As they approach Korazan from the north, a large complex of buildings comes into view over on the eastern edge of town with many pens full of slaves. “That must be where we’ll find them,” observes James.
“Let’s go,” Jiron urges.
“We need to get the caravan settled in first,” insists James. “Then we can go scout around for Tersa and Miko.” Seeing that Jiron is going to be stubborn, he continues, “If we don’t behave like an actual caravan, we might gain attention that could prove awkward.”
Seeing conflicting emotions running across Jiron’s face, he waits. After only a moment’s deliberation, he nods and says, “Okay, but let’s do it fast.”
“Agreed.”
During their approach, they notice a large caravansary off to the north of town, closer to the lake. When they turn to leave the road and head for it, Hakir and Hakim take their leave, continuing on toward town to deliver their goods.
At the caravansary, they find a suitable location and quickly settle in. After the horses and wagons have been taken care of, Jiron looks to James and urges, “Let’s go!”
James turns to Tinok and says, “Stay here and take care of things, okay?”
Tinok’s face begins to fall as he realizes he’s being left behind. Just before he starts to protest, Cassie calls over and asks, “Tinok, can you help me please?” Torn between conflicting desires, he finally says to James, “Alright,” as he heads over to see what Cassie needs.
By this time, Jiron has changed into native garb, having chosen one that partially covers his face. If there are people from the City of Light in the pens who would be able to recognize him, they won’t inadvertently give him away.
Taking Roland with them to act as translator, they make their way to the main gate leading into Korazan. Here, as nowhere else, the ratio of slaves to citizens is staggering. Wherever he looks, James can see slaves engaged in almost every facet of work. Hardly anyone is walking down the street without at least one slave of one kind or another trailing along behind. Many are carrying packages and other items, most though are simply following behind their owners.
James is totally disgusted by the whole thing and almost intervenes when they come across a man beating a young female slave for some slight infraction. Jiron takes hold of his arm which causes him to stop. “Not now,” Jiron cautions when James turns to look at him, “we have people, our people, depending on us.”
Coming to his senses, James realizes he was about to jeopardize the whole mission and says, “Sorry.”
“We understand,” Roland assures him. “But it’s too ingrained, too well established to do anything about.”
As they resume walking, James tries to shut out the crying, begging of the girl as she pleads with her master to stop, that ‘she will do better’. Similar scenes are played out over and over again as they continue toward the slave markets. All he can think of is to get Miko out of this as quickly as possible.
When they finally reach the fence surrounding the slave pens, the guard posted at the entrance holds up his hand and says something. Roland makes a reply as he slips him a couple copper pieces. The guard takes the coins and then nods as he waves them on through.
“What did you tell him?” Jiron asks once they’re past the guard.
“I simply told him that we wished to view the slaves before the next auction,” he explains. “It’s really quite common for a prospective buyer to do that. Usually you give some coins to the guard for the privilege”
“You seem to know a lot about slave market customs,” Jiron accuses.
“I took a trip down here a while back with an associate who was interested in purchasing some laborers,” he replies.
Once through the gates, they find themselves in a large courtyard with two large platforms on either side that most likely would be used during auctions. Off to one side, James notices several posts sticking up from the ground stained a dark red, it looks like its blood. One appears to have been recently used. Whipping posts, he assumes, shuddering.
Another slaver greets them as they walk across the courtyard and he exchanges words with Roland. Turning to the others, Roland says, “I told him we wish to see the girls. That we are from a northern brothel and wish to purchase some at the next auction.”
“When will that be?” Jiron asks.
Roland asks the man and then says, “Tomorrow.”
Jiron nods his head in understanding, “Thanks.”
The slaver leads them to a set of pens holding females and they walk slowly through them as if they were actually who they claimed to be. As Jiron searches the pens for his sister, James looks closely at the faces of those in the pens. The hopelessness, the fear and the degradation he sees there is almost more than he can bear. He feels a strong desire to let the magic destroy this entire complex and free everyone here.
Jiron looks anxiously at all the girls within the pens and then turns to Roland and James, shaking his head. Roland turns to the slaver and exchanges a few words before saying, “There is another pen which is full of recent arrivals. He says that you would not be interested in them as they haven’t yet learned their place and would be difficult at best to handle.”
Excited, Jiron says, “That’s where she would most likely be.”
Roland turns to the man and explains that they wish to see those girls as well, that many of their customers like to ‘break them in’.
The slaver nods in understanding and then leads them out of this holding area to another. The noise level in this one is much greater than the last as the majority of the girls are either crying or talking amongst themselves. When they enter, all the girls turn their attention on them and it suddenly gets very quiet.
James can tell the difference between these girls and the previous ones. Some of these still have a defiant look about them that the previous ones had lacked. Some even look with content upon them as they pass by, others are fearful and sobbing.
Suddenly, he hears a barely audible gasp escaping Jiron. Glancing at him, he sees him nod his head, indicating that he’s found her. “Roland, that’s her,” he says quietly, indicating a young woman with long auburn hair.
“You sure?” Roland asks as he locates the girl he’s talking about.
Jiron just stares at him like he’s stupid or something.
“Okay, okay,” he replies. Then he turns to the slaver and points her out saying they want a better look at her.
The slaver motions for two guards to come over and they enter the pen. When the girls realize they’re going to enter their pen, many squeal and they all press as far away from the door as possible.
When Tersa realizes that they’re coming for her, she tries to escape to the back of the pen but the guards grab her. Scared and terrified, she tries to get free of them but to no avail, they drag her out of the pen and bring her to stand before them. The slaver asks Roland if this is the one they’re interested in. With a nod from Jiron, Roland says that she is.
As Roland makes as if he’s inspecting her, Jiron stares intently into her eyes. Suddenly, her breath catches as she realizes just who is standing there.
He barely shakes his head, telling her to say nothing and then gives her a wink.
With a barely perceptible nod, she tells him that she understands.
Jiron indicates to Roland that he’s ready to go and Roland tells the slaver that they’ve seen enough. Once Tersa is put back in the pen, Roland asks if this batch will be auctioned at tomorrow’s auction.
Shaking his head, the slaver says that these won’t be ready for auction for at least a week.
When Roland relays that to the others, Jiron exclaims, “A week! We can’t wait a week.”
James digs out a gold piece and offers it to the slaver as he tells Roland, “Ask him if there is any way he can expedite it for us.”
When Roland asks the slaver, the slaver takes the coin and nods. He tells Roland that the earliest is in two days and when Roland starts to protest, he says no matter how much they gave him, there is no way it can be done any quicker.
“He says two days and that is the best he can do,” Roland explains to them.
Jiron looks back to his sister and says, “Two days then.”
The slaver then leads them back out to the courtyard as Tersa is returned to the pen. Jiron glances back to her just before they leave and sees her there, staring at him, her hands gripping the bars. Jiron hates leaving his sister in there but doesn’t have any choice.
“Can we see the young men now?” James asks, intent upon finding Miko.
Roland asks the slaver who nods and then alters his course as he takes them over to the other side of the courtyard. He leads them through a door and down a hallway which runs between several pens of young men and boys.
Two slaves are busy scrubbing blood stains off the floor and James asks, “What happened here?”
Roland asks the slaver and then translates the reply, “He says last night several of the new arrivals had tried to escape and two of them were killed.”
James and Jiron glance at each other, suddenly worried about his friend. Hoping to find him still within one of the pens, he walks down the hallway. His nervousness rises when he fails see him within any of the pens. Chills run though him as he fears the worst.
While waiting on James, Jiron looks at the faces of the men and boys in the pens. His eyes widen in surprise when he recognizes a couple of the fighters from the fight clubs that he had fought with and against. One, a slim individual who is exceptionally deadly with sword and shield is leaning against the bars near the hallway. He walks down the hallway slowly toward him, acting as if he’s inspecting them. Roland and the slaver remain back near the door.
When he comes close to the one by the bars, he whispers so only he may hear, “Don’t move, say nothing.”
The young man’s eyes flick to who’s speaking to him and widen when they recognize Jiron. He starts to say something when Jiron barely shakes his head and whispers, “Quiet, man.” Sudden understanding comes over him and he settles down.
“How many are here?” Jiron asks in a voice barely audible.
“Five left that I know of,” he replies softly. “There were more but a bunch made a break for it last night and two died, the others got their backs flayed off them this morning as an example to the rest of us.” Then in an urgent whisper, he says, “Jiron, get us out of here!”
“I’ll see what I can do,” he says. “But don’t tell anyone and I mean anyone that I am here, understand?”
With a slight nod, the young man agrees. Jiron turns and walks back toward where the others are and has Roland ask when these are scheduled to be auctioned off.
The slaver replies and Roland says, “Three days.”
James is getting frantic at not finding Miko here and Jiron worries he may do something rash. Roland asks if there are any more fresh arrivals and the slaver replies, no.
Roland thanks the slaver and tells him they’re ready to go. Grabbing James’ arm, he gets him moving as they follow their guide out of the slaver’s compound.
Once outside the compound and back on the streets of Korazan, they head back toward their caravan. James is quiet the entire way as he deals internally with not finding Miko. Roland says to him, “You don’t know he was one of the ones killed last night.”
“That’s right,” agrees Jiron. “There are many other reasons that could explain why he wasn’t in the pens with the others.”
“Like what?” James asks.
At a loss, Jiron just says, “I don’t know, but you can’t assume the worst until you know for sure.”
“I should raze the whole place to the ground,” he threatens. “Do the world a favor.”
“But you won’t,” Jiron says, “you just aren’t that way.”
“I can think it though,” growls James.
When they arrive back at the caravan, Jiron explains what’s happening to the others. Delia says, “Can’t you do some magic thing to see if he’s still alive?”
As if the thought hadn’t even occurred to him, James sits up as an idea forms in his mind. Excitedly, he says, “There may just be.” He hurries over to the wagon and pulls out his shaving kit, removing the mirror.
Sitting down, he looks into the mirror and concentrates on seeing Miko’s face, his face as it is right now. Everyone gathers around him and he can hear them gasp as the image in the mirror begins to blur and then refocus on a boy riding in the back of a wagon. “That’s him!” James exclaims excitedly. “He’s alive!” In his excitement he loses concentration and the reflection returns to normal.
Behind him he hears Delia say, “Now all we have to do is find out who has him and where they are going.”
“Maybe tomorrow we could ask around and find out?” suggests Tinok.
“Alright,” James agrees, “just be careful and don’t draw attention to yourself.”
“That’s right,” says Jiron, “we still have Tersa to save.” He pauses for a moment and then adds, “We may be in luck as well.”
“How do you mean?” asks James.
“Well, it seems there are several guys back there,” he points back toward the slaver compound, “who were participants in the fight clubs back in the City. If we were to buy them, we would have ready made, loyal guards.”
“Who?” Tinok asks excitedly.
“I talked briefly with Yorn,” he explains. “And I saw Scar and Potbelly over in a different pen. Yorn said there were another three in there somewhere, but I didn’t see them.”
“Can they be trusted?” James asks.
“After what they’ve been through,” Tinok exclaims, “you can be sure of it!”
“I agree,” adds Jiron.
“So,” James begins, “we have Tersa’s auction in two days and I believe they said that the guys were to be auctioned off in, three?” He looks to Roland for confirmation who nods in agreement.
“Since it’s beginning to get late, we may as well stay here through the night and then see about discovering where Miko is heading first thing in the morning.” James looks around and everyone seems to be in agreement.
“It will also give me time to drop off the packages that I have for Korazan,” Delia announces. When James looks to protest, she says, “It will give us more coins for the auctions and supplies.”
“Alright, but don’t go alone,” James advises.
“I won’t, I promise,” she assures him.
The next morning, Delia takes Tinok and Roland with her as well as a wagon to deliver her packages. After they leave, James takes his mirror out and finds Miko still riding in the wagon. “He’s heading south,” he announces.
“How do you know?” Cassie asks as she sits next to him in order to look in the mirror.
Pointing to Miko and the wagon, he explains. “See how the shadows fall? They’re falling to the right of the wagon, so that means the sun is to the left of them. Which in turn can only mean he’s heading south.”
“Oh,” she says.
Replacing the mirror back in his shaving kit, he then takes out his shaving knife and proceeds to remove what little stubble has appeared since the last time. While he’s shaving, Cassie remains sitting next to him and he asks, “You like Tinok, don’t you?”
Blushing slightly, she says, “Is it that noticeable?”
“Well, you two are hardly seen apart,” he explains.
“He is so nice and brave,” she says. “I didn’t care for him at first, but now that I’ve come to know him, I do.”
“I think you two are very good together,” he tells her.
Smiling, she says, “So do I.”
At just that moment, Arkie begins crying so she gets up and hurries over to help Ezra. James smiles at her retreating back as she walks over to where they’re sitting in the shade of the wagons.
Finished with getting the stubble off, he replaces his knife and mirror back in the kit. He notices Jiron pacing impatiently about the camp as he waits for the upcoming auction. When his pacing brings him near, James says, “Relax.”
“Can’t,” he replies as he pauses a moment.
“Tomorrow won’t get here any faster,” he tells him.
“I know,” admits Jiron, “but I can’t just sit and do nothing all the while knowing she’s stuck in there.” He then resumes his pacing.
Several hours later, Delia and crew come back with a wagon much emptier than had left. “How did you do?” James asks as they roll up.
“You’re not going to believe it!” she exclaims. “We received two hundred golds for one package alone! Altogether, we collected seven hundred and fifty six golds.” Beaming, she pats a small chest resting on the floor of the wagon by her feet.
“Impressive,” he says as he helps her down from the wagon.
“Thanks,” she replies.
Tinok says, “We were unable to find out anything about your friend. We didn’t push too hard for answers since we wanted to avoid drawing attention.”
“I understand,” responds James. He goes over to Roland and asks, “Would you mind going into town with me? There’s something I’d like to get.”
“Sure, what?” he asks.
“I want to find someone who can make a belt for me to hold my slugs,” he explains.
“Right now?” he asks.
“If you don’t mind,” says James.
“Alright.” He says a few words to Ezra and then with Jiron tagging along, they head back into town.
After inquiring with several locals, they at last make their way to a clothier who specializes in leather. Walking into the store, they see many different types of goods made almost entirely of leather; belts, coats, hats, etc. Bent over a table is a man currently working on stitching a belt together. When they enter, he looks up and says, “One moment, please,” and then finishes up with a few more stitches.
Thankful that the man speaks his language, James says, “Not a problem.”
When he’s done, the man sets the belt aside and then asks, “How can I help you?”
Stepping up to the table James says, “I am interested in a belt, one that will hold the slugs for my sling so I can have ready access to them.”
“Like what?” the man asks.
“I want firm pockets attached to the outside of the belt, just large enough to hold each slug firmly so it won’t fall out as I move,” James explains. “There should also be a slit up the middle where I can grab it with my finger to pull it out.”
The man takes out a piece of parchment and begins drawing what James is describing. After a couple corrections, James is satisfied the man understands what he’s asking of him. “I could get something like this done for you,” the man says, “for about five silvers.”
“I’ll give you six if you can finish it by sundown tomorrow?” James offers.
Shaking his head, the man says, “I have another order that I must do first, but I can have it ready by day after tomorrow, for six.”
“Alright,” James says as he hands over three silvers. “I’ll give you the rest when I pick it up.”
Taking the coins, the man says, “Very well, day after tomorrow.”
James shakes his hand and then they leave his shop.
They make it back to their camp and spend a restless evening as they wait for the morning, and Tersa’s auction.
The sun no more crests the horizon before Jiron is itching to get going to the slave market for his sister.
“Relax,” Roland says, “the auction doesn’t start until two hours after sunup.”
“Still,” Jiron says as he resumes his pacing.
Once they’ve had breakfast, Jiron, Roland and James leave for the auction. Jiron sets a fast pace and the coins in James’ shirt that he had brought for the auction can be heard jingling with every step.
At the gates to the slaver’s compound, they find a line of people has already begun to form to enter. They wait their turn and finally pass through into the courtyard beyond.
They see that one of the platforms on the edge of the courtyard has been set up for the auction. Pressing through the crowd they maneuver to get as close to the front as possible. Jiron looks around at all the people waiting for the opportunity to purchase a living being and it just makes him angry.
Several slavers are already in position there on the platform, watching the crowd as the courtyard fills up. Each has a whip hanging at their waists. Jiron stands there impatiently for over ten minutes before a door finally opens in the side of the courtyard and a line of girls comes out. Jiron looks over at them anxiously but doesn’t see Tersa among them.
The auctioneer steps to the front of the platform and calls for the first girl to be brought forward. When she approaches the front of the stage, one of the auctioneer’s assistants removes the girls clothing. Standing there naked, she starts crying as they turn her around, showing her off to the crowd.
Once the auctioneer has spoken to the crowd, the bidding begins and James sees those in the crowd raising their hands. When the bidding is done and the girl is being led to the man who bought her, Roland says, “She went for seventy five gold.”
“Is that a lot?” James asks.
Shrugging, Roland replies, “I don’t know, I’ve never been here for this kind of auction.”
One by one they watch as the girls are brought forward, displayed and then sold. Once sold, each has a tether attached around their neck before being led off the platform to be received by their new owner. One girl collapses in a faint and has to be carried away. The onlookers laugh while some call out to the new owner as he goes to take his property.
The next line of girls are brought out and at the head of the line is Tersa, not looking nearly as nervous as the rest of them. James can see her searching the faces of the crowd, trying to find her brother, but isn’t able to.
When she is brought to stand next to the auctioneer and stripped, James thought Jiron was going to run up there, killing everyone. But to his surprise, he took it stoically and endured this so he may have her back. The bidding commences and Roland raises his hand to make a bid. It had been decided he should be the one to bid on her since he understands the language.
During the bidding, James watches Tersa as her eyes move from one bidder to the next in a hopeful attempt to locate her brother. He can see a slight uplifting at the corners of her mouth when her eyes stop their roving and settle on her brother standing next to one of the bidders. A slight smile escapes her as she stands there on the platform, knowing her brother is out there.
Roland continues bidding until all but a few are still with him. Then, from the back of the crowd, a loud voice says something and the crowd becomes positively silent. Looking back over the crowd, James sees a large man, easily a head taller than anyone else in the courtyard. Bald head and extensively tattooed, with two swords strapped to his back, he strides to the front as the crowd quickly parts for him like the sea for Moses.
All the other bidders are silent as the man strides forward, confident that she is his. When Roland doesn’t say anything, Jiron says, “Bid!”
“But…” he stammers.
Jiron, having picked up a little of the language after having listened to the bidding, shouts out a bid in their language.
The crowd collectively catches their breath and the auctioneer pales. The giant of a man suddenly stops and turns to see Jiron staring fiercely back at him. He cries something out and again the crowd gasps.
“What’s going on?” James asks.
“That’s a Parvati,” he says, “terrible fighters.”
“And?” Jiron asks.
“They have a custom that is supported by the Empire,” Roland explains. “They may call for a blood duel if anyone crosses them.”
James looks shocked by that, “Why in god’s name would they support a custom like that?”
“They serve the Empire loyally and fiercely,” he explains. “That’s why no one crosses them, those that do, die.” He looks at Jiron and says somewhat nervously, “He has called one on you for challenging his right to this slave.”
Jiron looks over at the Parvati and sees him staring back at him. The crowd begins to widen into a circle, a wide circle.
“So now…” begins James.
“Jiron must fight him, right here, right now,” he finishes. Looking to Jiron, Roland says, “You have no choice in the matter and it’s to the death.”
Jiron looks toward Tersa, who is standing there on the platform, uncertain now that things are not going exactly as she had anticipated. He removes his excess native attire and with a glance to the waiting Parvati, he pulls his knives and advances.
“Good luck,” says James.
“Thanks,” Jiron says nonchalantly, “just like back in the pits.”
As he advances, the Parvati draws both swords, one slightly shorter than the other. Not nearly as confident as he’s making out, Jiron sizes up his opponent as he would in the pits.
When he’s within about six feet of the Parvati he stops and waits for the attack. Knives are no good against an opponent who’s prepared and waiting for your attack, you’ve got to get them moving so an opening will present itself that you can take advantage of. Those in the pits who failed to learn that didn’t last too long.
With a roar, the Parvati slashes with his longsword while keeping his shorter one close for defense.
Jiron dances back and lets the sword pass by in front of him, mere inches away, never once taking his eyes from the Parvati’s.
The Parvati studies Jiron and then begins a series of attacks using both the long and short sword.
Jiron easily deflects each blow, trying not to absorb too much of the impact. He’s good, but not the best I’ve seen, Jiron thinks as his knives move to counter each attack.
The Parvati stops his attacks and steps back as he stares in disbelief at the little man with the two knifes. The expression on his face says he doesn’t understand why Jiron is still standing.
Again the Parvati closes to attack Jiron and launches complicated pattern, using attacks and feints to try to get within Jiron’s defense. Unable to breach it, the Parvati begins growing frustrated at not being able to kill this upstart. Suddenly, pain erupts from his left outer thigh and he’s shocked to see blood beginning to well from a shallow cut that Jiron had managed to land.
The crowd gasps, utterly surprised that this man with knives against swords had managed to draw first blood, especially against a Parvati.
James nudges Roland who turns to see him there with a smile on his face, “He’s good.”
“I see that,” Roland says, amazed.
His pride wounded at not drawing first blood, the Parvati screams and presses the attack, trying to connect less by skill than by brute strength.
This new series of attacks begins to leave Jiron’s arms fatigued from having to take more of the force of the blow on his knives rather than deflecting it away. Deciding to change tactics, Jiron goes on the offensive, startling the Parvati who’s not used to such a maneuver from an opponent.
With amazing agility, Jiron manages to get within his guard and scores another slash across his chest. Not deep, but it’s a staggering blow to the Parvati’s ego. Jiron takes a few steps back to catch his breath as he watches to see what the Parvati will do next.
The Parvati stands there staring at the blood coming from his chest and then looks over to Jiron. His eyes begin to turn red and flecks of foam can be seen at the edges of his mouth. Berserker! Jiron recognizes the signs from others he had faced in the pits. Berserkers are incredibly dangerous, but often leave themselves open for counter attacks, providing their opponent lives that long.
With a cry unlike any he had uttered thus far, the Parvati races toward Jiron, swords flying with incredible speed. Jiron’s knives deflect blow after blow, his arms deadening from the impact of a berserker’s strength.
Then the moment comes that he was waiting for, a series of attacks that will bring the longsword into just the right position. He catches the longsword between his knives and twists while at the same time jerking the longsword. To the amazement of the onlookers, the Parvati’s longsword flies out of his hand and sails over the crowd. Onlookers dive out of the way as the sword strikes the ground, its point sinking a foot into the ground. Everyone looks in awe at the weapon standing upright a dozen feet from the combatants.
The loss of his sword snaps the Parvati out of the berserker’s rage which greatly diminishes his strength. All berserkers use up most of their stamina while in the rage. He staggers backward, staring at his empty hand, not understanding what had just happened.
Taking the offensive, Jiron advances upon him, knives whirling in a pattern that a single sword is unable to defend against.
Doing his best, the Parvati, who had been so sure of victory, now was trying to merely survive. Cut after cut springs open upon his body; arms, legs, and chest all begin to well blood. Greatly weakened by the berserker rage, he’s increasingly becoming unable to block Jiron’s blows. Until at last, Jiron gets within his defense and slices him across the wrist, severing the tendons. Unable to hold the sword any longer, he watches as it falls from his now useless hand to the ground.
Without even pausing, Jiron moves in and finishes him off with a stab through the chest, puncturing his heart. To the shocked awe of the crowd, the Parvati falls to the ground, dead.
Coming over to him, James asks, “You okay?”
Nodding, Jiron says, “Just tired.” He then reaches down and cleans his knives on his opponent’s shirt. Once his knives are sheathed, he takes the Parvati’s purse and walks up to the auctioneer. Roland joins him before he reaches the platform.
The auctioneer says something and Roland says, “She’s yours, Jiron, free and clear.”
Jiron turns to Tersa as she comes down the steps off the platform. They give him a slave shift for her and he puts it on her. Giving her an apologetic look, he takes the tether that had been placed around her neck and then leads her out of the courtyard while the onlookers move aside, clearing a path for them.
She tries to give him a hug once they’re outside the slaver compound, but he stops her saying, “Not here, not now.” Understanding, she continues to play the part of a slave until they reach the caravan.