New members for the church
When the knights and burghers entered the city gate of Bamberg, many were puzzled. They wondered why they should not be back tomorrow, especially after a possible victory. But they were relieved to see their men and families back safe and sound. Everything was clean, as if nothing had happened, which caused even more wonderment. The knights and citizens who had gone along were bombarded with questions until finally Mortis came through the gate with his wives and the goddess Primus.
The people immediately knelt down and bowed their heads. Like a chorus, they said, "Greetings, great goddess Argentum Mortuum and Count Mortis." Mortis waved to his people and went sometimes to the right and sometimes to the left to greet his citizens. Primus didn't really want to greet anyone, but when she saw an old woman struggling to kneel, she went to her and said, "Good soul, don't bother. If a woman your age stands, no one will blame you." The old woman thanked the goddess and almost had a heart attack, but the goddess just grinned and said, "Don't worry, your time hasn't come yet. And when it comes, don't be afraid. You have lived a good life and will be rewarded with a beautiful afterlife." Then Primus broke away from her and went to Mortis. She whispered to him, "Son, I am here to bring you help. That's why I'm going to make a short speech. Even though you have settled everything on your own, it is now time to carve their loyalty to you in stone."
In the middle of the market, Mortis stopped and loudly announced that he and the goddess had something to report. The citizens were to assemble. The soldiers immediately rushed to get a portable stage and make a place for Mortis and the goddess so that they could be easily seen by all. Mortis wanted to rest, but was asked by Jochen to look for something so he would have an excuse not to go home. Mortis laughed and said, "Well, I'll find something to keep you here for a few days." Mortis' wives, including his mother Primus, talked, and then Primus dropped the next bombshell when she said, "Oh, it looks like you're pregnant too. It seems things are going to be stormy at the castle next year with three grandchildren." Mortis turned and checked for herself, then turned a little pale. Jochen suddenly got in a good mood and said, "Three in one, respect, stud bull. And who are the lucky ones?" Marina replied, "It can only be Kathrin, Valeria and Leonie." Then she stomped off in a huff, and her father, Baron Vincent von Tannenburg, ran after her and said, "Honey, only two more weeks, then it's your turn. Just wait." Jochen looked around and said gloatingly, "Well, it seems the cottage is going faster than you thought. Come to think of it, I'd better get going, or Fiora might get mad. So I'll say goodbye." He made off laughing.
The other two barons quietly slipped away, but they loudly blabbed the news so that it quickly made the rounds. Leonie didn't like this at all, because her father was supposed to be one of the first to know. Now, however, all the people knew before he did. Mortis was not so bothered by it, because he was not yet aware of the effects it would have among his people.
After the stage was ready, Mortis stood on it with Primus, and Primus began to speak, "My children, it is my pleasure to introduce to you these five people who will be working in my church starting today. Since your Count and thus my Champion is not here most of the time, as is Daniel, I have brought three Priests and two Guardians who will provide training for the new classes so that new fighters and healers can rise to the challenge. Priestess Sophia has also joined me and is the head priestess. If her husband is not around you can contact her, otherwise for minor concerns please contact Priest Solus, Priest Gerald or Priest Chen. The guardians are Guardian Matthias and Guardian Obius." A portal opened and five men stepped out, three of them looking like scholars and two like athletes, except they were armed with scythes.
"I hope to receive many requests from young adventurers who wish to receive my blessing and thus the new classes. Thank you." The crowd cheered, especially the young people who had come to Bamberg and were eagerly waiting to see when the training would finally begin and they could receive the blessing.
No sooner had Primus finished her speech than she disappeared through the portal she had created earlier. Now it was Mortis' turn to say something. He cleared his throat and stepped forward, but before he could say anything, the crowd roared with excitement: "Congratulations, Lord! We are happy that life is finally coming to the castle. Blessed be the blessed count!" Mortis would have preferred to sink into the ground, so he smiled slightly mischievously and then gathered himself together to make himself heard. He bellowed, "Silence! I really thank you very much, and I am even more pleased than you are. You can believe that, but first something else. Today we have won a battle, and with this victory we have made history. To thank you for standing so bravely behind me, we're having a huge celebration today, and the mead is on me!" He raised his scythe high, and the crowd cheered. "Now then, men and women, get the tables out, prepare some good food, and get some music. For I too will celebrate with you today!"
As Mortis walked off the stage, he was immediately met by Lumina, who smiled at him and said, "But don't drink too much, my count. We don't want it to end on the third. After all, your next wife is expecting you at full power in two days." "Oh, does she?" said Mortis, pulling Lumina in front of him, where he gave her a kiss in front of everyone. "Yes, Lumina, we know. But now it's my turn," Leonie said, pushing Lumina aside to get a kiss as well. "Oh, the little one is suddenly getting sassy," Lumina said. "The little one is two steps ahead, too," Leonie said, kissing Mortis tenderly.
As Mortis caught his breath, soldiers right beside him said, "Sir, shall we go tell the servants and their wives?" "No, I'm going back to the castle to change anyway. You can all help set up already, and don't forget to set up enough tables for yourselves as well. After all, this is a folk festival that's for everyone, unless he's on duty, in which case he's out of luck. Oh, and bring me a captain or someone higher up in the dining room, as I have some business to attend to." "Do you mean Captain Nero?" the soldiers asked. "I don't know, really, sorry. I've been really busy. I really should remember all your names sometime, but I guess it comes with time. So yeah, just get me Captain Nero."
Mortis' wives were now gathered in the dining room, while Mortis' slaves took their seats in the hallway. Leonie immediately asked, "Honey, what are you going to do with these people? I thought you didn't think much of slavery, or at least not much good." However, Mortis replied, "It's not what I think of them, but what I plan to do with them. After all, they are strong and a good addition to my empire. But they would have refused an invitation, so I'm forcing them. If they don't want to make trouble or go against us, I give them wide latitude. The boy I took to protect him from further exploitation or worse. With his mother, I have to find out if she is the problem or if she is just a puppet. Therefore, I let her work here as a zoffe for the time being. The boy will be taught together with Nora and Zara and should become friends with them, which should be socially supportive for him."
Mortis had barely finished his explanation when there was a knock on the door and Captain Nero entered the room. "Sir, you wanted to see me?" the captain asked. "Yes, it's good to have you here. As you probably noticed, I have some souvenirs from the battle. Please bring them in," Mortis replied. "Yes, sir." The captain then called the new arrivals into the dining room, where they knelt before Mortis and his women. "Glad to have you here," Mortis said. "You probably know what is and is not allowed. After all, this is a divine slave seal, which means you couldn't even harm an acquaintance of mine, let alone friends or even my wives. So don't even try. Your task is simple: you will serve me and strengthen my army. At least the adult men will be part of my forces, the two women will be maids and bodyguards. And now for you, Baron's son, have you already received a blessing?", Mortis asked the boy. "No, sir," the boy replied, intimidated. Mortis saw the fear in the boy's eyes and stood up, knelt down in front of him and said, "There is no harm in that. You are not here to fight, but to learn and be safe. Even if you don't understand it yet, you're safer here than serving a puppet as a child. So stay calm, no one, not even me or anyone else, will hurt you here." Mortis then turned to the mother and said, "I'm not sure about you yet, though." Now you have been given your tasks. Captain, take the soldiers where they belong. As of today, they have to follow you. Servant, take the two women to their quarters and tell the housekeeper to take care of them.