The lucario did turn out to be useful. He spoke four dialects for the time I was with in, and he assured me that we can intercept the slave caravan before they reached Geirdina. Now, he requested that I acted as his bride in the presences of a salamence noble-woman. I could only make out one word to every five she was saying.
As we held each other, a servant brought out a 'wedding dress." I never seen blue-dyed clothes before. He thanked the noble woman. No doubt the slave trader would take me seriously in this.
As we left, he opened up the bag of money we had. He looked disappointed. "I think we can pull this off and still have money for the trip back, he said. This pink gems are not worth very much. They were produced by the princess of the carbinks and caused an economic war a while back. It's only recently that they've been considered to have any value at all."
"Well, that jewelry is worth something, is it not?" I asked.
"Yes, especially during the moment we barter. You'll need to wear jewelry as part of your cover, and you'll have to throw a ring, but leave at least one ring. It'll be your husband's ring." He took my hand and started to parse my fingers.
"Aren't you supposed to be my husband?"
He laughed. "Not during the exchange. My hands are far too callous and I don't think I can get my hands on proper clothing during that time. With that dress and something to make you look pregnant, it'll convinced anyone they you'll have a husband that can afford a small army of mercenaries at the very least. I merely protect up from pick pockets. Also, I'll interpret, which isn't uncommon."
"But, what about this dress, as well as my sword and shield."
"Yeah, that dress needs to be returned. It's not common practice to barter a noblewoman's clothes. For your sword, it's it's a decorational sword and wouldn't really last in a fight. Many people would assume as such for it's length. The shield isn't worth as much as either."
"We're going to barter away both your swords before this shield goes on the table, understand?"
"Yes, mi'lady."
"So, Mercelo, what's the likelihood of you keeping your swords? You really only need one of them. Is it like a god's whim?"
"Well, there are things which affects price. The transport costs across the desert to Geirdina would save us money. The fact that there isn't as much business in this city also helps with the costs. Unfortunately, I have no idea of the typical price for a miltank."
"We don't call our men that."
He looked at me confusedly. He then looked at my horns. He eyes widened and he took a step back. "Gods, Annika! You're a barbarian!"
"Well, we don't have kings, if that's how you put it."
"But, I don't even know. You're a tauros. You look so different from your men. You, how did you even get as far as you did? You would have had to sail here."
"So?"
"They sail with women on board?" he asked.
It wasn't too surprising. I thought it was only a superstition of my own people. "Umm, it's not that hard to figure out is it. You need one woman for every first women. They remove each other's ill-luck."
He paused to think. "You know, I think I understand. Every tale I've heard it was always one woman. Never two or four."
"Yes. I sailed here with three other woman on board the boat."
"And that raid, was it your brother doing the raiding?"
"Yes. It was very bad fortune that the caravan was there at the time."
"So, you're basically the criminals in this story?" he stated.
"We weren't the ones who put all those unprotect villages by the sea."
