Chapter 4 - continued...

A long silence drew out as the dress slid from Eliza's body. Merrick watched it drop to the ground, his hands gently resting on the apex of her stuffed belly. Their eyes met again, her gaze having softened as she looked into his eyes. She seemed to pause there, stretching the moment out as long as she could before softly mouthing the word "please."

Then the moment was gone, replaced by the uproarious laughter of Lim. He placed his docket down on a nearby table and quickly strolled over to them. "Woo...she IS fiery! Surprising she's still not docile even after two caretakers." Merrick stepped back. His hands fell from the warmth of her skin. Her eyes never left him. She said no more. There was no need.

Lim worked quickly, starting with her hair. He measured and pruned her. "Ten inches on her hair, brown. I assume you cut it?"

"Yes"

"Mmmh mm. Good back. She tends to favor her left leg a bit. Not bad though. No major scars, not that I expected you would give her any." Lim smiled at Merrick and continued, "She's quite busty for an elf. That's rare. Whatever you've been feeding her certainly agrees." Lim placed one hand under Eliza's belly and lifted before letting it fall forward once again. "I called it. Cord measurement of 4. Impressive for a female elf. Hips and ass are meaty as well...Merrick you've done quite the job. Have you taught her any of the native tongue or is she still babbling that forest speak?"

"She knows a few words."

Lim gave Eliza's belly a rough slap. "Oh?" He turned to her and smiled, "Is that true? Can you understand me?"

Eliza's eyes finally left Merrick and rested on Lim. Hard disdain. Lim wilted from it. "Uh, I'll take your word for it. Put her collar back on and bring her to the scale please."

Merrick approached and unwound the leash from his hand. He opened the collar and moved forward slowly to fasten it around her neck. This had always been risky. He remembered the first time when she had bitten him severely. Another where she had proceeded to try and kick him between the legs probably in the hopes of making a break for it. These defiant actions faded over the months, but the memories remained between them.

Eliza raised her chin and took a single step forward, slipping her neck neatly into the confines of the collar. Her eyes pleaded with him. He led her to the scale.

"Merrick, I don't know how many times I have to remind you, but you aren't to bring the girls to me so glutted they can barely walk." Lim picked up his clipboard and made notes.

"I wouldn't ever do that to you. I know the rules and..."

Lim scoffed and poked Eliza roughly in the side of her gut. She burped loudly. "Save it. This sow is so full it's a miracle she doesn't explode. We've been doing business a long time and you get good results, so I'll overlook it. Never again, you understand?"

"Yes."

& quot;Good. Now, get the elf on the scale. I want her on all fours."

The City scale was a large rusted brass contraption that sat in the middle of the intake yard. It was comprised of a dizzying array of gears and levers coupled together chains and spokes. All of which led to a large circular dish that rested just above the ground. Four chains held the dish and ran upwards to some sort of pulley system that spiraled out of sight and up into the machine itself. It was like a decaying beast that had existed before the City and would probably be standing long after it was gone.

Merrick didn't have to jerk the chain this time. Eliza did as she was told, waddling forward and dropping to her knees before crawling forward onto the dish. A low groan emanated from the machine and Lim approached to read the panel at the base.

"She's 208." He wrote this figure on his clipboard. "Pretty good for an elf, Merrick. I usually never see fey this plump. All in all, with everything as it currently stands we're willing to offer 328 gold."

Merrick helped Eliza from the scale and watched as she stood. Her belly jiggling with the motion. He tried to get another look into her eyes, but she refused to look at him now.

"Do we have a deal?" Lim placed the clipboard back under his arm.

It was good money. A fair offer. He wouldn't get anything of its' likes from the port merchants or Black Caravan. Lim was dealing straight with him. Pay off a few debts. Pick up another girl from the block and start again. However, something nagged at him...

"I'd like an extension."

Lim furrowed his brow. "I don't understand..."

"I think I can do better. I'd like her for another year." Beside him, Merrick heard Eliza let out a long exhale.

"Merrick, she's a fey. They never gain like the other races. 250 tops. I've never seen one go over and I've been doing this all my life. You'll be losing money."

"I know. Still, I'd like an extension."

Lim chuckled. "It's your money, friend. I'm not one to tell you how to run your business. You want to try, go ahead. Just don't get mad at me if her price is lower next year." Lim stamped the ownership paper and handed it to Merrick. "You've got one more year with her. Hopefully when I see you again her full belly will be hanging low enough it brushes the scale."

Merrick gave the leash a tug and began the long walk home.