Yunis the dwarf

He's not a dwarf in the mythological/Tolkien sense, of course, though his scruffy beard, deep voice, stocky build, and short stature (about 4') make it easy to imagine him as one. The fact that he's apparently a miner (or mine owner, at least) does nothing to help my preconceptions. I stifle a giggle as I vanquish the image from my mind.

I also notice he's missing his left leg below the knee, having replaced it with a polished wooden peg. Did he lose his leg in a mining acccident, or something more violent?

"This young woman wants to talk to you." the bartender, who Yunis is obviously freindly with, tells him. He walks (really, with the peg-leg more of a waddle) over to my table and pulls himself onto the chair.

I get straight to the point. Maris being here makes my conversation easier. "My name is Ilsa, and I am interested in buying the freedom of one of your mining slaves."

He looks puzzled, so I continue. "A few weeks ago, that man..." I say, pointing to Maris, who is still hemmed in by the crowd, "...sold a Laralian to you, or so he tells me. His name is Donald De Freydair. Do you know who I'm talking about?"

He sits silent for a moment, then nods. "Yes, yes, the Laralian. I remember now. Troublemaker, that one is. Tried to escape three times the first week. He's been working at my coal mine north of the city."

"So you still have him then?" I ask hopefully.

"Unless he's managed to escape in the past few days. I run 3 different mines, and travel between them, and the city, frequently. I was last at the northern mine about 4 days ago, and as I recall he was still there."

"Perhaps we can come to some sort of accomodation on a price for his freedom? I can pay 11 and a half gold." I say. Yunis ponders, then replies:

1. "Yes, we can come to an accomodation at that price, I think."
2. "No, demand for non-Artazian slaves has skyrocketed since Sultan Arif instituted a military draft. I'm afraid I can't let him go for less than twenty.
3. "Yes, we can come to an accomodation, but I'm not interested in money." I notice he's leering at me.

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree