[ ] = Doruuk's thoughts
The air in the room seemed to freeze. The word "slave" hung between us like a poisonous miasma. Shock rippled through everyone as their eyes turned toward Zaira, reflecting disbelief and disgust.
A cold weight settled in my stomach—this was not the solution I'd imagined.
"Like a slave?" I asked, my voice low and controlled, yet edged with unmistakable disapproval.
Zaira met my gaze unflinching. "Yes, a slave."
Otis leaned forward, worry creasing his brow. "But how can you be sure we'll find a healer among the slaves? If it were that simple, others would have claimed them already."
Zaira's expression hardened with resolve. "I don't know for certain, but I have a strong feeling we can find someone there."
Eldon ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture as he interjected, "But Zaira… do you realize what you're suggesting?"
"Indeed," she replied sharply, her voice as cutting as a blade.
I could no longer remain silent. The absurdity of the proposal pushed me to cross my arms and fix her with an icy stare.
"A slave?" My tone dripped with skepticism. "You expect us to take a slave, train them in just one month, and then thrust them into real battle? That would be a burden we'd carry at every step—we need someone with at least a little experience."
Otis nodded decisively. "Yes, Doruuk is right."
Zaira slammed her hands on the table so hard that Kael jumped, nearly losing balance. "Then where else will you find a healer? This is our only option—let's at least try."
Silence fell once more as everyone mulled over her words. The dancing shadows cast by the candle flames seemed to echo the tumult of our thoughts.
[She isn't entirely wrong. We owe it a try. At worst, we'll either die or win; either way, we must give it our best.]
After a long, held breath, I finally declared, "Alright, I'm in."
"Me too," agreed Otis firmly.
"I'm with you as well," added Eldon.
Kael, who had barely recovered from his earlier indifference, muttered, "Fine then, I'm in too."
A satisfied smile played on Zaira's lips. "Excellent," she murmured.
It was time to act. "Good then, Zaira," I said, naturally assuming a leadership tone, "go retrieve this slave as quickly as possible. We have little time."
Zaira's eyes flashed with something unreadable, and a nervous smile crept across her face. "Uhhhh…" Her voice trailed into an elongated hesitation.
I frowned. "Uhh, what?"
Her smile broadened into an expression that promised nothing positive. "Doruuk, you'll be the one to go get the slave."
I felt heat rush to my cheeks. "Why me?" I protested. "I don't have experience with this sort of task. You should handle it since you have more insight."
Feigning offense, Zaira fluttered her eyelashes theatrically. "Look, I simply don't like going there. And besides, I'm a woman. Would you really send a woman to do such a thing? Aren't you ashamed?"
[What? Is she serious?]
I met her gaze with tension. "This woman can rob and kill, yet she can't go buy a slave?"
"There are some boundaries we mustn't cross," Zaira replied, her tone laced with false sanctimony.
Realizing further debate was futile, I turned to the others. "Then what about you—Otis, Eldon, Kael? Anyone?"
Otis cleared his throat, avoiding eye contact. "I'm not very good at communication."
"Not interested," Kael muttered absently while fiddling with his nails.
Eldon smiled in a way that made my blood boil. "I think you're perfect for the task."
[°_°]
I surveyed them all in disbelief. "Are you serious? –_-"
In unison, they shouted, "YES!"
[Ahhh, I have to do this thing.]
With a resigned sigh, I accepted my fate. "Okay, fine then. Accompany me, and I'll take care of this. But first, we need to pool our money."
One by one, we laid our savings on the table. I watched, heart sinking, as the pile of gold and silver coins grew—a literal sum of months' hard work, destined to be spent on a slave. The very thought made my stomach twist in disgust.
"Do you think this will be enough?" I asked, gesturing toward the heap of coins.
Zaira examined the sum carefully, counting in her head. "I believe so. It's sufficient."
"Good," I declared with newfound determination. "Tomorrow, I'll go retrieve him. Who will accompany me?"
"I will," Zaira finally offered.
A wave of relief washed over me. At least I wouldn't have to face it alone. "Thank goodness," I murmured. "That wraps up today's meeting. We reconvene here tomorrow. I'm off—time to prepare."
We parted ways, each heading in our own direction as the pre-dawn light began to creep over the city.
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Later, as I immersed myself in work and preparations for this perilous mission, far from our meeting, others in the city were thinking of me—unaware of the danger I was venturing into.
In a sumptuous residence, illuminated by the warm glow of crystal lamps and the comforting crackle of a fireplace, a determined young woman confronted a middle-aged man.
"Dad, where is Doruuk?" Lillia demanded, her voice a mix of frustration and suspicion. "You've hidden his location for days. He vanished overnight!" Her eyes burned with indignation. "We were supposed to return to the Hunting Portal with him. He's experienced—he knows how to handle any situation. I wanted to learn from him." She turned to her friend. "Frenya, you feel the same, right?"
Frenya nodded with conviction. "Yes, I can't deny it. He always played his cards well."
Solmir looked at his daughter with an unreadable expression. "My dear Lillia," he began calmly yet firmly, "Doruuk had a job to do and chose to stay hidden. He asked me to see him off that very night."
Lillia wasn't convinced. Her eyes searched her father's face, trying to discern any hidden truths. "Father, even if I try to trust you, I can't shake the feeling that you're keeping something from me."
Solmir held her gaze steadily. "Lillia, if you have doubts, you're welcome to ask."
A mysterious smile flickered across Lillia's face, her determination matching her father's. "I'll get to the bottom of this sooner or later," she promised softly. "I'm just waiting for the right moment."
Chapter-End.