Thread: On the Nile [Nyoko and Seraph]

Normally they didnt travel so far to catch their prey, but the usual type wasnt gaining them as much profit as usual. It had been hard to find something unique that would bring the attention of the high-rollers at the auction, especially something unique and sturdy. They had found a few young men, boys really, who were strong in the body and able to work. They had been snatched up quickly and had remained with them as they searched for a final piece to add to their collection. The bandits had heard that women had been selling relatively well lately in the markets, but rumor wasnt always fact and they stuck to mostly what they knew sold. Slaves for manual labor were always needed, and the sturdier they were the better they were. They had taken one woman just to be on the safe side. If we dont get these ones in soon someone grumbled as he took a look at the men who had wilted considerably under the heat of the desert. They had stopped at an oasis for a rest when the sun got too high and set up a series of small tents. We might not have anything to sell when we get there. The leader frowned and nodded, When the sun begins to set well begin to move again. Make sure theyre feed and watered. The livelier they looked the better they sold, he hoped for a relatively good haul this time. The last few times they had been meager pay-outs at best and he was hoping for something more. He, like most of the bandits, did have a lady or two at home to take care of, whether they wanted to admit it or not. He had a few children two of which worked with him on raids. A few bags of grain would be a blessing for the dry season when food tended to get a little scarce. It would take another few hours to make it to the city on the Nile, the thriving place of all of Egypt. If they had been closer to the sea, they would have gone to Alexandria, which tended to be another prosperous place to sell off slaves. He wouldnt mind owning a slave or two of his own one day, but first he would have to make sure he had enough money for taxes. Their actions were mostly overlooked as long as they paid those to the Pharaoh, but if they didnt. He shook his head and waited for all of the new chattel to finish their mild dinner and for the sun to go down. Like most, he closed his eyes and prepared to take a light nap. There was little else to do in such hot temperatures under the noon-day sun. ---- The marketplace was bustling as always. Vendors sold their wares, spices clouded the air, and beggars wailed against the walls for coins. The bandit group, kindly referred to as slavers most of the time, had taken their wares to the auction courtyard in the center of the marketplace. The officials of the city had laid down a platform of marble to show off the slaves as the nobility or their vassals bid on each of them. Of course, however, the Pharaohs own always took the finest slaves as no noble wanted ill-words to darken his ear on their affairs. To do so could mean great troubles for them and their family, and many of them enjoyed the perks of their stations. If the normal marketplace was bustling, this area was a beehive of activity buyers shouted their offers to the man on stage or whispered offers to someone behind the scenes to get a slave pulled from the stage quickly. Sometimes a slave was only up for moments before they were snatched away to another home, one that might be kind or not. Usually, since slaves were property, most masters were kind. One did not abuse their cow if they wanted it to work well, and the same respect was paid to a slave, and depending on the slaves station within a home, they were given benefits. Long time slaves could have a small room to themselves, or a soft bed in their masters rooms if they were a close slave. It all depended on how one acted.