"Apologies, Miss Cox. Colour me shocked at the request," a salesman's smile crept across the smooth, flawless skin of Warden Calden. The man was, by all accounts, the healthiest individual in the Lower City. Business was clearly booming. Golden chains hung loosely around his neck, and every finger bore some form of jewelled ring. It was ostentatious, almost unrefined. A poor man given money too quickly could not buy taste or grace along with it.
They sat in the Warden's office, two guards, or rather henchmen, standing on either side of the tall, lanky man. Althea's fake identification card lay on the table between them, the same card taken from the bandit chief on the beach.
"You are sure about this? We generally advise that child slaves are raised for a few more years before being put into the pits. It gives a higher likelihood of success." The businessman tapped his finger against the wood, calculating silently. The price of entering Orochi would be cheap. Althea would not be maximising her profit, and that alone raised suspicion in a seasoned dealer like Warden Calden.
"It is as I explained, Warden. I am in debt to many people. I only need the participation funds to pay them off. What happens to my slave does not concern me."
"He will most likely die," the Warden emphasised, eyes flickering toward the downcast Orochi. For a fleeting moment, Orochi could have sworn he saw a trace of concern. How laughable.
The tapping continued, rhythmic and incessant, as Warden Calden weighed losses and gains in his head.
"We do have a spot in Blood Mania, a special event hosted every year. The participation money would be much higher." His gaze returned to Orochi, assessing him from head to toe. "The child will surely die. It is unlikely any bets will be placed on him. If he is entered, he will be nothing more than fodder for the beasts."
The words carried weight, as though conveying an unspoken warning. Althea remained unmoving, just as Orochi had instructed.
"That is perfect. I would like to proceed," she said flatly.
Once more, the Warden glanced at Orochi. What is wrong with this guy? Orochi thought. Was it because he was a child? What a strange line to draw in this business. Humans.
At the back of his mind, Orochi felt the presence of Imposter stirring. These observations of human nature were what had led Imposter into oblivion. The hypocrisy. The blindness. The quiet acceptance of it all. There had been no salvation in that thinking. It was what drove Imposter to abandon the world entirely. Seeing humanity as worthless, he had come to see himself the same way.
Orochi would not think like that.
Imposter had done nothing. Orochi would do everything. He would climb to the top and see for himself whether there was truly nothing waiting at the end but the fall.
"Very well. Blood Mania will begin on Sundas," the Warden said, manifesting a contract in an instant and placing it onto the table. He gestured for one of the men to bring ink and a brush.
Althea did her best not to look at Orochi for confirmation as she dipped the brush into black ink and signed the contract, signing her master's life away.
With a sharp clap, the meeting ended.
A heavy pouch landed on the table with a dull clank. Two hundred and fifty dull silver septims.
For a moment, Althea looked up, confused. "Forgive me, Warden. I was under the impression that payment would be granted on Sundas."
"You are desperate for money, yet you question why it has come early?" The man chuckled softly. "We will be taking the boy now. For Blood Mania the slaves have to be prepped. It's one of our greatest events of the year, I'm sure you understand. It would be improper to take him while withholding payment." Clearly finished with the discussion, he waved her away. "You may come watch your slave in Blood Mania if you wish."
Althea stood frozen for a moment, unsure how to react.
Behind his back, Orochi clenched his fist. This was not how it was supposed to go. He had expected to leave with Althea and raise more capital before placing bets. A brief glance at her conveyed a silent message.
Don't.
What was done was done. Plans would have to change. Somehow, some way, he would have to trust Althea to gather enough money without him. The thought irritated him.
Trust no one.
Imposter's voice, perhaps.
But Orochi also carried the memories of a noble child. Althea was reliable. She had to be.
Althea bowed slightly before being escorted out. The Warden gave Orochi one final look before silently signalling for him to be taken away.
Eyes lowered, glancing up only briefly, Orochi was led through the pits along a different path. Jeering crowds roared as a mangled corpse was dragged from one of the rings. Amid the throng, Orochi caught sight of Althea's head disappearing into the crowd.
Then he too was led down a narrow tunnel, swallowed by darkness.