Al-yamama was glumier and darker than he could ever remember. It was when the daylight had receded that the things hidden in the shadow stood out.
Jaber couldn't help but notice there were fewer people than when they last visited, which wasn't that long to begin with. He didn't pay it that much attention when he first entered as his mind was preoccupied with Jawaher, but now he had time to dwell on the state of its people.
He could see there was little done to rebuild the sections that had been razed to the ground. Instead, most people of the slums relocated to some other part like Jawaher and Aisha.
While pondering on what felt so wrong about the town, he found himself before the inn he was to stay at for the night along with the small caravan sent with him by Harun.
