“Figuro is really out?” My first shock of the day was after I headed to the Slaver’s Market, although I guess the slavers themselves called the building that did the administrative stuff the Slaver’s Pavilion.

“I’m sorry.. he took another journey, this time to the Imperial Cloud Meadow.” The Slaver gave a weak smile. “You’re always welcome to look around though.”

I had already glanced down the rows of slaves. Most of the ones currently on the market were tough, brawny men. That’s not saying I had a preference for beautiful women! I wasn’t that big of a pervert. However, most of these men were former bandits, deserters, mercenaries, or other violent people, and I didn’t feel like they’d be a good fit for Chalm.

What? They would make good fodder for the army? If I filled my army full of disreputable people, it would crumble the moment their lives were put on the line. That’s assuming the freed slaves didn’t flee the second they had a chance. These men were not the type I could trust with my life, and thus they were not the type I’d let the other slaves trust with theirs.

As for finding a shipwright, there wasn’t a single one. There was a person with Magic Blacksmith, but they were at a price where buying them would wipe out most of the money I had. It was at a level where I wasn’t confident, I’d be able to buy a ship. I also had other financial plans. Before we left completely, I turned to Faeyna. She had been my slave pavilion liaison up until this point.

“Faeyna, you were able to pay off the fee for all of the slaves, correct?”

“Ah, yes, Master, they were all sent to Chalm as you ordered. I was able to use the money you left me wisely and pay for everything.”

That was the other reason the slave market was lacking picks. Faeyna had been buying up anyone who had the right credentials, and they were being sent to Chalm. Supposedly, there were another hundred or so slaves still in transit to Chalm that haven’t arrived yet. I actually would have preferred not sending them down by carriage as the bandit threat on the path was dangerous. Since Salicia had been captured, the groups of bandits had become increasingly bolder.

However, by nature, bandits avoided slaves. Slaves could be traced. They were already owned, and that ownership was supported by the Slaver’s Guild. These men might very well end up as slaves one day, so the last thing they wanted to do was piss off the Slaver’s Guild. If the church and the royalty could be said to have about equal footing in this country, then the Slaver’s Guild was even more powerful. Its connections spread through the Imperial Cloud Meadow and the other nations as well. Only Dioshin and Shie Gescar refused to tolerate the presence of the Slaver’s Guild. Fortunately, the Slaver’s Guild only followed money, and had no interest in power or politics.

“How are finances?” I asked.

Faeyna blushed. “Weak, my lord. I’m afraid there is very little left. As is, I have put enough away to keep the mansion afloat for a single year, but that is all.”

That was actually an impressive nest egg. Faeyna was good with money considering the expectations I put on her.

“Then, let’s get the carriage and load up supplies you can sell. Let’s try to maximize our profits again.”historical