The Water Witcher (Completed)

Chapter 18 - Ojos Del Diablo

         The sun was making its descent with pink brush strokes across the sky. Somewhere scattered throughout the dusty terrain, insects serenaded the night with their chirping and a light breeze blew a few tumbleweeds about. Any other evening would have been peaceful. However, Luna's heart drummed like a war dance, keeping with the trot of the horse.

The wagon rolled over bumps in the sand while turning onto the road for the camp. Except Luna wasn't the only one. A trail of horse riders wearing black galloped ahead of her with lanterns in their hands. She tugged on the reins, forcing the horse to slow down, and furrowed her brows as she stared at them. Why did it feel like deja vu?

"The answers to Corbin's vision must be here," she said to herself. "The answers have to be here..."

Except her vision led her to the devil's door, and what she saw in Corbin's eyes was an unfinished story. She was going in blind. Yet, she couldn't help but smile as she signaled for the horse to pick up its pace again. It would all unfold in time, she just had to trust it.

When she made it into the camp, Hounds guarded the entrance with weapons cradled across their arms, ready for a threat.

"You there," one of them said as he approached her. "Are you here to buy a potential slave or a Water Witcher?"

Luna couldn't help but smirk. Were they not both the same? She pulled the flyer out of her pocket and handed it to him. "Says there I can buy a witcher."

"You can but..." His brown eyes did a quick sweep of her. "I don't think you can afford a Witcher. Perhaps bidding on one criminal would be better?"

"The flyer says I can buy a Witcher," she repeated.

"Unless you have one thousand dollars, I suggest bidding on one criminal. They're more affordable and groomed into submission for slavery."

"I'm here for a Witcher. I don't care what price the bidding starts. I can afford it. Now, are you letting me in?"

The Hound took one long, last look while sizing her up and stepped aside. Raising a hand, he pointed to a few horses drinking by a water trough. "Park your wagon over there and proceed to the security station over there."

Luna nodded, giving the reins a gentle whip, and rolled the small wagon past the guard. She was underdressed compared to most of the guests arriving. Velvet rope blocked rows of foldout chairs for men smoking cigars and fancy dressed women holding plastic wine glasses.

After parking the wagon alongside the horses, she walked to the security station and stood behind two people getting searched. She couldn't help but notice the fancy-dressed guests getting escorted straight to the sectioned off area instead of the security station.

When it was her turn, she folded her arms and said, "why aren't they being searched?"

"Look at them and look at you. Now spread your arms so I can frisk you."

"I don't think so." Luna stepped back. "I have a lot of money. I'm here to purchase two Witchers, minimum. Don't let my appearance confuse you."

"Oh really?" the Hound scoffed. "Prove it."

Luna reached into the messenger bag slung across her shoulder and removed a billfold. When the Hound tried grabbing it she snatched it away. "I don't think so. I'm not stupid, and if you're kind to me..." She pulled out a one hundred-dollar bill and tucked it into his shirt pocket. "I have more."

He pulled out the bill and glanced at it. "This is a good start."

"And what does it get me?"

A tiny smile flashed across his thin lips and his eyes did a quick scan of the camp as he replied, "I can't have you sit in the front, not with how casually you're dressed but I can give you a head's up about investment-worthy specialty items."