Chapter 5:
And so, we left Jero Hacter's home, setting atop the very wagon that belonged to the slaver captain. Surrounded by our guards, we slowly made our way through the middle of the city, we looked like a war party ready to take on the world. Everyone looking at us with a mix of fear and awe. Some froze in shock, others moving out of the way, and some just unsure what to do because they had never seen such a sight. We also made no effort to conceal our matching marks or our eyes. We strode right up to the caravan that once held Cedren, making no effort to conceal the cage that clearly matched Kale the Slavers. We then stopped the cart and stood up on top of the cage. Kale the Slaver came around to the back of his cage thinking his boss had finally showed up. What he saw left him almost speechless.
Kale the Slaver: "It's about damn time you showed up where have you..."
He stopped as his jaw dropped open. Unsure of what to do at this point. He just stood there like an idiot with his mouth open. Confused as to why the morning buyer was sitting upon his boss's cart, let alone wearing battlement attire.
Nuvaro: "What is the matter Mr. Slaver? Does something look familiar to you? Or have you just lost your voice this evening? You certainly would not shut up this morning."
Cedren: "My name is Cedren Taliesian, now Cedren Hact. I do have to thank you at least for treating me halfway decently sir, but I suggest you answer my mate and husband. We are the next to lead the village of Manga Genus."
His eyes grew wide, it just dawned on him who I was, I was the girl in the cage. The blood drained from his face, he started to sweat, as he took one look at my eyes and immediately dropped to his knees. He began shaking all over unsure of what might happen to him. Nuvaro and Cedren raised their arms over him to assure him, but when he seen the matching marks, he began to shake even harder. He knew he was in trouble, just not sure how much at this point. He was involved in the kidnapping of a high-status person after all. He did the only thing he could do at this point. By this point in time, Krista was only paying half attention to the conversation till she heard Nuvaro' s voice. It seemed to perk her attention some as she was hollering in the background during their conversation, trying desperately to get his attention.
Kale the Slaver: "I beg your forgiveness. I had no idea someone of such high standing was who he was after. Believe me, I would have never agreed. I just mainly drive the second wagon and deal with the auction house."
Nuvaro: "That may be so. Did you never bother to look at the women you put in? Do you always follow so blindly? You show my wife more respect due to her eyes. So, I can tell you have not completely lost your way."
Kale the Slaver: "Well yes, I have been with them for a few months now. My own village was hit hard by a massive storm; it destroyed everything, and I ended up falling in with them a while back. Where is my boss at anyway?"
We just looked at each other, stepping down from the cart. We then looked at the Kale the Slaver as we pointed up toward the top of the cart. He then followed our hands with his eyes, with his jaw dropping open at the sight of his boss's head on the pike, his body began to shake. He then looked at us with pleading eyes unsure of what to do. We walked up to him, clearly looking down, and made a statement for everyone to hear in the area. The lackies working for Kale the Slaver were already lying on the ground in absolute fear. Cedren' s mate then made a clear statement for the whole market. That way no one could try and say that they did not know. As they did, Jero Hacter was standing in the back of a crowd watching things from a distance for now. Still in the cage, Krista strained her have herself be heard through the lecture that was ensuing.
Krista: "Nuvaro, you have come for me, please get me out of here! I have been waiting all this time. Look, they ruined my nails, do something about it will you."
Nuvaro kept hearing Krista complain and finally decided to say something to her. Maybe, just maybe, something he may say might get through her head. Even if just a little bit. He turned looking at the cage she was in and spoke in a rough tone to her.
Nuvaro: "Oh my, Krista. You sure do seem to be making more demands than one in your position should. Honestly, I do not think I should even bother addressing you after what you did to one of your own."
Cedren: "Honestly my love, I already told her that her punishment was going to be left here under the care of the slavers to do what they will. It was the only punishment next to death I could think of."
Nuvaro: "You are right in this instance my love, honestly when you told me she was under the delusion that I was coming there to save her, I almost didn't believe it until I heard her ramblings just now. As for you Krista, you will stay here and that is the end of it. All I can do is let your parents know you are not dead for what you have done."
Kale the Slaver: "I don't understand, I will not be punished for what happened?"
Cedren: "You treated me well, made sure I had food and water, even if it was a little bit, and had no idea that your idiot boss was planning to do. So just do us a favor and make sure that she will not be treated very harshly unless she deserves it."
Nuvaro: (Lightly chuckling to himself, he turned slightly toward his wife…) "Well said once again my love. Keep this up and people will start thinking our village is run solely by women."
Flabbergasted at the turn of events, all he could do was nod in agreement. He just looked upon the two with grateful eyes as he had been shown mercy so clearly knowing that Nuvaro could have killed him the instant he showed up. He made a silent vow to himself that he would make sure she was treated as fairly as he could depending on her actions from here on out. But that would be something he would have to wait and see. If she caused them this kind of issue, there was no telling what kind of insanity she could bring to the table if she put her mind to it and he wanted no part of that idea. He looked back toward Nuvaro as though he may be waiting for some additional thing, no matter what it was. He watched as Nuvaro turned around and started to walk away, but then he moved to climb the wagon.