Auctioned Off
@alexwgraves
The buying and selling of slaves was prohibited in Beau’s father’s kingdom. People weren’t property, and that was the end of the matter. So of course Beau was appalled--horrified--when the prince of a neighbouring kingdom took him to one such auction while Beau was there on a diplomatic visit. His host appeared to be enjoying himself, sitting back and casually commenting on each ‘item’ that came up for bidding and the people who eventually purchased them. Beau, on the other hand, had to fight to keep his temper, refusing to actually watch the proceedings. It wasn’t until the other prince clicked his tongue disapprovingly and murmured, “Oh, that poor fellow,” that Beau turned his head back toward the stage.
Other than the chains that bound the young man’s wrists and ankles loosely to each other, Beau could see nothing that could have prompted the comment. The young man was handsome, fair of face and with a full head of dark hair, and he looked perfectly healthy.
“What do you mean?”
“The woman who keeps topping the others’ bids on him? She’s not known for being kind to her toys. She uses them, breaks them, then comes back for new ones. And it looks like the other bids are starting to drop off.”
Beau scowled. This was exactly why he hated being in this place. People who would do such things to other human beings...it was deplorable. And he couldn’t let it stand. His father would be disappointed that Beau had participated in the auction, but he couldn’t let a young man who looked as though he could have had such a bright future go to a woman who would treat him like an object to break and replace.
He called out a price double that of the last bid--the woman’s bid--much to the surprise and amusement of his host. The woman didn’t attempt to match it.
“We’re leaving as soon as I’ve paid for my purchase.” And Beau would respectfully decline any later invitations to visit this kingdom once he returned to his own. He wanted nothing to do with royals who would condone this sort of thing.
