Fires of Prophecy_ Book Two of the Morcyth Saga - Brian Pratt [85]
After a wait of about fifteen minutes, they begin to see slavers coming onto the platform and shortly afterward, the first line of slaves is brought out. These are men this time and they look as if they are all from the fall of the City of Light. Their ages range anywhere from fifteen to fifty, some look to have had an exceptionally hard time if the number of bruises covering their bodies is any indication.
“Recognize any of them?”
“A couple,” Jiron replies, “though none of the ones we’re interested in.”
The auctioneer begins and they quickly go from one to the next until the entire line has been sold. “They’re going for a lot less than the girls had,” Roland tells them.
“Wouldn’t be surprised,” James comments.
When they bring the next batch out, Jiron says to Roland, “I see Yorn. He’s the third in line.”
Roland nods and waits until the first two have been sold and then joins in the bidding for Yorn. Whether it’s because he’s with Jiron or because no one wants him, the auction lasts only a few rounds. Having outbid everyone else, Roland moves forward and pays for him. Leading Yorn by his tether, Roland brings him over to the waiting group. Upon seeing Jiron there, he smiles briefly before resuming the stoic look of a slave.
Jiron gives him a nod and then turns his attention back to the auction. The rest of the line is auctioned off quickly and then another batch of slaves is brought out. “There are Scar and Potbelly,” he tells Roland.
“Which ones?”
“Scar’s the first in line and Potbelly is the fifth,” he points them out. “Did you tell them about me?” he whispers to Yorn.
He shakes his head and whispers back, “You asked me not to. But they saw you fighting here yesterday, so when they mentioned it to me, I let them in on it.”
Jiron nods his head as he turns back to the auction. When Roland goes up to get him, Scar gives him a look that says he’s dead and gets a lash across the shoulders for it. When he’s led back to the group, he begins to smile when he sees Jiron and Yorn standing there, then remembers himself and again dons the look of a dejected slave. They wait for Potbelly’s turn and in just a few minutes, he’s standing there amongst them too.
When the next line is brought out, James hears Jiron gasp. “What?”
“See that little guy there,” he says, “second in line?”
“Yeah.”
“He’s another of the knife fighters, not as good as Tinok and me, but good,” he explains. “He used to show me how he could hit an apple thrown in the air with his throwing knives, though of course he was never allowed to use them in the pits.” Turning to Roland, he says, “We want him and number five.”
Roland nods and commences to bid for them when their turn comes.
“Number five’s name is Stig, he’s good with mace and shield,” he explains.
Soon, they’re standing with the group as well. Jiron has to silence them on more than one occasion when they begin to talk amongst themselves.
The next line doesn’t contain anyone that they’re interested in, although Jiron gets a satisfied look on his face when they’re brought out. James notices his expression and asks him about it.
“The third guy in line,” he says, pointing him out. “He once tried to accost Tersa and had to spend two weeks recovering when I was through with him. Glad he’s up there.”
He gets bought by a farmer whom they hear needs help on his farm. “Back breaking labor,” Jiron says. “Good!” He watches with great satisfaction as the man is taken by the farmer and led out of the compound.
The next line finally yields the last one they’re here for, a young man of average build, who Jiron says is very deadly with the quarterstaff. Once he’s bought, they lead their newly acquired slaves out of the courtyard and back to the caravan.
After they arrive at the caravan, Jiron removes their tethers and says, “You guys are expensive.”
They all laugh at that, “Thanks, man,” Yorn says to Jiron.
“Don’t thank me,” he says, “thank James, he’s the one who paid for you.”
They all express their thanks to him. Delia begins to hand out the clothes that