Chabone was a large village. There was a population of Gypsies who were never in the habit of mixing with the townspeople. But the island, which served as an outpost for travelers on an intensely busy sea lane covered by smugglers, also had people who were humble, without resources and in need. Lili was often revolted by the way other innkeepers behaved, exploiting poor families and providing brothels with girls who lived almost like white slaves.
Garro or monsieur Garro had the most prominent tavern in the region. He was a wealthy and respected merchant. But the wealth was sustained by the oppression of people, cruel abuses, and a revolting trade in the sale of slaves.
Madame Lili sighed with growing displeasure at the Moor in front of her with difficulty understanding the meaning of these words.
She was a middle-aged woman. Her beauty still enhanced her well-built body with suggestive curves. In her youth, Lili had been a young woman like any other until hardship put her dreams into utter destruction. She was a survivor of the first attack on Glenhouse.
She had found it difficult to establish herself in a tavern that welcomed privateers who had arrived on a journey. The place also housed girls in charge of entertaining the newcomers.
Friends of hers already knew the severity of the tavern's customs and how she treated the girls. Lili always did her best to ensure their safety. As far as possible, all enjoyed privileges and were always sought after in the region. When one of his girls managed to achieve a more secure and respected life, the occasion was celebrated with festivities.
- Is there a forecast for a new auction? God! I do not believe this! - she complained furiously. - I told Will. What did he expect?
The complaint came in a heavy outburst. The girl couldn't be that clumsy. Kassuim had always lived on the deck of the Star of Tomorrow under Thalagar's constant surveillance. The presence of an awkward young man became unsustainable with the coming adolescence. She was a girl. Did she mean what? Why wasn't the girl as safe as usual? How had she managed to escape the Scarlet Council's care and be left alone and risking the streets of Chabone? A nagging headache began to irritate her.
There was also the disturbing detail that on the island a group of witch hunters aroused apprehension among the population. The girl intended what? Neither Garro nor the hunters were pleasant options.
-I want you to keep your attention on this girl, Mouro. - Lili spoke worriedly.
Maybe with luck, the Black Gaia or the Coral could help. Compassion.
It was long enough for a young woman with eyes that color to disappear in that place. That wasn't the way wolves watched over hers. Something must have happened. Against her habits, the girl hadn't looked for her. Worst. She had gotten a job as a servant at Monsieur Garro's tavern. Naturally, she did not wish to attract the attention of the privateers and kept her distance.
-I can bring it to madam. - Mouro said as he crossed his arms against the chest. - Garro won't waste a beauty like that without getting money. He will provide customers interested in paying for the girl.
Lili rolled her eyes in bewilderment. She knew about it.
As she also knew that the girl must be protected because of the blood she carried. The oldest prophecies spoke of a special child who could manifest magic skillfully enough to restore the destroyed amulet. The Pieces of Four. The intolerance of the most ignorant people had almost cost the life of the unborn child.
That girl should have been given to the pack alpha as ancient traditions dictated. It was blood law. Lili just wanted to know why the Council seemed willing to violate traditions.
Era a rivalidade entre os irmãos?
It wasn't news to anyone close enough that the relationship between Richard and Philip was strained and filled with hostility. Pack leadership and the issue of family heritage...
-I don't understand the reason. - Lili sighed. - The girl... was known to anyone there who belonged to the alpha of the pack.
Extreme care was taken to keep Cassie out of Richard's eyes. Soon or trade else would lose control of the situation. The strict formality with which she was always treated with deprivation and problems an Armada had given the girl a rebellious temper. Thalagar was a cruel man under the leadership of the Star.
-I can only imagine a single reason for the girl to be here, Mouro.- Lili was restless.- The Council lost control of the situation. Rick must have found the girl by Scarlet. He did not find an Armada for the Successrium's intervention but within the castle's confines... Their security failed. And the Council decided to act. At the very least they kicked the girl out.
-Would they expel the sorceress who walked among the wolves?- Moor wanted to know without believing the absurdity.
-Can you believe it if Philip always kept the girl under the care and tormented the poor thing inside the Armada for years with all kinds of problems. I believe he was just waiting for the best moment to attack. Wasting the girl's dowry... Have them notify Rick.
Do you need help?
Cassie watched avoiding a veiled plague and balancing the tray with steaming bowls of stew. No, she didn't need any help. Not his. Never his.
-What are you doing here?-She asked with little patience.
-Come on, Cassie...- Philip sighed trying to keep control of the situation that was chaos.- I'm not your enemy...
-And certainly not a friend. I already told you didn't give the damn permission...
An argument. The tavern was full of customers and newly arrived sailors were creating an uproar.
That meant lots of dirty dishes and more trays of stew in the room, stuffy with the smell of greasy food and sweat.
-I think I've heard the news around here, no? Gaia arrived in Chabone.- Philip tried to start a conversation.
Keeping Cassie away from everyone was his priority in earning her trust. Dammit. The girl was more withdrawn and suspicious than ever.
-And you and your brother took advantage of the whole damn story to have fun. He finished. Can you leave me alone? What part did I say that I didn't understand? I want you away.
- We will. You're justifiably hurt, but still...
"I don't care about your bloody family, monsieur. What else do you want? I'm already far from the Armada. Not even my economies... But they offered a fortune to keep me away from the castle. I'm already far away. I don't care about your money and...
Philip shook his head. It was hell. He hadn't counted on the detail of Cassie becoming so severe after all the setup. Well, the girl's dowry was worth a fortune. Anyone would have eyes and interest in a safe and comfortable life. And she didn't even know what heritage she had. She was there working as one of the girls who served tables and didn't even suspect. It was an ordeal. Lucky Rick and Garro didn't get along. Or he would have already found her.
Keeping Cassie away from Rick was critical if she was to have any chance of getting her grip on the tempting dowry.
-Come on, my dear. It's not fair to stay like this working in this... this place...- Philip showed horror at the situation.
It was an ordeal of fate. What would they say about him when introduced her as his wife? All that embarrassment... If he could manage the feat, he reflected a little bitterly. Her looks were murderous.
-Sure! I believe the illustrious Monsieur Morgan would not like it? - Cassie teased mercilessly.
-I can help you... - The argument came with passion. - Ensuring you an easier and more comfortable life. A home...
-Did you stop at any moment in your arrogance to know if I was part of your plans or agreed with them? You shouldn't bother again. Or I'll complain to the tavern foreman, monsieur.
Philip sighed.
He looked at the girl coming back with the empty tray down the hall towards the kitchen seeing a fortune slip through her fingers. Damn, Rick.
He knew comments about the difficult temper she had, but even so…
Any woman would have thought after the heavy-duty list Garro had provided. And she would have accepted help from him. The girl couldn't be that stubborn. He knew with some remorse that Cassie had left the little rented room with no resources to support herself after so many deductions from the salary.
It was the perfect chance for him to emerge as her savior. A perfect plan. Leaving the girl completely helpless is another alternative besides being forced to accept his help. What was going wrong in his final plan?