18.

Is she going to come back? Alaric thought as he sat in the alleyway. It had been way past midday as the sky was darkening. He had not seen anyone since his escape from the house. If you could call it a house. He watched as the woman turned the corner holding a loaf of bread. She broke it into two pieces and gave one half to Alaric.

"Thank you," Alaric said as he scarfed the bread down rapidly.

"Savia," The woman whispered as she bit into the bread.

Alaric gave her a questioning look.

"My name...is Savia"

Progress.

Alaric finished his bread in no time. He then turned to Savia. She was still eating her bread.

"I promised I would help you but I require you to explain your circumstances."

Savia looked indifferent.

Great, she is not going to speak.

"I...want you to...free me."

Alaric had to concentrate to hear what she said. "Free you of what?"

No response.

"I need you to cooperate if I am to help you."

"Why did you protect me earlier?" She asked.

"I just felt it was the right thing to do."

"Liar, scaev was supposed to be cruel people."

"And I said, I am not part of the scaev."

No response.

"Why are we just sitting here? I have better things to do." Alaric stood up and was ready to walk but the familiar dagger at his throat made its presence. So fast.

"First, help me, then you can do whatever you want." She said

Alaric sighed. "I am trying but you are not giving me anything."

"We wait for night," She said. Savia removed her dagger and Alaric sat back down.

Moments passed in silence.

"You have no intention of giving my pouch back."

"Can't," She whispered. "If you are not scaev....why are you to be brought to Adhu Aqua?"

"I am not certain...but Great Lord Ivo probably has something to do with it."

Savia reacted with surprise.

"It has been sixteen years since I have seen Ivo. If he is searching for me then it probably means his message got to the king." Alaric felt as if he had been talking to himself. It felt sort of...refreshing. Savia did not respond, she just sat there.

It was late when Savia finally got up. She motioned for him to follow. It had not taken them long to reach their destination. They stood in front of a large establishment. The building had not been very tall but it had been wide. It had no stand-out features, other than the two soldiers that stood guard at the large entrance. The soldiers ignored Savia instead watched him precariously. Savia walked up to the entrance and he followed. The soldiers didn't do anything but watched as they entered the building.

Alaric did not know what to expect but it certainly had not been this. The whole establishment had been lit by a series of chandeliers. The place was packed full of people. There had been a musky aroma that had been strong. Savia seemed unsurprised by the happenings around her. There had been men and women alike that seemed formally dressed, they all wore extravagant jewellery. Some had been drinking and others hadn't. This was not what surprised Alaric though. Alongside the 'noblemen' were half-naked and fully naked women and men alike. Each one had been chained by the neck. The chain in which each nobleman/woman had a tight hold. What is this place? Alaric assumed the chained individuals were mysurs. Some mysurs were dancing for their 'owners'. Some 'owners' enjoyed their slaves.

"Why are we here?" He asked.

Savia gave no response. She led him to the back area of the establishment. There they found a stage. On the stage was a large velvet couch on which a woman sat. She had revealing silk clothing. She had possibly been in her late thirties or early forties Alaric assumed. She had been incredibly attractive. Two chained men lay on the couch alongside her. There had also been two soldiers adjacent to the couch. The woman reacted immediately as Savia entered the stage.

"My dear Savia, you have caused me quite the trouble earlier," She said. She walked up to Savia and grabbed her face sensually. Alaric noticed how uncomfortable Savia looked. This is what she meant when she asked me to free her.

Savia grabbed the pouch that dangled from her belt. My pouch.

Savia was about to give it to the woman before she got slapped across the face.

"Did I give you permission to attack the blues?" The woman asked.

"No...Lady Gwen." Savia said.

The woman tried to slap her once again but Alaric grabbed her wrist. He watched as the soldiers reacted immediately. They grabbed their swords. Lady Gwen waved them off.

"It seems you got yourself a nice plaything, Savia." Lady Gwen analysed Alaric. She licked her lips as she took her time inspecting him. Alaric hadn't felt comfortable under her stare. She had stared a moment longer below his waist.

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"Who might you be, boy?" She asked.

"He is nobody," Savia responded immediately. Alaric hasn't heard her speak this loudly before. Alaric let go of Lady Gwen's wrist. She kept her eyes on him, smiling slightly. Savia gave Lady Gwen the pouch. She opened it and her eyes grew wide with bewilderment. "Well done, Savia. It seems you have hit the jackpot." Lady Gwen placed her hand on Alaric's chest. "Though I should probably have you to thank." Her hand ran down Alaric's chest and down toward his groin. Alaric flinched and stepped back causing Lady Gwen to chuckle. Lady Gwen gave Savia three pieces of sentz. Savia turned to leave the stage.

"I am not done with you quite yet, Savia." Lady Gwen called out.

Savia never made eye contact, her eyes were set firmly on the floor. Almost mysur-like.

"I would like for you to meet your new partner."

"Partner?"

"Why yes, another like you just fell into my hands." Lady Gwen along with her soldiers led Savia and Alaric toward a basement section of the establishment. There they found large man-sized cages. More naked women and men were locked up. Lady Gwen stopped at the second last cage. Alaric froze as he saw the figure in the cage.

"Alaric! Help me!" Ashe yelled when she saw him. She banged on the iron bars of the cage. Alaric ran up to her. "Alaric?" Another familiar voice called.

"I am so glad you are okay," Ashe said.

"I am fine, but you seem to be in trouble," Alaric said.

Ashe nodded. "Thorin is here too." She pointed at the cage adjacent to hers.

"And Florian?"

Ashe shrugged.

"It seems we know each other already." Lady Gwen said.

Alaric turned around. He had been irate. "Release my sister and my friend, now!" Alaric ordered.

"Oooo feisty. I like it." Lady Gwen said. Alaric walked up to her but was stopped by the soldiers.

"Losing your head now...may lead to the loss of heads," Lady Gwen said sternly, causing him to stop struggling.

Alaric looked back toward Ashe. She did not seem harmed, she had her spear with her and was not chained. He glanced at Thorin's cage. She had been chained and her clothes had been ripped revealing herself. She hadn't had her blade with her.

"Your sister came to me for work," Lady Gwen said. "I offered her the ability to work the floor but she refused. Then a wonderful idea came to me. Why don't I just make her my pet, just like Savia."

Alaric allowed himself to calm down. Do not cause a scene, think rationally.

I quite like angry Alaric. He reminds me of someone.

Shut up.

"The other struggled but it is just a matter of time before we break her in," Lady Gwen said, glancing at Thorin.

In a bizarre contrast to the mood of the room, Alaric began to laugh. Everyone looked at him with confusion.

"What is funny?" Lady Gwen asked.

"Nothing, I just connected the dots." "You are just a pawn in this town," Alaric said mockingly.

"Be careful of the way you speak to me, boy. I am Gwenllian the Queen of Isern's Underworld. Nothing happens in this town without my knowing." She seemed agitated at Alaric's comment.

Exactly the response I wanted.

"Funny, everyone I spoke to said that this town is Lord Chapman's. No one quite spoke of a Gwenllian." Alaric said.

Alaric saw the scorn on Gwenllian's face.

"What is your point, boy?"

Alaric smiled. "It is not so much a point as it is a proposition."

Gwenllian lifted her eyebrow.

"There is one thing all casters thrive for. Power. Chapman is the one who has all the power in this town. I am guessing Chapman allows you to run your 'business' with good compensation."

Gwenllian's expression did not give anything away but she let Alaric explain further.

"It would be quite a shock if Chapman was removed from his position. I am sure that will leave a big power gap, one that could be filled by someone of your stature."

Gwenllian began chuckling. "Fool, you cannot take Chapman down."

"Maybe, maybe not. But with your help, I am certain that our chances will be greater."

"And why would you assume that I will help you?"

"Sentz. You would have free access to Chapman's entire stash. The funds he receives from King Godric. As well as the sentz he scams out of Gwyn villages."

"Tempting offer but what happens if you fail?"

"You get to keep me. You've heard my name, Great Lord Ivo will pay good money for me. Or you could keep me for your pleasure."

Gwenllian walked up to him and ran her hand down his arm. "You sure know the way to a ladies heart." "When do you plan to take Chapman out?"

Alaric tried desperately not to flinch. "How about we meet here tomorrow and discuss the plan?"

"That seems reasonable. I will have your sister's head if you don't show up."

Alaric answered with a firm nod. He then turned to Ashe.

"Will you be fine staying here?" He asked.

She nodded. "Who is she?" Ashe pointed at Savia.

"She is…a friend…I guess."

"You guess?"

"Yes, it is complicated." "I will find Florian and then we will be able to get you out."

"You too, Thorin." He said loud enough for her to hear.

"You'd better." Her voice echoed slightly.

Alaric noticed Savia leaving the room, he quickly said his farewells and followed her. He felt uncomfortable walking through the main room. The smell and sounds of the room was a topic he had not been accustomed to yet. Savia looked back towards him occasionally. Once they got outside, Savia turned toward him. "Why are you following me?" She asked quietly.

"I was hoping you would let me stay with you for the night."

"So that you can kill me in my sleep?"

"If I wanted to kill you, I would have done it by now."

Savia scoffed in disbelief.

"You would be surprised by the things I have done." Alaric glanced at his hands. Why is it so much easier to talk to her?

"We all had to do hard things. You are not special," Savia said.

Alaric laughed. "My whole life was spent with people who told me how special I am. Alaric is so smart, Alaric will be like his father, Alaric will be our saviour. You are the first person to tell me otherwise."

"Good for you, I guess," Savia said emotionlessly. She began to walk. Alaric followed. She led him back to the alleyway where they had sat before. Savia sat against the wall. Alaric sat next to her.

"Pretty comfortable," Alaric said.

She eyed him, failing to see the humour. "Soldiers are waiting for me at my home. I can't return tonight."

"What do they want with you?"

Savia crossed her arms and held tight onto her arms.

Oh…

"She is going to betray you," Savia whispered.

"Gwenllian? I know. But I intend to do the same."

"She will eat you alive."

"Me maybe but not him…"

Savia raised an eyebrow but did not question further.

"You do not have time to worry about me, you'll have a more difficult part to play," Alaric said.

Savia faced him. He almost got lost in her raven black eyes.

"You will be helping us take down Chapman."

Savia shook her head.

"You want to be free, right. Then this will be the least you will have to do," Alaric said.

"Why should I trust you? Everyone in this town betrays me," Savia said softly.

Alaric sighed. "You don't. No one should trust me. It will just bring pain. I would not be shocked to find you gone in the morning."

Savia faced forward and closed her eyes. "I will choose who I will trust."

Alaric smiled softly as he closed his eyes.

You better be prepared as well.

You could ask nicely, I was the one who saved you against that masked fellow.