They made their way outside the sewers into what looked to be an abandoned home, making their way inside they saw a single Minotaur sitting on the wooden seat, he looked inpatient and angry.
"Explain yourself Vanj, What do you mean slaves are dead?! The auction is in 2 days!" Older looking Minotaur shouted with visible anger and frustration, his fur was gray and one eye had a great scar over it.
"Our storage was attacked by Coek's enforcers, they were searching for this girl!" He pointed towards Ariel.
"Coek's men were searching for a single girl? I have a hard time believing that." Minotaur stared intently.
"Yes, since they were already in the process of slaughter I wanted to at least secure what seemed like very high-value good," Vanj explained.
The minotaur rose from his seat before approaching them, his gaze fell on the girl, what Vanj said made sense to him considering how beautiful the girl was.
"Why would they kill them? No matter ...Slave, tell me is this true?" Minotaur spoke.
'It is so over for me, she can kill me with a single word.' Vanj shut his eyes as he awaited punishment and yet.
"Yes... It's all true, A Bunch of armored people burst into the storeroom and killed everything, and the master grabbed me and escaped. There was nothing he could do. That is why I'm so thankful!" Ariel explained with a sad expression.
"I see..." Minotaur nodded, the slave had no reason to lie at the behest of her master after all most would make sure their slavers were killed.
'She... defended me...' Vanj looked with astonishment, the little slave that was captured just yesterday not only covered for him but defended him too.
Such behavior of a slave usually demanded a reward as positive reinforcement, however he was in no position right now.
"Vanj, you have to recoup the process. I will believe your story for now, but you WILL try your damn best to recoup the value that was lost. I doubt even a high-value slave like this one would recoup everything."
"I can help with that!" Ariel interjected, which earned an inquisitive glare from both Minotaur and Vanj.
"I can bait unsuspecting victims for you master!" Ariel smirked.
'No, she is too good for an untrained slave... There is no way...' Vanj couldn't believe his ears.
"Hmm... I don't see why not. Vanj if you lose this one I will have your head, and make sure you do not disappoint the council. I will tell them about Coek, you have one more chance." Minotaur spoke as his form disappeared in a mote of light.
'[Teleport] huh.' Ariel smiled.
Vanj turned towards Ariel, the little girl wore heavy shackles and collars and yet she behaved like the most well-trained slave he had ever had.
"... Thank you, I guess you deserve this honor. What's your name slave?" Vanj asked, he was thankful to her, despite the inevitable fate she had once sold.
Ariel squirmed for a moment before answering, "I am Lana, master." She smiled warmly.
"Lana... Cute name, I am sure you won't keep it for too long but it is nice to know." He spoke solemnly.
"Hmm? Didn't hear that master."
"It is fine, let's go." He pulled Ariel's chain towards him.
Lana's offer was good, possibly his only option, she was a cute child and would probably easily be able to get more slaves for auction.
'I really want to keep her for myself...' Vanj sighed, she could possibly become his wife after being trained properly.
'And yet due to that damned lizard, I can't keep her but have to sell her to some rich asshole...' He lamented the loss.
"Listen, Lana, you will soon be forced to forget your name, you will be forced to respond to either a number or some other name master gives to you when they buy you. But I won't forget what you have done for me today. I will make sure you are bought by a good client."
However, slavery was highly illegal, and so any client he could possibly find was pretty bad.
"That is ok master, I will be fine." Lana smiled at him warmly.
"If I release your shackles you won't run right?" Vanj asked to which Lana shook her head.
"I trust you, This is a show of trust I only show to trained slaves." Vanj knelt before her before unlocking her shackles.
Lana rubbed her wrists, "Thank you master ~"
"Master ~ I will find you some slaves tonight ~ You can trust me!" Lana exclaimed.
Vanj knew better than to fully trust a new slave, however he had no choice this time.
"Thank you, Lana. Most efficient would be Harpy women like you. They are worth the most."
Lana nodded, "No worries ~ They won't resist my charms after all ~"
Lana spoke so confidently that it made his heart feel at ease.
In his heart he did hope that she would be able to capture enough for him to save his hide and perhaps even allow him to keep Lana for his personal use.
He gently patted the girl before they made their way out, her collar still stood out but without shackles, they were able to pass through the city as normal citizens, and with Lana's willingness to defend him he had no worry about being caught with a slave.
"You will help me clean up the storeroom right?" Vanj asked.
"Of course master!" Lana answered eagerly.
He couldn't help but smile, he started to really like this slave, she was so obedient and pleasant without any training, it was like she was born for the role.
They made the way toward the storeroom, its floor was still covered by corpses.
"This will take a while... Lana pile them next to the door and Ill handle the rest." He sighed as he took a seat, his eyes following Lana closely.
Lana rushed forward, "Let's do this master!"
He couldn't ask bosses to help, Blackwater was in disarray due to branches disappearing, and he was alone only support he had had betrayed him.
'Maybe this slave replaces that damned lizard.' He smiled as he watched Lana dragging the corpses, for a child she was pretty strong.
Lana grabbed the Lizardman's corpse before pulling it towards the door.