"Their exact motivations are unknown. I suppose that's for us to find out." Raine said in response to Jamie's question. "Though, if I had to guess, I'd say both of your assumptions are correct. Humor and perversion. As for setting them straight, well, that's easier said than done. We'll need evidence, names, and if things come to blows, a plan."
Raine heard the sounds of rustling leather and fabric behind her, a telltale sign that Jamie was getting dressed. For just a brief moment, she considered looking over her shoulder to try and catch a glimpse of what she'd already seen in the Arena, but quickly decided against it. No need to make the poor girl blush any more than she already had.
"Ready then? Alright, let's go find ourselves that merchant."
The markets of Enferia were a lively place, filled with people from all walks of life. Highborn noblewomen and peasant girls alike browsed countless stalls of local and exotic wares. Merchants from all over the world vied for attention, eager for a sale. Gowns and clothing of fine fabric seemed to be the most common wares peddled, with allegedly magical trinkets and potions taking a close second. Behind that were things like food and travel supplies.
After a few hours of searching (and getting lost more than a handful of times), Raine and Jamie managed to find the merchant mentioned in the letter. Lydia, the most recent known victim of the corrupt guards, was a pretty young thing; a cute and innocent face, framed with hair like spun gold and set atop a delightfully curvy body. The young merchant seemed decidedly nervous at her stall, blushing profusely even when her stall had no business.
As Raine and Jamie approached the stall, the merchant's blush only seemed to intensify. By the time they'd approached her, her cheeks were a bright red and she couldn't look either woman in the eye.
"Excuse me, miss? You're Lydia, correct? The girl who suffered the unfortunate mishap a few days ago? We'd like to ask you a few questions about what happened. We're trying to find the people responsible, you see." Raine said, doing her best to be kind and diplomatic.
The merchant shook her head. "N-nothing happened! Nobody's responsible, it's just... I-I don't want to talk about it! It was all just an accident, I swear! So just... just go back to the guards and tell them I didn't say anything. It's the truth."
Clearly the poor girl wasn't in a trusting mood. She seemed to assume Raine and Jamie were either guards themselves or in league with the corrupt guards that had allegedly humiliated her in the first place. If they wanted to get any information out of her, they'd need to either find some way to scare her into talking, or convince her that they were trustworthy.
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