Daily Thursday Short: Sara 02

Sara glanced through her spatial ring, looking for an appropriate outfit for the new day. She didn’t want something too revealing. The individuals she met would take that the wrong way, and cleaning blood out was a pain, even with magic. No, she needed something that displayed power without adding sultry seductiveness.

Ah! That will work nicely. Sara thought as she stripped the clothes on her body and replaced them. A power suit filled with luxury. A luxury three-piece suit replaced her expensive dress and jewelry. The entire ensemble was dark as sin except the pocket square of bright, brilliant gold embroidered with runes. The tie was also gold, with its own set of defensive runes.

In a world of magic, grabbing someone’s tie to strangle them was an excellent way to commit suicide. Sara altered her typical ring setup for a more exotic load out. Onyx dark diamonds were set in all ten rings. It was a subtle declaration of dominance to acquire such things. Power was needed. To make such jewels, one needed to remove the core of a freshly killed dark species. Then in a race against time, carve the runes before the blood cooled. Having one was an achievement. Having ten was a legendary feat.

Sara flexed her will, twisting her hair into an elaborate braid. She then wove several essential rune items into the weave of her hair. There was little chance of the meeting going wrong, but that wasn’t any reason not to be cautious. She hadn’t reached the level of power she had now by taking unmitigated risks.

Exiting the Gem Shop was a mere exercise of will. Within her, personal Rune Domains movement was merely a thought. She looked over the city, sloping down from her location with a grin. It had been hard bringing civilization to this remote place. The benefits of doing so, though, were quite immense. She ruled every part of the sex trade for hundreds of miles around. The runic fist in a silken glove raked in millions of golds daily.

Appetites have to be slaked, after all. Sara thought as she floated above the ground in softly oiled shoes. At least under my care, the situation has turned from a horrific set of statistics into a profitable trade.

It wasn’t shocking that men didn’t run these types of businesses very well. The most common case of sampling their wares eventually ruined everything. This was a world where it was possible to reach levels of Charm that enslaved with a look. When women employed in Sara’s trade came to such high heights, it was hard for anyone to say no.

By the time she stepped in, the situation was barely salvageable. Sara had adapted rapidly before expanding her reach with dizzying haste. Those who could be reasoned with were given deals. Those who had twisted themselves too far into depravity were quietly removed.

It had taken a long time to reach the current heights, and she had no intention of stopping. The research into summoning and buying rare resources all took money. Even with all her help, Sara wasn’t willing to take the Empire on in a frontal clash.

Since almost every tax collector had failed, the Empire took another path. Disrupting the trade at this point would expose far too many things. Those in power had decided it was better to negotiate. She knew this song and dance well. It would take a slice out of her pie, but that mattered little if the size of the cake grew exponentially larger as well.

As long as we can reach a good agreement, I’ll be able to hide under the giant umbrella of the Empire. Sara thought as she sped along the roads. They are already inclined towards me since I am Snake. Rather than associate with the other parts of the underworld without any blood tie, I am the best option.

Sara arrived outside a massive mansion in the inner depths of the city. There was only a moment of waiting before the shielded enclave’s gate opened with a well-oiled whisper.

Without looking, Sara entered like a silent shadow in the deepening dusk.