---Valen Akritas---
Valen led the knife-eared Dalish over to the large tent he shared with his sister. He almost smirked as he considered the prospect of yet another good business deal for them. Blodwyn would be satisfied by this finding, he was sure of it.
But when he opened the flap of the tent and stepped inside, holding it open for Merle as well, he was faced by the sight of his sister speaking in a forceful, yet amiable, manner with an elven male. A frown passed over Valen’s face for the briefest of moments.
Is this the new slave she had been wanting for herself? He thought to himself as he ushered Merle inside.
---Blodwyn Akritas---
Blodwyn had been very pleased when Ceallach had returned back and in so little time. “Ah, it is most prudent of you to return! For perhaps a second I had feared you would not return,” she looked around the tent. They should get to packing soon…but Valen was not here yet.
And then, just as if he had been waiting for her to think about him, the tent flap was opened and her brother came inside.
“Valen, where have you been?” Her tone leaned towards being scolding. “Though we are here with diplomatic immunity, you know full well how much I hate to be left alone for long with Templars ambling about like swine in a pigsty.”
He crossed the distance between them and put his hands on her shoulders, pulling her in for a chaste kiss. “Forgive me, sister. Who will protect you, if not I?”
“Who indeed?” She reached out and briefly touched his cheek before turning back to Ceallach. “Ceallach, this is my twin brother, Valen. He is the sword which keeps me from harm. But, perhaps now that you are here, that task will be yours as well.”
“I brought someone for you to meet, sister.” Valen gestured behind himself at a young elven woman with hair the color of fresh fallen snow. Blodwyn knew exactly what this was about.
She smiled with utmost courtesy and beckoned the young woman inside. “Come; partake with us in food and drink. There is tea and honey-cakes and fruit if you so wish.”
“These are hard times for as all, are they not?” Blodwyn heaved a small sigh as she went over to the nearest chair and sat herself down upon it. “’Tis most difficult to be able to make a good living...and as I am a kind woman in need of aid, I offer you permanent employment. The initial pay is good and there is no chance that you will ever lose the job. What say you?”
It would be pleasant indeed to have another woman around. Blodwyn could really have used an extra hand when tending to her things. But…this woman was Dalish and Blodwyn inwardly doubted that she would comply into being a slave. Ah, but that would mean that she would merely have to be broken into it. Blodwyn could be kind when she saw it fit, but she could also dole out cruelty and discipline when and where it was needed. Never had she put up with a slave who did not behave.
“Ceallach, do be a dear and make me some tea. I can feel a headache coming on and it displeases me.” She rubbed her forehead and sprawled farther back into her seat. The day had been surprisingly tiring, though she had not been doing much at all.
They would have to be packing their things soon. They had collected and shipped off all the good slaves which they could find and place their hands upon and now there was nothing there for them left.
---Valen Akritas---
He took a seat on a chair opposite his sister and motioned for Merle to be seated as well. Though Valen was doing his utmost best to keep up his politeness around the knife-eared woman, he was never keen on bending himself lowers than he had to. Though his sister was more wishy-washy with her outlook upon other races, Valen was a proud believer that humans ought to rule above all.
“We came here from very far in order to offer job opportunities to both the more and less fortunate alike,” Valen pressed a hand to his chest, as if to reinforce his own point, “we would be most happy to help you as well. Out of the goodness of our hearts we will help you.”
“My brother has the tendency to get quite…wordy when speaking of helping others,” Blodwyn said and briefly raised an eyebrow at him. Apparently he had gotten a bit flamboyant.
“Yes, I beg your pardon. My intentions are ever good.” He grinned, showing off his smile, which he thought to be one of utmost perfection. “We sincerely hope you are interested.”