133. Slave Markets.

" What's the plan? You'd never buy slaves for yourself... "

We were inside the gold house and are now in separate large beds..still not as comfortable as his house despite costing more.

" I want to see a market dedicated to this.. Who are these people they sell? Dharma is not a war nation .."

" It's her own people. " I turned on my side and saw him by the dim light of the candle.

" ..those who needs a coin for food, or tools or just a healer. They borrowed from the church and the terms make sure they technically sell themselves if they can't pay it back in time. "

The sad fact is that almost every family in the lower classes at one point or another needs some help financially.

Where do you turn for help if your neighbour's even poorer than you..and no family to talk about?

" What a racket.." even in the dark, I saw his disapproving eyebrows. " They sure have it figured out, preying on their own people. "

Word by word the truth. " Insatel is more or less the same.. every nation is Zeph. "

" Hmm..tell me how much a human life worth these days? "

I closed my eyes while answering.

" Few bronze coins..depending on a lot of factors. Age, health, disability mental or physical, education, man,woman, children..race.."

" I see..well, after that is done. Do you want us to meet your little cousin? "

" Sure... sounds good. "

I was still tired, and without further talk, we both drifted away, finally sleeping somewhat comfortable again.

——

" I see the cold didn't drive the customers away. "

We were deep in the city with about two dozen mostly my distant family relationships surrounding us...

If Lylly saw this. He be already paying for it.. even if not his fault.

Even the slaves dead eyes followed him and regained some light watching him in new clothes hand made by Shilian and Merry, who waited for him in the morning.

Dressed in all blue with a large scarf, the Revel twins wore he stood out even more.

" Come young Lord..please browse and pick black hair, blonde or red heads? HMMM? COME ONE, COME ALL.."

An enthusiastic cockroach waived Zephyr over standing in front of a giant wooden cage holding people huddled together mirrored by dozens more with similar figures doing their best to sell them.

They all looked towards him since now a large crowd followed him aside from my own snake of a family.

People whispered behind him, but in front of me.

" I wonder if he is some foreign prince?

" Of course he is Yelda.. look at those features..

" Hell with his looks.. I would marry him for his hair alone.

" I bet you a bronze coin he is a child of God..

" I'll take that action.

" Me too.."

His presence and looks caused a reaction from everyone.. mostly favorable.

Zeph, having good looks and charisma is a hell of a thing..

Having the brains to utilize it, the grace to blend into any situation, effortlessly bending worshipped individuals to your will .. I agreed with some of the nauseating crowd.

He must be nobility at the very least from a different life.

He walked closer to the toothless man already rubbing his hand, smelling his coins from afar.

" What's your name, friend? " He asked.

The man was surprised and took off his warm hat, bowed a little. " Harmon, Lord..Xenir Harmon, your humble servant. "

" Hmm... talk to me about them." he nodded the cage behind him.

He put his hat on and turned businessman in a flash.

" These ones, Lord?.. Wretches, who couldn't pay back the good will and generous loan our lord God provided them, thiefs really.." his expression and attitude were matched by almost all standing in the crowd.

" This is Zephyr Astoria, dear friend of our family... His Holiness himself will celebrate his presence tonight as a fellow children of Ehlite. "

Mothers pointless information only used for promoting herself really, caused a bit of a frenzy.

Some started it, and others followed..soon, most people were soon bent over and some even on their knees in the snow mixed with mud.

Harmon himself was no different.

" My Lord, I should've seen it before ever hearing it. It was obvious.. I'm unworthy. "

" No need..." he wasn't amused, I could tell despite his phoney smile. " Enough people.. get up.."

Those still unmoved slowly raised their heads. The good news is that most left soon after that. Fear was a big part of religion and being a child of God. Power such as ours better viewed from a far.

" Tell me Harmon.. how much do these people cost ? "

Oh boy.. I had a feeling.

" For you Lord.. how is 1 silver coin for two of them, any gender or age? "

He was generous..most skinny or old ones cost more than that..

" How much for all? "

There he is...

" All L-lord?..as in all of them!? "

The bastard was the most surprised. Mother was mildly confused along with the rest.

" Yes."

Other slavers came over now hearing this wild proclamation.

" I-I.. well, um .. I'll have about 30 of them, Lord. I'll take 14 s-silver for the lot? "

He was generous once more.. but still hesitated with the price, afraid to offend him.

He gazed at the poor souls, looking at him with a mixture of hope and fear visible in their eyes. And turned to the others surrounded him.

" What about you good people? How much for yours? "

They have been waiting patiently and now huddled together, discussing it.

" Lord Zephyr, are you sure..? "

Even my family doubted his financial status..but if they only knew.

" Yes.. I'm actually looking for people for my village. As far as prices go, it's favourable. "

I could tell how disgusted he was by the sad fact that he spent more on chocolate for his wife than he will on..100 people maybe?

The slavers were done counting, and they agreed on 89 silver coins in total for over 104 men, women, and children.

" Carlos? "

I made my way closer. " Should've known..we can house them but, how you going to ..

" I'll purchase wagons for those who want to leave, food and other supplies, warm clothes, whatever else needed..and you, Mr. first son of the house of Em will prove security for their long journey. "

Mother and Maria were speechless.

The money was nothing, but the fact he bought every soul was shocking.

Others came to purchase would've grumbled but..understood the consequences better than even those in Insatel, if they angered him someway.

They all left as well looking anywhere but us.

" I see ..what are you doing with them ? Make them Emet's new residents? "

He looked at the people getting released from the cages wearing light layers despite the weather.

They mostly stared at him, probably wondering what's their fate and who he was.

" Those who wish it... they are free to choose, but first, let's take them back.. I hope that's okay, Julia. "

" Anything dear. I will make sure they are well fed and given clothes in the meantime. "

" I'm grateful. " He showed a genuine smile to my mother.

I smiled lightly, thinking about how Lylly was smart and not showing the slave market in Malai.. he would buy them all.

He had a good heart, and even if he couldn't save everyone ..just couldn't ignore them once seeing the condition they were in...

I wonder how the village is back home? Hope nothing crazy comes up extending our trip even further.