Chương 153: You Can’t Protect Anyone!

Shigeru watched Ethan from the cell opposite. He hadn't said a word, his eyes fixed on the floor, filled with concern.

"Are you all right, my friend?" Ethan didn't answer. Shigeru stepped closer to the bars.

"Elion and your friend with the two swords must be looking for us. They'll find us… don't worry. Don't lose hope". Ethan didn't raise his eyes. Only his eyes spoke, and what they expressed was anything but hope. Elion had already shown Felicity to several potential buyers. Many had stopped to examine her with interest, but the prices he demanded were always absurd, far beyond what they could afford.

They had spent hours walking through the suffocating heat, dealing with despicable men who had repeatedly tried to touch Felicity; Elion always stopped them, claiming they would have to buy her first. He wiped his forehead and looked at Felicity.

"Do you want to take a break? Those ropes must be hurting you badly by now".

"No".

"Are you sure?"

"I said no. And stop defending me…you risk blowing our cover".

"I'm doing it for you. I know what it feels like".

"I don't care. We have to find Ethan and the others. We can't afford mistakes". Elion sighed. He admired her discipline, but hated seeing her endure all of this. They were about to leave when a hooded man approached.

"Hey, you". Elion turned.

"Yes?"

"Where did you get this slave?"

"Uh…from a battlefield. She was a soldier in the enemy coalition". The man nodded.

"I see. What kind of slave is she?" Elion hesitated.

"What do you mean?" The man sighed, almost annoyed.

"Don't tell me she's the first one you've sold".

"She is".

"I can tell. You're young and inexperienced, so I'll be kind enough to explain. There are several types of slaves: those meant for forced labor, almost always men; domestic slaves, mostly women, employed for cleaning or cooking; educated slaves, useful for more complex tasks; sexual slaves…even those intended for torture. What type is she?" This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Oh, she's…for forced labor".

"I thought so". The man examined her more closely.

"Though she wouldn't be bad for other roles. How much do you want for her?"

"Two thousand crowns". The man laughed.

"I mean seriously".

"Two thousand. I'm serious". He shook his head.

"You really don't understand this world, girl. Someone like her is worth three hundred crowns at most, and I'm being generous"""I'm sorry. She's my only slave. Who knows when I'll find another?" The man regarded her with renewed interest.

"It doesn't have to be that way".

"What do you mean?"

"You can sell someone else's slaves and take a share of the profits".

"That's actually possible?"

"Did you think every slaver acquired their slaves alone? I buy them for my boss myself".

"Your boss?" Elion showed interest.

"And how many slaves does he own?"

"Thousands. Humans, elves, gnomes".

"Incredible…could you introduce me to him?" The man hesitated.

"It won't be easy. He's very private and only meets those he considers worthy. But if you sell me that slave cheaply, I could use the purchase as an excuse". Elion lowered his gaze to Felicity. She dipped her head ever so slightly. To anyone else, it would have seemed like an insignificant gesture, but Elion understood immediately. She had agreed. Agnes yawned in her cell.

"I'm bored to death…" Firmin looked at her and nodded.

"You too, right? I can't stand being locked in here anymore".

"Then you'll like what I'm about to tell you, little girl". Ravetrisk approached with heavy footsteps. Agnes instinctively backed away until her back touched the wall, her eyes widening.

"What do you want?"

"I found a buyer". He smiled.

"He didn't even want to see you. Your description and age were enough for him. Six hundred crowns. Just for you. No one has ever paid that much for a girl your age". He opened the cell. Agnes gathered her courage and lunged at him, but Ravetrisk drove his knee into her stomach. The air left her lungs. He quickly tied her wrists and hoisted her over his shoulder.

"Let me go, bastard! Put me down!"

"Shut up, brat". Firmin watched helplessly, agitated. Ethan heard her screams. He shot to his feet and rushed to the bars. When he saw Agnes over Ravetrisk's shoulder, his eyes widened.

"Hey! What the fuck are you doing?! Let her go!" Ravetrisk stopped.

"I told you I'd sell her for a good price".

"Ethan!" Agnes screamed.

"Agnes! Don't worry. Everything's going to be all right!" Ravetrisk burst out laughing.

"Oh, no. It won't be all right at all. Don't lie to her". He started walking again, carrying her away.

"Ethan!" Agnes cried through her tears. Ethan watched her disappear into the darkness of the corridor. It had all happened too quickly. He had just lost Agnes. Shigeru watched him helplessly.

"My friend…" Ethan dropped to his knees, his eyes wide and swollen with tears. Then he lowered his head and slammed it against the floor. Once. Blood trickled down his forehead. Again.

"Ethan, my friend…stop". Ethan didn't listen. He slammed his head against the floor again, harder each time, until he began to cry. Yet a laugh escaped his lips as well. He was crying and laughing at once, the sound echoing through the underground.

"Nothing has changed…nothing has changed!" he screamed.

"You can't protect anyone! Anyone! It's just like the elves…just like Renlin!" His voice broke. He struck the floor again as blood continued to run down his face.

"You can't protect anyone! Anyone! You knew it…and yet you were arrogant enough to promise Agnes you'd protect her! Damn you! You worthless piece of shit!" He continued slamming his head against the floor under Shigeru's horrified gaze, until four of Ravetrisk's men entered the cell and forcibly restrained him.

"Calm down, asshole". A needle pierced his neck. Ethan lost consciousness a few seconds later and collapsed onto the floor. Only silence remained beneath Aqareth.