Shady Dealings?

"Aye, I've done business with him for years now. Goes by the name of Vosk, though if that's his real name, I don't know. Businessman, he is, involved in the usual vices, as well as a few honest ventures."

"Slavery?" I ask dourly. Teran pauses for a moment, then nods. "Like it or not, it is legal in Artazia. Don't worry, I won't let them have you again."

I sigh. I don't like it, but we'll have to see if it works. After eating, we return to our room, where I undress, then set to work dying my skirt and top black. I'm less uncomortable around Teran this time (He's seen me naked once already, I reason, and he is a professional ostensibly in my employ) After I finish, the skirt and top are suitably as black as my new hair color. I hang them to dry, and covering myself with the bedsheet, fall into a fitful sleep.

"Ready to go, Ilsa?" Teran says, waking me the following morning. Wow, that name sounds foreign, but I'm going to have to get used to it, at least as long as we're in Artazia. I draw on my clothes, still quite damp, and we set out. They dry quickly in the sun, though. In the oppressive heat, I mostly leave my robe off, and marvel still at the coppery color of my skin. As pale as I used to be, I could never even get a suntan, usually just a red burn. I know it's not permanent, but I can enjoy it while it lasts.

After another two days of travel (both nights we spent camped out) through the wilderness, and finally desert, we reach the Artazian capital, Artazed. I hope fortune favors me more than the last time I was here.

1. I follow Teran into a small home to meet his contact. An older, though well built man greets him warmly.
2. I follow Teran into a small home to meet his contact. Gasping, I realize that the man who Teran knows as "Vosk" is actually Maris, the slaver who previously captured me! Will he recognize me with my disguise?
3. Teran's contact isn't home. I make a suggestion: "If Don's been looking for me, he may have tracked me to that inn I mentioned earlier." Teran grunts in agreement, and we set off to Zal's tavern

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