“Deal? What nonsense are you on about?” Gove scrunched his eyebrows in confusion.
“I will help. In exchange for you helping me track Toren’s Employer
Gove goes behind his bar. He fills two cups with ale and offers one to Drac. Drac refuses politely. Gove empties the cups in two gulps.
“Four, what kind of herb did you consume before coming here? Your ‘helping’ will not change anything. It undoubtedly makes things worse! Now that you killed a whole group as you say they will come for you. For revenge. They come for everyone who dares embarrass them” Gove fills another cup. A Drac reaches for the ale tap to turn it off.
“I can help.”
A second copy entered the tavern carrying supplies to aid the injured. Drac lets his Aura go. An iridescent glow forms around him. The crowd that fills the tavern stares in amazement at the spectacular event. Drac’s copy begins to glow as well
We’ve gotten stronger… Try a bit harder.
Drac pushes his soul. His energy pulses faster through his veins. Like lightning, his aura reaches out from him. The wooden floor cracks under his feet.
“OK, OK! We get it already! Can you stop destroying my floor please?” Gove shouts from the counter. Drac contains his aura. His copies disappear.
Kneeling assisting a lady of the night, Maki looks up at Drac, her face stunned. Her eyes are wide and her mouth is slack. Drac looks at her with a smile and shrugs.
“Gove. No need to be stubborn any longer.”
Gove huffs.
“I have a hunch that the slave buyers I am looking for are connected to the recent appearance of this gang. Maki, did the Bones only come to destroy the business?”
Gove pauses from drinking. “Slaves?”
“No… some of the girls were weirdly kidnapped,” Maki said sombrely.
“Four, tell me more about these slaves.” Irritation settles on Gove's face. Drac explains to the two about what had occurred these past weeks.
Drac continued “And on a note, instructions for the bandits, and younger girls were a priority."
The tree sits in silence till Gove finally speaks, his voice filled with grief and regret.
“The auction…”
“Paintings and the like?” Drac asks.
Gove looks at the Drac then finally a Maki. Maki comes to a harrowing conclusion.
If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
Its people. They sell people.
“I had heard… rumours. Rumours of a place where the elite of the north gather. They have fun, take their drugs, have their woman and buy their people.”
Gove sighs, folding his arm he sits on a stool by the counter
“There was… Information broker. A good friend and a fantastic worker. A better man than me. His extended family suffered from a kidnapping. His brother's young daughter was taken. In broad fucking daylight! Stressed out of his mind, he did what he did best. Find information. He followed the trail and clues and interviewed witnesses. After a week of tirelessly looking around, The broker follows a Bones leader. They end up in a richer part of town. He follows the Bones leader to a place of horrors.”
Drac goes around the counter to give himself a drink.
“He came back to me. Told me all. The debauchery, the madness, all of it. The broker was left half-mad by the experience, knowing his niece could be in there. I offered to help in my way. He was already recruiting. His plan; was to storm the auction. He wouldn't hear that it was a stupid plan and went with it anyway. It was a fucking disaster.
Drac offers a drink to Gove. After hesitating for a moment Gove grabs the cup from Drac swigs the Ale and bashes the empty cup on the counter. Maki joins in the drinking.
“The people behind the auction waited for the broker and his hired guns. Kill everyone but the broker and a snitch. That was when the nightmare started. The broker's entire family was rounded. I am talking about three generations. Old and very young, family members close or distant. They didn't give a damn. Their heads were chopped off in the middle of an arena on the north side. The broker was made to watch it all. And right when it was to be his turn on the block, Toren walked up to the tied and muzzled broker. His arms were on a small girl's shoulder.
Tears fell from Gove’s tired eyes.
“Haven’t never seen her since…”
I can murder them all with my conscience clear.
Gove's hand squeezed on the cup handle. Teardrops fall on his lap.
“And I couldn’t do shit… “ Maki goes to comfort him.
“Uncle Trev… That's what happened to him?” Maki mumbles.
A nod. “People of the slum cannot enter the North side but I had my ways.”
Maki rubs his back. Gove wipes his eyes and straightens up.
“That's how I witnessed it all. They celebrated my friend's death like a finale to the performance. Their names were not called, their faces covered. Just criminals of the slums.”
Gove stands, looking up at Drac.
“I was willing to sit by the sideline and not tread past my reach so my family would be safe. And they have come for her anyway. So… I must fight back and assist you. Fourth, can you help me protect my daughter?” Gove offered a hand to shake.
Drac shakes Gove’s firm hand. “I will help.”
The door is forcefully opened. Drac’s hand on Heilong waiting for danger.
“What the fuck is this?” A crass short blonde sunters into the tavern.
“There you are! Do you know how long it took to find this place? The people of Foushire are so rude and so bad with directions.” Marina walks further into the tavern looking at the injured on mats. Bob follows behind, stone-faced as always. “Bob. Wanna help out while I chat with our deserter.”
“Yes, Marina.” Bob steps towards a lady of the night. Scared of the giant man, she flinches away.
“It's going to be ok. I am here to help.” A soft deep voice rumbles. A soft amber glow spreads from Bob’s calloused hands, healing the girl of her ailments.
Everyone, from sex workers to the old tavern owner stares at the glow that outshines the lamps.
Four… Who are they?
Drac has a big smile. Meeting his travelling companions again brightens his sour mood.
“They are my friends.”
Marina goes to the bar and jumps on a stool.
“Hey, old man. Ale, if you please. Walking around got me thirsty.”