Entering the building Aina aproached the counter, and spoke with the employee for a while and as soon as the employee left Aina returned to rex.
"Follow me. We will be waiting in a separate room." Rex nodded and his group followed her. It didnt take long for them to arive at relatively small room. It was neatly decorated, not too over the top but enough to show the prosperity of the merchants. There were two rather large sofas stationed around a coffee table of some sorts. The table was covered with some refreshments, but Rex noticed there was no drink there. He asumed it would arrive sometime soon or along with the merchant. Aina sat down on one of the sofas, and gestured Rex to sit down next to her, while speaking
"Your slaves should stand behind you. Its an etiiquete in such things, unless you are so much above your the oposite party that one just doesnt care. "
"Since we are planning to have business relationship I dont see the need to spit in the face of the other party." Rex responded, then thoughtfully added "So what kind of people are you getting those favors from?"
"Two merchants. Both are shrewd, and will try to grain the most profits from their transactions, but my house havent had any issues or underhanded tactics employed against us. Nor have we heard of such methods being used against others, without those parties being the innitial agressor. So as long as you are direct and precise deals you should have no problems." Understanding Rex's question Aina quickly responded.
"Good to know." Rex spoke. His girls had taken their position behind Rex behind the sofa. Anda small comfortable silence enveloped them. They waited some ten minutes or so before the door opened, and in came an elven gentleman, by the complexion of his face one would guess middle aged man in human age somewhere around mid fourties, which meant the elf was few hundred years old at least. behind him was a girl dressed as a maid with a tray of tea, Rex guessed.
The elf noticing Aina, who was sitting on a couch, and another person next to her started to calculate in his head. The assistant did say that miss aina was here and had said she has very important business to discuss, and that he should hurry to her meeting room. It was normal for elven royalities to have their own designated rooms for business in any large city. Who was the cloaked man besides her, he had no idea, but judging by the four ,obviously women slaves, behind him, the man was a part of this important business she had with him. All calculations having taken up only a few seconds of real time, he quickly got his merchant mode on and greeted Aina
"My, my. How unexpected. What would and elven princess need of a humble merchant such as me." He lightly chuckled, then continiued "Im rather sure none of you younger generation are allowed to use your family name to gain accolades." he looked at her, as he was sitting down. He was going to squeeze all the benefits he could from this encounter, hell maybee he could get a favor or two from her. The gears were turning and planning, all the while keeping a keen eye on her expressions, untill the man besides her spoke, inerrupting his groove
"Are you sure he will not waste my time?" Rex questioned, adding in a rather teasing tone "Princess?" The merchant then noticed a slight flinch in Ainas expression, and that instantly informed him that this deal did not involve the royal family, but the girl herself, which somewhat deflated merchants hopes. There basicly was no profit to be had in dealings with fresh adventurers party, even if they theoretically contained an elven royality. Their sucsession wars were just that constricting and brutal. And with his knowledge, there was no way for Aina to earn the throne, whats more, from trusted sources he knew this girl would back a sister of hers, not fight for the throne herself.
"Sorry Rex" Aina quickly spoke somewhat akwardly smiling "but I believe he is one of the few merchants in Blythe, who could even try to acomodate you. The fact that we have an extensive history of dealing with him, and proving his capabilities in delivering the requested services is the only reason I even chose him as a candidate for you." Aina was quick to understand Rex actions. He was strongly implying to the merchant, that their business, if any to be had, was only thanks to Aina here. She then turned to the merchant and in a neutral and dignified voice spoke
"I would kindly suggest you introduce youreself, and change that attitude of yours. While i am of little concern for someone of your status, I doubt you would want to make a bad impression of yourself to an unafiliated blood mage." As her worlds rolled of her tongue, the merchants eyes went wide. Elven royality never joked around the business table, and this girl was rummored to be even more frigid in her mannerisms. The man lifting his hood and revealing such a young face and a status of a true archon only made Ainas statement even more believable. Then his brain went overdrive when he comprehended the entire sentence. Unafiliated. That means natural tallant to unlock the school by himself. That was a walking godl mine. And Aina had brough this mage to him. The fact alone that she knew such a guy already changed her value not only to him, but even her entire family. He had to get the in the mans good graces.
"Of course, my humble appologies" The elf quickly got up and bowed to the two in front of him "My name is Eledar Silverblade. An elven merchant, and I specialize in information, speciality goods and personel aquirement. " This time he turned to Rex and used his most elegant and respectfull manners in expressing himeself.
Aina having dealt with shrewd people all her life knew how to press an advantage when there was one, and seeing as there was an oportunity to milk more for her's and Rex's gains, she added
"Do you have some slaves at hand to demonstrate his skills on? Be is even better than your average practitioner." The maid had set the tea tray on the table and prepeared three cups- one for each person sitting next to the table. Eledar, was rather lucky with his choice of servants today it seemed, and while he would lose an hour or two from todays schedule, he was more than happy to do so
"i would be honored, and as luck would have it, the servant girl here is my personal slave" he gestured to the maid, and understanding her master the maid unbuttoned her top few buttons and revealed a collar around her neck.
"Slave collars. Made by slavery magic. ussually can force a person to obey for up to a few years. Much easier to create than permament slave marks, but at the same time much weaker as well. Coudnt controll adventurers of C class and above" Aina quickly explained to Rex, to witch he nodded and spoke
"Have her strip so her collarbone and top of her chest, above breasts, is exposed" Eledar nodded and the human girl blushed, but obeyed and disrobed her hop half. She was wearing a rather plain bra, obviously noone expected her to show herself of to some VIP today. The girl then bowed her headin embarasment. What happened next had Eledars jaw drop. Even his trained merchant acting couldnt supress his suprise. Rex lifted his hand, a crimson circle flared at his legs and a few chains as if made of blood shot out of the circle. They wrapped around the girl, securing her in place. Then once chain became etheral, and shot in her chest.
"Remove the choker" Spoke Rex, and Eledar did so right away. Next a mark appeared on the girls chest above her breasts "A drop of your blood in the center of the brand" Rex then ordered the merchant, and he complied. Eledar pressed on one of his rings, which thene extended a rather small and delicate looking needle from if sigil. Then he preoceeded to prick his finger and dripped his blood in the brand. Brand then glowed a little and its center changeda little. As the ethereal chain left the girls chest Eledar sensed a unique connection establishing with the girl. He new she was his slave in every sense of the word. no need for any other supplementary devices. Oddly Rex saw that the girl was quite happy herself, as if knowing that she was trully Eledar's made her pleased. Eledar sat down, and the room was in absolute silence for a while untill Rex spoke
"This one is free since Aina wanted to show of my skills, but there will be no other such ocasions. I dont run charity." Next came the crucial part. They needed to come to an agreement regarding their posible dealings in the future. Eledar had his work cut out for him. Aina was quite capable negotiator, and she was wery well aware of how exeptional Rex's skills were. The speed alone would make him unreasonable asset, but the fact that he didnt seemed tired at all after the branding was even more impressive. To put a cherry on top he didnt need to weaken the target at all before the branding, and while the girl was just a normal human, the fact remained. That skill was exeptional.
The two favours he ended up guaranteeing Aina for this introduction was a drop in the ocean when compared to the contact Eredar aquired. And Rex only requested a mansion to be found that he could rent and eventually buy to be secured, a few tutors for his personal slaves(only females allowed, apparently he has trust issues regarding humans), a decent space artifact so he can farm the dungeon comfortably. That was another thing that got Eredar drop his jaw, when Aina told that the mage can take out and orc champion in solo combat. A feat he would never disclose to anyone outside their current conversation. That added another level of depth and value to Rex. Rex in return would guarantee a single enslavement cast every year, with a discount. Any additional servives from his side would have to be negotiated seperately. And Eledar knew he was profiting like no tomorrow in this exchange. There were no merchants who could have guaranteed slots of enslavement every year. Blood mages were just that rare and expensive, and yet, he had it. Aina and Rex didnt even bother hidining the fact that there would be another merchant, who would be approached and offered the rare opportunity to get in the good graces of a blood mage, and once Eredar learned who it was, he count approve more. While he dealt with presonel, it was mostly preofesionals. Specialists in their fields, training of certain jobs for servants and such. The other merchant was one of the biggest slave traders in city, and he would pay anything to get acsess to a blood mage. Blythe had a slavery mage. And while he was good at what he did, the inherent weakness of slavery magic still remained. In case of chokers adn other accessories, they had a hard cap regarding the strenght of an individual they can keep enslaved, and the actual magic brands could be broken by the strongest of people. Willpower has a hard counter to slavery magic and warlords mark. Blood magic shackled a soul. One branded there was no way to break free. As part of the deal Eredar had to bring them to the other merchant and show off his 'newly aquired' branded maid. Since this maid always follows him everywhere he goes, slaev trader could recognise her. One done with the contract and its details, Eredar ordered for a carriage to be prepared. They would visit the other merchant straight away.
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
On their way to the slave trader, Eledar gave a brief summary of the merchant. Brogni Ironfist- a dwarwen mechantcoming from an ancient clan of dwarwen traders. As all dwarfs they are direct, proud and love treasures. Anything that boosts his hoard gets the royal treatment, and even Aina, who is a warlord, can barely gain any acknoledgement from Brogni, because she cant bring anything too impressive yet. Her slaves always turn profit, sure, but there a dime a dozen such slaves brought in for sale every month, and just as much are wasted in the colleseum and fighting pit. Eledar is neccesary here for a fast and efficient introductions and securing of business.
It was quite obvious when they entered the slave markets. This part of the trading district was more filthy, and quite a few of the slaves were displayed almost like cattle. Lesser races like kobolds, squee(pigmen), and more animalistic beastmen. The ones with fur and more bestial features were displayed on cheap looking outdoor stages, or kept in cages with minimal cover from elements. Going deeper the conditions got better, and as for why they entered from the slum part of the slave market,as Eledar explained, sometimes one can find a gem among the heaps of trash. At the end of the tent zone was a huge building complex, with inner garden that was flanked by the complex building. In the garden there was a stable, where they lefts their ride, and with Eledar leading the party they scaled the marble stairs leading to a door with 'VIP' written on it. There Brogni was recieving his most important customers and providers himself. If you were not on his VIP list there were quite a few other building you could bring your business to. Two big and burly men stood, guarding the door to the VIP zone, but seeing Eledar they bowed slightly and opend door for the group.
Inside there was a counter with two beautifull ladies waiting and as soon as they noticed doors opening, they rushed from the counter and greeted the group. Noticing the elven merchant the ladies bowed and spoke in soft tones
"Welcome back, master Eredar. Master Brogni is speaking with another client right now. Please follow us to the guest lounge. Is there anything you would like for refreshments while we wait for master." the girls spoke and guided their group to the lounge. The room was quite large, decorated with expensive wall coverings, wery comfortable sofas along all the walls, a table with all kind of fruits and snacks in the middle.
"We will bring tea in just a moment, spoke one of the girls." The other was already on her way to the lounge with tea. As soon as the second girl arived, the first one exused herself and returned to the lobby, to greet any other VIP's if any were to arive. The girl serving tea engaged Eredar wery politely, and Eredar turned to Rex and adressed him
"I do hope you dont mind us waiting a bit. Brogni is wery serious when it concerns business and he always finishes his deals in the order of guests arival."
"i dont mind too much. I will figure a way to spend the time." Rex responded, looked at the inviting sofas,thought for a moment, then continiued "Girls, cloaks off, and lets get comfortable, we dont weant to dirty that expensive furniture. Irina sit there" Rex pointed to a corned of a sofa, and the girls proceeded to follow their orders. Irina was the first one to follow her orders. She was quite happy with how her new life was shaping out to be. Once she took of her cload, Eredar was taken by suprise seeing her beauty. Once she was in the spot ordered by Rex, her master lied down with his head on her lap.
"Feel free to relax and get comfortable" Rex spoke and closed his eyes for a quick nap on the soft lap pillow. He considered himself a rather smart right now. The combination on this heavenly lap wiith the fluffy sofa was just perfection.
Some thirty minutes later, time that Eredar and Aina spent talking about random things regarding elven realms and other insignificant topics the door opened, and in came a rather bulky man meter and a half in height, big and bushy beard covering his chest. The man was well dressed and witha big smile on his face. Behind him were two other maids and a mena looking werewolf if somekind of a metal armor.
"Eredar! My friend, apologies for taking so long. You know how I work. Every VIP must be treated with the proper respect. After all they are the lifeblood of my business." Spoke Brogni , then he noticed Aina, gave her a slight nod and then focused on the remaining five people in the room. Four orc women, three barely above average looking and one stunning. The beaty was sitting in the corned with a young man using her lap as a pillow and taking a leasurely nap. He also noticed that not a single of the women had slavery collars, or the glow of warlords mark. So they were either servants or escorts. Keeping his smile on his face the dwarf continued
"What business would you my friend here with the elven princess in tow, and a beauty I have not seen around here?" If the girl was to be sold here, he would be setting up a mega auction with her as the main item. She would bring gigantic profits even with just his ten precent auction fee.
"Those three are my maids, and Irina here is not for sale, ever." Rex spoke, sitting up from the heavenly pillow "Eredar is here so we could get a timely audience before i decide to bring my services elsewhere and Aina is here to get a few favors, because she convinced me to even consider bothering myself with all of this." he continiued and opended his eyes, looking at the dwarf. His status as a true archon had always provided a solid reaction. Brogni was a bit suprised seeing a true archon, but he had seen crazier shit so he wasnt off his rocker and Eredar rushed to make sure his friend doesnt fuck himself over with his short temper of a dwarf. The elf quickly gestured to his maid and ordered the werewolf and maids to leave the room. Brogni smelling money in the air purely because he knew how the elf operated, quickly ordered so as well, and as soon as dwarfs entourage was outside, Eredars maid shoved her mark to Brogni.
The dwarf not understanding straight away asked confused "Why would you waste a blood mages brand on such an ordinary slave girl, and where did you find " and there his words stopped, his head quickly shipped in the orc women dirrection, his eyes bulged fully processing the obvious facts in front of him. Four orc women, around a young true archon male, no slavery chokers, no warlord mark glow, no slavery magic marks on their hands or faces.(slavery magic would be drawn runes on skin that would look like runic tatoos once active, Most often beeing drawn with a lock on the back and extending to the limbs with intricate patterns.) That would mean that all four are most likely branded. Ance since only one of the four was valuable enough to brand, purely because of her looks, the only logical explanation was that the man in the middle was a blood mage. That also would explain why Eredar himself would introduce them, and if the elven princess brought the mage over, that would explain why she would expect a few favours in return. Any slave trader with acsess to a blood mage could secure some insane deals purely as a mediator.
"Sir mage, I humbly apologize for making you wait" the dwarf started, but got cut off before he could get too deep in the flattery that has been ingrained in him as a merchant
"If you feel sorry, reward Aina, it was her idea to offer my services to you. Lets get down to business. Im sure we both want that." Rex spoke "I like people with principles, so keep yours intact, and dont fuck me over and we will have a cooperation just fine." As soon as Rex finished the dwarf shut up for a minute, Swore to himself to forever more hold fast to his current modus operandi and started to talk about conditions, prices and other aspects of their future dealings. They spent the next few hours ironing out the contract details, Ainas reward, and the mutual cooperation between Brogni and Eredar regarding their work as intermediaries for Rex's branding services. How often would Rex be willing to perform such services and other details.
After concluding their business, and having a rather luxurious meal at the dwarfs residence, Rex, Aina, Eredar and the girls returned to Eredars mansion, where Rex would spend the next few days while the elven merchant would Prepare the residence for Rex and his girls. At the end of the day, everyone ended up quite happy. Rex got his hands services he is gonna need anyways, both merchants got ways to make stacks of cash and earn more prestige, and Aina secured herself some big favours from powerfull merchants and an ally in a blood mage with insane potential. Aina also went word to her sister, whom she is supporting to prepare a magical mirror for comunication. She had imoprtant news to share.