#fenixtj

"I will wager for her. Combat."

"Uh, what?" The unseelie troll says confused

Coy translates since the ogre seems to have trouble with basic speech "She'll fight you for the girl"

For once, the Thane doesn't seem to be leaping towards anyone's defense, or if he's ready to, it's actually for the burro girl

"Look .. " the Unseelie Ogre says "I don't know about fighting a legend."

"I'm not a legend."

"Well what do I get out of it if you lose?" The guy ponders this, perhaps mollified by Jessica saying she isn't all that. "I mean, you pay double a finder's fee?"

"Done."

"hey.. I was going to ask for five hudnred dollards or a chunk of dross like four nights in a hold..so.. this could be profitable. My name's Hagram. So.. fists okay?"

The little burro girl's eyes have gotten very wide

"And if I lose, no finder fee at all"

That from Hagram , of course

Jessica nods and leads the way to the combat/sparring ring. She beckons all to come with; the girl, the guards, Clem.....

the girl swallows, and follows

and Hagram takes off his jacket, there's clinking sounds.

Clem mutters "kick his ass"

Jessica waits, arms folded across her chest, standing with her people. "Ready?" to Hagram.

"Yep" He raises his dukes "Shame I'll have to muss up that pretty face"

"Agreed." She turns to Phobos and orders him. "Champion. Take him apart."

"I thought I'd have to..."

what happens next is not pretty, but it is satisfying. Phobos is a redcap who has been fighting all his life with fist and mouth

Jessica stands, arms crossed, and watches every moment.

While Hagram is an ogre, and strong as all trolls... well.. he's caught off guard, and isn't that much stronger

It's an amazing thing to hear a giant's kneecap shatter under a hobnailed boot kick

And suddenly size is less of an advantage

Phobos punches in vitals.. kidney, throat...whatever is in reach.

And Hagrim..well

He gets some hits in

Jessica's dark eyes take in each blow, on both sides.

But when the teeth come out...

Well, Hagram loses his nerve, and crumpled on the ground begs "you win.. you win... I yield.. Code of Dagda!"

Phobos punches him "What the what?"

"uhm.. Westward?" Clem says. The Code IS sacred..though.. between trolls mostly

"Phobos." Quietly. "He yielded. You won."

Although she sounds a bit reluctant.

Phobos stops "Sure.. thanks by the way, Boss. That was fun" THe cap suffers from a bruise or three and a busted lip ... Hagram looks..well that knee is shot...and he's lucky to have all his fingers

"Welcome, Phobos. You know where the springs are, if you want them. Be sure to see me later, ok?"

"Sure thing, Freeholder" He nods and sensing he's been dismissed, spits near Hagram and walks off.

"You guys are crazy..." Hagram says

Jessica approaches and looks down at him; easy meat, now, if she wanted.

Her expression makes it clear she knows it, and wants him to know it too.

He swallows "Look, you won, no finder's fee.. just let me the hell out of here."

Clem says "Ain't you allowed to banish someone from your lands? Just asking"

"Banish? I just came in to do good business.. "

"Tell you what, Hagram. I want to know if any more of this nonsense is going on in my lands. You find out about it, you come tell me. I want a lot of information. I observe the Right of Rescue, right? So you would get some safe haven. I find out you're -doing- any of this slaving and I'm coming after you. Myself. With my friends. Are we clear?"

"sla..slaving? " Hagram says "I just connect people is all.. you know...provide a service. I mean... Tidemarch was okay with it. So I thought this would be okay as well"

"But.. sure sure.. I'll keep my ears open. anyone enslaves any kithain I'll let you know"

"I'll talk to Baron Tidemarch. What you were doing was trying to sell a -person-, Hagram. Another -Fae-. So if you don't want to get treated like your Thallain kin.... and there -are- those who would say you're just that.... You play for me now. Exclusively. Crystal clear?"

"Crystal" He says

Jessica nods. "Good. Now crawl away."