Chapter - 33
The following day, Jacob returned to the slave trader's establishment, his mind clear and focused. As he entered, he was greeted by the same receptionist, who gave a courteous nod before signaling to Salvar. In moments, the trader appeared, his demeanor as polished and sharp as their first meeting.
"Is she still available?" Jacob asked, getting straight to the point.
"Yes, indeed, sir," Salvar replied, a satisfied smile crossing his face. "I'll bring her out right away." He disappeared through a door at the back, leaving Jacob to wait.
Within moments, Salvar returned with Elara following close behind. She looked markedly different from their last encounter; she wore a simple yet elegant dress in sky-blue—the very shade Jacob had always favored. Though her frame was still slender, the dress highlighted her natural beauty despite her malnourished state. Her hair was brushed and shining, and she appeared cleaner and healthier than before. It was evident Salvar had taken special care to make her look presentable, anticipating Jacob's interest.
Jacob sighed inwardly. Merchants, he thought to himself, were all cut from the same cloth, no matter the world or what was being sold. Salvar's extra effort to improve Elara's appearance was clearly intended to encourage the purchase.
"She does look much better," Jacob commented, keeping his tone even.
"We always strive to please our clients," Salvar replied with a smooth smile, then motioned toward a ledger on his desk. "Shall we proceed with the transaction?"
Jacob nodded, reaching into his satchel to retrieve a pouch filled with gold orins. He counted out the hundred coins, handing them over to Salvar, who received them with a practiced air. His eyes sparkled with satisfaction as he quickly assessed the gold orins.
"Perfect. Now, for the final formalities," Salvar said, producing a parchment and a small, ceremonial knife. "A drop of your blood will seal the contract."
Jacob took the knife without hesitation, pricking his finger and letting a single drop fall onto the parchment. The instant his blood made contact with the paper, a silvery light emerged from Elara's neck, illuminating a faint rune that had been etched into her skin. The mark glowed brightly, then faded, disappearing from sight.
"The contract is sealed," Salvar announced, rolling up the document and handing it to Jacob. "Elara is now legally, and magically, bound to you."
Jacob felt a pang of discomfort at the idea of owning another person, but he reminded himself the necessity of having a reliable partner. He turned to Elara, who stood silently, her eyes downcast.
"That silver light you saw," Salvar began, "is the activation of the slave mark. It binds Elara to you as her owner. She is compelled to follow your every command. Should she resist, you can use the slave mark to enforce your will. Additionally, the mark ensures that she cannot harm you under any circumstance."
"Thank you, Salvar. Release her from the chains, please," Jacob said.
With a nod, Salvar motioned to one of his assistants, who approached and carefully unlocked the iron cuffs from Elara's wrists. She instinctively rubbed the red marks on her skin, keeping her eyes downcast, barely daring to look in Jacob's direction.
"Shall we go?" Jacob asked, his tone softer than before.
Elara nodded meekly, her movements tentative and cautious. She followed Jacob out of the building, her footsteps almost soundless as they walked. They walked towards the inn without exchanging any words, Jacob leading and Elara trailing behind. The quiet between them felt thick with unspoken thoughts and uncertainties, and Jacob couldn't help but think of what she'd endured to end up here.
When they arrived at the inn, Jacob led her up the worn stairs. Just as they reached the top, Thorne, the innkeeper, caught sight of them.
"Aren't you going to introduce me to your new friend?" Thorne asked with a grin, his curiosity evident.
"I'll introduce her to you after I've introduced myself," Jacob replied, raising a hand to wave. "Give me some time to talk to her privately."
Thorne raised a brow in understanding, giving them a nod. Jacob continued down the hallway to his room, opening the door and motioning for Elara to enter. As he shut the door behind them, he took a seat on the bed, watching her closely. She stood before him, her hands fidgeting slightly, and her gaze mostly fixed on the floor. Every so often, she would steal a quick glance at him before lowering her eyes again.