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sitting silently without even talking to each other. He spoke gently to
them. They nodded their answers to his questions, speaking no words.
He gave up the uneven conversation and lapsed into silence as well.
The girls both appeared tense and worried. Jason wondered what was
worrying them.
The second sun was now almost directly overhead. The hazy
outlines of an oasis had appeared on the horizon. They would reached it
in another three or four ern and spend the night there. It was deserted of
other travelers when they reached it. The women in the troop lit fires
and started the preparation of the evening meal, while the men took
care of the horses. Jason sought out Carto and asked him what the
problem was with the two young blondes. Carto didn t know, but told
Jason they always appeared tense and unhappy when they visited the
city. They had been bought as slaves because of their beauty. They had
not spoken often since they had joined the caravan.
Jason was curious. When he had more time, he must probe their
minds to try and find the reason for their silence. There must be some
hidden fear that silenced their tongues. If he could find it, he might be
able to clear it from their minds and free their tongues.
Carto called for rehearsals for the new item they would add to their
show at Sarando. Jason would have a small part, that of the simple
apprentice to the comedian. He would be the butt of most of the jokes.
Carto was a hard taskmaster. They rehearsed in the light from the fires,
not stopping until the first moon was high over their heads.
The caravan was on the road again as soon as the sun rose. Carto
wanted to reach Sarando that day so they could give their first show
before the Festival of Anubis started the next day. They authorities
didn t allow any public entertained on the festival day of their god; all
the population was expected to be at the temple to give thanks to
Anubis.
The entertainers reached Sarando while the second sun was still
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high in the sky. They were well known in the city, having performed
there often in the past. They were allowed to park their caravans behind
the impressive building that housed the council. There was a small
open square behind the building which was where they would perform.
The wagons were unloaded, then the sides were removed. The base of
the wagons formed a stage on which the entertainers would perform.
They were high enough to be seen by the crowds they hoped would
come to watch.
The musicians began to play when the sun dropped below the
horizon. Torches were lit and placed around the platform. The
musicians sat on the ground around the platform. The sounds of the
music attracted passersby and soon a small crowd had gathered around
the wagons.
Mira sprang on to the platform and began to dance. She twisted and
turned to the music, her naked limbs flashing in the flickering light
each time they broke from the cover of her short skirt. Word of her
dancing spread around the lower levels of the city and a crowd began to
gather. The music stopped and she sank gracefully to the planks.
She was replaced by the juggler. He was good, but didn t please the
crowd as much as Mira had done. His best performances were reserved
for when the younger children were present. Then he would call on his
skills to amaze and confuse them the men in the crowd were more
interested in the flesh on display.
The comedian was quietly received. His jokes received loud
applause when they were based on the relationships between male and
female, otherwise the reception was subdued. The crowd became
restless and started to chant, they wanted to see more of Mira. The
musicians started to play again. Mira appeared on the stage in a
transparent robe that reached down as far as her knees, but was so sheer
it revealed every detail of her lush body. The robe fitted tightly as far
down as her waist, then hung loosely with splits on each side that
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reached from her waist to the hem. She swayed seductively to the slow
music as if she was in the throes of some secret sexual emotion. Her
eyes were closed. Her lips were parted. Her feet were apart, the robe
falling like a veil between her taut naked thighs. Her hips undulated as
she sank slowly to the ground.
The crowd was silent; the whistling that called her to the stage long
since stilled. Her dance had stopped and she was gone from the stage
before the crowd realized it. The whistling and applause was deafening.
Carto replaced her in the middle of the stage. He held his hands up
for silence.
Mira will return, he promised. But now we would like to present
to you a story based on the pride and greed that we all have but will
never admit to.
The tallest of the blonde girls was lifted on to the platform. She was
clad in the robes of a lady of high social standing, her robes fine and
stretching down to the planks so that only her face was visible to the
crowd. The comedian approached, Jason following behind him carrying
a large basket.
She stopped them with a haughty wave of her hand, demanding to
know what was in the basket. The comedian told her it was some of the
finest material that had ever been spun, finer than the finest material
available in Sarando. It was more valuable than all the gold in the city,
suitable only for the most distinguished ladies in the land. She
demanded to see it.
I cannot allow that, my lady, he told her slyly. To see it would
be to desire it and it is only suitable for the finest ladies in Sarando.
I demand to see it, the girl stormed, stamping her foot. Do not
my clothes show that I am indeed among the finest in the city?
Your robes are very impressive, my lady, but compared to this
material they are as coarse as the uncured skins of dramas.
I will see it, the girl cried, stamping her foot in growing anger.
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My father has much gold, he will buy it for me.
But it has been promised to the finest lady in the land, the
comedian protested. I cannot sell it to you.
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