Ill-gotten Goods
I had three of the faeries in my cage. Not enough to bring a good price on the market, but hell, these days it was hard enough to find a blood elf and even harder to find one that wanted the raw product. I counted myself lucky.
Two of the product were out cold. I had harvested them from a typical faerie haunt, a mushroom circle. Little magic bastards were drawn to the things. Learning how to spawn a mushroom circle was a basic skill for a faerie hunter like me. Basic skills.
“Why? You are one of us. Why do you do it, man-elf?”
Faerie talking. Tricks.
“Why, man-elf? Why do you trap us?” the winged shit said again.
“Shut it. I do not need your talking tricks, mana-juice. Just wait until we squeeze you.”
The little faerie recoiled in horror. I did not even have to look at it. My words were enough.
“You don’t scare me, man-elf. I know you are not the type to kill a brother for magic.”
Not the type, heh. Blood and bones, I am the type. Damn the faerie, I am.
“You are not a cannibal.” It said.
I tightened the rawhide wraps on the cage. I made it myself, and I knew the limits of its strength. The cage was weak in three places. I tightened one. The speaking product squirmed.
“You know you can’t keep me in here. I have powers. I am not just another fey.” The product squeaked.
“Whatever. You still have mana. Makes you worth money.”
“Money?!” the spare change said, “Is that what you want? Mere money?”
“Money works for me, magic-dust. Money works for me.” They hated it when I said it. As I hoped. Faeries were so predictable.
“How many do you have?” My fence asked.
“Four. One thinks he is something. I think he is mana-rich. Double the price. You check.” I said.
The fence passed his hand over my cage. His power searched out their power. If I was native, I could have done the same, but a half breed elf can only do so much without faerie magic. And that kind of power is expensive. And it was my livelihood. Can’t sell the farm on a whim.
“I’ll give you 27. Six on three and nine on the mana-rich faerie.” My fence said.
“No way in hell. Don’t scam me, he is worth two on six if not more.” The haggling began, like it always does.
“No.” mouthed the fence.
“What?” I said. “Where is our bargain?”
“No.” The fence repeated. I saw the swarm around his hand. My fence was about to double cross me, with magic. Bastard.
My back hit the wall. Pain shot through me.
“Let me out, man-elf! Let me out and I can save us!” Stupid faerie.
I flicked open the cage.
“Thank you, your faith is…gurk!” Air cut off the mana-rich product’s whining.
My magic surged in me as I bit off the product’s head. It’s blood filled me with power, the flesh made my senses tingle. Time to face the magic, fence. Betrayer. Never cross a blood elf.