Market of Harad

[Mathias]

Well Manthias, already in a foul mood, didn't need some snivling llittle trader telling him what he could or couldn't do. Manthias turned his head slightly to the man and then reached out and grabbed him by the neck and squeezed tightly as his other hand slipped one hundred and fifty sheckles of gold into his hands, " Shut up..." Manthias said coldly and then turned to the woman with a smile, " You're mine," He said and turned back to the slave master, " Unchain her," He said coldly and released the man from his deadly grip.

[Salemradel]

She winced as he hit her in the ribs. If you had made her have a choice then she would have chosen the punched ribs. She hoped with all her might that the slave master wouldn't sell her to him. Even though she knew he didn't have a choice and that the slave keeper was a greedy man.

[Kirà]

The slave owner gripped at Manthias' to try and release his hold, and dropped to his knees when the customer let go. Fractically, he picked up the coins and counted them as Manthias gave another order. The owner scowled, and looked up at Manthias, cracking his whip, "Yer a fool if ye think I'm a fool, she's werth more then 150 gold," he spat on the ground. "150 coins more, or chained she'll stay."

[Mathias]

Manthias gave a grunt and then drew his curved scimitar and placed it against the man's neck with a cruel look and sighed deeply, " How about you give her to me now and alive you'll stay," Manthias said coldly and slid the blade slightly over the man's neck, causing blood to come from his neck. There was un unswaying look of malice and resolve in Manthias's eyes. He was not to be toyed with.

[Salemradel]

She kept a straight face when she saw the blood coming her masters neck. She really could not feel any pity for the man. She was released from the chains but wished she was still in them when she saw the look on the mans face.

[Mathias]

After a moment the slave master passed out from Manthias's blade at his neck, weird, but it happened anyway. Manthias snarled and sheathed his sword and then walked briskly over to the slave girl and took her firmly by the arm. He pointed to the slave master as he spoke, " You can either end up like him, or you can live like a queen," He said and then took her by the arm and left the marketplace moving towards his palace.

( You can post there now if you wish )

[Tarik al-Asad]

Tarik, along with his older sister, Habibah, had been watching the spectacle from their stand in the marketplace. "Poor girl. She looks so far from home." Habibah said.
"Life is cruel sometimes, sister. It is the way of the world. The slave master merely wants to make a living, like us." Tarik's green eyes betrayed no emotion.
"How can you say that? That girl's life is no longer her own."
Tarik threw a sideways glance at his sister. "I know, Habibah, but she, like us, has little choice in life."
Habibah did not respond. She sold an orange to a passing peasant for one gold piece. "Business goes well today. Better than most days at least."
Tarik smiled at Habibah, she was so kind-hearted like their mother. "Hopefully it will continue."

[Neurion]

Neurion watched as a small boy weaved his way through the crowd, followed by two large men hot on his heels, clubs raised in the air as they chased him, the boy ducked and weaved his way around stalls that littered the market. The two men gave up chasing and stopped to catch their breath, the boy was long gone now but Neurion had seen the alley he had dissapeared in.

Neurion laughed as he walked past the two panting men. "He ran up there." Neurion said pointing to a different alley in the opposite direction. The men began to run up the alley as Neurion began to laugh again, arriving at a stall selling all kinds of fruit. Neurion picked up a large melon like fruit and handed the man some money, looking up he watched the sale of slaves. Glad that this did not happen in Dunland, but he knew that here this was one of the most wealthy business' so did little to try and stop it.

Neurion overheard to men discussing the slaves. I know, Habibah, but she, like us, has little choice in life." "Everyone has a choice in life." Neurion muttered perhaps a little to loudly.

[Tarik al-Asad]

Tarik heard the man and looked up with a hint of annoyance on his face. "Welcome, friend. May I interest you in some of our wares?" The annoyance disappeared as he showed the stranger many things. From perfumes to fruits, Tarik and Habibah had a wide variety. The only weapons that were present in the stand were Tarik's two swords and his bow, but they were hidden under a table with a long cloth on top. Tarik was tired of going through the same motions of selling. He had not had an assignment for what seemed like ages. While working as a merchant was considerably safer, it brought in less money. As a bounty hunter, he could recieve much more, but his life was usually at stake. He would do just about anything to feed his family. Tarik shook these thoughts from his head and held forth a hand-carved flute. "This flute makes good music, watch." Tarik played a short song on the flute. "What is your name, friend?" He asked. Habibah was busy arguing about the price of a rug with another customer.

[Neurion]

Neuiron looked over the items that were on the stall in front of him but none were any different than those on any other stall. The man in front of Neurion began play a short but sweet tune on his flute. "If i could play an instrument then perhaps i would buy it, yet i cannot so i shall have to refuse." Neurion said with a smile before offering his hand. "Neurion of Dunland" He said. Although he was lord of these lands he still considered himself 100% Dunland.

[Tarik al-Asad]

Tarik grinned and shook the outstretched hand, but was disappointed on the inside. Yet another failed sale..."I am Tarik Khaldun, son of Mahmoud Khaldun. This is my sister, Habibah." He said guesturing to her. Neurion of Dunland...that name sounds familiar. Tarik thought. Then it suddenly hit him. "Neurion of Dunland? Are you not the current ruler of Harad?" Asked Tarik in a whisper. He did not want to say it too loud in case assassins were lurking around the market. Habibah, however, heard Tarik's whisper and looked at Neurion with wide eyes but said nothing. If the ruler of Harad and Dunland was standing before him, then he was fortunate indeed. Royalty always paid well for assignments.

[Feladron]

( Just to get you two wrapped in the plot/ quest thing middleearthret.proboards105.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1188871613&page=1)

Feladron walked by everybody in the market, pushing aside anybody in his way. He stood aponn a stall looking down at the people around. " Men of Harad! To long have you been pushed around by the Gondorians, they have invade your fellow Corsairs and whose next? You are!" He shouted, his speech had not been to persuasive but it was backed up with magic. The elf spoke their language fluently. "Join me I can promise you unlimited party, few of you will be sacrificed but for a greater cause. Then none of the Haradrim will have to raise arms again. They will have others to do it for them... others that don't grow tired, that don't cower in fear..... others that take orders without question." The market people were whispering lightly, the elf could not catch all of it. It would be oddly embarrassing for the elf if no one listened. His palm was sweating lightly.

[Tarik al-Asad]

(thanks, Feladron)

Tarik heard the elf's speech and listened with interest. Here was one who could get he and his family out of Harad, either that or this was yet another crazed fool who claimed that the west was on the verge of attacking. However, Tarik was not one to squander opportunities, so he called a boy over to his stand, handed him a letter and a silver coin. "Deliver this letter to the elf there. Make haste." Tarik commanded. The boy ran to the elf, pressed the letter into his hands and fled the scene. The letter read:

Stranger,
I am interested in your words. I would care to converse with you. Stay here in the market until the sun sets and we shall speak. I am one who could benifit you greatly as I am trained in the art of stealth and death, but I also seek benifits.
Your unknown friend,
Tarik al-Asad

[Feladron]

Feladron read the letter quickly and shoved it into his pocket. An assasin! That would work perfectly... yes but i'll need more then an assasin. But he could also be a fluke... or a bad prank played on the elf. It would be misfortunate for anyone to play a prank on Feladron, even for a child. Multiple men had begun to converse with the elf they were curious. "All that are intrested in joining meet me tomrrow at dawn outside the city. Carry just weapons and food, if you have a horse the better...." Feladron still stood ontop of the stand waiting for nightfall, and also hoping he wasn't reported of treason.

[Tarik al-Asad]

Night fell over Harad.
Tarik noticed that the elf continued to stand in the market as he closed up his stand. "Habibah, I'll finish packing, go home early and see to mother." He said to his sister. Habibah nodded and dissappeared down a narrow alleyway. Tarik dropped what he was carrying and walked over to the elf.
"I am Tarik Khaldun, but they call me Tarik al-Asad." He raised his right hand to show that he was unarmed. "Your proposition interests me, but can you elaborate on it?" His green eyes bored into the elf's eyes in the attempt to detect lies.