The Unicorn's Forest

"Didn't really think of it until now," Wes confessed. "I mean, I've seen it in enough books, but we also hadn't been able to get a gauge on how well we might do. So it wasn't like we could say how likely it was that we'd be able to close that deal."

"Let's talk about this in the morning," Beth said, closing her eyes, and hoping her friends would as well. "I'm too tired to think straight right now."

"Really?" Ralph asked, sounding shocked. "I thought you were bi, not straight."

Even though she didn't want to, she couldn't help but chuckle a little at the terrible joke. She wanted to sleep, but she couldn't help but wonder if she'd be able to get any soon. At least with these two in the room right then.

"Beth you still there?" Ralph asked, and Beth was sure he wanted her to react, so she felt it was more important to pretend to have fallen asleep.

At the very least, she might be able to get some more peace than she otherwise would have been. Especially since she hoped that she might be able to fall asleep anyway, even if Wes and Ralph didn't go to sleep themselves and remained talking.

_

While she had been in Pleonths for almost week, Embris felt like there was something strange going on. She couldn't say what it was, but at the same time, she wasn't sure she should try to figure out what it was.

The city was much like Ferusha. A lot of activity, people struggling to survive all around, and a lot of anger in many people. Though, there were still many who were pleasant and friendly enough. To the point where she felt like she could start a life here if she didn't have to worry about earning enough money to take care of herself, Nymis, and Rephis.

What was strange to her was how there was a lot of construction or something going on in one part of the city that seemed to be otherwise cordoned off by the city guards. While it was close to the duchess' palace, it was far enough away that it felt like it shouldn't have a connection to it.

The guards of the city wouldn't offer any explanation for what was going on, leaving Embris feeling confused as to what it was. She wanted to know, but she worried that if she pressed too hard, that she'd potentially end up getting arrested. Or worse.

If that happened, she knew she wouldn't be of any use to her siblings that were with her. If anything, she'd only get them put in danger of being made slaves themselves. Since she wouldn't be there to take care of them and help protect them from any 'cleanings' that were conducted in the city.

Despite that, she found herself walking by the area that same area that she was forbidden to enter every day when her shift was over. Which in the city, wasn't as long as it had been when they were traveling.

However, this day as she was walking along it, making sure not to bother the guards by trying to get too close to them so they wouldn't think she was going to try to sneak past them or distract them so someone else could. They seemed rather paranoid about those sorts of things and she'd almost gotten in trouble on her first day there when they were accusing her of just that.

Which told her what she'd heard about the duchess of the city, and much of the lands on this side of the Forest of the Lost, was probably true. That she was very harsh when it came to punishments on those who failed her or merely got on her bad side. Which was also in regards of those who had sworn their loyalty to her. For those who hadn't, Embris was confident she didn't want to find out what that would look like.

She was about to return again to head back to the warehouse that Nuem seemed to operate from, when she saw her employer coming out from the duchess' palace. Embris couldn't say what the merchant primarily traded in, mostly because she didn't care to delve too deeply into it, so she wasn't sure how long they'd be in the city. Only that for the moment, Nymis and Rephis were being taken care of. Which was what she cared most about right then. As such, she would be happy if they stayed even a few more weeks.

She walked over to Nuem, hoping that she might have at least heard something about what was happening in the city. Embris wasn't sure if the merchant had gone to the palace simply because she had to take care of some simple business with the duchess' officials or if there was something else that she was doing in there. Yet, she didn't want to try to pry because she still hadn't figured out how far she could press without risking her employment.

"What're you doing over here?" Nuem asked when she noticed Embris, sounding like she didn't approve of Embris even being there in the first place.

Embris shrugged, not sure she really had to answer, given that wasn't stipulated in their contract. Yet, she figured giving an answer would at least help maintain a positive relationship with her employer.

"Just taking a walk," she said, not sure she should directly ask if Nuem knew anything about what was going on in the secured part of the city.

Nuem merely nodded absently, like she was only concerned about Embris doing something else, even though that 'something' wasn't really well defined. Which made Embris wonder what might be bothering her.

"Did something happen in the palace?" Embris asked before she could stop herself. She had already told herself not to try to pry into Nuem's business, but she couldn't help herself at times.

The merchant looked at Embris, clearly evaluating something before she sighed after a minute. "I guess it's fine to tell you," she said, sounding like it was a favor she was granting Embris. "You remember the thief we encountered in the forest? The one who used magic on you?" Embris nodded, starting to feel a little queasy in her stomach despite not knowing where this was going.

"Well, apparently the duchess was so interested in him that she personally came to ask me about him."

Embris couldn't help but be shocked. For the duchess to personally ask about a simple thief was beyond out of the ordinary. It showed that either there was something significant about that thief or the duchess had taken a personal interest in the matter. Which also meant that it wasn't just a 'simple' thief after all.

"Was he dangerous?" Embris asked, feeling a little worried at how close she might have come to having been killed without having even realized it.

Nuem shook her head. "Not sure. All I know is that Duchess Versith seemed rather interested in him. I didn't ask for details."

Embris nodded, not blaming the merchant for that. When it comes to nobles, it's always best not to try and learn their reasons. They might not take it too kindly. Especially if they were trying to keep others from learning about what they were up to.

Embris was about to say something in response when she heard a sound she hadn't heard before. It was loud and nearby, which made her feel rather alarmed. However, when she turned to see what it was, she saw a horse running at full speed with a rider holding tightly to it.

As far as Embris knew, horses were only used for the military. As those were the only ones she was aware of who could afford to maintain them. Donkeys were what she was used to seeing, though naturally, they weren't as strong as horses.

"What was that about?" Embris asked, though she wasn't sure who she was asking even as the words left her mouth while she watched the horse disappear behind some of the buildings in the city moments after it appeared.

"I can't say for sure, but it might have to do with the rumor I heard about a slave in Ferusha. I know the duchess likes to see slaves that are different and sometimes unique, but I can't see her getting like that over a slave from a rumor," Nuem answered, sounding rather distant.

Embris hadn't heard about any rumors, but then when it came to slaves, she hadn't really tried to learn any. After all, she certainly couldn't afford one and she definitely wasn't searching for anyone who had become a slave themselves. So, she couldn't say that she really even cared to learn more about that rumor even now.

As they continued back to Nuem's warehouse, both lost in their own thoughts, Embris couldn't help but wonder why her thoughts were so drawn to the horse. Somehow it felt like it was something that was going to affect her, yet whatever it was about wasn't heading for her, nor could she think about how it would involve her. While it was the first time she'd actually seen a horse, and she couldn't help but find the creature rather majestic, she couldn't see a future where she'd have a horse that she could even ride. Which she wouldn't mind doing, even if it was just a one time thing.

However, as soon as she had returned to the warehouse, Nymis and Rephis greeted her, pushing all thoughts about the horse out of her mind. While she would like to learn more about the horses, she cared more about her brother and sister. Whom she knew she could manage to take care of.

As well as rely on them to take care of her if it was ever needed.

_

While Jenn had been ready for this for a while, she still felt uneasy. The arena opened up before her and she knew the test was happening. She couldn't say what to expect, but she was confident that her training would at least allow her to help Cithis and Haln out. Even if she wasn't able to find a way to escape with them. Although, she didn't plan to stop keeping an eye out for an opening.

She also felt a small sense of pride in the fact that she'd finally started to get the hang of the sling. It might have been simple, but it was still challenging to be rather accurate with it. Where the bow might be a little more complex to make and maintain, at least it was easier to aim and have the arrows go in the direction she wanted than it was with a stone from a sling.

Shaking her head to get rid of those thoughts, Jenn gripped the hilt of her blunted prism knife as she walked away from the edge of the arena. While it would make it so she wouldn't have to worry about an attack from her back, she would be more limited on where she could run if she felt herself getting overwhelmed.

Especially since she didn't know what to expect. She had a feeling that it might be a battle royale, but it wasn't like she had any guarantees on it. As far as she knew, it would be something else entirely. Such as if she'd have to battle a wild animal.

As she had pondered on what the test might be, she couldn't help but recall what she had learned about gladiatorial fights from ancient Greece and Rom in her history class. That some of the gladiators fought wild beasts while others fought other gladiators.

Since Polelin wouldn't tell her what the test would ultimately look like, she could only hypothesize what it would be. Which meant that she could only guess as to what the test would be. Although, she had a feeling it wouldn't be dangerous animals, since the weapons were blunted and she seriously doubted that the animals would have blunted claws and teeth as well.

As she heard other gates open, others came out on the floor of the arena. Each was holding a weapon that Charl- Jenn was certain was blunted. However, with how many were coming out into the arena, she had a feeling that they were there for what she had been thinking the test would be.

While the stands had been empty when she was here that first time about a month ago, this time there were crowds in them. They weren't cheering, and Jenn suspected they were evaluating each of them to see who they might be interested in purchasing at the auction the next day. Which was another thing Jenn suspected this test was about: seeing how good each of them were to determine their value.

She couldn't remember if that had been mentioned or not, but she was pretty sure that was going to be the case. Nor did she really care at the moment. What was on her mind was simply to keep from not only embarrassing herself, but to show Polelin that she did learn what he had taught her and didn't just go through the motions.

Jenn held her sword at the ready, as she walked towards the middle of the arena, hoping that what she suspected was going to happen would. Otherwise she was confident that she wasn't going to do as well.

The one deficiency that Polelin had noted with her was that she didn't do too well if she was forced outside what she expected. Even if she knew something was going to happen that she didn't expect, she still had trouble dealing with it. To the point where Polelin had despaired at getting her through that. Not that she was that worried.

Especially here, with so much of what she had expected to be what was happening around her.

She counted about thirty around her when people stopped coming out of the gates. Each walked to a specific location, which Jenn suspected that they had been directed to take, She herself had been told to take the center, though she couldn't say if that was a good thing or not. She just knew that's what was expected of her and she wasn't going to push that point.

Not when she couldn't see what she'd be able to get out of it.

The others seemed to be mostly women, though Jenn saw a few who she thought might be men, but she couldn't be sure. Not only were they a good distance away, but she knew if she tried to figure it out, it would only distract her and she knew she couldn't afford any distractions at the moment. That it would only ruin her chances of doing well on this test.

They stood where they were for a few minutes, the sun beating down on them, while they waited for whatever signal was coming for them to start. Though, Jenn hoped that they'd be given actual directions before that happened. As she couldn't say for sure, but she did feel like the center of the arena might not be the best place to start. Not where everyone could look and see her there.

The longer the time dragged on, the more uneasy Jenn started to get with this 'test.' She wished she could just lay down and enjoy the heat of the sun, despite the fact she really didn't care to get a full-body tan like this. Especially since she planned on finding a way to get some clothing to wear one way or another eventually.

Though, she couldn't say if that would work out the way she'd like. As she really didn't understand this culture at all. At least not when it came to slaves. Why so many of them were naked, she didn't know, as any image she'd seen about slaves in history had at last been wearing a loin cloth, and for the women, they also had their chests covered.

Whether that was accurate, Jenn couldn't say, but even if it was, it was clear that this world was playing by different rules. That their culture was different enough that Jenn couldn't tell what might create more problems for her right then.

The tension was clearly starting to thicken. Jenn wasn't sure if others might start attacking others if whatever this test was about didn't start soon. She herself was starting to feel rather antsy. Like she needed to move. She couldn't say what it was, but she felt like the test was being delayed on purpose.

Suddenly someone was standing at the edge of the stands above the arena, where Jenn had first started being given some 'training' or whatever it was that they had been doing. She still hadn't been able to figure out what exactly they were looking at then. She'd once asked Polelin about it and he wouldn't answer.

Then when they spoke, even though whoever it was didn't have a microphone or anything, their voice seemed to project itself and Jenn could hear them as if they were making their statement right next to her.

"Greetings all! We are happy that you were able to make it today," the person said. "Some rumors have been floating around about some of those you'll see fighting today. I cannot tell you which ones are true or not, nor can I tell you which one down there is which. You'll just have to watch and find out for yourselves.

"Also, while it is rare for death to occur on any of those not yet sold, accidents do happen. So, if you see one down there that you like, don't feel bad if they are killed. We're taking every precaution we can, but we can't get everything, so we'll have to ask you to keep an eye on multiple fighters.

"Besides, even if you have your heart set on any one of these fighters, you can always lose to someone else who also had their heart set on that same slave. That is just the reality of this business. So, please try to restrain yourselves for your own safety."