Chapter 15: The City of Sin

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Since the swamp was a bust, the two decided to continue on their journey yet to another city, with a very well known image. Brakmar. Former enemy of Bonta, the city of darkness. They say the most ruthless cut-throat people live there. If they were to get a clue, of any kind of shady business involving a Dofus, that was the place. The road to Brakmar was easy but the entrance was shady at best. There was an entrance fee you had to pay to get into the city, and it wasn't cheap even for two people. Shiro stayed especially close to Aeri, holding her hand as to not get lost in the sea of people walking about. Both of them took extra care for their baggage, as no one could be fully trusted in the dark city.

The two made their way to a local restaurant where they asked around whether anyone knew of any Dofus or not. When there didn't seem to be anyone who knew, they became disheartened. That is until they heard a voice: ;"A Dofus eh? I might know something." A Sram man said in the corner of the establishment. He kept his feet on the table and Had a very nonchalant attitude. "But it's going to cost you." He continued. They had no choice than to give almost half of their stash to him. After all He might have valuable info. "Now you didn't hear this from me, but apparently they're holding a very SPECIAL auction at the center of the city. One with incredibly rare items. Of MAGICAL kind." He explained. "If I were you I'd find another way in though... only those with wealth and power may enter, and no offence but you have neither." He continued snickering. They nodded, understanding, giving each other a look of determination, before they headed towards the city's center.

Weapon shops and small stalls full of potions of varying kinds filled the square. There were only a few well looking buildings. Soon the two found the most brilliant one. It had big doors with two guards in front guarding it. Surely they couldn't just waltz in. They watched as two well dressed gentlemen entered the building with paying an entrance fee. They could not pay their way in, so they'd have to be clever about it. Shiro noticed someone selling magical potions, Shapeshifting potions. As long as you didn't say a certain codeword "Gobbowl", you'd keep your disguise. With what little they had, they paid for one potion. Shiro hurriedly drank it, turning into an adult looking human. He kept Aeri hidden under his robes. He confidently walked over to the guards. Shiro kept his head up high, silently praying this would all end well. He gulped silently, and went over his role. He was going to pretend to be a Duke from Brakmar's greatest enemy turned friend Bonta. So with the best snobby attitude he looked at the guards like he was better than them, and said. ;"Gentlemen. If you were so kind as to let me in." He stated. ;"Entrance fee?" One of the guards asked holding out their hand. Shiro gasped. ;"Did you not receive my entrance fee from Bonta? DO YOU KNOW who I am?" He stated raising his voice so that a few people turned their heads. The guards gave each other a confused look. ;"I am SIR Siemur the Third. THE Duke of Bonta." He explained to them raising his finger up in the air, looking down at them. "Now you can either let me in, or explain to your boss why I wasn't let in because of YOUR little mistake. I am a well known man, who has donated money to keep this little "house" up and running for YEARS." He clapsed his hands together with a deadpan look. The guards were sweating, with a fearful look. ;"O-of course Sir Siemur! We got your entrance fee months ago!" One of them stated. The other quickly followed ;"Y-yes there is no need to mix our boss in this. Everything is in order, please, come on in! We hope you enjoy your stay!" They hurriedly opened the door letting Shiro pass, as he held his head high making his best displeased face. ;"Yes. So it seems" He muttered, walking in carefully as to not get Aeri noticed. Fooling a few guards was easy, but now, he'd need to fool actual aristocrats, and other people of great wealth and power, while completely penniless! ;"So far so good." He sighed. He then changed his expression to that of calm and slightly unimpressed. He took everything in, the whole building was as grand on the inside as it was outside. Tapestries on the walls, with Golden trims, long red carpet on the floor, and a grand staircase in front of him. Butlers and maids hurried everywhere to serve the men and women inside, who were busy laughing at their own jokes and others unfortune to notice him. Aeri peeked a look quickly, she silently wowed at the sight. ;"Anything to drink sir?" One of the butlers asked holding out a tray of different colored liquids. He took one of them and nodded at the butler who hurried to others, while he was old enough, Shiro had never actually drank alcohol before. He took a small sip before silently cringing at the taste. ;'And people drink THIS for fun??' He wondered, his ears lowering in disgust. When he noticed someone staring at him, he quickly composed himself. ;"Hm yes, this is...adequate... But nothing compared to the drinks I've tasted in Bonta." He said, the person then looking away from him. Shiroazaad had never wanted something to start as much as he did now. All he'd have to do was to outbid the others, then scram with the Dofus and Aeri, before anyone would even understand what was happening. He wasn't exactly a party type of person, or people kind of person, and this little gathering was giving him unwanted stress. ;"Shiro, calm down, you've got this!" Aeri said giving him a thumbs up. This seemed to help him as he took a deep breath. 

A hand landed on his shoulder. He shivered. ;"So sonny where are you from?" A old Sacrier man asked him. Shiro shyly answered: ;"B-Bonta." Before composing himself again. "Bonta. I'm from the Southern parts." He explained to him. ;"Really? That's a coincidence! I just met a young man over there who is also from Bonta. Small world huh?" He said. ;"Y-yeah, small world." Shiro nodded. The man called the younger man from Bonta over, and Shiro Cursed under his breath for ever opening his big mouth. That is when a bell rang. ;"Ladies and Gentlemen, if you would be so kind as to follow me to the auction room, the event will soon commence." A servant explained, leading the group of people to the auction room. Shiro managed to slip away with the crowd. He sat himself in the middle row, not too close or too far from the main stage. He was then given a wooden sign to hold and show whenever he needed to bid. Shiro noticed the former Sacrier man sitting not too far from him, and he tried to hide his face from him with little success. But he couldn't possibly try and approach Shiro so he could finally calm down. There were many items on a list, given to him, but so far none of them seemed "magical" like a Dofus would be. The others were bidding back and forth while Shiroazaad sat quietly giving a small bid here and there as to not raise suspicion. There were only few items left when there was a small announcement: "Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for your patience and all the bids so far. I'm here to announce that there will be a bit unusual item not found in the list, you're all very lucky for it is rarest of the rare kind. I'll give you... A Dragon egg. Also known as The Dofus." The announcer said, wheeling in an egg with red pattern, on a silver stand. Everyone went "Oooh!" And "Aaah" upon seeing it. It was truly beautiful. ;"We will begin the auction of this item at 20 000 kamas." The announcer said. People soon began bidding higher and higher, although they had no real money, Shiro needed to make sure his bid was the highest. ;" 30 000 kamas!" Someone yelled, ;"50 000!" Another one said. Shiro started to lost count on how high the bid was so he did the next logical thing: ;"200 000 kamas!" He yelled. Everyone stopped. The announcer quickly hit the hammer. ;"Sold to the Duke of Bonta!" He exclaimed. Everyone clapped. Shiro silently wished the payment wouldn't come to their minds at first. When the auction was done, Shiro quickly made his way to the storage room where they kept the items sold. He scanned the room for anyone else. So far he was the only one there, he saw the Dofus on the stand. Making his way towards it. He gestured Aeri to come on out from hiding she did as instructed. She studied the Dofus, holding it close. It felt familiar, yet somehow... different. ;"This.. This isn't ours." She said sadly. "It IS a Dofus but, not one of ours." She continued. That was when the servant entered the room. ;"Hello, may I help you in any way-" he attempted to say until he saw Aeri holding the Dofus and Shiro. "GUARDS!!" He yelled. Aeri quickly made a portal, taking Shiro and the Dofus with her. They got into the lobby, when the guards arrived. ;"Uuh... Freeze I have the Duke as a hostage?!" Aeri attempted to fool them. Buuut it didn't seem to work on them. "Darn." She said, taking Shiro's hand and running. Both of them got out of the auction house, with the Dofus. ;"Now where do we go??" Shiro asked panicking. ;"We go in crowd." Aeri said diving into the sea of people as the guards followed them, they soon lost their trail. As the two ran Aeri wondered where it would be safe to leave such a thing. A Dofus was no toy, you couldn't just leave it out in the open, especially since this one housed a dragon. The two continued their way to the city's border, and once they were over it, they had truly gotten away. Now all they needed to do was to find a suitable home for their new friend.

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