Reborn as the First Boss, Chapter 95

Chapter 95 – Captives

“Start collecting heads,” I told my pets. “I’ll see about the slaves in the loot table.”

As they set to work, I made sure to shift back into my ‘human’ form. Didn’t want to show off too much, too soon. Opening the door greeted me with the stench of unwashed bodies. Sure enough, there were eight people, naked save for a chain around their neck. Each one had a [Slave Brand] on their left butt cheek, which was like the [Slave Collar], but couldn’t be removed. The blue line of the slave magic linked all eight of their souls to mine, just like the rest of my slaves. But only a Slave Master should be able to make a [Slave Brand], and I didn’t see one in the group. Unless…

Despoiler’s Slave Brand

Type

Tool

Rank

Rare

Price

120,000 gp

Weight

1 kg

An enchanted item prepared by a Despoiler of Virtue with the [Enchantment] skill. When pressed against a living creature, the owner may spend MP equal to the target’s (INT+WIS+CHA)x100 to inscribe a [Tier 2 Slave Brand] on the individual, binding them to the owner. This item does not work on creatures above Tier 2.

The item responsible was part of the endless loot table from the battle. This had to be from a Tier 2 version of the Slave Master profession. I didn’t know where they got it. Maybe from the Theocracy, maybe from the black market. Things like this weren’t exactly common (as noted by the item’s rank), but they were far from unique. Still, this was something that was dangerous to hold on to, but too useful to throw away, so back into the inventory it went.

The problem was what to do with the new slaves. We were, technically, still in Bikar, and Bikar law on taking slaves was pretty clear. There were exceptions for slaves gained through killing their master, of course, but those exceptions expected someone who claimed slaves that were taken illegally to free them, or at least file a formal claim with the courts. That got a little more difficult when [Slave Brands] were involved, of course, since they were nearly impossible to remove under normal circumstances. And a [Tier 2 Slave Brand] would be even more of a pain to deal with. Which meant I was going to have to figure out what to do with them.

Ivette

Human Female

Level 12 Healer / Merchant

Titles: Slave

Theoden Lusatra

Elf Male

Level 20 Bard / Hunter

Titles: Well-Endowed, Slave

Simona

Human Female

Level 20 Ranger / Beast Tamer

Titles: Slave

Elincia Bryfaren

Elf Female

Level 8 Fighter / Weaponsmith

Titles: Slave

Finnea Venric

Elf Female

Level 30 Lightning Sorceress / Scholar

Titles: Genius, Slave

Wyliame

Human Male

Level 3 Priest / Merchant

Titles: Devout, Slave

Libbe Whitguard

Human Female

Level 22 Earth Sorceress / Scholar

Titles: Seductress, Genius, Slave

Izett Faircheeks

Halfling Female

Level 23 Rogue / Jeweler

Titles: Keen Eye, Slave

Some of these were clearly more important than others, with levels ranging from 3 to 30, with a variety of titles, and some of the humans having family names, which suggested they were either nobility or at least close to aristocrat-level families. The halfling woman looked like a kid, but it was hard for me to tell with them, and her level suggested she was more experienced than it looked. The priest, though, was definitely a kid. Well, not an actual kid, since the Voice of the World didn’t unlock someone’s class and full [Appraise] until they hit puberty, but I would have been shocked if he was even fifteen. He did not meet my eyes.

All eight were looking at me. A mix of different expressions. Some hope, some fear, some resignation or confusion. Not unexpected, really. We hadn’t been subtle about the battle just outside, after all.

“Well, it seems we have a bit of an issue here,” I said. “I don’t know whether you’re aware, but we are currently still within Bikar. Since I’m certain you weren’t properly enslaved after a writ from the courts, or through the result of a formal contract, I believe that, by Bikar law, I’m supposed to free you now that I’ve ‘won’ you through combat. Unfortunately, you’re all marked with a [Tier 2 Slave Brand], which is, sadly, well beyond my ability to remove.”

The elven sorceress, Finnea, was the first to speak. “With respect, Mistress, there are provisions in the law for such circumstances. It is not commonly known, since the last time it was used was over three hundred and fifty years ago. However, the law has not changed since then. Under Bikar law, so long as you had no hand in our enslavement, then, if you bring us to the proper authorities, you can either register us or sell us to the country. However, if you do not present us for registration, then the law assumes that you were party to our enslavement.”

“Is that the truth?” I didn’t ask because I distrusted her, exactly, but I did need to verify that it was a truth, and asking her directly would make her answer.

“Yes, Mistress,” she nodded.

I nodded once. “Would the commander of the border fort be one of these proper authorities?”

“Yes, the commander should be authorized to register the event.”

“Well, that’s fortunate, since we left the merchant we were escorting from Eshiari to Crystalshield there so that we could ‘see to’ the bandits that had pushed the goblins out of this fortress for another job with the Adventurers Guild, and we really should get back to him before the morning.”

The human sorceress spoke up, a look of hope in her eyes, “The guild sent out a quest to go after the bandits? Which branch posted it, Mistress?”

I smiled slightly. “The Crystalshield branch, though we picked it up in Eshiari. Ten gold per head, and all the spoils from the bandits and their lair. Interestingly enough, the name of the one who posted the quest was one Alein Whitguard. A relation of yours?”

“My father,” the Earth Sorceress nodded. “And also the Guildmaster of the Crystalshield branch. He must have put the mission out after the caravan I was guarding was captured.”

“Were you all part of the same group, or different caravans?”

“Different groups, but all within the last month. We’ve been the ‘entertainment’ for the bandits since then. Mostly the men, but some of the women, too. Are they all dead?”

“Yes,” I nodded. “All fifty that we could find. Which matches the number the goblins noted when they were pushed out. Oh, but don’t worry about the goblins, they won’t be returning to this place for some time. The only forces they have left are a single matron and the children who survived the slaughter. The rest have been eliminated.”

“Good,” Finnea said, voice full of venom. “And may their god of the dead’s brother claim their souls and desecrate them as undead.” She paused, and then said, in a lighter tone, “Well, Mistress, if you’re not going to use us like our captors did, may we ask for some clothes, or at least taking off these chains?”

I chuckled at that. “Yes, you can take off the chains. As for clothes, well, I don’t know if you’ll find everything to your liking, but the bandits no longer have need of their clothes, so between the fifty of them, you should be able to find some that will fit. We’ll see about getting you some proper clothes when we get to Crystalshield.”

Elincia, the elven fighter, took a breath, and said, “By your leave, Mistress, who might we belong to now? I might be young, but I knew all the adventurers in Eshiari, especially the human ones, and I have not seen you before.”

I smiled at her. I couldn’t tell how old she was, exactly. Elves, like halflings, were difficult to pin down on age based on looks alone, though for different reasons. But, from her tone, she sounded to be very young indeed.

“I am called more than a few things. Right now, I am traveling as Alis Pureheart, an adventurer out of Dascora. However, I am also Baroness Alis Pureheart of Windwater Barony in Dascora, and, amongst other things, I am the reason that an Elf is now the Hero instead of a goblin, and Zerat, God of Undeath, is free to push Eztar, God of Death, out of the divine clubhouse, which is causing no small trouble to the Theocracy, I’m sure.”

I paused, and then said, “I cannot free you, but I will give the eight of you a choice. Those who wish to leave my service will be either sold either to Bikar or, if you have someone particular in mind, someone in Crystalshield. Those who wish to remain with me as I return to Dascora will become part of my household, just like the rest of my servants.”

The halfling woman took a breath, and said, “What would that entail, Mistress? I’ve never been part of a baron’s household before.”

“Good question,” I nodded. “And it depends on your skills, and what you’re capable of. I can see your [Appraise] results, of course, but that isn’t the same as knowing everything you can do, or what you may want to do in the future.” I looked at the young boy who still hadn’t spoken, and put a soft tone to my voice. “So, we’ll start with you, Wyliame. I see you’re a Priest, and Devout. Which god do you serve?”

“Wobris, Mistress. God of Commerce.” The boy’s tone was flat, hollow. He didn’t look to meet my gaze. I didn’t need to be a Mind Sorceress to tell he was dealing with some trauma. And, given how I’d found these people, it didn’t take a genius to understand what happened to him.

“I see. There is a church of Wobris in Windwater Towne. When I return, I could arrange for you to go to them. You’d be with others of your faith. They would help you.”

“NO!” The boy shouted, before stilling. Then, he finally met my gaze. “One of the priests was a priest of Wobris. He said it was divine will when he…” His voice broke off.

“I understand,” I nodded. “Betrayal always stings more when it comes from one of our own.”

“Mistress,” Ivetta, the human Healer and Merchant said, “if there is room in Windwater Towne for another house of healing, I could work with Wyliame. A priest and healer are a good combination for tending most problems, and, if we were working under the Baroness directly, there would be less pushback.”

“I will take that under advisement. I’m sure that, if not in Windwater Towne itself, there will be villages in the Barony that could use an extra pair of healers. I would need to speak with my Seneschal to find the best placement.”

The halfling breathed out slowly, and said, “I have quick hands and a good eye for gems. Also good at making jewelry, and I have the [Basic Enchanting] skill as a general skill. Nothing that would be fitting for a Tier 2, of course, or what would be possible with an actual Enchanter, but better than unenchanted goods.”

“I’m sure we’ll find a place for you in Windwater,” I nodded. “Perhaps the mining town of Stonebreak, where there will be plenty of metal to work? The Goblin Hero attacked the village, and while the village stands, they lost many. Having another crafter in their midst would be welcome for the village, I believe.”

“Sounds good to me, Mistress,” Ivetta nodded.

Elincia took a breath. “I’m a weaponsmith, Mistress. While I’m sure there’s more than one weaponsmith in the barony, I figure there’s always room for another, especially if I start using elven techniques? I was an adventurer because it would be another couple decades before I was old enough to have my own forge in Bikar.”

Simona, the human ranger, grinned. “And I’m good in the woods, and if you have any rare animals, I can help train them. Or tame beasts to fight alongside me.”

I chuckled. “Elincia, I believe the half-elven Guildmaster of the Adventurers Guild would appreciate having easier access to Elven works. And Simona, I just so happen to have a Dire Hellhound as a familiar and a Lesser Frost Dragon as one of my companions. I’m sure that someone with a talent for dealing with wild creatures will have a place in my domain.”

“A dragon! Really? How?”

I smiled at her. “Bikar’s laws about taking slaves do not apply to dungeon creatures, like a Frost Drake. I managed to slip a [Slave Collar] on him, and then I simply brought him with me through the rest of the dungeon, and by the time we killed the dragon at the end, we’d all risen in Tier, and the Frost Drake became a Lesser Frost Dragon.”

The elven bard smiled, and said, “If it is all the same, Mistress, I would prefer to return to Bikar. Though I will gladly spread your story, if you allow it, when I do. A Baroness delving dungeons and both taming and slaying dragons is unheard of in modern times.”

The Earth Sorceress took a breath, and said, “I would prefer to be returned to my Father, if possible. As grateful as I am for your eliminating the bandits, I would like to spend some time with friends and family, rather than venturing off to foreign lands.”

I nodded. “Perfectly understandable, to the both of you. Theoden, I’ll make what arrangements I can for you at the fort, though I do ask you keep any bardic ‘embellishments’ to things that would not impugn a Baroness’s reputation, hmm? No tawdry suggestions of the Baroness laying the dragon as she was slaying it, or anything like that. I know how you bards can be.” He had the good grace to look a bit sheepish at that, but my smile made it seem like I was warning him off scandalous embellishments, not the erotic truth.

Turning to look at the Earth Sorceress, I grinned. “Libbe, I will likely need to speak with your father anyways, while turning in the quest for the Guild, so we’ll see. There is the chance that he might find it discomfiting to have his own daughter as his slave, after all. But I will promise not to sell you to anyone else in Crystalshield.”

With that, I turned my attention to the elven Lightning Sorceress, the only one who had not given her decision. “And what of you, then? What is your decision?”

Finnea considered for a moment, her eyes watching me carefully. “You really meant all you said. There was no lie or deception in anything you said, even the bit about the dragon, which most people would find the most fantastical of all. Few would have the idea to put a [Slave Collar] on a Drake, and fewer would be able to pull it off with their limbs intact. I have the feeling that there is more to you than meets the eye. If you have a place for a scholar and sorceress in your lands, I will go with you.”

“Another mage learned in both magic and other lore is always welcome. While Windwater is not known for its libraries and troves of lore, we are at a crossroads, so there is always a chance that things may improve, in time. Especially if a long-lived elf is behind the collection efforts.”

The sorceress smiled. “I look forward to serving you, Mistress. As a follower of Pelleas Yesqirelle, elven God of Knowledge and Magic, I expect that there will be many new things I can learn from being around you. My god would be most upset if I passed up this chance.