The Dreamer's Fall

Chapter 35 - Foster The Merchant

The practice of slavery wasn't unique to Ollerin, and every country on Nithe practiced some form of it. In Ollerin, there were numerous types of slaves, and the laws regarding each type differed.

For instance, criminals could be enslaved for a period of time as punishment for their crimes, but they would be freed once their sentence was served. Of course, their treatment would often depend on the severity of their crimes, but at the end of the day, they were still treated as a commodity on Nithe.

There was also a type of contractual indentured servitude that usually resulted from unpaid debts. However, it wasn't limited to falling into debt. Some people would willingly become indentured servants if they fell on hard times or were dealt a lousy hand in life.

Indentured servants were treated fairly in most cases and would often be trained in a trade skill by those who purchased them. Those who weren't forced into it would also have the option of ending their servitude after an agreed-upon number of years had passed. So, for them, it was a guaranteed roof over their heads and food in their bellies.

War slaves got the worst of it. Anyone captured during a campaign would remain a slave for the rest of their lives. However, Ollerin was unique in its laws that forbid the possibility of being born a slave. Any child born within Ollerin was considered free, even if the child's parents were slaves.

Of course, if the child was born into slavery outside of Ollerin, they could still be sold as a slave, and the Innihanan League exploited that fact to make a fortune. They would simply breed slaves within their own lands and sell the offspring as one did with livestock.

The Innihanan League was a neutral nation to the east of the Helrian tribes that developed into a trading powerhouse managed by a conglomerate of wealthy merchant families.

Due to their strict doctrine of neutrality, every nation on Nithe actively traded with them in some form or another, allowing them to thrive. They were the reason why the Ollerin Empire always had a steady supply of "war" slaves, even in times of peace.

The carriage halted, and Arthur departed from it into a crowded square near Munn's docks. The ocean breeze that cooled the area would almost be refreshing if not for the smells that the wind brought along with it.

All along the square, various-sized cages created a maze that patrons naturally flowed through. However, the cages weren't filled with people like Arthur had expected. Instead, all manner of exotic creatures roared and chirped from within, creating a clamorous atmosphere similar to a zoo.

Despite being referred to as a slave market, the wares sold included all forms of life found on Nithe. Arthur felt like he was walking through an overcrowded wet market as he cut through the rivers of people and entered a large building at the far end of the square.

Arthur entered first and was instantly greeted by a frowning olive-skinned man from behind the counter. "A bit young to be in this sorta place, ain't ya boy?"

Foster walked inside and clicked his tongue. "I know Innihanan's lack the capacity to think about anything other than coin, but when you're in Ollerin, take care to show proper respect. This is lord Arthur Revan, the first-born son of Marquis Edward Revan."

Arthur glanced back at Foster, who appeared genuinely annoyed at the Innihanan man but felt it wasn't entirely due to the man's words.

"Sorry, sorry." The Innihanan man sarcastically threw up his hands in defeat as a merchant's smile crept along his lips. "What can I do for the little lord? I got some pretty girls 'bout your age in the back. Boys, too, if that's your type."

Arthur had prepared himself for the sickening reality of slavery, yet the Innihanan man seemed to be trying his best to prove his preparations insufficient. Of course, Arthur wasn't a saint, and he knew he'd have to interact with the slave trade eventually, considering how ingrained it was on Nithe, but that didn't make it feel any less dirty.