Hello Mr. Auctioneer

The lights are flicking on and off. The road is covered with mud water, thus staining her leather shoes. Aside from rats and insects thay are running around and seeking for food, drunk men walking around trying to walk straight, and prostitutes smoking cigarettes and whispering about the new rumors that they've heard inside, the alley was quieter than the main road.

Quiet doesn't mean safer. Assassinations, killings, and beatings, often happen at the very alley where Athanasia is. After closing the clinic she made her way through the crowd and meet with the owner of the auction house. He wasn't such a gentleman to escort her through the dangerous alley.

Her black cloak hid her golden hair and eyes. She walks carefully while looking for the house where the auctioneer is from. She has been in his house too many times, yet she still feels lost in the middle of the road.

The owner of the auction house was once a powerful mage who turned his back on his kind and decided to open an auction house. His auction house is the most popular among the rest. He always has the rarest items to auction, thus every man in the world that in need of something unique comes to him. He is also known to be the only person to auction the rare golden drop.

She stopped walking once she was in front of a black brick house. It wasn't grand, he didn't spend his money on his house. It looks pretty normal just like the other buildings around. A raven is on the lampost in front of the house. The bird watched as she knock.

The door opened, revealing a tall bearded man in his robe. He smiled when she glared at him as she opened the door wide for her to enter.

"Why are you dressed like that?" Athanasia asked as she sat on the sofa.

"I forgot that you were supposed to come here? Beer?" He offered as he drank from the glass.

Athanasia shakes her head. She doesn't need that to give her a headache. She still has a lot of patients tomorrow.

Despite the owner of the house looking like he hasn't showered for months. The house is neat. Books and displays are placed carefully. The floor and the table are shining. Clean curtains are on the window. It will look like it was managed by a woman.

"You look like you haven't showered for days, Benedict," Athanasia said as she drank from the water that he gave.

"You're right! I haven't had a proper shower for three days." He seriously said as he sat in front of her.

"You're disgusting. This is why you haven't found yourself a wife yet." She said.

"Don't worry I won't let you be embarrassed. I will make myself the man of your dreams in the auction." He jokingly said as he grabbed his notebook.

Athanasia's eye rolled when she heard him. She still remembers the dream that she had on the ship. Besides the fact that the man in her dream annoyed her, whatever happened to her during that time is still a mystery to her and it is still irritating her until now.

"Anyway, do you have it?" He asked.

"I have two." Athanasia smiled as she showed him the two bottles of the golden drop.

At the table, two bottles of golden drops are shining in front of them. Benedict's eyes shined as he looked at the two bottles in front of him.

Athanasia smiled proudly as she watched Benedict. She knows that he loves what is in front of him. He loves money, the golden drops will surely bring him a lot of money.

"Are we going to auction these two? It will be best if we just auction one." He said as he inspect the bottle.

"Let us save the other one for later. I know that you'll be able to guard it even if I'm gone." Athanasia said.

"You can count on me." He cast spell on one of the bottles and it just disappeared.

Benedict smiled at her before drinking his beer. He then stood up and gave her biscuits. Tipsy, he started to talk about the girls that he met while Athanasia was away. Athanasia felt happy because whenever they met he always tell her his story when she was gone. They weren't just business partners, they are friends that formed their special bond for years.

"I met a dark one in the forest," Athanasia said as she bit on the biscuit.

He stopped drinking his beer and looked at her. Worry is evident in his eyes.

"What did you do? Did you kill it?" He asked.

"It's a man. I didn't kill him. He can't even move from his place. He is chained there." Athanasia said, trying to assure Benedict that she is far from danger.

"Even if he can't you should get rid of him. You know they are dangerous."

"He is not harmful. You see, his chains are weird. It was made of gold and there are no key holes on the chains. Do you know what kind of chain is it?" Athanasia asked, hoping that her friend who knows many strange things will know this one.

Benedict glared at her. "Even if I know how to unlock those chains. Why would I tell it to you when I know that you'll get yourself killed by unlocking those chains?" His tone has a hint of irritation.

"I won't put myself in danger. I'm just curious and the chain would cost a lot." Athanasia said.

"Let's stop talking about that chain. I will see it when I visit you someday." He said, intrigued because the chain could bring him money.

Athanasia looked away and drank a glass of water. She thought her friend would help her. She was sure that he has many connections and one of those might know about the chain. It seems like she misunderstood how much he worries for her.

"The auction will start on our last day right?" Athanasia asked as she wore her cloak, ready to leave.

"Yeah, It's a masquerade auction. Remember the masks. Say hi to Dandelion for me!" He shouted through his door.

Athanasia waved her hand and smiled. The raven croak loudly as it watched her leave.