The room's atmosphere became palpably tense as Blackthorn scrutinized the magistone and amoyo seed that Castiel nonchalantly placed on the table. "Where did you get these?" Blackthorn asked with a hint of alarm.
"That’s not your concern," Castiel replied, his tone cryptic and unwavering.
"Everyone out, except Danny!" Blackthorn barked his order, prompting his men to exit the room, leaving only his most trusted lieutenant, Castiel, and Damian.
Damian, observing the unfolding events, tightened his grip on his sword, sensing the escalating tension. Castiel maintained his composed demeanor as Blackthorn, eyes gleaming with greed, inquired, "How many do you have, Mr. Azriel?"
Damian studied Blackthorn's expression, gauging the insatiable avarice in his eyes, as Castiel calmly responded, "How many do you want?"
A burst of greedy laughter echoed through the room as Blackthorn reveled in the potential wealth before him. "Hahahaha… Most impressive! Yes... Yes... This is a very good day."
Leaning forward, Blackthorn fixed his intense gaze on Castiel. "Let's talk about exclusivity. What guarantees do I have that you won't strike similar deals with my competitors?"
Castiel assured him with unwavering confidence, "Mr. Blackthorn exclusivity is the cornerstone of our proposal. You see, slowly but surely, some of your competitors will lose business, some of them will die under unforeseen circumstances……. well, most of them will die, making you the only major black market slaver on this side of the continent."
Damian, ever perceptive, caught the subtle exchange of glances between Castiel and Blackthorn. The tension in the room was thick, and Damian's instincts warned him that this negotiation could go south at any moment.
Castiel continued, "We know you get most of your slaves from the Troca Union, but the Union doesn't sell their slaves only to you. With your competitors gone, the Union will have no choice but to sell only to you, and the same will happen for other countries too." Castiel leaned forward, his voice carrying the weight of the clandestine machinations at play. "We have big plans for you, Mr. Blackthorn."
Blackthorn, caught between greed and skepticism, took a deep gulp. "Who is it that you work for?"
Damian, standing silently beside Castiel, observed the play of emotions on Blackthorn's face. He could sense the wheels turning in the slaver's mind, contemplating the magnitude of the deal before him.
"Trust me! You don’t wanna know," Castiel replied with a firmness.
Blackthorn's contemplation seemed to deepen. Just who are these people? This is definitely a very good deal for me, but why does it seem like, if I accept this deal, I won’t be working with them, rather I will be working for them.
Castiel broke the silence, bringing the negotiation back on track. "Shall we talk prices, Mr. Blackthorn?"
Damian's hand remained steady on his sword, ready for any unexpected turn of events. He admired Castiel's strategic approach, a testament to the depth of his knowledge and experience as a former Prince.
Blackthorn’s thinking got interrupted, and he replied, "40% for selling whatever items you bring at my auction. I will give you the exclusivity for free."
“Now, now, Mr. Blackthorn, we both know nothing is free in this world. 10% is the market price you take for selling other’s items at your auction. Adding that, we will give you 20% for the exclusive deal,” Castiel responded.
“You seem to know much about my business, Mr. Azriel, 30%.” Blackthorn countered.
“Knowledge is power, Mr. Blackthorn, 25% and I will sweeten the deal for you. You can have this magistone and amoyo seed as a gift. We both know you can buy yourself a whole city with these." Castiel proposed, presenting the tempting items that could further sway Blackthorn.
Blackthorn extended his hand, “Deal.”
"You are gonna be a very rich man, Mr. Blackthorn," Sealing the deal, Castiel remarked with a hint of irony.
"Please… call me, Roderick," Blackthorn replied, signaling a shift in the power dynamics within the room.
As the negotiation concluded, Damian noted the intricacies at play. He could sense Castiel's adept manipulation of the situation, leaving Blackthorn both entranced and uneasy.
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After the minor details were discussed and the deal finalized, Castiel, now sipping a drink, addressed Blackthorn. "Roderick, I understand you have some kids among your slaves. I would like to check on their condition. I hope you don’t mind."
Blackthorn, playing the accommodating host, gestured for Castiel to proceed. "Please, Mr. Azriel, be my guest." He led them to where the slaves were kept underground.
The sight that met their eyes was a grim tableau of despair. Slaves from various races - Humans, Dwarves, Beastfolk, and many other demihumans - were confined in the dimly lit space. Castiel and Damian, their expressions concealed by masks, moved through the area. Castiel was eventually led to a separate room where the children were housed. Surprisingly, the number was less than a hundred.
Castiel, visibly taken aback, inquired, “I had heard you have more than 100 children.”
"Yes, I had 118 of them. I sold 50 to someone," Blackthorn revealed with a nonchalant air.
Castiel shot Damian a glance, silently communicating his astonishment. How did you miss this critical piece of information in your initial investigation?
Castiel pressed Blackthorn for details, "To whom?"
"Mr. Azriel, I cannot tell you that. Client confidentiality," Blackthorn responded.
Undeterred, Castiel continued his inquiry, “I need to know who bought the kids, Roderick.”
Blackthorn, echoing Castiel's earlier sentiment, replied, “Now, now, Mr. Azriel, we both know nothing is free in this world.”
In an attempt to extract information, Castiel offered another amoyo seed, “Who is he and where can I find him?”
With a smirk, Blackthorn divulged, “The name is Hendrik. He is a mage, lives near the border, east of here. If you want, one of my men can show you his place.”
Castiel, with a nod of fake gratitude, accepted the offer. "That would be helpful. Thank you."
As they prepared to leave, Blackthorn's laughter echoed behind them, "Nice doing business with ya."
The deal struck, the mystery deepening, Castiel and Damian silently navigated their way out of the oppressive confines of Blackthorn's operations. As they emerged from the dark underworld, the cold night air embraced them, a stark contrast to the wickedness they had just witnessed.
In the hushed exchanges between Castiel and Damian, there was an unspoken acknowledgment of the challenges that lay ahead. The task at hand went beyond a mere rescue mission, it was a confrontation with the pervasive evil that gripped most cities like Eskol and the forces that sought to exploit the vulnerable.
***
While the rest of Eden moved on -
Within the Eco-Sphere, the Dragonewts, accustomed to their secluded existence, found a newfound eagerness to learn about the outside world. The arrival of the new people including the Xanderians, who shared experiences similar to those of the Dragonewt ancestors, presented a unique opportunity for cultural exchange and understanding. The mingling of the two groups ignited a shared empathy, creating a bond that transcended their individual histories.
As the Dragonewts and Xanderians continued to interact, the exchange of cultural nuances deepened. Conversations around the communal fires became a platform for sharing traditions, myths, and the unique practices that had defined each group's identity. The Xanderians, with their tales of resilience and survival, kindled a flame of inspiration among the Dragonewts.
The Dragonewts, in turn, shared their ancient wisdom and knowledge, including the Eco-Sphere’s mystical properties, the delicate balance of its ecosystem, and the secrets hidden within the enchanted boundaries. The Xanderians, fascinated by the intricate web of magic that sustained the Dragonewt haven, eagerly absorbed this mystical lore.
As Dragonewts and Xanderians exchanged stories, a desire to explore beyond the confines of the Eco-Sphere began to germinate. The Xanderians, unlike the Dragonewts who had remained hidden for centuries, harbored a determination to reclaim their homeland. This contrast inspired the Dragonewts, sparking a curiosity and yearning for the world outside their secluded sanctuary.
Observing the Xanderians' dedication to training further fueled the Dragonewts' desire to contribute. The rhythmic clash of swords and the precise gun drills became a symphony that echoed within the Eco-Sphere, a testament to the evolving camaraderie between the two groups. The Dragonewts, once content in their secluded existence, now embraced the transformative power of collaboration.
The diligent efforts of their newfound allies and their resolve to confront the challenges ahead stirred something within the Dragonewts. For the first time in six centuries, a realization dawned upon them - a recognition that their previous existence, confined to the safety of the Eco-Sphere, had perhaps been incomplete.
Intrigued by the Xanderians' resilience and determination, some Dragonewts began to join in the training activities. The prospect of contributing to the collective efforts of the group appealed to their innate sense of community. However, this development didn't sit well with everyone.
Chief Orisan and certain members of the Dragonewt village council viewed this shift with skepticism and concern. The sudden departure from their established way of life raised questions about the potential consequences of embracing change. The tension between those eager to explore new horizons and those who preferred the comfort of the familiar added an unexpected layer of complexity to the dynamics within the Eco-Sphere.
As Dragonewts engaged in training alongside Xanderians, the exchange of skills and knowledge became a bridge between two distinct cultures. The challenges faced by both groups created a shared understanding, fostering unity in the face of a common goal - to reclaim what was lost and explore the lands beyond the Eco-Sphere.
The mingling of cultures not only created a unique bond but also unveiled a shared dream among the Dragonewts and Xanderians. The longing to explore the world outside, once dormant in the hearts of the Dragonewts, now stirred with a newfound intensity. The unfolding developments hinted at a future where unity, collaboration, and the fusion of diverse perspectives would shape the destinies of those within the Eco-Sphere.