But four thousand?
There had never been the sale of divine blood before.There was no precedence for this, but Leander thought (and it seemed like the room as a whole agreed) that Jarryn’s unexpected bid was taking the piss.
“Very funny, Your Highness,” the Justice regained his wits and tried to politely dismiss the prince’s words and bring the room back to order to continue the process. “We were bidding at?—”
“No, I am serious,” Jarryn interrupted again. He pushed himself off the wall and weaved through the crowd, each of whom stared with confusion, towards the raised dais that Leander stood on. “I wish to purchase Leander, for the price of four thousand gold sovereigns.”
Leander’s gaze remained fixed on Jarryn who, in turn, appeared to be deliberately refusing to meet his eyes.
“You… but… Your Highness, you have never attended an auction before. We raise the value of the auction in increments. There is a process we must follow to allow the fair sale of goods.”
Leander could tell from his vantage point that Jarryn did not appreciate the way in which the Justice spoke about ‘goods’ from the way he bristled, jaw set in determination.
“I don’t care about your process. I have offered my bid and I challenge anyone to contest me. I will raise it further if I must.”
“But—”
“Feed the poor with it, buy the king more hunting dogs, build a school.”
“But—”
“Continue, Justice.”
All eyes, including Leander’s, whipped over to look at the king, who had been watching from his throne.
“Prince Jarryn has offered his price. This has just gotten interesting.”
Leander’s gaze returned to look at the man who had once been his adversary, now his friend, who dipped his head in a respectful bow of hand to the king.
Jarryn then turned to look expectantly at the Justice.
The Justice took a few seconds to compose himself but when he continued his voice was a little unsteady. “Well… four thousand and… ten sovereigns?” he asked of the room uncertainly, glancing around.
Everyone was silent. No one raised a hand.
“Four thousand and one?” was asked after a few uncomfortable moments of silence.
Again, no one even moved.
“Congratulations, Your Highness,” the Justice finally said, looking a little deflated by the dramatic turn of events which had caught him off guard. “It seems all is in order.” There were beginnings of the gathered body of people clapping the prince’s success, but it was unenthusiastic amid general confusion, and it died down as the Justice continued, “You may settle with my clerk before collecting… Leander… from his guards.”
Leander waited impatiently,pacing up and down the small room he had been brought to as he waited for his new owner to come and get him. The guards still watched him, one posted at each of the four walls, silent sentinels guarding what was now the most lucratively expensivepossession ever to be known in the written history of Vyrica.
As a runaway criminal from his own country, Leander could not fathom how Jarryn had the means to settle such a large sum of money.
But somehow he did, because less than an hour after the bidding had concluded, the door opened and in Jarryn stepped.
Jarryn did not look at Leander, instead his gaze passed over the guards. “You are dismissed. My own household protection is now responsible for Leander.”
Following deeper bows than were strictly necessary, the guards exited the room, leaving Leander alone with the prince and his single man at arms.
Watchful, Leander stood waiting.
“Vyrican… custom,” Jarryn spoke without inflection, but his expression indicated his distaste for what he was about to say, “dictates a brand of my family sigil to mark you as my property.”
Leander balked.
“This is non-negotiable, it seems. I’m sorry, Leander, I tried, but it is the law. We will have it done immediately.” Jarryn jerked his head, indicating for Leander to follow him.
