“No,” I replied, trying to break free from his grip. It was comical how I couldn’t make him budge. He pulled my wrist down, causing a hiss to escape. My bruises were my downfall. He was moving me closer to him. He lifted my chin, forcing me to look at his face, “Now miss exotic,” he started, “you better listen to me if you value your life.” I wanted to spit at him but, I knew that upsetting this man right now would mean my death.
“What do you want from me?” I asked him. He smiled, the kind of smile that came with mischief gleaming across his eyes. Before he could answer we heard the voices of the headmaster coming towards us. Actually not just the headmaster but, the older man that I attacked from the stands earlier. “I thank you, sir for taking care of my exotic. As you can see she needs more training.” The headmaster went to grab my hand but the young man stopped him, he smiled and in a lighthearted voice replied, “It was no trouble at all. In fact, I have taken quite an interest in her. I am interested in becoming her buyer.” The headmaster’s face went from rage to delight in an instant. “Really now? Then let us talk boy about price, she is worth very much for who she is. What are you willing to pay?” “I want to see if you have her papers first.” “Papers? Yes of course.” He snapped his fingers at one of the auctioneer's, “papers, now.” The Headmaster looked back at him, “Now let’s go to my office and we can finish the buying process.” Leading the way, the headmaster brought us into his caravan.
Tapestries draped the walls, and a battered red rug covered the floor. This caravan was smaller than the others, only containing a desk and three chairs. “Sit, sit!” The Headmaster ushered him to the seat. Making sure that this young man didn't get a second thought. The young man sat down and patted at the chair next to him, inviting me to sit. I joined, I do not have much of a choice right now. I have sabotaged my own escape. It felt awkward being in this room, seeing the headmaster happy, and even stranger that there was this young man wanting to purchase me. “Now, for her. She was the highlight of our show. It will be tough to let her go.” The headmaster started his negotiating. Making me sound like I would be a great loss to him, “I can’t part from something like this unless it’s, uh, 800 gold pieces.” My eyes widened in surprise. 800? That is a lifetime's worth of wages for a worker. “That seems very high, even if she was the highlight. She also did kick my father down the stands.” A stone formed in my stomach, he might just be buying me so he can slowly kill me for hurting his father.
The young man scratched his chin and countered, “Let’s say, 600 gold pieces? That should cover for her lineage.” “That may cover for her lineage but, she has severely injured my men. I need help to cover the cost of that. How about 750 gold coins?” The headmaster refused the offer. They were both enjoying the haggling. The headmaster would raise his voice in a concerning tone while the young man would respond in like. This goes on for a while. Eventually, the young man combed his fingers through his hair, “She will be a handful.” He looked at me then looked back at the headmaster, “What would happen to her if I decide not to buy her?” “We will show her at another venue.” The headmaster replied. “Don’t lie to me.” The young man’s voice cut flat. He removed my arm greave and exposed the bruises from my wrists, “She has acted up before. From what she has done today and from who knows what else she has done in the past, she is too much of a risk. It’s not worth the hassle, with or without the lineage of Arkthan. Now tell me, what is your bottom line for her?” The Headmaster stiffened and looked at the young man. Realizing that he was not speaking to no fool. “680 gold coins.” The young man smiled, “You have yourself a deal.”
After the agreement on price the rest of the transaction seemed surreal; forms where signed, a letter stating proof of transaction appeared, and lastly the papers of my lineage sat on top of the small mound of paperwork. “The name that was given to you was Mikaela?” The young man asked, he was looking at my lineage form. I gave a small nod. “You can change that name, if you would like.” The headmaster mentioned. “Only if Mikaela wants to. Do you want to change your name?” He asked me. I shook my head. Mikaela is the only name I know. How strange would it be for me to have if changed? “No, we will keep her name as Mikaela.” The young man answered the headmaster.
Once the final form was signed the headmaster looked relieved, he was finally getting rid of me. “Now I must ask who are you? What is your lineage?” “I am Neil, eldest of general Matthis. Our lineage is from Turma.” My ears picked up, “Turma from the western dunes?” I asked. It shocked Neil that I knew where his clan was located, “Yes, that's the one.” The headmaster laughed, “No wonder you wanted her, you need someone strong to survive in the dunes!” He must of thought that I was being sent somewhere to suffer. I couldn’t help but think that maybe fate was on my side after all.
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