Land of Athlora

* Chapter (5) - Purchase

Still, in shock, Wren stopped at a street vendor to eat breakfast. Before she knew it, Wren had eaten over twenty dishes leaving the other customers in shock. Wren sheepishly paid for her meal and ran off lest she is followed given her large appetite.

Wren walks through the busy street and sighs to herself, "It's fine to mourn them, but if I want to save those like them I have to fulfill my own part."

Full of vigor, Wren makes her way back through the streets and hears an interesting bit of gossip. "Did you hear the slave market captured a dragon?" A man whispered to another.

Wren instantly slows down and intently listens to the man whisper, "I hear they're holding a private auction later this evening."

Wren shrugs her head and through she was just as curious to see a dragon, she had no desire to purchase the dragon. Besides, given the dragon's worth, there would be no way she would be able to outbid the kingdom's nobility nor the merchant class. However, Wren's spark of interest had begun to burn, after all, this was a once in a life time event. The least she could do is peek at the dragon as it was clearly for research purposes.

With that in mind, Wren strolled off to the slave quarters. Wren kept a poker face on the entire time lest her true emotions of rage, pity, and disgust show on her face. Wren is furious at seeing all the poor captives in chains and cages, but even with all her might, Wren knew she was no match for the entire forces of the capital. With that in mind, Wren found herself keeping her eyes downcast most of the time to ignore the despairing eyes of the children.

Wren suddenly pauses at catching a glimpse of goblins for sale. But that was not truly what captivated, rather within the group of caged goblins a small goblin child plays with a complicated metal puzzle. With clever nimble fingers, the child puts the puzzle together before dismantling the puzzle once more.

Wren's eyes gleam as she recalls the ancient records held in Master Aram's study. Once long ago, after the fall, but before the first Fallen apostle, there was an ancient, mighty goblin kingdom. These goblins were not like their demonic brethren but were clever and bold enough to able to create an empire where the very buildings reached the sky. However, their empire was destroyed in a single night, when the Frost spell was cast as the goblins found themselves without enough food and supplies to sustain the kingdom. The ancient kingdom was wracked with internal warfare and by the end, the land had become an inhabitable wasteland. However, remnants of their civilization were still found and greatly prized by the dwarven craftsman. On more than one occasion, Wren had heard the dwarves swear that would have loved to meet fellow legendary craftsmen.

Uncertain, but willing to make a bet, Wren bends down on the dirty cobbled stone street. Seeing Wren so near the goblin child, the anxious goblin mother pulls her child into her arms. In the common tongue, Wren asks, "Are you members of the ancient Tower Tribe?"

The surrounding goblins blink with shock and fear as they gather together. An old grizzled goblin in rags motions to able-bodied goblins, who carefully help him to his feet. The goblins make way as the elderly goblin limps towards Wren and stops. "It rare for our tribe to be recognized, Elven child. How did you recognize us? Not many know still know us in this era and simply treat us like our lesser intelligent cousins."

Wren frowns at the elven term and replies, "Not elf, but Ogre."

"I see," the old goblin mused. "I stand corrected, my apologies."

Wren nods accepting the apology and says, "I recognized you from my master's collection as he held an ancient manuscript that described your ancient kingdom."

The old goblin sighs and says, "Yes, that was long ago. Now we cannot even protect our village much less pass down our ancient craft."

Wren eyes gleam with excitement and narrow her eyes at them. "Old one, I will buy you and in exchange give me your sworn loyalty," Wren proposed.