Blades clashed together filling the air with ringing. Halligan rolled to the side, barely dodging the attack aimed at his head. He stabbed at Kogna, but the Amu’Ryjin danced to the side as he parried the attack. Kogna moved through the training circle with swift grace. Training with Kogna was different from when he trained with Solomon.
Solomon’s style was straight forward. He would always attack head on, aiming at key points like the head and heart. Solomon relied on his strength to break through his opponent’s guard, something Halligan was deeply familiar with, but Kogna was completely different.
Another of Kogna’s attacks slipped past Halligan’s guard, and he was forced to take a step back. Fighting with Kogna felt like he was fighting against the wind. Kogna always found a way to slip past his guard, and it forced him to rely solely on his reflexes. Whenever he tried retaliating, Kogna would turn his attack against him. The longer they fought, the more the differences in their skills became apparent.
Halligan desperately swung his sword. Kogna’s sword sang as it parried the strike, and with the opening, he struck Halligan in the gut. The young fighter gasped for breath and fell to his knees and sweat formed on his face as the cold steel touched his neck.
“You’re dead.” Kogna said matter-of-factly as he sheathed his sword.
“Why can’t I get any better?” Halligan coughed, wiping the spit from his face.
Kogna pulled him to his feet. “You are getting better. Your reflexes have sharpened considerably since we last sparred.”
“But I still couldn’t land a hit.” Halligan punched the ground.
“How long have you been a swordsman?”
“About two years.”
“I’ve carried a sword since I was thirteen.” Kogna replied, regret filled his voice. “And yet, even I was bested by a group of thugs.” With a deep breath, he turned to Halligan. “You’re training will never end, remember that.”
“Thank you, Sir Kogna.”
“Sir Halligan! Sir Kogna!” They both turned as Phineas approached them. “I have your monthly stipend.” He handed each of them a small leather purse.
Kogna bowed deeply. “Thank you, my lord.” He said, putting the five gold coins into his own purse.
“Thank you, your grace.” Halligan stared at the three gold coins. He pulled out his purse and stared at the small pile of gold coins. He scrunched his nose trying to recall his total. That should be fifty-two. He let out a deep sigh. “How am I to earn seven hundred gold?”
“Why do you need seven hundred gold coins?”
Halligan cleared his throat. “There’s something I wish to buy.”
“Sounds like you’re being taken advantage of.” Phineas shook his head. “There’s very few things worth that much money.”
“It’s something important sir, so I have little choice but to pay it.”
“Be careful, I’d hate for you to be swindled.” Phineas turned and walked away.
“I should get back to Lady Priscilla.” Kogna wiped his face. “If you need more work, then I suggest looking into the adventurers guild.”
“Thank you, sir.”
With a deep breath, Halligan washed himself clean from the overflowing water barrel. The sweltering summer heat wasn’t as intense today, and a pleasant breeze brushed against his skin. With a fresh set of clothes, he headed into the castle.
He wandered through the halls of the castle and stopped in front of the library. Without Elizar, research into Reviled Legion had come to a complete halt. Emir was still looking into it, but without a skilled mage, their efforts weren’t producing fruit. They needed to find something that could assist them. Halligan slowly walked away from the library but stopped when he noticed Myraelle standing beside a door. He was about to approach when Lord Olivar stepped out of the room.
“How did it go master?” Myra smiled brightly at the fat noble.
“Terribly.” Olivar growled storming away from Halligan. “Lady Priscilla is too absorbed in her work. She should be learning to be a wife, not overseeing the city.”
“I completely agree master.” Myra replied. She ran a finger across his neck. “Is there anything I can do to ease your tensions?”
“Not now woman. Is my costume ready for the auction tonight?”
“Yes master.”
“Good, maybe I’ll be fortunate enough to buy a beautiful zymarrian tonight. Dead Gods know I’d like to see if the rumors are true.”
“Are you going to replace me?”
“Of course not, I’m simply looking to add to my collection.”
Halligan froze and a shiver ran down his spine. Olivar and Myra disappeared around a corner, but the words still hung in the air. Halligan turned around and ran through the halls. As he hurried down the stairs, memories surfaced.
A caged wagon loomed in the center of the village. The armed guards dragged people away from their screaming families, and the slaver stared down at them with malicious glee. His heart stopped when Myra’s father brought her forward. Halligan screamed for him to stop, but his sunken eyes shined with desperation. The slaver tossed a coin purse to Myra’s father, and the spindly arms shook under the weight. His gaunt face had a conflicted smile as he watched his daughter be taken away.
Halligan charged forward, tackling one of the guards. He screamed for Myra to run, but she stared down at him with a defeated smile. He reached out for her, but a metal fist struck his face. The guards tossed him to the side and in anger started beating him. Their armored boots struck his stomach, head, and back, and his blood seeped into the muddy ground. He tried looking at Myra, but a boot struck his face. Halligan groaned and he clawed at the ground, trying to get closer to the wagon. His vision wavered as he watched the wagon roll away.
Sweat poured from Halligan’s face as he stormed into the cathedral. Remembering that day made his sick, and it reignited his anger.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
A priestess rapidly approached him with a worried look. “Sir Halligan, is there something I can help you with?”
“I need to speak with Saint Urielle.” He panted, trying to calm down.
A slight blush appeared on the priestess’ face. “Saint Urielle is indisposed now. Perhaps if you come back later-”
“It’s important!” Halligan’s shout echoed through the hall. “I’m sorry, but it’s something that the church should know of.”
“I’ll take you to waiting room, then I’ll let the Saint know you are here.”
Halligan silently followed the woman. Despite the warmth coming from the sun, all he felt was cold. His heart thundered in his chest, and his throat dried with each breath. The priestess gestured to a door, and Halligan entered the sitting room.
The comfortable room didn’t help him relax. Instead, he paced around the room with his shoulders tense. Doubts gnawed at his mind. Will she help? Is there anything we can do? Who else could help us?
The door burst opened. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting.” Urielle panted as she stepped inside. Her skin glistened in the light, and her wet hair clung to her face. “I hurried when I heard you were here. So, what did you wish to speak about?" She fixed her hair as she sat down.
“I need your help.” Halligan said sitting across from her. Urielle leaned forward with a small smile. “I believe there is a slave auction being held in the city.”
Urielle’s smile disappeared. “What makes you think that?”
“I overheard a lord in the castle mention an auction.” Halligan tapped his foot in thought. “He mentioned buying a zymarrian, and since he’s known to have a slave attending him, I concluded that it must be a slave auction.”
“I understand.” Urielle pouted in frustration. “You are right to be concerned, and we should investigate this immediately.” Urielle stood and headed to the door. “Come, we should speak with Patron Waldren.”
Halligan rushed to her side as she led the way to the Patron’s office. Urielle knocked on the door.
“Enter.”
Urielle pushed into the room. The Patron sat behind his desk filling out paperwork. His small spectacles sat on the edge of his nose as he set the pen to the side, and he gave them a warm smile.
“Saint Urielle, Sir Halligan, how may I be of service?”
“I’m sorry to disturb you sir, but Sir Halligan has brought something to my attention.” Urielle stepped further in with her eyes cast downwards. “There’s a slave auction being held in the city.”
Waldren’s eyes widened in horror. “How do you know this?”
“He overheard a noble in the castle talk about buying a zymarrian at an auction.”
Waldren’s shoulders relaxed, and he rubbed his eyes. “So, it’s hearsay.”
“Sir, we should be taking this seriously.” Urielle cried in disgust.
“Was it Lord Triemiere?” Waldren looked at Halligan with a knowing smile.
“Yes sir.” Halligan sighed.
“Son, you should let this go.” Waldren chuckled as Urielle looked between them in confusion. “I’m sorry that someone you care about is in his employ, but to try and manipulate the Saint is unbecoming.”
“But sir-”
“Enough, I will not waste my time on rumors.” Waldren slammed his fist onto his desk. “Show me proof that there is a slave auction, and then I’ll act. Now leave.” They stared in disbelief as the Patron shooed them away.
Urielle closed the door behind her with a defeated frown. “What do we do now?”
“We need to find proof.” Halligan growled in frustration. “This auction isn’t legal, so maybe we should ask Baron if he knows anything.”
“I agree. I’ll have a carriage brought to the front.”
----------------------------------------
Once again, they stood outside Baron’s manor. Several workers moved about the lawn cleaning up the overgrown weeds and shearing the hedges back. A content smile decorated their faces. A patch depicting a golden book was stitched onto the back of their vests.
“How may I be of service?” one of the workers approached. His warm, gentle smile felt off putting.
“We here to see master Baron. Is he home?” Halligan replied looking around. “It seems he is doing much better than last we saw him.”
“Of course he is!” The man bellowed in laughter. “He is a staunch support of the House of Destiny, and so he has the blessing of the Lady of Fate. It’s an honor to serve such a faithful man.”
“The House of Destiny. I’ve never heard of such a thing before.” Urielle looked skeptically at the man.
“It’s not quite a house yet.” The Gardener replied with a sheepish smile. “Father Eirgn is still building it. Master Baron was kind enough to give us work and lodging. Truly, those two have been a blessing to us all.” The man shook his head in mirth. “But you’re here to see him, not hear our life story. Come in, and I’ll let him know you’re here.”
Urielle turned to Halligan in confusion as they followed the man. As they entered, they were met with several women bustling about with brooms and dusters in hand. Much like the men outside, they wore pleasant smiles and they each hummed a slight tune as they performed their tasks. Their aprons had the same golden book embroidered into them.
A woman with a baby secured to her back approached. “Guests, how wonderful.” She beamed at them.
“They’re here to see master Baron, Ilda.” The Gardener chuckled. “I was about to go see him.”
An embarrassed flush came to Ilda’s face. “Master Baron is busy with mistress Charolette and Lady Taela, Thom. I recommend addressing him through the door.”
“Lucky bastard.” Thom’s chortle echoed through the hall.
“Father, that’s no way to speak about master Baron!” Two young women sneered at the man.
Thom’s chuckle faded. “I’ll go let him know you’re here.” He said before running upstairs.
Halligan whispered to Urielle as he watched the women work. “Have you heard about this Lady of Fate before?”
“No, none of the Virtues claim fate as their own.” Urielle eyed the women with worry. “I hope they aren’t being taken advantage of by some charlatan, and Virtues forbid it be a Dead God’s cult.”
“Hey, he’ll see you now!” Thom waved at them from the top of the stairs.
“I’ll have Sir Emir look into after we’re don with this.” Urielle waved back with a polite smile.
Halligan looked at the women one last time before following them. Thom happily hummed along as he led them through the halls to a set of double doors. He tapped his knuckles on the door in rhythm.
“Enter.” Halligan took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Urielle squeaked awkwardly.
Baron sat on the sofa in a plush purple robe with his chest exposed. Charolette leaned against him in a sheer nightgown that exposed her plump thighs and generous amounts of cleavage. Another woman leaned against Baron’s other side wearing a similar nightgown. Baron tenderly caressed the women in his arms as he looked at them.
“My friends, it’s a pleasure to see you again.” Baron smiled warmly. “To what do I owe the pleasure.”
“Well.” Halligan cleared his throat trying to avert his gaze from the two women. When he glanced over at Urielle, her face was completely flushed and her wide eyes trained on the women. “We were hoping you could help us something.”
“And how may I be of service?” Baron leaned forward with his legs spread apart. Urielle squealed in shock as she hid her face. “Sorry.”
“Master Baron, please take this seriously.” Halligan snapped, stepping in front of Urielle. “Do you know about a slave auction being held in the city?”
“Yes, truth be told, I’m quite familiar with the slaver holding the auction.”
“We’re wanting to put a stop to it, and we need your help in getting evidence that’s it happening.”
“You may be a little late for that.” Baron chuckled. “The auction is tonight.”
Halligan’s stomach dropped. “What?”
“The auction’s tonight, and the slaver will be leaving tomorrow. I’m sorry.”
Urielle shouted in frustration. “What about those slaves? We can’t simply leave them.”
“Then why not go yourselves.” Taela replied, sitting up. “You two can go in disguise as buyers, then you can free the slaves before the auction starts.”
“You can get us in?” Halligan sighed in relief.
“We can, but you won’t have much time.” He said in thought. “You’ll have about thirty minutes between the viewing and the start of the auction. Also, you’re going to need proper clothing.” He smiled knowingly at Urielle.
“What do you mean?” Urielle glared suspiciously at him.
“We’re not trying to be rude, Lady Urielle, but women tend to wear more revealing attire.” Charolette smiled sympathetically.
“But that’s disgraceful!”
Baron replied sternly, “Do you wish to save these people?” Urielle sighed and nodded. “Then you’ll need to dress in a way that lets you blend in.” A lecherous smile touched his lips. “Don’t worry, Taela and Charolette will help with that.”
“Of course we will.” The two women stood up and took Urielle’s arms. “We don’t have much time, so we had best hurry.” Urielle stammered in protest as the women pulled her away.
Halligan stared dumbfounded as they disappeared. A hand rested on his shoulder, and he stared into Baron’s mischievous eyes.
“Don’t worry my friend. They’ll take good care of her.” He chuckled. “I’m certain you’re going to enjoy this date.”