The Price of Freedom – Part 3
John's head throbbed from the beating he'd just taken as several guards pinned him against the wall in an attempt to keep him under control. He watched with despair as McKay was dragged onto the wooden staging and secured by his wrists to a metal post. McKay was protesting loudly in his usual babbling fashion but suddenly, he went very quiet when something John couldn't hear was said to him. John could only assume that it was a threat of death because that was usually the only thing that shut Rodney up so quickly.
Rodney remained silent and somewhat subdued, as the bidding got underway. Several bids where placed but they were quite low as there didn't seem to be that much interest in him. However, John was thankful that at least someone would buy Rodney and he wouldn't end up as Wraith fodder. Another, slightly higher, bid came from the centre tier and John realised that the couple who had spoken to him earlier were bidding for McKay. The price they quoted seemed to dispel any other offers and before John knew it, Rodney had been sold to the couple. Somehow, this gratified him as he had the feeling that the couple wouldn't do Rodney any harm. The last John saw of him was when Rodney was escorted out of the arena. Presumably back to the holding area.
He remained closely guarded while several other people where sold before him. Then finally, John was told to move and the guards stuck close as they matched him towards the staging. John's head still swam from the effects of the fight as they secured him firmly to the pole, but he turned to face his buyers with his usual defiance and pride. A murmur of disquiet passed through some of the bidders, and some even booed and hissed at him.
From his position on the staging, Tarmas cringed when his boss threw him a dirty look before he stepped forward to start the proceedings. "Good people of Tandara who will start the bidding on this fine piece of merchandise?" he asked, with a flourish of his hand.
Sheppard couldn't stop himself and he called out. "Wait a minute! I am not a piece of merchandise! I'm a free---" But before he could say any more, his guard gave him a hefty slap across the face to silence him. Pain ripped through his jaw and he tasted blood, but his bound hands prevented him from checking the injury, so he ignored it and kept his head held high.
Rodney's buyers winced as they watched blood trickle down John's chin from his split lip. However, they were secretly pleased because his insolence would only help their cause. No one would want to buy such an unruly and defiant slave. No one that is, except maybe one man.
Tarmas threw the guards an angry look, as much to say, For goodness sake keep him under control,' before he spoke again. Clearing his throat, he continued with a little chuckle. "Err … as you can see, he is a little on the feisty side but I am sure he can be controlled with the right handling."
Several grunts and even laughs passed through the buyers before Tarmas called for the bidding to commence. The silence that followed was disheartening for those who intended to make a profit and Tarmas cringed again as his boss's face looked livid with anger. Then when it looked like a hopeless case, a meek voice called out, "10 gold pieces," from the middle tier.
Tarmas groaned at such a measly sum but if no one else offered more, then he would have to sell the troublemaker to the bidder. His boss was going to have him skinned for this and he began to wish he'd never taken the tall dark haired man that fateful day some weeks ago. It had only been an anonymous tip-off that had led him to that planet in the first place. He should have ignored it.
Clearing his throat, he tried again. "Come on good people, surely you can offer me more than that?"
The silence remained so Tarmas prepared to end the bidding. Then just as everyone thought it was over, a loud, "20," boomed from the first row. People turned and gaped towards the new bidder. They all knew him well.
Majel couldn't look and she felt tears well up in her eyes. This was what she had been afraid of, as the callous brute known as Gallus Karakus had just put in a bid. She turned to look at her husband with great sadness; she saw it reflected in his eyes. After paying for McKay, they would only have 50 gold pieces left, so unless Karakus quickly lost interest, there was nothing they could do to save John Sheppard from being sold to the most heartless, barbaric man in the capital. His reputation was spread far and wide, and it was common knowledge that he used his slaves for all kinds of dirty work from digging in his gold mine, to being used as sex objects.
However, Majel wasn't going to give up that easily, so she clearly called out, "30!"
A disquieting laugh echoed from the front row, and people held their breath. "40!" The harsh voice replied.
"50!"
"60!" growled Karakus .
Majel lowered her head. She felt like crying just as Jonah shouted. "70!"
Shocked by his bid, Majel turned to her husband. "Where will we get the money?"
"We will raise it somehow," he whispered. Nevertheless, Jonah's gesture had been in vain when a loud, "80!" boomed from the front row.
That was it. It was all over because there was no way they could raise that kind of money. The silence remained deadly throughout the arena as everyone waited to see if they would bid more, but Jonah shook his head in defeat and John Sheppard was sold to Gallus Karakus.
The tears Majel had been holding back began to roll down her cheeks when she watched the proud man being dragged away under heavily armed guard. Even though she hardly knew him, Majel had a feeling that John Sheppard would rather die than become a lifeless drudge to a man like Karakus.
She remained thoughtful long after Sheppard had gone until Jonah quickly grabbed her arm. "Come on, we must go and pay for our acquisition before Tarmas or his boss try to stop us."
Majel nodded and hastily moved off behind her husband.
-SGA-
McKay didn't stopped asking questions from the moment they were far enough from the arena, but the couple stubbornly reminded silent. This irked Rodney somewhat, especially as they seemed to be depression and sad about something. Naturally, he wanted to know why.
Then much to Rodney's relief, they eventually entered a modest looking wooden house with a well-kept garden. The couple took him straight into a simply furnished living room and Rodney was extremely grateful when they offered him a chair to sit on. Although, the minute he lowered himself into the soft cushions, the questions started up again.
"Okay. Now, I'm going to ask you this one last time, what happen to Sheppard? You know the tall rakish man, the one who tried to stop the guards from hitting me."
Majel handed Rodney a glass of water, which he gratefully accepted, before answering him. "We know who you mean, Mister---?"
"It's McKay. Dr. Rodney McKay and he's Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard. Now will you kindly answer my question?" Rodney fired off.
Majel whispered, "He told us his name in the viewing pens," before husband and wife exchanged a sombre look. "We are truly sorry, Dr. McKay. We tried to buy him but we were outbid by the town's most rich and powerful man. I am afraid there was nothing we could do and John Sheppard is now the property of Gallus Karakus."
Rodney blinked several times in disbelief. "That doesn't sound good, and now I'm your slave, right?"
"Oh no, no we do not own slaves." Jonah announced with a look of revulsion. "We are part of a small group that is attempting to abolish slavery. We are not practically powerful at the present time. Nevertheless, one day we hope that all the citizens will see the errors of their ways and free the slaves." He stopped for a second to allow that information to sink in. "Now as soon as you have rested and had a good meal, you are free to go or stay with us. If you decide to go, we would suggest that you get as far away from this town as possible and try to start a new life. If you do not leave this area and are seen without us, you risk being hunted down as an escaped slave."
Rodney looked astounded. "I beg your pardon? Start a new life. I don't think so. I was happy with the one I had before being rudely nabbed on MX5 879 and I intend going back to it after I've recovered Sheppard."
"Those are very brave words, Doctor, but unfortunately it will not be possible to rescue your companion or get back to your home on this MX … whatever. The ring is too well guarded by the slavers and no one but approved citizens, are allowed to use it."
Rodney felt his heart sink. That could explain why they hadn't been rescued these past few weeks. Assuming that either Ronon or Teyla had made it safely back to Atlantis. Nevertheless, if they knew the gate location, then they really should have been rescued by now.
Oh god, they were really screwed this time. Rodney concluded. Of course, it was all Sheppard's fault, again. The man attracted trouble like a magnet but regardless, Rodney was very worried about him, even if his next words didn't seem so. "Although Sheppard doesn't deserve it, are you trying to tell me I can't help him?"
Majel looked at Rodney with an odd expression before moving over to a small cupboard and pulling out a crude looking picture of some huge and ugly fortress. "I do not know why your companion does not deserve to be rescued but this is where Karakus lives." She handed Rodney the picture. "No one has ever escaped from its walls and no one gets in without being invited. I am so sorry but John Sheppard is doomed to a life of servitude or worse if he does not give in to his master's demands."
Rodney froze and swallowed hard, thinking. Sheppard give in. Hell would probably freeze over before that happened.
-SGA-
John was tired of the same old routine of waking up and finding himself in some crappy situation. This time however, he could clearly recall exactly how he'd arrived in this dismal, damp and smelly place. Of course, he couldn't keep his mouth shut when he'd been forcibly introduced to his owner and told to knee before him. John had told the callous man exactly where he could go and had demanded to be released immediately.
The battle of wills that had followed had been very interesting indeed, but John had been hopelessly outnumbered by Karakus's willing drudges who had forced him to his knees with their brute strength. However, the desired, "Sorry Master," never spilt from his lips and the last thing John remembered was the beating he'd received from three of the larger guards. So now, he had bruises on bruises and painful abrasions, once again.
Gingerly lifting his throbbing head off the floor, he looked around and took in his new surroundings. Nothing new here, he thought. Once again, he was in a small-stonewalled cell furnished with nothing other than an uncomfortable looking bed and a dreaded bucket. The only light came from two tiny barred windows set high up on one wall. They were so small that even a child would have had difficulty climbing through them.
With a pain-filled moan, John attempted to get up off the floor. When he made it, the room swam alarmingly for a few seconds but he managed to stagger as far as the bed before collapsing boneless across its paper-thin mattress. The boards underneath creaked loudly, threatening to break. Nice going John, he thought when his nasals were assaulted by the pungent smell of urine and sweat. Just for once, he should have tried co-operating and then maybe they would have given him some better accommodation.
Yet John knew that was impossible, he was just too darn stubborn when he thought things were unjust. There was no way in hell he would bow and scrape to the grotesque man. No indeed, life was going to be very difficult in the near future.
After painfully shifting onto his side, John managed to curl up and face the wall. He stared at the solid grey stone and prayed that McKay was fairing better than he was and could at least mount some form of rescue. Sooner rather than later would be nice, John thought as he drifted asleep because his bad feeling had just grown out of all portion.
Tbc