Page 35 of Given to the Fae
‘My lord,’ Bell purrs. ‘Wasn’t Bryn meant to be released a few times a day? I haven’t seen it done even once.’
My eyes narrow at her back as she sidles past me. What’s she playing at now?
‘Aye, that’s true,’ I hear Bere say.
I give the conniving human woman a scathing look that she doesn’t see, as I turn to Bere.
‘Whyhaven’tI seen her released yet?’ he asks me.
‘You’ve given Morgan charge of her,’ I say. ‘He likely did it last night and this morning.’
‘Still, the healer said it should be done often. Morgan.’
My large friend looks up from where he’s still holding an unconscious Bryn.
‘When she wakes, release her. Do it in the block if she gives you trouble.’
Bere points at the wooden structure at the edge of the room by the doors that the females’ necks and wrists are locked into when theygive the slavers trouble. I’ve not been forced to watch one of them being used yet. I ensure my disgust doesn’t show on my face before I turn back to Bere.
‘Are you sure that’s wise? The Breach made her ill again and your fist has made her insensible.’
Bere lets out a small noise of discontent. ‘All the more reason. Release is good for them. Everyone knows that. Morgan, give hera healing vial as well.’ He glances at the other two and rolls his eyes. Them, too, Silve. You and Warrior take them to the local bath house and get them cleaned up. Brush their manes sleek. I want them looking healthy and fair for tomorrow.’
‘Tomorrow?’ I ask. ‘So soon?’
‘Aye,’ Bere grates out. ‘What of it?’
‘The Breach. The next journey is over three Circles.’ I look at Bryn. ‘Even one had her morning meal reappearing and her in a faint.’
Bere takes a cheroot from the pouch at his waist and lights it on the nearby brazier.
‘What do you propose?’ he lowers his voice, so the others can’t hear. ‘We need the coin for the females soon, or we won’t be able to purchase prime flesh in the First Circle. We can’t miss the annual auctions in Merediea.’
My ears perk up at the mention of the auctions. He hasn’t let me in on this particular facet of the business before. He hasn’t trusted me with it. Perhaps that animal attack was fortuitous. I might have saved his life, and he knows it.
I don’t show any special interest as I shrug and ask a very logical next question. ‘When are they?’
‘A sennight.’
I do some quick calculations. ‘If we travel that quickly to sell them all separately, the one you want for the pit fights will be too weak to be of use to them by the time we get there.’
Bere counts on his fingers and scowls. ‘There would be more than enough time if the pathetic creatures could travel the Breach properly as we can.’
‘But they can’t,’ I hiss. ‘So, what if we separate?’
His often suspicious eyes narrow, but for once I can see he’s more curious than distrustful. Helping Bere has made more of a difference than I’d realized.
‘If you clean up the healthy ones, put them in some finer clothes, I think they’re fair enough for the Estate.’
He glances at them. ‘You think so?’
‘Aye, I spent time there long ago,’ I lie. ‘These ones are just the types they would buy, and,’ I lean closer, ‘if you can sell them there, we’ll get more than enough to buy at the auctions without having to rush to the Third Circle to get rid of the one destined for the pits.’
Bere strokes his small, pointed goatee. ‘So you propose I take those two to the Estate, and you take the other directly to Merediea?’
‘Aye, but slowly, so she gains her strength. Or I could take her directly to the pits and sell her myself.’
‘No.’
