Adela's slave trade was truly in its prime; every day, merchandise of all races and of all ages passed from merchant to master in a neverending (except when everyone closed shop for the day) cycle of bartering, auctioning, and private transactions. For those who were out for general labor, there were auctions where the slaves were shown off for their strength and also for their good health. There were also general auctions for domestics or for servants who did not fit into any other category. For those interested in magic, various mages and scribes argued over prices and innate abilities (which they demanded to test before pulling out any of their money) while examining the ones who supposedly would be valuable to such as them. And for those whose social positions allowed them a much more dignified selection process than the public auctions, merchants were more than willing (at the right price) to give a personal tour of sorts to noble men and women.
Orindis wondered if this was the place where Vaenain was taking him. But then he started thinking about Marina and the twins. Were they going to be all right? Of course they would be, he reassured himself (or at least tried to). Perhaps he would catch a glimpse of her on their way into town, if that was where they were going. Well, there was only one way to find out, and that was to actually go wherever Vaenain intended, for it was not his place to ask--only to follow. Of course, behaving as he did and saying what he did to his master wasn't exactly his place either, but he didn't want to get himself into even more trouble. So he merely kept his horse at a standstill until Vaenain chose to lead the way through the gates of his impressive estate.
ooc: how's that?
