He demands an explanation

Madame Zoriah stared at Callum, eyes wide open and with spatter of Vargo's warm blood on her pale face. The sight of the furious slayer, still wielding his bloodstained sword was a terrifying one.

"My gods! You killed them, all of them... and Vargo, he's dead!" she gasped.

Callum remained silent, wildly gazing around him, still burning with rage. Zoriah approached him and spoke in a soothing, reassuring voice.

"Calm down, warrior ... it is over, you are victorious," she said nervously. Callum breathed a little easier and the red mist of anger that covered his field of vision gradually lifted. Callum lowered his sword and turned to Zoriah and looked at her not with rage, but with contempt. He grabbed her arm in a bruising tight grip.

"Who are these men? And what were you planning to do with me?" he roared and shook her like a doll. "Speak, woman!"

Zoriah squirmed. "Yes, I owe you an explanation, warrior... This is Mister Vargo and two of his henchmen. This villain pretty much runs, um, ran, this neighbourhood, including my business."

Callum listened with a hard face, retaining his firm grasp of Zoriah's arm.

"They offer 'protection' as they call it, in exchange for a hefty portion of our takings ... and I am sure you can guess what else ..." Zoriah shuddered. "But that wasn't enough for the greedy Vargo. Recently he started a slaving business, making us girls lure in newcomers to **** them. Vargo then sold them at the **** market. And that was to be your fate too..."

"So ... Almi and Elara in the street, and you!" Callum gulped and failed to hide his disillusionment. "All that was just you looking for a fool to deceive, just a piece of meat!?"

Zoriah looked away in shame. "We ... we had ****. But I have wronged you terribly, take your vengeance on me any way you like." She looked straight at him with her big dark, soulful eyes. "But I beg you, warrior ... don't bring any harm to the girls!"

Callum felt his heart softening, and he let go of Zoriah. He couldn't harm her. Like him, she was just a victim of the circumstances.

"You killed Vargo, and I owe you an enormous debt, warrior," Zoriah said, rubbing her arm. "But I'm afraid it makes no difference. Vargo is not the real top dog around here, and when he's missed the others will come. I don't know what they will do to the girls and me, but I do know they will kill you for sure. You must leave, warrior!"