Jenn was worn out as they walked through the streets in the early evening. She hadn't expected that it would take so long to heal Shirley enough to get her to safely walk on her own. Nor had she expected that Shirley's injuries would be quite as extensive as they had been. If she'd known her injuries were as bad as they were, she'd have haggled the price down even more than her initial offer had been. Though, she supposed that was part of the risk when it came to buying things that others mistreated. Such as slaves.
While Shirley could walk on her own now, she was far from healed, plus she had to be directed where to go. Jenn suspected that it was because she was afraid of what would happen when they reached where they were going. That she hadn't fully realized that she wasn't in danger, nor that even Jenn was there.
Part of Jenn was feeling amused when she tried imagining Shirley realizing who Jenn was, but another part preferred Shirley to be unaware of Jenn's identity. Largely in that it would make it easier for Jenn to ignore Shirley on their trip back where she could leave Shirley in Rick's care and not deal with her after that. After all, she was confident that once she fully healed Shirley, that she'd be able to travel with them and recognize them as not the same as the others who had her as a slave.
Not to mention that if Shirley hadn't learned the local language, that Jenn would be able to understand what she was saying. Even if she wasn't that cognizant of her surroundings right now.
Another part of Jenn making sure that Shirley stayed with them is she was confident that Shirley was still trying to escape. Which Jenn had to admire such an indominable spirit. Which she suspected would be otherwise admired in this world, except for the fact that she was a slave.
Jenn felt she should know how Sirley had come to be a slave, but she couldn't remember if it was the same as the way Rick had become one or if she'd been made one at a separate time. Part of her thought that it was the same time as Rick, but she just couldn't remember. She doubted it was that important anyway, especially considering the fact that it didn't matter how Shirley had become a slave, only that she was one right then. At least aside from the fact that Jenn was essentially freeing her from being a slave. Though, she suspected that she'd have to wait until she'd gotten away from this city, as she had a feeling the people in this city wouldn't care for the idea of slaves being given their freedom and would likely just try to enslave them again, if only because they would still have viewed that person as a slave.
When they returned to their lodging, Maelias' home, Jenn didn't like how dark it was. Evening had fully settled and the only lights were from torches placed in various locations, which Jenn suspected was to help the soldiers patrol the streets rather than give lighting to the residents of the city. Which only made some places darker than others, making Jenn more wary of potential thieves waiting for people who were out late and were considered easy targets.
While Jenn knew that she and her guards would be able to make short work of any thieves, she'd rather not create a commotion that would draw attention to them. Especially when they were trying to essentially buy slaves to free them. Though, she wasn't sure what she'd do with the knowledge that the slave auction house didn't have any slaves with the skills she was looking for. It wasn't something that she'd been expecting to happen, but it did require her to reassess what to do at this point.
Cutting her losses and buying random slaves would at least be something that she could do, but she wasn't sure if that was the wisest course of action at this point. Especially with how she was still trying to persuade Maelias to join her. She couldn't say that buying a whole bunch of random slaves would make her more or less likely to accompany her, no matter how much she'd like to have Maelias' entire family join her people.
Jenn's guards were just as quiet as she was as they entered Maelias' home, knocking politely at the door before waiting to be invited in. While she suspected that she'd be allowed to walk right in without waiting for an invitation, she couldn't say that she'd like how that would feel. Especially with how she was trying to get Maelias to become less wary of her.
However, what surprised Jenn the most was that her hostess had a guest. Someone that was waiting to talk with Jenn and her guards.
"So, you're the one who paid off Maelias' debts for her last night, huh?" the guest asked Jenn before Jenn had a chance to react to their presence.
"Um, who're you?" Jenn blurted before she could stop herself. While she felt she had been rude, she was a little surprised to find that the only reaction her question got was chuckles.
Jenn shared a glance with her guards, none of them showing any indication that they knew what was going on either. As Jenn turned back to the newcomer, Maelias spoke up.
"Apparently news of you paying off my debt has spread and my friend has a debt that she would like help with if you would be willing to."
Jenn sighed. She supposed she could at least hear them out. As she pretty much had done this to herself. Even though there was no way that she could have foreseen events taking this turn when she'd first offered to pay Maelias' debts.
"We could at least hear what she has to say," Yaelish whispered in Jenn's ear, making Jenn nod, even though she was thinking the same thing. She was hoping that maybe, just maybe, this might be the solution to the problem she'd been contemplating on their trip back here.
"Let's sit down to discuss the matter," Jenn said, doing her best to hide the fatigue she was confident was apparent in her voice. She had a feeling that this was going to take up more of her energy than she had planned on expending after returning to Maelias' home.
Hiliash cleared the table as Jenn sat down with Maelias and her friend. Jenn was vaguely aware of her guards settling Shirley down somewhere to rest, following Jenn's directions to keep her under watch, but to be careful with her as well.
"So, what's the situation that you want me to help with?" Jenn asked before Maelias or her friend could say anything. "Give me all the details you can and maybe I'll be able to help."
"Uh, first, were you able to find any slaves with the skills you were looking for?" Maelias asked, giving Jenn a small headache for reasons she couldn't be sure about right then.
"Actually, no, but that's not what you wanted to discuss, right? Your friend came here to see if I'd help with her debt. That is what you said, right?"
Maelias shared a look with her friend before nodding. At which point her friend took over. She explained her entire situation and that she wasn't the only one whose debts were being called in early, and at a generous discount. If only they'd be able to pay them off. Which wasn't something that was looking likely right then.
Jenn sighed. She couldn't be sure that anyone she helped would join her and she doubted that she'd be able to explain why the money she'd taken to buy slaves was spent to help others who chose to stay behind.
Even though she was the Blue Rose, she had a feeling her advisors wouldn't take too kindly to her having blown so much money. Assuming she needed all of it to help these people out.
However, she knew that she wouldn't be able to rest very well if she didn't at least seriously consider their request.
"Alright, I think I understand," Jenn said after she was confident they were finished explaining the situation to her. "So… uh, I don't think I caught your name."
"I'm sorry. I'm Huaita," Maelias' friend answered promptly.
"Okay, so Huaita, are you asking for help for just yourself or everyone who has had their debts called in early?"
Huaita blinked, making Jenn wonder if she'd considered that part herself before this moment.
"What're you asking? Are you offering to help all of us?"
"I'm merely asking if that's what you're asking," Jenn answered. "If it's just you, then I'm sure I can work something out with you, but if it's everyone who had their debts called in, then I'd need to see how much the total would be. As I really have no idea how many people that is. If it's a handful, then I'm sure I'd be able to cover it, but if it's rather extensive, I'm not sure I'd be able to carry enough coin to pay off so many debts. Of course, that would also be dependent on how much each person's debt actually is."
"So, you'd be willing to at least consider our friend's debts as well?" Huaita asked, her expression one of cautious hope.
Jenn nodded, confident this was going to bite her in return. Hard.
She also wanted to explain why, but she had a feeling that would only make things worse for her, so she bit her tongue as Huaita shared an excited glance with Marelias. While she was happy that they were excited, the bad feeling inside her only continued to grow. Where it was going to end, she couldn't say, just that she was certain that she wasn't going to like it.
"So, where do we go from here?" Huaita asked, her eyes nearly blazing with excitement.
Jenn sighed, hoping that she wasn't about to pour a bucket of cold water on that excitement. "First, I need to know how much everyone owes. Then I can figure out how much I can afford to pay and then we can see how much all those who had their debts called in early can raise amongst themselves." Jenn wasn't sure this method would work, but she knew that they needed to start somewhere. Plus, pooling resources like this would allow them to know just how much they could pay off and for how many.
Jenn felt a little worried about the fact that this might not be enough to cover everyone who will be wanting their debts paid off, but that was a bridge she'd have to cross if it came up. After all, she had no idea how many people would be coming to join in on this effort to get their debts paid off, which meant that while she had limited cash, it might be enough to pay off all those who came. Then, if those whom she paid the debts off used what money they had to help the others pay off their debts, then it was possible that everyone would be spared.
The worry came from the fact that the money might not be enough to cover everyone's debt and she didn't want to be the one to decide who essentially became a slave or not. Especially since she doubted that it would be a popular opinion, no matter who was chosen to not have their debts paid off.
"Are you sure this will work?" Maelias asked, doubt etched into her expression which made Jenn feel a little relieved.
"I can't be sure if it will or not. It'll depend on how much everyone has versus how many need their debts paid off and how much is being demanded."
Maelias nodded, even as Huaita rose from her seat. "I'll go find everyone I know who has their debts being called in. I don't know if any of them will want others to join in, but at least we can start there."
Jenn nodded as Huaita rushed out the front door, making her wonder if Huaita had heard Jenn's last statement. She had her suspicions that Maelias' friend hadn't heard it, but she couldn't be completely sure. Especially since she had a feeling that Huaita was too focused on this working out that she wasn't considering what might go wrong with the plan.
"How much can you spare?" Maelias asked after a minute as Jenn started to feel the silence grow uncomfortable.
Jenn sighed, she really had no idea but was pretty sure she really couldn't spare even what she'd used to pay off Maelieas' debt.
"Probably less than I'll use," Jenn admitted, glancing self-consciously at her guards, who didn't seem to care about Jenn's insecurities. Rather they were acting like they always did around her. As if no matter what she chose, it'd be the right call. A fact that Jenn was keenly aware wasn't something her advisors would agree with. Especially when she was supposed to be something with that cash than what she was likely going to do with it now.
"What do you mean?" Maelias asked, clearly not understanding Jenn's predicament.
"I mean that I'm supposed to be using the money to buy slaves who have a masonry or carpentry skills. If I return without anyone of those skills with most of the coin spent, I'm not sure what'll happen," Jenn replied casually, not sure if she should be sharing this much. Though, she supposed that Maelias probably wouldn't be able to deduce that she was the Blue Rose with this much information. Especially since she wasn't sure what Maelias was thinking right then.
"I see. You're worried that your Blue Rose will think that you pretty much stole the money, right?"
Jenn felt a little stunned at that conclusion, but she supposed it might as well be close enough to the truth as she was likely to let Maelias get, without revealing that she was the Blue Rose, that is. Although, she suspected that she probably was going to dig herself a deeper hole before this was over.
"Though, if you haven't gotten a slave with the skills you mentioned, what's with the slave you returned with? Why'd you get her if you're worried about how much you might need to get someone with skills in the trades you mentioned?"
Jenn glanced over at Shirley, noticing she was staring at Jenn, though with a suspicious glare rather than recognition. Which Jenn was perfectly fine with. As long as she wasn't trying to escape. Not to mention with how much they'd tried getting Shirley to talk, Jenn wasn't sure if she could understand the local language or was just deliberately remaining silence through sheer obstinance. Either way, Jenn was confident she'd need to ask one of her guards to keep watch over her through the night, as she was equally confident that her guards wouldn't like to let Jenn take the watch herself.
Although, that was also assuming she'd be getting any sleep tonight as it is. From the looks of things, she might not. Especially since she had a feeling it was going to take time to get the people who were having their debts called in. Once that happened, Jenn suspected that it was going to take most of the night, at least, to get everything situated on how much everyone had to pay off everyone's debts.
Assuming it didn't take all night just to get everyone gathered here. If that was the case, Jenn suspected they probably wouldn't have enough time to get the finances figured out before the debt collectors came calling. At least assuming they were able to track all of those who were going to show up to this location.
"Give me a moment," Jenn said to Maelias, who nodded.
As Jenn made her way over to where Shirley was with her guards, Hiliash came out with what he'd made for dinner, his children following happily with him.
Each person was given a serving of the stew that had been made, even Shirley, though Shirley looked confused as she was given a bowl that wasn't being taken away from her.
"Eat up, Shirley," Jenn said to her as she started eating the bowl she'd been given herself. "We'll have a lot to talk about after I finish with this."
Shirley's eyes widened in surprise and Jenn had a feeling Shirley still hadn't recognized Jenn, which made Jenn knowing her name a surprise. Plus, Jenn was pretty sure that even if she'd started actually talking in the local language, her magic would make it sound like she was speaking in English to Shirley. A fact that Jenn supposed would help keep her from trying to escape, but Jenn couldn't be sure if that was the case or not. Especially considering the fact that she wasn't going to let Shirley decide that she didn't care how Jenn knew those things, that she'd rather try to strike out on her own.
Or maybe she was overthinking things, Jenn remarked to herself silently.
Shirley didn't respond and Jenn had a feeling that she shouldn't expect a response more than the initial one. As Shirley probably had been abused so much in this world that trust was probably going to take quite some time to build. Though, Jenn hoped that she didn't try to make an escape attempt before she was able to get Shirley to recognize her. If Shirley did start to recognize Jenn, then she was confident that trust would be established a lot easier than it otherwise would be. A fact that she hoped wouldn't take very long. Even though Jenn suspected it was going to take longer than she'd like. Especially if she couldn't get the rest she'd need so she'd be able to fully heal her injuries.