Chapter - 31
"You're going to get overwhelmed one day," Thorne said as he took a seat beside Jacob, his resident monster hunter, after placing a hearty breakfast in front of him.
"Good morning, Thorne," Jacob replied, digging into the serving of eggs, meat, and bread.
"I'm serious," Thorne continued, his tone shifting to one of genuine concern. "You've been taking on missions non-stop without a break. Sooner or later, you're going to be too tired, miss a step, and there'll be no one there to have your back," Thorne said. The man in front of him, though reserved, had grown into someone he considered a genuine friend.
Jacob glanced up, a forkful of eggs halfway to his mouth. He could see the sincerity in Thorne's eyes.
Thorne had been the owner of The Iron Mug for nearly ten years and had seen many monster hunters come and go. He'd witnessed their overconfidence and negligence, which often led to their downfall. He didn't want Jacob to suffer the same fate.
Jacob had earned Thorne's respect, not just for his skills but for his demeanor. He was different from many who walked through Thorne's doors—more polite, more grounded, unlike the arrogant mages who typically passed through Ironhelm. Men like Jacob were quite rare in the city.
"You need a partner," Thorne insisted. "Someone who can watch your back."
Jacob raised an eyebrow, looking up at Thorne. "And where exactly am I supposed to find someone trustworthy?"
"Check with the guild hall," Thorne suggested. "There are bound to be other hunters who work alone and might be looking for a reliable partner. You might just find someone who suits you."
Jacob finished his breakfast swiftly, a fast eater by habit. He took a large gulp of juice and considered Thorne's advice. "Thorne, you know me well enough by now. I'm not the type to easily make friends or trust just anyone. It's not in my nature. I don't make friends easily, bud."
Jacob thought the conversation to be over, but Thorne wasn't finished yet. "I knew you'd respond like that, so I've got an idea that might just fit your situation. It's perfect for someone who keeps to themselves like you."
"And what might that be?" Jacob asked, curious but skeptical.
"Get a slave. A partner who will have your back, no matter what. They'll be bound to protect you and sacrifice themselves for your safety if needed," Thorne suggested.
Jacob was taken aback by the suggestion. "Thorne, setting aside the ethics of buying a slave, I need a mage to fight alongside me. From what I know, mages aren't kept as slaves. If they were, the slavers who had captured me wouldn't have let me go." Jacob had previously shared with Thorne how he had come to the city.
"You were an undocumented slave, with no information about your background. No business wants trouble for a few gold orins and is willing to take that risk. That's why they let you go," Thorne explained.
"Alright, but how are mages made slaves?" Jacob asked.
"There are various reasons someone might become a slave, mage or not. Theft, debt, treason against the royal family, or a noble house can all lead to enslavement. If the government or a noble decides you're to be branded a slave, there's no escaping it," Thorne explained.
Thorne leaned in, lowering his voice slightly. "So, consider my suggestion. Visit a slave trader, inquire about their rates, and see if it's something you'd want to pursue. Keep in mind, there's no other way to ensure a loyal, devoted fighting partner like this."
Jacob mulled over Thorne's words. He didn't like the idea, but Thorne's logic was hard to ignore. A slave, bound by fate, might be the only way to ensure his survival and success without any unnecessary trust issues.
"I'll think about it," Jacob said finally, his mind torn between his moral compass and the harsh reality of this world.
"That's all I ask," Thorne replied, giving Jacob a reassuring nod. "Just consider it. Your life out there depends on making the right choices, even if they're tough ones."
Jacob nodded and made his way out, the weight of Thorne's words lingering in his mind as he prepared for another day of hunting.
--
After contemplating the idea all day, Jacob finally decided to visit the same slave trader who had once captured him, intending to peruse the place and weigh his options. It had been two months since he began his career as a monster hunter, and in that time, he had managed to save up twenty two gold orins and fifty silver orins, a total of twenty seven gold orins. This was after accounting for his daily expenses, so Jacob felt a modest sense of accomplishment from his hard work. He knew that whatever steps he needed to take next would require a significant amount of money.
Jacob approached the familiar building and hesitated momentarily at the door, taking a deep breath to steady himself before pushing it open. The interior was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of old wood and something else Jacob couldn't quite place—a lingering sense of despair, perhaps.
At the front desk sat a woman, her expression professionally neutral. "How can I help you, sir?" she asked, looking up from her paperwork.
Jacob cleared his throat. "I'd like to speak to your manager. I believe his name was Salvar?"
The woman nodded and disappeared through a door behind her. Moments later, Salvar emerged, his expression brightening with recognition.
"Esteemed mage, it's a pleasure to see you again. How can I assist you today?" Salvar greeted him with a respectful nod.
Jacob felt a mix of unease and familiarity at the sight of Salvar. "I'm looking to buy a slave," he said, his voice steady. "Specifically, a mage who can assist me on my missions as a monster hunter. For now, I'd just like to see the options available and decide if I want to make a purchase."
Salvar's expression didn't change, but Jacob thought he detected a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Of course, sir. Though I have to inform you that mages are not a common product for us. Currently, we only have two available for purchase."
Hearing Salvar refer to the slaves—human beings—as mere products reminded Jacob once again of the strange and brutal world he now inhabited. Slavery was not unfamiliar to him; back on Earth, Jacob had been born just two decades after the Civil War had ended that horrific practice. Yet seeing it firsthand, in this twisted new world, felt even more surreal and disturbing
Salvar led Jacob to a more private room and gestured for him to sit on a plush, albeit slightly worn, sofa. "Please make yourself comfortable. I will fetch them shortly."
Jacob settled into the sofa, the atmosphere of the room quieter but still tinged with an air of captivity. After a few minutes, the manager returned, followed by a man and a woman in chains. Both slaves stood before Jacob, their expressions guarded.
"This is the first option," the manager began, gesturing to the man. He was tall and muscular, his physique imposing even in his current state. "His name is Kellan. He was once the captain of a noble's personal guard but was enslaved after attempting to assassinate his lord. He is proficient in using faerium and has considerable combat experience."
Jacob studied Kellan, impressed by the man's presence. "And his price?"
"Three hundred and fifty gold orins," the manager replied without missing a beat.
Jacob's heart sank. That was far beyond his current means. He nodded thoughtfully, trying not to show his disappointment.
"And this is the second option," the manager continued, motioning to the woman. She was frail, with blonde hair that framed her delicate features and large, expressive brown eyes. Despite her malnourished appearance and ragged clothing, there was an undeniable beauty about her.
"Her name is Elara. Her family fell into debt, and she was sold to settle it. She can harness faerium and has the potential to be a powerful mage, but she lacks training and combat experience."
Jacob's gaze softened as he looked at Elara. She seemed fragile, but there was a spark in her eyes that suggested resilience. "And her price?"
"One hundred gold orins," the manager said.
Jacob calculated quickly. It was still more than he had, but not unattainable. He nodded thoughtfully, keeping his composure. "Thank you for showing me the options," he said. "I will need to think about it."
The manager nodded. "Take your time. We don't often have mages available, but she will remain here until sold."
Jacob offered a polite nod before exiting the building. As he stepped out into the bustling streets of Ironhelm, his mind raced with thoughts. One hundred gold orins was a high price, but not impossible.
He walked back to the inn, his mind already formulating a plan. "If I can take on a few more high-paying missions, perhaps even some dangerous ones, I might be able to save up enough in a few weeks," he thought to himself.