“My lord, welcome to the Kilien mansion. I take full responsibility for not receiving you properly, my lord.”
“10 lashes…” Bhenkumbyrznaax begins to speak with contempt but is cut off by Crixus.
“Bhenk, my dear, we did not whip anyone, remember our conversation. Even though there is no problem, we arrived by surprise and without warning. Mr. Evaran could take over the tour of the house, Mr. Joavan must have other matters to attend to while we get to know my house.”
“I leave you in the capable hands of Mr. Evaran.” Joavan cannot hide his relief at leaving the oppressive presence of the group. He knew that Mr. Crixus was a wealthy merchant or ex-mercenary, pirate perhaps. But 6 wives, but such a large number of bodyguards and on top of that well equipped.
The group begins to move. But before turning around he seems to speak in his head. “See you again at lunchtime, Mr. Joavan, is that okay? You are invited and you can bring your wife.” He bows to the group’s back. “Thank you very much, Mr. Crixus, but I don’t have a wife.” He stands up and sees that the group has already moved to another room. The Kilien mansion is a 3-story building, with the third floor being the attic and the master bedroom in a small tower. It is located on the outskirts of the capital Lundine. It has 51 rooms, 8 bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, three common bathrooms, and occupies an area of 2 acres. It had been closed for 10 years. It was bought for a relatively low price when its former owner was murdered along with his family by rival merchants. Since it is outside the walls, it is between a 30 and 40 minute walk from the main gate of the capital’s walls and is therefore outside the protected area. But it is a good property, one of the best that a common citizen can buy without being a nobleman or an important official of the kingdom. Taking advantage of the fact that he was left behind, he goes out into the street and walks to a nearby tavern where he pays a few bucks for a runner to go to the orphanage and tells the Mother that Mr. Crixus is in town and will probably pay a visit. Now he has to run and buy some decent clothes, if all goes well he will soon be getting married. Six wives and four bodyguards!!!
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It took an hour for Crixus' entourage to get to know his new home. It was a beautiful and solid mansion, but it needed urgent repairs and maintenance while he talked about some things that Mr. Evaran would do, buying a carriage for each wife, horses and a group of maids for each of his wives, in addition to hiring someone to build a pool and start the renovations.
Hethress went to a separate room to tell Mrs. Marina the new family's preferences.
Crixus walked away with his bodyguards, when the wives began to decide which room each would stay in.
Dangerous subject, very dangerous.
Crixus heads to a balcony that overlooks the street on the second floor of the mansion. The four guards take strategic positions on the balcony while he sits at a table on the balcony. Soon one of the maids comes and asks Crixus if he wants anything. He asks for tea to pass the time. Through the link he sees that the wives are still arguing but still in a civilized manner, with Ingath being the one who puts up the most obstacles. Being a former Queen she is still adapting to being the 6th wife. Humility has never been her strong point, but she will learn. Crixus liked the house, but now looking at it more calmly he would like a larger plot of land where he could build an orphanage and a school along with a larger mansion. He will definitely need a larger house if he really wants to have a wife of each race. A library, he needs to go to a library to get an idea of how many there will be. He starts to laugh as he drinks his tea. Through the link, all family members feel the good mood of their creator and are also in a good mood, even the wives feel the tension decrease and reach an agreement about the bedrooms.
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In the dining room, which is 10m by 12m, full of details and refinement. Dark wood is present in the furniture, such as imposing tables, chairs upholstered with pastel-colored brocades and sideboards with carved details. The walls are covered with frescoes, paintings or rugs in wine or dark green tones. The heavy velvet curtains follow the same tones, but already show signs of age, as do the decorative rugs. Crystal chandeliers and brass candelabras illuminate the room, creating a cozy and elegant atmosphere.
The dining table is the center of attention, usually with a solid wood top and seating for 16 guests. Silver cutlery and fine china were placed on an immaculately white linen tablecloth. Arrangements of fresh flowers in white porcelain vases with red details decorated the table.
Crixus sat at the head of the table, with his first wife on the opposite side and to his right were his wives in order of “arrival”, next to him was Akaos, in the 4 rooms of the room were his bodyguards.
The house was a veritable hive of activity. Today was the lord of the house's first day. Everything had to go as smoothly as possible. Mr. Evaran was indignant for having failed to receive Mr. Crixus and his family and was putting all his chips on lunch, the servants felt the pressure, they knew they could lose their jobs if the lord of the house was displeased. Many were still surprised that Mr. Crixus was a “Knife”, the slang used by the lower classes to call the elves. And none of them had laid eyes on a black knife, who were generally slaves of the elite, brought from the exotic and distant continent of Xok'al and bought by the wealthiest nobles. Some even thought about leaving the house to work elsewhere, for fear of having their reputation tarnished. But it was a thought, insignificant compared to the harsh reality: it was difficult to find work in a good house. And everyone saw the wealth demonstrated by Mr. Crixus. His entourage and number of wives were well above what was common for a baron, he was on the same level as a viscount.
Money and sex... two of the biggest engines of the continent of Zeisibar.
The servants enter the room and place the meals while Mr. Evaran announces which dishes are being served. Mr. Joavan is on Crixus' left side and in the middle of the table. He doesn't know how to behave, he has never had contact with the nobility or such rich merchants. He waits to copy the others. Crixus, sitting at the head of the table, searches among the family's minds how to start lunch. He finds the memories of King Velbog IV. The aroma of roast lamb and exotic spices hung in the air, mingling with the scent of fresh flowers that adorned the imposing dining room table. The afternoon sunlight streamed in through the arched windows, bathing the scene in a bluish glow.
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At the center of the table, Crixus, his eyes roaming the table, his face serious.
"My dears," Crixus began, his voice calm, "It is with great joy that I welcome you to this new home. A new chapter begins for our family, and may this home be filled with happiness, prosperity, and, above all, unity."
A chorus of "Crixus" echoed through the room, accompanied by applause and smiles.
"As you know," Crixus continued, "this mansion was purchased with the dedication of our family. It is a symbol of our prosperity and a legacy for future generations. I hope each of you, my family, will enjoy its fruits."
The first wife, Hethress, smiled fondly. "Husband," she said, "this mansion is a gift to the entire family, but it is only a small symbol of your greatness. May peace and prosperity reign in your halls."
Queen Ingath, known for her beauty and intelligence, added, "Your Majesty, the beauty of this mansion reflects the beauty of your soul. May joy and happiness flourish here." Meikosil, the more reserved and introverted, simply nodded, her eyes shining with admiration.
Akaos, a man of keen mind, stood and said, "A toast to father's visions!"
The lawyer looked at the man who stood up and looked at Mr. Crixus and thought, Father. You can never tell age with these knives, but following his lord's son, he also stood and joined the toast, as did everyone in the room.
Crixus smiled, pleased with his family's words. "I thank you all for your kind words," he said. "May this day be remembered as the day our family was united under a new roof, and may prosperity and happiness accompany us for many years to come." He raised his silver goblet, filled with red wine. "To our family, to our future, victory!" Everyone present raised their goblets, toasting the health of the new lord of the mansion and the new home. The sound of laughter and cheerful conversation filled the room, creating an atmosphere of happiness and togetherness.
“Mr. Joavan, I really liked the property and Mr. Evaran, the servants, under your leadership, are to be congratulated, my compliments to the “chef”.”
“Thank you, sir.” Mr. Evaran says in a serious and sober tone.
“Mr. Joavan, I am thinking of buying a large rural property, where I can build or already have a larger property, to accommodate my wives and future wives – at this point four pairs of eyes focus on Crixus, he quickly changes the subject and continues – and where I can build an orphanage and a school for 1000 students, I would like you to make this available to me.”
Joavan, who was between bites, almost choked and then took a sip of his glass of wine. “Mr. Crixus, rural properties can only be owned by noble people, of the size you want, at least a baron title is necessary.”
“Can’t you buy one?” Crixus speaks very naturally, and remembers that in his past life he had bought one from a place called Sealand.
“Eeehhh... Mr. Crixus, I don’t know how these things are in your homeland, but here in the Talay Empire, titles cannot be bought, not officially.”
“Explain better, Mr. Joavan.” Crixus asks, having barely touched his dishes and drink. Leaving the Chief Butler worried.
“You cannot buy titles, that is a fact, but you can marry the daughter of a bankrupt nobleman and if within a year the daughter of this nobleman becomes pregnant and it is confirmed that it is a boy, the lands and the title will go to the male. If this does not happen, the property and the title will go to the closest male relative on the paternal line. It is a risky move that few merchants are willing to make. But even if you are, this type of bankrupt nobleman would not be easy to find in the vicinity of the capital, but I can look for one.”
“Hhuuuummm. Do it!” Without any signal, Akaos takes out a large bag, the size of one used to carry a meal of cheese and bread, and places it in front of Joavan.
He takes the bag and discreetly opens the bag on his lap. Inside he sees at least 3 handfuls of rubies. “Today I will look for a matchmaker.”
At that, 4 voices say together, “We will go with you.” Joavan looks at his master’s wives and then at him, who seems to have lost something on his plate.
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The dust of the arena, terracotta and dried blood, fluttered beneath the gladiators' feet. Two criminals, thin and wounded, faced each other with fury and desperation, their swords clanging against the armor of the two executioners, imposing and implacable, waiting for the moment to deliver the right blow, their heavy rapiers, heavy “swords” 2 meters long and without a sharp edge, but with a point as fine as a needle and hard as a diamond, shining under the scorching sun.
In the almost empty stands, two body merchants watched the spectacle with eager eyes.
"These two are weak, but their blood is good. They would make great soldiers," one commented, with a cruel smile.
"Yes, and this other one - with the scar on his face - would make a miner." agreed the other, gesturing to one of the arena's drink vendors.
"But the real jewel is marriage. The prince and princess marrying the heroic brothers,” said the first, with a tone of admiration.
“A masterstroke, isn’t it? Uniting the prince and princess and the heroic ones, oh, the heroic ones... life is never fair, rich and powerful, and now with those two magnificently beautiful beings,” laughed the second, with a hint of sarcasm.
“And with the gladiators, especially. I imagine the next festival will be grand. I heard that the crown prince wants to give his younger brother the champion of the games and a complete set of the best 4-legged and 2-legged "stallions" as a gift,” observed the first, with a sparkle in his eyes and he began to laugh.
“Indeed, indeed. A feast for the eyes and the soul,” concluded the second, satisfied.
The fight in the arena continued, a ballet of blood and pain. The two criminals, Kondamnita gladiators, wounded and exhausted, clung to life, fighting with all their strength. But the fight was unequal, they were fighting against a pair of Retiuloj, armed with a fine-tipped spear and a net, and the end was inevitable.
The body traders watched the scene impassive, imagining the price they could get for those bodies once the dust settled.
And in the blink of an eye, each of the Kondamnita gladiators received 2 meters of steel in the heart, dying in a few seconds.
A perfect FATALITY.