"Maybe you no travel alone when they catch you."Maybe you no travel alone when they catch you. Maybe you get caught with other long-ears." Varge looked back at Jess and grinned. "Maybe I go down and see, eh?" Giving her nipple a final painful flick, followed by a hard pinching twist, he drew a long, notched dagger from his belt and held it menacingly before her. "But first, maybe I settle old score with you, eh? Make you pay for what you do to Varge One-Ear...make you pay good!" "Not unless you buy her first, friend," the ship's captain stated from behind him, his hand resting firmly on the pommel of his sword. "Make me an offer, and maybe you can have her to do with as you please, but it had best match what the arena scouts downriver will pay, or you needn't bother. She's not much to look at, I'll grant you, but she can fight." Varge turned to face the captain, noted the captain's sword and a few crewmen standing behind him, ready to back him up, and returned his dagger to his belt. "No buy ugly elf breeds," Varge announced. "Too much trouble, but maybe you let me take a whip to her and see how she fare up, then you name your price, eh?" Jess cringed a bit at the idea and bit at the metal in her mouth until new pain shot through her aching jaws. Varge, you are as good as dead if I ever find you again on more favorable terms. Being barred from the Guild will be the least of your worries and I'm going to do you real slow, Jess swore. The captain regarded Jess for a moment and considered Varge's offer, then answered. "No deal, my big friend. Make a flat offer, check the merchandise in the hold or leave my ship." Varge growled, sneered once more at Jess after spitting another seed at her, then sauntered down into the hold. Sometime later, he emerged, leading a coffle of slave girls behind him. Jess's heart sank when she saw that Janesse and Brianna were among them. He tossed the apple core overboard and led his purchases down the gangplank with one last triumphant look over his shoulder at his rival. He was the last to leave the ship, and after taking on supplies and water, the Iron Chain weighed anchor and proceeded downriver. |