planet will be only the first of many!" Prospects Six months later *Click* *Click* Swoosh, swoosh¡­¡­ Booooooom *Click*¡­¡­*click*...*click* Swoosh¡­. Boom The sound of claws scraping across stone and the sounds of small explosions reverberated through the open court yard as a group of women rode silently around in big circles on the backs of creatures the size of horses. The animals looked reminiscent too ancient dinosaurs. In the fact that they looked reptilian in form, but with longer Fore limbs and covered in a goldish red fur. With mouths filled with double rows of needle like teeth, which were constantly snapping at each other, and long black clawed hands built for grabbing and shredding. The women them selves where a site to see. There were 14 in total and they all where dressed in golden segmented armor, with sharp spike like protrusions popping out at the shoulder and elbows. The helmets themselves looks a lot like the old Corinthian helms, with a giant black and white plumed crest falling down to the middle of there necks. On there backs were long black capes, with a symbol of two white ravens in flight. In there right hands was a short two prong spear with a small hole in the middle that they currently held aimed at a target in the middle of the wheeling like formation firing at targets being called by an unseen voice. ¡°Lower left leg, fire¡± came the voice. Causing 13 lances of red light to reach out and touch the designated target. While one went of course and impacted a wall behind the target. ¡°God¡¯s be Damn Priscilla, keep a tight reign on that breast or you''ll get someone and yourself killed.¡± ¡°Yes mam,¡± came the reply. ¡°Don''t you think your pushing them a little too hard my vigil,¡± I said sitting next to Amelia on the balcony. Looking down at the girls doing drills brought a smile to my face, as I thought back to the condition they where in when I first meet them and the following few days our took for them too wake up from the drugs Amelia administered that first day. According to the testimony given by them. They where recently captured slaves from the northern mountains in Gaul territory. The Romans had apparently restarted their incursions back into Gaul country, after the hiatus they where forced too because of the recent war between Mark Anthony and Octavian. They were to be sold at auction in the city of Placentia after a three week journey through the Roman country side often stopping to buy and sell slaves and supplies from the villas and mines they passed regularly. ¡°I must be hard on them,¡± came Amelia''s voice pulling me back to the present. ¡°If wee are to journey too the city as your so set on doing, they must be able too protect your imminence and this villa along with themselves.¡± I have a snort of mirth before turning too walk back down the stairs. I traveled the halls lost again in my thoughts as I planned our little excursion into the city. I''ve had Amelia doing some close reconnaissance in and around the city for the last few weeks and what she brought back was disconcerting to say the least. According too the rumors floating around bands of warriors from the Germanic tribes where running around the country side killing and pillaging farms and villages north of the city, slowly getting closer as the days go by. There''s supposed to be a reinforced legion on its ways from Parthica, 30 miles south of Placentia and would be arriving set the same time as we would be leaving for the city. ¡°God I hope nothing goes wrong while we''re there,¡± came the stray thought¡­. ¡°We are not ready to show our hand yet.¡± I sighed shaking my head too get rid of those thoughts, before continuing with my planning. Next morning, East gate into the city. ¡°God¡¯s why are we always stuck on gate guard duty¡± groans a legionnaire station on the left side of the gate watching the last of the baggage train roll past into the city. ¡°Because you can''t hold your wine,¡± yells a tribune walking past too search the next group of refugees fleeing from the North. ¡°It¡¯s not my fault the wine in this city, hardly watered down. They take my coin either way.¡± He mumbles too the tribunes back careful not too let him hear for fear of being assigned duty¡¯s worst the gate guard. ¡°What in God¡¯s name, would you get a look at that,¡± said the tribune as he looked behind the cart he was inspecting. ¡°What are those women riding?¡± ¡°I don''t know sir, should I sound the muster horn,¡± asked the same legionnaire who just a moment ago was wishing he was anywhere but here, started to pray too any god who would listen that he would donate any sum amount in offering, in his head that he didn''t have to fight those monstrous creatures that a group of women where riding towards the gate as a slow walk.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. ¡°No just call the rest of them men out of the watch tower and form up in front of the gate,¡± he paused for a second as he thought of something ¡°tell them too keep there swords sheathed, until tools other wise. Now get to it.¡± ¡°Yes sir¡±. The sound of running and the scrambling of men could be heard behind the tribune as he stood there watching the women approach at leisurely paste.__________________________________________________________________________________ ¡°Holt, and be recognized,¡± said the soldier in front of me. I pulled on the reigns slowing the Gila to a stop, it snarled at the man in front of it drool falling from its open mouth, serrated teeth gleaming in the mid morning sun. However the man made no move too react just a tightening of his palm around the pommel of his gladius ready too draw at a moment''s notice. ¡°What is your business in the city¡± he asked after a moment of silence too stare at me, my 2 selected guards and our mounts. I took a moment also too stare at him and the soldier¡¯s lined up behind him ready for action, some with shields at the ready and a few having there swords drawn. While the rest had spears clenched in hands or bows with arrows nocked. ¡°I''m here on business I answered,¡± starring the man in the eye allowing a little of my true eye color too show. Causing the man to swallow the bile in his throat. ¡°What¡¯s it to you, what I''m doing,¡± I asked him. ¡°All visitors must be questioned and searched before entrance into the city it''s allowed. Especially armed and armored individuals riding monstrous animals around like it''s a normal than too do.¡± He said making a pointed look at the Gilas we where riding. I nodded before hoping down and waving at the two behind me to also get down. ¡°I understand how long will this take, I have much too do today,¡± I asked opening up a couple of satchels attached to the saddle. ¡°Not long at all,¡± he answered waving a few soldiers forward to begin the search. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind me asking where you would get these mounts from.¡± Came his voice as I turned too stop the Gila from taking a chunk out of a soldier who got too close to its head. ¡°Why, my family breeds and raises them in honor of the Goddess Trivia tribune, it is tribune correct,¡± I asked turning back. ¡°Yes ma¡¯am¡± ¡°Well as I was saying tribune, my family breeds these magnificent creatures in service of our goddess for the eventual time when she allows us to participate in the wars of men.¡± Came the pre-planned lie. ¡°Oh really, so you are all priestess at done temple nearby. I didn''t know there where any temple¡¯s dedicated too Trivia around here.¡± he said as a soldier came up to him and said it was all clear. He waved him off and continued to stare at me. ¡°In fact I didn''t know the temples of Trivia had an army.¡± Perceptive one this man is I thought too my self. ¡°Yes, you are correct at least you would have been correct if this was a few months earlier. This was a recent proclamation from our goddess. I said, hoping up into the saddle signaling that I was ready too go. ¡°Yes, well I''m afraid I''ll have too ask you too keep your mounts out of the city walls.¡± He said motioning to the size where a few horses where currently staked ¡°we can''t allowed armed individuals to ride into the city, all must walk from hear too where ever. It¡¯s just a deterrent just in case they start trouble and try to flee.¡± He said with an apologetic expression on his face. I nodded my head before hopping down again from the saddle. ¡°Casella watch the mounts, Nexium with me,¡± I said walking past the soldiers by the gate. Sounds of confirmation ranged behind me as I stepped beyond the gates to get my first look at the city. ¡°What a shithole¡±, I think as the smell of manure and unwashed bodies flowed into my nose making me gag on reflex. ¡°First thing I¡¯ll do when I began the conquest is burn this place to the ground¡± I mumble to myself. ¡°Nexium, lead the way to the slave markets,¡± I order stepping over a pile of horse shit. ¡°Yes ma¡¯am, this way¡± she says leading me through a bunch of twist and turns pushing sometimes punching people out of the way as she guided my through the crowded streets filled with people. Most of them refugees coming from the north as the Gaul¡¯s continue pushing south. We arrived at the slave markets after about 30 minutes of walking through crowded street. I looked around and wasn¡¯t impressed with what I saw. Dirty malnourished slaves in cages to the left, with a big crowd of people standing in front of a stage yelling at an auctioneer currently presenting a group of male slaves. What a despicable bunch of people. ¡°Can I help you two¡± says a voice to my left. I look over to see a man in a dark blue toga standing with a rolled up scroll and a slave standing next to him. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m here to buy, show me what¡¯s in stock,¡± I explained tossing up and down a purse heavy with gold. I could practically see the money sign flashing in his eyes as they followed the rise and fall of the bag. Look at him practically has drool dripping from his lip. He clears his throat before waving me over to the cages. ¡°What type of slaves are you looking for, pleasure slaves, work slaves, servants, male or female¡± he asked standing in front of the cages with his arms waving at certain cages as his list of the types. ¡°I¡¯m looking for all types only female, ages 16 to 30. All must be in good condition body wise doesn¡¯t matter if they¡¯re sick unless there moments away from death and wont survive a short journey.¡± I tell him throwing the purse of gold to him, ¡°Give me as many as that¡¯ll give me and don¡¯t try to cheat me I¡¯ll find out and you¡¯ll not make it through the night.¡± I threaten moving to the cages looking in on the cowering people. They where mostly paled skinned a few where darker in color about a light tan with some being really dark. I performed a slow walk around mentally assigning them jobs, just like the first group
Clinicus 10 A doctor usually following the legions
Legionnaire x 90 Heavy infantry
Sagettarii x 30 Archers, including horse riding archers.
Medicus x6 A combat Medic or Physician
TOTAL 136
¡°How long do you supposed this will take Nexium¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know ma¡¯am depends on how much that purse of gold was worth¡± she answers keeping an eye on the people around us making sure nobody looked threatening. ¡°Well I need you to do something, here¡¯s a bag of gold search the city for some carts and a group of people to drive them. I¡¯ll defer to your judgment on how many we will need. Also try to get some additional supplies I¡¯m tired of eating food from the food processors.¡± ¡°Yes ma¡¯am¡± she said catching the bag of gold before leaving the slave market. Ahh such fidelity these prospects. I continued to look into the cages for another 10 minutes before joining the crowd of men in front of the stage. I was there for another 2 hours before the man from the entrance came to tell me that my order was ready. I followed him to a building outside the market that was filled with women in a few cages. ¡°How much did all of them cost?¡± ¡°About 600 Denarii, not to mention house tax and the cost of the cages. So about 750 Denarii.¡± Just about how much was in the bag. ¡°You don¡¯t mind if check them do you.¡± ¡°No, not at all,¡± he said watching her. For the next hour or so I slowly checked them over and was pleased. When I finished I heard some commotion outside. Sounded like a bunch of horse¡¯s stampeding around and some men yelling. Nexium came through the front door to tell me everything was ready. I allowed her and the hired help to move the women to the carts outside. . ¡°Did you encounter any trouble?¡± ¡°No ma¡¯am¡±¡­. ¡°People were actually throwing themselves and their children at me, for the sake of a paying job that didn¡¯t involve prostitution for the women and mercenary work for the males.¡± ¡°How much are you paying them?¡± ¡°About 15 Danrii for a day''s work." ¡°Good I want to outside the city¡¯s gates no later than sun down¡± ¡°Understood ma¡¯am, I¡¯ll see to it¡¯s done.¡¯