An Encounter at the Auction – 3B-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.

“What do you mean?” Kaylen asked, “This is…”

“A **** auction.” The brown-haired girl confirmed.

“I see.” Kaylen was of course aware of the **** trade, but had not directly encountered it. Perhaps this was the chance to see it for himself.

Lyria sighed, glancing back towards where the rest of their party was browsing a nearby stall before asking, as if reading his mind, “Do you want a closer look? Do you need to see it for yourself?”

“Yes, I do.” He stated.

“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.

“That sounds good.” Kaylen agreed, and then made his way closer through the assembled crowd, towards where the people actually bidding on the auction were standing.

Kaylen tried to understand how the proceedings in the auction were going, and after a few minutes, he felt a hand on his arm, turning to see Janel standing there, the kitsune’s dual colored eyes somewhat haunted as she glanced between his face and the stage.

“I never liked this place.” Alayni said before Kaylen could respond to Janel, drawing his gaze to the curly-haired halfling coming 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.

“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.

“So you’re not against the idea on principle, it’s just difficult for you to put into practice?” Kaylen asked, enjoying the teasing banter.

The halfling raised an eyebrow at him, then grinned, “Well, my size might make it difficult for me to restrain a ****, I’m sure you’d have no trouble tying me up should I get seriously out of line.”

Kaylen blinked rapidly, then laughed, “You surprise me.” He admitted after a moment.

“I try.” The brown-eyed girl chuckled, and even Janel hid a smile behind her hand.

After a moment of shared humor, 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 glanced at his companions. He didn’t think they would approve of him buying a ****. But Janel surprised him when she said, “You should buy him, Kaylen. Before someone less kind decides to.”

Kaylen glanced at Alayni, who pointed her chin towards the stage in approval, her brown eyes filled with compassion, and Janel made a similar gesture of agreement, along with a flicker of movement under her scarf that he assumed was her ears twitching, so he turned 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, and so he climbed up and approached the teenage boy.

Kaylen gave the blue-eyed boy a careful examination, though he wasn’t sure what he was looking for aside from him looking healthy and fit, his skin fair beneath the grime and bruising, with a light tan. “So, you are skilled with leatherwork?” He asked after a moment.

“Um, I am. Though I’m still learning.” Came the reply, the boy’s eyes downcast.

Kaylen nodded, and turned to the hawker. “I’m willing to by this ****, what’s his price?”

“If you’re satisfied with your inspection of the merchandise, 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?”

“Your hawker said he could repair armor, tack, and other kit.” Kaylen explained. “He also said I could get a good deal due to him being untrained, so I’m here to discuss price.” A quick glance showed that the blue-eyed boy was despondent, resigned to his fate, it seemed. But another glance at the stocky halfling and willowy kitsune behind Kaylen remined him what they had said before he’d gone up on stage, and he resolved that if he was going to own a ****, he’d at least treat the boy well.

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 to take ownership of this boy’s debt.”

Kaylen shook the blond man’s hand, “Adept Kaylen Gallowglass, I’m pleased to do business with you.”

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

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

But before Kaylen could respond, the door to the room burst open and a dark-haired 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. She had the same blue eyes as her brother, Kaylen noticed, and her tan was a shade darker.

“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.

Kaylen sighed, “That’s enough of that. Don’t tease the poor girl.” He then turned to face the girl, Danny, and asked, “You mentioned repaying your brother’s debt?”

“Yes. My brother was sentenced to indentured servitude in order to repay a debt of five doubloons for stealing from a noble.”

“So he would only be a **** until he can repay the debt in full?” Kaylen turned back to Master Tilk.

“That’s how indenturing usually works.” Tilk confirmed. “If you bought him, his remaining debt would transfer to you.”

“Can she sell herself to take on his debt?” Kaylen asked next.

Tilk sighed, “I’m sure it might be possible, but we’re not equipped here to make such a complicated transaction. It would increase the price substantially.”

“That’s a lie!” The blue-eyed girl growled at Tilk.

“Listen girl, I won’t be lectured on how to conduct my own business by the likes of…”

“That’s enough!” Kaylen interjected as the two looked on the verge of an argument. Both Alayni and Janel seemed about ready to draw weapons if things got any more heated. “We’re all friends here, so let’s act like it.” Kaylen wove a group of arcane syllables into his words, casting a subtle yet effective charm on the **** master.

Everyone in the room seemed contrite, including his halfling and kitsune companions, but Master Tilk immediately turned to Kaylen. “My apologies, Kaylen.” The **** master said softly. “I may have let my love of haggling get the better of me, but you are right, there’s no need to tack on unnecessary fees. An extra doubloon or even a few extra royals would be a fair price to transfer the contract.”

“I’ll pay you seven doubloons, and five silver royals. Sound fair?”

“That’s very generous, my friend.” Tilk confirmed, and a quick glance around showed Danny looked embarrassed, and even her brother looked less miserable.

“That might be a little too generous.” Alayni observed.

“It’s still less than they would have likely charged under normal circumstances.” Kaylen countered.

“If it bothers your friend, I would accept a few less royals.” The **** master offered.

“No, I’ve already made my offer, I will stick to it.”

The outrider rolled her dark brown eyes, but made no further objection.

Tilk moved behind his desk and began writing out a contract, while Kaylen approached the two brown-haired siblings. “What is your name?” He asked.

“Dinnae Thatcher.” “Gregory Thatcher.” They answered together, then glanced at each other and chuckled awkwardly.

“I wish we had met under more auspicious circumstances.” He replied.

Janel moved forward on Kaylen’s left side, “Do not worry, Kaylen will be a generous master.” She assured Dinnae, who nodded and offered a smile to Kaylen and his companions.

“Doesn’t hurt that he’s adorably handsome.” Alayni said with a cheeky grin for Kaylen, who raised an eyebrow at the halfling, wondering if both the halfling and the fox girl had been affected by his charm spell as well. It was targeted primarily towards Tilk, but his teammates and both the Thatchers seemed to be acting more friendly to him than he’d expected.

“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, as everyone present readied themselves for what was about to occur.

Once they had moved close, Tilk handed Dinnae a quill, “Miss Thatcher, please sign here to indicate you are taking on your brother’s debt, and agreeing to servitude in his place.”

“Alright.” She gave Kaylen a shy smile before signing her name in a tidy scrawl.

“And Kaylen, you just need to sign here, after paying the agreed amount.” Tilk indicated the spot in the contract, and Kaylen counted out the coin and gave it to the **** master before accepting a quill that was handed to him. He signed where he was prompted on every copy of the form, then rolled up one set and slipped it into his scroll case before turning back to face 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 forward, facing Kaylen with a brave and shy smile.

“Any preferences where you would like me to place the mark?” Kaylen asked.

“Oh, um…” The brown-haired girl clearly hadn’t given any thought to the subject, but then she finally answered, “Maybe… somewhere nobody will see it?”

Kaylen raised an eyebrow, and Dinnae blushed, glancing around at the people in the room. “I will have to see it to place the mark.” He informed her, stepping closer and thinking about her request. “I’ll put it on your lower back. That should keep it hidden the majority of the time.”

Dinnae blushed even more heatedly as she glanced behind her, as if she could see the spot on her back under her tunic he had indicated. “If that is your wish, Master.”

Kaylen nodded as he drew his wand. “Adept is fine, or if you must at least use my name. I’ll just need you to raise up your tunic in back.”

“I’m sorry, Master Kaylen.” Dinnae lowered her blue-eyed gaze, “I’m wearing a dress under my tunic, not just a skirt, and I have a long shift under that, do I… must I get the mark placed here in front of all these people?”

“We are generally required to observe to ensure the mark is actually placed.” Tilk offered.

“You’re wearing trousers.” Janel pointed out. “Wouldn’t that maintain your modesty long enough to get the mark?” She asked.

“My dress and shift are also laced fairly close.” The blue-eyed girl explained, though Kaylen was not entirely certain he was following the conversation about feminine clothing.

“If they both lace in the back, we could probably loosen them enough to make an opening without removing both garments.” Alayni suggested.

“That was my thought as well.” Janel agreed. “Do they both lace on the same side?”

“Yes, they both lace up the back.” Dinnae responded with a grateful smile. “So it should work.” The brown-haired woman turned away from Kaylen and unbuckled her belt around her waist so she could pull up the back of her tunic.

Janel pushed her tunic up a little further so she could untie the knots of her laces, then loosened them bit by bit until she could hold open the back of both garments just above the waistband of the girl’s trousers, revealing a pale diamond of smooth skin in the small of her back. “How’s that?” The red-head asked.

“Perfect.” Kaylen said as he moved close. Then he very carefully chanted the incantation for the personal mark spell while tracing patterns in the air with his wand, and after a moment of this, his personal sigil appeared on the girl’s back right in the middle of the opening.

“There, it is done.” Kaylen told her, straightening as Janel examined his handiwork.

“That’s very nice.” The kitsune complimented. “You should see his mark, Danny, it is very intricate and elegant. Plus there’s not even a hint of redness like with a tattoo.” She then proceeded to tighten up the laces for her and tied them back into a pair of bows at the top.

“Should be hidden from everyone but Kaylen when you’re getting intimate with him.” Alayni said in a teasing tone, causing Dinnae to blush and lower her gaze.

“Is it supposed to burn a little?” Kaylen’s new **** girl asked as she pulled her tunic down and buckled her belt around her waist.

“I’m afraid so, but that should fade soon enough.” He assured her.

“Mine burned more than a little.” Gregory muttered, seemingly reassured by Kaylen’s spell being less intrusive than the magic that had been used on him. He was giving Kaylen a confused and frustrated look. It was clear he felt a desire to help his sister avoid losing her freedom, but there was nothing much he could do at this point.

Dinnae turned around to face her new master, the curly-haired halfling, and the kitsune with dual-colored eyes that had just been so helpful with her laces.

“Well, if there’s nothing else you require.” Kaylen nodded to Tilk and Barnus, and then gestured for both siblings to follow him as the five of them made their way outside.

Once they were out of earshot of the two slavers, Alayni addressed Dinnae and her brother. “You’re going to enjoy traveling with us, everyone in the group is going to adore you, and we’ll treat you far better than anyone else who might have bought you, right Kaylen?”

“I will certainly strive to be generous and fair.” He said, hoping to reassure any misgivings the blue-eyed **** girl might have had. “That being said, is there anything you must do before we leave? Who will look after your brother while you are traveling with me?”

“Our aunt and uncle are supposed to be looking after us since our parents passed. I’m sure Gregory has learned his lesson, and won’t run off to mess around with those hoodlums again. Right, Gregory?” Dinnae gave her brother a pointed look.

“That’s right, I’m done with them.” He agreed. “I’ll turn over a new leaf.”

“It’s good that you still have family.” Janel offered, her tone somewhat sober. “I’m sure they’ll be happy to see you returned, still free.”

“I’m still mad at them for not coming to help free him.” Dinnae admitted. “They didn’t want him to be sold into servitude, of course, but they said they hoped it would teach him a lesson, and I couldn’t accept that.”

“You must have ticked off someone powerful.” Janel observed. “Theft isn’t usually punished by indentured servitude, especially for minors.”

“Yeah well, that’s the nobility for you. The baron took it as some kind of personal insult, and made it his mission to make an example of Greg.” Dinnae said some some amount of venom in her tone.

Kaylen got the impression the kitsune was speaking from experience on that one. He wondered how many times she’d run afoul of the law in her own youth.

Suddenly, Janel shook her head, and looked around with a dazed look in her multi-colored eyes, Alayni swayed, and put a hand on Kaylen’s side to steady herself, her own brown eyes clouded momentarily. Gregory and Dinnae had similar expressions, though they didn’t appear quite as strongly affected.

Kaylen realized his charm spell had just worn off, though a few moments later, everyone seemed back to normal, completely unaware they that had just been enchanted, however briefly.

“Well, let me introduce you to the rest of my party.” Kaylen suggested, “Then we’ll see your brother gets to his uncle, and purchase you some gear before departing on our journey.” He addressed the last to his new ****.

“Um, yeah… Of course, Master Kaylen.” She replied, still a little dazed.

“Shall we get going?” He gestured towards the market square ahead of them where he could see Ursa standing near the fountain, the half-giant looking bored.