This is the third Seuen Short story

Seuen short story 3

Seuen took in deep breaths, trying to listen to what was being said outside. His arms were still throbbing with pain from being withheld water for the last few days.

The help that Tess, the young Veleren, had given him was the only reason why Seuen wasn’t lying on the floor vomiting right now. He looked in the direction of Tess and her father. He was still steamed that after trying to protect Tess from being hurt a few days ago, her father wanted her to stop helping Seuen.

“Terrexa. It is time to open up and show our guests the merchandise.” Seuen knew whose voice that belonged to Xelna. The cell’s doors swung open and harsh sunlight struck Seuen’s skin, causing him to recoil in pain; the lack of water still having massive side effects on his body. As he shivered in the searing light, a wave of cooling water was thrust upon him, causing Seuen to jump up as if struck. He then looked into Xelna’s smiling face.

“I can’t have you all twitchy when we go meet the buyers.”

Terrexa stepped forward. “We still need to talk about who actually gets to keep the Aensien.”

Xelna narrowed her eyes, looking at Seuen before slamming her heel down hard onto Terrexa’s foot. “If you want him so bad, then you, like everyone else, will have a chance to buy the little princeling.”

After Terrexa recovered, he spat at Xelna.

“That wasn’t part of our deal.”

She turned around and started walking away. “I said I would help you capture the runt. I didn’t say you could keep him. You came here and agreed to work for my terms. Now honor them.”

Terrexa turned back to Seuen. “Ok, get up. You and the others are expected in the center of town.”

Seuen stood up and examined his surroundings. The buildings were tall and made out of stone and wood. Many had two or three stories and ramshackle balconies or flimsy wooden walkways connecting one building to another. Clothing dangled in the wind from the walkways above that reeked even from where Seuen was standing. He could see multiple small shops that appeared closed and boarded up for the day.

He turned around to see the slavers were finished forcing all of the Veleren’s out of the cage. Terrexa pulled at the belt around his waist and then walked back to where Seuen was standing. “Ok, let’s get a move on.” He started off, motioning for Seuen to follow. The massive Perdition lead him through the alleyways of the small town. From tiny wooden doors, Seuen could catch a glimpse of watching eyes as they marched past. Yet as Seuen tried to match their gaze, they vanished. Seuen started to get an uneasy feeling as they came closer to the center of town.

Then Xelna and a large podium on top of a large wooden stage came into sight, along with a massive crowd of screaming Velerens and a few Perditions. Seuen gulped as he was forced forward; all thoughts of escape seemed to fall away.  There is truly no way out of this now. I am going to be sold off like some common animal.

Terrexa stopped him short of the back of the stage. He looked down and sneered at Seuen. “You are going to wait your turn.” He looked at the others. “Move them to the front of the line. We show the other mongrels off first. The princeling is the last piece to show off.”

Seuen looked up at Xelna as she waved her hands for silence. Next to her was a young Veleren with dark black hair and a massive red skinned Perdition, the largest Seuen had ever seen in his life.  I wonder what their deal is.

Xelna’s voice boomed across the square. “Welcome one and all to this grand auction. We have many healthy specimens, all looking to earn their keep and one surprise that only the grandest of our attendees will walk away with. Now to start off tonight's festivities, our envoy from Anchorhead and the representative of Keel, Telean.”

The young man stepped forward, the red-skinned Perdition walking with him. “Thank you.” He looked to the Perdition. “Melrek, care to start things off?”

The massive brute nodded his head before he reached into his vest and produced two torches. He snapped them on the edge of the stage to light them before tossing them into giant goblet, the fire traveling along ropes, causing fireworks to explode above the square. Telen then rose his voice. “In the name of his emergence, let us get this auction underway. Xelna, bring us the first contestant.”

Xelna stepped down from the stage and walked to where Seuen and the others were. She looked at Terrexa for a moment and then over the Veleren prisoners. “The one in front with the grey hair first. Let’s get the old one out of the way.”

One of the Veleren slavers pushed the unlucky candidate up towards the stage. The man looked old and disheveled, with many scars covering his body. Seuen wanted to cry out for the slavers not to treat the old man poorly, but he knew that acting out would only make things worse.

The elderly man was forced onto the stage as the female slaver behind pushed him once more. “Move it. We don’t have all day.” The crowd screamed as they walked onto stage; seconds later, Telean raised his hands to quiet them.

“Ok, so it seems like we are going to be starting off with a rather unimpressive lad here. I am sure that these fine folks have better waiting in store for them.”

Laughter erupted from the crowd. Xelna, who was standing next to Seuen, was seething as she tapped her foot.

Telean continued. “Now, shall we get on with the show? I will start the bidding at fifty Deleans. Who is willing to take that offer?” Some time passed before Telean said, “And we someone with fifty, do I see fifty-five?”

Seuen assumed that something was being done that he couldn’t see. He could see the edges of the crowd, but with the stage in his way, he couldn’t get a good idea of what they were doing. All he could do was listen to the maniac up on stage.

“We have fifty-five. Can we raise this up to sixty? Yes, we can. How about seventy? Anyone for seventy? The offer is going once, twice, and sold.” Seuen cringed at the word. “Come up here and claim your prize.”

A young Aensien man with dark blue hair strands and a gold inlaid vest stepped up onto the stage. Seuen couldn’t believe what he was seeing. His own people were buying slaves? What was this madness? His father would never let such a thing happen.

The Aensien walked around his prize, inspecting the elderly man. “Looks stable enough. I need another hand to keep the guests well fed at my club. Now come along.”

Telean held up his hand. “You two can wait over there.” He pointed to the edge of the stage. “It is the rules here. No one leaves until the auction is over. Just so we know everyone pays in full.”

The Aensien didn’t seem that pleased with the news. “Fine.” He grabbed the wrist of his recent earnings and walked over to the corner of the stage.

Seuen then watched as the captives were sold off one by one. Each bidding process took only a few minutes, and after each person was sold off, the crowd would hoot wildly. Seuen took deep breaths in and out. He was scared to step out onto the stage, with every passing sale, the tension in the air increased. Those who lost out started to cry out in foul, and Telean had to do his best to calm the crowd.  What is going to happen when they have to fight over me at the end?

After almost twenty auctions, there were only three people to go, Seuen, Tess, and her father. Xelna walked up to the trio and said, “Ok, the girl is up next.”

Tess’s father threw his arms around her. “I won’t let her go up there alone.”

Xelna reached for her whip. “Don’t make me. . .”

Melrek appeared behind her. “They can both go to speed things along.” His voice was deep and monotone.

She exhaled slowly. “Fine, but they will be bid on separately. I want my money’s worth.”

As they walked past her, Melrek said, “Don’t worry, you will get what is coming to you.”

Tess and her father were escorted up onto the stage. There Telean took command of the situation. “Ladies and Gentlemen, it would seem we are at the end of tonight's auction. We have our last two contestants to bid on here. We will do the young man here first. Let’s start things off at hmm. . .” Telean looked over Tess’s father. “We will start off at two hundred Deleans.”

Cries went up from the crowd. “That is a bit much.”

“That fool isn’t worth that.”

Telean slammed his foot down, and the armed guards at the edge of the stage raised their weapons. “Quiet down. Now, do I have any legitimate bids? Ah yes, we have a two hundred. Any two twenties? Anyone.

Going once. Twice and sold.”

A Veleren in a hooded cloak came up to the stage. Seuen couldn’t see anything defining the person besides the thick garments he was wearing, which looked to be made of thick leather and silk. He immediately went to grab both Tess and her father but was stopped by Melrek.

The Veleren spat out, “Hey, I bought them.”

Telean took a deep breath before saying, “You only bought the man.”

“This is a rip-off. He isn’t worth that much. I thought I was paying for both of them.”

Melrek pushed Tess’s father towards the hooded man.

“Take him and move towards the others.”

Tess tried to run to her father. “Daddy, don’t leave me.”

Telean gripped her. “Hold it. You are not going anywhere just yet.”

“Let go of me. You can’t take me away from my daddy.”

Telean forced Tess to face her and seemed to say something to her that Seuen couldn’t hear. Whatever he said, Tess calmed down as Telean stood back up and readdressed the crowd. “Ok, so shall we get back to the auction?”

Telean then sold off Tess, who only went for a measly forty Deleans. She went to a young Veleren woman with at least six knives strapped around her arms and legs. She took Tess’s arm as she flipped her long ebony hair and walked to join the others.

Telean then addressed the crowd once more. “Well, it has been an exciting night that is for sure. But we have one more surprise in store.”

“What are you going to do a little dance to send us off our way?” The crowd erupted in laughter.

Telean took a deep breath. “We have a surprise auction. Xelna will be the one to handle things for this special event. Xelna, if you can come up here and take things away?”

Xelna hurried her way onto the stage as Telean and Melrek vanished from view. “Folks. We have saved the best for last.

Those of you who know me can count on me for quality merchandise.”

“Is that why there was such a poor selection today?”

Xelna crossed her arms. “If you believe that, why don’t you leave right now? I am sure you are too poor to even attempt to buy what we have waiting for you.” She paused.

“Now, I am sure you are all aware of the Aensiens. I mean, we even have a buyer or two up here. But what I have waiting is not only an Aensien, but the royal blood prince.”

The crowd erupted in laughter. “What a good one.”

“Not even she could pull that one off.”

“We wouldn’t be standing here if some prince was up for auction.”

Xelna turned towards Seuen and yelled. “Get your ass up here.”

Terrexa pushed Seuen up onto the stage and into the torchlight. The crowds' eyes all turned onto him. The majority were Velrens, a mass of dirty and ugly looking men and women. Seuen could spot a few Aensiens and dozens of Perditions among the crowd, as well as a band of Xiros.  A bunch of low down scum from all corners of Caldiria.

Xelna took Seuen by the arm. “This is Seuen Fairwater. The crowned prince.”

“Ya right.”

“Stop trying to rip us off.”

The Aensien who had purchased the old man walked back to the center of the stage. “Calm down, everyone. I can assure you that Xelna is telling the truth. This is the Aensien prince.”

The crowd calmed down, but Seuen wasn’t sure why.

Before he could try and figure out who the mysterious Aensien was, Xelna raised her voice once more. “So let’s get this bidding started, shall we? The starting price is five thousand Deleans.”

Seuen didn’t see any movement in the crowd.

After a few moments, a voice rang out, “Don’t’ you think the brat is a bit too rich for this event? Why don’t you take him to Keel’s doorstep?”

“Because I am going to sell him here and now. Pay up and be rewarded.” Xelna shouted.

“He isn’t worth the trouble.”

“Ya. Who says we want to be hunted down like dogs because of one mongrel?”

Xelna threw her arms into the air. “I didn’t go through the trouble of kidnapping this brat just so you all could argue about if this practice is suddenly safe or not to do.

Now bid!”

There was a sudden explosion of smoke at the front of the stage. Seuen fell to the ground, coughing as more explosions started to sound off. He rose his head, trying to peer through the haze; all he could see was dark figures moving and fire.

Fire? Seuen started to back away, now feeling the heat of the growing flames. Shouts began to rise out of the smoke all around Seuen. But instead of people crying out in pain, the shouting sounded more like people were fighting. Seuen crawled around, trying to find a place where he could figure out just what was going on.  Had someone knocked over one of the goblets and a brawl broken out? What were those bangs for?

A body fell in front of Seuen, causing the prince to cry out in fear. After gaining his composure back, he realized that the person who had fallen was now dead, a scorch mark across his neck that could have only been made by a Veleren flame sword. Seuen took another look over the body and realized he was one of the people who had purchased a slave at the auction.

Sweat beating down his neck Seuen crawled over the lifeless body and fell off the stage, hitting the gravel-filled ground hard.

He stood up quickly, brushed himself off, and then ran in the first direction he saw.

Moments later, he emerged out of the fog and into a grisly scene. Half a dozen bodies lie bleeding out in the square as everyone seemed to fight at random.

Seuen didn’t know what to make of it all. There was a fire at the other end of the town square that was quickly growing out of control.  I have to get out of here before that fire becomes any larger or anyone notices I am gone.

Seuen tried to make his escape, but Xelna jumped in front of him, whip in hand. “Where do you think you are going, princeling? I can’t have you running off now, can I?”

Seuen picked up a jagged piece of rock that was lying on the ground. “Out of my way.”

Xelna let out a deranged laugh. “Are you serious? I don’t need to play nice with you anymore as you are no longer worth anything, you brat.” She pulled back the whip, but as she swung her arm to strike, she was slammed to the ground from behind. Seuen looked in awe as Telean was now standing over her, a flame sword in his hands.

“Step away from him.”

Xelna spat dirt out of her mouth, producing a Veleren flame dirk. “What is this, Telean?”

“You forced our hand. My associates and I were just going to buy your slaves to set them free, but with the price here, we had to get creative.”

She spun around, trying to cut at his midsection with her hidden blade. “I thought it was odd that Keel would send some new and fresh kid to represent him. I guess you can’t trust anyone these days, can you?”

Seuen backed away, not interested in why the two were fighting, only that it gave him time to get out of here.

Even though there was a possibility that Telean was there to help him, he couldn’t wait around to find out.

Seuen spotted a nearby alleyway that was vacant; seizing the opportunity, he ran for his freedom. “Time to get out of this crazy place. I am ready to finally have a chance to go home.”

The sounds of chaos started to fall away as he made his way through Yellowcreek Crossroads. There was a heavy layer of smoke in this part of town, much worse than at the town center. Seuen took a second to rest, sweat beating down his neck. “I miss my family. Even Ien.

That little pesky sister of mine. I wish I could have her bothering me right now.” He looked around at the building smoke. “I would rather have her trying to annoy me than this, trapped in a city with slavers and. . .” he let out a hacking cough. “Smoke.”

Seuen made his way further into the town, unsure if he was making his way out of Yellowcreek or becoming lost in the haze. The heat began to rise as he wandered around in the darkness. Seuen brought his hand to his mouth, trying to keep the smoke from seeping into his lungs.

I need to get out. I need to get away.

Suddenly a burning log fell in front of him; Seuen fell to his feet, azure tears streaking down his face.  That was a close one.  He looked behind him; the way appeared to still be clear.

He jumped up and ran right into a solid wall. “ouf.”

“Well, well. I thought you had escaped.”

Seuen shook his head as he recognized Terrexa’s voice.  Great, just what I need right now.  He tried to stand, but two vice grips of arms seized him.

“Lucky for me that I found you. That ambush almost screwed me out of a most glorious payday.”

“I am not going back to Xelna.” Seuen kicked at Terrexa, but his broad chest was like a brick wall; Seuen cried out in pain as his leg collided with the behemoth.

Terrexa laughed. “You have spirit. But don’t worry your little head. I am not taking you back to Xelna.”

Seuen sighed. “Then you are one of those who want to free the slaves.”

The Perdition shook Seuen like a rag doll. “Like Velreck. Telean is a fool to try and do such a thing if that is what his band of mongers tried. No, I want to bring you to the Citadel.”

Seuen couldn’t help but scream. “I will die on the trip there.”

Terrexa shook him. “Quiet. I will make sure you make the trip worm. You will be my star entry for the Sand Pit.”

“The what?”

“You will find out. Don’t worry.” Terrexa raised a third fist and hit Seuen square in the jaw, knocking him out cold.