After some time in the large market, Arphaxad had found some of the things on the list and set off in search of Adonis' tent. It was late afternoon when he finally spotted his friend's tent. Adonis was engaged in a conversation with Catoni, who was helping organize the goods.
"Adonis, I found almost everything on the list," said Arphaxad, putting a large bag on the ground. "There are still a few things missing, but it's getting late."
Hearing the conversation, Catoni intervened. "It's better not to wait for nightfall, young man. The streets of Zoarlath at night are dangerous, full of bandits."
Adonis frowned, intrigued. "But how can these bandits roam freely if there are soldiers everywhere in the capital?"
Catoni shook his head with a sad smile. "The soldiers turn a blind eye to the bandits. The crime syndicates pay exorbitant taxes to the Grand Duke. It's a corrupt system where those who should protect us end up protecting criminals in exchange for profit."
"You've been away from the capital for a long time, Master Adonis," concluded Catoni.
Arphaxad observed the people around, beginning to understand the depth of corruption in Zoarlath. "This is terrible. What can we do to change this?"
Catoni sighed, looking at the two young men. "Change is difficult, especially when corruption is so entrenched. But truth is powerful, and the union of the people is stronger than any oppressor. You young ones have the energy and courage to start this change. Just always be careful and prepared, for the fight will be long."
Adonis nodded, reflecting on Catoni's words. "We'll be careful. We need to finish storing everything and look for lodging before nightfall."
Catoni looked around, making sure no one else was listening, and whispered to Adonis and Arphaxad. "Most of the inns in the capital are corrupt and involved in the slave trade. There are few good inns, and they're always full."
Arphaxad frowned. "Then where should we stay? We can't risk falling into one of those traps."
Catoni smiled and put a hand on Arphaxad's shoulder. "You can stay at my humble home. It's not much, but it's safe and clean. Besides, I prefer to help good people like you rather than let you come to harm."
Arphaxad quickly accepted, grateful for Catoni's generosity. "Thank you, sir. We accept gladly."
Adonis, on the other hand, was wary. He knew that any unnecessary exposure could be dangerous, especially with the Duchy's soldiers on every corner. "I don't know... It's a generous offer, but we don't want to be burdens to you."
Catoni gave a low, reassuring laugh. "Don't worry, young man. My home is a safe place, and you will be welcome there. Trust me."
After some hesitation, Adonis finally conceded. "Very well, I accept. Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Catoni."
With their decision made, they began storing the tents and organizing the goods. Catoni led the way, with Adonis and Arphaxad following him through Zoarlath's busy streets. The sun was setting, and the shadows began to lengthen, making the city's atmosphere even more sinister.
As they walked, Arphaxad observed the capital with attentive eyes, noting the furtive glances and dark alleys where suspicious figures hid. He could feel the tension in the air, the constant sense of danger. However, with Catoni leading the way, he felt a little safer.
Finally, they arrived at Catoni's house. It was a simple home, but cozy. Catoni opened the door and invited them in. "Welcome to my home. Make yourselves at home."
From inside ran two children "Grandpa, grandpa welcome back!". Catoni smiled and embraced the children with great joy.
At Catoni's house, he introduced Arphaxad and Adonis to his two granddaughters. "These are Hilda and Hella, my granddaughters," he said with a warm smile. The energetic girls enthusiastically greeted the young men.
"Nice to meet you," said Hilda and Hella in unison, their voices full of curiosity.
Catoni nodded toward the living room. "Make yourselves comfortable while I prepare dinner. It's not much, but it's what we have."
Arphaxad looked around, noting the simplicity of the place. The home was humble, with old but well-kept furnishings. The decor was modest, but there was a feeling of joy and love permeating the environment. He smiled as he saw the girls playing and laughing, feeling a peace he had not experienced in a long time.
Later, when dinner was ready, they all sat at the table. Catoni served a simple but aromatic soup. The girls squealed with joy at the meal. "Soup! Yay!" they exclaimed, their eyes shining with happiness.
Arphaxad and Adonis, remembering the banquets at Hadon's house, glanced at each other, both aware of the irony of the situation. Though they had experienced more elaborate foods, the simplicity and joy of this meal touched them deeply.
As he savored the soup, Arphaxad felt his eyes fill with tears. Hella, noticing the tears, asked innocently: "Why are you crying?"
Arphaxad smiled, wiping his eyes. "They are tears of happiness. I am very happy to be here with you all."
Before they began eating, Catoni got everyone's attention. "Girls, put your hands together and close your eyes." He looked to Arphaxad and Adonis, inviting them to do the same.
"Thank you, gods, for the grace of being alive," began Catoni, his voice full of reverence. "Thank you for our meal and for our lack of nothing."
They all repeated the thanks, Arphaxad's heart warmed by the simplicity and sincerity of this moment. Around the table, he felt a deep connection with these people who, despite their hardships, found joy in life's simple things. And here, in this humble home, he found a new understanding of true happiness.
After dinner, everyone went to sleep. Adonis and Arphaxad stayed in the living room, resting on improvised blankets, while Catoni and his granddaughters went to the bedroom. The night was quiet, but Adonis could not sleep.
First, the fear of being discovered kept him alert, but as the night progressed, other thoughts began to disturb him. He lay there, staring at the dark ceiling, reflecting on the past five years.
Adonis remembered all the times he came to the capital, the conversations with old Catoni, and the stories about his difficult life. He had always thought of Catoni as a strong figure, but now, seeing up close the reality of his humble life, something changed within him. While Adonis and his sister Aura lived comfortably at Hadon's house, enjoying banquets and the safety Hadon provided, Catoni and his granddaughters struggled daily to survive.
"What would our lives be like if Hadon hadn't rescued us?" thought Adonis. The thought haunted him. He knew that without Hadon, he and Aura would probably be living in similar or even worse conditions if discovered by Saladon.
Guilt weighed on his heart. He had always worried about the other "Seeds of the Kings," but he had never thought deeply about commoners like Catoni, who did not have the luck to be saved by someone like Hadon. Adonis looked at Arphaxad sleeping peacefully beside him and wondered if he also understood the depths of hardship these people faced daily.
Adonis breathed deeply, trying to find peace, but the questions and guilt continued to invade his mind. He turned to his side, trying not to make noise and wake Arphaxad, as his thoughts kept spinning around the injustice and disparity he now saw with new eyes.
In the early hours, a small shaft of light hit Adonis' eyes, waking him from his restless sleep. He got up and, curious, went to the source of light. Approaching the partly open door, he peered through the crack and saw Catoni working on his handicrafts.
Adonis watched the old Catoni for a time. Even at that late hour, he was focused, meticulously finishing his works for the next day's market sales. Catoni's dedication was evident in every detail he carved and polished, leaving Adonis reflecting on the old man's tireless effort to provide, at least, a meager life for his granddaughters.
As he worked, Catoni began to hum softly an old lullaby about hope and resilience. His hoarse, tired voice filled the small space with a sad but somehow comforting melody. The words were almost a whisper, but the melody was familiar and full of emotion.
"There's no believer without doubt,
nor atheist without faith, no doubt.
There's no poor man without a debt,
nor rich man with all he'd get.
Since the gods created this world, there's no way out,
Love is agonizing on earth, blood flooding about.
A dagger pointed at the chest, a lance, a sword in hand,
Hatred and prejudice, brother killing brother, man.
Oh Hazerah, let your light shine bright,
Sowing peace on earth, making life right.
The dagger that pierced the chest, no longer in play,
Life will have no flaws, peace and unity stay.
Oh Hazerah, let your light shine bright,
Sowing peace on earth, making life right."
Adonis felt a pang in his heart hearing the song. It was a painful reminder of the hardships Catoni faced daily, but also of his determination to provide a modicum of joy and security for the girls. He stepped away from the door, respecting Catoni's intimate moment, and returned to his blanket on the floor, seeking some comfort in the simplicity of the song and the silent strength of the old craftsman.
Catoni realized Adonis was behind the door and invited him in. Adonis, embarrassed to have been spying, apologized to the old man, who accepted the apology with a welcoming smile. Inside, Adonis asked Catoni why he worked so hard, even so late at night.
Catoni sighed and, with a melancholic look, replied: "I promised my son I would take care of his daughters when he died. I can't stop now, I have to keep my word." Touched by the old man's determination, Adonis asked what had happened to Catoni's son.
Catoni's face saddened even more as he replied: "My son contracted a deadly disease that took him away, and his wife too. This left the girls alone." He paused, breathing deeply before continuing: "At first, it was difficult for them to adapt to living with me, but slowly I proved I would be the family they needed. Today, six years later, we live together as if their parents never existed."
Feeling the sadness in the old man's words, Adonis asked if Catoni spoke about the girls' parents. The old man responded: "I try not to talk about them too much. I don't want the girls to remember how they were when they came here. But I regret not being able to tell them about the hardworking parents they had."
Adonis was silent for a moment, taking in Catoni's story. He felt guilty for the comfort he had at Hadon's house compared to the difficult life Catoni and his granddaughters faced daily. Finally, he said: "You are a strong and inspiring man, Catoni. I promise to try to help you and your granddaughters in any way I can."
Catoni smiled, grateful. "Thank you, young man. But just hearing your story and knowing there are people like you out there already brings me some comfort. You young ones can change the world if you know how to fight this fight."
Noticing Adonis had lost sleep, Catoni asked: "Cannot sleep, young man?" Adonis nodded. The old man then smiled and said: "Stay here with me, let's talk some more. It also helps pass the time as I work."
Catoni began telling of his youth. He said he lived in a village near Zoarlath, which at that time was just a fortress city. "When I turned 16, I enlisted in King Oberon Arkon's army. At that time, I moved to Bercuranon and stayed there until I was 22. That's when I got married and bought an old house in a promising Zoarlath neighborhood with the money I had saved as a soldier."
He recalled with a melancholy smile: "After some time, my family grew. When my first son was born, it was the greatest joy of my life. A few years later, my wife got pregnant again, but the pregnancy was terrible for her. On the day of delivery, she unfortunately passed away, leaving me with a new son to care for."
Catoni explained that it was around this time that he started selling handicrafts to support his family. "Caring for my two sons alone was difficult, but their joy gave me strength." He paused, seeming to immerse himself in his memories. "When my older son grew up, he became interested in the ideas of a man who called himself 'The Blessed One.' This man convinced many people in Zoarlath to rebel against the then-king Merion Arkon. My older son was one of those people and ended up dying in the rebellion."
Catoni's pain was evident. "Losing my son was as painful as losing my wife, but I resisted because I had another son to care for." He took a deep breath before continuing: "As my younger son grew up, the kingdom divided. Zoarlath fell into the hands of Felix Saladon, the man chosen by 'The Blessed One'."
Catoni continued telling his story, his eyes reflecting the pain and determination of someone who had endured much. "Under Saladon's rule, the promising neighborhood where I lived became a ghetto. Class and race began to reign supreme. Slavery, which was banned under the Arkons, became the backbone of Saladon's economy. And things have only gotten worse since."
Intrigued, Adonis asked: "Why do people accept Saladon as leader if he does so much harm to the country?"
Catoni sighed deeply. "Many still believe the words of 'The Blessed One,' who placed Saladon as the guide who would lead Tenai into a prosperous era. But I can recognize a charlatan when I see one," said the old man bitterly.
Still curious, Adonis asked: "Did the disease that killed your younger son appear after Saladon?"
Catoni shook his head. "Actually, these diseases have always existed. But in the time of the Arkon kings, there were many laws and rules for the people. One of them was that everyone should, at least once a year, take medicine created by the royal court's scientists. Also, everyone should dispose of their waste properly. Aqueducts and sewers were built to help the population, so there weren't as many diseases."
Adonis, who had been taught to hate the Tenai kings, began to understand that perhaps they weren't as bad as the books portrayed. He reflected on Catoni's words, realizing the complexity of history and the hidden truths beneath Saladon's propaganda.
Catoni concluded: "The Arkon kings may have had their flaws, but at least they cared about the health and well-being of the people. Saladon only cares about power and wealth. And it is the common people who suffer the consequences."
Adonis felt a mix of sadness and anger hearing the old man's story. "Thank you for sharing your story, Catoni. I did not know things were like this."
Catoni smiled sadly. "You are young, Adonis. There is still much you can learn and do. I just hope you use your knowledge to make a difference."
Adonis nodded, determined not to forget the lessons of that night. He knew his life and goals would never be the same after hearing Catoni's story.
Catoni said. "Now, go rest. Tomorrow will be a long day."
Adonis nodded and left, his determination renewed to do something to improve lives. He lay back down, but Catoni's words echoed in his mind, making it impossible not to reflect on the harsh reality many faced.
The next day, after a simple breakfast together, Catoni got his granddaughters ready for school and soon followed Adonis and Arphaxad back to the market. Arphaxad would continue searching for the remaining items on the list, while Adonis continued selling his goods. When they arrived at the market, they noticed a big commotion. Soldiers cleared a path and traders preparing for the day moved aside for someone to pass.
Approaching, Adonis and Arphaxad saw a large number of slaves in chains, of all races and ages. It was the biggest number of slaves Arphaxad had ever seen, and the duchy's own soldiers guarded them. Behind them, with an air of superiority, came a tall, strong Lizard-man dressed as a ship's captain.
Adonis asked the old Catoni who he was, as it was the first time he saw this person there. Catoni answered: "That's Venum, captain of the Alligator. It's a big slave ship that docks at Golden Port once a year, bringing slaves from all over the world for the Duke himself."
Adonis and Arphaxad watched with a mixture of curiosity and horror as Venum and his soldiers paraded the slaves through the market. Venum's air of superiority was unmistakable, and traders and buyers looked on attentively, appraising the human merchandise as if they were mere products.
"It's revolting to see this," murmured Arphaxad, feeling a growing fury within. "How can they treat fellow humans this way?"
Catoni sighed heavily. "This is the world we live in now, young man. Slavery is the backbone of the duchy's economy. And Venum is one of the most feared and respected slave captains around. He brings 'merchandise' from all over, and the Duke takes advantage of it to maintain his power and wealth."
Still shocked by the scene, Adonis whispered to Arphaxad: "We must be careful. If we get into trouble here, we could end up in chains alongside them."
Arphaxad nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. They continued on their way through the market, but the image of the slaves and Venum's arrogance remained etched in their minds. As they searched for the items on the list, both couldn't help but think about how they could make a difference in such an unjust and cruel world.