The Gambling Hero

Chapter 17: Rejection

I hadn't noticed because his tent had been so dark but horns grew on his forehead, and upon closer inspection I spotted he didn't have normal human feet either. This man was a satyr, and it was obvious given their higher status that they didn't exactly respect humans at all. I sighed I guess I could just ask Lilith to step in, but man it really does suck being treated like garbage all the time. I looked at Lilith, and said, "Well Lilith can I ask you to buy, and sell some supplies from this man it seems it won't talk to me." Lilith seemed to be annoyed and quietly said, "I would rather take our business elsewhere, but since it's an order I will trade with this roach." She talked to the man who seemed disappointed we didn't just leave, and she traded him all of our goods on hand. Which added up to 80 silver coins total since we had a lot that we had killed along the way, which I figured was a lot better than I could have hoped for. Lilith also managed to buy some supplies for us such as some more rations, a small bag for Bastrin to carry around, some rope for the horses, and a knife so I could defend myself, and he even agreed to look after the horses for 20 silver.

The man had completely changed his demeanor when Lilith was trading with him he went from lazy, uncaring, and downright rude to the complete opposite. The man acted energetic, very interested in trading, and almost seemed kind compared to before. I was somewhat disgusted at his attitude change, but I figured we desperately needed to trade with someone before leaving Hastain. After Lilith was done buying what we needed we were left with 20 silver, so we could afford a place to stay for the night, and we'd be back in the morning for the horses. I decided we could look around a bit more before trying to buy a place to sleep for the night, so we set off to look around. We explored a few places, and Bastrin seemed to take a liking to a new bed made for pets that he could lay in while he slept. I asked Lilith to purchase it for him since it was only 3 silver, and he seemed happy, but I couldn't help feel that he was getting a little too used to being a cat all the time.

I decided it was time to head back, and find a place to sleep for the night, but my thoughts were interrupted by a loud yelling. Ahead of us there was an orc with long hair going down to his shoulders, and a scar on his left eye shouting. The orc who was much bigger than me, and looked like he could crush my head like a grape was shouting at a small lizard woman kneeling on the ground. Judging by the brand I spotted on the lizard woman's arm it seems she was a slave, and by the looks of it was receiving a harsh beating by this bigger orc at this rate she may even be killed. Nobody would even bother stopping him because Lizard men in general were at the bottom of the social ladder not because they couldn't use magic, but because they were more animals than anything. To be at the top of the social ladder you had to possess great strength, be a race that was seen as "divine", or both. Creatures that were too "animalistic" were at the bottom of the ladder, and those who were too "human" were also considered impure. It was a sad sight, but was something I wanted to change for the better. In this case however doing something out in the open was dangerous especially for a human doing something was suicide.

I was fortunate however because I had companions that I could rely on for help, I planned on helping this lizard woman out. I looked over at Bastrin, "Hey Bastrin I got a free meal waiting for you over there." I pointed at the orc. Bastrin understood what I meant, and smiled, "I don't really get what's got you mad human, but since you mentioned free meals that's more than enough reason to help out. Bastrin was about to pounce right here in public, so I waved my hand, "Listen Bastrin, I want you to kill him without anyone seeing, so Lilith and I will create a distraction first." He nodded. I told him to wait for us to distract the people around, and then he could go in for the kill. I told Lilith what Bastrin and I wanted to do. She seemed willing to comply I told her how we would distract everyone, and she agreed to my plan.

Lilith shouted in a voice filled with hatred, "Disgusting human!" She pointed her finger at me which made some people turn over at us including the target. Lilith shouted, "You are my slave, never forget that you roach!" She proceeded to conjure up some mid level fire magic, and pointed it at me. She said, "Let me show you what happens to slaves who don't listen!" She fired her magic at me, and it grazed by my face missing only by a few inches. I fell to the floor and whimpered, "Ah no please I am sorry don't hurt me benevolent lord." Everyone was looking over here now, and so Bastrin decided to make his move he shot out towards the Orc's body in mid air his body shrunk and I could no longer see him. A few seconds later I glanced over, and saw that the Orc had been killed after than anyone had time to process.

Bastrin seemed to have shrunk, flew over him discreetly he then grew rapidly, and devoured the 6 foot ogre in only a split second the orc never got time to even scream. The best part was there was no body, or blood that both amazed, and horrified me a bit that Basrtin was able to take out a powerful orc that quickly in broad daylight. Lilith proceeding on with the act grabbed me by the collar dragging me away forcefully. Bastrin after grabbing the stunned lizard woman in what appeared to be his now girl form followed us after a few seconds. Lilith let go of me after walking a couple minutes away, and we took our time to walk up to Bastrin, and the woman. I first turned to both my companions and gave them compliments, "Bastrin that was incredible I didn't know you could kill so silently, and dispose of his body so quickly, and Lilith that was great acting." They both looked away from me apparently not used to being complimented they blushed, and looked away. I turned towards the lizard woman who seemed to have figured out what we had done for her, she got to her knees, and bowed very deeply.

I spoke up, "No need to bow it was just the right thing to do. Can I get your name madam?" The lizard woman glanced up at me, and in a meek town she said, "My name is Kelita, I wish to thank you human I don't have any money, but I wish to properly give you something for saving me." I looked down at her meek figure and said, "No need like I said I am Dante, and this is Lilith, and Bastrin." Lilith stated, "I helped on master's orders, nothing more, or less no thanks is needed." Bastrin on the other hand said, "We happen to be looking for a place to stay as thanks how about you just find us a suitable location. I wanted to tell Bastrin he was rude, but before I could speak Kelita interrupted my thoughts. Kelita said kindly, "My family runs a small tent that takes in guests if you want to follow me. We haven't had any customers well ever, so it's mostly been a place for us to sleep, being that I was just a slave until a few minutes ago. I can offer you a place to sleep for free since you saved me it would be the least I can do."

We followed Kelita to the back end of town where I assume the slaves called their homes. Kelita showed us to a small dwelling of about three tents, and frankly this couldn't really be called a place suited for guests. It seems I made a face upon seeing the tents, so Kelita spoke up, "I know this isn't really suitable, but it's all I can do for you now seeing as my family almost never get to come back here to sleep. The only reason we have an extra tent for more people is because I once had a silly dream of opening an inn one day." I frowned upon hearing that since it seemed like a lonely dream, but I said in a reassuring tone, "Well now that you are free maybe you can afford to dream slaves can be bought you know? I say you now have a golden opportunity. Make this place a haven for the lower end of society, buy back your family, and create an inn that I can someday come see."

She smiled wryly, "Human you say some funny things. Who would want to come to this place even if I took the time to spruce it up?" I smiled back, "Well for one me. Like I said there will be others that will eventually pass through here looking for some place to stay. In fact I can already guarantee some cheeky blonde haired boy around my age will be coming in a year's time." She said, "Hm, human do you really think I can make something more of this place?" I said happily, "Yeah I admit it's not much now, but you can do some marketing on the side, and plus you have free advertisement with me." She looked confused, "What do you mean?" I stated, "Well I will tell others about this place, and with your hard work I am sure you can move on from a tent to a nice cozy wooden inn." The lizard woman stared at me seemingly surprised, "Human I can't ask you to do that you have already saved my life you needn't do anything else." I decided to go into the tent, and shouted back, "No problem, consider it already done. I can't wait to sleep here already so much better than sleeping outdoors."