Smiley and the Demigorgon's Warband

Chapter 16: Captives of the Slave Auction

Vin Villard stirred awake to the steady rhythm of wagon wheels creaking over uneven terrain. His vision blurred for a moment, and as his senses slowly returned, he realized he wasn't alone. Beside him, Krag the Hybrid Orc grumbled under his breath, stretching his sore limbs inside the cramped steel cage. The two of them were locked in a mobile prison, transported against their will, their wrists bound in chains.

"Where the hell are we?" Vin groaned, his voice hoarse from thirst and exhaustion.

Krag, still half-asleep, peered through the gaps in the cage's bars, taking in the rough landscape outside. "Looks like we're being taken to some kind of market. Smells like... blood and gold."

Vin grimaced. His last memory was of them exploring some ancient ruins when a band of mercenaries ambushed them. He and Krag had fought valiantly but were overwhelmed. Now they were on their way to what seemed like a slave auction.

The carriage rumbled through the gates of a city—its tall walls cast dark shadows over the road. The sounds of shouting, bartering, and the clank of chains grew louder as they neared the center of the slave market. The air was thick with tension, greed, and fear. Vin could feel eyes on them as they were wheeled through the streets, every onlooker assessing their potential value.

As the carriage finally came to a halt, Vin and Krag were dragged from their cage and lined up with other prisoners—humans, elves, and even some dwarves. All of them were bound and shackled, awaiting their turn on the auction block.

While they stood, sizing up their surroundings, a figure moved through the crowd. Unlike the others who buzzed with excitement, this man walked calmly, as if he owned the place. His presence was commanding, yet he said little. He wore a long dark cloak, his face partially hidden by a hood, and a strange aura radiated from him—something ancient, noble, and powerful.

As he passed by Vin and Krag, he stopped for a moment, glancing in their direction. His eyes, sharp and piercing, lingered on them. He leaned in slightly, his voice low but clear enough for them to hear.

"I know about your friends. Smiley and D.G," he said, his lips barely moving.

Vin and Krag exchanged a surprised look. How could this man know about them? Before they could ask him anything, he continued on his way, disappearing into the crowd.

"Who was that?" Vin muttered.

"No idea," Krag replied, his eyes narrowed. "But something about him... I feel like we should stick close."

Soon, the auction began. One by one, slaves were brought to the block, sold to the highest bidder. The crowd grew rowdier with each sale, their voices a chorus of greed and cruelty. Vin's turn was coming up, and he braced himself for the worst. But then, just as the auctioneer prepared to call his number, chaos erupted.

From the shadows, figures emerged, their weapons drawn. The guards and slavers were caught off-guard as a group of skilled warriors charged into the auction house, blades flashing, arrows flying.

And leading them was none other than the mysterious man from earlier. In one fluid motion, he discarded his cloak, revealing the familiar face of the legendary Sindar Elf—Legolas.

Vin's eyes widened in recognition. "Legolas? Here?"

The crowd descended into panic as Legolas and his companions—elves and humans alike—began freeing the prisoners. Krag, wasting no time, broke the chains around his wrists using his brute strength, grabbing a fallen sword from one of the guards.

"Let's get our weapons!" Krag roared.

Vin followed, moving quickly through the chaos. They found their confiscated gear nearby and armed themselves, ready to fight. Together, they cut through the slavers, assisting Legolas and his team in freeing the rest of the captives.

The auction house was a battlefield, but with Legolas's expert leadership and the strength of Krag and Vin, the slavers were swiftly overpowered. One by one, the cages were opened, and the prisoners were liberated.

When the dust finally settled, Legolas approached Vin and Krag, offering them a nod of gratitude. "You fought well," he said.

Vin gave a tired grin. "Not as well as you, Legolas. But thanks."

As the freed prisoners made their way out of the auction house, one of Legolas's companions handed Vin a small note. Curious, Vin unfolded it, his eyes scanning the contents. It was written in elegant script, detailing where Smiley and D.G were likely located and instructing him on the safest routes to find them.

Vin's heart quickened. "Looks like we've got our next destination."

Krag, cleaning his sword, glanced over. "Smiley and D.G?"

Vin nodded. "Yeah. Seems like our paths are about to cross again."

With their weapons recovered, and their spirits renewed, Vin and Krag prepared to set off on their next journey. But as they left the auction house, Vin couldn't shake the feeling that fate was pushing them toward something even greater. And with Legolas's quiet support, he knew they were in good company.

They would find Smiley and D.G, and together, they would continue their quest to defeat the Orc King—no matter the obstacles that lay ahead.