An Encounter at the Auction – 3A-DT

Chapter 3 – Getting Underway (continued)

Kaylen’s group moved all throughout the marketplace, stopping at stalls, and shops, and booths, along the way. They picked up a map of the surrounding countryside, and purchased rations consisting of a mix of hard bread, dried fruit, smoked and salted jerky, and cheese. A few of them needed to pick up some extra gear and tools, either to replace things that had worn out, or to supplement their roles in Kaylen’s party. They made sure everyone had a tent and sleeping roll, and even made certain everyone but Ursa had a mount of some form – there simply wasn’t anything big enough for the half-giant – but by that point they were near an unusually noisy section of the market, and that was saying something since the whole place was crowded and boisterous. Kaylen found himself pausing at the edge of a crowd gathered in front of a stage where a pair of teenage boys in drab but clean clothing stood, bound at the wrists. One of them had a small bandage visible on his cheek.

He heard Lyria’s armor clinking as she approached, “You don’t want anything here.” His sister was quick to point out when she noticed him watching the proceedings.

Kaylen glanced at his sister, “Why do you say that?” He asked.

“It’s a **** auction.” She explained unnecessarily.

“I can see that.” He replied. He had no real experience with the **** trade, and wondered if it was something he even wanted to delve into, but his sister seemed to come to a conclusion on the matter before him.

“Do you want a closer look? Do you need to see it for yourself?” She asked after glancing back towards where the others were browsing a nearby stall.

“Actually, yes.” He nodded, thinking it would be a good experience to have, even if he didn’t end up buying anyone.

“Then go ahead, I’ll let the others know where you’ve gone.” Lyria offered, turning to head back to the eclectic group still shopping at a handful of nearby stalls.

Kaylen watched his sister go, then made his way through the assembled crowd towards where the people actually bidding on the auction were standing.

He hadn’t been watching long, trying to understand the proceedings, when he felt a hand on his arm. He turned to see Janel standing there, the kitsune’s dual colored eyes somewhat haunted as she met his gaze, then turned to glance at the stage.

“I never liked this place.” Alayni said drawing Kaylen’s gaze to the curly-haired halfling as she came up beside the kitsune at his side. This was the first time he’d seen the halfling without some kind of a smile on her dimpled face.

“It’s okay; you can go if you like.” Kaylen offered.

“I’m fine.” Alayni replied.

“Have you been here before?” Janel asked, turning to address the brown-haired halfling.

“I’ve been in the markets loads of times, but I’ve never lingered here, never saw the point.”

“What, halflings don’t approve of slaves or something?” Janel asked with an arched eyebrow, her dual-colored eyes sparkling.

“How would we hold them?” Alayni asked, her cheeky grin returning. “You really think even I’m charming enough to stop a big strong human from just up and leaving if he wanted to? Keeping slaves is too much work for most halflings. My kind are notoriously lazy.” She added self-depricatingly.

“If humans can tame and domesticate elephants and griffins, I think halflings could figure out a way to secure a human-sized **** if they really wanted to.” Kaylen interjected.

Alayni shrugged, “Well, that just proves not many halflings want slaves badly enough to work that hard for it.”

Kaylen shook his head, and Janel had a similar reaction, then the three of them turned back to the stage as one of the young men was led away, and the hawker began extolling the ‘selling points’ of the remaining ****. “He’s the son of a tanner, so he’s used to hard work, and can craft or repair high quality leather goods from tack to boots. Is there none here who could make use of such a valuable skill?”

Then the man pointed towards Kaylen, “You there, you look like the mercenary type, maybe you could use an armorer on the road, this **** is fresh and untrained, so the price is low, and if he’s stuck in the wilderness with you, you won’t have to worry about him trying to steal from you or run away while you’re teaching him.”

The dark-haired boy with a dirt-smudged nose and a bandage on his cheek looked frightened, and Kaylen looked at his companions, curious how they would react to the hawker’s suggestion.

“You should buy him, Kaylen. Before someone less kind decides to.” Janel suggested, with a flicker of movement beneath her scarf that he assumed was her ears twitching.

He glanced at Alayni, who pointed her chin towards the stage in approval, her brown eyes filled with compassion, so Kaylen wasted no time turning back to the hawker and raised his hand in acknowledgement.

“Why don’t you come up here, and inspect the merchandise for yourself, young master?” The hawker was waving towards him, gesturing him to come up on the stage.

Kaylen made his way up onto the stage to look over the blue-eyed boy. He wasn’t certain what he was looking for, but he made a show of looking over the ****, finding that he at least looked healthy and fit, his skin fair beneath the grime and bruising, with a light tan. “I heard you say he is the son of a tanner?” He asked the hawker.

“That’s right, he is quite skilled.” The hawker repeated.

“Did his parents sell him?” Kaylen asked. The boy in question looked fearfully between them, when he wasn’t staring at his feet.

“I believe his parents are deceased. He was caught stealing, and was sentenced to indentured servitude.”

“So what is his price?” Kaylen continued.

“We started the bidding at five gold doubloons, but since no one has bid yet, you can discuss the transaction with our resident guild master.” The hawker motioned for a pair of slavers who escorted the boy off the stage, with Kaylen following. Alayni and Janel caught up with him on the way to a low warehouse style building that contained cages with at least a dozen other slaves, one of which was being brought out towards the stage as they passed.

Kaylen’s group was led into a small room where a large man wearing expensive jewelry all over his body waited behind a desk. “Ah, an adventurer. We don’t sell many slaves to your type.” He stood up, taking in Kaylen and the two women following him. He was a little overweight, but his arms showed strength, even if his clothing spoke of luxuries, as did his well-maintained blonde hair. “So you want to buy the tanner boy?”

“If he can repair armor, tack, and other kit as your hawker claimed, then yes I’m here to discuss price.” A quick glance showed that the blue-eyed boy was despondent, resigned to his fate, it seemed. Kaylen determined that if he proved he could treat him well, it should improve his companions’ opinion of him, particularly the stocky halfling and willowy kitsune just behind him.

The richly adorned **** master sorted through a stack of papers, then stepped forward with a single scroll in hand, and offered his free hand to Kaylen. “Garion Tilk.” He said, introducing himself. “The listed price is six doubloons for the tanner.”

“Adept Kaylen Gallowglass.” Kaylen shook the blond man’s hand. “I’m looking forward to doing business with you.”

“Oh, a mage adventurer.” Garion grinned widely, flashing a gold tooth.

“A mage?!” The **** boy’s eyes widened in alarm.

But before Kaylen could respond, the door to the room burst open and a young woman stumbled in followed immediately after by a burly slaver trying to grab her.

“Master adventurer, please!” The woman beseeched Kaylen, as the slaver who’d chased her into the room finally caught ahold of her arm. “I’m a much more skilled artisan than my brother, let me pay his debt!”

“Danny, don’t, he’s a mage!” The **** boy warned.

The woman’s eyes widened, but she did not back down.

“You can let her go, Barnus.” Master Tilk said. “I don’t think we’re in any danger from this girl, Danny is it?”

The slaver, Barnus, released the girl’s arm. She huffed, and stepped right in front of Kaylen. “Master mage. I wish to serve in my brother’s place to repay his debt. I promise I will serve you better, and… I’m sure you’d find my company more pleasing.” She looked down at her plain attire, consisting of a somewhat stained brown tunic over a green dress and mud-spattered black shoes, but still attempted a pose to show off her figure.

“Damn, Kaylen.” Alayni interjected, “You’re either the luckiest mage alive, or far more cunning than I gave you credit for.”

Startled, Kaylen turned to the curly-haired halfling. “Excuse me?”

“Oh come on, big guy; this is one heck of a coincidence considering your party composition. If I didn’t know better I’d say you somehow planned this.” She gestured from him to the blue-eyed girl and back.

Seeing that the girl, Danny, seemed confused by Alayni’s words, Kaylen gently admonished her, “Stop with that, no need to tease the girl.” Then he took a moment to look over the would-be **** girl. He could see the family resemblance, and she seemed healthy, with a pleasing figure. He definitely appreciated this turn in the already complicated situation.

“Master Tilk, can she do what she asks; sell herself in her brother’s place?” He asked.

Tilk seemed to consider for a moment, “I’m sure it might be possible for her to take on his debt, but we’re not equipped here to make such a complicated transaction. It would increase the price substantially.”

“That’s a lie!” Danny growled.

“Listen girl, I won’t be lectured on how to conduct my own business by the likes of you!” Tilk turned on the girl, and both Alayni and Janel seemed about ready to draw weapons, but before the confrontation could get any more heated Kaylen stepped in, interposing himself between them.

“I don’t think that’s necessary.” He said simply.

“She’s questioning my honor.” The **** master insisted, though he didn’t seem truly upset.

“If you would permit me, I might be able to resolve this.” Kaylen replied, and turned back to the girl as Tilk stepped back and gestured for Kaylen to proceed.

He loomed over the shorter girl, raising a hand and chanting a brief incantation as her vivid blue eyes widened.

As his spell took hold of her, Kaylen heard her voice in his head, along with faint glimmers of images. At first it was completely incoherent, but as he focused, they became clearer. “Why did you say the Master here was lying?” He asked.

“Because I asked the judge before coming here.” She answered, looking fearfully between Kaylen and the slaver. But Kaylen focused less on her words, and more on the images being produced in her head. He saw the judge in question, heard the words that had been spoken to the girl, Dinnae, as pulled from her memory.

Kaylen turned to Master Tilk, “What she says is true, the judge told her it is a simple matter to transfer one person’s debt to another so that she may serve their indentured servitude in his place. It simply requires a small adjustment to the contract wording, and in the judge’s words ‘it is something any slaver should be aware of’.”

Kaylen suddenly saw another image, of the **** master imagining himself hitting Dinnae, and he shifted almost subconsciously to cut off the man’s line of sight, even as he wondered why his targeted thought reading spell was affecting more than just his intended target. “Perhaps I was hasty in my rebuttal.” Master Tilk said, outwardly completely cordial, even while in his head he seethed at the loss of potential profits. “I may have misunderstood what she was suggesting. Of course I can draw up a contract, as soon as we have settled on a new price.”

“I’ll pay you six doubloons and three silver royals. The original price you quoted, plus a small bonus for your trouble.” Kaylen insisted.

The **** master did a good job of schooling his expression to passivity, but Kaylen saw how he wanted to argue. He would have charged as much as eight or nine doubloons, since attractive women of legal breeding ages always brought in much higher profits, but Kaylen was in no mood to argue further.

“I suppose, that is a fair price, though perhaps…”

“No, I don’t appreciate you trying to cheat me, that is my final offer.” Kaylen brought his staff forward and settled it on the ground between them, and due to seeing into the man’s mind, he knew his implicit threat was understood.

Kaylen felt a startling surge of approval, that drew his eye towards his halfling companion, who smiled broadly at him flashing her dimples.

“Very well.” Tilk moved behind his desk and began writing out a contract.

Kaylen glanced briefly at his red-head kitsune companion before turning back to the two brown-haired siblings. The boy, who he discovered from his thoughts was named Gregory Thatcher, looked distressed as his older sister tried to comfort him. But then she turned her blue-eyed gaze up at Kaylen, and he once more saw her thoughts, which were frightened, despite the brave face she was putting on for her fifteen year old brother.

She knew he was in her head, he realized. The spell not only was supposed to only affect one person, but it was supposed to be far more subtle.

He didn’t want her to fear him, so he approached, making himself as unassuming as possible. “My apologies.” He said in a soft tone. “My spell was not meant to be quite so invasive. I simply wanted to see your insight into the matter of the debt transfer in an efficient manner.”

“You… You’re not… controlling me?” The girl’s expression was braver than her conflicted thoughts.

Kaylen shook his head, “No, simply examining your surface thoughts. Not directing them.”

She nodded, but lowered her eyes and wouldn’t meet his gaze.

“Your magic is a little scary.” Janel observed as she approached Kaylen on his left side.

“What exactly did you do to them?” Alayni asked. “Is it affecting everyone?”

“A simple spell to read surface thoughts.” Kaylen saw no reason to lie to the curly-haired halfling. “It’s only meant to affect one target, but it seems to be working on anyone I focus on.” He explained.

“I hope you wouldn’t use magic like that on us.” Janel expressed, uncomfortable with the idea of him using that on her.

Alayni’s big brown eyes went wide, her thoughts immediately alarmed. “What? You can… you wouldn’t, right?”

Kaylen raised an eyebrow at their vehemence, but managed to resist the temptation to focus on their thoughts, even though they likely wouldn’t be able to tell. “I thought it would expedite the process.” He said, “But I probably should have asked first.” He said to reassure them both.

Janel sighed, and nodded, but from Alayni he began hearing a string of words and numbers from her thoughts despite not trying to focus on her as she averted her gaze from him. She was… counting cards in her head? At least that’s what it sounded like, he thought she was naming numbers and suits from a card game known as kepaaz, but he couldn’t be certain, as he was only passingly familiar with the game.

“Here’s the contract.” Tilk came back around the desk and presented the sheets of parchment for Kaylen to review, complete with their agreed price at the bottom. “We have a branding wand we can use to transfer the **** mark, or if you are familiar with the marking spell, we can let you place your own mark on the girl.”

“I know the spell.” Kaylen replied, turning to face Dinnae as she and Gregory stood ready for what was about to occur.

“First, you sign here, Missy.” Tilk explained while handing Dinnae a quill, “This indicates you are taking on your brother’s debt, and agreeing to servitude in his place.” She took a moment to scan the scroll before signing her name in a tidy scrawl. Her resolve to save her brother did not once waver.

“And you’ll sign here after paying the agreed amount.” He said gruffly, as he handed the contract to Kaylen. His friendly smile belied his hostile opinion of him, but Kaylen sensed only that he wanted the transaction done and Kaylen gone so he could go back to making more profitable deals.

Kaylen counted out the coin and gave it to the **** master before accepting the quill, and signing where he was prompted on every copy of the form. Then he rolled up one set and slipped it into his scroll case before facing his new ****.

Tilk brandished his wand over Gregory’s arm, causing a mark that had been magically imprinted on his skin to slowly fade. Then he stepped away as Dinnae stood facing Kaylen, her thoughts nervous but resolute.

She started to roll up her sleeve after a moment, but Kaylen interrupted, “It doesn’t have to be on your arm.”

“The **** mark?” Dinnae blinked at him, thinking she’d prefer to get it somewhere nobody would see it.

“I could mark you somewhere that it won’t be seen, though of course I’ll have to see it to place the mark.” He continued, glancing at Tilk. “Is there a room where I can place my mark on her in private?”

Tilk frowned, but seemed more or less disinterested in the proceedings at this point since he hadn’t had the chance to get a good deal on the transaction. There was a part of him that seemed to want to argue that he was required to witness it – which would have been a lie – but eventually he shrugged and pointed towards a door in one corner of the room. “In that storage closet should do.” He said simply.

At that point, Kaylen turned to his two companions, “If you wish to observe to ensure I don’t do anything untoward, I will understand.”

Alayni shook her head and took an involuntary step back, and it was an effort not to look into her surface thoughts, especially when she was still thinking about kepaaz cards loud enough for him to overhear. But then Janel said, “I guess I’ll supervise.” While giving Kaylen an odd look that even his thought reading spell didn’t help him decipher.

“Yeah, I’ll um… stay out here.” Alayni confirmed, her mind still genuinely distressed by Kaylen’s revelation.

So, the three of them moved into the storage closet, which really was only barely large enough for them to fit. “Where will you place the mark?” Dinnae asked, her thoughts cycling through the most embarrassing places he might pick.

But Kaylen decided not to push things too far, “How about your right hip?”

“You’re asking me?” Dinnae looked startled, she hadn’t expected him to care about her opinion.

“I see no reason not to ask your preference.” He said, pleased that his question put some of her worries to ease.

Janel smiled at him as well, “That’ll be hidden, and while intimate, it won’t require you to be completely exposed when Kaylen needs to check it.” She offered, trying to be supportive and reassuring for Dinnae while still a bit wary of Kaylen’s intentions.

“Well, I guess the hip could be a good place.” The brown-haired girl acknowledged, and he could sense she was relieved it wasn’t some place more intimate. So she unbelted her tunic, and hiked up her skirts, then loosened her trousers, pulling them down on the right side. Janel took ahold of some of the material so it wouldn’t get in the way as a small bit of skin just under Dinnae’s hip bone was revealed.

“I’ll be quick.” Kaylen assured them, drawing his wand and very carefully chanting the incantation for the personal mark spell while tracing patterns in the air with it. After a moment, his personal sigil appeared on the otherwise smooth skin of her hip.

“It is done.” Kaylen told her.

“That was impressive.” Janel examined Kaylen’s handiwork. “No redness or anything. Plus your mark is very intricate and elegant.” She turned her dual-colored eyes back on Kaylen, appreciative of his willingness to accommodate Dinnae’s concerns.

Dinnae resecured her trousers and let her skirts fall back into place, then finished off by buckling her belt back around her waist over her tunic.

“It burns a little.” She admitted, rubbing at her side with one hand as she turned back to face the pair of them. Her gratitude didn’t quite reach her expression, but she also seemed to wonder if he was still reading her thoughts.

Kaylen schooled his expression to not give anything away, “I’m sure that will fade soon.” Kaylen advised, turning and opening the door to step out of the cramped closet.

“But thank you, for putting it somewhere out of sight.” The blue-eyed girl added.

“You are welcome.” He turned back and offered the girl a smile. Her thoughts showed that her return smile was genuine.

“Are you alright?” Gregory asked when they emerged back into the main chamber. Tilk was already gone, but the other slaver, Barnus, had remained. Alayni was no longer projecting thoughts about kepaaz cards, but she still looked uncomfortable.

“Yes I’m fine.” Dinnae assured him. “Only a little embarrassed. The… my new master was generous and respectful.”

Gregory seemed to accept that and it allayed some of his fears, as was Dinnae’s intention, even if she thought Kaylen hadn’t been quite as respectful as she might be letting on. Obviously, Gregory wished he could do more for his sister to help her avoid losing her freedom, but her fate was out of his hands at this point.

“You can use my name, if you must call me master. Kaylen Gallowglass.” Kaylen informed his new brown-haired ****.

Dinnae blushed in embarassment. “Of course, Master Gallowglass.” She said demurely.

Kaylen started towards the exit, and gestured for the four of them to follow. Once they were out of earshot of Barnus, Alayni addressed Dinnae and her brother. “I think you’re going to enjoy your time with us. Our party will treat you well, probably better than a lot of people who might have bought you.”

“I will certainly strive to be fair.” Kaylen said, hoping to reassure any misgivings the blue-eyed **** girl might have had. “With that said, let’s take care of anything the two of you must do before we leave. I assume someone will look after your brother?”

Dinnae nodded, her mind lingering on the grief she still felt for her parents’ passing. “We’re supposed to be staying with my mother’s brother since our parents passing. Gregory won’t go running off to mess around with those hoodlums who got him in trouble last time, right?”

“Don’t worry about me, I’ll behave for them this time.” Gregory quickly replied, though his conviction wasn’t as strong as he conveyed.

“You’d better, or as soon as I’m free I’m coming back to set you straight.” Dinnae admonished, her playfulness a mask for her nerves.

“It’s good that you still have family to look after you.” Janel offered the brown-haired boy. “Is there a reason you came to rescue him and they didn’t?” She asked of his sister, who was resisting the urge to rub at the **** mark on her hip through her clothes.

The blue-eyed girl sighed, in her mind she saw her relatives who seemed to have been doing less to help Gregory than she had. “I’m sure they had their reasons.” She told Janel largely for her brother’s benefit, “But they still care about us. I’m sure they’ll be happy to have you back.”

“He really must have ticked off the wrong person.” Janel responded. “Theft isn’t usually punished by indentured servitude, especially for minors.”

Kaylen saw that the kitsune was speaking from experience on that one as a myriad of images passed through her mind of the times she’d run afoul of the law in her own youth.

“Yeah well, nobles can be pricks, and my brother isn’t always very prudent.” Dinnae said with a shrug, still hiding how deeply she’d been affected by the perceived injustice.

“Then come, I’ll introduce you to the rest of my party.” Kaylen addressed Dinnae directly, drawing all eyes back to him. “Then we will deliver your brother to his uncle before we purchase you some gear and supplies for our journey.”

“Of course, Master Gallowglass.” Dinnae said demurely.

Kaylen shook his head, and dismissed the remnants of his thought reading spell as he gestured towards where he could see Ursa standing near the fountain in the square ahead of them, the half-giant looking bored. “Let’s get going.”