Xenograg walks into the audience hall of Sawrey Castle. Queen Teleperien sits upon her throne. Lord Borin and High Captain Gwindor stand to each side. Xenograg stops before the dias and bows at the waist.
"You wished to speak with us, Lord Xenograg," says Teleperien.
"Yes, Majesty," Xenograg announces. "I come with evidence of a high crime committed against your subjects. That crime is slaving." Teleperien's eyes almost blaze with indignation. Those of both Borin and Gwindor narrow in grim anger.
"Present your evidence, please, My Lord," is Teleperien's too-calm command.
"Majesty, I was in Rhydin City this morning on business. I was near the riverfront and recognized a ship arriving at the city docks. She is a slaver and was full of fresh 'stock' for the slave market."
"I went into Badside and walked through the holding pens. I usually ignore the specialty pens, but I heard a rumor. It was true: an elven girl was there, earmarked as a pleasure slave." All three people in Xenograg's audience hold their silence with sheer discipline.
"I paid a bribe to speak with the girl for a single minute. I asked her where she was from. Her answer was the Nista River watershed in northern Eldicor. I asked about others, but she said she had been sold singly."
"Such a rare prize was sure to fetch a high price, and she did. It took some doing but I succeeded in winning her auction."
"You wished to speak with us, Lord Xenograg," says Teleperien.
"Yes, Majesty," Xenograg announces. "I come with evidence of a high crime committed against your subjects. That crime is slaving." Teleperien's eyes almost blaze with indignation. Those of both Borin and Gwindor narrow in grim anger.
"Present your evidence, please, My Lord," is Teleperien's too-calm command.
"Majesty, I was in Rhydin City this morning on business. I was near the riverfront and recognized a ship arriving at the city docks. She is a slaver and was full of fresh 'stock' for the slave market."
"I went into Badside and walked through the holding pens. I usually ignore the specialty pens, but I heard a rumor. It was true: an elven girl was there, earmarked as a pleasure slave." All three people in Xenograg's audience hold their silence with sheer discipline.
"I paid a bribe to speak with the girl for a single minute. I asked her where she was from. Her answer was the Nista River watershed in northern Eldicor. I asked about others, but she said she had been sold singly."
"Such a rare prize was sure to fetch a high price, and she did. It took some doing but I succeeded in winning her auction."