Chapter 27 - 26: The Slave Market 2
The slave merchant followed Kael’s gaze and chuckled. "Ah, the problem lady. Name’s Seris Halwain. Used to be a knight. Noble blood, if you believe the records. House Halwain got wiped out during the Northern Purge—something about treason or backing the wrong side of a rebellion. Political mess."
Kael raised a brow. "And she ended up here?"
"Yeah," the merchant said, tapping his ledger. "But she’s special. Killed two previous buyers."
Kael tilted his head. "And you’re still alive?"
The merchant grinned, lifting her collar to show the thin silver rune circling her throat. "Master-brand. High-tier binding. She can’t lift a finger against me without frying every nerve in her body."
"But she’s clever. First owner? She ’tripped’ and he fell on his own dagger. Second? Heart stopped during sparring. Just happened to be during a thunderstorm, with a magically conductive training sword in his hand."
Kael whistled low. "That’s not clever. That’s artistically homicidal."
Kael studied the woman. Her eyes flicked to him—cold.
"Combat rating?" Kael asked.
"Tier B," the merchant said.
"She trained in sword and shield," the merchant added. "Was an officer, if her papers are real. She’s strong. Not a virgin, though. Bit older. And her tongue—gods, her tongue’s a blade sharper than most steel."