“We’re going in there?” I asked, staring into the darkness ahead.
“Indeed,” Galen said. “However”—he turned his eyes on Shawza and Sirene—“I must ask that those two wait here. Beastfolk are not permitted beyond this point, I’m afraid.”
“Is that so?” Lynne asked, her eyes narrowed as she moved to intercept his gaze. “Why not?”
“The laws of Sarenza forbid them from entering a slave trader’s establishment, lest they band together with their kind and revolt. I have already been quite generous in allowing them this far. However, to permit them to go any further would create a number of problems. Isn’t that right, Young Master Rashid?”
Still smiling, Galen turned to Rashid, seeking his agreement. Shawza looked at his employer with a troubled expression.
“It’s true,” Rashid admitted, returning the plump man’s smile. “Shawza—you heard the man.”
“Understood, sir.”
“Thank you,” Galen said. “And your companion, Lady Lynneburg?”
“Very well,” Lynne conceded, exchanging a glance with Rolo. “Sorry, Sirene, but please wait here. Take care of Mina until we return.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Mina, wait here with Sirene, okay?” Rolo said. “You’ve nothing to fear. We’ll bring your brother back in no time.”
“O-Okay!”
“I apologize for all the red tape,” Galen confessed. “The law can be so stifling, don’t you think? By all rights, I should have each of you sign a waiver absolving my company of responsibility should you contract an illness while we’re here. However, as you seem to be in a hurry, I’m willing to omit that process.”
“Thank you, Galen,” Rashid said. “I hope we aren’t imposing on you.”
“No, not at all. For your companions, Young Master Rashid, this is nothing. Now come—this way.”
We ventured into the darkness, the plump man leading the way, leaving Shawza, Sirene, and Mina in our wake. There was a loud groan as the great metal doors shut behind us.
“This place is dreadful,” Lynne remarked. “To think there are people here...”
“The ventilation leaves a lot to be desired,” I agreed. “Could they not have added a window or two?”
“And to think we haven’t been served even a single cup of tea,” Rashid added.
“I can’t say that bothers me much.”
“But it’s one of the basic tenets of business. Isn’t it, Galen?”
Only then did we notice that the plump man had vanished. Before we could even think to react, a thick iron gate fell from above, crashing to the ground and barring our return.
“Galen?” Rashid said again. “What’s the meaning of this?”
“My sincerest apologies, Young Master Rashid.” The man’s voice echoed from the darkness beyond the gate. “In my absentmindedness, I neglected to inform you that our company received a missive from your family just the other day.”
“A missive from House Sarenza, hmm? Might you care to elaborate?”
“It requested that I obstruct you and your companions by any means necessary, promising lavish rewards in the event of my success. As I recall, there was even mention of receiving a chair in the city’s senior Merchants Guild.”
A new noise from the darkness caused us to turn. Armed men were advancing toward us—the same group that Shawza had sent running on the street.
“Ah, I understand,” Rashid said. “You wish for us to accompany these gentlemen for a time to secure your rise in the world.”
“I would be most grateful if you would comply. However, as I suspect you might not be so inclined... Well, you know the rest.”
The plump man raised his hand, and several enormous golems rose out of the ground. They must have been cramped down there, I thought, but the hallway was more than spacious enough for them to bring their might to bear.
“Primal golems?” Rashid mused aloud. “It seems my family has placed a great deal of trust in you.”
“Indeed, and I could not be more grateful. They are quite useful, as you know.”
“Out of curiosity...do you happen to know who this young lady beside me is?”
“But of course: Lady Lynneburg, our most esteemed guest from the Kingdom of Clays. The master did not specify whether I should leave any of you alive or dead, but I intend on sparing her. She will prove to be a most useful bargaining chip in the future.”
“I see. How very rational of you.”
“Such is the way of the world, Young Master Rashid. Be a friend and keep still so we can get this over with quickly.”
A masked man stepped up next to Galen, carrying a board of some kind. He gave it several quick taps, and the golems raised their arms—causing the cavernous hallway to shake and dust to cascade down from the ceiling. Taking advantage of our surprise, the men standing between them advanced on us, blades drawn and eyes on our necks.
“Excellent, Galen. Excellent,” Rashid said with a chuckle. He looked to be enjoying himself. “How very true to your nature. You haven’t changed a bit.”
“I am grateful to you, Young Master Rashid,” Galen noted. “You always treated me well in our previous dealings, and it was through your guidance that a humble merchant such as I was able to rise so high. However, I now have many employees to feed and clothe. You must understand.” He turned to the masked man at his side. “Do it. Only the master’s guest need be spared.”
“Sir.”
The massive golems started their approach.
“Galen, my friend,” Rashid said with a grin, maintaining an air of calm even as the stone behemoths closed in on us. “Although I regret being the bearer of bad news, I’m afraid you’ve made several rather fatal mistakes. First—this young lady here, at whom your men are pointing their blades?”
“[Hellflare].”