Chapter 47: The Black Market
After a short while, we approached what seemed to be a workshop where many slaves were chained and rotating a large contraption while slavers were standing over them with whips and barbed ropes. Not too far from that, there was a completely different scene where I could see a Dwarf with the attire of a slave but in a way better condition than those slaves.
He was holding a smoking pipe, sitting above a cage that seemed to be his, and was even enjoying a cup of tea under the shade of a canopy on top of it all.
The scene would turn heads and Officer Benjamin noticed my interest quite swiftly.
"This right here is Vladimir the Master Smith. Now you want anything cast or forged, Vladimir is the man to go to." Benjamin introduced the Dwarf as we walked in his direction before turning to the Dwarf himself, "Enjoying the tea, Master Vladimir?"
The scene was absurd to me and I remained silent and listened to the exchange between the slave and the slaver.
"Officer Benjamin, how can I help you on such a fine morning?"
"We’ve got customers for you, ones you need to serve to the best of your ability."
Their short exchange ended up with them turning to me.
"So, how can I be of help, your Ladyship?" The Duergar spoke and I couldn’t help but smile.
"When one comes to such a place, does the negotiation happen with the owned or with the owner?" I asked.
It seemed my question confused them and the two looked for each other until Officer Benjamin answered.