Despite the fact that Duncan was not a huge fan of Bella's company, he knew deep down that she was hid best shot at finding any clue about his sister's whereabouts.
In front of Bella and Duncan stood an unpretentious building with a broom stuck out above the door.
As we crossed the door into the alehouse, a strong scent of ale mixed with sweat assaulted his nose. The alehouse seemed to be lively as he could make out the sound of laughter and quarrels from the noise that reached his ears.
Bella used his hand to drag me across the alehouse towards one of the empty seats. She then motioned for Duncan to sit, which he obliged.
After the silence between us stretched for too long, he had to clear out the air. "What are we waiting for?"
"An alewife, Dummy."
Just as he was about to retort Bella's comment, a new voice reached Duncan's ears that carried a feminine charm.
"How may I be of assistance dear customers?"
In front of Bella and Duncan stood a woman wearing a long skirt, a white blouse and an apron.
A blush of embarrassment bloomed on Duncan's face as he was not used to someone addressing him in such a manner.
Bella took the responsibility of replying to the alewife's question."We aren't customers dear, at least not of the regular kind. Well, my little friend here is looking for someone."
The blush on his face deepened when he heard Bella's reply.
You could have at least addressed me in a more respectful manner.
Duncsn turned to the direction which the alluring feminine voice originated, his voice filled with seriousness. "I am looking for a place that sells people, young children preferably."
A heavy atmosphere hanged in the air as his words sinked in.
After a while the alewife's voice reached Duncan's ears again, this time lacking any allure it used to possess. The alewife's voice was filled with sternness when she addressed him. "Do you know what mess you can get yourself into if you continued down this path?"
"I have a vague idea in the kind of trouble I am dragging myself in."Duncan shrugged.
The alewife continued. "It is 50 Huken cents for the basic level information about slave markets in the mid section, 50 Isen cents for the middle level information about the slave markets in the mid section and 1 Jurven note for advanced level information about the slave markets in the mid section."
When the alewife finished pricing the level of information they have access to, shock was written all over his face. One must know that a Ganen cent is the lowest currency accepted in any civilization while Merden gold is the highest currency acceptable in any civilization. The full scope of the currency used by every settlement is as follows,
1 Merden gold = 1000 Lernin notes
1 Lernin note = 100 Kein notes
1 Kein note = 100 Jurven notes
1 Jurven note = 100 Isen cents
1 Isen cent = 100 Huken cents
1 Huken cent = 10 Ganen cents
The fact that Duncan had to pay 5 Ganen cents just to acquire the basic layout of the slave markets in the mid section rattled him. Currently he was penniless and he could guess that Bella was in a similar state as him.
"Judging by your expression, you cannot afford any of these prices. So kid why don't you take my advice and just forget about visiting the slave markets."
Gritting his teeth, Duncan tried to find a way to earn 50 Huken cents in a short while but found none.
Bella who had remain unsually silent during the exchange, took this chance to interfere. "Thank you for your help dear. I think it is time for us to leave."
With that said, Bella gripped Duncan's wrist tightly and dragged him towards the entrance of the alehouse.
As we crossed the door of the alehouse, a cold breeze assaulted Duncan's skin signifying that the night has descended upon the city.
By the time Bella let go of his wrist, Duncan could feel a slight ache from it.
He turned to face Bella with an expression of anger on his face. "Why did you drag me out of the alehouse, that was my chance to find the person I am looking for."
"Don't forget that I am the one who created the so called chance, Danny." Bella sternly reprimanded him.
Bella continued with a soft tone. "Honestly, I wanted to tag along only because you seem to be loaded."
Duncsn turned to face Bella with surprise written all over his face.
"Spare me the embarrassment Danny, I was hungry." Bella's current tone carried a hint of something familiar.
A thought flashed in his mind.
Is that shame I am detecting in her voice.
Duncan shook his head to get read of unnecessary thoughts, and inquired. "So what are going to do right now?"
"First you will have to fill me in, on what I am signing up for."
It took him a few minutes to explain to Bella his story, after that Bella fell into silence.
"I am in" Bella's voice reached his ears.
"You know that this has nothing to do with you right." Duncan's voice remaining calm.
"Yes, and I am still in."
His voice turning inquisitive. "Why?"
A sigh reached his ears.
"For starters, the very fact you made your way into the mid section shows that you have enough determination to achieve your goal. Power can be earned, knowledge can be gained, wealth can be bought but determination is different. Determination cannot be earned like power, determination cannot be gained like knowledge, determination cannot be bought like wealth, determination is something that can only be grown naturally in one's heart."
"So dear Danny, I chose to continue on this quest not because I pity you but because I believe that you have the right determination to do the job."
Despite the fact that Bella's words were somewhat harsh, he was relieved that he had someone to share his burden.
"Thank you." Tears threatened to fall from his eyes.
"Wow, I didn't know that little Danny was such a cry baby."
All the gratitude Duncan just had towards Bella disappeared into thin air.
She just had to ruin the moment.