Slave auction.

[Kaeldorn]

Yashia woke up late in the morning. Opening her eyes, she was a bit shocked by her surroundings. Sleeping in a bed and under a roof was already quite uncommon for her, much less in a place of such great comfort.

Then she remembered. She had stayed up all night, awaiting the auction that was to take place, where she had hoped to put an end to Lauan's suppression. It didn't happen, however. Eventually, Yashia finally became dead tired and almost unable to walk, so she entrusted a very good friend of hers, Sehron, with the coin to go in her stead. Just in case it might still go through. He brought her to this place after that. When she had entered the room reserved for her and laid her fatigued body on the bed within it, she almost immediately passed out, hardly aware of the luxuries around her.

The good night's rest had done her well, but Yashia didn't take much time to appreciate all that comfort that had been given to her. She got up as quickly as she could in hopes to find out if there was any news regarding the Thayans and their business in the slave trade at Aquor.

The female knight of the Aster was both relieved and let down when she found out that the auction had been postponed. Lauan would have to stay under the tyranny of the Thayans a while longer, but Yashia still had a chance to 'purchase' her and the girl wasn't surely off in worse hands yet. All she could do was sit it out, in expectation for the call to all those who were interested in 'the goods', as Tupoun had not so eloquently called Lauan in their discussion around the campfire.

OOC: I won't be able to stay up as late anymore coming Sunday and a few months after that. Latest it'll ever be is midnight GMT, except on Fridays and Saturdays, when I can stay up an hour or so longer. I'm not exactly sure but it seems our online times are a bit difficult to mix. Tupoun being online in the mornings and afternoons here, Gamling evenings to late nights, nickbeat nights until early mornings. I don't know if it's possible for you all, but I think Saturday at around 11 pm to midnight (GMT) would at least be a time when we're not working/sleeping.

And yes Tupoun, I'd say sending someone in your stead is possible.. I had Sehron for me on standby last night just the same, in case you'd log on that early for some reason. It was 5 AM here and I really couldn't stay awake any longer (GMT+1 (and another +1 for daylight savings time))

[Gamling]

Lauan could be seen last night running to the crossroads weeping with a moonelf woman following her.

OOC: Any time is good for me as long as any one involved are able to make it.

[steel505]

OCC: I'll try to conform to whatever time the rest of you decide, but a Saturday would be best for me. Don't take my request too highly, though, because I would only go for RP purposes.

[nickbeat]

Krang was forced to come back to the horrible squalor of the Exigo camp to meet the dwarf. He preferred to conduct matters of such import in person, and he would prefer not to be seen with such rabble in the Thayan enclave.

Toupon was true to his promise, offering a worthy sum, though perhaps a pittance compared to what he might gain from the auction. We would find out soon enough. A satisfied grin played across his face as he happily counted the coins.

OOC: We will sort out a good time on Saturday, around 11 PM GMT, maybe sooner if there is some demand.

[Kaeldorn]

Several days later, as Yashia was patrolling the Shaharan Hills to suppress the goblin threat in the area, she stumbled upon the vile dwarf Tupoun who was having a conversation with a human man. She did not pay heed to the other man's identity, as she was blinded with scorn of the message she had received this morning, which had confirmed the claims of the dwarf during an earlier squabble at the Exigo Trading Post:

Supposedly, he had struck a deal with Krang to be sure of his 'victory' and their would no longer be an auction. There was not much left to be done that could keep Lauan out of his clutch.

Yashia scowled, and marched towards the dwarf with heavy footsteps and clenched fists.
"You!" she said loudly, full of contempt. "So, you have bargained with Krang to get your way? When?! How?! Speak up, you sorry excuse for dwarven honor!"

The dwarf laughed, seemingly amused by the rage in the woman's eyes. "Told you... Hehe... Told you so!"

"Krang is a Thayan! He is bound by laws and rules, he has to abide by the terms he has set himself. The auction has to go through!", she replied, frowning and breathing heavily.

Tupoun just kept grinning, making fun of the woman before him and the situation she was in. Then the other man spoke.

"So he broke his own rules... That is despicable. However, what is to stop him from doing the same to you, dwarf?"

Yashia blinked with her eyes, getting back to her senses from the words the man had just spoken. The knight of the Aster nodded and looked up to the him, somewhat surprised to recognize his face. It was Hano. And he was alive!

"But... but how?" she said, "Did you not fall on the mountain trail north of Aquor, when we fought our way down back to safety?"

Hano smiled. "A traveller in the area found me and brought me back to the Temple of Helm for recovery. I do not know who it was or what exactly had happened, but yes, I am very much alive."

A confident smile formed on Yashia's face and Hano continued: "If it's only money that this Krang cares about, he will take the highest bid possible. And if that comes from someone else, you will be out of luck. You do also not quite have the way with words that others might have, so that is your loss as well."

"Exactly! And your reputation is so poor that you do not hold any authority in Sundren either. Now get out of my way, worthless pile of dung. I have work to do."

Yashia pushed the dwarf to the side as she trod onward towards the Spittlefist Caves. There was nothing that little bastard could do to stop her, she would succeed in winning Lauan's freedom. She was fully determined.

[nickbeat]

The foul dwarf reminded Krang of so many Duergar he had known during his business dealings, cold and persistent. The squat and repulsive creature had a keen interest in the girl and appeared well pleased at her performance, which of course was enhanced by his transmutations.

Clearly there were others showing interest, but none had yet proven it with coin. The auction would tell and it mattered not to him who won, but he hoped for something in digits of six!

[Vavutsikarios]

Alex grinds his teeth in frustration.
He will not be able to make it to the auction.

He has promised a local farmer that he will play some music for his son's birthday. Canceling that would not only be unprofessional, but it would also hurt the feelings of a five years old fan, and that is unacceptable.
He hopes Yashia will manage to save the girl from the hands of such as the rude dwarf Larry, or whatever his real name is.
And it may be better that he will not be there after all. Being there would probably not change the way things will go, and he is not sure that he would be able to control his reaction if something went wrong.
Actually, the worst thing of not being able to attend probably is that he will not have the opportunity to see the face of the orc-named slaver! He can leave with that.
And the birthday party definitely sounds like much more fun anyway.


OOC: a pity I work Saturday night. I 'd really like to be there. Please someone keep the proceedings for me

[nickbeat]

Krang spent the evening in a state of pure bliss, hopped up on a number of potions designed to bring him closer to a state of complete oneness with the infernal. The other lords of Thay would be most impressed with the profits he would draw tomorrows day.

Feel free to give gold to anyone to represent you, or even give gold to Krang up front if you would like to make a silent bid. Looking to get started at 10 PM GMT now.

[nickbeat]

His Most Enigmatic and Honorable Sundarian Khazark,

It is with great regret that I cannot accept your generous offer to host an auction within the Thayan Enclave. I have arranged for her private sale to an undisclosed party.

I do hope that we may establish lucrative business arrangements in the past, one that will benefit both parties equally.

Sincerely,

Krang Mortenson