Why was Astarion here?
After a brief moment of surprise, Aaron's expression immediately changed.
Damn! This vampire could blow our cover and give away our whereabouts.
Aaron and the others had come to Avernus in disguise, posing as merchants visiting to trade, and had obtained a special trading permit from the Archdevil.
It was hardly surprising that Astarion recognized him, but how had he recognized Nastya?
The vampire was about to continue, but Aaron hastily gestured for him to stop. Only then did Astarion realize the problem, and the white-haired vampire beauty in the bunny-girl outfit fell silent.
But it was already too late.
"You know each other?" The merchant lord Mahadi immediately noticed the unusual interaction between them. A subtle shift crossed his shrewd, mercenary, yet warmly hospitable face as he spotted a new business opportunity.
"This vampire?" Aaron reacted swiftly. "His name is Astarion. He used to be my slave, but I already sold him to a merchant in Baldur's Gate. I have no idea why he's here."
"A slave?" The merchant lord Mahadi paused briefly, then burst out laughing. Dressed as a wealthy Calimshan merchant, he walked over to Astarion and gave the white-haired beauty's pert backside a hard slap. "What a prize specimen! You actually sold him? Your slave is quite useful. He's mine now!"
"That's why I'm surprised to run into him here." Aaron considered for a moment, then asked, "Can you tell me how he ended up here?"
"Clearly, Morgan hasn't taught you the rules here." Mahadi held up one finger to Aaron. "One question, one Soul Coin. Those are the rules."
Aaron glanced at the dejected Astarion and finally tossed over a Soul Coin in the face of his pleading expression.
"Ooh, the hum of a Soul Coin spinning through the air! I