“What’s She Worth?” - A Tale of Heroes - Scene 55: DeFrantis

“I don’t like this!” Antonerri whispered.

“I know. But you look very good like that.” DeFrantis stood in front of him, with her back to him.

“I wasn’t talking about the shirt.” The room was dark, even though it was day. The windows of the old inn had been boarded up. Only a few thin rays of light shone through the cracks. It was also crowded, with people pressing their way in, out, and around the cramped space. There was a low rumble of voices filling the warm, smoky, damp air.

“I know you weren’t. We’ll be fine.” Her hands were tied in front of her, not too tightly, but enough to show who was the seller and who was for sale. Antonerri held onto the other end of that short rope like a child held his mother’s hand.  “You shouldn’t be talking to me. Push me around a bit. Find a buyer.”

He half-heartedly nudged her forward and she took a few steps, angling between a few others. She added, “And keep an eye out for children.”

“Quiet, you!” He nudged her again, then whispered, “Sorry”. She tried not to laugh. They stepped cautiously through the crowd.

To her left, two men spoke quickly to each other, gesturing intensely with their hands. One of them had a hold on a chain attached to two other younger men. They were in tattered tunics, and their thin, frail bodies were covered in mud and dirt. Their eyes were down, and hidden by scraggly strands of hair. Their elongated ears told her they were wood elves. Probably from Umbrawood forest. I wonder if they came to Dirae on their own or if the slavers had taken them in a raid on their treehold.

The two humans shook hands. As DeFrantis and Antonerri continued moving, she saw one hand the other a pouch. Then they were lost from sight in the press. We have to shut this down. So much suffering. But I have to stay focused.

She felt Antonerri stop and turn when someone with a deep, gruff voice said, “Let me see her!” A hand grabbed her shoulder and spun her around. Instinctively, her hand reached up to block, but she immediately realized it was tied to her other hand, and it reminded her not to react. She kept her gaze down.

The man standing in front of her wore tall boots of fine leather. His leggings and shirt were clean, and appeared to be expensive linen. He reached his hand up and grabbed her jaws and cheeks. He pulled her face upward and looked her over. His face was shadowed, but human and angular, bent in a scowl. With a look of disdain and a harsh shove on her cheek, he turned back to Antonerri.

“I’ll give you two gold.” He rasped, “And that’s generous.” He pushed her head down again.

She threw a worried glance at Antonerri and saw his jaw tense. Quickly, nervously, she dropped her head again, like the obedient captive she was supposed to be.

This could get ugly really fast.

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This continues the story of the heroes in Wynne, in Twynne Rivers, in the world of The Hero's Tale, Family Friendly RPGs. Here's more info on The Hero's Tale, and family friendly RPGing.


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