They inspect the various weapons while the blacksmith looks on. James is totally at a loss as far as telling if a weapon is good or bad, so he stands back and lets Jiron and Tinok decide.
After inspecting all the swords and knives, feeling for balance and sharpness, they settle on the ones that are the best of the lot. Unfortunately, the blacksmith doesn’t have any shields, they’ll have to find an armorer for that. James lets Jiron do the haggling and then hands over the coins.
When James asks if they can be delivered to their caravan, the blacksmith says, “My apprentice is currently out for his midday meal, but when he returns I can have him take them out first thing.”
“Thank you,” says James, “we would appreciate that.”
Leaving the blacksmith’s shop, they go in search of an armorer for a shield for Yorn, there’s no way they’ll be able to afford any armor. They find a shop boasting a sign bearing a shield upon it not very far from the blacksmith’s shop. Inside they find many different shields available in different sizes, thickness and strength. Jiron finds one that he says is similar to the one Yorn had used back in the pits.
Handing over the coins, James realizes that they’ve all but exhausted the money that he brought with him. They take the shield with them, since it would be no burden to carry back.
After leaving the armorer’s shop, they head on back to the caravan. On the way, they again run across the group of Parvatis, only this time the Parvatis see them first and alter course to intercept.
Seeing them approaching, James fears the worse and readies one of his slugs. The Parvatis come close before stopping in front of them, the leader of the group takes a further step forward and says something.
Roland replies to him and then he says something else. Turning to the others, Roland says, “He’s asking if you’re the man who fought the blood duel with the Parvati earlier in the slaver compound.” Looking worried, he asks, “What should I tell him?”
“Tell him the truth,” Jiron replies and turns his gaze to fixate on the leader.
Turning back to the Parvati, Roland tells him that Jiron is in fact the one, pointing him out.
The leader turns to Jiron and reaches into his tunic, bringing out a necklace with three spherical stones. He says something to Roland as he hands it to Jiron.
Taking the necklace, Jiron looks questioningly to Roland.
“He says that to defeat a Parvati in a blood duel is an amazing thing,” he explains. “He also says that it shows great skill and this necklace will show any Parvati that you are to be treated with respect. It kind of makes you one of them.”
Jiron gives the Parvati a slight bow and says, “Tell him I am greatly honored to be accounted as one of the Parvatis.”
Roland translates for the Parvati, who breaks into a smile and says something else. Then he turns and the group walks away.
“What did he say?” James asks.
“He said ‘May your knives drink deeply’,” Roland tells him.
Jiron places the necklace around his neck as he watches the departing Parvatis.
“Thought we were in trouble for a moment there,” admits James.
“Me too,” adds Roland.
“Let’s get back to the caravan,” Jiron says as he begins walking.
It doesn’t take them very long to find their way back and they’re surprised to find that the packages containing their clothes have already been delivered.
“If we keep buying stuff,” James observes when he sees the water wagon is beginning to be filled with their things, “we’ll need to get another wagon just for belongings.”
“Probably,” Delia admits.
Shortly after the sun crests the horizon the following morning, James, Jiron and Roland are again heading back into town for the auction. Before leaving, James fills his money pouch once more from the chest and realizes that they’ve spent almost all of it. He mentions the fact they’re running out of money to Delia and she says, “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Alright,” James replies.
As they leave, Delia hollers out, “Don’t get into any fights this time!”
When they arrive at the slaver’s compound, people recognize Jiron from the day before. Many come up and congratulate him on his victory over the Parvati. Due to his notoriety, they are allowed to proceed to the front of the crowd for the auction.
After a wait of about fifteen minutes, they begin to see slavers coming onto the platform and shortly afterward, the first line of slaves is brought out. These are men this time and they look as if they are all from the fall of the City of Light. Their ages range anywhere from fifteen to fifty, some look to have had an exceptionally hard time if the number of bruises covering their bodies is any indication.
“Recognize any of them?”
“A couple,” Jiron replies, “though none of the ones we’re interested in.”
The auctioneer begins and they quickly go from one to the next until the entire line has been sold. “They’re going for a lot less than the girls had,” Roland tells them.
“Wouldn’t be surprised,” James comments.
When they bring the next batch out, Jiron says to Roland, “I see Yorn. He’s the third in line.”
Roland nods and waits until the first two have been sold and then joins in the bidding for Yorn. Whether it’s because he’s with Jiron or because no one wants him, the auction lasts only a few rounds. Having outbid everyone else, Roland moves forward and pays for him. Leading Yorn by his tether, Roland brings him over to the waiting group. Upon seeing Jiron there, he smiles briefly before resuming the stoic look of a slave.
Jiron gives him a nod and then turns his attention back to the auction. The rest of the line is auctioned off quickly and then another batch of slaves is brought out. “There are Scar and Potbelly,” he tells Roland.
“Which ones?”
“Scar’s the first in line and Potbelly is the fifth,” he points them out. “Did you tell them about me?” he whispers to Yorn.
He shakes his head and whispers back, “You asked me not to. But they saw you fighting here yesterday, so when they mentioned it to me, I let them in on it.”
Jiron nods his head as he turns back to the auction. When Roland goes up to get him, Scar gives him a look that says he’s dead and gets a lash across the shoulders for it. When he’s led back to the group, he begins to smile when he sees Jiron and Yorn standing there, then remembers himself and again dons the look of a dejected slave. They wait for Potbelly’s turn and in just a few minutes, he’s standing there amongst them too.
When the next line is brought out, James hears Jiron gasp. “What?”
“See that little guy there,” he says, “second in line?”
“Yeah.”
“He’s another of the knife fighters, not as good as Tinok and me, but good,” he explains. “He used to show me how he could hit an apple thrown in the air with his throwing knives, though of course he was never allowed to use them in the pits.” Turning to Roland, he says, “We want him and number five.”
Roland nods and commences to bid for them when their turn comes.
“Number five’s name is Stig, he’s good with mace and shield,” he explains.
Soon, they’re standing with the group as well. Jiron has to silence them on more than one occasion when they begin to talk amongst themselves.
The next line doesn’t contain anyone that they’re interested in, although Jiron gets a satisfied look on his face when they’re brought out. James notices his expression and asks him about it.
“The third guy in line,” he says, pointing him out. “He once tried to accost Tersa and had to spend two weeks recovering when I was through with him. Glad he’s up there.”
He gets bought by a farmer whom they hear needs help on his farm. “Back breaking labor,” Jiron says. “Good!” He watches with great satisfaction as the man is taken by the farmer and led out of the compound.
The next line finally yields the last one they’re here for, a young man of average build, who Jiron says is very deadly with the quarterstaff. Once he’s bought, they lead their newly acquired slaves out of the courtyard and back to the caravan.
After they arrive at the caravan, Jiron removes their tethers and says, “You guys are expensive.”
They all laugh at that, “Thanks, man,” Yorn says to Jiron.
