The Vengeance of the Rogue Pirate

The Auction

Day in and day out living your life on a ship can 8e exhausting. At times when we dock, I give myself and my crew a day to spend for ourselves to do various things: spend our plunder; 8uy needed or wanted goods; or for some of us, including myself, drink away our pro8lems.

I received a tip from one of my crew members that there would 8e a slave auction this evening with a surprising character; although, they would not say who. I originally was not planning to attend, 8ut curiosity killed the Leijon.

I found myself walking into the shady pu8 in which the auction was taking place and took a seat for myself at the corner of the 8ar, away from everyone else. I was still not planning on taking part in the auction, just to spectate. Whoever was to 8e auctioned must 8e quite popular; a crowd filled the room from wall to wall. A few familiar faces were scattered throughout the crowd; one including my dear kismeises, Dualscar. I stay hidden in my corner of the 8ar and order a drink awaiting the auction to 8egin.

As I finish my drink, as if on cue, an auctioneer took his place center stage, preparing for it to 8egin.

"Good evenin' ladies an' gents. Tonight we have a special lucky lady to be auctioned by the end of tha night. Let's get it started." The man spoke and 8egan auctioning off dirty low8loods at lowly prices. I considered placing a 8id 8ut quickly dismissed the thought; I would have easily won, 8ut I was waiting to se who the "special slave" was, if she was worth my 8argin.

As the last regular slave was sold, the mid and high8lood 8egan getting chatty, few leaving with their prize to do who-knows-what. I made my way to an empty chair towards the stage. Crossing my legs, I wait patiently for the man to reappear.

Taking the stage again, the troll dragged a woman with her face covered 8y a raggedy cloth. Her clothes were too familiar; they were the clothes were those of a woman that often chased me and my ship, never 8eing a8le to catch me. My hunch seemed nigh impossi8le, 8ut yet, still a possi8ility.

"Now, for our special guest! This one worked for the Grand Highblood himself!" He tugged on the rag covering her face and it fell to the floor as he continued, "The ex-legislacerator herself, Neophyte Redglare!"

In shock that my intuition was correct, I stand to get a 8etter look to make sure my hearing was correct and my eyes weren't deceiving me. I could not 8elieve my eyes. She chased me from sea to sea and now, in front of me, she was a slave. A mischievous grin spread across my face.

Stuck in my daze and 8ewilderment, I did not realize the 8idding had 8egun. I walked over to the stage, looking Neophyte right in those red orbs of hers and spoke, "I 8id one 8oon8ond on this 8eauty." The remaining crowd 8egan to chatter as the auctioneer smacked the podium with his palm as he yelled that my 8id had won.

I smiled at my victory and whispered to her, "You're mine."

The man handed me her chains and the key, which I stowed away in one of the inner folds on my 8reast, and I proudly dragged away my prize after handing over the cash. We walked out of the now calmer 8ar room down the long hall leading 8ack to the surface.

"So, Neophyte, what did you do to make the high8loods turn against you, or more what turned you on them?" I asked with curiosity and wonder ravishing my voice.

"1 w4s d33m3d 4 h3r3t1c." She stated very 8latantly and unwavering. Her voice, impassable and unwilling to give any further information. My eyes widened in shock that the know uptight legislacerator, now ex, da88eled in witchcraft. I was almost impressed. I must confront her about it later. This will 8e a very eventful evening...