Origin ARS 4 by Scottie Futch Page B

haven for bandits and various other rogues who lived counter to society.
    Scott and Rhea waited patiently as Ero fluttered around the area in search of at least one of the bandits. The city council had determined that their good works of late merited this opportunity to acquire their desired Writ of Meritorious Service. However, they had spent the better part of the day in the area and had not found even a single bandit. They had been tasked with the discovery of where the bandit group threatening the village of Descendant’s Cove made their lair.
    Ero returned to the group then shook her head. “Sorry, I tried fairy hard, but I didn’t see any sign of bandits.”
    “Thanks Ero.” said Scott.
    Rhea nodded to the tiny girl. “Good job. But you saw no sign of bandits here, either?”
    “No, none. It looks like no one has been here in a fairy long time.” said Ero before she pouted in a cute manner.
    Scott leaned back against an old pine tree then rubbed his chin. It made no sense. If the bandit’s in the area were really in the area there should at least be some sign of them.
    Rhea tilted her head to the side. “You know, we haven’t checked on the slave trader in a few days.”
    “You thinking the same thing I am?” asked Scott.
    “Yeah, maybe...” said Rhea.
    “Tonight is the full moon. We’re a good distance from town.” said Scott.
    “Exactly.” said Rhea.
    “Full moon? Wait, but on the night of the full moon the mermaids want to do interesting things with any human who will have them.” said Ero.
    Scott’s eyebrows pressed together and a frown rose up on his lips. “A month, that’s how long he gave us, but isn’t that a little long? Maybe we should go check in with him.”
    “Yeah, I think so, too.” said Rhea. The beautiful elf maiden’s eyes narrowed. A visit to the slave trader sounded like the best thing to do right now.
    The trio decided to put off finding the bandit lair till the end of the full moon period. Something about the current situation did not sit right with them. They discussed their misgivings on the long trip back to town. The day ended long before they reached the outskirts of the city and the moon had already begun to rise in the background.
    They headed to the slave quarter straight away. Upon arrival at the massive tent, neither of the three was surprised to see a large crowd of people gathered around.
    There was a large stage set up just outside the trader’s tent. He stood atop it with a friendly smile and waved to the gathered people.
    “Greetings, greetings, and gather round! The finest show on ARS is about to begin!” called out the trader.
    “A fine show, huh?” asked Scott with venom in his voice.
    Rhea remained silent, but her expression spoke volumes about her thoughts. Was the trader really about to do what she thought he was about to do?
    Ero exclaimed something in surprise. Scott and Rhea turned to the side and saw someone they had not expected.
    “Gambol? What’s going on?” asked Scott. The ninja master did not seem like the sort of person who would frequent a slave trader’s auction.
    “Hmm? Oh! It’s you three!” called out Gambol. His body flashed briefly. He disappeared for a split-second before he reappeared next to Scott.
    “Hi Gambol!” cried out Ero.
    “Hey again, Ero.” Gambol smiled at the overly enthusiastic girl then looked to Scott and Rhea once more. “You don’t know what’s going on?”
    Scott glanced at Rhea then back to Gambol. “We thought this guy might be selling the mermaids despite telling us he would take care of them till we could claim them properly.”
    “Well, if he said it, he probably meant it. He’s a fairly honest guy, except when it comes to his obsession with his sister.” said Gambol.
    “What do you mean? He seemed to want little to do with her.” said Rhea.
    Gambol laughed. “They’re rivals of a sort. I’ve only met his sister once, recently. It had to do with your job actually, but I’ve met