18 Chapter 17

Auron quickly compose himself and proceeded along with choosing a suitable slave. He also harvested skills like Pickpocket, Lockpicking and alchohol tolerance that appears as copper rings.

Satisfied with his ring shopping spree, he turned to the slave trader and ask something specific.

"I'm lookin for a loyal, battle orientated and not horny slave who doesn't rape. Preferably strong."

"Hmmm.. I have two who match your description. Please wait a moment."

The slave trader nodded at his assistant who left to fetch the two slaves.

Auron waited for around five minutes before the assistant came back with two slaves in tow.

One was a dark skinned tall man with a burly physique. In Auron's estimate, he can take on 'The Mountain' based on his height and appearance.

The slave trader introduced the man to him. "This is a slave from Astapor, once a member of the unsullied. His name is Earth Worm. Extremely loyal but he strangle his trainer for a woman. Definitely can't rape according to your preference as unsullied are known dickless. They were about to execute him but I manage to buy him instead."

'Worm? That's not a worm, that's a fucking Python. A thick robust snake in the form of a man.' Auron mused in thought.

Nevertheless Auron nodded in satisfaction as he examined him from head to toe.

The slave trader proceeded and introduced the other slave, a woman who look proud.

"This one was once a sellsword but nobody wants to hire her because she's a woman. With no money to buy food, she decided to be a courtesan. But when her wealthy client started to get rough on her due to excitement, she return the gesture choking her client to death. Her client's father have her arrested and was eventually sent to me as a bed-slave. I even suspect she came from House Mormont as she act like a she-bear. Her name was Kera."

Auron looked at her carefully. She was a bit mascular, an evidence of a trained body but it was not excessive. She looked decent and has a quite proud attitude. When he looked at her eyes, she didn't evade.

'What a tsundere.'

Auron turned to his side and asked Marlena's opinion.

"What do you think?"

"It's your call master, I don't think it's necessary to ask for my opinion. But to satisfy your inquiry, I think they are both suitable for the job."

Auron nodded and was about to seal the deal but a man who was also browsing interjected.

"I wouldn't do that right away if I were you."

A man, thin and hard as bone walked over to him. He has black hair that falls over his black eyes and he has a stubble of beard. He had a wolfish smile like everything he saw was amusing.

"And why is that?"

"Well, you gotta check your goods if they are defective or not. You may not know if they have disease or impaired."

Auron nodded and said to the slave trader, "That make sense. Can we check if that is the case?"

"Of course, this way please." The slave trader led them to a small room. The man with the wolfish smile tagged along with them.

Auron nodded at Marlena and said, "Go and check them inside the room."

Marlena complied as he went inside together with the slaves.

"Wise choice for heeding my advice."

"Well, thank you for bringing it up. It's stupid to not consider the advise of an expert. My name is Auron by the way, pleasure meeting you my goodman."

"The pleasure is mine, hahaha you are quite polite for a young fellow. My name is Bronn, a sellsword."

Auron's mind was elsewhere but when he heard his name, he was surprised.

"Sorry, did you just say your name is Bronn?"

"Aye."

"Do you have an employment contract right now?"

"Ah no, there weren't any wealthy merchant lately who wants to hire my service."

"How about you work for me. We can slowly negotiate the fee."

"As long as you have gold, I'm at your service."

"That's good then, we won't have a problem with gold coins as long as we were able to transport my assistant to White Harbor. That's going to be your job. To make sure those two slaves do what they ought to do. After that, I'll send you a message for further instructions."

Auron reached out for a handshake. Bronn looked at it for a moment before clasping it with his hand.

"Deal."

Auron felt excited inside. As far as he remembered, the Bronn he know from the show was the same person he met just now. Though Bronn was illiterate, he was famous of being able to complete his task most of the time. Although he is dangerous, if handled carefully, he will be a valuable asset for his business and protection. A potential general for his cause.

A few moments later, Marlena came out of the room with the two slave in tow. Marlena nodded to Auron indicating they are clean.

Seeing this, Auron said to the slave trader that he will take both of them which cost him more than 300 gold dragon coins.

'Good thing both of them are rejects. If the two of them were a genuine unsullied, I think I wouldn't be able to handle the cost.'

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It was already nightfall when they came out of the marketplace. There were only two of them when they came in and they came out with additonal three heads in their group.

After they returned to the inn, Auron booked an additional room for one night. He arranged for Kera and Marlena to share a room, Bronn and Earth Worm on another one while he and Melisandre each have their own. He could've share a room with Melisandre but he doesn't want to. He was afraid she might take a strand of his hair while he's asleep, tie it to a doll and do her voodoo shit.

They were bound to leave Lys next day anyway so it didn't cost him that much.

At this time, he was waiting for Melisandre to arrive and she did, a few minutes after their arrival.

Bronn was surprised that his new employer is associated with a red priestess which made him wary of her.

He then gestured to Auron if they can talk in the corner for a second. Curious of what he has to say, he walk with him into the corner where no one will hear them.

"You didn't mention that you're with a red priestess. You should be wary of her, she's dangerous. Take it as free advise from me." Bronn whispered.

"You're right, I believe you. Sigh..but I couldn't do anything about it. She's going to pester me if I don't allow her to join me. Don't worry, I'm aware of her poisonous tongue and she still needed something from me so she won't do something stupid."

"As long as you know. Good thing you're wary of her. If I were you, I would just dispatch her but, I'm not you..so it's your call." Bronn shrugged.

"I appreciate the gesture, Bronn. Thanks."

As the two ended their hush conversation, they return to the group let everyone go inside their own room.

Then he went inside Melisandre's room with her in tow.

"How is it? Did you manage to get one?" Auron asked worriedly.

Melisandre didn't respond and she look like she wasn't in a hurry. Sitting down the bed, she stared at Auron for quite a while to the point that it was disturbing. Her stare doesn't have any malice though. Just pure and extreme curiosity.

Auron felt uneasy and asked, "What?"

Melisandre reached to her bossom and fished out the coin purse. She tossed it towards him which he easily caught.

"Oh so you didn't get one? Sigh... What a pity." Auron thought that his last goal in the city has failed but then Melisandre once again tossed a another pouch containing a small bottle.

Catching it, he check inside the pouch and saw a small bottle the size of a lipstick. Examining its content, he saw that it was filled with clear substance like water. It was indeed the years of Lys.

"I thought that you... What's with this? Did you steal this?"

Melisandre shook her head and said, "The alchemists sends their regards to you, they say the Weeping Lady blesses you with her tears. They didn't accept the payment and they seem to know I'm coming."

Auron was dumbfounded when he heard her report. He was so confused right now. He doesn't know anyone from Lys, and he doesn't have any political connection in this place. He was completely a stranger yet one of the most mysterious organization in Essos knew he was coming and provided what he wants.

'Wait a moment, they said the Weeping Lady.. Could it be?'

Auron's breathing became rapid as he thought of some possibilities.

'What in the hell was wrong with these gods. Are they playing chess with me. It all doesn't make any sense. First was the Lord of light responding to him, then this Weeping Lady, what's next? The Storm God?'

Those thoughts sends shivers down his spine. He couldn't figure out why these gods were doing him a favor. He was nervous for the price of these favors as he knew that there's no free lunch in this world.

Auron regained his bearings and said, "Ahem, thank you for this. Now, if you'll excuse me, I still have a sellsword to negotiate and slaves to arrange. Good night, my Lady."

Auron immediately exited the room while Melisandre's curious gaze followed him.

When he finally left the room, Melisandre muttered under her breath.

"The Black Dragon is slowly spreading his mighty wings."