AN: Latin is a dead language, as dead as dead can be. It killed off all the Romans, but now it's killing ME!
It's a fun little quip. Anyways, thank you all for reading thus far. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to voice them.
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I manipulated the Mirror Portal to allow him a viewing of the still living, dissected body of the wolf-bear hybrid before my person. This, of course, garnered the attentions of my Undying pair in the space, who simply watched with a sliver of nervousness between them. This was so, as they believed I or Brutus would punish them for such a thing. However, this notion was far from my mind, as I had naught, but praise and high pride for them. Even going as far as to openly voice my thoughts did not sway their nervousness. Instead, it seemed to increase it as my Lich had not spoken a word this entire time.
When he did, however, it was simply a query of whether or not he was allowed to stand by my side to view the body with his own eyes. In the end, he was allowed over, but with a great many restrictions. For one, he was not allowed to leave the space without my explicit permission, as the world outside would view him as a monster meant to be destroyed. This would hasten my plans for the city's destruction, yes, but I did not desire it so just yet. Instead, he would have unfettered access to anything and everything that walks through the tent's entrance. Whether it be a curious animal, or that which held much intellect.
For the time being, however, he would explore the body before us, and find out if it was possible to duplicate such a feat. "Make sure you record it all down," my voice shook the space around us, as I began my short trek towards the entrance, "as I will want to recreate it as well."
Upon my exiting the tent, and making my way towards our small market, I was surrounded almost immediately by farmers, clothiers, blacksmiths, and the like. All with varying degrees of hostility or begging. Those who were hostile demanded I leave so that they may provide for their families, as my wares were far too cheap for them to match with the prices of ore being so high. To this, I merely raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why are you complaining so, when I have ores and fabrics waiting to be sold to those of whom know of how to utilise them to the fullest?"
This query caused many to fall into silence, as I ushered them towards a stall with a pair of very bored dwarves. Once they came upon them, they perked up and began chatting quite rapidly. This seemed to confuse those of whom expressed hostility moments ago, as they were ushered towards several boxes which were opened to reveal a wide variety of silks, cloth, linen, and hemp. Whereas another dwarf opened up several iron crates to reveal the various ores and bars used mainly in the making of art, arms, and armour.
This then led to a bidding war, as they all desired the contents, but would not allow their rivals to take it. However, I intervened, of which caused the greedy dwarves to moan towards my person. "Every item has a set price of four copper pennies per item and chunk. When buy in bulk, their prices are a silver coin per kilogram, or one gold coin of your currency for fifty kilograms. If one has a gold Disc, which is this," I held up one of the large gold coins I gave to those of whom desire to venture into the city, "Then this person will receive two hundred kilograms for turning one of those coins."
These words of mine sparked the fires within their eyes, more so for the clothiers, as these prices extended to their needed materials as well. Of which caused many to leave in order to bring back their hand carts and wagons to begin the process of purchasing of my product. However, many expressed a desire to know if I have enough for all of them. To which I replied with, "My crates and boxes are imbued with spells to hold more than what is seen." This short explanation seemed to quell their curious and anxious minds, as they rushed from my sight in order to bring back their own carts and wagons.
After addressing such an issue, I turned towards those of whom came to beg. Of which I expressed a query as to why they would deign to stoop so low as to beg others for necessities. These then spoke of how their taxes were much higher than the cycle before, so there was less food and coin left over. This caused them to become full of despair, until they heard rumours of my person, and how my prices were set low to almost free. Thus, they came in droves in order to take advantage of such a thing, but many appeared to have lost much of their coin to robbers, bandits, and thieves.
Of course, many could be lying in order to receive a free meal from what they assumed was a gentle soul. However, I was far from gentle, and would only give handouts to children or their starving families. These before my person appeared, for the most part, to be somewhat well fed. Many even had a wide variety of muscles hidden beneath their dirtied clothing. Of which caused my person to grow bother curious and annoyed. Those of whom were spotted as well fit were placed off to the side for work amongst my servants, and were to be heavily watched by my Dolls. Of whom were each in the shape of a raven or crow. Certainly, many would not believe they were capable of doing much, but each of my dolls were made up of iron and stone, and were each capable of causing great harm to those that were considered as "enemies".
As to the others, who were much more bare of muscle and fat, these were centered off to another part of my small market. Here, each was to tell me of their families, if they had any. This included their number, how much land they had, and if there were any livestock that were under their care.
Yes. I took care of their needs, and even gave away a few of my gold Discs to each of them. All were in tears when hand carts ladened with food and other items, such as cloths for clothing and diapers for small children, appeared before their eyes. Each one came with its own protector in the form of a Doll in shaped armour. Every one of these armours came in a variety of shapes and sizes, from quadruped animals, to bipedal beastfolk.
"These are my mindless servants, and will keep you safe until you are home once more," my voice rumbled gently throughout the air about them. To which many called my person "Lord" or "Great Lord" afterwards, although many did inquire as to what my name was. To which I merely replied with, "I am Canis Dei."
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Between the north gate and the houses of stone which the nobles call home lies the marketplace where everyone may sell and buy their goods. Although the area had seen better days, it still held a few scatterings of stalls which still sold smaller items to those still willing to buy. Those not willing left by way of the gate in order to venture into the small market run by the odd beastman. Of whom was the current talk of the town, and not just about his looks and wares. Instead, many merchants had gathered within a large warehouse in order to discuss the decline in their profits. The main cause of which was the being outside their walls.
A large, 'U' shaped table was set up to accommodate those who desired to express their displeasure about such things, although many had opted out due to the fact that such a being killed one of their own in front of witnesses. Not only that, the crown decided to go against bringing such a being up on charges of murder. Of which would have sentenced the beastman to death, and would have caused many to become elated at such an event.
Now, however? Many were fuming, as the one outside had eluded such a thing. Not to mention the riots which would have ensued, had the reigning monarch gone through with wanting to execute him. For the populace was grateful for the low prices which he sold his wares.
"This is a blatant attack upon our standings," growled an old male Rat-kin, of whom wore the most expensive outfit of purple and gold about his frail, white and black spotted body, "This thing came here to sell, but now he's gone and flooded the market with his cheap wares and expensive coin."
"Not to mention the fact that he charges outrages prices for us, but practically gives his products away to everyone else," agreed a stork-like Avian female, who wore a simple gown of vibrant, green silk which barely concealed anything.
"Yes, but what are we to do?" Spoke up one who was much younger than the former pair. This being was a lion beastwoman, of whom was barely an adult by their standards, but inherited her position from the one the odd beastman slew when it threatened his servants. The female who spoke, by the by, also wore a simple gown of silk, but was the colour of freshly fallen snow laced with strands of gold, and also revealed far too much.
"Those thugs this council sent to disrupt his market were found out almost as soon as they spoke up. Instead of being turned away, killed, or given to the guards, they were given a job, food, and pay of one of their large gold coins a day."
"Speaking of his gold," whispered a soft voice, as a squeaking cart was pushed forward into the centre of the 'U' shaped table. The one who held such a soft voice was a male of the Ol'ruu, of which are a type of lesser beastfolk whose forms are much like the shrews of our world of Terra. However, they are much larger, and are far more intelligent given their size. They wear nothing about themselves, and instead rely on their coarse, black hair and fur in order to cover their sensitive parts.
This one came from the city's bank, and was head of a department which is in charge of minting the coins needed for every day purchasing of goods. Upon the cart, however, was a large collection of weights and scales. Sitting atop one of the more larger scales was a gold Disc, but without a counter balance.
"This right here," he spoke softly, gently lifting the Disc for everyone to see, "is what is called a gold Disc. This Disc, by the way, is ninety-nine point nine, nine, nine percent pure gold."
Voices erupted into disbelief, as all heard such words spoken. This would go on for several moments more, before a large tiger beastman roared a great roar which silenced all of them. "Thank you, A'lan," muttered the Rat-kin, who massaged its ears slowly, "Now then, continue please."
The Ol'ruu nodded slowly as his clawed hands placed the Disc in front of those of whom sat at the head of such a strange table. "If I may direct you to this small scroll," reaching within his thick fur, the odd shrew pulled out a small scroll and unfurled it to reveal an incantation for an identification spell. "This is a minour spell anyone can use, and it is often used in our department to find out the purities of coins, and to note the fakes.
"However," he held up a single foreclaw, stalling anymore thoughts, "However, upon using this spell we've noted something odd."
"What was odd?" Asked the lion beastwoman, whose held cocked to one side with eyes full of curiosity.
"Watch." This was all he said, as the his next words flowed outwards in the form of a spell. Of which targeted the gold Disc atop the table. Once it was complete, a cackling of crimson energies lashed out of the disk and into the form of a clawed hand. This hand then formed itself as though it were holding a tool for writing, and etched a series of strange words along the edge of the coin's face.
These words read, "Et Vocabunt Nomen Eius In Nos, Deus Venenum Nostra Mortali".
"What do these odd letterings mean?" Asked the Rat-kin, of whom had leaned over just as the strange hand vanished into the coin. It was not the only one, as those nearest it leaned forwards, whilst the rest had gathered round the coin.
"It roughly translates into, 'Upon his name do we invoke, our Dying God of Poison." Once spoken aloud, however, the centre of the coin, though devoid of any characters or faces, now held an imprint of a dragon's skull. Upon the other side were a pair of words stamped into the face, "Ego Sum. I am... Come," whispered the Ol'ruu. Of whom fled the building with great fear, as a voice unheard of boomed with great laughter, which caused the entirety of the warehouse to shake and collapse.