Everyone immediately left the stands without complaint. As we filed out, I turned to Faun, who was walking slowly and letting others pass by us.
"We have to go after him," I said simply.
She nodded, "He's like us. He bent the rules." I nodded in agreement. His combat prowess would be incredibly useful to us. "We're going to need supplies to go after him though. I don't want to walk like we did to get here."
I dread the desert, but this town is worse, Mort chimed in.
I also desperately wanted to free the rest of the slaves here, but when I ran the idea by Faun she dismissed it.
"They'll die without any supplies anyway. Or they'll be hunted down."
"What if we buy them?" I argued.
She shook her head slowly, clearly not wanting to get rid of her supplies.
"We can't help everyone Sam. They probably don't want to sell them and we wouldn't even have enough money. Weak people can't survive in this world," she said flatly.
"Faun we can't just let them die like that. We could barter. We can get more money later," I continued. She didn't seem to be paying attention though. I grabbed her arm for emphasis. Without warning her body slackened and I was barely able to adjust my grip in time to prevent her from hitting the ground face-first.
I repeated her name several times and felt a cold, panicky chill flash through me before I realized her exhaustion was probably a result from protecting the swordsman. She was out cold and the only thing I could do was carry her on my back to the nearest building, which happened to be the bathhouse we had been in only an hour earlier. The attendant was surprised to see us back so soon but immediately let me lay Faun down on her own bed. I made up a quick excuse about heatstroke.
"Poor girl must not be drinking enough water. Hang on a second," the attendant stepped lightly around me and out of the room. She came back moments later with a bowl and a wet rag, which she used to carefully drip water down Faun's throat. I thanked her for her quick thinking.
After a few minutes she tried to lighten the tension between the two of us, "I believe she said you were going to check out the arena? How was it? Other than the heatstroke thing, of course."
I'd always hated small-talk and I had an idea I brewing in the back of my mind.
"It was... interesting. What's your name by the way? You never told us."
She smiled warmly, "A'abla."
"A'abla," I repeatedly slowly, "I need you to watch Faun, my friend, until I get back."
I made sure Faun's eyes were still closed before I took the bag she always carried and pocketed the gold. I gave A'abla thirty gold pieces and told her that I would pay her more once I got back. I saw no reason not to trust her and Faun would be awake soon anyway.
"Where should I tell her you went when she wakes up?" she asked.
I was already halfway to the door, my mind cleaning up the details.
"Just tell her I'll be back soon," I yelled as I made my way back to the street.
Mort did not like my plan.
You'll end up either getting killed or losing all your money. It is not your job to protect everyone. However it is my job to protect you from doing foolish things.
"You're such a sourpuss," I replied as I hurried back to the arena. "If you were a human you'd be an old man who complains about young people." The street was still packed with people who had just left the arena and were looking for something else to occupy themselves. A group of large men were starting up a makeshift fight club while a fire-breather danced for spare gold. The air smelled heavily of spices and smoke.
Ravens do not have time for foolish chicks. They jump before they realize how far the ground is.
"And what about the chicks who wait until they are brave enough to jump and learn to fly?" I retorted.
You are not waiting. You are running into this blindly.
A heard a gasp come from the crowd that had gathered around the fire-breather, who had accidentally set a woman's hair ablaze.
"This is the only time I have to do this. Faun would have never let me have all the money."
Mort screeched in agreement, which caused a few people to look at us intensely.
"Would you cut that out? You can't come in with me and I don't need extra attention," I whispered, trying not to move my lips too much.
You're a wild-looking girl with a bird on her shoulder. People will notice you whether or not I make noise.
"Would you please just leave then? You won't be able to help me anyway."
I felt Mort's talons dig into my shoulder. He waited until I was just passing under the arch that marked the entrance to the pits to leave me.
As you wish. Just remember that every second you waste the man is getting farther away.
I knew that already. He was just trying to make me feel bad. I had to try and save a few of the slaves though. I knew that Faun would say it was irrational. She was right of course, but the only reason I even knew her was because I couldn't stand to see an innocent person die. Just like the swordsman.
It took me a few minutes to figure out where they kept the prisoners. I finally found it because it was the only place in the arena that still had people. A large building that looked like it was once a jail stood off to one side of the pits, opposite to where Faun and I had been sitting earlier. Two guards, sweating heavily in the afternoon sun, stood against the doorway leading into the prison while four others played cards under a canopy off to the side. They were all dressed in off-white, billowy clothing under leather armor. Only one looked at me as I walked up. He was younger than I expected, and his hair stuck up in little black tufts. I spoke over his comrades to him.
"Hi. Do you know who I could talk to about buying merchandise." I tried to make my voice sound as elegant as possible. Like I had a lot of money and did things like this a lot. Buying people was completely normal and fashionable. In hindsight I probably should have invested in better clothes.
The kid I had singled out looked a little freaked out that I had spoken to him. Did he not understand? Did I have something on my face?
"I uhh... think..." he began.
An older guard sitting next to him cut him off, "We don't sell here, m'am. Just buy. If you think you can change Mr. King's mind about that he's in the holding cells right now. I'll take you in." He got up somewhat clumsily and gestured towards the building.
"Thank you." This would be easier than I thought. I had two-hundred and thirty three gold pieces I could haggle with. I'd counted the money in an alley with Mort beforehand.
The man, who smelled of alcohol, I couldn't believe he still had a job, led me to the doors and exchanged a few words with the guards. He gestured for me to go first.
As I walked through the doorway I was assaulted by the smell of unwashed humans. It wasn't terrible, but it was clear that a lot of people were sweating in here. It was only slightly cooler than outside and much stuffier. I could barely make out the people in the room.
A man, who had to be James King, stood in the middle of the room between the rows of cells along with three guards holding brooms and rakes. A few puddles of water, though it probably wasn't water, shined on the ground.
"Just replace all the bedding. It's filthy. Also tell Jaraah he can take the rest of the day off," he told his guards. He saw us standing by the door immediately and walked over.
"Sir this woman was just wondering what she could buy from you," the older guard who had escorted me in said, his words slightly slurred.
James had to be able to smell the drink from where he was, but he simply dismissed the guard and walked over beside me. I became painfully aware of how much taller he was than me. He was also much better groomed than I would have expected.
"So, what kind of merchandise are you looking for? I recently acquired some fresh meat that I'd be willing to part with."
The thought of replacing the slaves he'd lost today with new ones revolted me, but I didn't let it show.
"I'm buying for a client who's just moving into town. He needs extra help building his house and maintaining it and doesn't need anyone skilled to do it. I heard you may be able to help," I said eagerly. That lie had sounded a lot better in my head, but it would have to do.
James frowned, "Oh dear. I'm afraid I can't help you with that. We recently had an incident, you may have heard about it. A slave escaped."
I widened my eyes in mock-horror. "Oh yes, I heard everyone had to leave the arena early today. Must have been terrible for your profits." I matched his frown with a look of sympathy.
"Not terribly. The worst bit has been teaching the rest of them that kind of behavior cannot be tolerated," he responded with a sigh.
Thoughts of whips and hot irons bubbled up in my mind. "I completely understand. Those kind of things can get out of hand so fast."
"Well then you see the problem. I don't have anything you can buy right now," he put his hand on my shoulder, making my skin itch. I didn't try to pull away though.
"I'm not sure I understand Mr. King..." Had he beaten them so badly they couldn't be moved?
I suddenly noticed it was very quiet in the room. The only thing I could hear was the guards sweeping and the dry rustle of hay. As my eyes started to adjust to the low lighting I blinked a few times. I suddenly realized the puddles on the floor were red. I looked at James in alarm. He gestured towards the back of the room. I noticed the pile of rubbish the back of the room was actually piled high with bodies. My mouth went dry and I felt bile rise up in the back of my throat. I looked down and noticed James' hands were covered in blood. The metallic odor in the room I had mistook for the metal bars made me gag.
I had to get away from it, so I ran. I barely noticed the blank expressions on the door guards as I flew past them. I bumped into the young one with the wild hair. He looked angry but his eyes were glazed over with alcohol. I didn't stop until I was back at the bathhouse, my breathing ragged from the sprint and my own hysteria. Mort called down from the roof.
Young one. What happened? Calm yourself.
I tried to relax by breathing in and out deeply. Just as my breathing began to relax I saw that my shoulder was covered in dried blood where James had touched me. I didn't even know who's blood it was. Maybe it was a mixture of several people's.
Mort was still flapping around, looking for an answer. I straightened and adjusted my hair before looking up at him.
"There aren't any more slaves. We're leaving as soon as Faun can walk," my voice quivered but remained confident. I practically fell into the bathhouse. I sat down on the edge of the well inside. The stones were cool against my thighs. I wanted to cry but I buried my emotions. Nothing could bother me right now. My body would eventually have to break down, but right now I needed to remain calm.I had to gather enough supplies so Faun and I could find the swordsman and tell him exactly what his defiance had caused.