Humans at the border of Caerthalas were tolerated, not welcomed which explained the hostiles glances the mother and daughter pair got. The same Jarren and Callista had pardoned making their way to the elven kingdom.
"Mommy, I'm hungry." The little girl cooed, her stomach rumbling as if testament to her words. "We'll eat but not now, we have to make it to our room." The mother urged tugging her little one away from the streets and into a secluded alleyway.
From there the two came to a door, banal at appearance however it served a greater purpose.
*Knock-Knock-Knock*
The mother knocked, her taps on the door measured and rhythmical. The door peep hole slid to the side and a pair of eyes shone through feigning suspicion. "Who are you two?! Get lost!" The man ordered, his tone capable of making the ten year old shiver as her grip increased on her mother's hand.
"I'm here to meet Maxwell." A strange silence filled the air which was followed with a few clicks before the door slid open. The man's figure came into full view, his face stern as he eyed the pair, his ears pointed with a faint scar running across his face.
He gestured the two inwards, a frown forming on his lips. The girl at first hesitant could only follow her mother as the two made their way in. "Mommy! I'm scared." She mused, her eyes darting all over the corridor that was stained with dust and grime. It was absurd to think that people used to live here.
"It's going to be okay darling, all we have to do is make a small meeting and we'll be on our way." The man seemed to laugh at her words, his steps coming to a stop. "It would seem that you're not aware of who Maxwell is. However I'm sure that the impression will stay with you two for the rest of your lives."
His words sharp, as if a warning however the two couldn't leave now. The way back was shut with guards lurking about and the man wouldn't just watch them leave. They had to commit at the moment. "What does that mean?" The question went unanswered as the three kept on walking.
It wasn't long before the dilapidated walls slowly became far more tolerable. The paint was easy on the eyes, the air was breathable unlike the stench they were met with at the entrance and the faint sound of music could be heard at the end of the hall. The man turned around to face the two.
"Maxwell is not fond of little ones, it would be best that you leave her outside." Without delay the mother brought her spire closer to her. "And leave her with brutes like you?! I don't know what kind of atrocities you would do to her!" The man looked at the woman, a look of apathy flashed on his face as he let out a sigh.
"Then have it your way but don't blame me for the lack of a heads up." He stepped to the side opening the door for the two.
*Whoosh*
A constant blaring of music assaulted their ears forcing them to shield with their hands, their eyes trying to make sense on what they had just walked on. The music came to a halt, the center of the attention falling on the two.
"Damn it!" The mother cursed inwardly as she realized where she was. 'It was a warning but I would have her with me than these strangers!' She took a step forward, the focus persisted on the two as some shifted back to a frame seated on a lounging chair, his hands flung over dazed eye candy
The man too was thrilled with the pair as they made their way to him. "It would seem that Jacob has been busy with his end of the bargain!" His chuckle making the room fall into laughs, though most felt phony. The man addressed as Maxwell stretched upright, his right hand holding a drink and his left a burning cigar.
Now with his attention firmly latched on the pair, his grin grew darker. "I take it that you're here for the help arranged for you, no?" His brow rising however his face showed the answer that he would get. "Yes. I don't want to intrude with your affairs as you seem like a busy man." The voice shrill drowning with the music that hummed faintly in the background.
Maxwell's gaze drifted to the little girl before gravitating back to the mother. "She's beautiful however not my type. You however..." She could already tell where this was going. "This doesn't have to be more complicated than it needs to be. I have the money here if that is what you want. As for women..."
The mother's gaze fell on the unconscious women sprawled next to Maxwell barely clinging to his shirt. "... I'm sure that you have a wide array for you to choose from." Maxwell's playful gaze never left her frame, as if already decided with his plans. "Of course, as you said there is no need to complicate this thus I'll be as curt as possible."
A shiver ran down her spine, the ten year old choking from the smoke and sweat that filled the air. "I want you. Your daughter can be an add-on for later. There are a couple of clients I'm sure would love to get their hands on such a delicate and innocent thing." His gaze now turning wolfish, his intent laid bare.
"It would seem that coming here was a mistake. "The mother posed with resignation, already preparing herself to leave however the way back was sealed off with two guards. "I'm sorry but you can't leave just yet. We just got to know each other. Speaking of which I have yet to learn your name. Could you be so kind and divulge with me?"
The mother's breathe hitched, her gaze turning sharp as she realized the den of snakes she was in at the moment. With a sigh, she finally parted her lips. "My name is Harriet, and her's is Polly." Her words sharp further intriguing Maxwell. The man snorted in his seat, rising to stretch his hand which was met with no reply.
He gave a nervous chuckle as he closed the distance between the two, the smile on his lips vanishing in an instant. "Well in that case Harriet it would be wise of you not to make any stupid moves with your daughter in the room. After all who knows what may be of her once this is over."
Leaning into Harriet's ear, his gaze drifted on Polly. Harriet jerked back, her face showing her discontempt. "As a matter of fact it would be best for you Maxwell not to overstep your boundaries. After all who knows the hands I may have." The words bringing a chuckle not just to Maxwell but everyone in the room.
"A woman like her to have important connections! Hahaha!" The air was filled with ridiculing laughter and accusatory fingers aimed at the pair however she didn't cower. "What? Because of my appearance you think that I'm just ordinary. I'm sure that you know the recent 'guest' Caerthalas has and it would be a shame if they were to hear what became of me."
Her words sharp making Maxwell's laughs falter. Staring into her eyes and gauging her certainty, it would seem that she wasn't bluffing. 'How would a bumpkin like her be connected to a monster like Jarren or Callista? She has to be bluffing but if she's not then...' His mind could only dread what would be if she was serious.
'I didn't think that I would have to use the names of those two to get out of such a situation but I have no choice. I just hope that the two are understanding of my circumstance.' Harriet hoped in her heart as she watched the mood of the room shift. Once light was now heavy as all gazes remained locked with her frame.
"Harriet, was it? It would seem that we have a bit of a pickle here however not just because the pair are here means that you can lie to my face without consequence.' Harriet cursed in her heart of what the situation grew to be. 'Damn it! If they catch me and do a bit of investigation then it'll all be over. I have to turn this around somehow.'
She wondered in her head. "What makes you so sure that I don't know the two?" Her words firm as ever. Maxwell's gaze became playfully judgmental, a thin smirk flashing on his lips. "If you really knew the two then why are you here? Why use underground means to get into Caerthalas when you can use the two to barge in?" Maxwell had such thoughts in his mind, thinking that Harriet was merely bluffing.
'With a child to look after, it would make sense that she would learn to grow crafty and use other people to get what she wants. However it's a shame that you had to face me.' He sneered inwardly as he could already picture the scene of claiming Harriet. Her frame wasn't curvy but was brimming with youth and vitality.
Something when paired with her daughter drove him insane. 'Maybe the two would make a fine meal.' His mind thought evilly. "They wished for it. They didn't want me to attract such a crowd so casually thus they left me to find my own means. If not I'm sure that you know that the recent carriage was attacked and those found were all killed and yet I was personally delivered here by the knights."
Maxwell's face portrayed his shock only for a moment before reverting into casualness. 'It was rather odd for her to be alive with such a scene playing out. However whether she was taken here by another carriage or by the two remains a mystery.' The more he thought about it, the more he realized that it would be risky to make a move on the two and that was what she wanted.
'With a bit of digging in, he'll know that I'm familiar with the two and halt any evil plans he may have. However once he knows that I'm not that we'll acquainted then it's hard to tell what he will do.' Her strategy was meant to delay the inevitable for a while and if things went her way she would be free of Maxwell.
'I won't have to pay the bastard.' She cried in her heart as she watched Maxwell move back and forth, the air dead silent once more. "Take her away for now." He mused to his guards before his gaze drifted back to her. "However when I find out that you're lying then I'll make sure that you and your daughter won't forget what I'll do you you."
Clutching Harriet's jaw forcing her to face him, he urged with his eyes narrowing with suspicion laced with rage. He let her go and the two were whisked away."I want a background check on what she has done ever since she got to this town and how deep her connection with the two really is."
A subordinate bowed before taking their leave. He sunk back to his seat, taking a deep long puff of his smoke before exhaling it letting a stream of smoke flow out. He chuckled as he took a light sip of his wine and let the flurry of music fill his ears once more. 'However if it does turn out that she has some form of good relationship with the two them I'm sure that Caerthalas should handle it.'
He sneered already forming a plan that would direct the rage of the two should they bother to make a move on him. 'I'm sure that the crown should be able to withstand it.' Taking another sip, he stole a peck from one of the girls nestled in his embrace.
...
'Should we help them?' Callista asked, her tone playful as her existence ripped through the veil of reality. 'Depends with Harriet and her compromise. I can already tell what is brewing in that dark mind of yours kitty.' Jarren added, his gaze landing on Polly as she tailed Harriet down the halls where they came across other captives.
Mostly women and children that seemed out of shape or in pure distress. It quickly dawned on her that Maxwell was a slave trader.