A Dwarf Attempts to Partake in Slavery

The Insom River was a major focal point in Glynn’s World’s commerce and was the heartbeat of the city of Dreams. However, unlike cities in other realms, the river was located outside the castle, resting along the city's outer walls, where a more interesting sect of the town had sprung up.

Commerce Town was the definition of seedy, a string of shambled together huts and fishy boat lodgings that covered the riverbank. People walked in the muddy swamp along zig zagged paths and tunnels were dug into the hillside to go into the labyrinthine underground, which may or may not delve into the city's sewers. The only refined civilization lay on the path from the river itself to the main gate, where rich noblemen and traders set up shop and formed a second walled city attached to Dreams’ fortifications. It had tourism, booths for trade, and of course, a stage for auctions.

“Tell me, what slaves are you looking to purchase today?” said one noble to another. “I’d rather not get into a bidding war with you.”

“I’m constructing a villa in the countryside,” said the esteemed gentleman. “So we’ll need some servants to keep it tidy.”

“I’m hoping to find a beast of burden to serve my little princess,” said another. “A beastman would be quite convenient.”

“I noticed Sir Lowen has a fox beastman as a maid, and I’ve been itching to get one myself.”

“Knowing you, that’s a setup for a bad time. Please, control yourself.”

“Listen up, gang! We’re doubling the size of the Goblin Carpentry Conglomerate today! For every slave we buy, one of you gets promoted to free worker!”

This was a lot of chatter and a lot of information for the fresh-faced dwarf. Who would’ve thought that slavery was such a big deal in the world of humans? Everyone from every class was here, though the different roles were obvious. It did make his mind wander on the flow of wealth and how competitive it would be versus a dwarf clan system, but he wasn’t picky. He had worked hard the past few days to gather some money for the expenditure, a lot of the low-level jobs not even worthy enough to get on the board, but only required one person to do it. Dige now had a bag of 20 silver coins, and he was ready to buy a friend.

“Excuse me, lord,” Dige asked politely. “May I ask you something?”

“Ugh, it’s the half-man,” the nobleman looked down. “What do you want, creature?”

“I am new to this slave buying. You look like you understand the trade, so I’d like to gauge your opinion on how to buy a more adventurous slave.”

The nobleman immediately turned to his peers. “This half-man is trying to compete with us on our level.”

“That’s so rude of you,” a woman said. “Don’t you know who you’re talking to?”

“I do not,” Dige replied frankly. “I am completely out of my depth.”

“An honest half-man it seems.” The noble’s four-man posse began to whisper to each other, making small glances at the dwarf, followed by laughter. Gossip, it seemed, or scheming. Dige couldn’t tell.

The crowd convened around the auction theatre, and after a few moments, a man walked out onto the stage to polite applause. He was a loud human man, dressed similar to the nobles but with more of a flair for entertainment, sporting colored spectacles and brilliant facial hair. Dige approved.

Welcome, honourable guests,” the slave master proclaimed. “I have traveled far from the north to bring you the high-quality specimens on offer today. I’ve dodged the evils of corruption, defeated monsters greater than you’ve ever seen, and crossed mountain ranges fraught with terror. Why? Because I know you want the best Glynn’s World has to offer: well-bred beastmen, stylish pixies and gnomes, extra-dimensional beings! I will give you status. I will give you prestige. I will give you the jealousy of all else in attendance, because I am Gilfried, Glynn’s favorite slaver!”

The crowd applauded politely, each man and woman seeing the shady man as their equal. Dige took notes on the presentation.

“Let us begin. Our first product is a priestess from the now decrepit shrine of Renoa. I present Lyshis Lydia!”

Two guards brought a fox beastwoman onto the stage, still in the same formal gown she was captured in, but with several weeks' worth of dirt. She came to the stage in chains and with a sullen, tear-stricken face. The crowd chattered nonstop, especially the men who viewed her aesthetics with perverted glee. Their words were full of innuendo.

Dige observed from all angles. She didn’t look happy to be up there, but maybe he was reading the room wrong. Also, she was graceful and likely to have magic powers. The other protagonists seemed to appreciate female party members, so perhaps she was the type of woman he needed to invest in. Worth a shot. His coin was at the ready.

“This beastwoman is 32 years old, unmarried, and has the ability to commune with the spirits. Her health is in peak condition, and she is premarked for her slave’s crest. I’ll start the bidding off at 100 silver pieces.”

“100!?” Dige screamed out loud. 

“100! Anyone else? 105? 110! We have 120! 150! 300!”

The number was already hitting gold levels while Dige sat there in a daze. 100 silver, five times the amount he made over several gruelling quests. He was out of his depths. The nobles next to him couldn’t stop laughing at his misfortune. The head of the posse had to chime in.

“That’s very unfortunate,” he snickered. “But don’t be discouraged, half-man. These are the cream of the crop. There are much cheaper slaves for you to buy if you go in the back?”

Dige’s ears perked up. “Really, lord? You mean that?”

“Of course! Just go behind that stage, right over there.” He pointed out the directions. “You’ll need an emblem to get in. It’s for…members only.”

“Here, let me help,” a noblewoman leaned over and etched a crest into the back of Dige’s hand with magic. It stung, but nothing to a dwarf's pain tolerance. “There. Hurry up and head on over.”

“Ay, you’re a good one, lady. I’ll head over now. Thank you.” 

Dige scampered off as fast as he could, wriggling his way past the seated patrons. As soon as he was out of earshot the group started laughing. What an absolute joke of a man. Sure, they felt a little guilty over fooling him, or not. They didn't feel guilty at all. Anyone who is that naive and stupid deserves slavery.

As Dige made his way down, the crowd applauded as the fox woman descended the stairs in tears to her new master.

“Twelve gold pieces, everyone! May our lovely priestess find herself in a pleasant home. Next up, we have the big and the brutish, a monster far from our slice of the Astral Plane. I present the Orc, Mars Shaga! We’re opening up at 30 silver! Thirty silver. Anyone. Anyone?”