[https://i.imgur.com/8YGiSsT.jpg]

It’s auction day. Orange sunlight spread its glow around the city. The bustle of the city quiets down, for Fourshire is ready to rest. Marina comes out of her room dressed like the haughtiest noble in Foushire. Her High-collared green dress is rivalled only by her high white wig. Drac waited outside in his servant clothes. He looks at her dress.

“Don't laugh,” Marina said.

“What's there to laugh at? It suits you.”

“Stop with the insults and help me.” she turned around, lace hung loose.

“Yes, Lady.” Drac tightened the lace on the back. He could smell her perfume. He whispered to her close. “You look beautiful. So learn to take a compliment.” after tying the lace, Marina turned around. Her cheek was red, her eyes avoidant.

Stop Flirting. Focus on the Auction.

“B-Bob. Where is he?”

“With the Watch. Waiting.”

Checking her hair, Marina said, “Then let's go.”

They walk the way to the stables as told by the letter. A Carriage waits for them; Helio held up two strips of fabric.

“It’s only for the first time.”

Drac and Marina look at each other and then pick their black piece of cotton. Helio wrapped it tight on both their eyes. Drac heard metal. The blindfolds are locked by a rune.

“Just in case.”

Helio escorts Drac and Marina into the Carriage. A Drac sees Helio, from on top of an adjacent building - giving him a middle finger.

“What’s his fucking problem?”

Maybe he is just racist.

Drac watched as the servant jumped into the driver's seat of the carriage and rode off.

Drac follows across the damp roofs, splashing rainwater with each step. The course of the Carriage is random. The directions the carriage takes make no sense to Drac and Hood. They are trying to make sure we can trace where the auction is.

Fortunately for Drac, he can sense where his other Dracs are. But the further away from the original there are, the harder it is for the copy to find or be found. So Drac stayed close and never stopped for a moment.

Strange… They are going back.

Still taking seemingly random turns the carriage heads back to the river. Drac continued to follow, Levitation making him weightless, he bounds from roof to tiled roof like they are soft mattresses. The carriage stops by the stable. Helio drops down to guide the passengers out.

“So we didn't have to run at all?” Drac said as he breathed hard.

Think of it as a bit of a warmup.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Fuck off, backseat driver.”

Helio ushered the two blindfolded down a door in the garden hotel inn.

There is more to it. Let's get closer.

Drac agrees. He slides down wet roofs and finds a way to the bottom of the street. Sensing himself he goes through the hotel doors till he reaches a door at the end of the corridor.

I went downstairs here.

Drac twisted the handle. Stairs going down, lamps light the way.

Better hurry, someone is bound to use this entrance.

Drac rushed down the stairs. At the end is a dark and long tunnel. Drac lights a small fire on his finger. Walking down the tunnel takes Drac twenty minutes of walking.

“The direction of the tunnel…”

Yeah, the arena. It is where Gove’s friend was killed.

With a crowd shouting, a light at the end of the very long tunnel finally appears. Drac runs to see what the crowd is excited about. Blood covers the sand of the underground. Brawlers punch each other to death in a royale of more than fifty fighters. Bones snapped, bowels gutted. Two gladiators fight for a weapon and before the victor could be decided, a large man - dwarfing Bob in size and mussel cut both their heads off in a single slash. The almost naked and bloody barbarian screams with every kill. He alone stood in the bloody sands. The crowd go crazy over the wild man.

It’s entertaining, sure. But let’s search for Maki’s people.

Drac is seated down. He knows of this arena from the other Drac’s eyes. But while the other Drac does his job, this Drac is blind again. The blindfold is an interesting bit of technology, able to block out any aura sensing. Blind, he may be - he is sure Marina is still by his side.

Helio removed the locks and blindfolds. Drac blinked while he got used to the bright lights.

“Welcome to the auction.”

Aristocrats and merchants filled the small underground auditorium. Drac guessed that several hundred sat waiting for the next show. Guards are patrolling very few metres. Drac and Marina in a box for special guests.

Marina asked Helio who stood near them. "I heard on the grapevine that there are some problems with the 'stock'.”

A voice appears from behind. “Problem? No such thing! Due to the effort of the guards, we have an ample amount” Viscount Ulgar smiles as if he was never threatened to the point of peeing himself.

“Good evening, Lady Vanessa. Welcome to the greatest place on earth!.” He kissed her hand. Drac sees aristocrats write on notes, putting them in a large jar. Other Nobles are served with an ash-like substance.

Selling calm to wealthy. What an enterprise.

“Viscount sir, what did you mean by the effort of the guards?” Marina said. An innocent voice charms the old men around her.

“Well, exactly that, my dear. Those ruffians in the slums are causing a lot of trouble for our partners and us. And with a solution, the Duke decided to step in. He went around the Slum, and rounded up rebels! Such a smart man. We get our product AND the slum is rid of the dirt. Maybe one day, I could persuade him to burn the whole dump to the ground! Hahahaha!”

Drac turned to see Marina's face twist. An act of calm and naivety breaks apart. He held her hand. She calms.

“Speaking of products, do want to see?” The Montgonerys walk up arms connected. “ The new ones have been settled in the cages. Perhaps you would like to window-shop before the official start of the auction.”

Drac still hasn't found the slaves his way. Now there is another approach

“Of course! Let us leave now!” Marina replied with enthusiasm.

The two older men grin at each other while they guide Marina to their product. The way they callously talk about trafficked humans in this way turns Drac’s stomach. The Madam looks at Marina. Her usual dismissiveness is gone, replaced with a look of pity.

They turn left down a corridor seldom used by the noble guest or the guard. The noise of the crowd lessens the further they walk down the cold corridor. They all stop by a door; no label or description. Helio walked up to the door. He tried to hide a smile. He opened the door, gesturing for Marina, Mr Mongomery and the Viscount to enter. Marina looks around the dark room, dim light from lanterns illuminate the room. No cages. No slaves. Just a bed.

The Door slammed closed with Marina and the old men inside alone. Drac rushed to the door, stopped by two guards. The Madam walked out from the shadow.

“Get him under control. I want him packaged and sent to the boat quickly. I miss home.”

Helio grins as he puts a bag over Drac's head.