Everything was arranged for further trade negotiations with the Patriarchs of Praetoria and the three of us were seated on wide benches covered with fur skins at one of the tables for the feast.
The sudden appearance of Louis in a nice suit slightly stunned.
- Surprise! - He elegantly waved his thin fingers, smiling reservedly and sat down next to me on the right.
... Really unexpected... why is he here?
- I am participating in the negotiations as a personnel officer, - Louis answered hastily, as if he had heard my question, absentmindedly examining the abundance of meat dishes on the table. - Well... I hardly want to try this! Not my diet!
- And not mine either!
- Well, in vain you refuse! Delicious and healthy food! — Dylan replied, not particularly bothered by our disgust for alien meal, and with obvious pleasure gave himself over to eating juicy pieces of meat in a dark thick sauce, stabbing them on a silver skewer.
— Maybe... and tasty, but it was running around and enjoying life not long ago... I can't do that...
Against the general chatter of the actively chewing Praetorians, I decided to keep up the conversation with the personnel officer, who had found a small bunch of transparent greenish berries on the table:
— As I understand it, the local men are ready to become recruits for the navy for a special fee...
Louis coquettishly pinched off a small fruit with his lips, which burst in his mouth.
— Yeah... For gold only! Mmm... it's very pleasant and refreshing.
He continued in a low voice:
— Do you know how cunning they are here!? They could have gone to serve in the Coalition for credits, but the local Patriarchs needed gold in exchange for live goods... no more, no less! And our leadership needs to skillfully set a quota for hiring people who love the military actions.
- They're not so interested in diamonds?
He didn't answer the question, distracted by the contemplation of the young cupbearer who offered him a drink.
- Ah... Wow! - Louis couldn't hide his admiration, looking at the slender brunette in a white tunic with a geometric pattern, holding a tray with a crystal goblet of thick burgundy wine.
- Hah... - Dylan grinned, winking at the cupbearer. - Pull his tunic hem and he'll understand all the hints from you, Louis!
- Ho-ho... - the personnel officer got excited, excitedly sipping the drink. - Just like that? Are you kidding?
The guy was obviously very impressed by the elegant foreigner, continuing to serve wine and throwing him glances back.
- He has emerald eyes! How rare! - Louis whispered barely audibly, nervously rubbing his fingers. - And probably ... soft to the touch, dark blond silky curls, sparkling in the sun ... Such a handsome young man! Whose is he, Dylan?
- How much is he worth, do you want to know? - I asked carefully.
- Expensive, Louis! Precisely because of the color of his eyes! - Dylan giggled tensely. - Are you rich enough to dream of such a thing?
- Oh ... I am very rich!
... No one doubts it ... but is he serious? Is he going to buy this young Praetorian?
- Taen ... don't be so surprised, - Dylan noted languidly, enjoying the intoxicating drink. - Such is the alignment of society in our country! People are bought and sold here... Judging by your amazement, this is news to you!
- Oh…. no…
- All of our Praetorian offspring are owned by the Patriarchs. Only they decide the fate of children, no matter whose, who will continue to live or die after being born under these skies... which is exactly what everyone who is allowed to live will do.
- But this is... totally wrong! Is this even possible? We, Seymurians, are happy to have any child and he is under the care of only his parents!
... Looking back at these contented, strong Praetorians, animatedly discussing their affairs over a hearty meal, it would never have occurred to me that such a thing was possible...
- And what... How does the selection for the right to live on take place?
- There is no need to discuss this here... - Dylan waved his hand and addressed one of the men sitting opposite him in his native language, playfully showing him a small gold bar.
… I became wary… Is this wonderful guy really being sold for a piece of shiny metal?…
After a short emotional dialogue, the on-board pilot explained in a satisfied tone:
— That's it! I've agreed for three of us to rest in Luponarium after dinner… Louis, are you with us?
— The fourth? But I would like that gorgeous cupbearer… and I'm participating in the negotiations…
— Then, you negotiate with the patriarchs about him yourself… I hope everything will go well for your mission. And we… will be busy with pleasant things till all hours…
… Before dawn!? Judging by the sweet grin that dreamily stretched across the face of Dylan, who continued his feast, something delightful awaited me and Erokh.
— You paid with the very gold that the geologists mined?
— Well, and by what, my Commander? They don't accept loans here, only in kind... If you want, we'll pay by your body or Erokh's at least by his professionalism. He's a doctor after all! He got his invaluable knowledge in the field of medicine...
- Oh no, Dylan... you're joking, right?
- Not at all! As you all might have noticed, personnel are highly valued here, and especially if they are blond... blue-eyed.
... Well, of course, I couldn't help but notice it... the feasting burly fellows continued to lustfully and dreamily examine me as a possible object for satisfying some... which is scary to even imagine... Or a commodity? What a horror! Where did I end up? It's good that there are certain regulations and my immunity as a foreign guest in an environment alien to me... It's not worth getting too drunk just in case, because the looks of the hot Praetorian men are more eloquent than any words...
- And how many credits will I owe you, Dylan, for a leisure with the girls?
- Not at all... my dear... Commander... as like a bro!