After several grueling days of traveling with a fleet of horses, the slaves were tied together, walking in a long line. Khalid finally arrived at the new village, which was much larger and bustling with people from all walks of life. He looked around in amazement at the wealth, the bigger stores, and the vibrant atmosphere that was unlike anything he had experienced in his own village.
As they entered the village, Khalid noticed the variety of shops and markets, the laughter of children playing in the streets, and the different aromas wafting through the air from the food stalls. The architecture of the buildings was grand, with ornate carvings and colorful paintings on the walls. People dressed in fine clothes moved with purpose, their faces reflecting the confidence and prosperity of their village.
He couldn't help but notice the clothing stores with their colorful fabrics and intricate designs. In Khalid's village, people made clothes for themselves or asked a skilled person to weave them in exchange for a service or food. Seeing the variety of clothes and the well-dressed people around him made Khalid feel both envious and out of place.
The traders led Khalid and the other slaves through the bustling streets, drawing curious stares from the villagers. They passed merchants selling their wares, craftsmen showcasing their skills, and entertainers performing for the crowds. It was a world completely different from the one Khalid had known, and it was equal parts fascinating and terrifying.
In the center of the village, one of the traders began to auction off the slaves. "Slaves! Young and strong! Who wants a slave?" he shouted, attracting a crowd. Khalid watched with a mixture of anger and fear, feeling helpless to do anything. The trader who had taken Khalid, Ahmad, stepped forward and claimed him as his own, leaving the others for the auction. The announcer seemed confused but remarked, "You're always like that, Ahmad."
Ahmad just smiled and led Khalid away, leaving the announcer to wonder what he meant.
Khalid was equally puzzled by Ahmad's behavior but remained silent, observing everything around him. As they walked, Ahmad decided to buy some gifts for his daughter. He ordered Obaid, the guard, to unchain Khalid and let him pick up the items they purchased. Obaid smirked, thinking about how difficult this would be for Khalid with only one arm and one leg.
At Khalid's request for a stick to lean on, Obaid initially refused, threatening torture if Khalid failed to carry out his task. "Do your job or you will be tortured," Obaid warned. But Ahmad intervened, insisting that Obaid give Khalid a stick. "Give him a stick, Obaid," Ahmad ordered.
Grudgingly, Obaid complied, and Khalid managed to carry the items as if he were a normal person.
Ahmad, being a well-known figure in the village, wanted to buy top-quality food for his guests, as people came to his tent every day. He believed that providing high-quality food was essential for maintaining his reputation and hospitality. He haggled with merchants, making sure to select the best fruits, meats, and other delicacies to serve at his home.
As they shopped for high-quality fruits and stopped by the clothing stores, Khalid found his thoughts drifting back to his home, his mother. He longed to escape his enslavement but knew it would be impossible with guards everywhere.
Suddenly, Khalid heard a quiet voice calling out to him. A stranger was beckoning him over, urging him to take a small wooden box with a lock on it. The man was short, with a long black beard, and had a suspicious air about him. "Hey, you! Come closer," he whispered. "Take this."
Before Khalid could ask any questions, Ahmad called for him. "Hey, half-man, come here!" Khalid hesitated, glancing back at the suspicious-looking stranger who insisted, "Just take it. Trust me. Quickly, take it."
With no time to think, Khalid took the box and hid it among the items he was carrying. The mysterious stranger seemed to vanish as quickly as he had appeared. When Ahmad and Khalid left the marketplace, Khalid tried to look for the stranger, but it was as if he had disappeared into thin air.
As Khalid carried the items into Ahmad's home, he felt the weight of the small wooden box in his belongings. He couldn't help but be curious about its contents and the stranger's intentions. Why had the bearded man given him the box? What could possibly be inside?.