The Mists of Sorrow_ Book Seven of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [139]
“Spicy?” asks Jiron.
“You could say that,” he replies as he wipes away the tears forming once again. Tearing off another strip of bread, he takes more care this time and manages to reduce the effect of the spice.
When they’ve finished eating, they resume moving toward the slaver compound. People on the streets pay them little heed since they are still wearing their native attire and doing nothing to stand out. As they approach the slaver compound, the main gate through which the people are moving comes into view. Two slavers stand to either side of it looking rather bored. Occasionally, one of the people would stop and ask them a question before passing through.
Indicating the two slavers at the gate, Reilin asks, “Should I see if they can tell us if Buka is here?”
“Go ahead,” James says.
So when they approach the gates and are near the guards, Reilin steps up to the two men and asks, “Could you tell me where I could find a slaver by the name of Buka?”
The two slavers perk up at that. “Buka?” one asks. “Why would one such as you wish to see Buka?” The other slaver moves in beside the first slaver.
“I…” he stammers then says, “I…that is we…have a mutual friend.”
“You do, do you?” the second slaver asks. “I hardly doubt that.”
“Who is this mutual friend?” the first slaver asks. “Maybe he’s my friend too?”
The second slaver grins. “Yes, who is this friend?” he asks.
Reilin glances to James and Jiron. Unable to follow the conversation, they are no help. “That is none of your business,” he asserts. “Are you going to help me or not?”
Shrugging, the first slaver says to the second, “It matters not I suppose.”
“True,” the second agrees. Turning his attention back to Reilin he says, “Buka is here.”
“Where can I find him?” he asks.
“He’s inside,” the first one replies. “Not sure where exactly, but he’s in there somewhere.” The second one nods as well.
“Thank you,” Reilin says then moves to rejoin James and Jiron. He glances back and sees the two slavers still watching him, an amused expression on their faces.
“Well?” asks Jiron.
“He’s in there but they didn’t know where,” he explains.
“If only we knew what he looked like,” James says. “That would simplify things quite a bit.”
“True,” agrees Jiron. Taking the lead again, he moves through the gates and into the slaver compound.
They enter a large courtyard after passing through the gate and find the auction still in progress. Over to their left on one of the long, raised platforms, a slaver is conducting the auction. A beautiful young woman stands naked next to him, obviously the one whom the people are currently bidding on. Behind the auctioneer stand another five waiting their turn.
Watching the girls being auctioned brings back the feelings in Jiron that he had when his sister Tersa was on a slave block. Before that time he had never given slavery much thought. But after that experience, he came to agree with James that slavery must be stopped and if possible, every slaver put to the sword. Or the knife as the case may be.
“We’re not going to find him out here,” James says. The few slavers in the courtyard are up near where the auctioning is taking place.
“I think you’re right,” agrees Jiron. “Unless he’s one of the ones taking part in the auction.”
They look around and find an unguarded door leading into one of the main buildings of the slaver complex. Moving ever so nonchalantly, they make their way across the crowded courtyard and toward the closed door. Before they reach it, Reilin places his hand on Jiron’s shoulder and says, “We got trouble.” He then directs Jiron’s and James’ gaze