Ethan had to walk alongside the cart with a rope tied around his neck tethering him to the cart. The cart moved slowly enough that he could keep up, so long as he didn't trip. Whenever he did, he had to scramble back to his feet or risk getting dragged by his neck. His white shirt quickly went from light red to solid brown from the dirt.

The Chief drove the cart in front while Gayalo drove the cart Tali was in. A third cart followed in the back, driven by the older woman who was named "Nimi." Nimi didn't talk much and looked like she had a bone to pick with the world. She sat on the driver's bench with her shoulders slumped and the reins loose in her hand.

Kareb, Toran, and the young woman walked along the back trying to keep the cow and goats going in the right direction. The goats kept trying to wander off and graze whenever they spotted some weeds. The Chief's two Dobermans kept running from the front of the caravan to nip at the cow's heels. The cow lowed and rolled her eyes every time and Kareb kicked at the dogs and shooed them away. The dogs barked playfully and danced just out of reach before barreling back to the Chief. Occasionally they came to Ethan, wagging their tails and weaving between his legs, making him stumble and curse.

They came to a stop after a few hours on the road. Tali peered ahead to see what was going on. A barricade lay across the road and the Chief was leaning out of his cart to speak to someone on the side of the road. After a heated discussion, the Chief handed the man a few coins. The man counted them twice, shoved them in his pocket, then directed his men to remove the barricade. It looked like some sort of illegal toll booth. The caravan got moving once more.

As the sun began to set, they looked for another place to make camp. The Chief sent Honar ahead with one of the dogs to scout out a place to camp. By the time Honar returned the sun had just dipped out of sight, leaving the sky pale pink on one end and deep midnight blue on the other. The ombre effect was so astounding that Tali wished the Chief hadn't confiscated her purse with her sketchbook. Had she ever gone this long without drawing something?

Honar directed them to a small clearing just off the road. Working quickly, the traders unloaded the carts, pitched the tents, and started up two campfires.

Toran was about to help Tali out of the cart when the Chief strode up. "Have her brought to my tent. I'd like to keep her near me tonight."

Tali couldn't help shivering. What did the Chief want with her?

Ethan whipped his head around when he heard the Chief's command. Before he could say anything, Gayalo untied his tether and led him back to the animal pen.  Toran lifted Tali out of the cart by the waist and set her gently on the ground. Tali started walking to Ethan but Toran grabbed her by the elbow.

"Whoa, now," he said. "You heard the Chief."

Tali let Toran lead her to the Chief's tent without much fuss. So far the Chief seemed more interested in money than anything else so, hopefully, he wouldn't try anything creepy. Inside the tent, there was an abundance of pillows and luxurious quilts. The Chief certainly knew how to sleep comfortably.

Toran sat her down on a lush, silk pillow that was a beautiful burnt-orange color with dark orange tassels. Toran left Tali alone in the tent, her wrists still tied behind her back. Tali leaned back a little so she could brush her fingertips against the silky pillow. Her rough, dirt-caked fingers kept catching on the fine threads. She sighed. If only she had the bottle of sweet-pea-scented lotion she kept in her purse. 

Tali crinkled her nose. Lotion wouldn't do much for her smell; she was in desperate need of a shower. She smelled of sweat and manure. Suddenly the luxurious pillow felt like a mockery of her current condition.

The Chief entered the tent carrying an oil lantern, which illuminated the tent with a soft glow. He gave Tali a crooked smile. "Comfortable?"

"I'm still tied up, I'm stiff from sitting in the cart half the day, and I desperately need a shower," Tali said. "So, no. But thanks for asking."

He chuckled and set the lantern on the ground next to his bedroll. He plopped onto a pile of pillows and sighed contentedly. "I must say, you're quite a talkative kitty."

Tali scooted back a little. "The cat joke was old the first time."

The Chief laughed. "Don't worry, I'm not interested in your body."

Tali let out a slow breath. "Thank God for that," she murmured.

"I do have some things to ask you, though."

Tali cringed. "What things?"

He rolled onto his side, propped up on his elbow. "Like where you're really from."

Tali bit her lip. "What do you mean?"

His look hardened. "You don't look Karagan. Kareb says you hadn't heard of Atoyot or even Jambaban. And quite a few other suspicious things."

Tali looked away, gritting her teeth.

"Well?" the Chief asked.

"I have nothing to say to you."

"Oh?" The Chief raised an eyebrow. "Then I have no food to give you."

Her jaw dropped. "You wouldn't!"

He shrugged. "One less mouth to feed."

"Won't my being malnourished affect my value?" Tali countered.

The Chief burst out laughing. "By the Bridge, you don't beat around the bush, do you?" He wiped away some tears as he chuckled.

Tali eyed him with disdain. "Was I really that funny?"

He grinned. "You're the most forthright woman I've ever met."

Tali scoffed. "Why, are all the women you've met demure and soft-spoken? Thanks, but no thanks."

The Chief suddenly looked interested. "Are women outspoken where you come from?"

"You're just determined to get that information out of me no matter what it takes, aren't you?"

He fingered the fringe on one of the pillows. "Guilty as charged."

"Why?" She shifted, trying to keep her legs from falling asleep.

"Because you are an anomaly and I find that fascinating."

Tali was taken aback. "How am I an anomaly?"

His smile looked spooky in the lamplight. "Your red hair, for one. Your manner of speech, the way you are dressed. The way you sound completely fluent but ignorant, meaning you used a language potion." He shrugged. "Can't you see why I'm curious?"

Tali cursed his intelligence. "If you find me so fascinating, why sell me off?"

"I am a merchant, after all. Anything I find fascinating, someone else will find more fascinating and will pay handsomely to get."

She sighed. "Figures."

He looked her in the eyes long enough to make her squirm. Finally, he stood. "I'll let you sit and think about it. Maybe your empty stomach will convince you to open your mouth." And with that, he left, taking the gas lamp with him and plunging the tent into darkness.