Tbate - Making A Much Lighter Path

Chapter 40 - Horn Shearing

"Nice to meet you," Olfred said with what little courtesy he could muster up. "My name is Cladence from House-"

Sebastian held up a palm, interrupting the masked lance. "Let me stop you right there. House names aren't necessary in ordeals like this. I'll simply refer you to as Cladence and you can call me Sebastian."

"Very well," Olfred replied. "Sebastian."

"Good." The beady-eyed conjurer nodded in approval. "Now. Before we get down to business..."

Sebastian muttered a chant as he waved his arm ostentatiously. After a few moments, a translucent shroud covered us, dampening the clamor of the tavern. An obvious but not very impressive demonstration of wind-attribute magic. Still, I played along as the naive slave and let out a breath of amazement.

The conjurer's gaze shifted from me to Olfred, but seeing that his masked guest didn't show any discernible sign of awe at this demonstration, Sebastian's lips curled slightly into a frown.

"It's a little rowdy in here and the folks present aren't the most well-mannered," he said, leaning forward to grab one of the mugs filled with beer in the center of the table. "Excuse me for my subordinates' behavior. Bothering you like that when you've finally sat down to rest, I'll have to reprimand them."

Olfred reached forward, his large hand gripping the handle of the mug tightly. "It's not a problem. Thank you for the hospitality here at the inn."

"Hospitality?" The balding conjurer looked at the masked lance incredulously before letting out a snort. "You and I both know that this sort of place is fit for mud hogs."

The masked lance let out a chuckle before taking a swig from his mug.

It was obvious that Sebastian was staring at Olfred's head, trying to get a peek at what his face looked like underneath the mask.

"Is something the matter?" the lance replied after noticing.

Sebastian shrugged nonchalantly as he sipped from his mug as well.

"Just curious about the story behind your mask. I've seen adventurers wear them from time to time but never nobles."

Olfred scratched his head. "Is it very obvious that I'm a noble?"

"Well, it takes one to know one," Sebastian said proudly.

"I figured," the lance nodded. "Judging by your kempt appearance and magical prowess, you seemed out of place here as well."

Compared to the nasty men, most of whom were dressed in rags, Sebastian really did look off with his richly-dyed doublet and hose.

Sebastian's eyes twinkled in delight at Olfred's flattery. "Indeed. I'd take it to offense if you had thought of me as the same as those imps."

The masked lance banged his mug back on the table. "I'd be a fool if I did!"

Throughout the rest of the conversation, it seemed as though the two of them had really hit it off. Whether Olfred was really good at acting or he actually found Sebastian amiable I wasn't sure, but after a few more mugs of ale, Sebastian was a red, hiccuping mess. That's when his true personality came out.

The two of them continued their conversation until it was finally time to go look for the slaves.

As we walked through the aisle, my anger boiled as I saw countless slaves, some eyes glared at Sebastian while we followed while the other slaves stared into nothing with their hollow, hopeless eyes. A few shivered uncontrollably as Sebastian passed by.

"The dwarves and elves are held further down, but"- Sebastian spun around to face Olfred, a lewd smirk on his thin pasty face- "do you see anyone you're just dying to get your hands on?"