Snippet #1189986

Caim smirked slightly at Osefi's suggestion. Yes, he thought, that would be the quickest way to find out. And it was not as though subtlety had ever been Caim's strong point. Especially now, tired as he was, he was not in the mood for it. There was a lull in the conversation and suddenly Caim found himself the object of the stranger's attentions. It seemed his chat exchange with Osefi had not gone unnoticed.

Caim coughed into his hand, taking the moment to collect his thoughts.

"I've been wondering at something." He started, casting a glance between Highwind and the woman. "What is your relationship to this girl? From your comments to each other it sounds as though you are some kind of slaver and that this woman was one of your captives." Though slavery was far from uncommon in the world Caim found it unsavoury, something that was reflected by the distaste in his voice and sneer on his face as he mouthed the word 'slaver'. Slaves from Askara were a common sight on the streets of large cities and the houses of nobles in Ea, men and women who had been rounded up from their homes by conquerors and invaders from Ea or even by rival tribes and sold into captivity. And then there were the slaves of war, whose lands had been raided and pillaged in wars. Those unfortunate souls were often dragged back to their conqueror's homelands for cheap labour and god knows what else.

The accusation hung heavily in the air for a moment of uncomfortable silence. Vincent looked around at the bar and called to the serving girl.

"Could you hurry up with that wine please?"