Bidder Claims All.

The three figures finally halted in front of a large construction; this used to be a small manufacturing firm during the day, a sort of brewery to be precise. It was quite laughable to see how different and transformed it once night fell. It could also be considered the heart of the dark trade; this was the one and only building where major auctions like this took place. The owner was just your typical civilian, earning a lot of money from the little firm be had, a five storey building. But he earned even more from partaking in illegal activities such as this. Either way, it was a win win for many. He was mostly the talk of the black trade, a subject of envy for others. Not only did he partake in this illegal activity, but he also was one of the first to get their hands on a rare and exclusive item, and of course, market them at an auction like this for an exuberant price. Unfair isn't it? Well, that is just monopoly tended to operate.

 Jamien stood at the entrance of the building, where many individuals divulged and converged. "I believe the auction is going to take place at the third floor." Jamien pondered. "Cornelia, you kept the money safely didn't you?" He inquired, as he turned towards the damsel. "I am not that irresponsible, you know." She replied to him begrudgingly. Jamien clicked his tongue. "What Is up with you? You have been speaking to me so discourteously these days." He told her, with much annoyance in her voice. "You know what you did." Cornelia told him, while looking away from his direction. "I already apologized to you haven't I? How many more times.." Dennis couldn't help but glance at the two siblings who bickered and squabbled like a bunch of toddlers. He actually felt some nostalgia when he recalled certain memories, a certain period in which his mother was still alive. Although the duo may belong to an organisation of which at the mere mention of the name strikes a chord of fear into the hearts of those who hear it, they were still human beings at the end of the day. Circumstance, changes people. Their story was no different. "Can you not see where you are going?! Are you blind or something?!" Jamien called out to the pitiful man who unfortunately bumped shoulders with him. The man, who ran midway flinched, as he glanced backwards. He could recognize the voice alone, even if he hadn't seen the face of the persona. "I am sorry My lord, but there are rumors circulating around that the auction will begin in thirty minutes." The man bowed, as he apologized. "No need for that, brother." Jamien said, as he walked up to the other man, gently placing his hand on the shoulder, causing the latter to flinch once more. "Thanks for the info." He added, with a smile. "I-I am glad that I could be of assistance." The man stuttered, his teeth pratically chattering against each other. When Jamien finally released him, he bolted forward without the slightest hesitation, as though he were running away from death himself. "I think it will be best for us to follow the brother's lead." Jamien said, as he turned back to the rest of his crew. Dennis face was stoic, while Cornelia bore one that was obviously cussing(inwardly) at her brother.

 The trio eventually got to the third floor. As soon as they got to the top of the stairs, Cornelia heaved a long sigh. She was the treasurer, and the coins were in gold, causing them to weigh her down. "It Is a good form of exercise." Jamien whispered, not feeling the slightest bit of empathy towards his sister. Arranged in spherical manner, where plastic chairs of a deep blue color. Some individuals were already seated, patiently waiting, others murmuring and whispering amongst themselves. In the black market, you are really no stranger, if you are a daily clientele. But if it may just be a one time thing, it was more advisable to where a mask, if you did not wish to squander what little reputation you had. Dennis gazed around him, as Cornelia and Jamien searched for a suitable place to seat. Dennis could tell from fist glance that they were more nobles than civilians, from their mannerisms and gestures. Jamien chose a place where they could clearly see the items auctioned. As soom as he sat down, however, everyone began to speak in hushed tones. Two elements were involved in this development, fear, and respect. Fear due to the fact that he was the head of a criminal organization, while the respect was due to his accomplishments. The chairs were arranged in such a way that only the center stood secluded from the rest, no doubt, for the organizer. They were also spaces in between the rows of chairs, in order not to restrict mobility.

 "Good evening, ladies and gents, nobles and mongrels." A man said, as soon as he walked up to the center. Dennis frowned lightly when he heard that. Honoring those above and defaming those below, a typical example of a crook. "As if you are not one yourself." Cornelia, who was sitted in the midst of Jamien and Dennis, muttered angrily. Dennis glanced at her for a moment, but did not say anything. The organizer was rated average in looks, although he posesessed a physique which caused others to envy him. Gazing at him, one would think that he was still at his youth, but in all honesty, he was actually at the prime of his life. The most distinguishing feauture,which caused him to stand out even more, was a single strand of Grey hair in the field of black. Aiswan Tomperu. An indication of success. Great success, at that.

 "I believe that we are all having a good time." He called out loudly after clearing his throat, in order for all to hear. "I hope this auction will be worth our time, there are some very busy people here." One voice called out in protest. "I can guarantee you, they is an abundance of exclusive items on tonight's list." Aiswan said with a smile, as he glanced at the direction the voice originated from with slitted eyes. "But I will plead, do be patient, we are saving the best for the last, which means the low quality materials will be display first." Aiswan said, his jovial voice echoing across the large hall. "It Is a special auction, not to say the least, so we can't display our items in a random order." Aiswan said, almost dancing around. He could pratically see the profit he would derive from this auction, Given how large the crowd was. "Ladies, gents and mongrels, don't hesitate to cast your lots, for the bidding commences, at this very moment."

 The stage was quiet the very moment that the first item was drawn up. Everyone craned their necks, trying to see the article which was being displayed. But as soon as the item was revealed to the audience, majority of the nobles instantly lost interest, leaving the ones of the Lower caliber, to contest for it in excitement. It was an ornamental flower, of a pale white color. The cause of the nobles lack of enthusiasm was a simple- they could easily attain such an item for themselves if they so wished to, and even more exquisite plants at that. But the civilians didn't care, they even cursed at one another just for that one plant. Aiswan gazed his 'Mongrelic bidders' with a smug look on his face, while the other nobles jested and mocked at them for bidding for such an inconspicuous item. "Hey, Aiswan! Are you a fool? Why would you display such a horrendous item?" A lady, who wore a dark mask which concealed her feautures up to her nose, and a held up a handfan which concealed the other half, couldn't help but ask. Clearly, with her intonation, she knew about this plant, although Dennis did not even bother himself as much as to note down the name. "All for the cause, darling." Aiswan responded, as though he was well acquainted with the lady. "Just as I said earlier, this is merely just the introduction. It is not my fault if someone wants to bid for an item, irregardless of the value, at least one person in this hall will strive to attain it." Aiswan added, with a wink. "Just look at them bidding for it as though it were an elixir of life. It is just a plant that may likely wither the next day, for goodness sake!" Another man called out, with much vexation in his voice. His male friend nudged him in his ribs. "Well, Aiswan wasn't complete wrong when he called them dogs." He said, before his accomplice and he broke into a fit of laughter. Their laughter wasn't even pleasant, and it just gave Cornelia a reason to be all the more infuriated. "I am going to gouge out their eyes, beginning with that scanadalous..." She muttered, as she made to get up, but her brother pulled her down. "Sit down gently, and Don't think of doing anything stupid." He told her in a hushed whisper, although he still held on tightly to her hand. "With or without our masks, the people In this place can still figure us out. We don't intend to offend anyone, and I still have a lot of enemies that I am yet to Deal with." He paused for a brief moment, as he gazed at his sister directly in the eye. "The mere fact that Aiswan rose to the pinnacle so quickly implies that he has a lot of people backing him. If we offend him, we indirectly offend them as well. Think about it." Cornelia gazed at her brother in silence. He was not worried about himself, he was worried about his guild, about his family, although he did not directly reciprocate that to her, but Cornelia got the message. "Alright." She said, after sighing, which made Jamien to release her. "But he is a scandalous bootlicker nonetheless." She asserted. Dennis, on the other hand, pulled his hood Lower once more. He just saw some familiar faces, and It would be quite chaotic if such people saw him as well. "Fifty coins going once! Going twice!" Aiswan continued to yell. "Sold!" Aiswan called out in delight, as he shook the hand of the young man who had won the bidding. "Eh?" Jamien who had rested his head on his hands on boredom, couldn't help but to cry out in surprise, as he gazed at the young man who clutched the exotic flower delightfully like a child. Wasn't that.. the person he bumped shoulders with earlier? The aristocrats on the other hand, snickered amongst themselves. "Fancy, I guess It was only worth fifty silver coins afterall." One of them began. "Who knows? Perharps he wants to gift it to his lover or something." Another one chimed in. "That is possibly all the money he had on him, poor bloke!" One of them sneered, while casting a gaze full of animosity and disgust at him. "These commoners are so damn poor.." "I wonder for how long it will last.." "I don't need it at the moment, that is the reason I didn't purchase it. Hah, what a waste." "Ahem, let's settle down, ladies and gents." Aiswan called for other, tapping his walking stick against the ground. The hall fell into silence in an instant, although they were still some occasional snickers here and there. "A bid is a bid, ladies and gentlemen." Aiswan began after clearing his throat. "The young man here got what he desired, and I also gained something to fill up the vacuum in my pocket- irregardless of how little it is." He added. Majority of the crowd mumbled in agreement. "Now, time for item number two.."

"If the both of you see anything that grasps yourattention don't hesitate to bid- it will be to your own detriment if you don't." Cornelia turned to the man on her left, whose voice seemed muffled for some reason. She immediately raised her brow when she saw him-the man had pulled his hood all the way to his nose. "What sort of sport Is this?" She asked him, unable to control the smirk that played out on her lips. "A few of my father's acquaintances are here, they would recognize me In an instant." He said curtly. "Especially with that blonde hair of yours." Cornelia nodded in agreement. "Are you certain you don't have a relative in the west? It is rare to see a southerner with lightly colored hair like yours." She mused. "None that I know of." Dennis kept his reply as short as he possibly could. Cornelia sighed, as she learnt a bit closer to him, pulling the hood slightly above his eyebrows. "You won't be able to know when the item you desire is put up for auction at this rate." She told him, as she settled down to her seat. "Honestly, why are you behaving so much like a toddler this evening?" She inquired, a smile on Her face. "You could have simply informed me." Dennis whispered to her. Cornelia frowned. "You ingrate.."

 Several more items were displayed after that, some of which caught the nobles attention. At some point, things nearly turned chaotic, as some aristocrats cursed at Aiswan for selling an exotic item at too high of a price. But thanks to his glib tongue and bootlicking; he was able to avert the potential disaster. Although, he did lower the price, much to his disappointment. "Now, ladies and gents, the main event has arrived." Aiswan said, making the aristocrats to hold their breaths in anticipation. As soon as it was unveiled, the crowd swooned over it instantly. In a case, in order to protect the overly delicate plant from the outside world, was a cotton plant, not completely white, not pure blue. "This is the only real item that needs a proper introduction." Aiswan began, looking overly proud of himself. "This, lady and gents, and... mongrels, all the way from the western borders, is the Ice Rohenta." He declared, causing both the Aristocrats and the civilians alike to swoon over it. "Wake up!" Cornelia exclaimed, whilst giving her brother a hard nudge on his ribs. "I can't believe you can sleep at a critical moment such as this!" "I was bored, and I also hard a long day as well" Jamien muttered in a groggy tone, his eyes still unclear from slumber. "Has the item been put up?" He inquired. Cornelia just pointed towards the middle of the hall. "What do you think?"

 "Now, this material also needs a demonstration, I believe." Aiswan said, as he clicked his fingers. His attendant brought forth a pale blue piece of cloth, causing the audience to assume that it was a by-product of the plant. "Now, we all know that most fabrics tend to rip easily. Most, but I can guarantee you that the Ice Rohenta is one of a kind." Aiswan said, as he seemingly tugged at the material with all his might. "Do you see, not a single shred." He said, as he held It up at the crowd. "It isn't that flammable either, so the ladies don't have to bother about going too close to open flames." Aiswan also throttled On about how durable it was, and how the material never faded, causing those that were not interested in the first place to get captivated by it. "Bidding begins at five hundred gold coins." Aiswan stated, causing the nobles to go into an uproar. "Here me out, here me out." Aiswan waved his hands at the crowd, trying to placate them. "I am being reasonable here. The cost of which I used to procure it, as well as the transportation costs, greatly exceeds five hundred gold coins." He explained. As soon as he said this, the exclamations slowly died out, and only rumors could be heard. "Five hundred gold coins." A noble said, as he put his hand up. "Is this man a fool?" Jamien began. "How could you possibly expect a item to sell at the Bidding price?" Not just Jamien thought that way, other Aristocrats did as well; so much so that those seated in close proximity with him gave him disdainful gazes. "Seven hundred gold coins" Another voice called out. "Nine hundred.." "One thousand..."

 "One thousand five hundred." Jamien's calm voice echoed around the hall, making the hall fall onto a dreadful silence. "B-black python.." Some people mumbled, knowing this organization all too well. Some Civilians rephrase one thousand five hundred gold coins in their heads, knowing fully well they would never attain that amount of money, not in this lifetime. "One thousand five hundred gold coins going once.." Aiswan began to countdown. "One thousand five hundred gold coins going twice.." "Well, that was easy." Jamien thought to himself. "A thousand and six hundred." A voice suddenly said, a voice which made Jamien's brow twitch. "Vendazl." He muttered underneath his breath, as he gazed at the man. "It is quite likely that he doesn't even want it; he is only utilizing it to make trouble with me." He analysed. "One thousand eight hundred gold coins!" Jamien exclaimed.He was not going down without a fight. The other aristocrats backed out of the bidding- they didn't want to get themselves involved with either guilds in any way. "One thousand nine hundred gold coins." Vendazl's voice trailed lazily across the hall. "This bastard.." Jamien clenched his fists, as his eyes trailed to the direction In which his rival was seated. "You won't determine its purpose at the end of the day, so quit butting in!" He cursed, as he noticed the playful smirk on the latter's face. The bidding progressed as usual, with Vendazl just betting a hundred, or two hundred more gold coins. Aiswan just continued to smile as the bidding progressed- this had long surpassed his expectations. But on a contrary note, the bidding between both gangs was quite frightening. This would be certain to leave behind a legacy.

 "Two thousand five hundred gold coins!" Jamien declared, making Cornelia turned to him in amazement. "We don't even have that much with us here." Her eyes seemed to say. Aiswan was shocked to the core when he heard that. Weren't this guilds more wealthy than the noble themselves? "Two thousand seven hundred gold coins." Vendazl, said, with a yawn. At this point, Cornelia held his hand warmly, as she shook her head. "Shit." Jamien cursed. He ought to have been more prepared. And Now.. "Two thousand seven hundred going once.." "I have three hundred gold coins with me." Dennis said, catching the attention of both siblings. "Let's combine both." He said, as he passed the small sack to Jamien. "Going twice.." "Three thousand gold coins!" Jamien said, as he stood up. This time, even Vendazl's eyes widened, as commotion sparked from the crowd. Aiswan held himself, as though he was about to have a convulsion. Why did he ask such a stupid question earlier? The gangs were undoubtedly wealthier than the nobles- afterall, they did not possess an administration they had to run. "Going once.." He began, in a quivering voice. "Going twice.." He went on. "Going thrice... Sold!" The deal was done.

 "Why are we still here?" Cornelia inquired, as her brother sat by her side, the plant on his lap. "I want to see what the last item will be." He said, as he fiddled with the plant. "Don't destroy it, you oaf." Cornelia said in annoyance, as she slapped his hand away. "Anyway, congratulations on your win, Dennis." Jamien said, as he ignored his sister. "Remenber to deduct the three hundred coins from the one I owe you." Dennis simply said, his eyes fixated on Aiswan. "He looks really happy." Dennis thought. If only they knew the man just made a profit of two thousand! They might as well choke on their spittle.

"Now, this last item is a very special one." Aiswan began, as some began to hear the sound of chains being dragged. Soon enough, a boy of about fifteen, bound in chains from head to toe, came into full view. "To cut things short, his father owes me a great deal, So I decided to use his son as a collateral." Aiswan said, as he glanced at the child, whose eyes appeared lifeless. "Bidding begins at two thousand gold coins.." "I have seen enough." Jamien suddenly said. "Let's leave this rotten place."

 Only when the three figures steppes outside, did they realise how much of a ruckus the bidders made. But Aiswan will surely have an excuse in mind; he won't dare to be so careless. "Bidding over a human life, collateral indeed." Cornelia muttered angrily under her breath, as she kicked up dust into the air. "Will you calm down? There is nothing we could do about it." Jamien told her. "Or do you really believe that I will let such a thing occur if it was within my capability?" Jamien inquired, as his voice suddenly turned deadly. Cornelia shook her head. "They dare to clasisify us as scum, but in reality the real scum is them." She stated, before turning to Dennis. "Will you be alright walking on your own? It is rather dark." "I will be fine. I am already accustomed to the terrain." Dennis replied curtly. "But I will need you to look after this plant, for the time being. It will be requested at the time I need it." He added, specifically to Jamien, who was still holding the plant. "No problem Lewis. Take care." Jamien told him, of which the latter responded with a curt nod. "What is it that you see in him, brother?" Cornelia inquired, as soon as he was out of earshot. "You wouldn't go through such great lengths for just anyone." She added, as she inched closer to him. "There is just something about him that intrigues me." Jamien simply responded. "Well, I will admit that he is an interesting fellow." Cornelia agreed, as she gazed at Dennis's already fading silhouette.

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George Lewis stood majestically in front of his carraige, arms crossed, while a man groveled before him, his head bowed to the earth. Fortunately for them, it wasn't a place that was crowded, or it would have surely been the most peculiar scene. "Get up, Hiran. This isn't going to change any thing at the end of the day." George said, wanting to step into his carraige, but the latter held him by the leg. "Oh, for goodness sake!" The marquis screamed internally in his mind, as he gazed at the man. "George, I am begging you." The baron began. "I have never asked you of anything before, so just do this one favor for me, please." George sighed. "Get up first." He said, as he pulled the baron up to his feet. "Why on earth is your daughter so obsessed with my son? They are other suitors out there, aren't they?" He inquired. "I wish I could answer that question myself." Hiran began, as he dusted his clothes. "But that girl is do stubborn-to the extent that she refused to meet with all the suitors I have arranged for her." He said, with a worried tone. "All I wish for is her happiness, irregardless of what it might take to get it." He added. "Alright, fine. I will let your daughter have my son." George said, as he placed his hands on the baron's shoulders. Just as Hiran was about to feel elated, the next words that came out of the marquis's mouth rendered his soul to fragments. "If you relinquish the ownership of your mine to me." "But that.. is the only stable Means of sustenance I have!" The baron exclaimed in dismay. "Does it look like I care?" George asked him in a sarcastic tone. "Besides, we should be willing to sacrifice for the sake of our children's happiness, isn't that so?" He added, as he flicked the dust from the latter's shoulders, before beaming at him once more. "So, what say you?"