The pair starts walking toward you, you can hear them discussing the payment. You try to struggle against your manacles. "Look, he's tryin' to escape," the slaver notices, "He can't break out of those chains though, we backed 'em up with magic. So, you want us to deliver him to your arena later?"
"No, I'll hoist him onto my wagon and take him now. If all goes well, his blood will stain the sand by dusk."
You struggle more violently, trying in vain to escape. You don't want to die for this creep.
It seems your thrashing has made a scene, for several more people arrive.
"Stop that now!" the man with the whip yells, lashing your chest.
"NO! I won't fight for you!" you scream out.
Everyone takes a step back at your outburst. You hear various scared whispers from the crowd. "He can talk?" "Since when did minotaurs talk?" "Can he say anything else?"
The pair debating with your life look at you with open greed. "A talking minotaur?" the warrior asks, "That would make a great show. he can scream as he's dying."
"That makes him cost more though."
"I have money."
"Um... Excuse me."
The last phrase came from a young woman, who has drawn up during the uproar over your ability to speak.
"What do you want, young lady?" the slaver asks, trying to sound polite.
"I heard this beast speak, and I'm interested in buying him."
The gladiator responds first, "Well, you can't. He's mine and I doubt a child like you would know what to do with a minotaur. They're vicious monsters, you know."
You decide that it's time to speak up again. "I'm not a monster. I used to be human."
"A human, he says. He can speak, but he's insane!" the slaver mocks. "You'd best let this mad beast die in the ring, young lady."
She looks you in the eye. You can see pity in her expression... and understanding?
"I need a bodyguard, and he should do just fine. Crazy guards are better you know, hard to predict."
"Well, I already bought him. He's mine."
"You haven't paid me yet," the slaver interrupts.
"Well, what can this child offer that I can't."
"My father is the head of the merchant's guild. He gave me free reign on buying a slave. Whatever you can pay, I can double it."
You interrupt again, "If it's all the same, I want to go to the one who won't get me killed today."