Felix was surprised. The name was fresh in his mind still, from his dinner with the Queen.

"Are you familiar at all with that name, Lord?" Felix asked Baron Wiseman.

"I've dealt with them a few times, actually. I suspect every noble has. They're the family which has a monopoly on the slave trade here in the Aurul Kingdom." Baron Wiseman said, with a thoughtful expression.

"Have you purchased many slaves, Lord?" Felix asked, feeling a bit uncomfortable, which did not escape Baron Wiseman's notice.

"A couple. Faith, my maid, is one. In fact..." Baron Wiseman said, and he rung his bell again. Faith came a moment later, and entered the room politely.

"Yes Lord?" she asked.

"Faith, come here, I'd like you for this conversation. Young uh... what was your name again, lad?" Baron Wiseman asked, looking at Felix.

"Felix, Lord." Felix responded.

"Young Felix here must learn about the slave trade." Baron Wiseman said. Faith walked over and stood before them, and gave a slight curtsy.

"Faith, tell our guest how you came to be a slave." Baron Wiseman said.

"Yes, Lord." she said, and turned to address Felix. "Originally, I lived out further to the southwest. I had a fancy that I should get involved in the gem trade, as a trader. I got hired, and did a passable job for a few months, but one night, whilst staying in an inn as I was traveling, I took to drinking, and so, when I stumbled back to my room, I forgot to close and lock my door. Someone came in and stole the satchel of jewels I had been transporting, valued around 10 gold roughly. It wasn't that much, since I was still new to the industry, but it was still a loss I was responsible for... but I could not pay it. How could I have so much wealth? That's 4 or 5 years of an average person's pay. And so, I was sold to the Belrose family into slavery, to make up for their loss, and Lord Wiseman purchased me." Faith recounted.

Felix was disturbed. "I understand money is important, Lord, but isn't it a bit much for someone to become a slave over one slight mistake like that?" Felix asked.

"It may appear that way at first glance, and when I was young, I was of a similar mind as well. However, think about it a bit more, lad. Firstly, Faith of course lost her job. It would not have been unusual to see her end up homeless for her error. She may have died alone and forgotten, starving in a ditch. Instead, now she is a well-respected maid here in Gurnkey, well known amongst those in the market. No one dares to disrespect her for fear of offending me, and she has work and purpose, and food and shelter. All of that in addition to the jeweler being made whole for their loss, and the Belrose family getting business as well, and I got some much needed help around the manor." Baron Wiseman remarked.

"That indeed makes sense Lord, but what about slave abuse?" Felix asked.

"Are you accusing me of abusing my slaves?" Baron Wiseman asked, his eyebrow raised.

"No, pardon, Lord, I meant to say that I think Faith may have simply been lucky by having you for a master. However, some other noblemen may be the sadistic sort, who love to torment people, and they would lead a rather torturous existence as a slave, with no recourse." Felix said.

"I see. Well, to tell you the truth, that sort of thing does happen, but it's rather unwise. Firstly, we have no need to beat or punish a slave, because orders are magically binding." Baron Wiseman said.

"Faith." he said, turning to look to Faith. "If I ordered you to claw out your own eyes, what would happen?" Baron Wiseman asked.

"I would begin clawing them out, and feel it was the most natural thing in the world for me to be doing so, Lord." Faith responded.

"Quite right." Baron Wiseman said, turning his attention back to Felix. "You see, lad, the way slave orders work, is through the soul of the enslaved. There is no need to punish a slave, because the slave magic makes the order as if it were their own desire to follow it." Baron Wiseman explained. "Of course, I never need to order Faith around, she is quite a good and loyal maid." Baron Wiseman said.

"May I speak, Lord?" Faith asked.

"Go ahead." Baron Wiseman responded.

"I'm quite happy I ended up here in Gurnkey as the Lord's slave. I am well respected, I do good, honest work, I have occasional access to some of the finer things in life. The Lord has never beaten or abused me in any way, and, in fact, I feel grateful to have lost that satchel." Faith said, addressing Felix.

"Again, I do understand that it's worked out quite wonderfully for you, but, what about those with other, less kind masters?" Felix asked.

"Well, I won't deny many noblemen have less than scrupulous character. I'm certain there are those who beat their slaves for no reason other than the enjoyment of doing so. But again, I ask you, what alternative would you have for those who have accrued large debts or committed heinous crimes?" Baron Wiseman asked.

"Well, prison, Lord." Felix said.

"Mmm. I have another slave, who I don't believe you have met. His name is Scott. He works out in the rice fields on the other side of the river. He was convicted of rape, in a fair trial. The nobleman who judged him offered him 20 years imprisonment, or slavery. He chose slavery. Do you know why, lad?" Baron Wiseman asked, looking at Felix.

"No, Lord." Felix responded.

"Prison is no holiday, lad. The cells are cold and dark. Even in the most well-maintained prisons, the boredom and lack of interaction eats at your mind. He would have had to endure a long, grueling torture of 20 years of inaction. Instead, he has work, he has friends, he has a roof and shelter, he even has a bit of an income from excess harvest, which he can spend freely, which he chooses to do so at the pub sometimes. Can you tell me he would have been better off in prison?" Baron Wiseman asked.

"Well, no, Lord, but again, that's just him being lucky with having you as a master, isn't it?" Felix asked.

"Well, yes, however, with slavery he at least had that chance, that opportunity of having a good master and living a happy and fulfilling life. He may well have ended up in a situation much the same as a prison, where a distasteful noble confined him to a room until he died of starvation. However, he took that chance by his own accord, because he decided that a chance at happiness was better than guaranteed misery." Baron Wiseman said, looking at Felix thoughtfully.

"A chance which, something in my gut is telling me, you made the same as him." Baron Wiseman said, his eyes feeling like they were piercing into Felix's soul.

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"Is there any way for a slave to become free, Lord?" Felix asked, trying to change the subject. Baron Wiseman noticed, but chose to ignore that fact.

"Depends on the slave. Debt slaves typically have a buyout price, and buyers are encouraged, although not required, to allow slaves to do side businesses in their spare time to save the money to afford this. Faith, for example, cultivates flowers in the gardens around the manor, and makes perfumes to sell in the market." Baron Wiseman said, to which Faith gave a slight nod and a curtsy. "It doubles up as making the grounds look more lively and beautiful, and contributes to the light industry here in Gurnkey, so I'm more than happy to allow it." Baron Wiseman stated.

"And what about criminal slaves, Lord?" Felix asked.

"Again, it depends on the slave. A long time ago, there was an issue where sometimes people would buy their friends as slaves after a conviction, and then simply release them, thereby meaning they effectively received no punishment beyond a fine, even for crimes like rape or murder. So, the law was changed a few decades ago that from criminal slaves, they typically have a minimum sentence the buyer must agree to that they should remain a slave, which is normally half the time they would have received as a prisoner, and those who may have a conflict of interest with a slave are barred from purchasing a criminal slave in most cases." Baron Wiseman said. "But, yes, criminal slaves usually have a buyout price as well, which applies after their set minimum slavery sentence." he concluded.

"May I ask, Lord, what is Faith's buyout price?" Felix asked, looking at her curiously.

"16 gold, the same as I paid for her." Baron Wiseman said.

"I see. May I ask how much she has saved by this point?" Felix asked.

"About 24 silver and some coppers. I'm still relatively early in my flower cultivation and perfume business, so it hasn't truly taken off yet." Faith responded, of her own accord.

"Lord, at that rate, she might not pay back her price until she is an old crone, if ever." Felix said.

"And? Would you have her homeless or imprisoned instead?" Baron Wiseman asked.

"Well, perhaps we should not punish people for mere debts, Lord." Felix remarked.

"Then people would be less willing to give out loans or take risks. Additionally, you yourself brought up bad actors earlier, so I will do the same now. What of bad actors who would take out loans and then run with the money, knowing if they get caught, the worst that might happen would be they would have to pay the money back?" Baron Wiseman asked.

"Well, when I brought up bad actors, it was about people's lives, Lord. When you bring it up, it is about mere money." Felix said.

"Lad, do you think these precious lives you refer to spring from nothing? Without money or resources to support them, people will die all the same. The system of slavery helps to keep the economy afloat, which saves more people than those few who would be wantonly abused by spendthrift masters who have nothing better to do than to buy out people to beat them. Also, "mere money" is quite a way of putting things, as money represents people's time and labor. I'll not deny that people's lives are the most important, but to act like money matters not at all is a bit disingenuous, lad." Baron Wiseman remarked. "And besides, if you truly dislike the treatment of slaves, joining up with the Belrose family is the best thing you could ever ask for! If they make you a trader, you can vet the masters you sell to all you would like, but if you stay out of the industry, you will never make an impact on it." Baron Wiseman said.

"I... that makes sense, Lord." Felix said, still feeling a bit unsure, but ultimately nodding.

"Good. Then shall we contact the Belrose family?" he asked Felix.

"Yes, please, Lord." Felix said, nodding.

"You are dismissed, Faith." Baron Wiseman said. Faith gave a curtsy and left the room.

Baron Wiseman refilled the scryer's goblet with a pure water spell, and channeled mana around himself, pouring it in to the goblet. A few moments passed, and the surface of the water became covered in a dark smokey veil. Then, a few moments later, the center of the veil opened, and Felix and Baron Wiseman saw Earl Belrose, who looked the same as he had back in Fort Basil, whom the Queen had called "Mr. Belrose".

"May I know who it is who has sought to scry me?" Earl Belrose asked, looking at Baron Wiseman.

"Yes, Lord. I am Baron Wiseman, of Gurnkey, serving under Duke Florent in the southeast of the kingdom." Baron Wiseman responded, politely.

"So it's Lord Wiseman. I think I recall dealing with you a couple of times, already?" Earl Belrose asked.

"Yes, Lord. I've purchased from you a few times, and I've sent a few slaves your way in my tenure as Baron." Baron Wiseman said, nodding.

"Indeed. So, what can I do for you today?" he asked.

"Well, Lord, I'm actually contacting you about a lost lamb of your own flock who wishes to join you." Baron Wiseman said, bringing Felix into view. Earl Belrose looked surprised.

"Indeed? Is he related to me?" Earl Belrose asked.

"Yes, Lord. You had a brother once, named Luke, right? He is his grandson." Baron Wiseman said.

"Baby brother Luke...? His grandson... I see..." Earl Wiseman muttered thoughtfully. "Well, what exactly do you want, lad?" Earl Belrose asked, addressing Felix.

"Yes, Lord. I seek to sell my properties here in Gurnkey and to move to the north to reconnect with you, my remaining family." Felix said, politely.

"Hmm. Perhaps. Lord Wiseman, will you approve his move?" Earl Belrose asked, addressing Baron Wiseman.

"If you will, I will, Lord." Baron Wiseman said in response.

"I see. I see, I see..." Earl Belrose said thoughtfully. "Well, I'm not opposed, but we should determine what you would do, should you arrive here. Will you permit Lord Wiseman to measure your mana affinity, lad?" Earl Belrose asked, addressing Felix.

Felix was a bit nervous, but he decided this was a good opportunity to sell himself. "Yes, Lords." he said.

"Give me your hand, lad." Baron Wiseman said. Felix held out his hand, and he grabbed it. Felix felt a small flow of mana enter him. After a few seconds, Baron Wiseman looked at Felix in shock, and then turned to address Earl Belrose.

"Upper middle-grade, Lord. He's got a higher mana affinity than even I do, I would say he's about top 5th percentile of the middle grade." Baron Wiseman said.

"What? Are you sure?" Earl Belrose asked, shocked.

"Yes Lord, I specialize in water magic, so I'm quite sure of my investigative magic. If I'm wrong on this one, I'll eat my own scryer's goblet." Baron Wiseman said.

"Upper middle grade... Upper middle grade... yes, I could use that. Tell me, lad, can I ask for both of your elemental affinities, if it's all right with you?" Earl Belrose asked, with a tone which was suddenly much friendlier to Felix.

"Yes, Lord. I have the earth as my primary element, but darkness is indeed my sub-element." Felix said.

"A dark sub-element is fine, it's fine, it works out quite well for our industry... and earth... I could use that, actually. How old are you, lad?" Earl Belrose asked.

"I just turned 18 nary a month ago, Lord." Felix said.

"My my, I wasn't expecting to have such a random giant gift thrown into my lap this morning." Earl Belrose said jokingly. "Lord Wiseman, I would be loathe to toss away such a diamond in the rough. Can I trouble you to approve his leave to my territory, and to arrange transport? I'm sure the lad won't mind moving with some cargo, we can double this whole affair as a trade deal between ourselves, and I would be more than happy to front some of the costs." Earl Belrose said.

"Of course, Lord. I'll see to the sale of his property and grant him his leave at once, and I'll ship him out to you within the week. I'll scry you tomorrow morning at the same time to discuss what we ought to trade. Does that work for you, Lord?" Baron Wiseman asked.

"That will work wonderfully. Good day, Lord Wiseman." Earl Belrose said.

"Good day, Lord Belrose." Baron Wiseman responded, and the vision vanished.

"So, it seems everything has worked out like you wanted, lad. Although I must say, I was not expecting you to have such a high mana affinity." Baron Wiseman said, giving Felix a surprised look.

"Thank you for your help, Lord." Felix said, with a slight bow.

"Quite right, quite right. Now lets get the paperwork out of the way. You can stay in your same house until I ship you off to Earl Wiseman's territory." Baron Wiseman said.

"Thank you, Lord." Felix said, again with a bow.

"Don't mention it, this is a good opportunity for me too, to trade with the Belrose family. Stop by tomorrow afternoon, and I will have the paperwork all prepared for you to sign." Baron Wiseman said, in quite a cheery mood.

Felix stood. "Am I free to leave then, Lord?" Felix asked.

"Yes. One moment, I'll have Faith show you out." Baron Wiseman said, and he rung his little bell.

Faith showed up again a couple of moments later. "Yes, Lord?" she asked.

"Please show our guest out for the day. He will be back tomorrow for some paperwork." Baron Wiseman said.

"Yes, Lord." Faith said, and she held the door open. Felix exited the room, and Faith showed him out of the manor.

Felix thanked Faith for her hospitality, to which she gave a nod and a curtsy, and he left Baron Wiseman's manor.