Wealth Quest Begins

Elders started to bow their heads and walked toward exit,except one Elder named for the time being Moderator who was holding his scroll he read from earlier."my king this scroll contains all the information related to our finances",Moderator said while bowing his head with his arms reaching Alexios who was standing in front of him."thank you Esteemed Elder,now lets see",Alexios said while reading the scroll.

Expenditure:

Navy: 0 dachmars per month

Army: 13,900 dachmars per month

Other: 1,500 dachmars (this include wages for government officials,tax collectors,etc) 

Income:

Taxes: 1,250 dachmars per month

Trade: 12,044 dachmars per month

Slave Population: 181 dachmars per month

Other: 0 dachmars per month

Total Income: 5,240 dachmars

Income next Month is estimated to be 425 dachmars

BY ZEUS that's really bad,without those merchants i would go bankrupt.I think i will get heart attack,i must ask Moderator how is possible that merchants are holding my economy so much,i mean its good and all but in their eyes we are aggressors,and brutes.5,240 i think the rest of my money from the summoning system got right in to treasury,at least i will not search for them like mouse.

"ehm..Esteemed Elder i have a question,how is possible that so many merchants come to this place?,aren't we brutes in their eyes??, Alexios asked Moderator for answer,he really wanted to know why was this a case."It's because these wealthy merchants believe we have some sort of Godly power in our food,that's why they buy so much of our stocks of food my king",Answered Moderator."Let me guess,the reason why is because they believe that this helped us five years ago,and they wanna know this secret to become just like us in terms of power,am i correct?".Alexios said bluntly,he was barely holding his laugh,these stupid merchants thought that the food we eat are giving us some sort of power.

Well i am grateful to them,without them i would be in serious troubles.Alexios did not say anything to moderator to his previous answer,he thinks that moderator believed it too,but no surprise there,it was really a miracle that the Spartans hold out against the beast horde long enough for their savior Xenophon and his army."have you any idea,where is nearest pirate cove Esteemed Elder?",Alexios hoped that it was not far away,so he can summon as much Hoplites as he can,although the economy would take a hit,it was better then all of Sparta being destroyed permanently.

"Nearest pirate cove is one day form here,you must take the path to south.Good thing is that lately the shores are more and more crowded,so my king you don't have to worry about the lack of treasure",Moderator answered to Alexios who was more than happy.Reality soon struck him as he was thinking of the big treasure,there are not any trucks,or trains to help transport all the loot he would get,Alexios needed some wooden carts and horses,or mules." 

 "Do we have some wooden carts?,and if so how many?",Alexios said a question that was hanging in the air."Only 10 wooden carts for wheat to transport in to the city,and unfortunately we have no transport animal",Moderator answered sadly,while looking at the floor,afraid what would happen to him,if he looked directly in his king eyes."No matter,we will use helots,and did our scout find out how many of them are there?".

"Scout reported approximately 40-50 pirates maybe more,and if my king would be wise enough to bring only two carts it would help us considerably ,we have so much wheat to transport in to our granary,".Alexios thought for a while,and then agreed to take 2 wooden carts with 4 Hellots at the south gate,"thank you for your time Esteemed Elder".Alexios Answered to Moderator's proposal."Its nothing my king" Moderator bowed his head slightly and started walking to the exit,until only Alexios was left standing in front of his throne and his two Hippeis who always ed followed him. 

Using hellots is good idea,they have no armor no weapon,only leather shoes,and rope tied around their waist and white tunic,so they get tired less likely than my Hoplites.Few torches and some bread,and few Spartan youths as a scouting party that will be ahead of the main force,They were good scouts so i will make use of it,alright time to go to barracks. 

"Fuck i forgot spear and shield,should i go back? no that will be waste of time,and time is of the essence now" Alexios would rather not waste his time,he had his Xiphos that must suffice for now.Alexios make his way throught streets with his 2 Hippeis following their King,Alexios arrived to Barracks and immediately walked right to the training grounds.

"how many should i take with me?,10 or 20 Hoplites would be ideal,of course not all 100 Hoplites,i need some hardened warriors to guard this city in my absence and i dunno,maybe 4 Spartan youths acting as a scouting party?,yeah lets go with that".Alexios was thinking while he was observing his Spartan Hoplites training,wrestling matches,matches with wooden sticks,while wearing their whole armor,except Corinthian Helmet,even Spartan youths were practicing on the edge of training grounds.

"My brave warriors.i need 20 of the best Hoplites and 4 youths to go with me to raid pirate coves,Korinthian's are coming and we need a lot of dachmars to raise large force for proper defense!".Alexios announced to them,with his strong voice fit for the ruler.Hoplites and youths stopped training and all eyes were focused on Alexios,total of 50 strong, 20 of them were Spartan youths.

"My king,i would be very honored if you let me go with you".Said one of the Hoplites who was holding his wooden stick in right hand,"my king! i also would be honored if you take me with you,i love to kill some pathetic scum!",another Hoplite joined his fellow warrior with smile on his face.Alexios picked his 20 eager hoplites and 4 youths who would be acting as a scouting party.

"We are leaving immediately gather your weapons and helmets and meet me at the south gate,don't be late or we leave without you!"Alexios said with his Ruler's voice,and started walking toward the south gate.The sound of The rhythmic clang of the blacksmith's hammer reverberated through the air caught Alexios attention."Blacksmith is this close to barracks?,well that should be obvious,i must stop by when i return".

Alexios arrived at The gate of the city of Sparta stood as a formidable sentinel, a testament to both strength and austerity. Crafted from weathered stone, it bore the scars of time, yet retained an unwavering resilience. The imposing structure loomed tall and wide, flanked by sturdy walls that seemed to stretch endlessly in both directions. The surface of the gate was etched with intricate carvings, depicting scenes of legendary battles and stoic warriors, a silent homage to the city's martial heritage.There was 2 wooden carts and 2 hellots who will be pulling this simple cart.And a Spartan youth was standing there right beside the carts and hellots.

The moment the young Spartan saw his mighty king he started running toward him."My king!,i report that Elder Cleomenes had delivered the carts and slaves".Young man eagerly said while kneeling to his Strong King."Rise young man you done good job delivering the message,now return to your duty of keeping Sparta safe while i am gone".Alexios told the young Spartan,"so that's his name..Cleomenes,excellent".Now Alexios finally knew the man,"tell Cleomenes the city will be under his and the other Elders care".

"Yes my king!",Young Spartan standed up bowed one last time before running to his post,that was beside the gate,to check who is coming out,and in the city.The rhythmic thud of Spartan Hoplites could be heard from the distance,their boots echoed off the city walls, a steady heartbeat that heralded the arrival of Sparta's finest warriors.They were in simple Phalanx formation,5 Hoplites in a line and the others were 3 rows locked behind them,The Spartan youths were in the same formation,but there were only 4 of them.Meaning 2 in the line and the other 2 were locked behind them just like Hoplites.

Upon reaching the gate, the hoplites came to a halt, the synchronized clatter of their armor momentarily filling the air. The city gate, a massive portal of weathered stone, framed their arrival like a grand stage.The youths right behind do the same as hoplites,but due to lack of their armor it was less louder.The citizens were standing in silence,as they saw those Finest warriors of Sparta just standing there,waiting for the kings command."Now that's what i call an entrance,so cool".Aleixos was in awe upon their arrival,but it was just momentarily,he quickly gave next command,while his 2 Hippeis were silently watching beside the king the whole time. 

"My brave Spartans,today we will begin marching to the shores of the sea called Mystara Abyss,Those filthy pirates have something that will help us fend off the Korithians!"Alexios spoke with his Voice that echoed through the streets."Drachmars and probably more valuable items to raise an Army those lowly Korithians ever seen!".Alexios hoped that it would be the case,he really needed big army to defeat not just Korithians but the strange 6th Prince Xenophon,he really didn't like being a vassal,Sparta bows to no one as Theron would say it. 

"Now by warriors,March! we will let them see the might of the proud an courageous Sparta!!".Everyone (Except slaves) cheered,even the citizens who were always frightened when their king was near them.Hoplites let their loud roar in response of their king's words,and Youths joined them.With these words of encouragement said alexios turned to face the gate,with his Red Cloak (Chlamys) following him in the wind,along with 2 hippeis following their king.The journey to acquire wealth had begun.