Later that evening at dinner, the dining hall buzzed with excitement as everyone shoveled their food down so they could hurry to the auction. Pax couldn’t resist tugging at the stiff collar of the new tunic Rin had insisted he buy. It was a soft, tan color with the long sleeves he liked. He still kept his monster-touched scales covered, not to mention his ever-growing tattoos. He’d gotten in the habit of keeping a thin trickle of air mana circulating into his tattoos, so they didn’t look so white. But he still worried they’d catch the wrong person’s attention.
The embroidery around the collar and cuffs had made the new tunic cost enough to make him gulp. But once he had it on, Pax had to admit it gave him a completely fresh look, almost like a young ’crat. The pants had cost even more. The gold piping along the sides and soft brushed linen were much nicer than the sturdy fabric of their regular uniforms.
Still, Pax felt almost naked without his armor on. Even knowing it was a thought away on an armor stand in one of his inventory slots didn’t completely reassure him. He had to keep reminding himself that he wasn’t out in the Wilds any more. Attacks in the capital weren’t likely to be physical ones.
Rin finished first, making hurry-up motions at them before she reached up to her shoulder to feed Eris a last morsel of meat. Amil nodded, grabbed his plate and, shoving it under the table, scraped the rest into Horrid’s happy mouth.
“Ready,” Pax said, discreetly letting Whisk clean his plate too before grabbing his empty dishes and waving for Talpa to follow him. After dropping off their dishes, they quickly wound their way out of the dining hall only for Rin to take a quick concerned glance down a hallway.
Oh, right. The check-in card. Pax had made sure to mark it at lunch time, but still worried every time he saw a messenger go by. He hoped the crucial action would become more of a habit with daily practice. The last thing he wanted was to start an alarm and search for him, only to have to admit he’d just forgotten.
Putting aside his worries, he hurried with the others outside and joined the already growing crowd heading out toward the academy entrance. They’d announced during dinner that multiple carriages would be waiting to take students to the auction.
During the next hour, Pax felt as if he were living the life of someone who’d never been a homeless orphan. Drivers opened doors for him, addressing him as young sir. As he rode in the elegant carriage through the city, he remembered his arrival months ago as a ragged street rat in chains. The changes to the present felt almost surreal.
The auction house was everything he’d imagined and more. Elaborate gates let the carriages enter a wide circular drive. Mage lights illuminated the visitors, and the towering building projected age and wealth in each polished marble stone and sprig of vibrant ivy that grew in a perfectly cultivated pattern. Bushes trimmed in the shapes of beasts and fighters lined the wide walkways, adding a fantastical feeling that only enhanced the wonder of the night.
Somehow, they found their friends and made it into the vaulted foyer together. They grabbed plates of fancy finger foods none of them could identify, but had no problem enjoying. Their beasts drew gazes, but only because they had so many compared to the one or two in any other group.
Tyrodon, Bryn and Tasar had their new companions tucked away, with plenty of snacks, in tastefully designed packs. They recognized the need to keep them under cover, so Turgan and Incedis could use the news of the development strategically.
Pax did his best to relax and enjoy the experience, despite being surrounded by so many people with unknown motivations. He focused on the food. The bursts of flavors and spices made him want to ask for the names of some of them for future reference. But the wait staff was much too harried to stop for him, so he grabbed a slender flute of sparkling liquid and just smiled with his friends. The time passed in a happy, magical flow that Pax let himself relax and enjoy.
When he noticed soft bells tinkling from the outer edges of the vaulted gathering foyer, he looked around and saw stiff figures dressed in well-tailored suits near the arches leading out of the foyer. They rang their bells while patiently waiting for someone to notice them. A group of laughing students walked up to be led away, and he realized they must be guides of some sort.
“If you’re all done?” He turned back to his friends. “Let’s grab one of the bell ringers and see if they can help us get good seats.”
“Good idea.” Amil downed the last swallows in his glass and set the glass on the tray of a passing server.
Not much later, the usher they’d chosen had helped them find seats together in a decent section not too far from the front. It wasn’t much later when the lights flickered, obviously some type of signal, because everyone hurried to find their seats. The hum of voices diminished as everyone turned their attention to the expansive stage up front.
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“Welcome, fine fighters of the Astan Empire to the Salman Auction House’s special Purge auction!” A tall man dressed in a long-tailed coat shimmering under the lights called out in a booming voice as he strode out onto the stage with hands held wide and a welcoming smile splitting his face. “We have a fine night of entertainment prepared for you along with a varied selection of so many items everyone is sure to find something they love. In gratitude for putting your lives on the line to protect us all, the Salman Auction House is waiving all fees tonight and restricting purchases to active participants during the recent Purge.”
As the auctioneer's words echoed through the hall, a trail of helpers pushed carts onto the stage, carrying chests of every size. The cheers of the audience resonated with a unique camaraderie. Pax and his friends exchanged glances, and he realized that the items being sold tonight weren’t just exotic novelties but hard-earned spoils from their own work facing the dangers of the Wilds.
"We stand among heroes tonight!" the auctioneer declared, and the audience erupted into more applause, their cheers filling the grand hall.
Pax felt a sense of pride swell within him as he looked around, recognized familiar faces among the crowd. For the first time, he didn’t see them as rivals working to trip him up and uncover his secrets, but warriors with whom he had shared the trials of the Wilds.
Then a sudden sadness filled him, ruining the moment. How many would they be able to entice over to the rebels’ side? And how many would keep fighting for the empire and die on the wrong side of the battle?
His chat with Incedis last night had the thorny issue at the forefront of his mind. They had to recruit more fighters to the cause, but every person they contacted might turn them in to the authorities. But if they didn’t do anything, they’d be fighting an army full of skilled fighters who might have come to their side if they’d only had a chance.
Incedis hadn’t given Pax any details, only explaining in vague terms that the initial work was going well. His people searched out likely candidates, then had rebels coming in from out of town specifically to offer them the opportunity to switch sides. Then they would let the possible recruit know how much dirt they already had on them but weren’t using. The rebels had refined their information gathering system over many years and could get hidden information on almost any person in the empire. This would assuage the candidate’s realistic worry that the rebel was an Inquisitor plant trying to lure them into incriminating themselves. That couldn’t be their purpose when they already had the information.
There were a few more steps to reassure both sides before the candidate decided whether to join the cause. If they didn’t, the visiting rebel disappeared, leaving no trail back to the rebel organization.
If they wanted to commit, they had to decide whether to continue in their position in the capital or leave with their loved ones to join the rebellion directly. The tension of possible Inquisitor discovery during the entire procedure made Pax happy that his only involvement was to pass on names of likely candidates.
At least the process was much less complicated in the smaller cities and towns in the outskirts. Initial reports were encouraging, as there seemed to be a much larger contingent of people disgruntled with the current empire’s policies and willing to be vocal about it.
Pax had also passed on their big Taming news, which Incedis was very excited about. He’d promised to meet with Turgan to discuss the best way to capitalize on it. Incedis had also congratulated him on their new assignment with the Vanguard and its possibilities. Finally, Incedis had reminded him to introduce Solani to Fenix soon, so the old curmudgeon would have as much time as possible to pry himself out of the home he’d inhabited for centuries.
The crowd around them quieted, pulling Pax out of his thoughts and reminding him he was here to enjoy the auction.
“Tonight’s program starts with bulk buys of grouped crafting and enchanting ingredients.” The master of ceremonies waved at the front row of large chests that his assistants had wheeled in. “After a brief break, we will move on to individual crafted items from the Purge. Some were found in abandoned homesteads, but most were made from the rare beast parts that are difficult to obtain when not deep in the Wilds.”
The crowd quieted down, many leaning in to hear the details of the coming night.
“The final event of the night is one I know all of you are looking forward to.” He paused for a moment, letting the tension build. “Artifacts!”
A thrum of excitement filled the auction hall, but they kept their voices down, wanting to know what he would say next.
“These are the most valuable finds saved just for this event. The sellers in the audience hope to gain a bounty of coin, while the buyers will get one-of-a-kind items to strengthen them for the coming trials.”
That oblique reference to the war sobered some of the audience, but not by much.
"To our valiant fighters, all the bids tonight are yours! May you find the perfect treasures to strengthen your futures and celebrate your victories!" An enthusiastic roar from the fighters met the auctioneer's last words, and the bidding began.
Pax and his friends eagerly watched the items showcased for auction. By agreement, Tyrodon was the only one prepared to bid as multiple lots of beast parts flew across the stage.
Things moved so quickly, Pax could barely understand the auctioneer. He rattled off so many numbers and barely took a breath. Following Rin’s earlier caution, everyone on their crew was careful to keep their numbered paddles securely in their laps, not wanting to give the auctioneer a reason to register an accidental bid.
Even though Tyrodon was the only one bidding on the bulk lots, Pax hadn’t realized how fun it was just to watch the auction. He was surprised by how high emotions ran, especially when a hotly contested lot resulted in a bidding war. It made him excited to see what else happened that night.