"Lina-san, why did I have to come?" whined Filia.
"Because, you smashed that precious relic from our last treasure hunt. So, you owe me." Lina replied.
"It wasn't my fault", Filia interjected, "if Xelloss hadn't teased me, I wouldn't have accidentally hit it with my mace."
"Well, you did and now, you have to pay up." Lina growled. "Besides don't you want to help find the Claire Bible, too."
Filia sighed, resigning herself to her fate. She watched as Lina walked through town, dragging Gourry behind her in shackles. Filia held the chain to Zelgadiss' shackles and she felt him put his hands on her shoulder.
"You can't really argue with her, can you?", Zelgadiss asked, smiling faintly.
Filia couldn't help but smile back. It was lucky that Amelia wasn't here. She would have insisted on being there to annoy Zel by being the one to lead him around. If she didn't do one of her justice speeches about slavery first.
The group was still searching for the Claire Bible, and the clues had lead to a women who lived in a port town along the Northern Coast. This town was a lot like the village that Lina had mentioned before, the one that didn't permit men. This one was different, in the sense that it didn't allow free men. Any man who entered had to be a slave, or they would quickly be made one.
Lina had given both men the option of going in drag again, or going in shackles. They chose the shackles.
"What's the plan, Lina," Zelgadiss asked, watching Lina and Gourry stuffing their face.
"Well, I figure Lady Chishan is keeping the Claire Bible somewhere in her mansion. However, I don't think we can search it with her still in the building. So, I found out that she goes every seven days to the slave auction to look for slaves. So, when she goes, some of us will have to sneak in and try to find it."
"Lina-san, you said "some of us". What will the rest of us be doing?" asked Filia.
"The others will go to the slave market to make sure she stays there as long as possible. They will have to try to give us the time to find the Claire Bible. When we find the Bible we'll send out a light spell to let you know, that we've found it, so you can know that you can leave."
"I guess, by the terms "we" and "you", that you already have an idea who is doing what." Zelgadiss asked.
"Yes, Gourry and I are going in to find the bible, while Filia and you go to the auction."
"Why do Zel and I have to go to the auction?" Filia pouted.
"One, I want Jelly-fish brains with me, so he won't accidentally spout the plan in the middle of the audience. That leaves Zelgadiss to go with you, since each man has to be with a woman, O.K. Also, Filia, you've been in auctions before, so you'd know what's going on and that knowledge might help keep Lady Chishan there."
"But, Lina-san, I've only dealt with vases and antiques, not in slaves."
"Here..., they are just merchandise, so treat it that way and you should be fine."
Filia and Zelgadiss stood in the crowd. Zel had his hood up, as usual. They could see Lady Chishan up on a balcony watching the auction. They watched her throughout the auction, trying to watch for any signs that she was losing interest and ready to leave.
Suddenly, they heard, "Sorry, that was the last one".
Filia and Zel looked up to see Chishan about to leave. Filia started to think. "We need another auction, at least one more that could be dragged out for some time, so Lina-san will be able to find that Bible.
Suddenly, she grabbed Zel's chain and started to drag him to the stage.
"Filia, what are you doing?" Zel hissed under his breath at her. When he got no response and he noticed her walk up to the auction announcer and whisper in her ear, he started to panic. "Filia, you're not going to do what I think you're going to do." No answer. "No, Filia, don't you dare. Don't you dare do it!"
He watched as the announcer stood and shouted out, "WAIT LADIES, WE HAVE ANOTHER SELLER!"