Chapter 170: Encounter (1) (1/2)
”So….Rena was it?” Glint asked as he tossed a thick brown cloak over his shoulders. He pulled the attached hood over his face before continuing his words.
”How was your introduction to the chapel?” Glint sincerely glanced at the woman's face, expecting some sort of response. Instead the wolf-girl grappled with a sudden bout of shame, it caused her cheeks to redden -- as if she were a school girl being teased about a crush. She could only avert her gaze downward and hurriedly cover her face with her own hooded cloak.
A few steps away Fargo let out a hearty laugh, the sound of which was so foreign that the trio could feel eyes all around gazing upon them. Fargo took the lead, stepping up to the two adventurers who had no other purpose than to act as ”bouncers” for the chapel which masqueraded as a nightclub.
The two muscular men didn't show any outward signs of aggression but their expressions were hard like steel as one of them grunted, ”Purpose?”
”Training the new one. And maybe some light snatching too.” Fargo added with gleeful enthusiasm. The bouncer shifted his right brow upwards, as if questioning whether Fargo's mood was misplaced. Nevertheless, he stepped to the side and allowed the three enslaved adventurers to step out of the building and into the sunlight.
”I didn't realize just how dark it was in there until now.” Rena remarked as she stepped into the light of midday.
”You'll get used to it. Sadly.” Fargo added, though if truth was told Rena didn't sense much lamentation in the bald Guardian's voice. He then turned and began walking, as did their other companion Glint, leaving Rena to feel as if she were merely tagging along.
She searched her mind for something, anything that might help her bridge the distance between her and the complete strangers walking just ahead of her. Her mind swam with thoughts as she mulled over the crash course given to her by the man known as Fargo. She had a good idea of what was permitted and what was not, and for the most part the slave mark forced her into indentured servitude. That was, until such a time that the man known as Gaines felt ”satisfied” with a person's contribution to his cause--whatever that was.
Rena also realized that the terms of breaking a contract were so vague that most people never managed to measure up to them. In fact, she recalled winning a scoffing chuckle from Fargo when she asked if anyone had ever been released from their bondage. The last couple of days at Memento Mori had been filled with gloom and doom, save for her time with her new ”sisters”. Which was why Rena was puzzled. Both of the men before her walked like they had a purpose and what's more they seemed to be discussing something between one another. Their words were low so Rena couldn't make it all out, but there was an unmistakable sense of excitement in the air. That and a sense of hopefulness, something Rena quickly learned was in short supply given her situation.
The trio soon approached the main road of Sprim Row, a large intersecting street which stretched from the main entrance to the end of the district. Now that there were more people nearby Rena entertained the idea of calling out for help, of letting anyone know of her current predicament -- yet even as the idea formed her throat began to burn. Soon she was rubbing her throat, her eyes were watering and she attempted to clear her throat in vain.
This drew a difficult to read glance from both Fargo and Glint. Rena thought she saw a hint of sadness and empathy behind their gazes, but their expressions were blank.
”So, you're from the east right? What's the name of the starter town there again?” Fargo asked as he directed his gaze before him once more.
”Oria.” Rena replied, her thoughts settling on her hometown.
”That's the city nestled in the mountains right? That sounds really nice. I've never been myself. I'd like to go someday.” Glint added, though he was speaking to Rena, he didn't bother to face her. For a brief moment she thought this might be rude, then the dark skinned man turned and tapped his temple a few times.
”Doesn't hurt anymore--does it?” He then asked.
Rena's eyes widened slightly as she realized the pain in her throat was all but gone.
”Y-yea. How-” She started to ask, but Fargo smiled and pressed a finger to his lips as if to say -- ”our little secret”. Rena nodded, understanding somewhat as she thought she had an idea. The moment she focused her mind on something else the pain went away almost instantly. There must be rules to triggering Gaines' mark. On this subject Rena recalled Fargo's instructions to simply ”don't think or act on anything defiant and you won't have any problems.”.
At first she thought the words to be lacking in context, but she now understood. It was intent that caused the pain in her throat. She swallowed, her eyes growing watery as she recalled the searing pain -- for a moment she almost lapsed back into it. It was a struggle to train her thoughts, but finally after a few more moments Rena managed to take a deep breath and control her own thoughts.