Rex sat on his chair, laid back and eyes closed. And as the two sisters were talking over his offer, there was a single though at the very forefront of his mind. A rather simple one at that.
'How did it come to this?' Rex asked himself in his mind, entirely sure he had no innitial desire for Mora. Sure, she was an exeptional beauty, with a hint of exoticness than none of his current women possesed. The unqiue appearance did give her, and her sister for that matter, an extra allure, but was that enough to entice him? Was he so trully shallow that all he cared about was the appearance of the fairer sex? He would have liked to think he was at least a bit better than that.
Thankfully, both sisters had enough to talk about, weighting his offer, so Rex could delve deeper, pinpointing the exact moment of his dragonic greed trully awakened, setting gis sight on the sisters. Yes, the first point was the moment both of them stepped out of their carriage and appeared before him in these beautifull, yet modest dresses. That, and the knowledge he possesed regarding the snake was the deciding factor in his invitation to converse out of the sight prying eyes. That, and the desire to tease both women as they with those trully enticing outfits.
And then, it hit him. The realization of the moment that trully awakened his greed for the duo. When Xersia spoke of the probable cause of the snakes attack, the one that would have killed Mora, and broken her sister. His pride, for a lack of a better word, could not afford another similar event, resulting in the suffering of decent and beautifull women. Sure, they were headstrong and independant, but that only added to their beauty, or so Rex believed. Yes, his desire for them awakened for two reasons. Now it made perfect sense. They are exceptional beauties, and capable in their own right, as well as in need of a reliable wall to weather the storm. They were trully beautifull flowers, in danger of being plucked and defiled. Rex, in this metaphor, was a passing by collector of flowers, his desire to add them to his garden, where they would be safe and could bloom to perfection, awakened by said sight.
'At least I still have some semblence of a sapient creature.' he sighed with relief in his mind, happy that he could still controll his mental faculties, just that his dragonic traits were showing more and more as he became stronger. He would have to reevaluate most of his decisions going forward, to ensure he did not become an entirely different person from what he was, allowing his bloodline to dictate who he would become in the end. Luckaly, or sadly, he was roused from his little introspection, as Xersia adressed him with a question, their own talk having reached some sort of a road block, or a crossroad.
"Say, what is it that would be expected of us, should we agree to your offer?"
"Hm? Nothing much, to be honest. I would like you to live alongside my other girls and get along with them, hopefully helping them grow in whatever way they want, while you yourselves strive for the same. then, obviously, nights spent together, engaging in rather pleasurable sexual activities. Of course, should you wish to spend some time during the days I am around, that too is acceptable, should you want for some other joint actions. I dont think there is much else that comes to mind right this instant."
"Thats it? You dont need us to rule over some territories, lead armies or anything the like?" Mora then asked.
"Would you like to? Because, if so, I can probably create an army of blood constructs for you, or just reasign a part of the one I already have."
"No, no no, thank you but I would rather pass!" Mora quickly spoke, less Rex decide on it.
"Honestly, I did not plan to make such an offer innitially, though due to your beaty, as well as the nefarious schemes that seem to surround you, my dragonic instincts kicked in before I realized, and well, here we are. Though I do not regret that they did in this instance. So, anything else you would like to ask?"
"And if we agree, will you still offer that mercenary deal to our people?"
"Yes, that has not changed. I could, should you agree to my proposal, and ask me to, give the dragonkin a rather decent discount, once we come to an agreement."
"Just like that?" Xersia asked then, her eyebrow slightly raised.
"What can I say." Rex smiled at the two sisters. "The things I do for my women."
"And you would not try to seperate us?
"If you two so wish, you could even always tag team me during our nightly encounters in the bedroom. I already have a mother-daughter elven duo in my hoard who do exactly that. I dont mind being feared, when it comes to strangers, but I want my women to smile and be as happy as they can be around me and the other girls. As I said, I am quite greedy indeed. Once again, my dragon bloodline shining through and through."
Another few minutes went by, when the two women finally came to a decision.
"We are willing to agree to your proposal, but there will be a few conditions." Xersia spoke.
"Lets hear them." Rex replied, opened his eyes, focused on her as he leaned forward, his full attention on the next words coming.
"We will become engaged. A promise to become yours, though before that actually happens we want your assistance in taking care of the tigermen horde, as well as the ones responsible for the orchistrated attack. We want to also be able to chose any of the duties we can perform as members of your hoard. Lastly, we want to be able to move around freely. Your world is no doubt quite different than we are used to. We would like to explore what it has to offer. So, are our terms acceptable?"
"So, regarding the first part. As long as dragonkin council do not act hostile and are trying to find an acceptable price that satisfies us both, it is only natural that I would assist. Of that you do not have to worry. Even should they act that way, i might end up helping regardless, though the cost will be much greater, most likely not given willingly at the end either. Regarding the second point, as long as you dont expect to take over the jobs my girls have taken as their own, I dont see why not. The last one is the trickiest. As for the freedom to travel and roam the world, that is something that, unfortunately, I cannot agree with. Not in the capacity and shape that you have expressed. I care too much for both safety and presence of my girls, so while they are not locked in a tower or a cave per say, there are quite a few rules that they have to abide by, should they wish for some travel and world experience, though so far they only have requested the freedom to exlore this dungeon we are currently in. Something I have approved, though there are always quite a few of my own personal observers with them, ensuring that their lives are never trully in danger. If that is something that you cant abide by, it is better that we end this discussion of ours now."
Rex's words were calm, but firm, stating his iron clad stance on this particular issue, proving his rather possesive and overprotective nature of his hoard and people in general, but to be entirely certain that it was indeed his nature when it came to everyone within his shade, Xersia asked another question.
"Do you have similar rules for your servants, or slaves as well?"
"Of course. I like my people, no matter their supposed station, with a single exception, find their lives within my mansions quite pleasant, at the very least. A servant that adores their master is much more reliable and hardworking in return. A philosophy I go by quite a lot."
"And this exclusion would be?"
"Ahh, yes. To put bluntly, they are the remains of a nation that hunted down and exterminated, often after prolongued torture, people with a certain set of mutations. So, in return I had a small incursion in their lands, wiped a few cities and quite a few villages off of the face of the planet, including their capital, well mostly anyways, and enslaved quite the number of their people. Needless to say, their treatment is notably different than others, what with most of them not even being my own slaves."
"While it does sound rather harsh, I can see how you would reach such a conclusion." Xersia spoke then, her outlook as a leader of a noble house much more nuanced and flexible.
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"Though I have to say, your answers are quite pleasing, regarding the conditions we set, when it comes to our possible joining your hoard. Had you accepted them unilateraly, or even implied that you would be okey with them as they are for the time being, we would have doubted your sincerity, expecting there to be some sinister plot behind your desire. The fact that you are openly stating your own stance, as well as the inaability to comply with some of our demands, shows your genuine desire for us. It also proves that you had do not wish to force us into it either. With all that taken into consideration...." Xersia paused as she looked Rex over, as if thinking on something, untill Mora rolled her eyes and finished her sisters sentence.
"YES, we would like to accept your proposal. Sheesh sister, why make it so dramatic. I did not take you for one of them!"
"Come now sister, its not often you get to playfully mess around with a being that powerfull, and not incur their anger for it."
Rex smiled at the response and then they spent another thirty minutes or so talking over the specifics of the rings the two sisters would recieve. Then, since it was still not too late, they left the house, all three of them entering the carriage, with Xersia giving their coachman the location they would go to. They talked about more mundane things during the ride, with both sisters every now and then pointing to a building they passed, explaining its significance and history. In less than another hour, they had reached their destination.
The trio exited their carriage and were in front of a nicely maintained and well shaped three story building, made in the same seamless manner as all the other buildings, though this one had a sign above the door. Something Rex easily understood, though it was hard not to. The rather large diamond shaped mosaic stated the buildings purpose far too well, and Rex could do nothing else but to apreciate the masterfully assembled pieces of the crystals within the sign. Trully, it was made with care and precision. Nothing like the simple spears and bows that the hunters used, Moras one not including. That particular one, while looking similar to the others, was wastly different. Made of significantly better materials and made to resemble the poorly made ones of the rest of the squad.
"The Crown jewel. The best jewel and accessory makers shop for generations. There is simply no other in comparison. If one wants to make a statement, they come here. Of course, that also comes with the relevant price tag." Mora explained, a certain glint reflecting in her eyes. A glint that Rex also saw in the older sisters eyes, so he just shrugged and replied.
"Thanks to our little conversation along the way, I know that I am more than just loaded. So, lets go inside and see what catches your eyes shall we?" His hood was once again hiding his facial features, neither of the trio desiring to atrract a crowd of gawkers, who would blatantly stare at Rex.
As Rex opened the door, signaling for the girls to enter, a rather pleasant and soft chime resounded throughout the first floor. Rex also sensed a rather light and relaxing snect flowing outside through the opened door. What came into his view as he entered was rather impressive as well. The room was rather large and spacious, leaving the middle quite empty, with only a single glass case on a pedestal in the very center. In said glass case stood a rather large jewel, shining in all the colours of the rainbow, the patterns on said jewel changing every now and then. Lined along the walls, except the one where a counter and stairs behind it were located, quite large shelfs, all with their own glass cases were arranged, displaying countless already made jewelery pieces.
Both women, walked over to one and started inspecting the contents, quite a few different rings displayed in that one. A short while later, when sister had moved onto another shelf, discussing things among themselves, a rather aged, yet well dressed man aproached them. Earning their attention, he slightly bowed to Xersia, and nodded slightly in Moras dirrection, neither seemed to be offended by the light form of greeting.
"Greetings lady Heavenflame. What fortuitous event has brought you and your sister to our lovely little setablishement? Is there any way I can be of assistance?" The elder man asked in a polite tone, a friendly smile gracing his lips.
"Indeed you could." Xersia spoke. "Do you perhaps have some trisinium rings, with adamantium, or manaforged adamantium ones?"
"Unfortunately, there are no manaforged adamantium ones in stock currently, as they are incredibly expensive to make, as lady no doubt knows. Thus, we only make custom ones when an order is being placed."
"And how long would it take to be created, were a couple to be ordered?"
"At the very least a few weeks, lady Heavenflame. The mana infusion is too intensive on our master crafters, unfortunately."
"Are they supercharging adamantium with mana, providing it with several exceptional magical properties like light size manipulation as well as a minor space storage?" Rex asked, having messed with the material a bit a few times before. The material was rather universal, appearing every now and then even in the world outside the dungeons. Though it was still notoriously hard to work with, thus only leaving the most stubborn and masterfull of the smiths and jewelers to work with said material, should the need arise. Still, the product always turned out to be exceptional, only divine materials standing on equal, or slightly higher position and reverance.
"Why yes sir, that is precisely so." The man answered, his hehad slightly turned towards Rex. The mans eyes bulged out of his skull as Rex withdrew a piece of adamantium ore, shimmering and thrumming with incredible mana charge.
"This should be moroe than enough for a couple of rinsg, yes? Do not worry, it has been charged to its capacity, slightly below the overcharge state. It should be perfectly primed for the smelting and molding. Would this make it possible to make them faster?"
"I would have to confer with the master smiths regarding that. Would you be willing to waitt foor a while while I do so?"
"Sure thing. Go ahead. The ladies here will no doubt find the rest of this collection enough of a distraction for the time being." Rex replied, a slight hint of amusement and dread in his voice.
"Hmm, seems that long shopping trips might be his weak point sister." Xersia whispered in the ear of her sister, a sly grin forming on their faces. Rex heard it of course, another sigh escaping his mouth. It seemed the two were dead set on messing with him as much as possible, whille maintaining the playfull nature of said games.
What Rex expected to be rather long wait, ended abruptly, as a middle aged man with messy beard and a scar over his cheek rushed out from the back, quickly moving to Rex. Standing in front of him, holding the adamantium ore Rex had provided in front of him, he asked with intensity.
"How did you get iit to this state? We have never managed to achieve such a perfect mana infusion."
"A single mana source, infused with mana to reach this state witthin an hour. Any lower mana infusion rate, and the colour comes out paler, the magical properties weaker as well. Have multipe mana sources and the stability of the mana infusion is lower, once again lowering the magical capabilities. Thats about it?"
The middle aged man fished out another adamantium ore piece from his pocket, this one the size of a thumb, shining in a much paler colour.
"How much more mana, when compared with this one?" he asked as he streatched his hand forward, offering the ore for Rex to examine. Rex wordlessly took the smaller piece of ore and inspected it for a while, turning it around in his hand a few times over the inspection time, even closing his eyes at times.
"A bit difficult to say, the melded mana messing with the calculations, thought if I had to estimate, I would say five or so times more. From a single sourse and within an hour."
His words caused the crafters eyes to bulge, the amount and condiitions clearly shockinh him.
"How is that even possible? Where di you get this sample from then, if the conditions are that harsh? Who could possibly achieve such a feat? never have I seen something this incredible, and you want to use it to craft rings, not some superior blade? Thats preposterous."
"Well, sadly that is the one thing your bloodline is at fault here. Bodies faster and stronger, and at the same time with quite low mana capacity, causing your desperation. I assure you, there are people at Peak S class that could pull it off in the world, if with quite a bit of effort. As for a weapon, I already have one that satisfies me, and the ore is not nearly big enough for a proper weapon. So tell me sir master crafter, could you craft those two rings with utmost haste, should I offer a piece of a similar size as the payment, with just barely worse mana infusion?"
"How much worse?" the crafter asked, eyes narrowed at that, though one of his eyelids twitched and there was the slightest tug on the corners of his lips, the man desperately trying to hold of his forming shit eating grin.
"Four percent worse. So, we got ourselves a deal?"
"Two yes?" the crafter asked, and seeing Rex nod as he pointed towards the sisters, he nodded in reply "Come back when we open tommorow for the rings." With the deal made, he no longer held back the shit eating grin, recieved his own small adamantium piece and dashed back through the door, a loud excited yell resounding all the way back to the shop area.
"POPS! THE DUDE OFFERED ANOTHER TOP NOTCH PIECE FOR THE WORK! THE SUCCER HAS NO IDEA OF ITS WORTH! MUAHAHAHAHAAHA."
The shopkeeper facepalmed himself, clearly embarrased by the whole situation. "My appologies sir for the rather unbecoming words you just heard. I do hope it does not impact our dealings in a negative way. Once again, I deeply apologize on behalf of our fine establishement."
"Meh, I have better stuff than that, so who is the actual sucker here? And no, I cant really take offence from a crafter so in love with his work, always desiring to workk on something more challenging, hoping to advance ever slightly further along in the art. We will return in the morning then."
With that, the trio left the shop, enjoying a rather relaxed conversation where the sisters interrogated him quite a bit about the adamantium as well as all kinds of miscelaneous things, even cracking a joke at the expense of the soldiers that had done a piss poor job to look inconspicious as they tried to follow them during this little trip. Though there was a slight change in the plans. They never brought him back to the small house that he was offered. Rex recieved a room in the mansion of Xersia, his room located in the same hall as the two sisters. With the imminent threat that Mora was now under, Rex did not want to leave anything to chance, what with the sisters having become part of his hoard.