Banou stare at the hot sun shining down the cage that she is in. Even though there is wind it is still scorching hot. She still wearing her wedding dress and veil. They help to prevent the sand from blowing into her face and the sun burn her skin. The caravan is moving slowly against the wind and sand. Inside the cage is a few women and children. They are the family members of her husband-to-be.
On the day of the wedding, everything is moving as per schedule. Banou a princess is ready to marrying her cousin that she did not love but it is an order that she cannot refuse. Half way through the ceremony, the soldiers storm in and besiege the entire party of people. They are condemn as traitors. The male members in the family from the year 15 to 90 were sent for execution. While the female are sold as slaves and exile. In the jail, she asked her beloved Ahmet to help her. However he turn around and left her to her fate. She cry at the moment he walk away. She cry for the heartless father who sent her to her death. She cry for the women who are in this pitiful sight with her. On the day she is force into the cage. He stood there with a poker face. They watch each other from far. Banou have no tears to cry anymore. She scream when they push her and kick her into the cage. Finally when the cage is close up, she only can watch him from the cage bars. As soon as the caravan pull the cage out to the execution ground. The men are all tied up and the public is throwing stones at them. The women in the cage wail loudly and pray for god's mercy. Some of the public turn to them and throw the rock at them. The women shield their young children as the cage slowly move away. Banou saw her groom was the 1st one to be beheaded. Follow by his father and the rest. She said her prayers for them in her heart. As the booing and rocks being thrown, her heart is tore apart. She swear never to set back in this wretched society.
As the cage and the caravan move slowly, she push up her sleeves to see the branded tattoo they had marked on her. She is label as a traitor and this mark shows that she is not welcome to return anymore. Banou have accepted her fate. Wherever her fate brings her, she must live to see the better off future.
On the way, because of the conditions they are in. Some of the older woman cannot make it to where they are heading. Their bodies are thrown on the desert. Their accessories are taken away by the guards. Whatever is valuable is remove. Food and water is given only to the ones who are healthy and living. Those who are sick will depend on their luck if they can get better. Sometimes, the cruel guards will leave the sick in the desert as not to affect the healthy ones. So in the end, the cage is not so pack. Like animals, they have to pee or poo in the cage. Most of them are noble woman they can bare to lose the prestige face they are born with. In the end, they have no choice. They feel the shame and the degrading life they are heading.
On the way, they saw many strange different types of people. Those men view them from the cage like they are looking to buy pets. In the end, the guards sold them all to those strange looking people. There is a few of them who speak their languages. They are given all good food to eat. However they are all chain on their legs. Water is also given to them. The man who can speak their language is short and rough.
"I will give you all food, water and a nice sleeping place but if you disobey me. Don't blame me for being cruel. I am not a nice person. I can be very very cruel. These chains are to prevent you from running. I am travelling to China. Do you know where China is? It is a very very big place. They have everything there. If you are lucky to become a bed slave. You will be living a good life. If not, you will be cleaning someone's bottom everyday. " Suddenly all the men laugh.
"I am very simple. Don't run. Do as i say. Understand?"
We all keep quiet and he point to the 2 huge caravan he have. Some of the men host the woman up and push them to the caravan. So the rest of us follow. Inside the caravans are in better conditions. There is soft quilt paddings to sleep on.
On the 3rd day, they arrived in an inn and they are asked to come out. Slowly one by one they come out. Outside the wind is blowing at the sand everywhere. They hastily enter the inn. When they enter, the inn is buzzing with noise. The inn is fill with men from every different skin colour and outfits. Their master order the girls to sit in a table of 4. He order vegetarian food for them. "Don't worry and eat the food serve. I told them not to food anything with pork in it. This is Chinese tea. Not the best but it can quench your thirst. " Banou look around with fear. Every men in this inn looks like a nasty character. There is only one man who looks like a scholar. He is holding a fan, his skin is fair and white. Hair is long with dark. His eyes are almond shape with dark eye lashes. When the food is served, the girls take a bit, Banou remove her veil and take her first bite of food.
The young scholar who is eyeing on Banou ask his personal guard to invite the master up to his table. "who is that young girl in red dress."
"Well i am not sure who she is but i know she is exile from her country. A traitor, i heard. "
"So she can be a slave?"
"Yes of course. We are on our way to the black market in Black Pearl City. I intend to sell all those girls to the highest bidder. Are you interested? I can offer you a good price since we are here."
"I have to test the goods, before i buy them."
"Test? Sure but of course you still need to pay to test. Which one do you want to test? The red dress?"
"How much to test, for the night?" The master look at Banou and back to the scholar. He put up one finger and the scholar smile.