The Auction continued below as Nita nursed her drink and drifted into silence. A lot had happened in the last couple days and she kept worrying about, what, the King would do when she didn’t appear promptly in court. She knew the Count was playing a dangerous game forestalling. Her gut churned in anxiety at the thought of being trapped forever at court; simply because of her origins. She was looking forward to the challenge of starting out on her own. The added thought of being forced to wear dresses while trapped in the capital made her shudder visibly. 

“Are you alright love?” Evelin asked when she noticed Nita’s distraction. 

“I’m fine. Just thinking about a discussion, I had with the count earlier.” Nita muttered taking a big swig from her glass. She leaned back into the sofa and took a couple deep breaths with her eyes closed. “At least I hope I will.” She added softly to herself as she got herself centered again. 

“If you’re sure.” Evelin said, her curiosity evident. 

“Here we go! Finally done with the drivel.” Otto said rubbing his hands together. Below Catherine was turning to accept a beautiful swept-hilt rapier from an attendant.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s with immense pleasure that I present you with our final runic item of the night, and Captain Killian’s primary weapon.” Catherine said with a large wide smile, holding the sword delicately before her; allowing the audience to take in the masterwork. “Created by the master swordsmith Mara, three centuries ago, this blade has been fed magic and blood consistently. It’s an alloy of moon-steel and adamantine. Our researchers found it hasn’t been without a soul-tie for more than a month throughout its life and they believe it’s on the cusp of developing its own intelligence. Its empathic force is quite strong.” Catherine gave her preamble. She strode about the stage displaying the blade.

There where gasps from the crowd, many conversations were started, and the din grew louder. Catherine was obviously giving everyone time to talk; letting the buzz build. 

“What do you think it will go for?” Evelin asked her father thoughtfully. 

“It is an old blade, so the claims are probably true. My main worry would be what sort of intelligence it is developing. Notice, she didn’t say what sort of family owned it before the pirate. If I were to consider it solely as a pirate blade, I would be hesitant to buy it. The mind its developing might be quite strong and needlessly bloodthirsty.” Otto said scrubbing his hand on his baldpate.

“Ed told me that the best intelligent weapons come from knight families or some footman soldiers where it would see only a few major bloodlettings a century: if the families weren’t known for cruelty.” Nita added studying the blade the best she could. The idea of an intelligent blade sent a thrill through her. Though she had to temper her fantasies; there was no way it would go for less than 5 kings. 

Otto nodded. “Generally, yes. Though some benevolent items have been known to show up in unusual circumstances before. Its best if one knows the personality directly from its old owner. Its why family blades are so well documented. Though it’s not sentient yet, and the owner it develops conscience with has a large influence on its character.” He contributed with an anticipatory smile. 

“Unless it's an Elven blade of course. They often fully develop with one owner; or so I have heard.” Nita added, once more intent on the stage. Catherine had resumed her place and was placing the blade on a stand before her. 

“That’s because they live so bloody long.” Evelin said with a touch of envy. 

“We will start the biding at 1 king.” Catherine announced her voice filling the room and overcoming the chatter. 

“3kings!” a voice came from a both to Nita left. 

“4kings!” Someone countered. 

“5” 

 “7” Otto shouted, shrugging when someone bid 10.

“I have 10, do I have 11?” Catherine asked. The bidding continued for a good bit before settling at 32 kings and 57 crowns with someone in a box above Nita’s.

“That’s interesting.” Otto said leaning out of the box to look at the box above them. “I think that’s sir Archibald up there, I think I see those black hares’ ears of his. He’s into Henry Kim for quite a bit, I wonder how he thinks he can afford this purchase.” Otto contemplated, a gleam in his eye. 

“Maybe he borrowed more.” Nita stated simply. 

“Likely. Though one wonders how he intends to profit.” Otto said, obviously giving the situation a lot of thought, as he retook his seat. He proceeded to turn his glass in his hand thoughtfully. 

“Don’t you have to die in order for the blade to survive being disconnected from someone’s magic?” Nita asked. Interested in the subject.

“Always, but he may not intend to tie it to himself. Maybe a slave? Someone he believes disposable?” Otto asked contemplatively, tapping his chin with a finger. 

“Would work. Though if it doesn’t happen soon, it’s a bad gamble. If he is in as much debt as you believe.” Evelin added. 

“If that’s even his plan. He could just be someone's agent for the purchase.” Nita said. 

“Still a waste of a good slave. Would have to be someone talented with the weapon and stout of character. Mind, he has never valued his collection like us. You are, of course, correct Nita, he could be purchasing it for another.” Otto said debating whether the situation gave him an angle, before smiling at the big bear-kin around him. 

Below the Auctioneers were busy changing up the stage getting ready for the slave portion of the auction. Shortly they brought out a pair of huge grey skinned mountain ogres, both hugely muscled and near 9 feet tall. One was female the other male. Probably a mated pair. Nita thought to herself. Ogres were known to try to kill their owners if separated from their life mate. They tended to kill a lot of people in the attempt whether they failed or not and the three-fold return didn't always kick in, in a timely manner, or do the necessary damage. So, it was a prudent policy to sell them together. 

Nita sat back to enjoy the show, as Catherine went about selling big, well trained, and useful slaves to the rich mercenary companies and arena trainers. All the offerings were well above what she was willing to pay. What she wanted wouldn’t be available until the early hours of the morning. Evelin and Nita drank and ate while Otto took extensive notes on who bought what, and for how much; occasionally bidding on someone but never wining. 

Kit watched Nita socialize and let out a large sigh, shifting her stance because of a leg cramp. At least she isn’t making unwise purchases. She thought, then debated whether she could sneak herself a pastry. Evelin and Otto made her uncomfortable. Intelligent, morally questionable, people always did. Cruel and stupid people were easier to predict. She was sure they weren’t bad owners. They didn’t seem cruel: she studied the bear-kin for a bit, and this seemed to confirm her thought. So, she decided to play it safe: quiet, unobtrusive, and not try for the pastry. Yet. 

On stage Catherine had finished with the big-ticket and marshal slaves and had moved onto attractive women and men, which the brothel owners were fiercely bidding over. 

“I’ve always wondered why they held these auctions so late. They seem so rushed to get through the popular offerings so that the wealthy patrons can be home before the night is half gone.” Evelin observed. 

“I’ll admit, it didn’t occur to me that my plan required me to wait until the end.” Nita said with a yawn, getting up to pace a bit. She gave Kit a smile while she poured herself another drink. 

“It’s to allow normal business to occur during the day: I would be mightily inconvenienced if they were held during the day. Thankfully they are usually only held twice a week.” Otto informed them, still taking the odd note in his ledger.

After a couple hours of idle chat, and many notes taken by Otto, Catherine was finally done with the pretty people and was ready to move onto the next part of the auction. 

“Looks like we are onto what you so adroitly called the dross part of the auction.” Evelin said watching the auctioneers guide out a large being onto the stage, he looked like he had parts bear-kin and ogre. He was easily over 9 feet and at least 500lbs of muscle, his fur was a deep brown almost a black and he had 2 wicked looking tusks coming out of a face that was a cruel blend of bear and ogre. The reason he was not part of the earlier offerings was quite clear, as his right arm was missing below the elbow. 

“I present a half bear, half ogre, by the name of Viktor. This specimen would make a perfect porter for anyone’s supply train, or small mercenary company, I’m told he has impressive stamina and is faster afoot then he looks. I'd like to start the bidding at 4crowns.” Catherine announced. 

“I have 4 crowns now 5?” 

“You should bid mistress.” Kit said startling Nita. 

“Really?” Nita asked turning back to her. 

“I asked you earlier if you could restore a full limb, but can you do half of one? Besides he a porter, not a fighter. Remember what Otto said about party make-up? It was solid advice.” Kit asked with a raised brow.

“I have 9 crowns, now 10?” Catherine said. 

“Maybe? Might cost me a lot, he is big.” Nita contemplated for a moment. 

“I have 12 crowns, now 13?” Catherine said. 

“If you’re going to bid, bid 20 now he will go for at least that. He, is, a perfect porter. It may stop counters.” Otto suggested. 

“20 crowns.” Nita shouted firmly, holding up her placard. Deciding to follow their advice; at least she would have a porter out of the deal if she couldn’t fix the arm. I did say I would try for the broken ones. Hopefully he won’t despise me. She let out a deep sigh. Fuck life is strange sometimes, am I hypocrite? 

“I have 20, Do I have 21?” Catherine announced.

“No? Going once. Going twice. Sold!” Catherine said with a long pause between statements. 

Looking back at Kit, Nita gave a shrug. “I guess we will see.” She said with a discontent smile.