With our plan set, Rune made his way to a different section of the market where the gambling tables were set up. The atmosphere was thick with tension and the clinking of coins. The gamblers were a mix of seasoned players and wealthy traders looking for a thrill.
Rune approached a table where a game of dice was underway. He watched for a few minutes, observing the players and their habits. When he saw an opening, he stepped in, placing a modest bet of 5 gold coins.
The dealer, a man with a hawkish face and quick hands, gave Rune a once-over before nodding. "New player, eh? You're a bit young to be gambling, ain't ya? Well, good luck, friend."
Rune smiled, his expression one of casual interest. "Just here to try my luck."
The game began, and Rune played conservatively at first, losing a few small bets to blend in. He chatted with the other players, his demeanor friendly and unassuming. It didn't take long for him to find a rhythm, subtly using his observational skills and keen senses to predict the outcomes of the dice rolls.
After a few rounds, Rune started to win, slowly but steadily. He made sure to lose just enough to avoid suspicion, but his pile of coins grew gradually. Vice and I kept a discreet distance, watching the crowd for any signs of trouble. Rune's sleight of hand was unbeatable. I had provided him with spare dice and cards, which he used skillfully. At the next table, Rune switched to a card game. The stakes were higher here, and the players were more serious. Rune bought in with 10 gold, joining a group of traders who looked at him with a mix of curiosity and disdain.
One of the traders, a portly man with a jeweled ring on every finger, sneered. "Another fresh muppet to beat down. Hope you brought enough gold to keep up, lad."
Rune smiled politely. "We'll see how it goes."
The game was a variant of poker, and Rune played with a careful blend of skill and luck. He let the other players win a few rounds, feigning frustration at his losses. But when he sensed an opportunity, he struck, winning a sizable pot with a well-timed bluff. He told me that his mom taught him a few card games, but even without the sleight of hand, he was good. He had an amazing poker face and kept his bets guarded until he had the kill in sight. The portly trader grumbled, "Beginner's luck."
Rune chuckled, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Perhaps."
As the hours passed, Rune continued to work the tables, his winnings accumulating. He was careful to switch games and tables regularly, never staying in one place too long. He lost just enough to maintain the illusion of luck, but his skill was undeniable. By the time lunch rolled around, Rune had amassed a small fortune. He made his way back to our rendezvous point, his pockets heavy with gold coins. I met him with a grin, clapping him on the shoulder. "Goddamn, you're a money machine. How much you got?"
Rune smiled, "45 gold. Should be enough, right?"
I laughed, "More than enough. With your 45 and my 30 gold, we got about 175 gold. Should be a tough negotiation, but I can work some magic."
Vice laughed, patting Rune's shoulder, "I underestimated you, kid. You got the magic fingers. Let's move before anyone gets wise to us."
We moved on, our gold in hand, making our way to where we got our slave trader licenses. I walked up to the bored lady with confidence. "Hello, I was hoping you could help me?"
The bored, fat lady sighed, "Here for licenses? Give me a second."
I frowned, "No, actually, we were looking for information on the auction coming up. Do you know who is organizing it?"
The lady rolled her eyes, "Here is a handout." She passed me a brochure with the details of the upcoming auction.
I scanned the brochure quickly. It listed the auction items, the schedule, and most importantly, the organizer's name: Garrett Holt. According to the information on the brochure, he was a prominent slave trader and a significant figure in the slave trader association. "Thank you," I said, slipping the brochure into my pocket. We walked out of the building, regrouping just outside.
"Garrett Holt," I said, turning to Vice and Rune. "He's the one we need to talk to."
Vice lit a cigarette, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Given he's in the business, I doubt he'll budge easily, but anyone can be swayed if the offer is good enough."
Rune asked, "So what's the plan?"
I nodded, "Well, thankfully, the brochure lists his office. So we just need to have a chat with him and make him budge."
With our plan set, we headed towards Garrett Holt's office, which was located in the upscale part of the city. The building was imposing, with guards stationed at the entrance. The office was small but luxurious, with a fountain out front and a nice stone walkway leading to his small stone office. We approached the guards, and I spoke up confidently. "We are here to see Mr. Holt for business."
The guards exchanged looks, the tall one grunting, "Mr. Holt doesn't see anyone without an appointment."
I maintained my confident demeanor, pulling out the bag of gold and letting it jingle just enough to catch their attention. "This business can't wait, and I'm sure Mr. Holt wouldn't want to miss out on a lucrative opportunity. Just tell him it's regarding Jasmine from the auction."
The guards hesitated, then the shorter one nodded reluctantly. "Wait here."
After a few tense minutes, the guard returned and gestured for us to follow him inside. We were led through opulent hallways adorned with expensive decorations until we reached a large, imposing door. The guard knocked, and a voice from inside called out, "Enter."
We stepped into Garrett Holt's office, a grand room filled with luxurious furniture and an air of authority. Behind a massive desk sat Holt himself, a man in his fifties with sharp features and piercing eyes. He looked up from his papers, regarding us with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Holt asked, his voice smooth but with an undercurrent of menace.
I stepped forward, meeting his gaze. "Mr. Holt, we're here to discuss one of the items in your upcoming auction. We want to buy Jasmine, the dhampir, outright."
Holt raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "Is that so? And what makes you think I'd be willing to sell her before the auction?"
I smiled, trying to project confidence. "Because we're prepared to offer you a substantial sum, one that might be more than what you'd get at the auction. Plus, it saves you the hassle of dealing with bidders and potential complications."
Holt studied us for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright, I'm listening. What's your offer?"
I took a deep breath, knowing this was the crucial moment. "165 gold, upfront. No haggling, no complications." I offered him less than my maximum, hoping he would bite.
Holt began to laugh. "165 gold? You've got to be kidding me. Guards, get this brat out of here."
I smirked confidently. "It's a fair offer for a defect."
Mr. Holt lost his smile. "Defect? You best watch your mouth, boy."
I smiled. "Oh, but that is what she is, isn't she? I mean, I am good friends with Sandra White, the girl who sold her to you, so I happen to be aware of her defect."
Mr. Holt tapped his hands on the desk, annoyed. "I know nothing about a defect."
I explained, "Oh? Weird, because Sandra has the habit of listing all of her slaves' information. I happened to take a glance at Jasmine's sheet when I was at Sandra's stall, and I noticed that she bites. Surely you knew that, though. Should I perhaps come back with her information on record?"
Mr. Holt gritted his teeth. "Get to the point, half-breed."
I placed the 175 gold on the table. "Here, I will sweeten the deal: 175 gold right now, no negotiating, and I take this little problem off your hands."
Mr. Holt sighed. "Why would I take that offer? The point of an auction is to drum up business, not necessarily to make a profit, kid. Do you want to ruin the spirit of bidding?"
I put my finger on the coins. "And what if she bites and spits on her new owners? A defect is a defect. If that happens, I could see that person leaving a bad mark on your resume. Do you want that, Mr. Holt? I mean, here I am offering you far more than she will be worth in an auction. What do you say?"
Holt leaned forward, steepling his fingers. "Alright, 175 gold it is. But I want the payment now."
I nodded, pushing the coins towards him. He grabbed the coins gingerly, Holt inspecting the coins with a distasteful look in his eyes. After a few tense moments, he nodded, satisfied.
"Deal," Holt said, standing up. "I'll have Jasmine brought to you immediately. Guards, she is item 78, right next to the snake woman we got the other day."
As we waited, I couldn't help but feel a surge of relief and triumph. We had done it. Jasmine would be free, and our plan was one step closer to success.