The Slave Market Part 2

The slave market was teeming, the area before the viewing platforms even more congested than usual.  Two days before fifty-two slaves had been marched in from the desert.  They joined another hundred from the city and there were many eager buyers interested in perusing the new stock as well as any interesting offerings from the city.  One never new exactly what would find its way to the auction block.  For the most part it was usually slaves that were past their prime; cast off concubines now offered as household staff or older men no longer able to put in a proper day's work, but there were often surprises and that was what made the market so intriguing.  Today it was reported that there were many comely youths and maidens available among the newly arrived slaves as well as two especially exotic specimens, and that had drawn in extra buyers as well as the merely curious.  It was rumoured that the two exotics were two fierce barbarians of rare beauty and huge size and the market was thick with those interested in seeing them.  

It was also thick with those who throve on crowds, from the vendors of sweetmeats and cool drinks to pickpockets who moved in and out of the crowd, keeping a wary eye out for those members of the city guard who also frequented the market.  There were also bolder thieves; young boys and girls who darted in and out of the crowd, looking to snatch a purse or necklace from those who too openly flouted their wealth.  For the most part these audacious thieves were kept at bay by the ever vigilant city guard, but occasionally an outraged shout would indicate that someone had become a victim and then a chase would ensue as the thief was hotly pursued through the crowd.  Likely as not the thief eluded his pursuers or, on being caught and searched, was found not to have the purloined item, having passed it on to an accomplice before being caught.  This mattered little to the city guard who usually administered a sound thrashing to the suspected thief before haling him off to the city jail.  

All of this provided plenty of amusement for the crowd, even before the slave auction began.  And on this day there was an added element of interest.  Borne on a litter carried by eight richly dressed male slaves was Guered-mal-Far, Hector of the city of Thar who had come to the slave auction to see for himself if the rumoured exotics were truly as remarkable as reported.  His escort of twenty heavily armed men pushed aside the crowd and took him to his personal viewing stand, a raised and shaded stone platform ten feet above the auction block.  There scantily clad young men and women fanned him with ostrich feathers and served him iced fruit juices while he waited for the auction to begin.

Guered was a handsome man in his mid-forties.  In his youth he had been a formidable warrior and even now was capable of holding his own with a sword against even highly skilled adversaries.  His neatly trimmed beard and hair was now streaked with grey, but he was trim and fit and rode almost every day on his prize race horses.  He was richly dressed for this occasion in a violet shirt and tan trousers into which gold and silver threads had been sewn, and a velvet cloak was held in place by a chain of pure gold.  On his head he wore a gold circlet studded with precious gems and around his waist a belt of the finest leather.  The belt supported a jeweled scabbard that held a sword of Tharian steel, a product city was known for far and wide.  He liked to dress simply, disdaining the heavy robes worn by others of his city in favour of clothing that was light and practical.  He wore a minimum of jewellery, preferring just a few rings and a jeweled bracelet on his right wrist.  

He had come earlier than usual to the auction, knowing that the more interesting buys would not come until later.  However, he liked to let his people see him as much as possible.  It never hurt to remind his subjects of who was in charge.  And besides, most of his subjects adored him.  And why not?  His rule had been one of prosperity with the size of Thar's holdings doubling under his leadership and the amount of tribute flowing into city coffers tripling.  There were few who would argue with that sort of success.  

The first part of the auction went much as expected with few if any surprises.  It was the usual collection of middle-aged concubines, both male and female, cast off by their owners as their beauty had faded, along with a few others sold to reduce the size of the household or because they had proven to be poor workers.  Most of these would be purchased by merchants looking for housekeepers or workers for their businesses.  Here and there was the occasional youth who had proven hard to train and who was being released into some harsher service where his bad manners would not matter.  The bidding for these was routine with most of them going for moderate to low offers.

There was a stir amongst the bidders as the recent arrivals were introduced.  The bidding for these reflected the higher quality of the merchandise and was much more intense.  Guered noted with approval that the young men and women who were paraded across the auction block seemed healthy and free of injury.  Whoever the slave masters were they had done an admirable job of bringing them across the desert safely.  He watched with interest as each of the young men and women were auctioned off, and then it was time for the final offering.  

Guered's eyes narrowed as the two barbarians were announced and then paraded onto the auction block.  Unlike the other offerings they were escorted by several heavily armed men who dragged them forward on the ends of lengths of chains.  Both still wore their heavy iron slave collars and were connected to one another by an eight foot length of heavy chain.  They were an impressive pair; the shorter woman standing at least six feet and the other topping her by about six inches.  

In spite of their height, they were as different from one another as pomegranates and lemons.  The smaller woman was dark-haired with eyes to match and a smoldering, sultry appearance.  Her breasts were full and ripe with dark nipples and a firm, rounded shape.  She had a strong, muscular physique with long legs, a narrow, waist and the broad shoulders of a warrior.  

The taller woman, was a study in contrasts in spite of the fact that she too was well muscled.  However, her hair was the colour of flame and her nipples reminded Guered of ripe raspberries.  Her high, firm breasts swayed slightly as she walked and emphasized her slender waist, strong hips, and legs that seemed to go on forever.  

However, it was not the beauty and grace of the two captives that caught his attention, it was the fury and defiance that blazed from each of the captives.  Completely unbroken, he thought.  In spite of what has been done to them.  These two would be very hard to tame.  He smiled.  He never could resist a challenge; especially where women were concerned.  Raising his hand he motioned for the captain of his guards to come forward.  "I will take these," he stated.  "Have the slavers meet me in the palace and have the merchandise brought with them."  

The captain bowed and stepped to the edge of the viewing stand.  "His excellence, the Hector, has chosen to purchase the final lot."  

There was a disgruntled murmur from the crowd, but no one complained too loudly.  There were none who had the resources to challenge the Hector and it was his prerogative to claim any offerings without a bid.  Besides, the auction had been a good one and most were satisfied with their purchases.  As the two barbarians were led from the platform the crowd began to break up and Guered stepped into his litter.  

The trip back to the palace took little time.  The crowds cleared in front of the litter and its escort and the distance was not great.  Fifteen minutes later the litter was through the gates of the palace and Guered jumped to the ground before his bearers had a chance to set it down.  The litter was a bit of nonsense that he was required to use for the sake of appearances.  He much preferred to walk or ride horseback and did so whenever he was free from the public view.  

Crossing the courtyard he strode past the fountain and took the steps to the palace three at a time, entering the cool confines of the marble and malachite hallways.  As the head steward stepped forward to greet him he issued a string of orders.  "Have the slavers escorted to my small audience chamber and inform them that I will meet them there as soon as possible.  Serve them nothing in the way of refreshments.  Have the two barbarians taken to the viewing chamber.  I will see them there."

The steward bowed in recognition of these commands and hurried off as Guered moved further into the palace.  He spent the next two turns of the glass in the library perusing several of his favourite books of poetry until a servant appeared.  "Ker-mal-Gen is here, Lord" she said.  

"Good, send him in and fetch refreshments.  Fruit and coffee would be fine."  The servant bowed herself out and an instant later the gladiator's physician entered the room.  "Sit, please," Guered said as the physician bowed before him.  He waved his hand toward a comfortable divan.  

Guered waited until the refreshments arrived.  It turned out to be a bit more than he had asked for and included several tasty little cakes.  As he sipped at his coffee he turned his attention on the physician.  "I have read your report.  Is there anything special I should know about my latest acquisitions?"

"They are both healthy and surprisingly spirited considering what appears to have been done to them," Ker-mal-Gen answered.  "When I first saw them it was obvious that they had both been very badly used.  It appears that they were left alone for the last part of their trek here; probably to allow them to heal.  But it was not long enough to hide the evidence from me."

"There is permanent damage then?"  

"Their physical damage has been repaired, but I cannot speak for what they have suffered mentally.  The dark-haired woman, Vasanta by name, smolders with rage and I would not like to be alone with the redhead either.  However, they appear to be very tough warriors and I expect any mental scars will heal as well."  

"And are they tameable?"

"That, my Lord, is for you to determine," Ker answered.  "They are your property now, and I wish you much luck in bending them to your will.  I suggest you have your personal physician assess them; he is somewhat better at these things than I am.  Just don't let Tened know I recommended him.  He is too full of himself already."

Guered laughed.  Tened-mal-Benar was the most talented healer he had ever met, but it wouldn't do to tell him so.  He was already the most opinionated and pompous man Guered knew.  Don't worry I'll send a servant to him.  He'll think it was my idea."

"Then with your permission I'll be getting back to work.  I've got stitches to remove on two men, an abscess to lance, and a broken wrist to check on."

"Go with my blessing," Guered answered.  "I wouldn't want anyone in my stable to suffer unduly."

Ker bowed himself out and as he was leaving Guered turned to another of his servants.  "Ask Tened-mal-Benar to attend to the barbarians.  Tell him it is as a personal favour to me.  I want a detailed assessment as to their potential."  As he spoke he got to his feet and moved toward the door.  Four guards flanked him as he moved and there would be four more in the audience chamber.

The slavers turned toward him as he entered.  He had waited outside the door for his chamberlain to announce him; a ceremony he normally ignored, but he wanted to impress upon the slavers the honour being shown them.  He assessed the six men as he entered.  Except for one, a little man he understood had acted as their desert guide, they were not the usual type who engaged in the slave trade.  As a matter of fact he guessed that they were completely out of their element.  He had seen their type before; barbarians from the northern mountains.  They made good warriors, but were not usually engaged in the slave trade or any other trade except killing.    

Guered took his chair.  Normally he would have invited his visitors to sit, but not this time.  "Which of you is the leader?" he asked without preamble.

The five men seemed taken aback by his curt tone and pointed question, but one of them stepped forward.

"I am, your Excellency.  My name is Gren, son of Halb, and these are my cousins…."

Guered cut him of before he could introduce the other men.  "I wish to know which of you raped and brutalized the two barbarians I purchased."

"I…, they are slaves, Excellency," Gren stammered.  "They are property."

"That is so," Guered said, "but in Thar slaves are protected."

"Protected?  But they are little more than cattle.  What sort of protection extends to them?"

"In Thar cattle are protected as well.  No one may use slaves or animals cruelly without just cause.  Did you have just cause to subject the two barbarians to rape?"

"That is nonsense, Excellency.  Slaves with rights!  Who would make so foolish a law?"

"I did," Guered replied calmly.  "And you should have taken care to determine the laws of Thar before entering our domains."

"Thar's domains?" Gren spluttered.  "We did not enter Thar's domains until we crossed the desert.  How can we have been subject to any of her laws?"  It was clear he was holding back his rage only because of the presence of the eight heavily armed guards in the room and the fact that he was unarmed.

"You entered Thar as soon as you set foot in the desert," Guered explained.  "It seems that you were breaking the law almost every day of your march."

"But the desert belongs to no one," Gren protested.  "It is nothing but a barren wasteland."  

Guered waved Gren's mouth shut.  "Enough.  It may be a wasteland, but it is Thar's wasteland and you have violated our laws.  It has been determined that you subjected two slaves to cruel and unnecessary punishment.  However, I am willing to partially overlook the crime due to the fact that you protected the other slaves in your care.  As a result I will not pass any criminal sentence upon you.  Instead I will pay you the price you ask for the two barbarians.  Five hundred gold ounces."

Gren's eyes and those of his cousins lit up at the announcement.  "Your Excellency is most gracious," Gren replied.  

But Guered was not quite through.  "That I am," Guered smiled.  "As I said there will be no criminal sentence.  If there was you would find yourselves slaves for a period of ten years.  However, I will fine you an amount appropriate to your crime."

Guered experienced supreme satisfaction as the five men realized what was coming next.  "The fine is five hundred gold payable plus whatever you were to receive for the other slaves in your care."

"Your Excellency, that is robbery," Gren cried.  "It would leave us with nothing for our troubles."  

"From what I understand from your guide," Guered replied nodding his head toward Windar who was standing to one side, "you killed the original owners of the slaves and made them your own.  As a result they cost you nothing and you deserve nothing.  Remember you have broken our laws.  If you protest too much you will find yourself waiting for the next slave auction.  Now leave before I withdraw my offer of leniency."  He got to his feet as he finished speaking.  "Except for your guide I wish you out of my city as soon as possible.  You will be gone tomorrow."  He turned and left the room, issuing one final order as he left.  "Escort these men to the palace gates."

Guered permitted himself a smile as the door to the audience chamber closed behind him.  That was well done.  Now it was time to view his latest purchases.