not know who you are.”
She didn’t know what to say, and briefly wondered if Esk kar had ordered him to ensure that she didn’t run off. But the man’s simple expression couldn’t conceal any guile. And she remembered the touch of Eskkar’s hands only moments ago. “Thank you, soldier. What is your name?”
“I’m called Adad, Trella.”
“Well, Adad, can you tell me where I can find a merchant who sells good clothing? I need to buy some things for my master.”
He directed her as they walked, slipping through the stream of people who walked Orak’s narrow dirt lanes, a noisy mixture of men, women, children, and animals. She saw that most of the mud - brick houses had a single story. But the homes and shops of the better - off merchants usually had a stall or table in front to display some wares. Images painted on the wall identified the type of establishment or what goods could be had.
Though she had lived in Orak for almost two months, she’d rarely been allowed outside Nicar’s courtyard, and then only to accompany Creta or one of the senior servants. Now she looked closely at the people and stalls that lined the streets. At each stall a merchant, his wife, or an older child tended the merchandise, both to deter petty thieves and to encourage those looking to buy. Orak seemed much like her former village, only much bigger and with more fine houses.
She would have liked to take her time and explore, but she wanted to get back to Esk kar. So she hurried until she reached the shop Adad had suggested.
Entering the low doorway of the merchant Rimush, she found two other women ahead of her. The older dressed like the wife of a well - off tradesman. Her younger companion looked to be a servant or slave, in more humble clothing. The large room, illuminated only by the sunlight coming through the door and a small hole cut in the ceiling, held several rough - cut tables and shelves, all covered with clothing or lengths of wool and linen. The intense smell of the fresh linen tingled her nose. Goods were stacked on the floor as well, covering nearly every open space, and Trella had to be careful where she stepped. A colorful blanket curtained off another room at the rear.
The women and shop owner gave her a quick glance, then ignored the poorly dressed slave. Ignored her, until Adad followed her inside, looked around, then leaned in the doorway. The sight of the armed soldier accompanying Trella stopped all conversation, and now Rimush turned to her, taking only a moment to guess who she was.
“You’re the new slave of the soldier Esk kar?” Rimush spoke rapidly, his curiosity plain. Esk kar and his new status were the main topic of conversation everywhere in Orak since sunrise.
Although not particularly tall, Trella knew how to stand properly and how to deal with merchants, so she drew herself up before answering.
“My master is Esk kar, captain of the guard. He wishes me to purchase sandals and a tunic for him. Do you have such items, or should I seek elsewhere?” She kept her head high, her voice low but firm. The merchant would recognize the tone of one accustomed to dealing with shopkeepers and servants.
The older woman seemed annoyed at the interruption. “When I’m finished, slave, you may buy whatever it is you can afford.”
“I’ll look elsewhere, then,” Trella said calmly and turned to go.
“No, wait, girl,” Rimush called hastily after her. “I have what you need here.” He turned to his other customer. “I will return to you when I have finished with … what is your name, girl?”
“Trella.” She watched in amusement as Rimush ignored the tradesman’s wife to go to the darkest corner of the shop, returning in a moment with a pair of sandals. While he went to fetch some tunics, Trella inspected the sandals, then called to him. “These sandals are not strong enough, Rimush.
I want the finest, strongest pair you have, sturdy enough to fight in.”
Muttering under his breath,
She didn’t know what to say, and briefly wondered if Esk kar had ordered him to ensure that she didn’t run off. But the man’s simple expression couldn’t conceal any guile. And she remembered the touch of Eskkar’s hands only moments ago. “Thank you, soldier. What is your name?”
“I’m called Adad, Trella.”
“Well, Adad, can you tell me where I can find a merchant who sells good clothing? I need to buy some things for my master.”
He directed her as they walked, slipping through the stream of people who walked Orak’s narrow dirt lanes, a noisy mixture of men, women, children, and animals. She saw that most of the mud - brick houses had a single story. But the homes and shops of the better - off merchants usually had a stall or table in front to display some wares. Images painted on the wall identified the type of establishment or what goods could be had.
Though she had lived in Orak for almost two months, she’d rarely been allowed outside Nicar’s courtyard, and then only to accompany Creta or one of the senior servants. Now she looked closely at the people and stalls that lined the streets. At each stall a merchant, his wife, or an older child tended the merchandise, both to deter petty thieves and to encourage those looking to buy. Orak seemed much like her former village, only much bigger and with more fine houses.
She would have liked to take her time and explore, but she wanted to get back to Esk kar. So she hurried until she reached the shop Adad had suggested.
Entering the low doorway of the merchant Rimush, she found two other women ahead of her. The older dressed like the wife of a well - off tradesman. Her younger companion looked to be a servant or slave, in more humble clothing. The large room, illuminated only by the sunlight coming through the door and a small hole cut in the ceiling, held several rough - cut tables and shelves, all covered with clothing or lengths of wool and linen. The intense smell of the fresh linen tingled her nose. Goods were stacked on the floor as well, covering nearly every open space, and Trella had to be careful where she stepped. A colorful blanket curtained off another room at the rear.
The women and shop owner gave her a quick glance, then ignored the poorly dressed slave. Ignored her, until Adad followed her inside, looked around, then leaned in the doorway. The sight of the armed soldier accompanying Trella stopped all conversation, and now Rimush turned to her, taking only a moment to guess who she was.
“You’re the new slave of the soldier Esk kar?” Rimush spoke rapidly, his curiosity plain. Esk kar and his new status were the main topic of conversation everywhere in Orak since sunrise.
Although not particularly tall, Trella knew how to stand properly and how to deal with merchants, so she drew herself up before answering.
“My master is Esk kar, captain of the guard. He wishes me to purchase sandals and a tunic for him. Do you have such items, or should I seek elsewhere?” She kept her head high, her voice low but firm. The merchant would recognize the tone of one accustomed to dealing with shopkeepers and servants.
The older woman seemed annoyed at the interruption. “When I’m finished, slave, you may buy whatever it is you can afford.”
“I’ll look elsewhere, then,” Trella said calmly and turned to go.
“No, wait, girl,” Rimush called hastily after her. “I have what you need here.” He turned to his other customer. “I will return to you when I have finished with … what is your name, girl?”
“Trella.” She watched in amusement as Rimush ignored the tradesman’s wife to go to the darkest corner of the shop, returning in a moment with a pair of sandals. While he went to fetch some tunics, Trella inspected the sandals, then called to him. “These sandals are not strong enough, Rimush.
I want the finest, strongest pair you have, sturdy enough to fight in.”
Muttering under his breath,
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