Slaves are only slaves if they don't get paid. Right?

It was several weeks before the defence of Greyton. The party was exploring the Bloodways, and Mort was just returning from his journey out to the Deserts to visit an actual Hellknight Citadel.

"Taaaaaaaaabithatabithatabithatabithatabitha I have some soldiers for youuuuu!"

Tabitha sighed before turning around and looking at the dusty Mortimer "Welcome home. I trust the Deserts treated you well?"

Mort was still bouncing on the balls of his feet in excitement "Yesssss they gave me stuff and dudes and things and soldiers woooooo"

"People don't give things for free Mort, what did it cost you?"

"I dunno, they just said they liked what I was doing and wanted to help"

"We'll have to talk more about that later. Is that them? Let me take a look" Tabs said, peering over Morts shoulder

"Yessssssssssssss! Gogogogo!"

Tabitha and Mortimer walked up to the double ranks of soldiers. There were 24 in total, all dressed in matching scalemail, with sword and shield near to hand. They wore plain grey tabards, but no other identifying mark, except for a sword shaped scar burned into thier arm

Tabitha looked them over for a few moments, before taking Mort aside. "These are slave soldiers, aren't they Mort?"

"No? Yes? Maybe? How do I tell?"

Tabitha sighed, dragging a hand across her face "They fly no colours and they have a brand on their bicep. This means they're slaves. We've talked about slaves before Mort, do you remember?"

"I think so. You said that people owning people isn't allowed in the Valley, and I wasn't allowed any. You also said that Shades would get angry and Aggy might turn me into a toad, because slaves are against the law"

"Yea. Something like that Mort. These are slaves, and you aren't allowed them"

Mort just crossed his arms and pouted "So make them not slaves"

"Yea, that thought did cross my mind. Lets see how this goes"

Tabitha moved up to stand in front of the troop of slaves, commanding their attention with her prescence. Her tone was authoritative, just like what they might be used to.

"Soldiers of the Deserts. Welcome to the Valley. I am The Mistress of Blades, Tabitha Wolfsbane. This is my town, and you are now my soldiers.
Things do not work here like you might be used to. Slavery is illegal, so you are no longer slaves. From now on, you are freemen. As long as you continue to work for me as soldiers, you will be paid a salary. I will provide you with food, with equipment and I will give you a roof over your head. Most importantly however, I will give your life purpose and direction. You will be part of something larger than yourselves. At the end of every day, you will go to bed safe in the knowledge that you have contributed to the betterment of our community.
If you do not wish this, you will be dismissed and banished from this town. You will spend your time wandering the wilderness, eking out a living eating berries and digging for worms. You will die alone and cold, and your remains will be feasted on by wolves.
If you enjoy the sound of dying in such a pathetic way, far from home, leave now. If not, take a step forward and vow to serve Greyton to the best of your ability"

------------------------

Later in the evening, Mort stopped by Tabithas residence.

"Tabithaaaaa. So umm, I forgot. They gave me some scholar dudes too, and they have some scars. I promise they're not slaves! Well I promise that it might be possible they aren't slaves"

"By Balthazars left testicle, Mort, get your shit together."