Jenn could barely tell that it was Shirley, given the bruises, one of which had swollen her left eye shut, a malnourished look, and shallow breathing that made Jenn wonder if she had a broken rib or something. It made Jenn want to find a way to heal her right then and there despite the problems that would come up if she did that right then.
How Shirley got there and like this wasn't something Jenn imagine. Not when she had been taking a completely different path than Jenn had been with her friends. Plus, it was clear from looking at Shirley that she wasn't having a very pleasant time. Not that Jenn could blame her from being on the wrong side of the slave pens and as beat up as she was right then. Although, she had to admit that since she'd encountered Emily and Rick already, she shouldn't be surprised if she encountered more from their group on this world. As clearly something had happened that wasn't good for them.
Though, even considering all that, while Jenn still didn't want to be around Shirley, she couldn't say that she wanted Shirley to be in this kind of situation. Especially with the way that she looked.
Jenn just hoped that Shirley's current condition would make her cost that much less. Especially considering the fact that she had a limited budget to begin with and she'd already spent more than she had intended at this point on Maelias. If she bought a slave that wasn't on the budget, even to be able to heal them, she wasn't sure she'd have an easy time justifying that if she wasn't able to afford the ones with the skills she needed.
"Jenn, something wrong?" Yaelish hissed at Jenn, bringing Jenn back to the present.
"No, just surprised to see her here," Jenn whispered, not wanting to be overheard in case her knowing Shirley would create problems or complications with purchasing her.
"You know her?"
Jenn nodded, though it looked like while she was quiet, and Shirley was thoroughly beat up, her hearing was in good condition as she opened her good eye and looked at Jenn, her eye going wide as she clearly recognized Jenn. Jenn wasn't sure what was going through Shirley's head right then and she didn't care to find out as she wanted as little to do with Shirley as possible, but right then, she couldn't say that she was willing to let her remain like this. Even if she found herself short later on when it counted.
"What do you want to do with her?" one of Jenn's other guards asked, sounding a little hesitant.
"I'll need to buy her to get her the help she needs," Jenn answered quietly. "I just hope this won't hurt why we're here."
It didn't take much effort to call over someone who worked there to get help with talking about purchasing Shirley. The problem lay in the fact that they had to deal with the owner of the auction house and Jenn worried that she hoped she hadn't encountered that person before or, if she had, that the owner wouldn't recognize any of them. As the last thing she needed was to deal with being marked as escaped slaves. Not that she had any other options at the moment, as she'd need to talk with the owner anyway if she wanted to purchase any slave, even the ones she'd come to inquire about. At least outside of when they were auctioned.
Which meant that Jenn just had to hope that the owner didn't remember any of them, hadn't met any of them, thought they were on an errand by their 'owners' instead of having escaped, mistook them for someone else, or any combination of those.
It felt like a flimsy point to place her hopes on, but when she didn't have much of a choice in the matter, there wasn't much else she could do about it.
They stood in front of Shirley's cage, mostly so if she got moved, Jenn would be able to know where she got moved to. That way when she asked about Shirley, she'd be able to indicate which slave she meant rather than running the risk of naming the slave, as she had a feeling if it was known that she knew Shirley, that would only add to the cost of purchasing her. Which Jenn hoped she'd be able to avoid, if only so she'd have wasted less to get her when she knew Shirley didn't possess any of the skills they were looking for.
Although, as Jenn considered it, once Shirley was healed, and had learned the language of this world, Shirley likely would be able to help teach some other things to her people. Even though Jenn would much rather Shirley go on her way after she'd been healed. Yet, if Shirley was in this state, she couldn't say if there'd be other problems that weren't as immediately apparent.
While Jenn was lost in her thoughts, Yaelish tapped her shoulder to bring her back as someone approached them, someone that Jenn could only assume was the owner with the way she seemed to be giving orders as she walked.
However, as she looked at Jenn, Jenn noticed her eyes go wide for a moment before she shook her head. Jenn wasn't sure what that was about, but she had a sinking feeling that she'd been recognized. Which Jenn wasn't surprised about as she recognized the woman before. She was the one who had tested Jenn about being able to read. A fact that Jenn hoped meant she also recalled that Jenn couldn't speak at the time, even though they didn't know it was something that Jenn could undo at any time she wanted. A fact that Jenn hoped would keep the owner from realizing that Jenn was the same person as that slave.
"I understand you were looking to purchase a slave outside the auction?" she said, sounding rather professional despite the glances she kept casting towards Jenn.
"Yes, we were wanting to see if there were any slaves with experience in masonry or carpentry," Jenn replied casually. Then, as if as an afterthought, she added, "Oh, and the one in that cage. Something about her that makes me want to buy her even though she's probably not going to be very useful for a long while, no matter what skills she has."
The owner's eyes widened in surprise when Jenn spoke, but she quickly regained her composure, which Jenn figured was something she needed to be able to do to survive in this kind of business. Especially when she was confident that there were many people looking for a chance for the owner to make a mistake so they could take over themselves.
"I'm afraid that even if we had any slaves with those skills you mentioned, we wouldn't be selling them outside of an auction," she answered Jenn. "Though, the one you mentioned there," the owner gestured towards Shirley as she said this, "is actually a problem slave. No matter what's been done to her, she remains defiant. As if she doesn't realize her place here. As if she doesn't understand what's said to her even."
Jenn nodded absently, doing her best to not smile. As each word the owner said made her realize just how little buying Shirley would cost, given the 'problems' with her as a slave.
"How about one tish then," Jenn asked, doing her best to sound bored.
"Didn't you hear what I said?" the owner asked, as if she wasn't sure Jenn had understood her. "She's not worth your money. In fact, her current owner is deciding if she wants to kill her for the last outburst from her."
Jenn felt her blood go cold. No matter what she wanted to happen to Shirley, she didn't want her killed. It made it all the more imperative to buy her so she'd be in control of whether she actually lived or died like this.
"So, does that mean you want two tish for her?" Jenn asked, as if this was merely a negotiating tactic. One that she was willing to play along with as long as it kept the sale price low.
The owner merely stared at Jenn, looking like she was having trouble comprehending what Jenn was saying to her. "You know what having a slave getting killed means, right?"
Jenn nodded. It meant that she'd tried attacking someone. Not another slave, as that was considered something they couldn't blame the slaves for. Whether or not Shirley had succeeded in her attack didn't matter. The fact that she'd made the attempt was something that her owner wouldn't be able to tolerate. Even if Shirley had been a prized slave.
"I have a method to break her of that problem," Jenn boasted casually, as if it wasn't a concern to her and she knew for a fact that she didn't need to worry about Shirley trying to attack her or try to escape. As she was certain that Shirley would accept Jenn's word that she wasn't going to try and force her into manual labor that she wasn't suited for.
Besides, she was confident that Rick wouldn't forgive her if she let Shirley get killed in this situation. At least when she could do something about it.
The owner of the auction house sighed, looking like she didn't like the options in front of her. Jenn hoped that meant she was willing to agree to Jenn's attempt to buy Shirley.
After a few tense minutes, or at least tense as far as Jenn was concerned, the owner sighed again and nodded. "It looks like I don't have much of a choice here. It would cost more to keep her alive long enough for the owner to decide to kill her but if you're willing to take on that responsibility, and expense, I'll sell her to you for two tish."
Jenn did her best to keep from having a smile appear on her face. She knew that would only hurt her efforts here. She wasn't sure if it would make the auction house owner suspicious of her, but she'd rather not cross that bridge if she didn't have to.
Jenn pulled out the coins from her coin purse and handed them to the owner who then set in motion getting Shirley released. Though, she also had a collar of what looked like iron placed around Shirley's neck. Which Jenn suspected was either a way to control her in case she tried attacking again, despite her current state, or was a way to advertise her as a dangerous slave or something.
Jenn didn't react, but planned on removing the collar as soon as she could. After all, once she had Shirley in a safe place, such as Maelias' home, she'd be able to get clothing for her and heal her wounds.
Although Jenn wasn't sure what to do about getting the slaves with the expertise she needed, right then she considered this a win. After all, she was able to help someone she knew who'd found themselves in a very tight spot.
Jenn just hoped that this was the only person she was going to find in this kind of position of those she'd known before. People she knew didn't deserve to be in a position like that. At all.
Ralph felt like his head was pounding. Trying to talk with Heanith while she was dealing with making one of her engines was like talking to his father when a football game was on and not during the commercials. Where his father would get upset if his attention wavered in the slightest from the game when Ralph was trying to either ask him something or needed him for something.
Though, with how often Heanith seemed to correct her assistant, Ralph wondered if maybe he should just try to talk with Heantih when she was finished for the day. As that seemed like it might be the safest time, for him, to see when she'd be available to ask his questions of how long it might take for her to build them a ship to travel around on.
Ralph had a feeling, given what Beth had told him about her conversation with Kystia, that they would probably need room on the ship for Kystia as well as their entire group. Not to mention a few of the marquis' guards, at least, to crew the ship and space in the event they found Charlie while they were travelling around. Which meant it'd need to be larger than the one Heanith was currently working on installing her engine into.
A fact that Ralph felt was more of a problem than Beth did.
However, all of that would be fine, except Heanith just exiled him from the ship while she was working on it if he didn't have any 'purpose' to being there with how much he seemed to be getting in her way, even though he was doing his best to stay clear of her until she was done for the day.
While he did his best to keep his temper in check, he had a feeling he'd have lost it if he hadn't been working on getting better control of himself. Though, he couldn't help but wonder what the thought of men using profanity on this world was. He knew that they were supposed to be the 'gentler' of the two genders and the 'fairer' of the genders, but beyond that he wasn't sure exactly what the stereotypes of this world were at this point on this world. It was possible that he'd break every one of those stereotypes if he let his temper get the better of him, but at the same time he wasn't sure that anyone would bat an eye at any outburst he might make.
All it confirmed for him was the need to get done with this world and back to Earth as fast as possible. The only highlight of this world had been finding Lily, with how much she seemed to depend on him and seemed to look at him as a father. Though, he wasn't sure what that was about and didn't expect him returning to Earth to be of any consequence for the girl. Especially since there wasn't any reason for her to have any lasting feelings towards him. Not with how long they'd known each other.
As Ralph reached the ground from the ship, he was surprised to find Lily waiting for him with Hannah. A sight that he felt was a welcome distraction from what had transpired on the ship that was still being constructed just outside the castle walls.
"Let me guess, she's too busy to bother letting anyone disturb her," Hannah said as Ralph turned to face them.
"Something like that," Ralph admitted, suddenly feeling more tired than he had felt a moment ago. "Almost like my dad when he was watching a football game and-"
"Yeah, I know. I've seen him during more than one of those games, remember?" Hannah interrupted with a smile.
Ralph sighed and couldn't help but smile at Lily as she gave him a quick hug. As if she thought that he needed it. An act that he wasn't going to complain about, no matter how he felt she'd react once he returned to Earth and she stayed on this world, where she belonged.
"You realize that we don't need to get an estimate of time of when she'd be able to build another ship and engine, right?" Hannah continued after a minute of quiet between them while they started walking towards the castle.
"Maybe but I'd like to get it out of the way as soon as possible. That way we'll be able to plan around whatever the answer is."
"I guess it has its merits," Hannah allowed, even as she looked skeptical. "I just think that our time could be better spent getting supplies ready for when it's time to get moving on what we need to do next."
Ralph glanced around them, noticing how many of the marquis' guards and servants were right around them, let alone within earshot of them. He wasn't sure this was the safest place to talk about what they planned on doing, even if it wasn't spelled out for everyone around them. As all it would take would be one careless word for the marquis to learn what exactly is in their 'plans' and why they needed to be able to all leave together.
"Should we be talking about this here?" Ralph asked, unable to shake the feeling that no matter how circumspect they kept the conversation, their 'audience' would know exactly what they were talking about.
"You worry too much. There's no way they'll know any details unless we give specifics ourselves."
"Maybe, but how would we know that someone else didn't let something slip that would give pieces to the Marquis so he'd be able to piece together what it is that we're planning?"
Ralph stopped as they passed a guard who didn't pay them any mind, only letting himself breathe again once she'd passed and didn't react to them.
"Wow, you really are wound up tight, aren't you?" Hannah asked, sounding more surprised than Ralph cared for right then. Especially considering the topic they were discussing out in the open, surrounded by people who likely wouldn't be happy to learn exactly what that topic specifically was.
"Let's just talk about something else, okay?"
Hannah giggled a little, making Ralph scowl at her amusement.
"Alright, let's discuss Lily. What're you going to do with her once we need to return to Earth? Will you take her with us or will you try to find a home for her before we leave?"
Ralph couldn't answer right away. While he didn't plan on taking Lily with them to Earth, he couldn't say that he'd considered anything beyond that. He figured she'd be able to figure out how to fend for herself, but looking at her, he supposed she was too young to adequately do that without ending up back as a slave. A fact that he'd rather not deal with thinking about, no matter how much he didn't care what happened to this world once they were done with it.
"Not really sure," he admitted, not willing to say any more about the subject after that. No matter what else Hannah had to say herself on the matter. "Though, I was thinking that we'd be done completely with this world once we find Charlie and that griffin canyon we came here for. I mean, what reason would we have to come back here for, right?"