Chapter 2 The Deal

"Melody you sure? Maybe go and ask your brothers. Do not make hasty decisions." Mr. Breck looked concerned.

"Do you know anyone who would lend me the golden coin?" She asked again raising her dark eyes at him. The bald man said nothing, he put the dishrag aside and with a deep sight stepped out of the bar.

"Remember you asked for it." With these words he came onto those four men. Melody's heart was beating like crazy. She felt waves of hotness and cold in turns making her face flushed or ghostly pale. What has she done. Should she run away and tell them to forget it? What if they say they don't want a trash like her who sales herself to strangers? What if they buy her and take advantage of her. She was so stupid. She should have asked brothers for advice. After all Jeha is the head of the family and she's only sixteen. The swirl of thoughts made her head spin. It took her a while to notice that Mr. Breck was waving his hand at her to come. No, no no what should she say? Melody almost stumbled, she was trying hard to keep a composed face. You need this money, just do it. For mom and for Bella.

"So, this is Melody. As you see she is young … Mr. Breck was hushed by one of the men.

"How old are you?" He had a deep voice.

"I'm sixteen." Somehow she managed to pull herself together and spit out an answer.

"You are young, any diseases, sicknesses?"

"No sir."

"What can you do?"

"Everything around the house, I take care of my two brothers and sister. I also know a bit about herbs because I work for older Jaldar."

"Is this man your father?"

"No sir my father is dead."

"Mother?"

"She's ill sir. She had an accident."

The man nodded in acknowledgment.

"We usually pay one gold coin for a woman. You are very young and came to us on your own will. I will pay what you want and even add two silver coins. Do we have a deal." He stood up and gave a hand to Melody who shook it in agreement. Looking up at the tall man towering her, only to notice yellow eyes. She was taken aback for a moment. She has just realized they met not so long ago. The man had sharp features he was in his forties. She could see some dark strands of hair standing out of his hood.

"So, will I get my money now?" Yes she asked that question. She almost crumbled to the floor from shame but time was precious.

The man smiled.

"So eager, I like that." He reached to a small pouch and took out the required amount. It was a fortune she has never had in her hands before.

"Shouldn't I sign anything? An agreement or something?" She asked after finally obtaining the money.

"No need, nobody messes with us. You made a deal, there's no turning back." The man smirked.

"I need to go home for a bit, when and where should we meet?" Melody couldn't look the man in the eyes.

"No need, I will accompany you. After all, you are mine now."

These words made Melody shiver.

"Lead I'll follow." This short command forced Melody to move. The tall man followed her all the way back home. He said nothing, she could only hear his steps behind remanding her of the deal she has made. She stopped in front of the house.

"I need some time." She said quietly.

The man nodded.

"I'll wait."

Melody stepped in. Her brothers were at home.

"You weren't lucky." Garth said looking at her face.

"Just the opposite." Melody opened her hand and showed them the golden coin and two silver ones.

The brothers were speechless for a moment.

"How? Who?" Garth couldn't form a full question.

"Go fetch the wizard." She rushed him and Garth left as if his feet were on fire.

"I can't believe someone lend us that much money. What have you done Melody?" Jeha came closer to his sister. Melody lowered her head.

"Nobody would lend us that much money." She said quietly. "I made a deal with one man from the Tribe."

Jeha's face froze, he turned around and sat down on the chair lowered his head and covered it with his own hands.

"Melody, no..." He was crying, shedding soundless tears. "No, not like that." He looked at her face again, her dark eyes and curly brown hair. Those little freckles on her little nose and beautiful lips that could smile so warmly.

"I need to pack my things, he is waiting for me outside."

"I'll talk to him."

"No, Jeha don't do anything foolish." She begged him with teary eyes.

"I won't. The deal is done I can't change that but I want to talk to him." Jeha stood up and went outside. Melody went to the room she shared with Bella. For a moment she stood clueless what to take with her, how to pack her whole life into one bag. She touched her bed with a cape made by her mother, the chair her father has done, she looked at the collection of pretty stones that Bella found so interesting. She took only few clothes and some personal stuff more like souvenirs. Her room felt suddenly so empty so foreign without her few treasures. As if she has never existed. She had to face Bella and explain her that she was going away, like forever and this is their final goodbye. And there was Garth too and mom…

When Garth entered mother's bedroom with a wizard he saw teary faces.

"It's Ok, mom will get better soon." He was trying to cheer them up.

"Leave." The wizard said closing door behind them. In a moment they could hear him singing summoning magic through his crystal. They could hear him and see the flashing lights visual thanks to cracks in the door. Melody didn't realize she was holding her breath until she almost started choking. Few minutes later the wizard was out.

"She'll be fine. She needs few days to come round but all her limbs are intact and her mind too."

"Thank you sir." Garth was smiling brightly and Jeha handed the man the golden coin.

Mom was lying with open eyes and looked at them Melody hugged her tightly.

"I love you mom." She whispered into her ear.

"Honey.." Mom's words were faint but still Melody could hear them. She was so happy. It was not in vain what she did. She decided not to tell mom anything at the moment, her health was too fragile. Jeha will tell her later.

It was already dark when Melody left her house with all her belongings. The man was there.

"It took you a wile." He remarked.

"I'm sorry you had to wait." Melody lowered her head and this time she followed him back to the inn.

The "Golden Duck" inn was bustling with laughter, shouts some music and cheerful atmosphere. They went inside and Melody was led upstairs. To his room. She was sweating and had problems with coherent thinking. She sold herself so the man can do with her whatever he sees fit. She was no longer a master of herself. She knew, more or less, what's happening between a man and a women in bed, but she wasn't ready. She was scared. They went inside a room and her fingers clenched on her bag. She was standing there not knowing what to do.

"You can sit on the bed." That simple sentence almost made her faint.