"Yes... indeed." Lucien was a little bit annoyed at the gnome's terse referral to Rhone as 'the spoils'. One look at Rosa's face told him she thought something similiar.
"You must be my mystery challenger, Miss..."
"Tirarian" Rosa offered
"Tirarian. I'll have to remember that. It is an honor to meet you."
Lucien shook the gnome's hand, sporting a 'cat that got the cream' smile. She was a peculiar sight. She was laden with satchels and bags that made a curious clink when they moved, and her hat was akin to that of an old vampire hunter he had met once. Despite clearly owning a fair amount of coin, she didn't have the gait of a merchant, and she certainly wasn't of noble blood. He decided not to question her past.
"Forgive me. Where are my manners? Rosa, Tirarian, this is Rhone. Rhone, this is Rosa my... daughter, you could say. Tirarian was the other one who wanted to buy you."
The ginger girl curtsied "It's an honour, Rhone."
She noticed, up close, how subserviant he looked. He was in the company of his betters and he knew it. He was the least valuable person here, or so he thought. Rosa smiled reassuringly at him, trying to make him feel more at ease. It probably wasn't working, but it was worth a shot.
Lucien opened his mouth to speak again, but the auctioneer cleared his throat, reminding him of where they were.
"I say we continue this conversation elsewhere. Maybe we should... Astasroth guard me!"
He had trailed off when he noticed the next slave for sale. Suddenly he realised the true nature of these auctions, and was sickened to the core.
"Rosa" he began, voice trembling "Do you have money on you?"
"Yes..."
"Please take Rhone and Tararian to the Hippogriff."
"Okay. Do you want anything, or should I wait for you to show up?"
"A dram of Highlander Whiskey. The real stuff, I don't care which one."
"Alright." Rosa looked at the other two "I guess we should go."