Meridith kneeled before the statue of Hallomarae, the goddess of peace and forgiveness. She prayed that Laegyn’s and Jal’s soul. She visited the large church several times, keeping an eye on the three adventurers heading towards the door with their packs. Meridith kept her head covered with a dark green shawl that matched her rich velvet dress. She didn’t expect Solomon and Schybara to recognize her since she had little interaction with them at the guild, and thankfully, Halligan hadn’t caught onto her from that night. Meridith pulled her shawl further down when Baron entered the church.
“You three are looking quite well,” Baron said noticing their luggage, “Are you leaving?”
“Yes,” Solomon said as his hand went to the pack at his side, “It’s best to get the book out of the city as soon as possible. We would have left earlier, but the fight with the monster took its toll.”
“Understandable, but quite a pity,” Baron said letting his eyes fall onto Schybara. She glared in response.
“I’m planning on staying,” Halligan said, “That monster is still out there, and I don’t think the other adventurers could stop it.”
“The gods bless you, my good man,” Baron said clapping Halligan on the shoulder, “Would you care to join me for lunch?”
“Not today. I want to see master Solomon and Lady Schybara off on their journey to Mrythala.”
“Another time then,” Baron said with a smile, “Perhaps you can join my father and I to the tournament later this week?”
“That sounds interesting.”
“I shouldn’t stall you any longer. Until we meet again.” Baron bowed and let them step past. Baron followed them out.
Meridith rose to her feet and followed them. She could see Solomon’s group heading to the gate with their horses, but chose to follow Baron.
The church was in the upper part of the city. She walked among the wealthiest members of the city. The wealthy wives spent most of their time shopping while their servants carried their bulky packages. Baron continued down the street and stepped into a luxurious inn and tavern.
Many wealthy citizens were inside partaking in lunch. Meridith saw Baron head into the back of the tavern and sat in one of the private booths. Meridith took a seat at the bar trying to peer into the booth but couldn’t see anything. The noise from the other patrons made it difficult to overhear, and she didn’t dare get closer.
“What can I get you missy?” the bartender said.
“Something light and fruity please,” she said with a charming smile.
Meridith let her eyes wander over the crowd. She found herself enjoying the buzz of the crowd. She spent the last week gathering information on Baron and Solomon, and she was starting to feel lonely. Why hasn’t Reviled called on me? The crowd erupted into cheers and whistles as a young woman descended the stairs.
The woman was shorter than average but quite voluptuous. Her long silky, black hair was done in an intricate bun held together by an ornate gold and lapis lazuli pin. Her vibrant green eyes contrasted with her lavender pupil. Her luxurious blue and green robes were parted to show off the delicate porcelain skin of her cleavage and the right side ended mid-thigh to show off a short underskirt. Her clothes made her stand out amongst the other women. She carried a strange stringed instrument that had a diamond shaped body with a wide thin neck. Meridith placed a hand on her stomach when she saw a slave crest branded on the woman’s thigh.
“An Amu’Ryjin!” Meridith stared in disbelief.
“Yes ma’am,” the bartender said setting down a tumbler, “The owner brought her in about two months ago. She paid quite the sum too.”
“She not indentured?” she said leaning towards him, “Why hasn’t the church freed her?” The bartender rubbed his thumb against his index and middle fingers. “Of course.”
The bartender nodded, “She just came of age too, and the owner’s been taking advantage of that.” he said with a harsh whisper.
Meridith stared in shock as the woman sang in a foreign language, a haunting, somber tune. The instrument sat between her legs with the neck rest against her shoulder. Her lyrics harmonized with the slow plucking of her instrument, and her voice echoed throughout the room. The air shifted with the sweet scent of lavender. She stopped singing but her plucking continued, but at a faster pace. A deep base tone resonated through the room, and it struck a chord that brought a tear to everyone’s eyes.
Silence filled the room.
The Amu’Ryjin woman stood up from the stage and headed towards the bar, but a middle-aged patron approached her. He whispered in the woman’s ear, and she responded with a shaky nod. They headed upstairs.
“Looks like he wants to partake in her other services.” The bartender said shaking his head in disgust.
Meridith pulled out her handkerchief and the vial of Cappy’s poison. She dabbed the liquid onto the cloth. She carefully tucked the cloth into her pocket, grabbed her drink, and followed the two upstairs. They hadn’t gotten far.
Meridith took a sip and slurred her words, “Miss,” she called out and stumbled towards them, “Miss, y-you were…a-amazing,” she faked a trip and threw the contents of her glass onto the man, and she stared in horror, “I’m so sorry.”
“You should be.” The man said in disgust.
Meridith pulled out the cloth from her pocket, “Let me clean you up,” she said dabbing the cloth against the man’s face and hands.
“Enough,” the man said pushing her off, “I have m…more important…” he grabbed his head then fell.
“Sir?” the Amu’Ryjin woman said staring at him in confusion.
Meridith pocketed the cloth, “Do you want to be free?”
“What?”
“Do you want to be free?” Meridith said with a soft smile, “I can get you out of here, but only if you want to,” the Amu’Ryjin stared at the floor then tightly shut her eyes and violently nodded. Meridith gently took her hand, “Stay close to me,” she pulled her to the edge of the stairs and screamed, “He’s dead!” Meridith rushed downstairs dragging the Amu’Ryjin, “Someone help.”
Meridith’s cries drew everyone’s attention and two guards rushed upstairs. Baron and a middle-aged woman rose from the booth and the woman rushed towards the stairs. A crowd gathered at the base of the stares.
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“What happened?” the woman said.
“Don’t know ma’am,” a guard called from upstairs, “The man up here is dead.”
Meridith dragged the Amu’Ryjin woman towards the door but ran into Baron. “You’re being naughty Meri,” he said with a chuckle.
“I don’t have time for you Decker,” Meridith said pushing past him.
Meridith heard Baron, “Delilah your pet is running away!”
Meridith started running when she heard the woman shout after them. She pulled the woman down a side street.
“Reviled!” Meridith panted heavily.
Reviled’s familiar appeared running alongside them. What’s wrong?
“I’m…in a bit of trouble,”
The rat looked over its shoulder, We can see that. Meridith looked and saw five guards chasing them. We’re coming, but it’ll take us time to get to you. Can you get to the sewers?
“I’ll try,” Meridith said, “But there aren’t many gates in the upper city.”
Meridith ran out of the side street and into the crowd. She kept hold of the Amu’Ryjin woman’s hand to keep them from getting separated. The crowd slowed their progress, but they not as much as the men chasing them. Meridith took the side street on her right. The side street twisted in between the buildings and came to a dead end.
“Dammit!” Meridith said. She turned back but the guards were blocking the way.
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Meridith’s arms ached. Her arms were bound with rope, and she hung from a hook in her underclothing. The thin blouse and petticoat didn’t protect her from the cold warehouse. The guards neatly organized her belongings onto a small table. The light from the outside faded to darkness.
The Amu’Ryjin woman sat in a chair with her head bowed, “I’m sorry,” she muttered over and over.
“Did you have to take my dress?” Meridith said with a glare.
“Needed to make sure you weren’t hiding anything.” A guard lit the lanterns to compensate for the dying light.
Before she could answer the warehouse door slammed open. “Where is she!” the tavern owner, Delilah, stormed in with Baron and a smartly dressed woman.
Baron’s eyes lingered on Meridith. “Enjoy the view,” she said with a snarl, “You never know when you’ll go blind.”
“I’ll take you up on your offer,” Baron said with a slick smile.
“Enough!” Delilah said smacking Meridith, “Do you know how much trouble you caused me? I had to close my tavern for the day, and I had paladins of Touldan tearing it apart.”
“Pity,” Meridith said with a smile.
Delilah slapped her again, “I’ll make you pay for this,” she said sizing her up, “One way or another. Bring me my slave wand.”
“Sorry, but I’m taken,” Meridith said with a smile, “In fact, he should be on his way here.”
Baron raised an eyebrow, “He?”
“Yes, he,” she said, “Only a man would be so stubborn.”
“True,” the smartly dressed woman said. Baron looked hurt, “It’s true,” she said with a smile.
“Be that way,” Baron scoffed, “We’re leaving Delilah.” He gave Meridith a charming smile and wave as he left.
“See you tomorrow,” Delilah turned back to Meridith. She held a black wand with a platinum handle. “I’m glad I bought this slaver’s wand,” she said pressing the tip between Meridith’s breasts, “This is a good spot. Hold still, this will hurt a lot.”
Meridith felt the magic. It warmed her skin at the point of contact, but the mark on her stomach started to burn. It was uncomfortable but not unbearable. The wand sparked magic and blown out of her grasp.
Delilah stared in horror, “What happened!” she said trying to fix her hair. “What’s…that,” Delilah pulled up Meridith’s blouse showing off the red slave crest. She started laughing, “You’re a slave?” she said, “Isn’t that interesting. Where’s your master? Did you run away? You know he'll find you because the crest can track slaves,” she held up the wand. The tip and the Amu’Ryjin's crest glowed red. "It can also do this," she pointed the wand at the girl and she started screaming in pain.
“Stop it,” Meridith said, “She’s a child!”
Delilah stopped, “She needed to be disciplined,” she said appraising her, “Now how to get rid of this crest?” A crash came from the second floor, “What was that?”
“I’ll go check it out.” One of the guards said. He disappeared into the shadows of the loft. After a minute, “It was just a shutter.”
“What if I do this?” Delilah pressed the wand against the crest.
The magic from the wand surged against her crest. The clashing energies seared against Meridith’s skin causing her to scream in pain. The torment lasted forever. The wand exploded into multiple pieces, and Meridith cried in relief.
“Dammit!” Delilah said staring at the broken wand, “This cost me a fortune,” she stared at Meridith’s crest, "Someone powerful created this crest. I'll have to hire a wizard to replace it."
One guard looked to the loft, “What’s taking him?” he said heading upstairs. He disappeared into the shadows, “What the-” His screams rang through the warehouse.
“He’s here,” Meridith coughed out a laugh.
The two remaining guards ran to the ladder. There came a hard crash, the breaking of bones and the screams of the guards. Meridith’s smile grew at the sight of Delilah’s horrified stare.
“Took you long enough,” Meridith said.
The tension in Meridith’s arms disappeared as her bonds were cut. She turned to Reviled and gasped. The lower half of Reviled’s face was missing making it look more like an undead horror. Blood dripped from the metal tube attached to the roof of its mouth. A ragged cloak covers the left side of its body.
“We had to wait until nightfall,” Reviled said, “But this wouldn’t have happened if you’d stay out of trouble.”
Meridith regained her composure, “I had to get your attention somehow,” she said with a smile.
“So it’s our fault,” Reviled said with a hissing laugh. It approached Delilah.
“By the Virtues, what are you!” She said.
Reviled grabbed Delilah by the face, “How dare you hurt her!” Meridith’s smile grew as the tongue pierced Delilah’s skull. Reviled turned back to Meridith, “You should be more careful.” it said looking her over.
“Thanks for saving me again,” Meridith said.
“We’ll always come for you,” it said, “Now, what do we do with her?” It turned to the Amu’Ryjin woman. She was staring in absolute terror, unable to move. “We should devour her too.” It moved towards her.
Meridith stepped in front of the young woman, “Stop it!” she said glaring at it, “You’re scaring her,” Reviled held her stare, but she wouldn’t look away.
Reviled leaned close to the point that their faces were almost touching, “That fire in your eyes...we like it,” it said. Meridith blushed at the compliment and looked away, but Reviled gently pushed her head up. “Two days Meridith,” it said, “If you cannot give us a reason in that time then we will devour her. And just to make certain we can find her,” Reviled stepped past Meridith and placed it hand on the Amu’Ryjin woman’s thigh. She screamed in pain as the new slave crest was seared into her skin. “Remember, two days.” Reviled said disappearing into the shadows.
“Let’s get out of here,” Meridith said to the young woman, “You can stay with me for now.”
“T-thank you,”
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It was midnight by the time Meridith pushed her door open. She lit up a few lamps to light up the room. She walked over to the small kitchen pulling out a bottle of wine.
“Want a drink?” Meridith said. The young woman nodded nervously. “You can take a seat sweetie.” She took a seat and Meridith placed a mug in front of her. Meridith poured a generous amount into each glass and slouched into a chair. “What’s your name?”
The woman sipped and fingered her cup. “Hykaru Mina. Mina is my given name,” she said eyeing Meridith nervously, “What was that…thing?”
Meridith sighed heavily, “His name is Reviled Legion,” she said, “All I can say is that he’s a monster.”
“And the part about devouring me?”
Meridith nodded, “He always keeps his promises,” she said with a chuckle, “Ironically, that’s one of his good traits.” She sat up looking at the woman, “So we should find a reason for him not to devour you. Tell me about yourself. What are you doing all the way from the islands?”
Mina stared into her cup, “Pirates attacked my village,” she said, “They kidnapped everyone they could get their hands on and brought us to the continent. I was with the slavers for more than a year until they sold me to Delilah.”
“But Jericho is so far away from the western sea,” Meridith said, “No one tried to buy you?”
“I’m a onomori…songstress I think is the word you would use,” she said, “I have a unique talent to cast enchantments through singing, so I used it to avoid being sold, but I was the last of my people when the slavers came to Jericho.”
“So, you can cast magic by singing? That could be useful,” Meridith said, “Anything else?”
“Not really,” Mina said, “I have household skills, cleaning, cooking, and sewing, but that’s about it. I’m not like my brother who’s a skilled warrior.”
“You have a brother?”
“Yes,” Mina said with a sad smile, “He was a gomuron, a knight, to our lord, but he abandoned his responsibilities to save me. He was captured and now he makes his master money as a gladiator.”
That peeked Meridith’s interest, “Really?” she said, “Would he join us?”
“I think so,” she said shrugging her shoulders, “He can’t go home. Abandoning one’s duty is highly shameful to my people, and the only way he can redeem himself is by taking his own life. He would also feel indebted to you too, since you saved me.”
“Excellent,” Meridith said with a smile, “We have our proposal.”