ch.11.2 Bargaining

The next morning, Attar, Lilith, Pandora & Eve, set out on their journey. About a week later, near the siblings last known location, they came across a caravan of merchants. Each group, was a little weary of the other, as they did meet on a barely usable back road. None spoke. Just as they were about to pass by, he thought someone called out to him.

Voice: “Attar... My weapon...”

He turned around.

Attar: “Wait!”

Merchant: “What is it friend?”

Attar: “Wait!... Do... Do you have any unique weapons for sale?”

Merchant: “Why do you ask? Friend.”

Attar: “My wife! She is a collector. So, do you?”

Merchant: “As a matter of fact, I do. But, I am not sure whether I should sell them.”

Attar: “Money is not a problem.”

Merchant: “It's not about the money. It's about the curse placed on them!”

Attar: “What curse?”

Merchant: “OK, friend! I'll tell ya. Now, these here swords, were given to me, by the local Thugs. It's strange. They didn't sell them to me, or force me to buy them. The Thugs just gave them to me.”

As he was explaining the weird situation, the merchant, got off his horse, went to his wagon, and unveiled a substantial collection, of various weapons for sale. As he was looking at them, Attar couldn't see the ones, he had made for the siblings. He gave a sigh of relief.

Attar: “They are not here. Thankfully.”

Merchant: “Ah, friend. I haven't shown them to you yet! You have a keen eye! Now, prepare for the sight, of the most unique swords, you have ever seen. Made out, of the mystical Atlantian ore, known as Orichalcum.” -he opened a chest, containing 4 beautiful, uniquely designed swords, each, of a different length.

Attar froze in place. A drop of cold sweat, ran down his spine. Again, his stomach turned.

Merchant: “Friend! Are you sick? Is it contagious?”

Lily: No. He has been puking daily, for the past week. Yet, we 3 have been traveling with him, yet none of us, had an upset stomach.”

Merchant: “Then what is wrong with him?”

Eve: “Nerves. We are worried about friends of ours. And those 4 swords, are exactly the same, as the ones they had with them, the last time we saw them. So, how much do you want for them?”

Merchant: “10 gold pieces, for each sword!”

Pandora: “1 gold piece, each. You said it yourself. The Thugs, gave them to you!”

Merchant: “9”

Pandora: “2”

Merchant: “7”

Pandora: “3”

Merchant: “5, and I'll add the location of the graveside.”

Attar went pale, at the word “graveside”.

Pandora: “What graveside?”

Merchant: “Do we have a deal?”

Attar: “Yes! Now speak!”

Merchant: “As the Thugs tell it, their 100 men group, ran into a 40 people, small army. They fought hard, and lost half of their men, before defeating the 40. Then, out of the whole group, only these 4 swords were worth something.”

Attar: “Earlier, you said something about a curse!”

Merchant: “After burrying their own, the Thugs left the others, to rot on the battlefield. But 2 days later, the remaining Thugs, began appearing dead, all over the city. Fearing the ghosts were hunting them, the remaining Thugs, returned to the battlefield, burned the bodies, and erected 4 stone graves, symbolizing 10 enemy soldiers. At least, that's the story the Thugs tell.”

Attar: “Did it work?”

Merchant: “I don't know. The evening before I left, the Thugs were telling the story, and they wanted to get rid of the swords.”

Attar: “Where are the graves?”

Merchant: “Follow this road, by the end of the night, just before sunset, look to your left. The Thugs erected 4 tall pillars in order to appease the souls of the dead.”

Attar: “Thank you, Friend! Goodbye!”

Merchant: “You are Attar, aren't you?”

Attar: “How do you know that name?”

Merchant: “I remember you from the arena, several thousand years ago.”

Attar: “Who do you follow?”

Merchant: “No one. I am, and always have been a merchant.”

Attar: “Do you want something from me?”

Merchant: “Relax friend. It's just good to see someone of my own kind. That's all. Goodbye!”

Attar: “OK, then. Goodbye.”

After the groups finished their transactions, Attar, Pandora, Lilith and Eve, continued on their journey. Come sunset, they came across the 4 pillars. On the battlefield, there were signs of a prolonged fight, yet it wasn't of a 100 against 40, but looked more like a 100 against 4. That, combined with the pillars and swords, indicated to Attar, that Selene was gone. His stomach sank. He got off his horse, went to one of the pillars, and dropped to his knees. Starring at the plain stone, his eyes filled with tears, as his head hit the ground, his voice, screaming in anguish.

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