Jäger:
Jäger was born in Sierata, the region designated for slaves, unlike the other provinces. Sierata is a desolate land in the desert specifically allocated for slaves. While other provinces, including the capital of Farhaniya "Jaran," were not excellent, they were far better than Sierata. His lineage is unknown; his father passed away before he could meet him, and his mother never revealed anything about him.
In his youth, Jäger excelled in physical strength, equestrian skills, archery, and running. He also displayed remarkable intelligence but did not succumb to a life of luxury and idleness. He adhered to the traditional activities of his people, such as equestrianism, archery, and racing. Despite his superiority over others, he earned their respect and love.
At present, he found himself surrounded by four walls in a room with 30 other children, all strangers to each other. While Jäger pondered their fate, he felt an itch on his shoulder, only to find a child who seemed older than him.
"Are you scared?" the child asked.
"A little."
"I heard they will keep only half of us alive."
"How do you know that?"
The boy laughed and said, "Do you think these people will endure this miserable life until someone buys them?"
Jäger was surprised by his laughter in such circumstances and asked, "What about you?"
The boy turned to Jäger, "What about me? What do you mean?"
Jäger: "From your actions, it seems to me that you're as tense as they are. Your situation is no better than theirs."
The boy looked at Jäger and said, "And what about the tension? Either I die and find relief, or I live humiliated by someone. I prefer the first option anyway. Let's leave this topic. What's your name?"
"Jäger."
"I'm Masaan, pleased to meet you."
"Likewise."
"The night has fallen; let's sleep. We need rest."
"I don't think we'll rest by sleeping on the ground."
"Better than not sleeping."
The next morning, a guard came and opened the door. As everyone looked at him in fear, the guard took out a paper and read aloud: "After a year from now, those remaining in the storage without an owner will be conscripted into the Farhanian army." With that, the guard left, and the room fell into surprise, as it was unprecedented for slaves to be conscripted into a kingdom's army.
"It seems I was wrong," said Masaan.
"Will the army be better than living under someone's rule?" Jäger wondered.
"I think that situation will be worse."
"Why?"
"Are you kidding me, Jäger? Of course, their situation will be worse, even worse than the dead. Firstly..." Masaan leaned closer to Jäger and whispered, "Nomads won't accept you, nor will see you as one" Then he added, "Secondly, you'll remain a stranger in the eyes of the people in this kingdom, and your status will be like that of an animal."
"Are you exaggerating a bit?"
"I wish I was exaggerating, but believe me, these people don't see us as humans but as animals in a stable."
Silence dominated the room, and days and months passed. Children left the storage one by one, purchased by wealthy individuals.
Ten months passed, and only Jäger and his friend Masaan remained in the room. No one bought them.
"How long have we been here?" Jäger asked.
"I think five or six months. I don't know; I've lost the ability to count."
"I don't want to join the army, Masaan."
"Neither do I. What do you think about escaping from this prison?" Masaan joked.
"I don't think we can. There isn't even a window."
As they debated the possibility of escape, they heard the sound of the door opening. The guard appeared, inviting them to leave. As they went outside, a man, seemingly decent, stood there. Masaan realized he was his owner, but he wondered why there was no indication for Jäger. he turned to Jäger and their eyes were just like they are saying "we will meet again".
When Masaan left with his owner, the guard turned to Jäger and pulled him by the head. "Come with me," he said, leading him to an office where a man in formal attire was seated. "This is him," the guard announced.
"Thank you, you may go."
Jäger continued to gaze at the man who hadn't uttered a word. The situation remained unchanged until the man finished writing a letter. Then he said, "From now on, you will work here. Sweep the floor, carry things from point A to point B. If you make a mistake or disobey any order, your punishment will be severe. Now, leave."
The guard left, and Jäger was instructed to follow him until they reached a small, abandoned room. "Here you will sleep, and here you will find everything you need." The man pointed to a bucket and a towel. "Every morning, fill the bucket with water from the well and clean the floors. This will be your job starting tomorrow."