Volume 2, Part IX: You Can Keep Her Heart
The servants began moving large comfortable chairs into the centre of the room, placing small tables with candles and a numbered placard in front of them. The chairs were arranged in small clusters in front of the head table. The waiter that had served them at dinner approached Sand and Torio. "Master, my lady - you are to be seated at table three." He led them to the high backed cushioned chairs, and placed an ink well, a quill and some parchment on the table. "The rules of the auction will be explained to everybody."
To the left of them was a group of humans and a group of elves, speaking in hushed tones. To the right, two other groups of humans and then the table of gnomes. The Red Wizard was sitting alone at the 7th table. The Ogre mage was to the right of him. A small contingent of Drow females were at the 9th station and Sand could see Gweynn sitting alone at the 10th chair. The 11th and 12th tables had a pair of halflings and some dwarves. Asrar himself sat at the Head Table, staring at each one of them in turn.
The whole atmosphere was slightly sinister; as if to make the evening even more foreboding, half the torches of the room were put out. A man stood before them when everybody was gathered and silent.
"Welcome to the auction for the Scales of the Sphinx. The rules are simple. Abide by them or be removed from the bidding. The bids are private and Master Asrar may accept or reject any bids at anytime for any reason. He also may ask you to leave at anytime. Master Asrar may also send you back a counteroffer, an opportunity to negotiate. Additionally, you may negotiate with all the other bidders in the room at any point, to try and...persuade them...to leave."
The man paused here for effect, letting his words sink in before continuing. "No magic or enchantments will be allowed to be used to convince Master Asrar to take your bid. To make a bid, simply write your offer on a piece of parchment, fold it, and give it to the runner assigned to your table. You may not communicate with anybody outside of your table except through the runner. If you win the auction, payment is immediate. If you fail to comply with the agreed payment, you will be handed over for low justice to the Luskan authorities and the next best bid will be accepted. If there are no further questions...we shall begin."
Sand pulled a piece of parchment to him, glancing at the other groups. Everybody was huddled over their tables, whispering furiously. Their runner was an unfamiliar woman. The air was heavy and oppressive and Sand realized that everybody, except for them, wanted this map for heinous or diabolical reasons.
He dipped the quill inside the ink and looked at Torio. "Too high and we risk running the price up too early and running out of money in the long run; too low and we risk Asrar taking somebody else's bid. Suggestions, dear girl."
Torio bent her head close to his, thinking furiously. "He knows these first offers are merely going to test the water," she said quietly, glancing at their host as he sat patiently at the Head Table. "We'll need something to catch his attention now; everyone here will obviously have money, but the menagerie is exotic enough that I wouldn't be surprised if our opponents have more to offer than mere money." She tapped the paper in front of them thoughtfully. "What artifacts do you have? Wands? Items? Nothing too powerful, mind, but something to show we have more to offer than simple monetary payment."
"Smart girl." Sand clucked his tongue approvingly. "I took every magical item that...uh...you know who...offered us for the journey. None of them are here however but they are at the Seven Sails. I doubt all our 'friends' here have all their items of payment with them either. So...20,000 gold pieces worth of gems, jewels and pearls and...a dozen rare magical scrolls?"
He quickly wrote out the offer on the parchment and then folded it, handing it to the runner. He glanced down the row of tables. The table of elves were still conversing while the Ogre mage had already sent in his offer. Looking back at Torio, he kissed his quietly on the mouth. "For good luck, wife."
She nodded as their runner took the offer. "A good offer," she said softly. "Pray that we get a chance to make more of them." Torio turned to look at Sand, only to feel his mouth press against hers, briefly. Her eyes fell shut almost out of habit, and then when she opened them again he was leaning casually back against his seat. She didn't reply, merely let her hand rest against his knee as she leaned forward, her chin on her hand. Asrar was eyeing the written offer from the Ogre Mage; his face betrayed no expression as he set down the note, and scribbled on an answering piece of parchment. His runner, a smaller man with skin so dark it was almost pure ebony black, took the proffered counter offer and hurried to the Ogre Mage's table. Their runner handed their offer to him next. Again, his face remained impassive as he read it; his eyes flicked to their table where they lounged almost carelessly, waiting. He picked up the feather quill and began writing a response as his own runner was returning to his table, and Torio let out brief sigh of relief; well, at least they weren't being immediately tossed out on their ear.
Sand opened the parchment and showed it to Torio. The note simply said: More.He picked up a fresh piece of parchment. "40,000 gold pieces, a dozen rare scrolls and half a dozen protective rings or amulets?" The other tables were now sending up their responses and Asrar was responding quickly and efficiently. Sand noticed the group of Drow sending their runner to the dwarves. Ah - the 'persuasion' begins.
She nodded. "He knows we have it to deliver, at least; offer it." She watched as Sand scrawled it out onto the parchment, and handed it to their runner, who sprinted up towards the Head Table...just as a pale-haired boy, looking barely over 12 or 13, came to the edge of their table and handed them a piece of parchment. Torio took it with ginger fingers and unfolded the note..."50,000 gold pieces, to walk out right now." She looked up, catching one of the groups of humans watching them expectantly. "We're going to run into a problem soon," she whispered in his ear. "Obviously we cannot take offers from the others; and yet if we get a rather extravagant offer that would be feasible for us to take it might look suspicious on us."
Sand narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "We'll deal with that problem, I suppose, when we come to it. Though - I do not know if anybody here has quite enough money to buy us and Asrar at the same time." Sand wrote simply on the parchment, 'No' and then handed it back to the young boy. There was a flurry of activity besides them and suddenly the group of gnomes stood, bowing at Asrar politely while the runner from the other group of humans was handing them a large sack and an envelope. 1 out; 10 left to outbid.
Their own runner was back and Sand hurriedly opened the parchment, his eyes flicking up to Asrar. The man was occupied with another offer and not looking in their direction. Better. More.
Sand slipped Torio a piece of clean parchment. "You try. Maybe you'll have better luck."
Torio stared down at the parchment for a moment. Her quill sped across the parchment: 50,000 gold pieces. a dozen rare scrolls, ten protective magical artifacts...a mastercrafted nightshade neurotoxin, as well as the knowledge to produce more. "Look at that," she said simply, pushing what she had written over to where Sand could see it. "It is rare enough knowledge that it might tempt him," she whispered. "Anything else you can think of to add?"
Sand raised his eyebrows at Torio. "Impressive, dear girl. That may intrigue him just enough. Or frighten him. The fact that you know this frightens me." He kissed her again and as he looked up, noticed that Asrar was watching them coolly.
He watched her fold the parchment and gave it to their runner. While waiting for the reply, Sand watched the activity around them. The others appeared more interested in negotiating with each other. The elves had sent their runner over to the Red Wizard. A girl with cropped hair approached them and handed them a note. "From table 10." Sand looked up and saw Gweynn staring at him intently. He opened the note. "50,000 gold pieces, and access to the Hosttower's archives, libraries and artifact study rooms. And I leave your wife alone."
Sand clenched his jaw tight. "Would you like to respond, dear girl?"
Her eyes narrowed imperceptibly as she read the note. "Amateur," she said easily. "With pleasure." She wrote her response quickly and succinctly. No. And by all means, do not leave the wife alone. She glanced up; Gweynn was watching her write.
"Magic or no," she whispered to Sand as she folded the note crisply, "Everybody bleeds." She smiled as their runner returned with Asrar's reply. "Here, love, take that to table 10." She watched the woman turn and leave again; the table of humans was emptying rapidly as they stood and bowed briefly to Asrar's table, before moving to the Ogre mage; they each collected a large pouch from his men, and disappeared from the room. She slid the note from Asrar over to Sand. "Care for the honors, husband?"
Sand smiled at her ruthlessness. "Well said, well played." Gweynn's face was a frigid mask of cold as she read the note. Sand reached over and squeezed Torio's knees. She was devastatingly beautiful when she was feeling murderous. He opened the note from Asrar just as the table of elves stood, bowed and went over to the Red Wizard to collect their buy-off.
More gold. Your staff. What else does your wife know?
Sand raised an eyebrow. "My - that is interesting. We have his interest now. He's actually making a counteroffer. I have no problems parting with this staff...and just what else do you know, my love?" He handed her the parchment.
She shifted her leg slightly, feeling the slit in her skirt slid apart, letting Sand's fingers press against her bare skin; his human fingers were hotter than a brand. Her heart was pumping audibly as she stared at the parchment...
She couldn't reveal too much...she was a merchant's wife, after all. She wrote, carefully,Hemlock Truth Serum; its properties, dosages, ingredients, methods of application. Her fingers twitched slightly as she handed him the quill in order to add the money, artifacts, and of course, his staff to the bid. She watched him write, glancing up at the Head Table...strangely, all of the runners were heading to Asrar this round; no offers were being made between the bidders. "Everyone's settling in now," she said quietly. "These are the ones who truly want this map."
"Yes. The game just got more difficult." Asrar took his time in replying to each runner. The table of Drow received their response and immediately sent a runner to the table of dwarves. Suddenly there was belligerent shouting from the dwarves...
"...no good Drow, I oughtta plant my axe..."
Asrar merely flicked his wrist and suddenly a contingent of guards appeared and hauled the dwarves from their chairs and dragged them outside. Sand gave Torio a look. "One less competitor; a pity they didn't take any of the Drow's money with them..."
The runner was back at the table. Sand was hoping desperately that upping the money to 60,000 gold pieces was enough. He opened the note.
More gold. Do you love your wife?
Torio watched the dwarves be expelled from the auction with some amusement. "If only they all had such tempers," she whispered, and then looked over Sand's arm to the note as he opened it. Her fingers gripped his arm spastically for a brief moment; she kept her face passive, turning her head as if she were nuzzling his neck lovingly. Her stomach twisted with a dizzying sickness as she whispered, "That was quick." She took the quill in her own fingers and pressed it into Sand's hand. "80,000 gold," she whispered fiercely. "And..." She moved Sand's fingers in a squiggled parody of his writing; Why do you ask? "No definitive answers, yet," she murmured; she could feel the blood draining steadily from her face, but pressed her mouth in a firm line; a glance to the center of the room showed one of the remaining humans throwing down Asrar's counter offer in disgust and turn, storming out of the room, his fellow humans practically sprinting after him.
Sand silently nodded and finished writing, giving the parchment to the runner. The tension in the room was palpable. Asrar was bent over, writing his reply. The Red Wizard still looked completely unruffled. Gweynn had stopped looked at them completely and appeared to be trying to buy off the halflings beside her.
Their runner returned with Asrar's reply. Sand looked up and saw the man staring steadily at him. He opened the parchment, still staring into those dark, conniving eyes and finally looked down at the words written.
More gold.
To know what she's worth to you.
Do you love her?
Sand glanced at Torio. "We still have enough to raise our monetary bid. But - " He was momentarily interrupted by the halflings who stood, bowed, and collected their payment from Gweynn. He looked back at Torio. "How do you want me to answer his question?"
Torio drummed her fingers against the table. "Yes," she said after a moment. "Write yes. If he thinks I'm worthless to you then he'll lose interest." She glanced up, watching as the Ogre Mage sent an offer to Gwyenn; the Red Wizard was watching them shrewdly...he began writing on a parchment in front of him. "100,000 gold, as well," she said quietly. The drow were glaring across the room at the humans; Asrar's finger lifted almost imperceptibly, and the guards walked forward, waiting, ready, feeling the tension rise between the two groups. She touched his hand lightly with hers, pressing her lips to his cheek breifly. "Write it."
Sand held the quill above the parchment, hesitating. "I want to see if our 'friend' at Table 10 accepts the offer." He watched Gweynn read the Ogre Mage's parchment and scribble something in return. The Ogre Mage read her reply and then stood, bowing to Asrar and then moving over to Gweynn, collecting his money. Sand looked shrewdly at Torio. "She can't have that much money left. She just bought out the halflings and now the Ogre Mage. She's no longer a threat."
Torio nodded. "Astute observation. Let's hope she has nothing left to fall back on." She watched Gweynn pause in her writing, staring down at her parchment and frowning...
Sand carefully wrote:100,000. Yes.
He sent his runner back up at the same time as the Red Wizard's, but Sand was pleased to see that Asrar opened his first and replied to it without even looking at the Red Wizard's offer.
Sand tore the parchment open.
How much do you love her?
Convince me that you love her.
The humans were scribbling furiously, and then their runner was striding across the floor, holding out the parchment to the Drow..."Iblith!" The cry flew from the table, and then shapes were bounding across the floor at each other. Guards seemed to pour from every corner and throw themselves into the mass; for a moment action ceased as the remaining bidders watched the bustle move towards the main doors and disappear outside, the fight successfully ejected from the auction.
"Two more down," said Torio quietly. She looked over at the note in Sand's hand. Convince him? What did that mean? "He's not asking for money anymore, at least," She said quietly. "We seem to have met his limit on gold. But this...What game is he playing?"
"A Luskan one, dear girl. An emotional one." He looked up at Asrar again, who was staring at them with a small smile on his lips. Sand looked back down at the blank parchment and began writing.
There is nothing in the world I would not do for this woman. She makes me laugh me, she makes me think, she makes me a better man and she makes me want to be a better man. I love everything about her - her passion, her stubbornness, her intelligence, her drive and her ambition. When I first met her, I could never have imagined she would one day be sitting besides me as my wife. Now I cannot imagine a life - even a day - without her. I love her with every fibre of my being.
His heart was thudding strangely loudly in his chest and he had to lay his hands on the table to keep them from shaking. "Well, dear girl?"
Torio slid her hand over his; she was very painfully unable to meet his eyes. "It will do," she said quietly. She folded it herself, her fingers trembling so hard the crease was crooked by the time she was done. She held it out to their runner, and the woman was off, striding towards Asrar's table. Her hand was still on Sand's; she watched the flickering candle at their table, her breathing tight and constricted in her throat. They were words, she knew, that needed to be said to convince Asrar, to get them to the map.
The part of her not currently embroiled in a nerve-wracking, knife's-edge auction was very quietly and very desperately wishing they were true. You don't have time for that now, Torio. Maybe she never would. Their runner was back; she hadn't even looked up to see Asrar write his reply. She handed them the note.
Sand's hands were trembling so hard he could barely open the parchment. He hoped his words had been convincing enough. He exhaled sharply, realizing that he had been holding his breath. This was more nerve-wracking than the Trial.
Your life wasn't in danger then...
He lay the parchment flat on the table.
You make no mention of her body.
The deal: You can keep her heart and her mind and her soul
I want her body.
One night.
Plus the 100,000 and all the other offers.
Do you accept?
Torio's mouth felt dry. It was exactly what they needed, what Gend said would get her close to Asrar. Close enough to kill him. But would they have time to prepare?
...If you win the auction, payment is immediate...
Asrar was watching them, a strange light in his otherwise cold face. She leaned in close to Sand. "Accept it," she hissed. She allowed her mind a brief touch on his, glancing furtively at Gweynn to ensure the woman wasn't paying attention to them. It will get me close to him, my dear, and that is what we ultimately need; unless you possibly have a better idea? Her last thought was somewhat desperate; she found herself suddenly and completely averse to using a tactic she had used quite often in the past without a second thought.
Her hand was still on his, her fingers gripping him firmly; she reached for the quill with her free hand and pressed it into his, bending close and brushing her lips against his ear. "Accept it, my love," she whispered, her heart twisting in her chest.
Just words, Torio. Nagendra's words.
It was perfect, utterly perfect. All the pieces of their plan falling immaculately into place.
Except for one large glaring thing, a black blemish on an otherwise flawlessly executed mission - the nauseating turmoil that was now curling in his stomach. Sand felt sick, a bitter bile sitting on the back of his throat. He suddenly felt as though he had let Torio down; he had no better idea for getting the map or killing Asrar.
With shaking hands, and Torio's fingers still on his, he wrote shakily, Yes.
It was done.
The runner took the folded parchment from Sand and Torio and sprinted up to Asrar. The man unfolded it, almost too casually, and then stood, announcing "The auction is now over."
Gweynn and the Red Wizard both simultaneously turned to the couple sitting at table 3, glaring at them, but having no other choice they stood, bowed stiffly at Asrar and exited the room.
A dark silence fell on the room. Asrar studied Nagendra a long moment, her blonde hair swept up elegantly off her face, pressed up against her husband, Tanith. Her husband was simply sitting there, pale, staring into the flickering candle on their table. He smiled coldly. A high price indeed for the map.
He cleared his throat. "Congratulations. Come, follow me to more private chambers where we can solidify the terms of payments and perhaps share some celebratory wine." His voice left no room for further negotiation and he left the room by a side door, not waiting to see if they would follow. He knew they would.
Torio's heart thudded slowly and heavily as she stood, calmly flattening her skirt down her legs with her palm as she had done many times before. Sand stood woodenly next to her, and as they moved to follow their "host" she discreetly took his hand and turned, kissing him briefly on the mouth. Keep your wits...we still have tricky waters to navigate, dear wizard.
They walked silently into an adjoining room; a fire was already crackling with disheartening cheerfulness in the hearth, and Asrar had his back to them, pouring wine into three fluted glasses. The room seemed stiflingly warm, and yet Sand's hand felt cold in hers. Asrar approached them and handed them each a glass. "To new...friends," he said casually, and tilted his glass back. Torio briefly touched hers to her lips, her throat tightened too much to even think of swallowing the sweet nectar.
Sand drank the wine as if in a daze. The whole situation was surreal; he won the auction but it was like he had lost. "To..." his voice caught a moment, "To new friends."
Orban Asrar put his glass down on a nearby table. "Let us deal with some business first, before we move onto pleasure." His dark eyes caught Torio's light one as he said this. "Do you have all the payment with you? If not, I will have somebody escort you, Tanith, back to where you are staying to collect the rest of the goods."
Sand reached inside his robe and tossed the velvet gem bag on the table. "At least 100,000 worth of jewels, gems, pearls." He lay the Staff on the table as well. "Staff of Curing, brand new, all charges still there. The other magical items are at the Inn."
Orban picked up the velvet bag and examined the contents. "I will return to you whatever is in excess of 100,000..." He snapped his fingers and a servant that had been leaning quietly against the wall stepped forward. "Give this to the gemcutter. Tell him to pull out 100,000 worth of whatever he needs and return it here when he is done." He looked expectantly at Sand. "Final item of payment?"
Sand's arms felt as though they were made of lead as he offered Torio's hand to the man before him. Orban took it gently, kissing the back of her hand and pulling her to his side. "Do not fear. I will treat her well and I won't hurt her. But if she becomes heavy with my child - well, that is not my problem. I leave that up to you both to deal with and prevent." He stared hard at Sand. "Very well. The map." He walked over to a painting hanging on the wall, pushing it aside. Inside was a small cubby hole with a small chest. There was a click as he unlocked it and then he returned, holding before him a shining golden piece of hide.
"I will give your wife the words to activate this when I have finished...collecting from her. You may return in the morning with the scrolls and other items. If there is nothing else, I would like to retire with my payment." His fingers were stroking Torio's bare forearms lightly, his hand clutching her possessively.
Torio's skin prickled in objection as Asrar's fingers began stroking her arm, but she merely smoothed her hair down with her free hand. At a time like this, she would be tempted to ask for a demonstration of the map's abilities; she didn't trust the man an inch if it were a mile, but at the same time, the activated map could reveal the true identities of the spies standing directly in front of Asrar...
She caught Sand's eyes; he had a dead, flat look to them that made her insides sink heavily in her body. She felt the comb burning a brand against the back of her head; Asrar was right there, they could be done with this and running as they spoke...but the guards were watching them from the darkened corners of the room, and she had no clue where to begin deactivating or destroying the map.
Her mind touched Sand's, briefly; Be careful if they escort you...I do not trust his men. Her mind clung to his almost desperately for a moment. I will be fine.
"Nothing else," she said briskly. "Honor your side of the bargain, Master Asrar, and we shall...we shall honor ours."
Sand nodded at Torio and Asrar. He was suddenly aware of the taller, distinguished man now holding his 'wife' and he had a moment of unreasonable, rash jealousy. What if Torio decided she rather liked being with him?
Torio...I...Be careful, dear girl.
He turned abruptly on his heels and left, the image of Torio and Asrar burning in his mind.