[quote=@Odin] [center][img]http://orig01.deviantart.net/d65d/f/2014/198/6/6/kafar_by_kubawitowski-d7r22cn.jpg[/img] [sub]The slave driver, dressed in expensive and fine clothes, with some jewels around his neck.[/sub][/center][hr][hr] [i]“No need,”[/i] Ketill said, as he laid down his dagger and it's sheath on the table in front of him. He had spoken about dinner, but did not quite have an appetite. The trial had gotten rid of that entirely. [i]“Though, there was something you need to do for me,”[/i] he said. He took off his armor, revealing a white linen shirt. It was old, and visibly torn. It was also quite dirty. There was never time to wash your shirts when you were at Coedwin, as there was always something that needed doing. He then proceeded to tug at the bottom of the shirt, pulling it upwards and exposing some of his midriff. It would be easy for Saina to get the wrong idea - to think he wanted [i]her[/i] - but that was not the purpose. [i]“I need someone to wash this and stitch it up fo-”[/i] A small cough caused Ketill to quickly pull down the shirt again and look at the tent entrance, where the merchant woman had set herself up. Her arms were crossed, and she looked at Ketill specifically. [i]“You seem relieved, Ketill,”[/i] she said to him, as he quickly pulled the armor back on to not appear like a homeless warrior of sorts. He tightened the belt with the sword around his waist before looking up at her, listening to her continuing words. [i]“And you did not thank me. That is considered rude, Ketill,”[/i] she continued, talking in a familiar tone. As if they knew each other, but they did not. Ketill fastened his belt tighter and spoke without looking up at her, something that Saina would be familiar with by now. [i]“Yes, well, you did your job, I did mine, we're both happy. Except for the commander, Monarch take his breath.”[/i] The quartermaster shook her head and walked closer to Ketill, inspecting him a bit before she continued in the same direction, and stepping over to Saina. She grabbed a hold of Saina's hand and raised it, running her other hand down her arm gently and feeling the softness of her skin. Her hands were warm, despite the cold climate still taking residence in the camp. She felt over the bruising of her arm, making sure not to touch too hard, but ultimately ending up squeezing her a bit on the bruise to test Saina's strength. [i]“What did you want, lady..?”[/i] Ketill then asked inquisitively. He did not know her despite her tone. Perhaps she knew of him - as did many, he was 'famous' in Broacien after all. Among the lords at any rate. She may be a merchant, but she had wealth and that alone was enough reason to treat her like nobility. [i]“Did you wish for me to repay you? I have no money, I told you. And I will not give you her, she is too precious. A gift from lord Jachsen. I'm sure..”[/i] He looked away for a moment, distracted by movement outside the tent, a shadow being cast on the tent linen that walked closer to the entrance. [i]“.. I'm sure you understand. I can offer you my finger if it pleases you, but you have just saved it, so I would assume not. So what do you hope to find here?”[/i] [i]“Anne,”[/i] the well-endowed lady replied, finally lifting her hand from Saina's arm and carefully taking a hold of Saina's chin then, twisting and turning her face to look at the bruising on it. She gently ran a finger over the bruises, before lowering that hand too and turning to Ketill, the long sleeve of cloth at the back of her otherwise short cut outfit swinging widely in a circle, before hitting Saina's legs softly. [i]“The name is Anne. I'm sorry, I had assumed you knew me, as most people know of you. You're.. well known in most of Broacien actually. I trust you know that. And I come here with something in mind. I just invested my money in you, saving your finger, though you seemed very set on getting rid of it.”[/i] A playful smile toiled on her lips as she spoke about her investment, as well as the act that Ketill had put on. Though, it was not much of an act, and she realized full well that if she hadn't stopped him when she did, he would've gladly cut his finger off to prove a point. [i]“It's quite simple. I did not get to where I am by investing money in everybody and everyone. You, however, are a capable man. I see that in you. You won many tournaments, in various ladies' honor, but yet never married. That is either a sign of stupidity, or of a man that has a more holy purpose. As you are a Servant.. I can estimate which one it is. It is really, [b]really[/b] quite this simple, Ketill. Whether the others realize it or not, I do realize it. We need you. So I expect my investment to pay off - you will do your best to make this expedition a success. Agreed?”[/i] [i]“And you think I was going to let this expedition fail why exactly?”[/i] [i]“I did not, and I do not. We will succeed, I know that. But if you are going around foolishly cutting off fingers because of a perceived slight, we will never reach the Sawarim lands.”[/i] [i]“Alright, point made, [b]Anne.[/b] Was there anything else?”[/i] [i]“Yes, but nothing that concerns you. I would speak to your slave, if I may?”[/i] [i]“She may be my slave, but I am not her master in the sense that I control her every movement. You may speak to her, yes.”[/i] Anne smiled again, and turned around, facing towards Saina again. She sat down next to her on the bed made of furs and again put her hand on Saina's arm, carefully tracing the bruises. Once she'd gotten a closer second look, she'd speak to Saina. Her voice was loud and present, commanding a certain aura of respect, certainly not what you'd expect from a woman. She was a strange figure in general as women were generally not in any position of power in Broacien. It was not unheard of, but it did not happen everywhere, all the time, and certainly not in a profession as dangerous as trade. [i]“So, I see that Ketill's defense was not entirely unwarranted. It's a shame, that is. But, I have a more important question. I understand you are from the Sawarim lands, yes? I would not be a trader if I was not interested in local specialties. Is there anything you can tell me about, any.. any exotic goods I should buy or secure trade lines for in these lands? Anything that I could sell for a profit?”[/i] [hr] Once Anne was done investigating whatever Saina might have to tell her, and asking her a great many more questions, another figure appeared. Anne passed by the man, nodding at him as she passed him, though the man did not nod back. It was the slavedriver, and his eyes were fixated upon Ketill's forehead first, and then very slowly they adjusted to look at Saina. Slowly he stepped in further, standing somewhat central in front of the flap, and then shifted his gaze back to Ketill. With a thick, heavy Sawarim accent he spoke, showing off his golden teeth. The man was clearly rich and had probably gotten rich off the backs of unfortunate Sawarim travelers and tribal men that got captured by his men. [i]“She is not mine. Where from?”[/i] [i]“Excuse me?”[/i] Ketill then asked. [i]“Where'd you get her? I never saw her, and I see all my slaves before they are sold. I don't have much competition in Broacien. So where did you get her? You are a Servant, I see that, and I have seen many of your people. You stay in Coedwin, right? Did you take her yourself, make her your prisoner?”[/i] [i]“No.”[/i] [i]“Then where from?”[/i] [i]“Lord Jachsen. What does it matter?”[/i] Without answering the slave driver turned to Saina and spoke to her in the Sawarim native tongue - it differed much from the common tongue spoken in Broacien, and Ketill could only understand a few words here and there from his limited knowledge on the language. <[i]“Who are you? What is your name? What is your family name? Where from in the Sultanate are you? How many horses does your family own? Do you want to go back? I'll bring you back, for the right price. A hundred horses and you can go home. I will kill this Servant and escape with you. It's easy. Just a hundred horses. Is your family rich? They can afford it? You look pretty, pretty enough to work for me. You will be an entertainer - easy life, lots of wine, lots of comfort, and nice clothes. Just tell your master you want to work for me, tell him to give me a price and I'll pay it. You believe in our Gods? Everyone here hates you. They don't hate me, because I swore off our gods. That's the only way for them to accept me. Now I can earn money. You should do the same, if you like living. If you like living, you should work for me. I'll take you home, right?”[/i]> [/quote]